JP2002023920A - Coordinate input mechanism incorporated type key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate input mechanism incorporated type key input device capable of reducing the number of parts and thereby reducing its production cost by integrally forming a coordinate input mechanism capable of inputting coordinates on a display part of a portable terminal equipment or the like and plural key switches on an electrode sheet and a substrate. SOLUTION: A 2nd movable electrode 6 is formed on a part of an electrode sheet 1, a 2nd fixed electrode 11 is formed on the substrate 8 so as to be opposed to the electrode 6 and the electrostatic capacity of a prescribed value exists between both the electrodes 6, 11. Plural key switches K capable of performing switching operation when a 1st movable electrode 3 is connected to a 1st fixed electrode 9 in accordance with the rising and falling operation of the electrode 3 and the coordinate input mechanism N capable of inputting coordinates due to a change of the electrostatic capacity when the electrode 6 is elastically deformed by horizontal weighting to be applied to the electrode 6 are integrally formed on the sheet 1 and the substrate 8. Thereby the coordinate input mechanism incorporated type key input device capable of reducing its production cost by reducing the number of parts can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism, and more particularly to a coordinate input mechanism in which a plurality of key switches capable of inputting characters and the like and a coordinate input mechanism capable of inputting coordinates are integrated. The present invention relates to a mechanism-integrated key input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recent portable terminal device is of a small type. Referring to FIG. 4, the portable terminal device of the small type has a key input device comprising a plurality of key switches 21 mounted thereon. Main body 22 and display 23
And the cover member 24 is rotatably attached to the main body 22. Also, the main body 2
The key switch 2 is located in the center near the front end of the switch 2.
A coordinate input device 25 formed separately from the key input device 1 is attached.

As the coordinate input device 25, a device called by a name such as a touch pad or a track pad is used. The coordinate input device 25 composed of this touch pad has an operation surface 25a formed in a small, substantially rectangular shape and a small flat shape. An index finger is positioned on the operation surface 25a, and the index finger is moved in the X direction or the Y direction , The display screen of the display 23, for example, a cursor can be moved to a desired position or an input can be determined.

[0004]

However, the end device 20
Since the conventional coordinate input device 25 used in the first embodiment is formed separately from the key input device composed of the plurality of key switches 21, the number of components of the coordinate input device 25 increases and the cost increases. There was a problem. Also,
The key input device including a plurality of key switches 21 and the coordinate input device 25 are separately assembled and assembled into the main unit 22.
, There is a problem that it takes time to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and comprises a coordinate input mechanism capable of inputting coordinates on a display unit such as a terminal device and a plurality of key switches. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate input mechanism-integrated key input device capable of reducing the number of parts and reducing cost by integrally forming the key input device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism, comprising an elastically deformable electrode sheet and a plurality of electrode sheets formed on the electrode sheet. A first movable electrode, a substrate disposed on a side facing the electrode sheet, and a plurality of first fixed electrodes facing the first movable electrode formed on the substrate. A second movable electrode is formed on a part of the electrode sheet other than the formed one, and a second fixed electrode is formed on the substrate at a position facing the second movable electrode, and the second movable electrode and the second movable electrode are formed. A plurality of capacitances having a predetermined value of capacitance between the fixed electrode and the first movable electrode, the first movable electrode being in contact with the first fixed electrode to perform a switching operation in accordance with the elevating operation of the first movable electrode. A key switch and a horizontal switch applied to the second movable electrode. The capacitance changes due to elastic deformation of the second movable electrode due to the weight, and a coordinate input mechanism capable of inputting coordinates by the change in the capacitance is formed integrally with the electrode sheet and the substrate. .

As a second means for solving the above problem, the electrode sheet is made of a conductive rubber member, and a plurality of recesses are formed on a surface of the electrode sheet facing the substrate. The first and second portions are provided on the ceiling surface of the concave portion.
Are formed, and a predetermined gap is formed between the first movable electrode and the first fixed electrode and between the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode.

As a third means for solving the above problems, the second fixed electrode has an upper surface covered with an insulating film, and the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode are connected to each other through the insulating film. The gap is formed between them.

As a fourth solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, an upwardly projecting protrusion is formed on a part of the electrode sheet where the second movable electrode is formed, and the protrusion is formed on the electrode sheet. By applying a horizontal load, the second movable electrode is elastically deformed, and the gap between the elastically deformed portion of the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode is changed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an operation member movable in a horizontal direction is fitted to and attached to the projection, and a horizontal load is applied to the operation member. Thereby, the second movable electrode is configured to be elastically deformed via the protrusion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first fixed electrode includes a pair of opposed contact portions formed at positions on the substrate opposed to the first movable electrode. The switching operation is performed by conducting the pair of contact portions via the first movable electrode in accordance with the raising / lowering operation of the first movable electrode.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coordinate input mechanism-integrated key input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Figure 1
2 is an exploded perspective view according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second fixed electrode according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a coordinate input device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of FIG.

First, in the coordinate input mechanism-integrated key input device of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an electrode sheet 1 made of an elastically deformable conductive rubber member is disposed on the upper side. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode sheet 1 has a plurality of first recesses 2 formed at a predetermined depth in a direction away from the substrate 8 on a facing surface 1 a facing a substrate 8 described later.
On the ceiling surface of the concave portion 2, a flat first movable electrode 3 forming a part of the key switch K is formed. The part of the electrode sheet 1 where the first movable electrode 3 is formed includes:
A flat first operation surface 1b, which is formed to protrude upward when the first recess 2 is formed, is provided, and characters such as alphabets are printed on the first operation surface 1b.

As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the electrode sheet 1 other than the one on which the first movable electrode 3 is formed is a part of a coordinate input mechanism N, which can be moved horizontally. An operating member 4 having a shape is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode sheet 1 in the portion where the operation member 4 is provided has a second recess 5 formed at a predetermined depth in a direction away from the substrate 8 on the facing surface 1a side. A flat second movable electrode 6 forming a part of the coordinate input mechanism N is provided on the ceiling surface of the second recess 5.
Are formed.

A portion of the electrode sheet 1 where the second movable electrode 6 is formed is provided with a flat second operation surface 1c which protrudes upward when the second concave portion 5 is formed. A protrusion 7 is formed to project upward at a predetermined height from the center of the surface 1c. The operation member 4 is fitted to the projection 7 so that the operation member 4 is attached to the electrode sheet 1.
Then, by applying a load to the operation member 4 in the horizontal direction of the arrow X or Y with, for example, the index finger of the operator, the operation member 4 moves horizontally and the second movable electrode 6 is elastically deformed downward in the drawing. Has become.

A substrate 8 is provided on the side of the electrode sheet 1 facing the facing surface 1a. The substrate 8 is made of a plate-like insulating member and is located at a position where the first movable electrode 2 faces. A plurality of first fixed electrodes 9 are formed on the surface of the substrate 8. The first fixed electrode 9 is made of a conductive film formed by printing or the like, and is formed on the substrate 8 by a pair of contact portions 9a, 9a facing each other.
a and 9a are separated from each other by a gap having a predetermined size and are insulated from each other. A first gap 10 having a predetermined size is formed between the upper first movable electrode 3 and the lower first fixed electrode 9. A second fixed electrode 11 made of a conductive film is provided on the substrate 8 at a position facing the second movable electrode 6, and a coordinate force mechanism N is formed by the second movable electrode 6 and the second fixed electrode 11. It is configured.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second fixed electrode 11 is divided into four equal parts in a fan shape, and a first electrode 11a and a second electrode 1 are formed.
The first electrode 11b, the third electrode 11c, and the fourth electrode 11d are formed on the substrate 8 by being electrically insulated from each other and by printing or the like. An insulating film 12 made of, for example, a resist film is formed on each of the electrodes 11a to 11d, and the second fixed electrode 11 is covered with the insulating film 12. Further, a second gap 13 having a predetermined size is formed between the second movable electrode 6 and the second fixed electrode 11 via the insulating film 12.

The first fixed electrode 9 and the second fixed electrode 1
Numerals 1 are independently connected to wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the substrate 8 by through holes 14 provided in the substrate 8. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the electrode sheet 1 and the substrate 8 are integrally attached with an adhesive (not shown) or the like in a state where the opposing surface 1a is in close contact with the substrate 8.

When the coordinate input mechanism-integrated key input device of the present invention having such a configuration is attached to a portable terminal device or the like (not shown), the electrode sheet 1 is grounded to the portable terminal device. It has become. Therefore, the second movable electrode 6 serves as a ground electrode, and a predetermined value of capacitance is formed between the second movable electrode 6 and each of the electrodes 11a to 11d of the second fixed electrode 11. As a result, the second gap 13 changes due to the elastic deformation of the second movable electrode 6, so that the capacitance changes.

The operation of the key input device integrated with the coordinate input mechanism according to the present invention will be described. First, the operation of the key switch K is, for example, the first operation of the key switch K in which the letter "A" shown in FIG. 1 The operation surface 1b is pressed downward. Then, the first movable electrode 3 shown in FIG.
Side, and the first movable electrode 3 is connected to the pair of contact portions 9a, 9a.
Contact Then, the pair of contact portions 9a, 9a are electrically connected via the first movable electrode 3. When the main body (not shown) detects a signal generated by the switching operation in which the pair of contact portions 9a and 9a conduct, the character "A" is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the main body. When the weight applied to the first operation surface 1b is released, the operation surface 1b is restored to the original flat shape, and the pair of contact portions 9a, 9a is restored.
Then, the first movable contact 3 separates, and the switching operation ends.

When it is desired to move a cursor or the like displayed on the display section of the main body, the operation member 4 of the coordinate input mechanism N is moved in the horizontal direction of the arrow X or Y to thereby move the second movable electrode. 6 is elastically deformed, and the capacitance between the second movable electrode 6 and the second fixed electrode 11 changes. The personal computer can detect this change in the capacitance and move the cursor to a desired position.

The operation of the coordinate input mechanism N will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. When the center line A of the operating member 4 is at the initial position B, a horizontal load indicated by an arrow C is applied to the operating member 4. Then, the operation member 4 moves in the direction of arrow C,
The movement amount of the operation member 4 at this time is the dimension D. And
By the movement of the operation member 4 in the direction of arrow C, the second movable electrode 6 on the left side in the figure is compressed and elastically deformed downward in the figure.
Thereby, the second gap 13 between the elastically deformed second movable electrode 6 and the second electrode 11b becomes smaller than the initial state, and the capacitance between the second movable electrode 6 and the second electrode 11b becomes smaller. Change.

When a load is applied in the direction of arrow C, the second movable electrode 6 on the right side in the figure is slightly stretched by being pulled in the direction of arrow C, but is formed between the second movable electrode 6 and the fourth electrode 11d. Since the second gap 13 is hardly changed,
The change in capacitance between the fourth electrode 11d and the second movable electrode 6 is very small. Therefore, a detection member (not shown) on the main body side detects a change in capacitance between the second electrode 11b and the second movable electrode 6, and the cursor on the display unit is moved to the left. You. The amount of movement of the cursor can be changed in accordance with the amount of change in capacitance. The amount of movement of the cursor increases when the amount of change in capacitance is large, and decreases when the amount of change in capacitance is small. .

Each electrode 11a of the fixed electrode 11
When the capacitance between the first electrode 11a and the second movable electrode 6 is changed, for example, a cursor on the display unit of the main body is changed according to the change in the capacitance. It can be controlled upward. Also, the second electrode 11b
When the capacitance between the first movable electrode 6 and the second movable electrode 6 is changed, for example, the cursor is moved leftward on the display unit, and the capacitance between the third electrode 11c and the second movable electrode 6 is changed. Is variable, for example, the cursor on the display unit downward,
When the capacitance between the fourth electrode 11d and the second movable electrode 6 is changed, for example, a cursor on the display unit is moved rightward.
Each can be controlled for movement.

Since the coordinate input mechanism N is formed integrally with the electrode sheet 1 and the substrate 8 constituting the key switch K, the number of components of the coordinate input mechanism N can be reduced. Also,
By attaching the electrode sheet 1 and the substrate 8 to a main body (not shown), a plurality of key switches K and a coordinate input mechanism N can be simultaneously incorporated in the portable terminal device, and the assembling property is good.

[0026]

As described above, the coordinate input mechanism integrated key input device of the present invention is capable of switching operation by contacting the first movable electrode with the first fixed electrode as the first movable electrode moves up and down. A plurality of key switches and a coordinate input mechanism capable of inputting a coordinate by the elastic deformation of the second movable electrode due to a horizontal load applied to the second movable electrode, and a change in the electrostatic capacitance. And the substrate are integrally formed, so that a low-cost key input device with a coordinate input mechanism having a small number of parts can be provided.

Further, the electrode sheet is made of a conductive rubber member, and a plurality of recesses are formed on a surface of the electrode sheet facing the substrate, and first and second movable electrodes are provided on a ceiling surface of the recess. Formed between the first movable electrode and the first fixed electrode,
And a predetermined gap is formed between each of the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode, so that a switching operation between the first movable electrode and the first fixed electrode, and a second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode are performed. The coordinate input operation can be performed smoothly.

The upper surface of the second fixed electrode is covered with an insulating film, and the second movable electrode and the second
Since the gap is formed between the fixed electrode and
Even if the horizontal load applied to the second movable electrode varies and the second movable electrode is largely elastically deformed, the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode are not electrically short-circuited and a high-performance coordinate input mechanism. An integrated key input device can be provided.

Further, the electrode sheet has a projection formed to protrude above a portion where the second movable electrode is formed, and by applying a horizontal load to the projection, the second sheet is formed.
Since the movable electrode is elastically deformed and the gap between the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode in the elastically deformed portion is changed, a horizontal load is applied to the second movable electrode by the projection. It is easy to add, and the operability of the coordinate input mechanism is good.

An operation member movable in the horizontal direction is disposed on the second movable electrode, and the operation member is fitted to the projection to form the electrode sheet on the second movable electrode. And the second movable electrode is elastically deformed via the protrusion by applying a horizontal load to the operation member. By moving the operation member in the horizontal direction, the second movable electrode is moved. Can be elastically deformed, and a key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism with better operability can be provided.

The first fixed electrode includes a pair of contact portions facing each other on the substrate, and the first movable electrode contacts the pair of contact portions as the first movable electrode moves up and down. And the switching operation is performed. Thus, the switching operation can be performed by pressing and elastically deforming the movable electrode, and the coordinate input mechanism integrated key input device having a key switch with good operability. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second fixed electrode according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the coordinate input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portable terminal device using a conventional coordinate input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 K key switch N coordinate input mechanism 1 electrode sheet 1a opposing surface 1b first operation surface 1c second operation surface 2 first recess 3 first movable electrode 4 operation member 5 second recess 6 second movable electrode 7 protrusion 8 substrate 9 First fixed electrode 9a Contact portion 10 First gap 11 Second fixed electrode 11a First electrode 11b Second electrode 11c Third electrode 11d Fourth electrode 12 Insulating film 13 Second gap 14 Through hole

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H01H 13/70 H01H 13/70 F

Claims (6)

[Claims] An electrode sheet capable of being elastically deformed, a plurality of first movable electrodes formed on the electrode sheet, a substrate disposed on a side facing the electrode sheet, and a first movable electrode formed on the substrate. A plurality of first fixed electrodes facing the electrodes, a second movable electrode is formed on a part of the electrode sheet other than the first movable electrode formed thereon, and a second movable electrode is formed at a position facing the second movable electrode. A second fixed electrode is formed on the substrate, and has a predetermined value of capacitance between the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode. A plurality of key switches capable of performing a switching operation when a first movable electrode is in contact with the first fixed electrode; and a change in the capacitance due to elastic deformation of the second movable electrode due to a horizontal load applied to the second movable electrode. The coordinates can be input by this change in capacitance. A key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism, wherein a mark input mechanism is formed integrally with the electrode sheet and the substrate. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode sheet is made of a conductive rubber member, and has a plurality of recesses formed on a surface of the electrode sheet facing the substrate, and the first and second recesses are formed on a ceiling surface of the recesses.
Wherein a predetermined gap is formed between the first movable electrode and the first fixed electrode and between the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode. Item 1. A key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism according to Item 1. 3. The second fixed electrode has an upper surface covered with an insulating film, and the gap is formed between the second movable electrode and the second fixed electrode via the insulating film. 3. A key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism according to claim 2. 4. An upwardly projecting projection is formed on a portion of the electrode sheet where the second movable electrode is formed, and a horizontal load is applied to the projection to make the second movable electrode elastic. 4. The coordinate input mechanism integrated type according to claim 2, wherein said gap is deformed and said gap between said second movable electrode and said second fixed electrode in said elastically deformed portion is changed. Key input device. 5. An operation member movable in a horizontal direction is fitted to and attached to the protrusion, and the second movable electrode is applied via the protrusion by applying a horizontal load to the operation member. 5. A key input device integrated with a coordinate input mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the key input device is elastically deformed. 6. The first fixed electrode includes a pair of opposed contact points formed at positions on the substrate opposed to the first movable electrode, and the first fixed electrode includes a pair of contact portions that move up and down the first movable electrode. 6. The switching operation is performed by conducting the pair of contact portions via the first movable electrode, wherein the switching operation is performed.
The key input device integrated with the coordinate input mechanism described in the above.