JP2002351560A - Operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation input device in which light from a light emitting means housed inside reaches a displaying part more easily and leaks less to the outside than in the conventional practice. SOLUTION: This operation input device 150 is provided with a housing 101, a volume knob 152, a hollow type encoder 162 for detecting an operation input to the volume knob 152, an encoder base board 171 on which the hollow type encoder 162 is mounted, and a plurality of LEDs 182 for emitting light to the outside of the housing 101 from the vicinity of the outside of the hollow type encoder 162. The plurality of LEDs 182 are mounted, and a LED base board 172 arranged closer to the outside of the housing 101 than the encoder base 171 is also provided.

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 more particularly to an operation input device for performing display by light.

[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.

Referring to FIG. 4, an on-vehicle 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.

In FIG. 5, an operation input device 950 includes a housing 901, a push button 951 that is operated and input from outside the housing 901 and moves in a direction of an arrow 950 a, and an operation input from outside the housing 901. Arrow 950b (FIG. 4)
), A rubber contact switch (push switch) 961 that detects an operation input to the push button 951, and an operation input to the volume knob 952, and detects the movement of the push button 951. Guiding hollow encoder 962
, An encoder substrate 970 on which the hollow encoder 962 is installed, and a housing 90 from the inside of the hollow encoder 962.
An LED 981 that emits light to the outside of the housing 901 and a plurality of LEDs 982 (see FIG. 6) that emit light from the vicinity of the outside of the hollow encoder 962 to the outside of the housing 901 are provided. The rubber contact switch 961 and the hollow encoder 96
2, encoder board 970, LED981 and LED9
82 is housed inside the housing 901.

With the above configuration, the operation input device 950
Is an operation input in the direction of arrow 950 a by push button 951 and arrow 950 by volume knob 952.
b (see FIG. 4).

More specifically, the push button 9
When the user presses the button 51, the guide unit 951a
Is moved by being guided by the inner peripheral surface of the hollow encoder 962, and the rubber contact switch 961 is pressed down by the contact portion 951b. And the rubber contact switch 961
When the push button 951 is pressed, the deformed portion 961a is deformed, and the conductive portion 961b is brought into contact with a plurality of wires (not shown) formed on the encoder substrate 970, thereby forming a plurality of wires. Conduct electricity between them. Therefore, the operation input device 950
Can detect whether or not the user has pressed the push button 951 depending on whether or not electricity has been conducted between the plurality of wires.

The volume knob 952 is engaged with the hollow encoder 962 by a plurality of claw portions 952a, and the hollow encoder 962 is connected to the volume knob 95.
2 can be detected, the operation input device 9
50 can detect the amount of rotation of the volume knob 952 input by the user through the hollow encoder 962.

[0008] The operation input device 950 can be used at night or the like.
When the surroundings of the navigation device 900 are dark, the display unit 951d displays the position of the push button 951 and the function that can be operated and input from the push button 951 to the user, and the display unit 951e displays the push button 951 and the volume. The position of the knob 952 could be displayed to the user.

More specifically, light emitted by the LED 981 passes through a space 951c surrounded by a plurality of abutting portions 951b, and then is pushed by a push button 951.
Through the display portion 951d formed at the center of the surface of the push button 951. The light emitted by the LED 982 is formed between the hollow encoder 962 and the volume knob 952, passes through a space 952b (see FIG. 6) sandwiched by a plurality of claws 952a, and then is provided inside the push button 951. And a plurality of display portions 951e formed in a ring shape on the outer portion of the surface of the push button 951
From the outside.

Although the push button 951 is formed of a light-transmitting material, a portion other than the display portion 951d and the display portion 951e of the surface facing the outside is covered with a light-impermeable paint. Since the housing 901 and the volume knob 952 are formed of a light-impermeable material, the operation input device 950 includes the LEDs 981 and L
Light emitted by the ED 982 is prevented from being emitted outside from portions other than the display portion 951d and the display portion 951e.

[0011]

However, in the conventional operation input device 950, the LED 982 is
Since it is relatively difficult to dispose at or near a position where light can enter the display unit 951e substantially vertically, the light emitted by the LED 982 emits light.
There was a problem that it was difficult to reach 51e. More specifically, since the installation area of the hollow encoder 962 is required on the encoder substrate 970, the LED 982 is located at a position on the encoder substrate 970 where the light can enter the display unit 951e substantially vertically. Hollow encoder 96
2 is installed, the LED 982 is
1e had to be installed at a distance from a position where light could be incident substantially perpendicularly.

Further, in the conventional operation input device 950, since the distance from the LED 982 to the display unit 951e is relatively large, there is a problem that light emitted by the LED 982 does not easily reach the display unit 951e.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation input device in which light from a light emitting unit housed therein easily reaches a display unit as compared with the related art.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an operation input device according to the present invention includes a housing, operation input means operated and input from outside the housing, and an operation input device provided inside the housing. An operation input detection unit that is stored and detects an operation input to the operation input unit, a detection unit installation board that is stored inside the housing, and the operation input detection unit is installed, A light-emitting unit that is housed and emits light from the vicinity of the operation input detection unit to the outside of the housing; and a light-emitting unit installation board on which the light-emitting unit is installed. It has a configuration installed outside the housing. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can reduce the distance from the light-emitting unit such as an LED to the display unit by including the light-emitting unit installation board as compared with the related art, and display the light-emitting unit. Since it can be arranged at a position where light can be incident substantially perpendicular to the portion or in the vicinity thereof, light from the light emitting means housed therein can easily reach the display portion as compared with the related art.

Further, in the operation input device according to the present invention, the light emitting means installation board is installed so as to surround the operation input detection means, and the light emission means installation board is arranged so that the light emission means surrounds the operation input means. It has a configuration arranged above. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can relatively easily position and fix the light emitting unit installation board with respect to the operation input detection unit, and can easily assemble.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention has a configuration in which the light emitting means emits light to the outside of the housing through the operation input means. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can more clearly display the position of the operation input unit by the light emitting unit.

Further, in the operation input device of the present invention, the operation input means forms a gap between the operation input means and the housing, and is emitted from the light emitting means and emitted from the gap to the outside of the housing. It has a configuration having light blocking means for blocking light. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention can prevent light emitted by the light emitting unit from leaking out of the housing from the gap formed by the housing and the operation input unit.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention includes a connector having a lead wire for electrically connecting the detection means installation board and the light emission means installation board, wherein the light emission means installation board is provided with the detection means installation board. It is configured to be fixed to the substrate by the connector. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention needs to separately include a structure for electrically connecting the detection unit installation substrate and the light emission unit installation substrate and a structure for fixing the detection unit installation substrate and the light emission unit installation substrate to each other. And the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention has a configuration in which the operation input detecting means includes an encoder on an outer peripheral portion. The operation input device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of display units arranged in a ring shape near the operation input unit, and the plurality of display units can be illuminated by the light emitting unit.
The position of the operation input means for the encoder and the function of being rotatable can be displayed more clearly.

Further, the operation input device of the present invention has a configuration in which a push switch is provided at the center of the operation input detection means. With this configuration, the operation input device of the present invention requires an installation area for the push switch in addition to an installation area for the encoder on the detection unit installation board. Therefore, if the light emitting means is installed on the detection means installation board, the light emitting means is easily arranged at a position separated from a position where light can be incident substantially perpendicularly to the display unit,
The usefulness of the light emitting unit installation substrate according to the present invention is further enhanced.

[0021]

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

First, the operation input device 1 according to the present embodiment
The configuration of 50 will be described.

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

In FIG. 2, an operation input device 150 receives an operation input from the housing 101, a push button 151 which is operated from the outside of the housing 101 and moves in the direction of an arrow 150a, and an operation input from the outside of the housing 101. Arrow 150b (FIG. 1)
), A push switch 161 for detecting an operation input to the push button 151, and an operation input to the volume knob 152 to detect the operation input to the push button 151 and to move the push button 151. A hollow encoder 162 as an operation input detecting means for guiding, and an encoder board 17 as a detecting means installation board for installing the hollow encoder 162
1 is provided.

The operation input device 150 includes an LED 181 that emits light from the inside of the hollow encoder 162 to the outside of the housing 101 and a light emitting unit that emits light from near the outside of the hollow encoder 162 to the outside of the housing 101. And a plurality of LEDs 182, and a plurality of LEDs 182, and an LED board 172 as a light emitting means installation board installed outside the casing 101 with respect to the encoder board 171.
And a plurality of ring-shaped display portions 190a (see FIG. 3) for transmitting light emitted by the LED 182 and emitting the light to the outside are formed on the surface, and the hollow encoder 1
62, and a display member 190 disposed inside the display member 62.

The push switch 161, the hollow encoder 162, the encoder substrate 171, the LED substrate 1
72, LED 181 and LED 182 are all
01.

Next, the operation input device 1 according to the present embodiment
The operation of 50 will be described.

The operation input device 150 is a push button 1
An operation input in the direction of arrow 150a by 51 and an operation input in the direction of arrow 150b (see FIG. 1) by volume knob 152 can be executed.

More specifically, the push button 1
When the user presses the button 51, the guide unit 151a
Is moved by being guided by the inner peripheral surface of the display member 190, and the push switch 161 is moved by the contact portion 151b.
Press. When the push switch 161 is pressed by the push button 151, the plurality of wirings (not shown) are brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the operation input device 150 can detect whether or not the user has pressed the push button 151, based on whether or not a plurality of wires have been touched.

The volume knob 152 is engaged with the hollow encoder 162 by a plurality of claws 152a, and the hollow encoder 162 is connected to the volume knob 15a.
2 can detect the rotation of the operation input device 1
Numeral 50 can detect the rotation amount of the volume knob 152 input by the user using the hollow encoder 162.

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 and the function that can be operated and input from the push button 151 are displayed to the user by the display unit 151d, and the push button 151 and the volume are displayed by the display unit 190a. The position and function of the knob 152 can be displayed to the user. In particular, since the operation input device 150 can illuminate the plurality of display units 190a arranged in a ring by the plurality of LEDs 182, the position of the volume knob 152 for the hollow encoder 162 and the function of being rotatable are possible. And can be displayed more clearly.

More specifically, light emitted by the LED 181 passes through a space 151c surrounded by a plurality of contact portions 151b,
Is transmitted to the outside through a display section 151d formed at the center of the surface of the push button 151. The light emitted by the LED 182 is formed between the hollow encoder 162 and the volume knob 152, passes through a space 152b (see FIG. 3) interposed between the plurality of claws 152a, and then is provided inside the push button 151. Through the display unit 190 of the display member 190
a to the outside.

Although the push button 151 and the display member 190 are formed of a light-transmitting material,
The display unit 151d and the display unit 19 of the surface facing the outside
0a is covered with a light-impermeable paint, and the housing 101 and the volume knob 152 are formed from a light-impermeable material.
Light emitted by the LEDs 181 and 182 can be prevented from being emitted outside from portions other than the display portion 151d and the display portion 190a.

In addition, by providing the LED board 172, the operation input device 150 can reduce the distance from the LED 182 to the display unit 190a as compared with the related art, and move the LED 182 almost vertically to the display unit 190a. Since it can be placed at or near the position where light can enter, the LE housed inside
The light from D182 easily reaches the display unit 190a as compared with the related art.

The volume knob 152 has an LED
182, which is a light shielding unit that shields light emitted from the gap 150c (see FIG. 2) formed by the side surface of the volume knob 152 and the hole 101a of the housing 101 to the outside of the housing 101. Rib 152
c (see FIG. 2), the operation input device 150
Means that the light emitted by the LED 182 is
Can be prevented from leaking out of the housing 101 from the outside.

It is to be noted that even if the operation input device 150 has a configuration without the shielding rib portion 152c, the LED 1
82 is not disposed at a position where light is incident on the gap 150c substantially vertically, and the LED 182 is connected to the encoder substrate 1.
71, the LED 182 is in the housing 1
01, the LED 182 is disposed on the encoder substrate 171,
Of the light emitted by the light emitting device 182, the light incident directly on the gap 150c has a large incident angle, and light from the LED 182 is unlikely to leak out of the housing 101 from the space 150c.

A hole 172a surrounding the hollow encoder 162 is formed in the LED board 172 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
Is formed, the operation input device 150
The hollow encoder 162 can be assembled by inserting the hollow encoder 162 into the second encoder 2a, and the LED substrate 172 can be relatively easily positioned and fixed with respect to the hollow encoder 162. In the present embodiment,
Although the LED substrate 172 has a configuration surrounding the hollow encoder 162, the LED substrate 172 does not have to have a configuration surrounding the hollow encoder 162 according to the present invention.

Since the operation input device 150 has a structure in which the LED board 172 is engaged with the hollow encoder 162, the LED board 172 can be relatively easily positioned with respect to the hollow encoder 162 when assembled. And can be fixed. According to the present invention, LE
The D board 172 does not have to be configured to engage with the hollow encoder 162, but may be configured to be fixed to only the encoder board 171, for example.

The operation input device 1 according to the present embodiment
50, the LED 182 emits light to the outside of the housing 101 through the display unit 190a of the display member 190. According to the present invention, the display unit radiates the light emitted by the LED 182 to the outside of the housing 101. May be formed on the housing 101, the volume knob 152 itself, or the push button 151 as long as it is near the operation input means, that is, the volume knob 152. Note that when a display unit that emits light emitted from the LED 182 to the outside of the housing 101 is formed on the volume knob 152 itself, the display unit also rotates with the rotation of the volume knob 152. Accordingly, the position of the volume knob 152 can be displayed more clearly.

The operation input device 150 is connected to the connector 1
Since the LED substrate 172 is not only electrically connected to the encoder substrate 171 by the lead wire 174 (see FIG. 2) to which the LED substrate 173 is attached but also fixed to the encoder substrate 171, the LED substrate 172 is It is not necessary to provide a component for fixing to the encoder board 171 in addition to the lead wire 174, and the number of components can be reduced.

The operation input device 150 has a configuration in which a push switch 151 is provided at the center of the hollow encoder 162. In addition to the installation area of the hollow encoder 162, the push switch 15
1 requires an installation area, so the LED board 17
2 is highly useful. In other words, LED 182 is replaced by LED
On the substrate 172, it is possible to dispose the LED 182 at a position where light can enter the display unit 190a substantially perpendicularly or in the vicinity thereof.
When installed at 71, the LED 182 must be installed at a position further away from a position where light can enter the display unit 190a substantially perpendicularly as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the operation input device 1
Although the 50 has a configuration in which the push switch 151 is provided at the center of the hollow encoder 162, the operation input device 150 does not have to include the push switch 151 according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, when the light emitting means is installed on the detection means installation board, the LE is located at a position where light can be incident on the display section 190a substantially vertically or in the vicinity thereof.
This is particularly useful when it is difficult to arrange D182. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hollow encoder 162 is provided as the operation input detecting means.
According to the present invention, the operation input detecting means may be other than the hollow encoder 162 as long as the operation input to the operation input means can be detected.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an operation input device in which light from the light-emitting unit housed therein easily reaches the display unit as compared with the related art, and hardly leaks to the outside.

[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 an exploded perspective view of the operation input device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a navigation device provided with a conventional operation input device.

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

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the operation input device shown in FIG. 4;

[Description of Signs] 101 Housing 152 Volume knob (operation input means) 162 Hollow encoder (operation input detection means) 171 Encoder board (detection means installation board) 182 LED (light emission means) 150 Operation input device 172 LED board (light emission) Means installation board) 172a hole 150c gap 152c shielding rib (light shielding means) 174 lead wire 173 connector 161 push switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] A housing; operation input means for inputting an operation from outside the housing; operation input detection means housed inside the housing and detecting an operation input to the operation input means; A detection means installation board that is housed inside the housing and on which the operation input detection means is installed; and is housed inside the housing and emits light from the vicinity of the operation input detection means to the outside of the housing. An operation input device, comprising: a light-emitting unit that emits light; and a light-emitting unit installation substrate on which the light-emitting unit is installed; 2. The light emitting means installation board is installed so as to surround the operation input detecting means, and the light emitting means is
The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input device is disposed on the light emitting unit installation board so as to surround the operation input unit. 3. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit emits light to the outside of the housing through the operation input unit. 4. The operation input means has a gap between the housing and the housing, and has a light blocking means for blocking light emitted from the light emitting means and emitted from the gap to the outside of the housing. The operation input device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A connector having a lead wire for electrically connecting the detection means installation board and the light emission means installation board, wherein the light emission means installation board is fixed to the detection means installation board by the connector. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
5. The operation input device according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input detection means includes an encoder on an outer peripheral portion. 7. The operation input device according to claim 6, wherein a push switch is provided at the center of the operation input detection means.