JP2002149337A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the distance between electrodes of which the electrostatic capacity is detected in an electrostatic capacity type pointing device. SOLUTION: Four divided fixed electrodes 23 are arranged in a case 2, and film-like insulators 11 are put on the fixed electrodes 23, respectively and mobile electrodes 12 are put on the electrodes 23 respectively. The mobile electrodes 12 are pressed to the insulators 11 by retaining springs 13 respectively. The lower end part of a position information input part 16 is fitted to the mobile electrode 12, and electrostatic capacities between individual fixed electrodes 23 and the mobile electrodes 12 are changed when the mobile electrodes 12 are moved in parallel with the fixed electrodes 23 by operating the position information input part 16 with a finger.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a capacitive pointing device. In particular, the present invention relates to a pointing device capable of changing a coordinate signal based on a change in capacitance and performing switch input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electrostatic capacitance type pointing device, there is known a device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-281823. This pointing device (coordinate input device) has a structure in which a dielectric plate is sandwiched between one upper fixed electrode and four divided lower fixed electrodes, and an operation knob for generating a coordinate signal is operated. To slide the dielectric plate between the upper and lower fixed electrodes, thereby changing the capacitance between each lower fixed electrode and the upper fixed electrode, and changing the capacitance signals in four directions according to the change in the capacitance. It is made to let. Further, in this pointing device, an operation button for operating a decision switch or a cancel switch is provided near an operation knob for generating a coordinate signal.

[0003]

In such a pointing device, the dielectric plate is slid while the upper and lower fixed electrodes are stationary, so that the size of the pointing device is limited. The size of the dielectric plate is smaller than that of the upper and lower fixed electrodes. For this reason, between the upper fixed electrode and the lower fixed electrode, there is a space for moving the dielectric plate,
In addition, since the upper fixed electrode is pressed by the operation knob, the distance between the upper fixed electrode and the lower fixed electrode differs depending on whether there is a space between the upper and lower fixed electrodes and when the dielectric plate is interposed. There was a problem that it was not stable.

In the above pointing device, since the upper and lower surfaces of the dielectric plate are in surface contact with the upper fixed electrode and the lower fixed electrode, the frictional resistance when sliding the dielectric plate is large, so that the operation is difficult. The properties (slidability) were not excellent, and the abrasion of the dielectric plate due to friction was large.

In the conventional pointing device, since the dielectric plate is moved as described above, rigidity is required for the dielectric plate. To this end, it is necessary to use a material having high rigidity or to increase the thickness. In addition, when a dielectric plate having a large thickness is used, the distance between the upper and lower fixed electrodes is increased, so that it is necessary to use a dielectric plate having a high dielectric constant, which is costly. Further, in order to reduce the frictional resistance and wear of the dielectric plate, if the dielectric plate is made of a material having a low friction coefficient and high wear resistance, the cost is further increased.

Further, in the pointing device as described above, the operation knob for generating the coordinate signal to be slid vertically and horizontally and the switch for pushing down are separately provided, so that the operability is poor.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to stabilize the distance between electrodes whose capacitance is detected in a capacitance type pointing device.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the operability of a capacitive pointing device.

[0009] A pointing device according to the present invention is a pointing device comprising: a capacitance detecting unit having an insulator sandwiched between a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, at least one of which is divided into a plurality of electrodes; And an operation unit for moving in parallel to change the capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode.

The pointing device of the present invention has a structure in which the movable electrode is moved in parallel with the fixed electrode. Therefore, when the movable electrode is moved, each of the divided movable electrodes and the static electricity between the fixed electrodes are moved. The capacitance or the capacitance between the movable electrode and each of the divided fixed electrodes changes, and the change in the capacitance is output as a coordinate signal. And
With the structure in which the movable electrode is moved, the insulator can be kept stationary together with the fixed electrode. As a result, the restriction on the size of the insulator is relaxed, and the distance between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode can be stabilized.

In particular, if the insulator covers the entire fixed electrode, the insulator always covers the area where the movable electrode and the fixed electrode face each other and the lines of electric force are concentrated even if the movable electrode moves. Since it is interposed, the distance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode can be stabilized in the effective area of the capacitance.

Further, in the pointing device of the present invention, since only one surface between the movable electrode and the insulator is a sliding surface, frictional resistance when moving the movable electrode is reduced, and operability is improved. Further, wear of the movable electrode and the insulator due to friction can be reduced, and the life can be extended.

[0013] Further, by keeping the insulator stationary, special rigidity is not required for the insulator. Therefore, it is required to use a material having high rigidity and to increase the thickness of the insulator. Can be avoided and cost can be avoided.

Further, the pointing device of the present invention includes a switch and an operation unit for inputting the switch, and an operation unit for inputting the switch and an operation unit for moving the movable electrode. May be integrated. The operation unit for inputting the switch and the operation unit for moving the movable electrode are integrated,
In addition to the case where the switch input and the movement of the movable electrode can be performed by one operation section, the case where the operation section for the switch input and the operation section for moving the movable electrode are integrally combined. included. According to such a pointing device, it is not necessary to move a finger between an operation unit for inputting a switch and an operation unit for changing capacitance as in the related art, and a switch is provided by an integrated operation unit. Input and movement of the movable electrode can be performed with good operability.

The above-described components of the present invention can be combined as much as possible.

[0016]

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a capacitance type pointing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This pointing device 1 includes a resin case 2, two switch terminals 3 and 4, four fixed terminals 5, 6, 7 and 8, a movable electrode lead terminal 9, a leaf spring 10, an insulating plate 11, a movable electrode 12, It is composed of a holding spring 13, a spring cover 14, a switch operation unit 15, a position information input unit 16, four return springs 17, and a metal cover 18.

The switch terminals 3 and 4 are made of a metal material. One of the switch terminals 3 has a lead 20 extending from a C-shaped contact portion 19, and the space between the C-shaped contact portion 19 and the lead 20 is bent in a stepwise manner to form a C-shaped contact portion 19. Is floating above. The other switch terminal 4 has a lead 22 extending from a disk-shaped contact portion 21, and the space between the disk-shaped contact portion 21 and the lead 22 is bent stepwise so that the disk-shaped contact portion 21 is raised. It is floating. Further, the disk-shaped contact portion 21 has such a size that it can be accommodated in the C-shaped contact portion 19 while keeping a sufficient insulation distance from the C-shaped contact portion 19. At least the lower surface of the leaf spring 10 is formed in a circular dome shape whose central portion is bulged upward with a conductive material, for example, a metal material.
Further, the outer diameter of the leaf spring 10 is larger than the inner diameter of the C-shaped contact portion 19 and smaller than the outer diameter thereof.
The outer peripheral edge of the C-shaped contact portion 19 rides on the C-shaped contact portion 19.

The fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, and 8 are made of a metal material. Each of the fixed terminals 23 has a lead 24 extending from a flat fixed electrode 23, and the gap between the fixed electrode 23 and the lead 24 is stepwise. And the fixed electrode 23 is lifted up. The movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 is also made of a metal material, and the contact piece 25 and the lead 2 which are bent vertically are formed.
6

The case 2 is a molded plastic product and has a box shape with an open upper surface. A circular concave portion 27 for receiving the C-shaped contact portion 19, the disc-shaped contact portion 21, and the leaf spring 10 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the case 2.
The fixed terminals 5, 6,
Depressions 28 for receiving the fixed electrodes 23 of 7 and 8 are recessed. Further, a space (not shown) for accommodating the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 is provided near any of the depressions 28.
Are provided with a partition plate 29 interposed therebetween. In the outer peripheral portion of the case 2, four through holes 30 for drawing out the leads 24 of the fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 to the outside, and the switch terminals 3, 4
Two through holes 31 for extracting the leads 20 and 22 of the movable electrode to the outside and a through hole (not shown) for extracting the lead 26 of the movable electrode extraction terminal 9 to the outside are formed. At the four corners of the upper surface of the case 2, projections 32 for heat-staking the cover 18 are provided.

The insulating plate 11 has a size substantially equal to the inner size of the case 2 and is formed of an insulating material to have a uniform thickness, and an opening 33 for exposing the leaf spring 10 is formed in the center. ing. It is desirable that the insulating plate 11 has high wear resistance and a small friction coefficient. As a material of the insulating plate 11, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PT) is used.
An insulating film or sheet made of a fluorine resin such as FE) or polyimide is preferable. On the edge of the insulating plate 11,
A notch 34 for exposing the partition plate 29 and the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 is provided.

The movable electrode 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape by a metal plate, and has a size smaller than the inner size of the case 2 in consideration of the operation amount (movement amount) of the movable electrode 12. At the four corners of the movable electrode 12, bent portions 35 are formed by being bent inward on the upper surface. An opening 36 is punched in the center of the movable electrode 12, and four claws 37 project upward from the edge of the opening 36. The opening 36 of the movable electrode 12 is smaller than the opening 33 of the insulating plate 11.

The pressing spring 13 is an inverted conical compression spring having a smaller winding diameter at the lower side and a larger winding diameter at the upper side, and an L-shaped conductive portion 38 extends from the lower end thereof. . Further, the winding diameter of the lower end of the holding spring 13 is slightly larger than the opening 36 of the movable electrode 12,
The lower end of the pressing spring 13 can be fitted to the outside of the claw 37 of the movable electrode 12.

The spring cover 14 is formed of an insulating material such as a resin, and has an opening 3 of the movable electrode 12 at the center.
An opening larger than 6, for example, an opening 39 having the same size as the opening 33 of the insulating plate 11 is opened, and a cylindrical convex portion 40 hangs downward from the inner periphery of the opening 39. The upper end of the pressing spring 13 can be fitted to the outside of the cylindrical projection 40.

The switch operating portion 15 is formed in a columnar shape, and has a lower end portion having a larger diameter than its upper portion.
A step 41 is formed in the middle.

The position information input section 16 has a cylindrical operation section 43 erected at the center of the upper surface of the plate section 42, and a through hole 44 for receiving the switch operation section 15 is opened in the operation section 43. Have been. As shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical connecting portion 45 is also protruded from the center of the lower surface of the plate portion 42, and the through hole 44 is formed from the upper surface of the operation portion 43 to the connecting portion 4.
5 penetrates to the lower surface. The lower part in the through hole 44
The inner diameter is larger than the upper part, and a step 46 is formed therebetween. Recesses 47 are provided at four corners of the plate portion 42, and holes 48 for inserting and holding the end of the return spring 17 are provided at the back of each recess 47.

The cover 18 is formed of a metal plate, and is smaller than the plate 42 at the center thereof.
A window 49 that is sufficiently larger than 3 is opened, and holes 50 for inserting the projections 32 of the case 2 are formed in the four corners. In addition, a ground lead 51 extends downward from the edge of the cover 18.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3D, FIG.
(E), (f), (g), FIGS. 4 (h), (i), and (j) are perspective views showing steps of assembling the above components, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the assembled pointing device 1. With reference to these figures, the structure of the pointing device 1 will be described together with the procedure for assembling the pointing device 1. First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the C-shaped contact portion 19 of the switch terminal 3 and the disk-shaped contact portion 21 of the switch terminal 4 are placed in the recess 27 of the case 2 and the leads 20 and 22 are connected to the case 2. Pull out of. In this state, the C-shaped contact portion 19 and the disc-shaped contact portion 21 do not come into contact with each other and maintain a necessary insulation distance. Then, the contact piece 25 of the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 is placed behind the partition plate 29 and the lead 26 is attached to the case 2.
Pull out of. Similarly, the fixed electrodes 23 of the fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, and 8 are placed in the recess 28 of the case 2, and each lead 2
4 is pulled out of the case 2.

When the terminals are set in the case 2 in this manner, the leaf spring 10 is inserted into the recess 27 of the case 2 from above the C-shaped contact portion 19 and the disc-shaped contact portion 21 as shown in FIG. Put in. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring 10 rides on the C-shaped contact portion 19 and is electrically connected to the switch terminal 3, but the central portion of the leaf spring 10 is curved upward. Therefore, the disk-shaped contact portion 21 is spaced apart from the disk-shaped contact portion 21, and the switch terminal 4 and the leaf spring 10 are electrically insulated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, the insulating plate 11 is placed in the case 2 and the fixed electrodes 23 of the fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, 8 are covered with the insulating plate 11. At this time, the partition plate 2
The contact piece 25 between the electrode 9 and the movable electrode lead terminal 9 is exposed from the notch 34 of the insulating plate 11.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, the movable electrode 12 is placed on the insulating plate 11. The movable electrode 12
It is not fixed in the case 2 and can slide freely on the upper surface of the insulating plate 11.

FIG. 3E shows a state where the pressing spring 1 is attached to the movable electrode 12.
3 is attached. The holding spring 13
The lower end is fixed to the movable electrode 12 so as to be hooked on the claw 37 of the movable electrode 12, and the leading end of the conductive portion 38 is sandwiched between the partition plate 29 and the contact piece 25 to electrically connect the movable electrode lead terminal 9 to the movable electrode lead terminal 9. Are electrically conducted. Therefore,
The movable electrode 12 is electrically connected to the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 via a pressing spring 13.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3F, a spring cover 14 is put on the holding spring 13 so that the holding spring 13
Is fixed to the lower surface of the spring cover 14. For example, as shown in FIG.
4 may be fixed to the outside of the convex portion 40 on the inner periphery of the opening 39,
Alternatively, the winding diameter of the upper end of the presser spring 13 may be increased and fixed to the convex portion on the outer peripheral lower surface of the spring cover 14,
Alternatively, it may be fixed to the inner surface of the case 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (g), the switch operating portion 15 is set up on the leaf spring 10 through the opening 39 of the spring cover 14 and the opening 36 of the movable electrode 12. FIG.
As shown in (h), four holes are provided in the hole 48 of the position information input unit 16.
After the ends of the two return springs 17 are inserted and the return springs 17 are attached to the position information input unit 16, the position information input unit 16 is overlaid on the spring cover 14 to input the position information, as shown in FIG. The switch operating section 15 is inserted into the through hole 44 of the section 16 from below. FIG. 6 is a view showing the relationship between the movable electrode 12 and the position information input unit 16 by omitting the pressing spring 13 and the spring cover 14 between the position information input unit 16 and the movable electrode 12, as can be seen from this figure. When the position information input section 16 is set, the connection section 45 on the lower surface thereof is fitted into the opening 36 of the movable electrode 12. Therefore, when the position information input unit 16 is slid horizontally, the movable electrode 1
2 also moves together in the horizontal direction. Thereafter, the other end of each return spring 17 is fixed to the four corners of the inner peripheral surface of the case 2.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 4 (j), the cover 18 is put on the upper surface of the case 2 to compress the holding spring 13, and the protrusions 32 of the case 2 passed through the holes 50 at the four corners of the cover 18 are heated. Then, the cover 18 and the case 2 are integrated. The lead 51 is guided to the lower surface of the pointing device 1 through the side surface of the case 2. Further, by fixing the cover 18 to the case 2, the movable electrode 12, the insulating plate 11 and the fixed electrode 23 are
Are pressed against each other.

In the pointing device 1 assembled as described above as shown in FIG. 5, a switch is constituted by the C-shaped contact 19, the disc-shaped contact 21 and the leaf spring 10. Regardless of the position of the position information input unit 16, the lower surface of the switch operating unit 15 is in contact with the upper surface of the leaf spring 10. Therefore, when the upper surface of the switch operating unit 15 is pressed with a fingertip, the leaf spring 10 operates the switch. The central portion is depressed by being pushed by the portion 15 and comes into contact with the disk-shaped contact portion 21.
As a result, while the outer peripheral portion of the leaf spring 10 remains in contact with the C-shaped contact portion 19 and the center portion contacts the disc-shaped contact portion 21, the space between the C-shaped contact portion 19 and the disc-shaped contact portion 21 is increased. It is electrically closed by the leaf spring 10 and the switch is turned on. When the finger pressing the switch operating portion 15 is released again, the leaf spring 10 separates from the disc-shaped contact portion 21 by the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring 10, and the space between the C-shaped contact portion 19 and the disc-shaped contact portion 21 is changed. It is electrically opened and the switch is turned off. At the same time, the switch operating section 15 is pushed upward by the elastic return force of the leaf spring 10. The pushed back switch operation section 15 is stopped by the step section 41 abutting on the step section 46 of the position information input section 16, and the switch operation section 15 is prevented from falling upward (see FIG. 6). For example, when the pointing device 1 is used as a peripheral device of a notebook computer, this switch can be used as a button equivalent to a left-click button or a return key of a mouse.

In this pointing device 1, as shown in FIG. 5, four fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, 8
Each of the fixed electrodes 23, the insulating plate 11, and the movable electrode 12 constitutes a capacitance detecting unit for detecting a coordinate change. The position information input unit 16 can be moved in any direction by 360 degrees on the spring cover 14, and is operated together with the position information input unit 16 by operating the position information input unit 16 with a finger or the like to slide it horizontally. Movable electrode 12
Can be slid horizontally. At this time, the capacitance between the movable electrode 12 and each fixed electrode 23 changes according to the direction in which the position information input unit 16 is moved and the amount of displacement, so that the change in each capacitance is detected through the leads 24 and 26. By doing so, it is possible to output a signal (coordinate signal) according to the displacement direction and the magnitude of the displacement amount of the position information input unit 16.

For example, when the pointing device 1 is used as a peripheral device of a notebook computer, the position information input section 16 output from the pointing device 1 is used as a signal for instructing the moving direction and moving speed of the pointer or the cursor. It can be converted and used. That is, the position information input section 16 can be used like a cursor key of a keyboard, and when the position information input section 16 is slid in any direction, the pointer or cursor on the display moves in the corresponding direction. And
When the position information input unit 16 is returned to the center, the pointer and the cursor stop. In addition, the moving speed of the pointer or the cursor on the display increases according to the magnitude of the displacement of the position information input unit 16.

As in the case of this capacitance detecting section, the insulating plate 11
If the movable electrode 12 is moved while keeping the stationary state, the size of the insulating plate 11 can be made larger than the entire fixed electrode 23 and the size of the movable electrode 12, as shown in FIG. Even if the movable electrode 12 is moved by operating the position information input unit 16, the insulating plate 11 having a uniform thickness can be always interposed between the movable electrode 12 and each fixed electrode 23. In addition, the movable electrode 1 is
2 is pressed against the insulating plate 11, the distance between the movable electrode 12 and each fixed electrode 23 can be kept constant and stable, and the accuracy of the output signal can be improved.

Further, by employing a structure in which the movable electrode 12 is moved while the insulating plate 11 is stationary, there is only one sliding surface (the contact surface between the movable electrode 12 and the insulating plate 11), and friction is reduced. The operability (slidability) of the position information input unit 16 is improved.

In addition, since only one friction surface is provided, wear of the insulating plate 11 and the movable electrode 12 is reduced, and the life of the pointing device 1 is extended. Further, since an insulating plate 11 having high wear resistance is not required, the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the insulating plate 11 does not need to be slid, and is used while being supported on the bottom of the case 2, the insulating plate 11 can be slid compared with the case where the insulating plate 11 is slid.
High rigidity is no longer required. As a result, the insulating plate 11 can be used as compared with a thinner one, and there is no need to use an expensive material having a high dielectric constant, so that the cost is reduced.

The position information input unit 16 is returned to the center by four return springs 17 when no force is applied since the position information input unit 16 is not operated by a finger or the like. And the movable electrode 12, the pressing spring 13 can also have a function of returning the position information input unit 16 to the center. Alternatively, the pressing spring 13 may have only a function of simply pressing the movable electrode 12 against the insulating plate 11. Or return spring 1
7, the position information input unit 16 is formed only by the holding spring 13.
May be returned to the center and the movable electrode 12 may be pressed.

When the pointing device 1 is mounted, if the lead 51 of the cover 18 is connected to the ground line, the electromagnetic noise generated when the movable electrode 12 slides can be released to the ground through the 51. To prevent electromagnetic noise from leaking into the circuit.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 (a), 8 (b) and 8 (c) are perspective views showing an assembling procedure. This embodiment is characterized in that components are integrated to reduce the number of components. That is, in the pointing device 61, as shown in FIG.
2, the holding spring 13 and the return spring 17 are integrally formed, and the switch operation unit 15 and the position information input unit 16 are also integrated as an operation unit 62.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, four leaf spring-shaped holding springs 13 are provided at the edge of the opening 36 of the movable electrode 12, and the leaf spring is provided at the edge of the movable electrode 12. The return spring 17 is provided, and the return spring 17 is curved in a substantially arc shape along the edge of the movable electrode 12. The contact piece 25 of the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 for fixing the end of the return spring 17 is bent in an L shape.

Thus, the movable electrode 12 is
After the switch terminals 3, 4, the fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, 8, the movable electrode extraction terminal 9, the plate spring 10, and the insulating plate 11
As shown in FIG. 8A, the insulating plate 1
1, and the end of the return spring 17 is fixed to the contact piece 25 of the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9 by soldering or the like. Thereby, the movable electrode 12 is held at the center in the case 2 by the elastic return force of the return spring 17, and when the movable electrode 12 is displaced from the center, the movable electrode 12 has an elastic force for returning to the center. Occurs.

Switch operation unit 1 in the first embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10A and 10B, the operation unit 62 also serving as the position information input unit 16 has a substantially rectangular frame-shaped frame 64 by an elastic arm 63 composed of a linear portion and an arc-shaped portion. It is supported by. The operation section 62, the elastic arm 63, and the frame 64 are integrally formed of synthetic resin. The frame 64 has a shape and dimensions that fit exactly in the case 2 and are positioned in the case 2. Reference numeral 65 denotes a cutout for passing the movable electrode lead-out terminal 9. The operation portion 62 is formed in a columnar shape, and a projection 66 for pressing the leaf spring 10 is provided on the lower surface thereof as shown in FIGS. A spring contact surface 67 is provided for contact.

Since the operating section 62 is masculinely held at the center in the frame 64 by the elastic arm 63, when the operating section 62 is pressed, the elastic arm 63 bends and the operating section 6 is bent.
2 sinks downward. Similarly, the operation unit 62
When a horizontal force is applied to the elastic member 63, the elastic arm 63 bends and the operation portion 62 moves in the horizontal direction within the frame 64. When the operation unit 62 is pushed down or displaced in the horizontal direction, a force is generated in the operation unit 62 to return the operation unit 62 to the original center position by the elastic return force of the elastic arm 63.

When the frame 64 is inserted into the case 2 from above the movable electrode 12, the frame 64 is positioned in the horizontal direction by the inner peripheral surface of the case 2 as shown in FIG. It is located at the center in the case 2. Next, the cover 18 is put on the upper surface of the case 2, and the cover 32 is fixed to the case 2 by caulking the protrusions 32 passed through the holes 50 of the cover 18 with heat. In a state where the cover 18 is attached and the operation unit 62 is placed in the case 2,
As shown in FIG. 11, the operation unit 62 and the movable electrode 12
Combine them together. In this combined state, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the pressing spring 13 of the movable electrode 12 is in contact with a spring contact surface 67 on the lower surface of the operation unit 62, and the pressing spring 13 is pressed by the elastic arm 63 being pressed by the cover 18. Is pressed by the operation unit 62, and the movable electrode 12 is pressed against the insulating plate 11 by the elasticity of the holding spring 13. Further, when the operation part 62 is pressed by a finger, the operation part 62 is lowered while deforming the holding spring 13, and the leaf spring 10 is pushed and elastically deformed by the projection 66, and the C-shaped contact part 19 and the disk are pushed by the leaf spring 10. The electrical contacts 21 are made electrically conductive. When the pressed operation part 62 is unloaded, the operation part 62 is returned to the original position by the elastic force of the pressing spring 13 and the elastic arm 63.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B,
The protrusion 66 on the lower surface of the operation unit 62 is fitted between the holding springs 13 and is surrounded by the holding spring 13. Therefore, when a force is applied to the operation unit 62 with a fingertip or the like and the operation unit 62 is moved laterally, the movable electrode 12 also moves in the horizontal direction, and
And the capacitance between each of the fixed electrodes 23 changes. When the force applied to the operation unit 62 is removed, the operation unit 62 is returned to the original center position by the elastic force of the return spring 17 and the elastic arm 63.

Further, since the pressing spring 13 is integrated with the movable electrode 12 and the operating portion is held by the elastic arm, the spring cover 14 required in the first embodiment is not required.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the first embodiment, there is obtained an effect that the number of assembly steps can be reduced by reducing the number of parts and the cost of parts can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device 71 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view of an assembled state thereof. First
Alternatively, in the second embodiment, in plan view, the C-shaped contact portion 19
In addition, since each fixed electrode 23 is arranged outside the disk-shaped contact portion 21, the size of the pointing device 1 or 61 is increased by that much. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pointing device 71 is further reduced in size so that the fixed electrodes 23 overlap the C-shaped contact portion 19, and the mounting area is reduced by reducing the bottom area.

More specifically, a through hole 7 is formed at the center of the case 2.
2, a recess 27 larger than the through hole 72 is formed at the center of the back surface of the case 2.
0 is paid. The leaf spring 10 housed in the recess 27 is
It is exposed from the through hole 72. The switch terminals 3 and 4 are formed on the surface of the substrate 73. For example, switch terminals 3 and 4 made of copper foil or the like are attached to the surface of a substrate 73 (the same structure as a printed wiring board). In addition, the surface of the area of the switch terminal 4 which is hatched in FIG. 13 is coated with an insulating coating so that the switch terminal 4 does not conduct with the leaf spring 10 even when the leaf spring 10 is touched. A recess (not shown) for fitting the board 73 is formed on the back surface of the case 2. The board spring 1 having the switch terminals 3 and 4 integrally formed therein is fitted into the recess, so that the leaf spring 1 is formed.
0 is closed, and the leaf spring 10 is set on the C-shaped contact 19. Reference numeral 74 denotes a cutout for leading out the leads 20 and 22 of the switch terminal 3 and the switch terminal 4.

Each fixed electrode 23 of the fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, 8
Are also formed integrally on the surface of the substrate 75, and the inner diameter of each fixed electrode 23 is smaller than the outer diameter of the C-shaped contact portion 19. An opening 76 that is equal to or larger than the through hole 72 is provided at the center of the substrate 75. At the four corners of the upper surface of the case 2, pillars 77 stand.
The substrate 75 on which the fixed electrodes 23 are integrally formed is placed in the case 2
When the fixed electrodes 23 are placed in a region surrounded by the pillar portions 77 on the upper surface, the respective fixed electrodes 23 overlap each other above the C-shaped contact portion 19 with the case interposed therebetween. Therefore, the space for disposing each fixed electrode 23 can be reduced. The switch terminal 3
4 are drawn out to the lower part of the case 2 through a groove 78 provided on the side surface of the case 2.

Further, the insulating plate 11, the movable electrode 12, the holding spring 13, and the spring cover 14 are stacked on the substrate 75 on which the fixed electrodes 23 are formed. The pressing spring 13 and the spring cover 14 are formed of a conductive material (eg, metal). Also, the spring cover 14
The four corners are recesses 7 formed in the upper inner surface of the pillar 77.
9, the lead 80 provided on the spring cover 14 is pulled out to the lower part of the case 2 through a groove 81 provided on the side surface of the case 2. Therefore,
The movable electrode 12 is connected to the spring cover 1 via a pressing spring 13.
4 and the potential of the movable electrode 12 is taken out from the lead 80.

Reference numeral 82 denotes a slider for receiving the operation section 62, which is formed of an insulating material, for example, a synthetic resin. A relatively large opening 39 is provided in the spring cover 14, and the slider 82 is inserted through the opening 39 of the spring cover 14. On the upper outer periphery of the slider 82,
A flange 83 is provided, and by mounting this flange 83 on the upper surface of the spring cover 14, the slider 8
The slider 82 is prevented from falling out of the opening 39 even when the slider 2 is moved in the horizontal direction. A small-diameter fitting projection 84 is provided at the lower end of the slider 82. By fitting the fitting projection 84 into the opening 36 of the movable electrode 12, the slider 82 moves the 12 in the horizontal direction. It is made to slide.

Further, the operation section 62 has a small-diameter projection 66 on the lower surface, and a projection 85 for retaining the outer periphery on the outer peripheral surface.
Have multiple protrusions. A through hole 86 is provided in the center of the slider 82 for slidably receiving the operation unit 62. The lower part of the through hole 86 at the position of the fitting protrusion 84 allows only the protrusion 66 to protrude. The operation unit 62 delivered into the through hole 86 is
From falling out. The protrusion 66 on the lower surface of the operation portion 62 protruding from the lower surface of the slider 82 is in contact with the upper surface of the leaf spring 10, so that the operation portion 62 floats in the through hole 86 of the slider 82. Therefore,
By pressing the operation portion 62, the leaf spring 10 can be elastically deformed and brought into contact with the disk-shaped contact portion 21. In addition, a groove or a slit hole 87 in which the protrusion 85 is slidably accommodated is provided at the edge of the through hole 86.

When the operation portion 62 is moved sideways with a fingertip or the like, the slider 82 slides in the horizontal direction together with the operation portion 62, whereby the movable electrode 12 moves in the horizontal direction on the insulating plate 11, and the movable electrode 12 The capacitance between each of the fixed electrodes 23 changes, and each of the capacitances becomes fixed terminals 5, 6, 7, and 8.
And the lead 80 of the spring cover 14 is output.

Finally, a box-shaped cover 18 covering the upper surface and the outer periphery of the case 2 is put on. The slider 82 is pressed by the cover 18 so as not to float, and the pressing spring 13 is also contracted. However,
It is desirable that only a part (for example, a protrusion) of the cover 18 be in contact with the upper surface of the slider 82 so that the coefficient of friction between the cover 18 and the slider 82 does not increase. On the other hand, the operation unit 62 protrudes from the window 49 of the cover 18, and the protrusion 85 contacts the lower surface of the cover 18 so that the operation unit 62 does not come out of the window 49. Therefore, the protrusion 85 has a protrusion length that does not separate from the lower surface of the cover 18 even when the operation unit 62 is operated in the lateral direction.

After the operating portion 62 and the slider 82 are displaced from the center, the pressing spring 13
Is returned to the center by the elastic return force. For this purpose, the upper end of the pressing spring 13 needs to be positioned by the case 2, the spring cover 14, the cover 18, and the like. Alternatively, depending on the application, it may be possible to return manually to the center.

In each of the above embodiments, four fixed electrodes are used.
Although it is divided, the movable electrode side may be divided into four parts.

[0063]

According to the pointing device of the present invention, the distance between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode can be stabilized by using a structure in which the movable electrode is moved in parallel with the fixed electrode. In addition, since only one surface between the movable electrode and the insulator is a sliding surface, frictional resistance when moving the movable electrode is reduced, and operability is improved. Also, wear of the movable electrode and the insulator due to friction can be reduced. Further, the cost can be reduced by keeping the insulator stationary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are perspective views for explaining an assembling procedure of the pointing device according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3 (e), (f) and (g) are continuation diagrams of FIG. 2;

4 (h), (i) and (j) are continuation diagrams of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where the pointing device of FIG. 2 is assembled.

FIG. 6 is a partially broken front view for explaining a structural relationship among a movable electrode, a switch operation unit, and a position information input unit in the pointing device of the above.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are perspective views for explaining an assembling procedure of the pointing device of the above.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a movable electrode in which a pressing spring and a return spring are integrated.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a perspective view and a bottom view from the lower surface side showing an operation unit supported on a frame by an elastic arm.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining a relationship between the operation unit and the movable electrode.

12A is a top view of FIG. 11, and FIG. 12B is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a pointing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the pointing device is assembled.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Case 3, 4 Switch terminal 5, 6, 7, 8 Fixed terminal 10 Leaf spring 11 Insulating plate 12 Movable electrode 15 Switch operation unit 16 Position information input unit 18 Cover 23 Fixed electrode 62 Operation unit 63 Elastic arm 64 Frame

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B087 AA09 BC12 BC13 BC17 BC19 BC34 DD03 5G006 AA01 AA06 AB25 AZ02 BA02 BC07

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A capacitance detecting section comprising an insulator sandwiched between a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, at least one of which is divided into a plurality of electrodes, and a movable electrode movable in parallel with the fixed electrode. A pointing device comprising: an operation unit for changing a capacitance between an electrode and a fixed electrode. 2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the insulator covers the entire fixed electrode. 3. A switch comprising: a switch; and an operation unit for inputting the switch, wherein an operation unit for inputting the switch and an operation unit for moving the movable electrode are integrated.
The pointing device according to claim 1.