JP2003346609A - Complex-operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a complex-operation input device fit for miniaturization capable of making a depressing and an oscillating operations while suppressing the outer dimensions. <P>SOLUTION: A center switching element 10 for the depressing operation is loaded on a fixed plate 1, and each peripheral switching element 11 for the oscillating operation is loaded on a bottom plate part 3a of a mounting member 3, so that each peripheral switching element can be arranged toward an inner periphery side overlapping against the center switching element 10 and a gap between a center pressing protrusion 5a and each peripheral pressing protrusion 5b can be narrowed. Further, if a center part of the operating body is pressed in, the center switching element 10 can be made operated through the center pressing protrusion, and if the operating body 5 is leaned, the peripheral switching element can be made operated through the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b, so that one operating body is good for both depressing and oscillating operations which reduces the number of parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-operation input device capable of performing a pressing operation for operating a central switch element and a swing operation for operating peripheral switch elements.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example of a compound operation type input device of this type, a central switch element and a plurality of (for example, 4
) Peripheral switch elements, and a push operating body for operating the central switch element and a ring-shaped swing operating body for selectively operating each peripheral switch element are incorporated. Are known. The central switch element and each peripheral switch element are, for example, a tact switch in which a tact spring is arranged on a membrane switch,
Each peripheral switch element is arranged along the circumferential direction so as to surround the central switch element. The pressing operation body has a central pressing projection facing the central switch element, and is supported so as to be able to move up and down by a predetermined amount. The swing operating body has a plurality of peripheral pressing projections facing each peripheral switch element, and is swingably supported at a position surrounding the pressing operating body. The pressing operation body and the swinging operation body are supported by an elastically deformable flexible member such as a metal plate, so that the lifting operation and the tilting operation can be performed.

In such a conventional multi-operation input device, when an operator presses a pressing operation body, a center pressing projection presses a center switch element to operate. Also, when the operator pushes an arbitrary part of the swing operation body to tilt it,
The peripheral pressing projection on the pushed-in side pushes the opposing peripheral switch element to operate. The flexible member such as a metal plate is elastically deformed when the operator pushes the pressing operation body or the swinging operation body. Therefore, if the operation force is removed, the pressing operation body or the swinging operation body is restored by the restoring force of the flexible member. The moving operation body automatically returns to the initial position.

[0004] This type of multi-operation input device is, for example,
It can be used as an input device for selecting and confirming a desired menu. That is, by pressing the swing operation body and operating one of the plurality of peripheral switch elements, it is possible to output a selection signal for selecting one from various menus. By pressing the central switch element to depress it, it is possible to output a determination signal for executing the operation of the selected menu.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional multi-operation input device, a central switch element and a plurality of peripheral switch elements surrounding the central switch element are arranged on a fixed plate. Since the element and each peripheral switch element must be arranged at a certain distance from each other, the circumference on which the peripheral switch elements are arranged on the fixed plate must be large in diameter, and the central pressing projection and each peripheral pressing projection must be large. The distance between them was relatively wide. For this reason, such conventional products inevitably have a large overall outer diameter, and have a problem that miniaturization is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a composite operation type suitable for miniaturization, capable of performing a pressing operation and a swinging operation while suppressing the outer diameter. An input device is provided.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a central switch element, a central pressing projection disposed opposite to the central switch element and movable in a projecting direction, and A plurality of peripheral pressing projections arranged along the circumferential direction on the radially outer side of the pressing projections, each of which is movable in the protruding direction, and includes a plurality of peripheral switch elements arranged opposite to these peripheral pressing projections, In a combined operation type input device capable of performing a pressing operation of operating the central switch element by the central pressing protrusion and a swing operation of operating the peripheral switch element facing the peripheral pressing protrusion, the height of the central switch element And a height position where the plurality of peripheral switch elements are present is different along the pressing operation direction, and a part of the central switch element and each peripheral switch are And part of the switch element planarly overlapped.

As described above, in the composite operation type input device in which the central switch element and the peripheral switch elements are arranged on different planes, the radius of the circumference on which the peripheral switch elements are arranged is reduced. However, since interference with the central switch element does not occur, these peripheral switch elements can be arranged closer to the inner peripheral side overlapping the central switch element. The interval can be narrowed. Thus, the outer diameter of the switch mechanism that can perform the pressing operation for operating the central switch element and the swing operation for operating the peripheral switch elements can be significantly reduced.

It is to be noted that the outer diameter of the entire switch mechanism is reduced regardless of which of the height position where the central switch element is present and the height position where each of the peripheral switch elements is located (on the front side in the pressing operation direction). However, if the height position of each peripheral switch element is shifted upward from the height position of the central switch element, it is necessary to form a large number of insertion holes in the member on which each peripheral switch element is mounted. This is preferable because mechanical strength is easily ensured even when the size is reduced.

[0010] In addition to the above-described structure, an operating body is provided which is provided with a central pressing protrusion and a plurality of peripheral pressing protrusions, and is supported so as to be swingable and capable of moving up and down by a predetermined amount. The operating stroke of the peripheral pressing projection is set longer than that of the operating body, and when the central part of the operating body is pushed in, the central pressing projection moves in the projecting direction, and when the operating body is tilted, the peripheral pressing projection moves in the projecting direction. In the case of the configured composite operation type input device, there is no fear that the peripheral switch element may malfunction when the central part of the operating body is pushed in to activate the central switch element, and the pressing operation and the swing operation can be performed with one operating body. Since it can be performed reliably, the number of parts can be reduced, the assembling workability is improved, and it is advantageous for miniaturization.

Further, a composite operation type input device having such an operation body has a support member having a plurality of elastic arms and a cutout portion facing a central pressing protrusion and a plurality of peripheral pressing protrusions. And, a plurality of connecting protrusions located substantially at the center of the peripheral pressing protrusions circumferentially adjacent to the operating body are protruded, and these connecting protrusions are respectively fixed to the elastic arms, so that the operating body is attached to the support member. It is preferable to support the operation body so that it can swing and move up and down by a predetermined amount because the support structure of the operation body can be simplified and the miniaturization is not impaired.

In order to further increase the number of functions, a fixed member on which the central switch element or each peripheral switch element is mounted, a rotary knob rotatably disposed radially outside the operating body, and a rotary knob A sliding element that rotates integrally with the sliding element, and a sliding pattern disposed on the sliding surface of the sliding element. If the sliding pattern is placed on the fixed member, the rotary knob can be rotated. By rotating, the relative position between the slider and the sliding pattern can be changed, so that the function of a rotary operation type electric component such as a rotary encoder can be added. In addition, by mounting the sliding pattern on the fixing member for the central switch element or the fixing member for each peripheral switch element, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and an increase in size.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cut of a peripheral pressing projection. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the input device including a cut surface of an elastic arm, and FIG. 4 is a developed view of a flexible substrate incorporated in the input device.

The composite operation type input device shown in these figures
A fixing plate 1, a mounting member 3 fixed to the fixing plate 1 using a plurality of (four) screws 2, a support member 4 caulked to the mounting member 3, and a swing An operation body 5 supported so as to be movable and vertically movable by a predetermined amount, and a rotary knob 6 rotatably arranged outside the operation body 5 in the radial direction.
A click plate 7 attached to the ceiling surface of the rotary knob 6, a slider receiver 8 caulked and fixed to the rotary knob 6, and a slider 9 attached to the slider receiver 8.
It is schematically constituted by a switch element 10, 11 and a flexible substrate 13 on which a sliding pattern 12 is provided.

The fixing plate 1 is formed in a disk shape, and through holes 1a through which the screws 2 are inserted are formed at four equally spaced locations along the circumferential direction. The fixed plate 1 is provided with a slit 1b through which the lower extension 13a of the flexible substrate 13 is inserted.

The mounting member 3 includes a bottom plate 3a, a cylindrical wall 3b surrounding the bottom plate 3a, and a cylindrical wall 3a.
And a flange portion 3c extending radially outward from the upper end of the flange 3c. The bottom plate portion 3a has a through hole 3d at the center thereof, and four through holes 3e at the outer peripheral portion. A screw hole 3f for screwing the screw 2 is formed in the cylindrical wall 3b.
Are formed in four places. On the upper surface of the flange portion 3c, a large number of concave grooves 3g for engaging and disengaging the projections 7a of the click plate 7 are formed at a constant pitch.

The support member 4 includes a disk portion 4a and four mounting projections 4b projecting downward from the outer periphery of the disk portion 4a.
And four elastic arms 4c extending obliquely upward from the disk portion 4a. The disk portion 4a has a central projection insertion hole 4d at the center thereof, and four peripheral projection insertion holes 4e at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each of the peripheral protrusion insertion holes 4e is located substantially at the center of each elastic arm 4c adjacent in the circumferential direction. The four mounting projections 4b receive heat after being inserted into the through holes 3e of the mounting member 3, respectively. The four elastic arms 4c are arranged at equal intervals, and each elastic arm 4c extends radially outward from the disk portion 4a in a cantilever shape.

On the lower surface of the operating body 5, a central pressing projection 5a is projected at the center, and peripheral pressing projections 5b are projected at four equally spaced locations around the central pressing projection 5a. Connecting projections 5c are provided to project slightly radially outward from substantially the middle of the peripheral pressing projections 5b adjacent in the direction. The center pressing projection 5a is inserted into the center projection insertion hole 4d of the support member 4 and the through hole 3d of the mounting member 3, and the four peripheral pressing projections 5b are respectively inserted into the peripheral projection insertion holes 4e of the support member 4. The connection projections 5c receive heat at the free ends of the elastic arms 4c of the support member 4, respectively. Thereby, the operating body 5 can be elastically supported with good balance by the four elastic arms 4c. That is, the operating body 5 can be supported by the supporting member 4 so as to be able to swing and move up and down by a predetermined amount. When the central portion of the operating body 5 is pushed in, the central pressing projection 5a is lowered, and the arbitrary peripheral pressing projection 5b If the operation body 5 is tilted by pushing in the vicinity of the outer side in the radial direction, the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b is lowered.

The rotary knob 6 has an opening 6a for disposing the operating body 5, and the rotary knob 6 has three projections 6b projecting downward from the ceiling surface.
Three other projections 6c are projected downward at three locations on the outer peripheral side of each projection 6b. Each of the inner projections 6b is inserted into a through-hole 7b formed in the ring-shaped click plate 7 and then heats up, whereby the click plate 7 is rotated.
Integrated into Each of the outer projections 6c is inserted into a through hole 8a formed in the slider receiver 8, and then heat is applied thereto, whereby the slider receiver 8 is integrated with the rotary knob 6. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary knob 6 is positioned in the radial direction by the outer peripheral surface of the flange 3 c of the mounting member 3.

The flexible substrate 13 has a lower extension 13a provided with the central switch element 10, an upper extension 13b provided with four peripheral switch elements 11, and a sliding pattern 12. And a lead portion 13d led to an external circuit. Lower extension 13
“a” is extended from the outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped portion 13c, and is inserted into the slit 1b of the fixed plate 1 after being turned radially inward. Then, the central switch element 10 provided at the distal end of the lower extension 13a is placed at the center on the fixed plate 1. The upper extension 13b extends from the inner peripheral edge of the ring-shaped portion 13c and is mounted on the bottom plate 3a of the mounting member 3. As shown in FIGS.
0 and each of the peripheral switch elements 11 on the bottom plate portion 3a are arranged in a positional relationship overlapping in a plane. That is, each peripheral switch element 11 is provided with a central pressing protrusion 5a.
A part of the shift is located above the outer peripheral portion of the central switch element 10. The upper extension 13b has an escape hole 13e through which the center pressing protrusion 5a is inserted, and a support member 4
And an escape hole 13f through which each mounting projection 4b is inserted. The ring-shaped portion 13c is mounted on the outer peripheral portion on the fixed plate 1, and makes the sliding pattern 12 face the bottom surface of the slider receiver 8. Thereby, the sliding pattern 12 can be arranged on the sliding surface of the slider 9 attached to the slider receiver 8.

As shown in FIG.
Is a tact switch having a tact spring 10b arranged on a membrane switch 10a. The center switch element 10 is opposed to the lower end of the center pressing protrusion 5a of the operating body 5, and when the center pressing protrusion 5a is lowered by a predetermined amount, the tact spring 10b is inverted and the membrane switch 10a is turned on. ing. Similarly to the central switch element 10, the peripheral switch element 11
This is a tact switch in which a tact spring 11b is arranged on a, and four peripheral switch elements 11 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each peripheral switch element 11 is opposed to the lower end of each peripheral pressing protrusion 5b of the operating body 5, and when the operating body 5 is tilted to lower an arbitrary peripheral pressing protrusion 5b by a predetermined amount, the lower part of the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b. , The tact spring 11b of the peripheral switch element 11 located at the position (1) is inverted, and the membrane switch 11a is turned on. However, as shown in FIG.
The distance between the tact spring 11b of the peripheral switch element 11 and the upper peripheral pressing protrusion 5b is set wider than the distance between the tact spring 10b and the upper central pressing protrusion 5a. The operation stroke of the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b is longer than the stroke. Further, since the tact spring 10b of the central switch element 10 has higher rigidity than the tact spring 11b of the peripheral switch element 11, the operating force required to operate the central switch element 10 is required to operate the peripheral switch element 11. Operating force required for the operation.

In the composite operation type input device having such a configuration, when the operator presses the central portion of the operation body 5, the four elastic arms 4c of the support member 4 are pressed and bent substantially uniformly. The operating body 5 descends without tilting, and the central pressing protrusion 5a and each peripheral pressing protrusion 5b move straight down. Then, the tact spring 10b is inverted when the center pressing protrusion 5a is lowered by a predetermined stroke, so that the central switch element 10 can be operated, and at that time, a click feeling is generated due to the inversion of the tact spring 10b. When the operator removes the pressing operation force in this state, the operating body 5 is restored by the restoring force of the four elastic arms 4c that have been deflected.
Is pushed up to the initial position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the tact spring 10b automatically returns to its original shape, so that the membrane switch 10a returns to the off state. In addition, at the time of such a pressing operation, each peripheral pressing protrusion 5b also approaches the lower peripheral switch element 11, but as described above, the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b
The operation stroke of b is longer than the operation stroke of the center pressing protrusion 5a. Even if the center pressing protrusion 5a reaches the lowest stroke point, the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b cannot reverse the tact spring 11b. Don't worry about accidental activation.

When the operator performs a rocking operation of pushing the outer peripheral portion of the operating body 5 and tilting the operating body 5, the operating body 5
The peripheral pressing protrusion 5b descends on the side where
The elastic arm 4c of the support member 4 is depressed and bent, but one side of the tilted operating body 5 is lifted, so that the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b is raised on this one side, and the elastic arm 4c is pulled upward to bend. Therefore, by tilting the operating body 5 and lowering any of the peripheral pressing protrusions 5b by a predetermined stroke, the peripheral switch element 11 located below the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b can be operated, and at that time, the tact spring 11b A click feeling is caused by the reversal of. When the operator removes the swinging operation force in this state, the operating body 5 is urged in a direction to eliminate the inclination and returns to the initial position by the restoring force of each of the bent elastic arms 4c, and the tact spring 11b
Automatically returns to its original shape.
1a returns to the off state. During the swinging operation, the center pressing protrusion 5a also slightly moves down. However, the tact spring 10b of the center switch element 10 has high rigidity, so that there is no fear of accidental inversion.

When the operator rotates the rotary knob 6 provided around the operation body 5, the slider holder 8 holding the slider 9 rotates integrally. The position of the slider 9 with respect to the mounted sliding pattern 12 changes, and a pulse signal of the rotary encoder based on the positional relationship between the sliders 9 and 12 is output. At the time of such a rotation operation, the projection 7a of the click plate 7 attached to the rotary knob 6 is disengaged from the concave groove 3g of the mounting member 3 to generate a click feeling, so that the operator can use the rotary knob by the click feeling transmitted to the finger. 6 can be roughly grasped.

As described above, in the composite operation type input device according to this embodiment, the central switch element 10 for pressing operation is provided.
Are mounted on the fixed plate 1 and the peripheral switch elements 11 for swinging operation are mounted on the bottom plate 3 a of the mounting member 3.
, And can be arranged closer to the inner peripheral side where it overlaps, and the distance between the central pressing protrusion 5a and each peripheral pressing protrusion 5b can also be reduced. Therefore, the pressing operation to activate the central switch element 10 and the peripheral switch element 11
In the multi-operation input device capable of performing a swing operation for operating the device, the outer diameter of the input device can be set to a considerably small size, and downsizing with reduced planar spread is realized.

As described in the present embodiment, the height position of each peripheral switch element 11 is changed to the central switch element 10.
If it is configured to be shifted upward from the height position where there is, there is no need to form a large number of insertion holes in the mounting member 3 on which the peripheral switch elements 11 are mounted. Cheap. However, on the contrary,
It is also possible to reduce the size by shifting the height position where the central switch element 10 is present above the height position where the peripheral switch elements 11 are present.

In this embodiment, the central switch element 10 can be operated by pushing the center of the operating body 5, and the peripheral switch element 11 can be operated by tilting the operating body 5. Therefore, the pressing operation and the swinging operation can be performed by one operating body 5, so that the number of parts is reduced, and therefore, the assembling workability is improved, and it is advantageous for downsizing. In addition, since the operating stroke of the peripheral pressing protrusion 5b is set longer than the operating stroke of the central pressing protrusion 5a, the peripheral switch element 11 malfunctions when the central portion of the operating body 5 is pressed to operate the central switch element 10. Don't worry.

In this embodiment, a plurality of connecting projections 5c protruding from the operating body 5 are fixed to the elastic arms 4c of the supporting member 4, respectively, so that the operating body 5 is swung by the supporting member 4. Since it is movably supported by a predetermined amount so that it can be moved up and down, the support structure of the operating body 5 is simplified, which is advantageous for miniaturization.

In this embodiment, when the rotary knob 6 disposed radially outside the operating body 5 is rotated, the rotary knob 6 functions as a rotary encoder, so that a rotary operation can be performed in addition to a pressing operation and a swing operation. Multifunctionalization has been realized. Moreover, the slider 9 of this rotary encoder
The sliding pattern 12 for sliding the central switch element 1
Since it is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed plate 1 on which 0 is mounted, an increase in the number of components and an increase in size due to multifunctionalization are suppressed.

The peripheral switch elements 11 are fixed to the fixed plate 1
It is also possible to omit the mounting member 3 by mounting the central switch element 10 on a second fixed plate attached below the fixed plate 1 and mounted on the second fixed plate. In such a configuration, it is necessary to make a hole for inserting the center pressing protrusion 5 a in the fixing plate 1 and project each peripheral pressing protrusion 5 b to the vicinity of the fixing plate 1. It is preferable to engage and disengage with the outer peripheral portion and the like.

In this embodiment, a tact switch in which a tact spring is arranged on a membrane switch is used as the central switch element 10 and the peripheral switch element 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switch element in which a tact spring also serves as a movable contact may be used.

[0032]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

Since the central switch element and the respective peripheral switch elements are arranged on different planes and arranged in a complex operation type, the respective peripheral switch elements are arranged closer to the inner peripheral side overlapping the central switch element. The distance between the central pressing protrusion and each peripheral pressing protrusion can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to greatly reduce the outer diameter of the switch mechanism capable of performing the pressing operation for operating the central switch element and the swing operation for operating the peripheral switch elements, and to promote the miniaturization of the device.

An operating body is provided which is provided with a central pressing protrusion and a plurality of peripheral pressing protrusions, and is supported so as to be swingable and capable of ascending and descending a predetermined amount. Actuate the central switch element via
In the case of a multi-operation input device configured to operate the peripheral switch element via the peripheral pressing projection by tilting the operating body, the pressing operation and the swinging operation can be performed with one operating body, so that the number of parts is reduced. Can be reduced, assembling workability is improved, and it is also advantageous for miniaturization.

A rotary knob is disposed radially outside the operating body, and a slider that rotates integrally with the rotary knob,
In the case of a compound operation type input device provided with a sliding pattern or the like in which the slider slides, the relative position between the slider and the sliding pattern can be changed by rotating the rotary knob. The function of a rotary operation type electric component such as an encoder can be added, and further multifunctionality can be easily achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the input device including a cut surface of a peripheral pressing protrusion.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the input device including a cut surface of an elastic arm.

FIG. 4 is a development view of a flexible board incorporated in the input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fixing plate 3 Mounting member 3a bottom plate 4 Supporting members 4c elastic arm 5 Operation body 5a Center pressing projection 5b Peripheral pressing protrusion 5c Connecting projection 6 Rotary knob 7 Click plate 8 Slider receiver 9 Slider 10 Central switch element 11 Peripheral switch element 12 Sliding pattern 13 Flexible board

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A central switch element, a central pressing projection disposed opposite to the central switching element and movable in a protruding direction, and a central pressing projection disposed radially outside of the central pressing projection along a circumferential direction. A plurality of peripheral pressing protrusions that can move in the protruding direction, including a plurality of peripheral switch elements disposed opposite to these peripheral pressing protrusions, a pressing operation to operate the central switch element by the central pressing protrusion, An input device capable of performing a swing operation of activating the opposed peripheral switch element by the peripheral pressing protrusion, wherein the input device presses a height position where the central switch element exists and a height position where the plurality of peripheral switch elements exist. It is characterized in that it is made different along the operation direction, and a part of the central switch element and a part of each peripheral switch element are planarly overlapped. If the operation type input device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a height position of the plurality of peripheral switch elements is shifted to a position closer to the pressing operation direction than a height position of the center switch element. Complex operation type input device. 3. The operating body according to claim 1, further comprising: an operating body projecting the center pressing protrusion and the plurality of peripheral pressing protrusions and supported to be swingable and to be able to move up and down by a predetermined amount.
In addition, the operating stroke of the peripheral pressing protrusion is set longer than the operating stroke of the central pressing protrusion, and when the central portion of the operating body is pushed in, the central pressing protrusion moves in the protruding direction and tilts the operating body. And the peripheral pressing protrusion is configured to move in the protruding direction. 4. The operating body according to claim 3, further comprising a support member having a plurality of elastic arms, and a portion facing the center pressing protrusion and the plurality of peripheral pressing protrusions being cut out. A plurality of connecting protrusions located substantially at the center of the peripheral pressing protrusions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and fixing the connecting protrusions to the elastic arms, whereby the operating body is swung by the support member. A multi-operation type input device characterized by being supported so as to be able to move up and down by a predetermined amount. 5. The fixed member on which the central switch element or the plurality of peripheral switch elements are mounted, and a rotary knob rotatably disposed radially outside the operation body according to claim 3 or 4. A sliding element that rotates integrally with the rotary knob, and a sliding pattern disposed on a sliding surface of the sliding element, wherein the sliding pattern is mounted on the fixed member. Combined operation type input device.