JP2002313176A - Elastic body conduction switch and input operation device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an elastic body conduction switch which can be easily positioned to a wiring member comparing with ordinary products, and provide an input operation device using the same. SOLUTION: For a rubber contact point switch 160, comprising a main body 170, main of rubber, having an engaging part 172, engaging with a rubber push button 151 in a direction of an arrow mark 150, at one end 161 side, and a conduction part 180 made of conductive material, covering the other end 162 side of the main body 170, conducting electricity between a wiring 153 and a wiring 154 by contacting with the wiring 153 and the wiring 154, a locking part 175, locking with the side part of the push button 151 in the direction of the arrow mark 150a, is mounted to the one end 161 side of the main body 170.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation input device used for an on-vehicle navigation device and the like, and an elastic conduction switch used therefor, and more particularly, to an operation input device which can be easily assembled and used therefor. The present invention relates to an elastic body conduction switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation input device such as an operation input device 950 described below has been known as an operation input device provided with an elastic body conduction switch.

[0005] In FIG. 5, a vehicle-mounted navigation device 900 has not only a navigation function but also a television function and an audio function, and a display unit 910 for displaying various information as an image, and an operation input by a user. And an operation input unit 920. Here, the operation input unit 920 includes various switches including an operation input device 950.

[0006] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the operation input device 950 includes a push button 951 that can be moved in the direction of an arrow 950 a, a button guide member 952 that guides the movement of the push button 951, and a wiring 953 a. When the push button 951 is pressed by the user 990, the conductive portion 9
80 contacts the wiring 953a and the wiring 953b and
A rubber contact switch 960 as an elastic conduction switch for conducting electricity is provided between the wiring 53a and the wiring 953b.

The operation input device 950 includes a board 953
An LED 954 for emitting light is provided on the
4, the hollow part 9 of the rubber contact switch 960
The light passing through 71 is displayed on the display section 95 of the push button 951.
1a is transmitted to and emitted to the outside. Further, the operation input device 950 includes a hollow encoder 955 disposed on the outer periphery of the button guide member 952, and rotates the volume knob 956 in the direction of the arrow 950b in FIG. 5 to input the amount of rotation. be able to.

The rubber contact switch 960 is formed of rubber and has a main body 970 having an engaging portion 972 on one end 961 side for engaging with the push button 951 in the direction of the arrow 950a.
And the other end 962 of the main body 970 formed of a conductive material.
And the wiring 953a and the wiring 953 of the substrate 953.
b, and a conduction portion 980 that conducts electricity between the wiring 953a and the wiring 953b in contact with the wiring 95b. Also, the main body 9
70, on the other end 962 side, an urging portion 973 that engages with the substrate 953 in the direction of the arrow 950 a and urges the conducting portion 980 in the direction toward one end 961, that is, in a direction away from the substrate 953; It has a fitting portion 974 that fits with the substrate 953.

With the above configuration, the operation input device 950
Is the arrow 9 in FIG. 6 and FIG.
The operation input in the direction of 50a and the operation input in the direction of arrow 950b of FIG. 5 by the volume knob 956 could be executed.

[0008] The operation input device 950 can be used at night or the like.
When the surroundings of the navigation device 900 were dark, the position of the push button 951 could be displayed to the user by the display unit 951a.

[0009]

However, in the conventional operation input device 950, after the rubber contact switch 960 is stored in the button guide member 952, the push button 951 is stored in the button guide member 952. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to position the rubber contact switch 960 with respect to the substrate 953. In particular, when the hollow encoder 955 is arranged on the outer periphery of the button guide member 952, the operation input device 950 increases the depth of the button guide member 952 in the direction of the arrow 950a. There is a problem that it is more difficult to perform positioning with respect to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic conduction switch which can be easily positioned with respect to a wiring member as compared with the related art, and an operation input device having the same.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an elastic conduction switch according to the present invention is configured to engage with a push button at one end and to contact a wiring at the other end to conduct electricity. In the body conduction switch, an elastic body formed from an elastic material having a button fitting portion fitted on a side portion of the push button and a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction from the one end side to the other end side on the one end side. And a conducting means formed of a conductive material and coated on the other end of the elastic body to conduct electricity to the wiring. With this configuration, the elastic body conduction switch of the present invention
After being fixed to the push button, it can be stored in the button guide member together with the push button, so that it can be easily positioned with respect to the wiring member as compared with the related art.

Further, the elastic body conduction switch according to the present invention has a configuration in which the button fitting portion fits into the side portion of the push button in a direction from the outside to the inside of the push button. With this configuration, the elastic body conduction switch of the present invention is more securely fixed to the push button when the push button is pressed by the user and crushed by the push button and the wiring member, so that the elastic conduction switch of the present invention can be compared with the related art. It can be easily positioned with respect to the wiring member.

Further, the elastic body conduction switch according to the present invention has a configuration in which the elastic body has an urging portion on the other end side for urging the conducting means in the direction of the one end side. With this configuration, the elastic body conduction switch of the present invention can separate the wiring member and the conduction means, and can return the push button pressed by the user to a predetermined position.

Further, the elastic body conduction switch according to the present invention has a configuration in which the elastic body has a wiring member fitting portion for fitting with the wiring member having the wiring on the other end side.
With this configuration, the elastic body conduction switch of the present invention can be more reliably positioned with respect to the wiring member.

The elastic body conduction switch according to the present invention has a configuration in which the elastic body has a hollow portion that is hollow in a direction substantially parallel to the direction from the one end to the other end. With this configuration, the elastic body conduction switch of the present invention
The display of the push button can be displayed by light.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention has a configuration including an elastic body conduction switch, a push button, button guide means for guiding the movement of the push button, and a wiring member having a wiring. I have. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can store the elastic conductive switch in the button guide together with the push button after the elastic conductive switch is fixed to the push button. Thus, the elastic body conduction switch can be easily positioned with respect to the wiring member.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention includes an elastic body conduction switch, a push button, button guide means for guiding the movement of the push button, a wiring member having a wiring, and a light emitting means. The push button has a configuration in which light emitted by the light emitting means and passing through the hollow portion of the elastic body conduction switch is transmitted and emitted to the outside. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can store the elastic conductive switch in the button guide together with the push button after the elastic conductive switch is fixed to the push button. Thus, the elastic body conduction switch can be easily positioned with respect to the wiring member. Further, the operation input device of the present invention can display the display section of the push button with light.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention has a configuration provided with an encoder arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the button guide means. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can execute the operation input not only by the push button but also by the encoder.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the operation input device according to the present embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 1, an on-vehicle navigation device 100 has not only a navigation function but also a television function and an audio function. A display unit 110 for displaying various information as an image, and an operation input by a user. Operation input unit 120. Here, the operation input unit 120 includes various switches including the operation input device 150.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the operation input device 150 includes a push button 151 which can be moved in the direction of an arrow 150a, and a button guide member as button guide means for guiding the movement of the push button 151. Fifteen
2, a substrate 153 as a wiring member having the wiring 153a and the wiring 153b, an LED 154 disposed on the substrate 153 as a light emitting means for emitting light, and a hollow encoder 155 disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the button guide member 152.
When the push button 151 is pressed by the user 190, the conductive portion 180 is connected to the wiring 153 a and the wiring 15.
3b, a rubber contact switch 160 as an elastic conduction switch that conducts electricity between the wiring 153a and the wiring 153b in contact with the wiring 3b.

The rubber contact switch 160 includes a hollow portion 171
(Elastic body) 170 formed of rubber
And the other end 162 of the main body 170 formed of a conductive material.
And the wiring 153a and the wiring 153 of the substrate 153.
b, and a conducting portion 180 as conducting means for conducting electricity between the wiring 153a and the wiring 153b in contact with the wiring 153b.

Further, the main body 170 has a push button 151 and a direction of an arrow 150a (one end 161) on one end 161 side.
(In a direction substantially parallel to the direction from the other end 162 to the other end 162).
And in the direction of arrow 150a,
It has an urging portion 173 that urges 0 toward the one end 161, that is, a direction away from the substrate 153, and a fitting portion 174 as a wiring member fitting portion that fits with the substrate 153.

The main body 170 is moved in the direction of the arrow 150c in FIGS. 2 and 3 (in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction from one end 161 to the other end 162), specifically, the push button 15c.
One end 161 has a fitting portion 175 as a button fitting portion that fits into the side surface of the push button 151 in a direction from the outside to the inside of the push button 151.

Next, the operation of the operation input device according to the present embodiment will be described.

The rubber contact switch 160 includes a fitting portion 175
Is fixed to the push button 151 by fitting into the side surface of the push button 151 from the outside to the inside of the push button 151.

The rubber contact switch 160 fixed to the push button 151 is provided with a mating portion 175 when the push button 151 is pressed by the user 190 and crushed by the push button 151 and the substrate 153.
Are tilted more from the outside to the inside of the push button 151.

The operation input device 150 is an LED 154
Since the main body 170 has the hollow portion 171, the light emitted by the LED 154 and passing through the hollow portion 171 of the rubber contact switch 160 is
The light is transmitted through the display unit 151a and emitted to the outside.

Next, effects of the operation input device according to the present embodiment will be described.

After fixing the rubber contact switch 160 to the push button 151 by the fitting portion 175, the operation input device 150 can house the rubber contact switch 160 together with the push button 151 in the button guide member 152. Therefore, positioning with respect to the substrate 153 can be easily performed as compared with the related art. Also, the operation input device 150
Since the rubber contact switch 160 is fixed to the push button 151 by the fitting part 175, the rubber contact switch 160 is removed from the button guide member 152 so that the rubber contact switch 160 is
The rubber contact switch 160 can be easily removed from the button guide member 152 as compared with the related art.

When the push button 151 is pressed by the user 190 and crushed by the push button 151 and the board 153, the operation input device 150 moves the fitting portion 175 from the outside to the inside of the push button 151. Tilt and push button 15 more securely
Since it is fixed to 1, it can be easily positioned with respect to the wiring member as compared with the related art.

According to the present invention, the fitting portion 175
Push button 1 in the direction of arrow 150c in FIGS. 2 and 3
The push button 151 may be fitted to the side surface of the push button 151 in a direction from the inside to the outside of the push button 151, for example.

In this embodiment, the fitting portion 17
5 is a convex shape, and the concave push button 151
However, according to the present invention, it is only necessary to fit the side surface of the push button 151 in the direction of arrow 150c in FIGS. 2 and 3.
The shape is not limited to the shape shown in the present embodiment. For example, the fitting portion 175 has a concave shape, the side surface of the push button 151 has a convex shape, and the concave fitting portion 175 and the side surface of the convex push button 151 fit. It may be.

The operation input device 150 is provided with the urging unit 17.
3 urges the substrate 153 and the conducting portion 180 in a direction to separate from each other, so that the substrate 153 and the conducting portion 180 can be separated by the rubber contact switch 160 itself, and the push button 151 pressed by the user 190 is pressed. It can be returned to a predetermined position. According to the present invention, for example, the substrate 153 and the conducting portion 180 are separated from each other by a configuration other than the rubber contact switch 160 such that the push button 151 is biased by a spring in a direction in which the substrate 153 and the conducting portion 180 are separated from each other. You may.

Since the operation input device 150 is fitted to the board 153 by the fitting portion 174 of the rubber contact switch 160, the rubber contact switch 160 can be positioned with respect to the board 153 more reliably. According to the present invention, a configuration that does not include the fitting portion 174 of the rubber contact switch 160 may be employed.

The operation input device 150 can execute an operation input in the direction of arrow 150a in FIGS. 2 and 3 using the push button 151 and an operation input in the direction of arrow 150b in FIG. 1 using the volume knob 156. it can.

The operation input device 150 can be used at night or the like.
When the surroundings of the navigation device 100 are dark, the position of the push button 151 can be displayed to the user by the display unit 151a.

In the present embodiment, the main body 170 of the rubber contact switch 160 is made of rubber.
70 may be formed from an elastic material other than rubber.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an elastic body conduction switch that can be easily positioned with respect to a wiring member as compared with the related art, and an operation input device including the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a navigation device including an operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the operation input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation input device shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA in a state where a push button is pressed by a user.

4 is an external perspective view of an elastic body conduction switch of the operation input device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a navigation device provided with a conventional operation input device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operation input device shown in FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view of the operation input device shown in FIG. 5 when the push button is pressed by the user, as viewed from the direction indicated by arrows BB.

8 is an external perspective view of the elastic conduction switch of the operation input device shown in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 151 push button 161 one end 162 other end 170 main body (elastic main body) 153 substrate (wiring member) 153a, 153b wiring 180 conductive part (conductive means) 160 rubber contact switch (elastic conductive switch) 175 fitting part (button fitting part) 173 urging part 174 fitting part (wiring member fitting part) 171 hollow part 152 button guide member (button guide means) 150 operation input device 154 LED (light emitting means) 155 hollow encoder (encoder)

Claims (8)

[Claims] An elastic body conduction switch that engages with a push button on one end side and contacts the wiring at the other end side to conduct electricity, wherein the side surface of the push button and the one end side to the other end side. An elastic body formed of an elastic material having a button fitting portion fitted on the one end side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the elastic body; and a conductive material formed on the other end side of the elastic body. An elastic body conduction switch, comprising: conduction means for conducting electricity to the wiring. 2. The elastic body conduction switch according to claim 1, wherein the button fitting portion fits into the side portion of the push button in a direction from the outside to the inside of the push button. 3. The elastic body conduction switch according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body has an urging portion on the other end side for urging the conducting means toward the one end. . 4. The elastic body conduction switch according to claim 3, wherein the elastic body has a wiring member fitting portion for fitting with the wiring member having the wiring on the other end side. 5. The elastic body according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body has a hollow portion that is hollow in a direction substantially parallel to a direction from the one end side to the other end side. Elastic conduction switch. 6. An elastic body conduction switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a push button, button guide means for guiding the movement of the push button, and a wiring member having a wiring. An operation input device characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The push button, comprising: the elastic conduction switch according to claim 5; a push button; button guide means for guiding movement of the push button; a wiring member having a wiring; and a light emitting means. An operation input device characterized in that light emitted by the light emitting means and passing through the hollow portion of the elastic body conduction switch is transmitted and emitted to the outside. 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an encoder arranged on an outer peripheral portion of said button guide means.
An operation input device according to item 1.