JP2001210204A - Touch sensor and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a sensor structure as a whole compared to a conventional one, compactly mount varieties of switches at high density and to make a three dimensional operation panel. SOLUTION: The touch sensor 3 for detecting a touch of a rotational operation panel 2 includes a pair of electrodes 4A, 4B arranged in the rotational operation panel 2 with a given gap, and a signal generator 20 for generating a contact detection signal when the electrodes 4A, 4B are touched simultaneously. Therefore, regarding the touch sensor 3 as a switching device, a movable contact element may be omitted in a switching device, and the contact electrodes 4A, 4B used as a switch knob, thus simplifying the whole structure of the touch sensor compared to the conventional one including the tactile switch and switch knob.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch sensor and an electronic device suitable for use in a rotary operation panel requiring high-density mounting of various switches, an audio mini-component incorporating the rotary operation panel, and the like.

More specifically, a pair of contact electrodes having a predetermined gap are provided on the surface of an operation panel, and a contact detection signal is generated when the contact electrodes are touched at the same time. Compared with this, the overall structure can be simplified, and the demands for high-density mounting of various switches and three-dimensional operation panels can be met.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, compact discs (CDs) and MDs have been developed.
(Mini Disc), or a cassette tape recording / reproducing function, a radio receiving function, or an electronic device having all of these functions is often used.

According to an electronic device having these functions,
An operation panel (hereinafter referred to as a front non-rotating operation panel system) is provided on the front of the housing to instruct audio processing. For example, when recording / reproducing a CD, MD or cassette tape, the recording / reproducing button provided on the operation panel is operated by the user, or when ejecting or removing these recording media from the housing, the eject button is operated. You.

[0005]

In recent years, the size of a housing has been reduced to a CD, MD, or cassette tape recording / reproducing mechanism, a radio receiving circuit, or a mini-component having all of these functions (hereinafter simply referred to as a mini-computer). Demand) is increasing.

In order to meet this kind of demand, according to the front-panel non-rotating operation panel type electronic device, there is a limit to the proportional reduction of the front space in the operation panel. (Hereinafter referred to as a rotary operation panel), and mounting switches on the rotary operation panel with high density has been devised.

However, if the touch sensor for operating the rotary operation panel occupies a large mounting area in the operation panel, the original CD, MD, or cassette tape recording / reproducing mechanism, and switches for operating the radio receiving circuit are required. There is a problem that it hinders high-density mounting.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem. The present invention makes it possible to simplify the overall sensor structure as compared with a conventional touch sensor, and to implement high-density mounting of various switches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch sensor and an electronic device capable of responding to a demand for a more compact and operation panel.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a touch sensor according to the present invention is a touch sensor for detecting whether or not a touch has been made, wherein a pair of touch sensors provided with a predetermined gap are provided. It is characterized by comprising a contact electrode and signal generating means for generating a contact detection signal when the contacted electrodes are simultaneously touched.

According to the touch sensor of the present invention, for example, when detecting whether or not an arbitrary object is touched, a pair of contacted electrodes is provided with a predetermined gap on the surface of the object. Then, when the electrodes to be contacted are simultaneously touched, a contact detection signal is generated from the signal generating means. Therefore, when the touch sensor is regarded as a switching element,
Not only can the movable contact in the switching element be omitted, but the contacted electrode itself can be used as a switch knob, simplifying the overall sensor structure compared to a conventional touch sensor that combines a tact switch and a switch knob. Can be achieved. As a result, the present invention can be sufficiently applied to small electronic devices and the like that require high-density mounting of various switches and three-dimensional operation panels.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation panel operated to instruct an operation, and a touch sensor provided on the operation panel for detecting whether or not a touch has been performed. It is characterized by having a pair of contacted electrodes provided with a predetermined gap on the surface, and signal generating means for generating a contact detection signal when the contacted electrodes are touched simultaneously.

According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the above-mentioned touch sensor is applied, it greatly contributes to the provision of an audio mini-component which incorporates a rotary operation panel on which various switches are mounted at a high density.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a touch sensor and an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Electronic Apparatus FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view showing a configuration example of an electronic apparatus to which a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In this embodiment, a conventional touch sensor is provided in which a pair of contact electrodes having a predetermined gap is provided on the surface of an operation panel, and a contact detection signal is generated when the contact electrodes are touched simultaneously. This makes it possible to simplify the entire sensor structure as compared with the above, and to meet the demands for high-density mounting of various switches and three-dimensional operation panels.

An audio device 100 as an example of the electronic device shown in FIG.
D (Compact Disc) driving unit 70 and MD (Mini Dis
c) The housing 1 has a built-in drive unit 80. The housing 1 includes a rotary reciprocating type operation panel (hereinafter, referred to as a rotation operation panel) 2 and a rotation position detection mechanism 6, which are examples of an operation panel. It has been incorporated. Cassette tape drive 60,
The description of the CD drive unit 70 and the MD drive unit 80 is omitted.

The rotation operation panel 2 is operated to instruct audio processing of a CD, MD, or cassette tape recording / reproducing function, radio receiving function, or a mini-component having all of these functions. For example, CD,
When recording or reproducing an MD or a cassette tape, the user performs an operation of selecting an operation surface on the rotary operation panel 2, an operation of a recording / reproducing button on a disk or a cassette tape, an operation of an eject button of these recording media, and the like.

The rotary operation panel 2 has, for example, a horizontally long and three-dimensional triangular prism shape as shown in FIG. 2, and has three operation surfaces on the outside. Here, the stop positions are defined such that the three operation surfaces are exposed on the front surface of the housing 1. A touch sensor 3 is provided on each operation surface to detect whether or not the rotary operation panel 2 has been touched.
The touch sensor 3 includes, for example, two right-angled triangular contact electrodes 4A and 4B whose vertices are aligned in the direction of an arrow.
have.

The contacted electrodes 4A and 4B are touched when instructing the rotation direction of the rotary operation panel 2. By detecting the presence or absence of the touch, the rotation direction of the rotary operation panel 2 can be instructed to the panel drive control system.
15 to 2 for the structure and function of the touch sensor 3.
3 will be described.

The shaft 5 is provided at both ends of the rotary operation panel 2.
A, 5B are provided, and one end thereof has a rotational position detecting mechanism 6.
When one of the three operation surfaces is defined as a reference operation surface, the position of the reference operation surface with respect to the housing 1 of the audio device 100 and the position of the other operation surfaces are detected. . In this example, a follower 7 for monitoring is directly attached to the shaft 5A of the rotary operation panel 2,
The rotation operation panel 2 is interlocked with the rotation operation panel 2. Of course, the follower 7 does not need to be directly attached to the shaft 5A. For example, the follower 7 may be provided on a chassis in a housing, and the rotational displacement may be guided by a spur gear or a belt.

In this example, the rotation operation panel 2 is ± 120 °
Reciprocating rotation within the angle of
The protrusion 8A corresponding to the case where the driven body 7 is rotated from one direction and stopped at one stop position #j (j = 1 to 3), and the driven body 7 is rotated and stopped from another direction And a projection 8B corresponding to the third stop position # 3. The projection 8A detects the first stop position # 1 in accordance with the rotation direction, and the projection 8B moves to the third stop position # 3. Is detected.

In this example, when the driven body 7 is rotated from two directions to stop the rotary operation panel 2 at a desired stop position #j, a switch for detection according to the rotation direction of the rotary operation panel 2 Can be used properly, so 1
The rotation operation panel 2 can be stopped at a more accurate position than when one detection unit is provided for one stop position #j.

In this example, the follower 7 has a protruding projection 8
A, 8B and arc-shaped projections 8C, 8D of a predetermined length are provided. A substrate 9 is provided at a position facing the driven body 7, and a plurality of switches SW1 to SW4 are provided on the substrate 9. This is because the switches SW1 to SW4 are pressed by these projections 8A to 8D. Projection 8
A to 8D are scheduled in advance at specific positions of the driven body 7 based on the stop position of the rotary operation panel 2 and the rotation operation thereof. In addition, the protrusions 8A to 8D correspond to the actual stop positions # 1, # 2, corresponding to the amount of rotation from the detection of the rotation operation panel 2 by the switches SW1 to SW4 to the stop of the rotation operation panel 2. It is arranged before # 3.

A reference operation panel (hereinafter also referred to as reference operation surface) 21 shown in FIG. 3 constitutes one panel (operation surface) of the three operation surfaces.
Are provided with large and small round openings, bar-shaped openings, and elliptical openings, and push buttons and switches are mounted at high density.

In this example, a pair of right-angled triangular openings 22A and 22B and openings 23A and 23B having opposite directions are provided in the upper right region of the reference operation surface 21, and the touch sensor 22 for selecting the downward direction is provided. Or touch sensor 2 for upward selection
3 to form openings 22A, 22B, 23A, 2
The contacted electrodes 14A to 14C having the same shape as that of 3B are inserted and fitted. The contacted electrodes 14A to 14C will be described with reference to FIG. The touch sensor 22 for selecting the downward direction is touched when the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated toward the user, and the touch sensor 23 for selecting the upward direction is touched when the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated backward.

Another operation panel (hereinafter also referred to as another operation surface) 24 shown in FIG. The operation surface 24 is provided with large and small round openings and elliptical openings, and for example, push buttons and switches for operating the MD player are mounted at high density. In this example, a pair of right-angled triangular openings 25A and 25B are provided in the upper right area of the reference operation surface 21, and the above-described opening 25 is used to configure the touch sensor 25 for selecting the downward direction.
The contacted electrodes 4A and 4B having the same shape as A and 25B, for example, described in FIG. 15, are inserted. The touch sensor 25 for selecting the downward direction is touched when the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated forward to return the reference operation surface 21 to the second stop position (hereinafter, referred to as a home position) # 2.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration example of the panel drive system 10 provided in the audio device 100. In this example, a panel drive system 10 shown in FIG. 5 is provided on the right side of the rotary operation panel 2, and reciprocating rotation of the rotary operation panel 2 is controlled based on position detection information from the rotation position detection mechanism 6. The panel drive system 10 includes a motor 11, a spur gear 12, a deceleration spur gear 13, a worm gear 15, a beam 16, and a pair of bearings 17A and 17B.

The panel drive system 10 includes the audio device 1
The chassis 18 is attached to the right end of a beam portion 16 adapted to embrace the chassis 18 from both sides. The beam portion is provided with a pair of bearing portions 17A and 17B. One shaft 5A of the rotary operation panel 2 is engaged with the left bearing 17B, and the driven body 7 is attached to the tip of the shaft 5A. The other shaft 5B of the rotation operation panel 2 is engaged with the right bearing 17B, and the shaft 5
A flat gear 12 is attached to B. The spur gear 12 meshes with a spur gear 13 for reduction, the reduction ratio is set to, for example, 30: 1, and the position of the rotary operation panel 2 can be changed slowly. A worm gear 15 attached to a motor shaft is meshed with the spur gear 13.

For example, when the motor 11 is rotated clockwise, the worm gear 15 is rotated clockwise, so that the spur gear 13 is rotated backward. As a result, the spur gear 1
The rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 is performed by rotating the rotation operation panel 2 forward. This rotational displacement is caused by the follower 7
Will be driven.

The projecting projection 8 provided on the follower 7
A, 8B and the arc-shaped protrusions 8C, 8D of a predetermined length press down a plurality of switches SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, etc. on a substrate 9 provided at a position facing the driven body 7. Is made. These projections 8A to 8D
Is scheduled in advance at a specific position of the driven body 7 based on the stop position of the rotation operation panel 2 and its rotation operation.

(2) Rotational Position Detecting Mechanism FIG. 6 is an image diagram viewed from the axial direction showing an example of the arrangement of the projections 8A to 8D on the monitor follower 7 according to the rotational position detecting mechanism 6 according to the first embodiment. It is.

In this example, the rotary operation panel 2 has three stop positions #j (j = 1 to 3).
Regarding pressing of four switches SWi (i = 1 to 4),
The projections 8A to 8D are arranged before the actual stop positions # 1, # 2, and # 3 in accordance with the amount of rotation that is performed from the detection of the rotation operation panel 2 to the stop of the rotation operation panel 2. It is assumed that Therefore, the projections 8A to 8D
The switches SW1 to SW4 depressed are disposed at specific positions on the substrate 9 corresponding to the stop positions of the rotary operation panel 2.

The follower 7 shown in FIG. 6 has a disk shape, and a home position # 2 indicating a second stop position is defined on the disk. Here, the home position is a reference position of the rotary operation panel 2 and refers to a position where the reference operation surface 21 shown in FIG.

In this example, when detecting the stop position # 1, the protruding first protruding portion turns on the first switch SW1 of the four switches SWi (i = 1 to 4). 8
A, when the stop position # 3 is detected, the convex second protrusion 8B that turns on the second switch SW2, and when the rotary operation panel 2 moves from the stop position # 1 to the home position # 2. When home position # 2 is detected by
A third arcuate third protrusion 8C of a predetermined length for maintaining the ON state in which the third switch SW3 is turned on and the rotation operation panel 2 moves from the home position # 2 to the stop position # 3, and a rotation operation panel. When the home position # 2 is detected when the home position # 2 is moved from the stop position # 3 to the home position # 2, the fourth switch SW4 is turned on, and the rotation operation panel 2 is moved from the home position # 2 to the stop position # 1. And an arc-shaped fourth protrusion 8D of a predetermined length that maintains the ON state.

That is, the follower 7 has two convex protrusions 8A and 8B and two arc-shaped protrusions 8D of a predetermined length.
8C is provided. In this example, it is assumed that the reference operation surface 21 is rotated by θ = ± 120 °. The protrusion 8A is a position along the outer peripheral portion of the driven body 7, and is a position rotated clockwise by + θ ° from the home position # 2, that is, when the reference operation surface 21 is rotated forward, the reference operation is performed. The surface 21 is provided at a position where the first stop position # 1 is detected. The protruding portion 8A is formed so as to slightly lengthen the protruding portion in anticipation of a response delay of the drive system such as the driven body 7. This is because the switch SW1 is turned on earlier than the actual stop target position. When the reference operation surface 21 reaches the stop position # 1, the second operation surface shown in FIG.

The projection 8B is located at a position next to the outer peripheral portion, and moves counterclockwise from the home position # 2.
It is provided at a position rotated by θ °, that is, a position where the third stop position # 3 of the reference operation surface 21 is detected when the reference operation surface 21 is rotated backward. The protruding portion 8B is formed so as to slightly lengthen the protruding portion in anticipation of a response delay of the drive system such as the driven body 7. This is because the switch SW2 is turned on earlier than the actual stop target position. When the reference operation surface 21 reaches the stop position # 3, the third operation surface (not shown) faces the front of the housing 1.

Further, one of the arc-shaped protrusions 8C is located at a position close to the rotation axis, and is -θ ° from the home position # 2.
When the reference position is rotated, that is, when the reference operation surface 21 is rotated toward the user, the reference position is provided between the stop position # 3 of the reference operation surface 21 and the home position # 2. Projection 8C
Is formed so as to slightly elongate the arc-shaped portion in anticipation of the response delay of the drive system such as the driven body 7. This is because the switch SW1 is turned on earlier than the actual stop target position. Reference operation surface 21 is home position # 2
As a state until the stop position # 1 is reached, “rotating operation” is detected when shifting from the reference operation surface 21 to the second operation surface.

The other arc-shaped projection 8D is located at a position along the inner periphery and is located at + θ from the home position # 2.
When the reference operation surface 21 is rotated backward, that is, when the reference operation surface 21 is rotated backward, the reference operation surface 21 is provided between the stop position # 1 and the home position # 2. Projection 8
D is formed so as to slightly elongate the arc-shaped portion in anticipation of the response delay of the drive system such as the follower 7. This is because the switch SW4 is turned on earlier than the actual stop target position. Reference position 21 is home position #
As the state from 2 to the stop position # 3, "in rotation" is detected when shifting from the reference operation surface 21 to the third operation surface.

In this example, at the home position # 2, the two projections 8C and 8D overlap. This is for detecting with good reproducibility that the reference operation surface 21 is at the home position # 2 by simultaneously pressing the two switches SW3 and SW4 by the overlapping projections 8C and 8D.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing an example of switch arrangement on the substrate 9. A substrate 9 is provided to face the monitor follower 7 shown in FIG. 7, and four switches SWi (i = 1 to 4) are arranged on the substrate 9, for example, in tandem. Of course, switches are not limited to columns,
By disposing the projections on the follower 7, the switches can be dispersed. In this example, the home position #
2 is the position of the reference operation surface 21 and two switches SW
3, SW4, the arrival of the reference operation surface 21 at the stop position # 1 is detected by one switch SW1, and the arrival of the reference operation surface 21 at the stop position # 3 is detected by one switch SW2. Is detected.

In this example, the switch SW1 is pressed by the protrusion 8A, the switch SW2 is pressed by the protrusion 8B, and the switch SW3 is pressed by the protrusion 8C.
The switch SW4 is pressed by D.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing a configuration example of the switches SW1 to SW4. In this example, a switch that can be turned on only from one direction is used. As each switch SWi (i = 1 to 4), a microswitch having an arc at a position contacted by the projections 8A to 8D or the like as shown in FIG. 8A is used. The switch SWi illustrated in FIG. 8A is in a state before being pressed, that is, a state in which the switch is off.

In this example, the micro switch having an arc on one side is used because the protrusions 8A to 8A which move in the horizontal direction are used.
This is because the switch SWi is turned on with good reproducibility by facilitating smooth acceptance of 8D by the arc portion. Moreover, such a switch that can be turned on only from one direction is provided at a very low price.

FIG. 8B shows a state in which the switch SWi is pressed, and a state in which switch-on information is output. Therefore, arc-shaped projections 8C, 8D of a predetermined length
When the switches SW3 and SW4 are continuously depressed, it is possible to obtain switch-on information in which, for example, high levels are continuous. For example, low levels are continuous in portions where the projections 8A to 8D are not provided. Such switch-off information can be obtained.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the follower 7 showing an example of pressing the projection at the home position # 2. In this example, two mutually overlapping projections 8 shown in FIG.
B and 8C, two switches SW2 and S shown in FIG.
W3 is pressed simultaneously. At this time, the switches SW1 and SW4 remain off. The projections 8A and 8D that press the switches SW1 and SW4 are the switches SW
1 or SW4.

An opening 19 is provided in one shaft 5A of the driven body 7 shown in FIG. 9, and a plurality of switch wirings (not shown) are drawn out from the opening 19 to the outside. The switch wiring is a signal line for instructing recording and reproduction of a cassette tape, a CD, an MD, or the like, and is connected to the substrate 9 in the rotary operation panel 2 and to a microcomputer (not shown) in the housing 1. .

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of switch output logic by the four protrusions 8A to 8D. When the four projections 8A to 8D shown in FIG. 10 are expanded in the circumferential direction, when the reference operation surface 21 shown in FIG. 5 is stopped at the home position # 2, the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned off. With the switch kept off, the switches SW3 and SW4 are turned on. Accordingly, 4-bit rotational position detection information D0UT of "0011" can be obtained from the switch on / off information.

When the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated backward by the panel drive system 10 shown in FIG. 5 according to a user's instruction, the switches SW1 and SW2 are kept off and the switch SW4 is kept on. Then, SW3 is turned off from on. Therefore, from the switch on / off information, it is possible to obtain the rotation position detection information DOUT indicating "rotating operation" of 4 bits of "0001".

Further, the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 proceeds,
Immediately before the stop position # 1, the switch SW1 changes from off to on, and the switch SW4 maintains the on state. Switches SW2 and SW3 remain off as before. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the rotation position detection information DOUT indicating the 4-bit "reaching the stop position # 1" of "1001". And reached 2 shown in FIG.
It can be recognized that the second operation surface has moved to the front of the housing 1.

When an instruction to return the reference operation surface 21 to the home position # 2 is given, the motor 11 of the panel drive system 10 shown in FIG. Therefore,
The switch SW1 is turned off from on, and the switch SW4 still maintains the on state. Switch SW2, SW
3 remains off as before. As a result, "0
001 "can be obtained from the second operation surface shown in FIG. 4 to the reference operation surface 21 from the second operation surface shown in FIG. It is made to recognize the state of returning to.

Further, the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 proceeds,
Immediately before the home position # 2, the switch SW4 is turned on, and the switch SW3 is turned on from off. Switches SW1 and SW2 remain off as before.
Therefore, the rotation position detection information DOUT indicating the 4-bit "home position # 2" of "0011" can be obtained. From the rotation position detection information DOUT, the reference operation surface 21 is provided on the front surface of the housing 1 in the control system. Be made aware of the return.

When the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated forward by the panel drive system 10 shown in FIG. 5 according to a user's instruction, the switches SW1 and SW2 are kept off and the switch SW4 is turned off from on. To SW
3 remains on. Therefore, from the switch on / off information, it is possible to obtain the rotation position detection information DOUT indicating "rotating operation" of 4 bits of "0010".

Further, the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 proceeds,
Immediately before the stop position # 3, the switch SW2 changes from off to on, and the switch SW3 maintains the on state. The switch SW1 remains off as before. Therefore, the 4-bit “0110” “reaches stop position # 3”
Can be obtained from the rotation position detection information DOUT.
Arrives at the stop position # 3, and recognizes that the third operation surface (not shown) has moved to the front of the housing 1.

When an instruction to return the reference operation surface 21 to the home position # 2 is given, the motor 11 of the panel drive system 10 shown in FIG. 5 is returned to the normal rotation. Accordingly, the switch SW2 is turned off from on, and the switch SW2 is turned off.
3 keeps the on state. Switches SW1, S
W4 remains off as before. This allows
Rotational position detection information DOUT indicating "rotating operation" of 4 bits of "0010" can be obtained. From the rotational position detection information DOUT, the control system returns from a second operation surface (not shown) to the reference operation surface 21. It is made to recognize the state of being.

Further, the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 proceeds,
Immediately before the home position # 2, the switch SW3 is turned on and the switch SW4 is turned on from off. Switches SW1 and SW2 remain off as before.
Therefore, the rotation position detection information DOUT indicating the 4-bit “home position # 2” of “0110” can be obtained, and from the rotation position detection information DOUT, the reference operation surface 21 returns to the front surface of the housing 1 in the control system. Be aware of what has been done.

As described above, according to the rotation position detecting mechanism 6 according to the first embodiment, when the rotation operation panel 2 reciprocates within an angle of ± 120 °, one stop position #
When the rotation operation panel 2 is stopped at i (i = 1 to 3), when the driven body 7 interlocked with the rotation operation panel 2 is rotated from one direction and stopped, according to the rotation direction. The switch 8 is turned on by the projection 8A just before the target stop position # 1 of the rotary operation panel 2 to detect the stop position # 1.

Also, when the driven body 7 interlocked with the rotation operation panel 2 is rotated from another direction and stopped,
In accordance with the rotation direction, the switch SW is turned by the projection 8B just before the target stop position # 3 of the rotation operation panel 2.
2 is turned on to detect the stop position # 3.

Therefore, since the delay element of the drive system such as the follower 7 can be removed, the target stop position #
The rotation operation panel 2 can be accurately stopped at 1, # 2 or # 3. Thus, the rotation position detection mechanism 6 can be sufficiently applied to an electronic device having a reciprocating rotary type operation panel that requires miniaturization.

Further, since a switch which can be turned on only from one direction shown in FIG. 8 can be used,
It is possible to provide an inexpensive rotational position detecting mechanism 6 with a simple, compact, and inexpensive sensor structure, and audio equipment 100 such as a mini-component that requires miniaturization.
Can be applied sufficiently.

In this example, the case where the follower 7 is directly attached to the shaft portion 5A has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. It may be guided by a belt or the like.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration example of a rotation position detection mechanism 90 as a second embodiment. In this example, the follower is guided onto the chassis in the housing by using a spur gear from the shaft 5A of the rotary operation panel 2, and the projections 96 to 99 are provided on the spur gear 92 and the spur gear 93, and two switches are provided. Are paired to detect the rotational displacement. Of course, the rotation operation panel 2 has three stop positions #j (j =
When the four switches SW2i (i = 1 to 4) are pressed in advance, the switch SW2i is rotated from the detection of the rotary operation panel 2 to the stop of the rotary operation panel 2. Actual stop positions # 1 and # corresponding to the amount of movement
2. It is assumed that the projections 96 to 99 are arranged before # 3.

In this example, when the projection detects the first stop position # 1, the four switches SW2i (i = 1 to 4) are used.
4) When detecting the arc-shaped protrusion 96 for turning on the first switch SW21 and the stop position # 3, the second
An arc-shaped projection 97 for turning on the switch SW22 of
When the rotation operation panel 2 moves from the stop position # 1 to the home position # 2 and detects the home position # 2, the third switch SW23 is turned on and the rotation operation panel 2 is moved from the home position # 2. An arc-shaped projection 98 that moves to the stop position # 3 and maintains the ON state, and a home position # when the rotation operation panel 2 moves from the stop position # 3 to the home position # 2.
2 is detected, the fourth switch SW24 is turned on, and the rotation operation panel 2 is moved from the home position # 2 to the stop position # 1.
9 is provided.

That is, the rotational position detecting mechanism 90 has a gear driven mechanism 77 shown in FIG. 11 as an example of a driven body. The gear driven mechanism 77 includes three disc-shaped spur gears 91 and 9.
2 and 93. The spur gear 91 is attached to the rotary shaft 5A of the rotary operation panel 2 and has 28 teeth.
About one. Similarly, the number of teeth of the spur gear 91 is 2
8 (gear ratio 1: 1) are meshed. The spur gear 92 is movably engaged with a rotation shaft 94A of the substrate 94.

An arc-shaped projection 98 is provided on the spur gear 92.
The rotation operation panel 2 shown in FIG. 11 is located at the home position # 2 (angle = 0 °), and when the clockwise direction is plus, the angle is −30 °.
It has a convex shape by an angle θ11 = 210 ° over an angle of + 180 °. The projection 98 is formed so as to slightly elongate the arc-shaped portion in anticipation of a response delay of a drive system such as the gear driven mechanism 77. A switch SW23 is provided at a position on the extension of the home position # 2 and contacted by the protrusion 98, and is turned on during a period in which the switch is pressed by the protrusion 98, and turned off in a period not pressed by the protrusion 98. It is done as follows. The switch SW23 is fixed to the substrate 94, for example.

The spur gear 93 meshes with a spur gear 93 having 48 teeth (gear ratio 1: 1.7). The spur gear 93 is movably engaged with a rotation shaft 95A of the substrate 95. On the spur gear 93, three types of projections 96, 97, and 99 having an arc shape are provided. Three types of protrusions 9
6, 97 and 99 are formed so as to slightly elongate the arc portion in anticipation of the response delay of the drive system such as the gear driven mechanism 77. This is because the switch S is faster than the actual stop target position.
This is for shifting W21, SW22, and SW24 to the ON operation.

When the rotary operation panel 2 is located at the home position # 2, the projection 96 is convex by an angle θ12 = 60 ° over an angle of −120 ° to an angle of −180 ° around the shaft 95A. It has a shape. A protrusion 97 is provided at a position axially symmetric to the protrusion 96, and has a convex shape with an angle θ14 = 60 ° over an angle of + 30 ° to + 90 ° around the shaft 95A. A projection 99 is provided on the spur gear 93 between the two projections 96 and 97, and has an angle of -120 around the shaft 95A.
It forms a convex shape by an angle θ13 = 180 ° over an angle of + 60 °.

Assuming an auxiliary line L parallel to the extension of the above-described home position # 2, when the auxiliary line L is used as a reference, the angle from the auxiliary line L to the center of the shaft portion 95A is-
A switch SW24 is provided at a position of 120 ° and a position contacted by the protrusion 99. The switch SW24 is turned on during a period in which the switch 99 is pressed by the protrusion 99, and is turned off in a period not pressed by the protrusion 99.

A switch SW22 is provided at a position at an angle of −60 ° about the axis 95A from the auxiliary line L and in contact with the projection 96, and a period during which the switch 96 is pressed by the projection 96. Is turned on, and is turned off in a period not pressed by the protrusion 96. A switch SW21 is provided at a position at an angle of −30 ° about the axis 95A from the auxiliary line L and contacted by the protrusion 97, and is turned on during a period in which the switch 97 is pressed by the protrusion 97. The switch is turned off during a period in which it is not pressed by the unit 97.

These switches SW21 to SW24 are fixed to, for example, a substrate 95. Note that the switch SW2
The switches SW1 to SW24 are rotational position detecting mechanisms 6.
While the pressed portion of SW2 is used in a vertical orientation, in this embodiment, the pressed portion is used in a horizontal orientation. The rotation position detection mechanism 90 is compared with the rotation position detection mechanism 6.
Can be made thinner.

Next, an operation example of the rotation position detecting mechanism 90 will be described. FIG. 12 shows the rotational position detecting mechanism 90.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing an operation example (stop position # 1) of FIG. FIG.
Indicates an operation example of the rotation position detection mechanism 90 (stop position # 3)
FIG. Also in this example, the reference operation surface 21 is set to θ =
Assume a case of rotating by ± 120 °. In this case, during the rotation operation of the rotation operation panel 2, the switch SW23
Alternatively, either one of the SWs 24 is
Is pressed continuously.

When the rotary operation panel 21 shown in FIG. 11 is located at the home position # 2, the projection 96 does not press the switch SW21, so that the switch SW21 remains off. Since the protrusion 97 does not press the switch SW22, the switch SW22 remains off. Since the switch SW23 is pressed by the projection 97, the switch SW23 is turned on. With this, the projection 9
9, the switch SW24 is pressed, so that the switch SW24 is turned on. Thereby, the rotation position detection mechanism 9
It is possible to obtain 4-bit rotational position detection information from 0 to “0011”.

Here, when an instruction to move the reference operation surface 21 from the home position # 2 to the stop position # 1 is given, the motor 11 of the panel drive system 10 as shown in FIG. . That is, home position # 2
12 is rotated counterclockwise from FIG.
Is rotated to the stop position # 1 shown in FIG. 7, the projection 98 stops pressing the switch SW23, and the switch SW23 is turned off. At this time, since the projection 99 is continuously pressed while keeping the switch SW24, the switch SW24 continues to be turned on.

Since the projection 97 does not press the switch SW22 as before, the switch SW22 remains off. The projection 96 presses the switch SW21 when the switch SW24 is turned on, and the switch SW21 is turned on. As a result, 4-bit rotation position detection information DOUT of "1001" can be obtained from the rotation position detection mechanism 90 at the stop position # 1, and from the rotation position detection information DOUT, the control system replaces the reference operation surface 21 in place of the reference operation surface 21. Is recognized on the front surface of the housing 1.

When an instruction to return the reference operation surface 21 to the home position # 2 is given, the motor 11 of the panel drive system 10 shown in FIG. 5 is returned to the normal rotation. That is, when the rotation operation panel 2 is rotated clockwise from the stop position # 1 shown in FIG. 12 to the home position # 2 shown in FIG. 11, the projection 98 pushes the switch SW23 after the angle of 30 ° has passed. become. The switch SW23 is turned on earlier to detect the stop position # 2. At this time, since the projection 99 keeps pressing the switch SW24, the switch SW24 continues to be turned on.

Since the projection 97 does not press the switch SW22, the switch SW22 remains off.
The protruding part 96 is turned on by the switch S
Since the switch W21 is no longer pressed, the switch SW21 is turned off earlier. As a result, the rotation position detection mechanism 90 outputs “0”
011 "can be obtained.

Further, when the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated clockwise from the home position # 2 to the stop position # 3 shown in FIG. 13, the projection 98 keeps pushing the switch SW23, so that the switch SW23 is kept on. I do. At this time, since the projection 99 does not press the switch SW24 before reaching the stop position # 1 and at an angle of 30 degrees before the stop position # 1, the switch SW24 shifts from ON to OFF and stops at the stop position # 3.
In this case, the switch SW24 remains off.

The protrusion 96 presses the switch SW22 immediately before the rotation operation panel 2 reaches the stop position # 3. At the stop position # 3, the switch SW22 is turned on to detect the stop position # 3. Since the projection 97 does not press the switch SW21, the switch SW21 remains off. As a result, 4-bit rotation position detection information DOUT of "0110" can be obtained from the rotation position detection mechanism 90 at the stop position # 3. From the rotation position detection information DOUT, the control system replaces the reference operation surface 21 with another. Operation surface P #
2 is recognized on the front of the housing 1.

When an instruction to return the reference operation surface 21 to the home position # 2 is given, the motor 11 of the panel drive system 10 as shown in FIG. That is, when the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated counterclockwise from the stop position # 3 shown in FIG. 13 to the home position # 2 shown in FIG. 11, the switch SW23 is turned on because the projection 98 keeps pressing the switch SW23. Is continued. At this time, the projection 99 pushes the switch SW24 from around 30 ° after rotation. Accordingly, the switch SW24 shifts from off to on at that point, and detects the home position # 2.

Since the projection 97 does not press the switch SW22 as soon as the rotation operation panel 2 rotates, the switch SW22 shifts from ON to OFF. Since the projection 96 does not press the switch SW21, the switch SW21 continues to be turned off. As a result, at the home position # 2, the rotation position detection mechanism 90 outputs “0011”
Bit rotation position detection information DOUT can be obtained. From the rotation position detection information DOUT, the control system uses the reference operation surface 2
1 is recognized as being returned to the front of the housing 1. An operation example of the switches SW21 to S24 of the stop position # 1, the home position # 2, and the stop position # 3 of the rotation operation panel 2 in the rotation position detection mechanism 90 is shown in the table of FIG.

As described above, according to the rotation position detecting mechanism 90 of the second embodiment, the rotation operation panel 2 is set to ± 120.
When the rotary operation panel 2 is reciprocated within an angle of ° and the rotation operation panel 2 is stopped at one stop position #i (i = 1 to 3), the gear driven mechanism 77 interlocked with the rotation operation panel 2 When the rotation operation panel 2 is rotated from one direction and stopped, the switch SW1 is turned on by the projection 8A before the target stop position # 1 of the rotation operation panel 2 according to the rotation direction to change the stop position # 1. Detection.

Also, when the gear driven mechanism 77 linked to the rotary operation panel 2 is rotated from another direction and stopped, the target stop position # 3 of the rotary operation panel 2 according to the rotation direction. The switch SW2 is turned on by the protruding portion 8B, and the stop position # 3 is detected.

Therefore, since the delay element of the drive system such as the gear driven mechanism 77 can be eliminated, the rotary operation panel 2 can be accurately stopped at the target stop position # 1, # 2 or # 3. Thus, the rotation position detection mechanism 6 can be sufficiently applied to an electronic device having a reciprocating rotary type operation panel that requires miniaturization.

Further, a switch which can be turned on only from one direction shown in FIG. 8 can be used.
It is possible to provide an inexpensive rotational position detecting mechanism 6 with a simple, compact, and inexpensive sensor structure, and audio equipment 100 such as a mini-component that requires miniaturization.
It greatly contributes to cost reduction.

Further, when the signal for stopping the rotation reaches the reference operation surface 21 from the stop position # 1, the stop position # 3
From when the reference operation surface 21 is reached, there is no stop at an incorrect position due to excessive rotation or insufficient rotation. Incidentally, since it is not necessary to provide an expensive rotary position detecting mechanism such as a rotary encoder including a rotary fin and a photocoupler, the cost of the audio device 100 can be reduced. Switches SW1 to SW4
Also, based on the switch output logic of the switches SW21 to SW24, the home position #
2, it is possible to detect in which direction the rotary operation panel 2 has moved.

In the second embodiment, since the gear driven mechanism 77 is provided, it is effective when the rotation radius of the driven body 7 cannot be made larger than that in the first embodiment.

(3) Touch Sensor FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the touched electrodes 4A and 4B of the touch sensor 3. The touch sensor 3 shown in FIG. 15 includes left and right contacted electrode bodies 41A and 41B and reception electrodes 42A and 42B of a predetermined shape as an example of a pair of contacted electrodes 4A and 4B. The contacted electrode body 41A for the left side and its receiving electrode 42A and the contacted electrode body 41B for the right side and its receiving electrode 42B
Are formed symmetrically. Any contacted electrode body 41
A and 41B are also molded products made of resin, and the outer surfaces thereof are plated with a conductive material such as gold or silver. Of course, the contacted electrode bodies 41A and 41B may be formed of a corrosion-resistant metal or alloy.

The contacted electrodes 4A and 4B are mounted on the surface of the insulating rotary operation panel 2 with a predetermined gap as an example of an arbitrary object, and it is detected whether or not the rotary operation panel 2 is touched. You. The rotary operation panel 2 is provided with one or two sets of triangular openings shown in FIGS.

Each of the contacted electrode bodies 41A and 41B has, when viewed from the side, a triangular prism-shaped convex projection 43, an elliptical flange 44, and a plurality of electrode legs 45. I have. That is, the above-mentioned protrusion 43 is provided on the center upper surface side of the brim-like portion 44, and is inserted into the triangular openings 25A and 25B of the rotary operation panel 2 shown in FIG. When the projections 43 of the contacted electrode bodies 41A and 41B are inserted into the openings 23A and 23B of the rotary operation panel 2 and the like, the collar 44 functions as a stopper for preventing the projections. For example, four electrode legs 45 are provided on the lower surface side of the center of the brim portion 44. Of course, the protruding portion 43, the brim-shaped portion 44, and the electrode leg portion 45 are subjected to conductive plating.

In this example, a substrate 29 is provided in the rotary operation panel 2.
Are provided on the substrate 29. Receiving electrodes 42A and 42B for the left side and the right side are provided. This is for bringing the electrode legs 45 of the contacted electrodes 4A, 4B into contact with the receiving electrodes 42A, 42B. Receiving electrode 42A,
42B is obtained by cutting a tin plate or a corrosion-resistant metal plate having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm into a “T” shape and bending the cut plate. In this example, after the receiving electrode 42B and the like are passed through the opening 28 formed in the substrate 29 in advance, it is electrically connected to a printed wiring (not shown).

Next, a method of manufacturing the touch sensor 3 will be described. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of assembling a contacted electrode portion of the touch sensor 3. In this example, the opening 25A of the rotary operation panel 2 and the receiving electrode 42 of the substrate 29
A, the contacted electrode 4A is sandwiched between the rotation electrode A and the opening 25B of the rotary operation panel 2 and the receiving electrode 42B of the substrate 29.
It is assumed that the substrate 29 is attached to the rotary operation panel 2 with the contacted electrode 4B interposed therebetween. Note that the contacted electrode 4B side performs the same process as the contacted electrode 4A side, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

On the premise of this, on the other hand, an insulating rotary operation panel 2 having triangular openings 25A and 25B for electrode penetration is formed. For example, the rotary operation panel 2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is formed by injection molding of a resin member.

On the other hand, a pair of contacted electrodes 4A and 4B having a collar portion 44 for retaining is formed. For example, a resin member is formed by injection molding, and holes 46A, 4
Form a "hole" shaped part with 6B. Thereafter, the molded part is subjected to conductive plating to obtain the contacted electrode 4A shown in FIG. The retaining collars 44 are for restricting the rotation operation panel 2 from protruding from the opening 25A, and the anti-vibration holes 46A and 46B prevent lateral movement of the contacted electrode 4A and the like. To do that.

For example, the opening 25A of the rotary operation panel 2
The left and right protruding portions 4 shown in FIG.
7A and 47B are provided, and stepped holes 46A and 46B having a predetermined diameter are provided at both ends of the collar portion 44 of the contacted electrode 4A shown in FIG. 15, and the projections 47A are fitted into the holes 46A. The protrusion 47B is inserted into the hole 46B. Holes 46A, 46
The reason why B is stepped is that it is easy to guide and insert the projections 47A and 47B.

Further, a substrate 29 having a pair of receiving electrodes 42A and 42B is formed. For example, a thickness of 0.1 to 0.
A tin plate or a corrosion-resistant metal plate of about 5 mm is cut out in a “T” shape, and then bent. The receiving electrodes 42A and 42B may be arranged at self-aligned opposing substrate positions by assembling the rotary operation panel 2 and the substrate 29. This is because the contacted electrodes 4A and 4B are brought into contact with the receiving electrodes 42A and 42B with good reproducibility.

In this example, anti-vibration projections 47A, 47
A locking projection (hereinafter referred to as a boss) 48 shown in FIG. 16 that is thicker than B is provided on the rotation operation panel side, and the contacted electrodes 4A and 4B are provided between the rotation operation panel 2 and the substrate 29.
The substrate 29 is screwed to the boss 48 with the screw 38 with the. Further, this is a case where the electrode legs 45 are provided on the collar portions 44 of the contacted electrodes 4A and 4B, and the electrode legs 45 are slightly longer than the boss 48 of the rotary operation panel 2. For example, the length L1 of the electrode leg 45 below the brim portion 44, the length of the boss 48 below the rotary operation panel is L2, and the receiving electrode 42
When the thickness of A or the like is t, the length L2 of the boss 48 or the electrode leg 4
5, a length L1 is defined. L2 <L1 + t

Further, a convex portion 49 may be provided in advance at a position facing the electrode leg 45 of the receiving electrode 42A. This is because the receiving electrode 42A and the electrode leg 45 are electrically connected in a good state. Thereafter, the contact electrode 4A is connected to the opening 25A of the rotary operation panel 2 and the receiving electrode 4 of the substrate 29.
The substrate 29 is attached to the rotary operation panel 2 while being sandwiched between 2A and the like. For example, the triangular protrusion 43 of the contacted electrode 4A is inserted from the inside to the outside of the opening 25A of the rotary operation panel 2, and the contacted electrodes 4A, 4B are inserted.
It is made to touch the surface of.

As a result, the opening 2 of the rotary operation panel 2
The contacted electrodes 4A, 4B sandwiched between the receiving electrodes 42A, 42B of the substrate 29 can be electrically connected to the contact electrodes 4A, 4B. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the touch sensor 3 for the rotary operation panel of the audio device 100 or the like that requires high-density mounting and compactness with high reproducibility.

In the following, a pair of contacted electrodes 4A and 4B attached to the rotary operation panel 2 is connected to the contacted element Tj (j =
1, 2, ...). In this example, the rotation operation panel 2
Is provided with two sets of contacted elements T1 and T2, and the other two operation faces are provided with one set of contacted elements T3 and T4, respectively. It is composed of a pair of contacted electrodes 4A and 4B, each of which
The triangular vertex of j is arranged on the operation surface so as to indicate the rotation direction of the rotation operation panel 2.

Signal generating means 20 shown in FIG. 17 is connected to the contacted electrodes 4A and 4B. The signal generating means 20 includes, for example, a resistor R1 and a flip-flop (FF) circuit 2
6. One end of R1 is connected to a power supply VBB of about 3 V, and the other end is connected to the flip-flop circuit 26 and one receiving electrode 42A. The other receiving electrode 42
B is connected to ground (GND). The flip-flop circuit 26 is supplied with a reset signal SR, and generates high-level (hereinafter, referred to as “H” level) or low-level (hereinafter, referred to as “L” level) switch-on information based on the reset signal SR. It is done as follows. The contacted electrodes 4A and 4B are indicated only by the contacts a and b of the switch symbol shown in FIG. This is because the touch sensor 3 has no movable contact of the switch symbol. The contacts a and b shown in FIG. 18 constitute the contacted element T3 touched on an operation surface other than the reference operation surface.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit operation by the touch sensor 3 attached to an operation surface other than the reference operation surface. For example, when the flip-flop circuit 26 shown in FIG. 19 is reset and an “H” level based on the power supply VBB is output, the contacts a and b of the contacted element T3
Are simultaneously touched with the index finger, the contact a is connected to the contact b through the finger surface and grounded. As a result, the resistance R
1 causes the flip-flop circuit 2
The input point No. 6 is displaced to the “L” level. Therefore, the "L" level is held in the flip-flop circuit 26, and the signal generation means 20 can generate a contact detection signal that changes from the "H" level to the "L" level.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views showing a configuration example of the contacted electrode bodies 14A to 14C for the reference operation surface. FIG.
The contacted electrode bodies 14A to 14C shown in FIG.
Is provided with two sets of contacted elements T1 and T2,
The contacted electrode body 14A on one side of the contacted element T1 is integrated. The reason why the contacted electrodes 14A are integrated is that they are used by being commonly connected to the ground line GND. For example, a resin member is injection-molded to form a 100-foot common-type molded part having holes 46A and 46B for steadying. Thereafter, the molded part is subjected to conductive plating to obtain the common type contacted electrode body 14A shown in FIG. 20A. The contacted electrode bodies 14B and 14C shown in FIG. 20B are cases where two sets of contacted elements T1 and T2 are provided on the reference operation surface 21, and are equivalent to those obtained by dividing the former contacted electrode body 14A. It is something that is done to the structure. The reason why such a divided structure is adopted is to allow the user to select whether to move the reference operation surface 21 of the rotary operation panel 2 upward or downward.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the touch sensor 3 for selecting an upward direction and a downward direction. The signal generating means 30 shown in FIG. 21 has two sets of resistors R1, R2 and flip-flop (FF) circuits 36A, 36B. One end of each of the resistors R1 and R2 is connected to a power supply VB of about 3V.
B, the other end of the resistor R1 is connected to the flip-flop circuit 36A and one receiving electrode (corresponding to a contact a1) 42A (not shown), and the other end of the resistor R2 is connected to the flip-flop circuit 36B and the other receiving electrode. (Corresponding to the contact a2). The common type contacted electrode body 14A is connected to ground (GND) through a common receiving electrode (corresponding to the contacts b1 and b2). A reset signal SR is supplied to the two flip-flop circuits 36A and 36B,
Based on this reset signal SR, switch-on information is generated by contacted elements (touch sensors) T1 and T2 for upward and downward selection.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit operation by the contactors T1 and T2 for selecting the upward and downward directions. For example, when the two flip-flop circuits 36A and 36B shown in FIG. 22 are reset and the "H" level based on the power supply VBB is output, if the contacts a1 and b1 of one of the contacts T1 are touched simultaneously. , Contact a1
Are grounded through the contact b1.

As a result, when a current flows through the resistor R1, the input point of the flip-flop circuit 36A shifts to the “L” level. Therefore, the flip-flop circuit 36A
In this case, the "L" level is held, and the signal generation means 30 can generate a contact detection signal that changes from the "H" level to the "L" level. At this time, the other flip-flop circuit 36B holds the "H" level, and the signal generating means 30 keeps outputting the "H" level contact detection signal for the contacted element T2. In addition, when the contactors T1 and T2 for selecting the upward direction and the downward direction are simultaneously contacted, a circuit for invalidating both contact detection signals may be provided. Further, a priority circuit that makes the previously output contact detection signal valid may be added.
As a result, smooth panel drive control can be performed.

As described above, when the contacted elements T1, T2, T3, etc. are regarded as switching elements, not only the movable contact in the switching element can be omitted, but also the contacted electrodes 4A, 4B, 14A to 14C themselves can be used. Since the touch sensor can be used as a switch knob, the overall structure of the touch sensor can be simplified as compared with a conventional touch sensor in which a tact switch and a switch knob are combined. Therefore, the present invention can be sufficiently applied to the audio equipment 100 and the like that require high-density mounting of various switches and three-dimensional rotation operation panel 2.

(4) Operation Example of Audio Device Next, an operation example of the audio device 100 will be described. FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a panel drive control system 50 of the audio device 100.

In this example, the contacts T1 and T2 used for the reference operation surface 21 are connected to a microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as a microcomputer) 51 through the signal generating means 30 and the like.
The contactor T3 used for the operation surface P # 1 other than the reference operation surface is connected to the microcomputer 51 through the signal generating means 20 and used for another operation surface P # 3 other than the reference operation surface. The contacted element T4 is connected to the microcomputer 51 through the signal generating means 20 and the like, and the contact detection information D1 to D4 generated from the individual contacted elements (touch sensors) T1 to T4 are supplied to the microcomputer 51. .

[0108] The microcomputer is connected to a motor drive section 52 and is supplied with a motor control signal S1. Motor drive unit 5
The motor 2 is connected to the rotation operation panel 2 having the rotation position detection mechanism 6 shown in FIG. The switch on / off information by the rotation position detection mechanism 6 is stored in the data holding unit 53, and the switch on / off information is used as the rotation position detection information DOUT by the microcomputer 51.
Is output. It is assumed that the flip-flop circuits 26, 36A, and 36B shown in FIGS. 18 and 21 have been reset, and the reference operation surface 21 is located at the home position # 2.

Based on this premise, when one of the contacts T1 on the reference operation surface 21 is touched, the microcomputer 51 supplies a motor control signal S1 for "instructing to start rotation" to the motor drive unit 52, When the motor 11 rotates counterclockwise, the rotation operation panel 2 rotates backward.
Then, the rotation operation panel 2 is rotated by the rotation position detection mechanism 6.
Is detected, the rotation position detection information DOUT is notified from the data holding unit 53 to the microcomputer 51. As a result, the microcomputer 51 supplies the motor control signal S1 of “instructing to stop rotation” to the motor drive unit 52, and the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 is stopped by stopping the motor 11. As a result, an operation surface P # 3 other than the reference operation surface 21 comes out of the front surface of the housing 1.

The operation surface P # which has come out of the front of the housing 1
When the contacted element T4 is touched, the microcomputer 51 supplies the motor control signal S1 to the motor drive section 52 to the effect that "instructs return to the home position", and the motor 1
By rotating 1 clockwise, the rotation operation panel 2 rotates forward. When the home position # 2 of the rotation operation panel 2 is detected by the rotation position detection mechanism 6, the rotation position detection information DOUT is notified from the data holding unit 53 to the microcomputer 51. As a result, the microcomputer 51
Supplies a motor control signal S1 of “instructing to stop rotation” to the motor drive unit 52, and the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 stops at the home position # 2 when the motor 11 stops. Thereby, the reference operation surface 2 is provided on the front surface of the housing 1.
1 comes out.

Further, the other contacted element T on the reference operation surface 21
2 is touched, the microcomputer 51 sends the
2, the motor control signal S1 of "instructing to start rotation" is supplied, and the rotation operation panel 2 is rotated forward by rotating the motor 11 clockwise. Then, the stop position # 1 of the rotation operation panel 2 is detected by the rotation position detection mechanism 6.
Is detected, the rotational position detection information DOUT is notified from the data holding unit 53 to the microcomputer 51. As a result,
The microcomputer 51 supplies a motor control signal S1 of “instructing to stop rotation” to the motor drive unit 52, and the motor 1
The rotation operation panel 2 stops when 1 stops.
As a result, an operation surface P # 1 other than the reference operation surface 21 comes out of the front surface of the housing 1.

The operation surface P # that has come out of the front of the housing 1
When the first contactor T3 is touched, the microcomputer 51 supplies the motor control signal S1 to the motor driving unit 52 to the effect that "instructs return to the home position", and the motor 1
1 rotates counterclockwise to rotate the operation panel 2
Rotates backwards. When the home position # 2 of the rotation operation panel 2 is detected by the rotation position detection mechanism 6, the rotation position detection information DOUT is stored in the data holding unit 53.
Is notified to the microcomputer 51. As a result, the microcomputer 5
1 supplies a motor control signal S1 of “instructing to stop rotation” to the motor drive unit 52, and the rotation of the rotation operation panel 2 is changed to the home position # 2 by stopping the motor 11.
Stop at As a result, the reference operation surface 21 comes out of the front surface of the housing 1.

As described above, according to the audio device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the above-described rotational position detecting mechanism 6 and the touch sensor 3 are applied to the reciprocating rotary type operation panel 2, the rotation operation is performed. Even when many switches are mounted on the panel 2 at high density, the rotation position detecting mechanism 6
And the unit price of the touch sensor 3 can be kept low. Therefore, audio equipment 100 such as a mini component
Can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the case where the reciprocating rotary operation panel 2 has three operation surfaces 21, P # 1 and P # 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a surface is provided.

[0115]

As described above, according to the touch sensor according to the present invention, a pair of contacted electrodes are provided with a predetermined gap on the surface of an object, and the contacted electrodes can be simultaneously touched. Thus, a contact detection signal is generated.

According to this configuration, when the touch sensor is regarded as a switching element, not only the movable contact in the switching element can be omitted, but also the contacted electrode itself can be used as a switch knob. The overall structure can be simplified as compared to a combined conventional touch sensor. Therefore, the present invention can be sufficiently applied to small electronic devices and the like that require high-density mounting of various switches and three-dimensional operation panels.

According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the above-mentioned touch sensor is applied, it greatly contributes to the provision of an audio mini-component having a high-density mounted rotary operation panel.

The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to a rotary operation panel that requires high-density mounting of various switches, an audio mini-component incorporating the operation panel, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view showing a configuration example of an audio device 100 to which a touch sensor 3 as an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the rotation operation panel 2.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of a reference operation surface 21 of the rotary operation panel 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of an operation surface 24 other than the reference operation surface.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration example of a panel drive system 10 provided in the audio device 100.

FIG. 6 is a follower for monitoring according to the rotational position detecting mechanism;
FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the protrusions 8A to 8D in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing an example of a switch arrangement on a substrate 9;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing configuration examples of switches SWi (i = 1 to 4).

FIG. 9 shows protrusions 8B and 8 at home position # 2.
It is sectional drawing of the driven body 7 which shows the example of simultaneous depression of C.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a switch output logic example using four protrusions 8A to 8D.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration example of a rotation position detection mechanism 90 as an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing an operation example (stop position # 1) of the rotation position detection mechanism 90.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing an operation example (stop position # 3) of the rotation position detection mechanism 90.

FIG. 14 is a table showing an operation example (switch state) of the rotation position detection mechanism 90.

FIG. 15 shows contact electrodes 4A and 4B according to the touch sensor 3.
It is a perspective view which shows the example of a structure of.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of assembling a contacted electrode portion of the touch sensor 3.

17 is a side view of the touch sensor 3 and a signal generating unit 20. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a touch sensor 25 attached to an operation surface other than the reference operation surface.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit operation by a touch sensor 25 attached to an operation surface other than the reference operation surface.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are contacted electrode bodies 14 for a reference operation surface.
It is a perspective view which shows the example of a structure of A, 14B, 14C.

FIG. 21 is a view of contacted elements T1 and T for upward and downward selection.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example according to FIG.

FIG. 22 shows contacted elements T1, T for selecting upward and downward directions.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit operation according to Example 2;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a panel drive control system 50 of the audio device 100.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Rotation operation panel 3, 25 Touch sensor 4A, 4B, 14A-14C Contacted electrode 6 Rotation position detection mechanism 7 Follower 8A-8D Projection part 10 Panel drive system 20 Signal generation means 21 Reference operation surface 41A, 41B Electrodes to be contacted 42A, 42B Receiving electrode 43 Projection 44 Collar 45 Electrode leg 48 Projection (boss) 50 Panel drive control system 51 Microcomputer T1 to T4 Contacted element (touch sensor) P # 1, P # 3 other operation surface

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4E360 AB04 AB12 BB02 BB17 BB22 BB26 BC08 BC12 EA13 EA18 EC14 ED04 ED15 ED27 FA08 GA02 GA46 GB12 GB13 GB14 5G046 AA01 AA11 AB02 AC33 AC35 AD04

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A touch sensor for detecting whether or not a touch has been performed, comprising: a pair of contacted electrodes provided with a predetermined gap; and a contact detection signal when the contacted electrodes are simultaneously touched. A touch sensor, comprising: a signal generation unit that generates a signal. 2. An insulative operation panel having an opening of a predetermined shape for projecting one end of the contacted electrode, and a pair of electrodes for contacting the other end of the contacted electrode. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein a substrate is provided, and the contacted electrode is disposed between an opening of the operation panel and an electrode of the substrate, and the substrate is attached to the operation panel. Touch sensor. 3. An operation panel operated to instruct an operation, and a touch sensor provided on the operation panel and detecting whether or not a touch has been performed, wherein the touch sensor is provided on a surface of the operation panel. An electronic device, comprising: a pair of contacted electrodes provided with a predetermined gap; and a signal generation unit that generates a contact detection signal when the contacted electrodes are touched simultaneously. 4. The operation panel according to claim 3, wherein the operation panel is a rotating body having a three-dimensional shape having a plurality of operation surfaces.
An electronic device according to claim 1. 5. The operation panel, wherein two sets of contacted elements are provided on a reference operation surface, and one set of contacted elements is provided on another operation surface. 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the contacted electrode is formed by the following. 6. The contacted element has a triangular shape, and the contacted element is disposed on the operation surface such that a vertex of the triangular shape indicates a rotation direction of the operation panel. Item 6. An electronic device according to item 5.