JP2000331558A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the operability and the convenience for an operator by increasing the functionality of a switch device. SOLUTION: This device is provided with multiple key tops 3a to 3k to which a vibration is transmitted when a pressing operation is conducted, a switching signal output circuit 15 providing a switching signal based on the pressing operation on the key top, multiple actuators 8, 8 transmitting a vibration individually to the multiple key tops, and an actuator control circuit 17 sending a control signal to control a drive of the multiple actuators.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field of a switch device having a plurality of key tops and performing a switching operation by a pressing operation on the key tops.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A switch device, for example, a key switch is used as an input device in which a predetermined key top is pressed to perform a predetermined switching operation and an input is made in response to a pressing operation of an operator.

[0003] Therefore, normally, the device does not have a function as an output device for providing information to an operator. For example, it is necessary to confirm whether a predetermined input is performed by a pressing operation on a key top or the like. It is necessary to directly recognize the state of the key top with the naked eye, or to recognize the state by displaying on another display device or the like.

[0004]

However, as described above, the operability is poor if it is checked directly with the naked eye each time whether or not a predetermined input has been made by pressing the key top. In addition, there is a risk that quick operation may be hindered.

If the switch device can be used not only as an input device but also as an output device for providing various information to an operator, the functionality can be improved.
It will be very convenient.

Accordingly, it is an object of the switch device of the present invention to enhance the functionality of the switch device and improve operability and convenience for an operator.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a switch device comprising:
In order to solve the above-described problem, a plurality of key tops to which a pressing operation is performed and vibration is transmitted, a switching signal output circuit that outputs a switching signal based on the pressing operation of the key tops, The key top is provided with a plurality of actuators for individually transmitting vibration, and an actuator control circuit for sending a control signal to control the driving of the plurality of actuators.

Therefore, in the switch device of the present invention,
The switch device also functions as an output device.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the switch device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the embodiments described below, the present invention is applied to a key switch having a plurality of key tops.

First, the configuration of the switch device 1 will be described (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The switch device 1 is formed by assembling predetermined elements into a numeric key case 2 and has a plurality of key tops 3a to 3k provided on the surface thereof.
A predetermined code is printed on each of k (see FIG. 1).

The switch device 1 includes switch units 4a to 4k having key tops 3a to 3k (FIG. 2 shows the switch units 4a and 4k).
Only k is shown. ), These switch units 4a to 4k have the same configuration.

The switch unit 4 has a key top 3 to be pressed by an operator formed as a part of the upper film 5, and a piezoelectric ceramic element 6 adhered to the inner surface of the key top 3 by a conductive adhesive. . On the lower surface of the upper film 5, an upper conductive pattern 5a is formed.

A metal plate (phosphor bronze plate) 7 is adhered to the lower surface of the piezoelectric ceramic element 6, and the piezoelectric ceramic element 6 and the metal plate 7 constitute an actuator 8 that transmits vibration to the key top 3.

The actuator 8 is disposed between the upper film 5 and the middle film 9, and an insulating sheet 10 is disposed between the upper film 5 and the middle film 9. A lower conductive pattern 9a is formed on the upper surface of the middle film 9, and an upper wiring pattern 9b is formed on the lower surface of the middle film 9.

A lower film 11 is disposed below the middle film 9, and a lower wiring pattern 11a is formed on an upper surface of the lower film 11. A spacer film 12 is interposed between the middle film 9 and the lower film 11 to insulate the upper wiring pattern 9b from the lower wiring pattern 11a. Further, the lower film 11 is disposed on the base 13.

The upper wiring patterns 9b, 9b,... Of the respective switch units 4a to 4k and the lower wiring patterns 11
a, 11a,... are the lead wires 14a, 1a, respectively.
, 14b, 14b,... Are connected to the input terminals of the switching signal output circuit 15.

Also, the upper conductive patterns 5a, 5a,... And the lower conductive patterns 9a, 9a,.
, 16b, 16b,... Are connected to the output terminals of the actuator control circuit 17.

An output terminal of the switching signal output circuit 15 is connected to an input terminal of an external device 18 having a host computer and an input terminal of the actuator control circuit 17.

Next, the operation of the switch device 1 will be described (see FIG. 2).

For example, when the key top 3a of the switch unit 4a is pressed by the operator, the middle film 9 is bent via the actuator 8, and the upper wiring pattern 9b formed on the middle film 9 is moved downward. Film 1
The switch ON operation is performed by contacting the lower wiring pattern 11a formed on the first wiring pattern 11a.

The switching ON operation of the switch unit 4a is detected by the switching signal output circuit 15, and a switching signal Fa indicating the switch ON operation of the switch unit 4a is output from the switching signal output circuit 15 based on the detection result. And the switching signal F
a is input to the external device 18 and the actuator control circuit 17.

When the switching signal Fa is input to the actuator control circuit 17, a control signal (drive signal) is sent from the actuator control circuit 17 to the switch unit 4a.
Fda is input, and a predetermined voltage waveform is applied to the actuator 8. Then, the actuator 8 to which the predetermined voltage waveform is applied vibrates, and this vibration is transmitted to the operator via the key top 3a.

When each of the key tops 3b to 3k is pressed, the actuators 8, 8,... Vibrate in the same manner as when the key top 3a is pressed. The information is transmitted to the operator via the tops 3b to 3k.

When the operator releases the pressing operation of the key tops 3a to 3k, the upper conductive patterns 5a, 5a,.
. And the lower conductive patterns 9a, 9a,... Are released, and the switch units 4a to 4k
Return to the state of FF.

As described above, in the switch device 1, since vibration is transmitted from the key tops 3a to 3k to the operator via the actuators 8, 8,... That the operation has been performed can be reliably recognized by touch.

The actuator control circuit 17
Are different control signals Fda, Fd for the actuators 8, 8,... Of the switch units 4a to 4k.
,..., Fdk can be transmitted, and the way of vibration differs for each actuator 8, 8,.

Accordingly, the operator can judge which key top 3 has been pressed without visually recognizing which key top 3 has been pressed by feeling the different vibrations.

The actuator 8 is vibrated as follows (see FIG. 4).

As described above, the actuator 8 is formed by adhering the conductive metal plate 7 and the piezoelectric ceramic element 6, and the control voltage (between the piezoelectric ceramic element 6 and the metal plate 7). When the driving voltage Vd is applied, the piezoelectric ceramic element 6 expands and contracts as indicated by the arrow X, and as a result, the metal plate 7 bends and the actuator 8 vibrates.

As described above, since the actuator 8 is formed by sticking the conductive metal plate 7 and the piezoelectric ceramic element 6, the structure is simple and thin, and the switch device 1 is made thin. be able to. Since the piezoelectric ceramic element 6 and the metal plate (phosphor bronze plate) 7 are inexpensive, the manufacturing cost of the switch device 1 can be reduced.

In the above, the switching signal output circuit 15
Actuator 8, based on the switching signal from
8,... Oscillate, the switch device 1
, The actuators 8, 8,... Vibrate in response to a command from the external device (host computer) 18 even when the switching signal is not transmitted (see FIG. 3).

When the operator operates, for example, the changeover switch 19 provided on the external device 18 to set the vibration generation mode, a command signal Id is sent from the external device 18 to the actuator control circuit 17. When a command signal Id is input to the actuator control circuit 17, the actuator control circuit 17 sends control signals (drive signals) Ida to Id to the switch units 4a to 4k.
, a predetermined voltage waveform is applied to the actuators 8, 8,..., and each of the actuators 8, 8,.
Vibrates.

Therefore, for example, when the operator operates the key top 3a
In the case where the user touches a hand or a finger with the keys 3k to 3k, this vibration is transmitted to the operator via the key tops 3a to 3k.

As described above, the vibration can be transmitted to the operator without performing the pressing operation on the key tops 3a to 3k.
For example, the operator recognizes, by vibrating the key tops 3a to 3k, that the key tops 3a to 3k are operable before the operation or that the key tops 3a to 3k are in the operable state before touching, without touching the eyes. It becomes possible.

Further, if different vibrations are applied to the respective key tops 3a to 3k, it is possible to confirm which one of the key tops 3a to 3k is touched by the sense received by the operator. The operator can operate the desired key tops 3a to 3k without recognizing which key top 3 is the naked eye.

Further, for example, the actuators 8, 8,
.. Can be provided with character information only to the operator by touch.

In the above description, a plurality of key tops 3, 3,.
, But the switch device may have only one key top.

Although the case where the function as an output device is added to the switch device 1 has been described above, the output function as described above can be provided to various other devices such as a wearable computer and a car navigation system. It is also possible to apply.

When used in a wearable computer, it is possible to obtain an input / output function by touching the key top even in a situation where, for example, eyeglasses for display or a monitor on hand cannot be seen.
When used in a car navigation system, for example, by providing a switch device on a steering wheel, it is possible to obtain a navigation function by tactile sensation without relying on both sight and hearing.

It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the actualization in carrying out the present invention, and the technical and technical features of the present invention will be described below. The scope should not be construed as limiting.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, the switch device of the present invention comprises a plurality of key tops to which a pressing operation is performed and vibration is transmitted, and a switching operation performed based on the pressing operation of the key tops. A switching signal output circuit that outputs a signal, a plurality of actuators that individually transmit vibration to the plurality of key tops, and an actuator control circuit that sends a control signal to control the driving of the plurality of actuators. It is characterized by.

Therefore, the switch device functions not only as an input device but also as an output device, thereby improving the functionality, giving various information to the operator via the key top, and improving the operability. Convenience is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since different voltage waveforms are applied to the plurality of actuators as control signals from the actuator control circuit, different vibrations are applied to the operator from the keytop. Therefore, the functionality of the switch device can be further improved.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, since the actuator is formed by attaching a piezoelectric ceramic element to a metal plate, the thickness of the switch device can be reduced. Manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the switch device of the present invention together with FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, and this figure is a schematic plan view of the switch device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state where a control signal is transmitted from an actuator control circuit based on a switching signal from a switching signal output circuit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a control signal is transmitted from an actuator control circuit based on a command signal from an external device.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of an actuator of the switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch apparatus, 3a-3k ... Key top, 4a-4
k: switch unit, 6: piezoelectric ceramic element, 7:
Metal plate, 8: Actuator, 15: Switching signal output circuit, 17: Actuator control circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5G006 AA01 DD14 FB14 JA01 JB08 JC01 5G052 AA21 BB01 JA02 JA08 JB20 JC20

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of key tops to which a pressing operation is performed and vibrations are transmitted; a switching signal output circuit for outputting a switching signal based on the pressing operation of the key tops; A switch device comprising: a plurality of actuators that separately transmit vibration; and an actuator control circuit that sends a control signal to control driving of the plurality of actuators. 2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein different voltage waveforms are applied as control signals from the actuator control circuit to the plurality of actuators. 3. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is formed by attaching a piezoelectric ceramic element and a metal plate. 4. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is formed by attaching a piezoelectric ceramic element and a metal plate.