JP2003029900A - Input device and keyboard input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device and a keyboard input device equipped with a sensor whose manufacture is simple, whose number of components is small, whose current consumption is low, and whose heat generation is small, in which the manufacture lead time can be shortened, at a low manufacturing cost. SOLUTION: This input device is provided with an operating member 17 constituted of an operating part 18 and plate-shaped extended parts 19 arranged at edges of the operating part 18 and sensors 25 and 26 arranged at the operating member 17 for detecting distortion and constituted of electric resistances 27. The electric resistance 27 is made of electric resistance ink composed by diffusing at least either graphite or metallic powder as a primary conductive materials in a thermosetting resin, and the electric resistances 27 are directly printed on the back faces of the extended parts 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device for controlling a cursor on a display device such as a computer display and a keyboard input device provided with this input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An input device of this type using a sensor and a conventional sensor will be described below with reference to the perspective views of FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 1 has an opening at its center, and the illustration of the inside of the housing 1 is omitted.
A key switch mechanism for inputting characters and a voltage detection circuit are provided, both of which are electrically connected to the display via a computer.

The support shaft 2 is made of a flexible material and has a rectangular shape. One end of the support shaft 2 is attached to a switch mechanism inside the housing 1 through an opening of the housing 1.

The key top 3 has a letter such as an alphabet printed on its upper surface by printing or the like.
It is connected to the other end of the support shaft 2 opposite to the side attached to the housing 1.

By pushing down the key top 3 downward in the axial direction of the support shaft 2, the switch mechanism inside the housing 1 is operated and the same letters as the letters written on the upper surface of the key top 3 are displayed on the computer. The characters input to the computer are output and displayed on the display.

When the key top 3 is pressed in the upward direction 4, downward direction 5, leftward direction 6 and rightward direction 7, the support shaft 2 bends and can move within a horizontal plane defined by these four directions. In addition, the support shaft 2 instantly returns to its original state when the pressing of the key top 3 is released.

FIG. 4 shows sensors 8 and 9 which have been conventionally used as strain gauges. The metal foil 10, the lead wires 11 and 12, the solders 13 and 14, and one and the other polyimide members sandwiching them. 15, 16
Consists of. Then, when the sensors 8 and 9 are used in this type of input device, the sensors 8 and 9 are one polyimide member 1
5 or the other polyimide member 16 is attached to the adjacent side surfaces of the support shaft 2 by adhesion.
Further, the sensors 8 and 9 are connected to a voltage detection circuit provided inside the housing 1 by soldering the lead wires 11 and 12, respectively, and the voltage value applied to the metal foil 10 of the sensors 8 and 9 is detected. It is supposed to be done.

Generally, the electric resistance value of an electric resistor increases as its cross-sectional area decreases and increases as its length increases. Then, by pressing the key top 3 within a horizontal plane defined by the upward direction 4, the downward direction 5, the left direction 6, and the right direction 7, the support shaft 2 bends,
Following this, one or the other polyimide member 1 of the sensors 8 and 9 mounted on the side surface of the support shaft 2.
5 and 16 are bent, and along with this, the metal foil 1 of the sensors 8 and 9
0 is expanded and compressed, the entire length of the metal foil 10 and a part of its cross-sectional area are slightly changed, and the electric resistance value of the metal foil 10 is changed. That is, when the metal foil 10 is expanded along with the pressing operation of the key top 3 in the upward direction 4, the cross-sectional area of the metal foil 10 becomes smaller and the length of the metal foil 10 becomes longer. The electric resistance value of becomes large.
Further, when the metal foil 10 is compressed along with the pressing operation of the key top 3 in the downward direction 5, the cross-sectional area of the metal foil 10 becomes large and the length of the metal foil 10 becomes short. The electric resistance value of 10 becomes small. Further, as the key top 3 is pushed in the left direction 6, the metal foil 10
When the metal foil 10 is stretched, the electric resistance value of the metal foil 10 is increased in the same manner as described above, and when the metal foil 10 is compressed by the pressing operation of the key top 3 in the right direction 7, the metal foil 10 is compressed. The electric resistance value of is small as described above. Then, the voltage detection circuit in the housing 1 to which the sensors 8 and 9 are connected detects a change in these electric resistance values as a change in the voltage value, and the change in the voltage value is caused by the computer to move the cursor on the display. Therefore, the movement of the cursor on the display is controlled according to the change in the electric resistance value of the metal foil 10 caused by the pressing operation of the key top 3.

Next, the method of assembling the input device of the follower will be described. First, the key top 3 is attached to the other end of the support shaft 2.
Are attached by engagement. Next, one end of the support shaft 2 is attached to the switch mechanism inside the housing 1 through the opening of the housing 1. Then, the sensors 8 and 9 are attached and attached to the adjacent side surfaces of the support shaft 2, respectively, and the ends of the lead wires 11 and 12 of the sensors 8 and 9 are soldered to the voltage detection circuit provided in the housing 1. Attach and attach.

In the input device thus assembled, the deflection of the support shaft 2 due to the pressing operation within the horizontal plane defined by the upward direction 4, downward direction 5, leftward direction 6 and rightward direction 7 of the key top 3 is performed. , The metal foils 10 of the sensors 8 and 9 detect changes in the electric resistance value, and the voltage detection circuit in the housing 1 detects the change in the electric resistance value as the change in the voltage value.
By changing the change of this voltage value into the movement of the cursor, the movement of the cursor in the up, down, left, and right directions is controlled in response to the movement of the key top 3 in the up direction 4, down direction 5, left direction 6, and right direction 7. It is supposed to do.

The method for manufacturing the sensors 8 and 9 will be described. First, a hoop-shaped metal foil 10 containing copper and nickel as main components is cut into a desired rectangular shape, and the rectangular metal foil 10 is used as one of the polyimides. It is attached to the member 15, and thereafter, the metal foil 10 is processed into a comb tooth shape by etching. Then, both ends of the comb-shaped metal foil 10 are plated, and the plated portion of the metal foil 10 and the lead wire 1 are further plated.
After connecting one end of each of 1 and 12 with the solders 13 and 14, the other polyimide member 16 is adhered and bonded to the one polyimide member 15 to form the metal foil 10, the solders 13 and 14, and the lead wires. One end of each of 11 and 12 was manufactured by being sandwiched between one and the other polyimide resins 15 and 16.

[0013]

However, the conventional sensors 8 and 9 have a large number of parts, and require precision processing to cut out the hoop-shaped metal foil 10 into a desired rectangular shape. The cost was high. In addition, the step of attaching the rectangular metal foil 10 to one of the polyimide members 15 and the lead wires 11 and 1 on the comb-shaped metal foil 10.
The process of attaching 2 with the solders 13 and 14 is a delicate work and takes time. Further, since the etching process for forming the comb-teeth shape of the metal foil 10 is a precision process, it requires a particularly long time. Furthermore,
The sensors 8, 9 must each be glued and attached to the adjacent sides of the support shaft 2. For these reasons, there is a problem that the manufacturing lead time of the sensors 8 and 9 becomes long and the manufacturing cost thereof becomes high.

Further, since the metal foil 10 is a conductor and its electric resistance value is as low as 100 to 300Ω, there is a problem that the current consumption increases and the heat generation increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and shortens the manufacturing lead time of an input device and a keyboard input device which are easy to manufacture, have a small number of parts, and have a low current consumption and a small heat generation. In addition to being able to do so, it is intended to provide at low cost.

[0016]

As a first means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides an operating member comprising an operating portion and a flat plate-shaped extending portion provided at one end of the operating portion. A sensor for detecting strain, which is formed of an electric resistor provided on the operation member, and the sensor has a configuration in which the electric resistor is printed and formed on the back surface of the extending portion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the input device and the manufacturing lead time.

As a second means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the electric resistor of the sensor is formed by dispersing at least one of graphite and metal powder as a main conductive material in a thermosetting resin. It is composed of electric resistance ink. Therefore, the current consumption and heat generation of the sensor can be reduced.

As a third means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a keyboard input device of the present invention is the input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension portion is a case in which a large number of key switches are arranged. The structure is fixed inside. Therefore, by pressing the operating portion, the extension portion can be bent to change the electric resistance value of the electric resistor with high accuracy.

As a fourth means for solving the above problems, the upper end of the operating portion is arranged between the key switches. Therefore, the distance between the key switch and the operation unit is reduced, and the operability of the operation unit is good.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The input device of the present invention is
As shown in FIG. 1, the operating member 17 includes a substantially columnar and rectangular operating portion 18, and a flat plate-shaped extending portion 19 provided at one end thereof.
It consists of The operation section 18 and the extension section 19 are
It may be integrally formed or may be formed by adhering a separate body with an adhesive or the like to be integrated. In addition, the production member 17 is the Endero 1
Reference numeral 9 is attached to a keyboard substrate (not shown) or the like or a casing 20 shown by a broken line by appropriate means. A computer having a display (not shown) is supported by the operation unit 18 so as to be bendable in an upward direction 21, a downward direction 22, a leftward direction 23, and a rightward direction 24. A voltage detection circuit such as two independent Wheatstone bridges connected to the is provided.

The sensor 2 is provided on the rear surface of the extension portion 19.
5, 26 are formed by printing. This sensor 25, 26
Is composed of an electric resistor 27 and lead wires 28 and 29, respectively. Then, the lead wires 28, 29 are formed by printing using a silver-based conductive ink, and the lead wires 28, 29 are formed.
The electric resistor 27 made of electric resistance ink is formed by printing. The electric resistance ink forming the electric resistor 27 includes graphite (average particle size 5 μm), silver powder, or nickel that can increase the rate of change of the electric resistance value of the electric resistor 27 due to the bending of the electric resistor 27. A conductive material mixed with metal powder such as powder (spherical, average particle size 10 μm) is dispersed in a thermosetting resin such as phenol, epoxy, or polyester, and the content of the conductive material is 8 to 25 Vol% is desirable.

As an example, graphite 4.8 Vol
%, Silver powder 16.9 Vol%, phenol 78.3 Vol
% Was used. By using such a material, the electric resistor 27 can be formed by printing, and the lead wires 28 and 29 can also be formed by printing. In addition, since the electric resistance value of the electric resistor 27 is increased to about 10 KΩ, current consumption and heat generation can be reduced.

Further, the sensors 25 and 26 are connected to the electric resistance 27 by connecting the lead wires 28 and 29 to the voltage detection circuit provided inside the housing 20 to which the operating member 17 is attached. The voltage value can be detected. Then, by operating the operating portion 18 of the operating member 17 in the upward direction 21, the downward direction 22, the leftward direction 23, and the rightward direction 24, the extension portion 19 changes the electric resistance value of the electric resistance body 27 of the bending sensors 25 and 26. The voltage detection circuit detects the change as a change in the voltage value. The computer reads the change in the voltage value and controls the up, down, left, and right movements of a cursor on a display device such as a display in response to the change in the voltage value.

That is, when the operating portion 18 is operated in the upward direction 21, the electric resistance 27 of the sensor 25 is expanded to increase the electric resistance value, and when the operating portion 18 is operated in the downward direction 22, the sensor 25 is moved. The electric resistance 27 is compressed and the electric resistance value becomes smaller. When the operating portion 18 is operated in the left direction 23, the electric resistance 27 of the sensor 26 is expanded and the electric resistance value increases, and when the operating portion 18 is operated in the right direction 24, the electric resistance of the sensor 26 is increased. The body 27 is compressed and the electric resistance value is reduced. Next, the electric resistance 2 of the sensors 25 and 26
The change in the electric resistance value of 7 is transmitted to the computer as a change in the voltage value by the voltage detection circuit to which the sensors 25 and 26 are connected. To control.
Further, when the operation of the operation unit 18 of the operation member 17 is interrupted, the operation unit 18 instantly returns to the original state.

In the present invention, the sensors 25 and 26 and the voltage detection circuit are connected to the polyester member 32 by connecting the lead wires 33 and 34 to a silver conductive ink as shown in FIG. This is performed by using two electric wiring members 35 formed by printing, and one end of the lead wires 33, 34 of each electric wiring member 35 is connected to the lead wire 2 of the sensor 25, 26.
8 and 29, and the other end thereof is connected to the voltage detection circuit. For that purpose, the sensors 25, 26
Is incorporated as one electric resistance of the voltage detection circuit.

In the above-described embodiment, a polyester member may be further provided so as to cover at least the upper portion of the electric resistor 27, and by covering at least the electric resistor 27, the sensor 25, The environment resistance characteristics of the electric resistor 27 of 26 can be improved.

The extension portion 19 of the operation member 17 is attached to a board of a keyboard input device (not shown), and the lower end portion of the operation portion 18 shown in FIG. By arranging between the key switches of the input device, while operating the key switches, the operation unit 18 is operated in the upward direction 21, downward direction 22, rightward direction 23, leftward direction 2.
It is possible to control the cursor by pressing and rolling to 4. Therefore, the distance between the key switch and the operation unit 18 can be shortened, and the operability of the operation member is good.

[0028]

In the sensor of the input device according to the present invention, the electric resistor is printed and formed on the back surface of the extending portion, so that the number of parts of the sensor can be reduced and the manufacturing process thereof can be simplified and shortened. be able to. Further, the work of attaching the sensor to the operation member is unnecessary, and the manufacturing is further facilitated.

Further, since the electric resistor of the sensor is made of an electric resistance ink composed by dispersing at least one of graphite and metal powder as a main conductive material in a thermosetting resin, the electric current consumption and heat generation of the sensor are reduced. Can be made smaller. As a result, it is possible to provide an input device and a keyboard input device which are easy to manufacture, have a small number of parts, and have low current consumption and small heat generation, with a short manufacturing lead time and at low cost. .

Further, in the input device according to the present invention, since the extension portion is fixed inside the housing in which a large number of key switches are arranged, the extension portion is formed by applying an operation force to the operation portion. It is possible to provide the keyboard input device capable of controlling the movement of the cursor with high accuracy by surely deflecting and changing the electric resistance value of the sensor.

Further, since the upper end of the operating portion is arranged between the key switches, the distance between the key switch and the operating portion is shortened, and the operability of the operating portion is good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiring member relating to the input device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional input device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sensor related to a conventional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

17 Operation member 18 operation county 19 Court 25 sensors 26 sensors 27 Electric resistor 28 lead wire 29 lead wire 32 Polyester material 33 lead wire 34 lead wire 35 Electric wiring material

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An operating member comprising an operating portion and a flat plate-like extending portion provided at one end of the operating portion, and a sensor for detecting strain formed by an electric resistor provided on the operating member. The input device, wherein the sensor is formed by printing the electric resistor on the back surface of the extending portion. 2. The electric resistance body of the sensor is made of an electric resistance ink composed of a thermosetting resin in which at least one of graphite and metal powder as a main conductive material is dispersed. The input device described. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein
A keyboard input device, wherein the extending portion is fixed inside a housing in which a large number of key switches are arranged. 4. A keyboard input device, wherein an upper end portion of the operation portion is arranged between the respective key switches.