JP2004062493A

JP2004062493A - Coordinate input system

Info

Publication number: JP2004062493A
Application number: JP2002219419A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazuo Kanao; 金尾　一雄; Mitsuru Saito; 斎藤　充; Junji Hashida; 橋田　淳二
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-29
Filing date: 2002-07-29
Publication date: 2004-02-26

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy to assemble coordinate input system that permits inputs from all directions over 360°. <P>SOLUTION: The first sheet member 4 of the coordinate input system 1 has a first contact 4a having an annular shape and formed in a position opposite to a pressing protrusion 3d. The first contact 4a has first extension terminals 4c, 4c formed to extend from two intersecting points 4b, 4b on the outer peripheral edge of the first contact which a first centerline B passing through the center of the annular shape intersects. A second sheet member 5 has a second contact 5a having an annular shape and formed in a portion opposite to the first contact 4a. The second contact 5a consists of two semicircular patterns 5c, 5d insulated by separating the portion opposite to the first extension 4c at a slit 5b, and second extension terminals are formed to extend from two intersecting points on the outer peripheral edge of the second contact which a second centerline C passing through the center of the second contact 5a and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first centerline B of the first contact 4a intersects. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は座標入力デバイスに係わり、操作体の操作により、３６０°任意の方向にアナログ入力が可能な座標入力装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の座標入力装置を図７、図８に基づいて説明すると、従来の座標入力装置は、上方に配設した円形状の操作体４１の外周縁には、凸条で円環状の環状部４１ａが図示下方に突出形成されている。
また操作体４１の下面には、中央部から下方に突出する支持突起４１ｂと、この支持突起４１ｂと環状部４１ａとの間で９０°に４等分された位置から下方に突出する４個の押圧突起４１ｃとが形成されている。
また、環状部４１ａの下端部の９０°に４等分された位置からは、連結突起４１ｄがそれぞれ突出形成されている。
また、操作体４１の上面の操作面には、前記押圧突起４１ｃと対向する位置にそれぞれ指当て部４１ｅが突出形成されている。
【０００３】
また、操作体４１の下方には、操作体４１を支持可能な支持部材４２が配設されている。この支持部材４２は、操作体より若干大きめの板状部４２ａを有し、この板状部４２ａの中央部に支持突起４１ｂを支持可能な凹部４２ｂが凹み形成されている。
そして、凹部４２ｂを中心として４本の弾性腕４２ｃが十字状に延設され、各腕部４２ｃは、凹部４２ｂ側を固定端として片持ち梁状に支持され、板状部４２ａを打ち抜き形成したスリット溝４２ｄによって自由端部が形成され、この自由端部が上下方向に弾性変形可能になっている。
【０００４】
また、各腕部４２ｃの自由端部の先端寄りには連結突起４１ｄが挿通可能な穴４２ｅが形成されており、各腕部４２ｃは、板状部４２ａの上面から所定寸法上方に突出して形成されている。
また、各腕部４２ｃに挟まれた部分の板状部４２ａには、押圧突起４１ｃが挿通可能な４個の開口穴４２ｆが貫通形成されている。更に、板状部４２ａ下面中央部からは、４本のスナップ脚４２ｇが下方側に突出形成され、板状部４２ａの下面側周縁部からは３本のボス部４２ｈが下方側に突出形成されている。
また、支持部材４２の下方には、ＦＰＣ（フレキシブル基板）４３が配設され、このＦＰＣ４３は、固定板４４に載置されている。前記ＦＰＣ４３は、支持部材４２の４個の開口部４２ｆが位置する部分に、中央固定接点（図示せず）と、この中央固定接点と絶縁された外側にリング状の周縁固定接点（図示せず）とがそれぞれ形成されている。
また、各周縁固定接点上には、内部が空洞でドーム状のメタルコンタクト４５が固着されている。このメタルコンタクト４５は、ドーム状の頂部を押圧することにより、反転可能になっている。
【０００５】
このような従来の座標入力装置は、環状部４１ａから突出する連結突起４１ｄを、支持部材４２の各弾性腕４２ｃの自由端部に形成した穴４２ｅに挿通し、この穴４２ｅから突出する連結突起４１ｄの先端部を熱カシメして、操作体４１と支持部材４２とが一体化されている。
また、操作体４１を一体化した支持部材４２は、スナップ脚４２ｇを固定板４４の開口４４ａにスナップ止めすると共に、３本のボス部４２ｈを固定板４４に形成した穴（図示せず）に挿通し、この穴から突出するボス部２ｈの先端部を熱カシメして、固定板４４に一体化されて組立されている。
【０００６】
このように組立された従来の座標入力装置の操作は、操作体４１の指当て部４１ｅのいずれかを押圧すると、操作体４１は、支持突起４１ｂを支点として揺動して、押圧した指当て部４１ｅ下部の押圧突起４１ｃの下端部がメタルコンタクト４５を押圧する。
これによって、メタルコンタクト４５が弾性変形して反転し、ＦＰＣ４３側の中央固定接点と周縁固定接点とが導通して、スイッチ回路がＯＦＦからＯＮに切り換わる。
また、メタルコンタクト４５が反転することにより、操作者がクリック感を感じて、スイッチ回路が切り換わったことを認識できる。
【０００７】
また、操作体４１に加えていた操作力を解除すると、メタルコンタクト４５と弾性腕４２ｃの自己復元力によって、操作体４１は水平状の初期状態に復元すると共にスイッチ回路がＯＮからＯＦＦ状態に切り換わる。
このような従来の座標入力装置は、４方向に配置したスイッチ回路によって、４方向の座標入力ができ、例えばパソコン等のディスプレー上のカーソル等を４方向に移動させることができる。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、前述したような従来の座標入力装置は、座標入力方向がメタルコンタクト４５の数に対応した４方向、あるいは多くても８方向の入力が可能であるが、これ以上入力方向を増やそうとすると、メタルコンタクト４５を配置する部分の面積を大きくなり、従来の座標入力装置が大型になる問題があった。
また、ＦＰＣ４３へのメタルコンタクト４５の固着、あるいは、連結突起４１ｄ、及びボス部４２ｈの熱溶着等の組み立て作業が複雑で時間が掛かる問題があった。
本発明は、前述したような問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、３６０°全方向のの入力が可能で、組立性の良い座標入力装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するための第１の解決手段として本発明の座標入力装置は、操作面の押圧操作で揺動可能な操作部材と、前記操作面と反対側の裏面外周部に凸条に突出形成した押圧突部と、前記操作部材の前記裏面と対向する側に所定寸法のギャップを有して対向配置した第１、第２シート部材とを備え、前記第１シート部材は、前記押圧突部が対向する位置に円環状の第１接点を形成し、この第１接点は、前記円環状の中心を通る第１中心線が交わる外周縁部の２つの交点から、第１引き出し端子をそれぞれ延出形成し、
前記第２のシート部材は、前記第１接点が対向する部分に円環状の第２接点を形成し、この第２接点は、前記第１引き出し部が対向する部分をスリット溝で分離して絶縁した２個の半円状パターンを形成し、前記第２接点の中心を通ると共に前記第１中心線と直交する方向に延びる第２中心線が交わる外周縁部の２つの交点から、第２引き出し端子をそれぞれ延出形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１０】
また、前記課題を解決するための第２の解決手段として、前記第１接点は抵抗体からなり、前記第２接点は抵抗体または導電体からなることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
また、前記課題を解決するための第３の解決手段として、互いに対向する前記第１、第２のシート部材間で、前記第１、第２接点の外周部には、前記第１、第２シート部材を所定寸法のギャップで離間させるためのスペーサ部材を形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
また、前記課題を解決するための第４の解決手段として、前記操作部材は、前記押圧突部に囲まれた前記裏面の中心から前記押圧突部と同方向に突出する支持突起を形成し、この支持突起が対向する部分の前記第１、第２のシート部材間に、前記スペーサ部材と厚さが同じ中央スペーサを形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
また、前記課題を解決するための第５の解決手段として、前記スペーサ部材及び前記中央スペーサは、前記第１接点と同材質の抵抗体からなることを特徴とする。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に、本発明の座標入力装置の実施の形態について、図面に基づいて説明する。図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態に関する要部断面図であり、図２はその分解斜視図であり、図３は本発明に係わる第１、第２接点の位置関係を説明する概略図であり、図４は本発明の第２の実施の形態を説明する要部断面図であり、図５は本発明の第３の実施形態を説明する要部断面図であり、図６は本発明に係わるスペーサ部材の変形例を説明する概略図である。
【００１５】
まず、本発明の第１の実施の形態の座標入力装置１は、図１に示すように、例えばキーボード装置の複数のキースイッチ（図示せず）を支持したケース部材２に形成した支持穴２ａには、操作部材３が水平状態で支持されている。
この支持部材３は、成形材料からなり、上面に形成した操作面３ａと、円形状の外面下部から外方に突出形成した鍔部３ｂとで形状が円盤状に形成されている。
また、操作部材３は、操作面３ａと反対の裏面３ｂ側で外周部の鍔部３ｂ寄りには、円環状で凸条に突出する押圧突部３ｄが形成されている。また、押圧突部３ｄに囲まれた裏面３ｃの中心からは、押圧突部３ｄと同方向に突出して支持突起３ｅが形成されている。
この支持突起３ｅは、下方側に突出する突出量が、押圧突部３ｄより若干大きく形成されている
【００１６】
また、操作部材３の裏面３ｃと対向する図示下方側には、寸法Ａのギャップを有して上下に対向する、絶縁性のフィルム材からなる第１、第２シート部材４、５が配置されている。前記第１シート部材４は、上方の第２シート部材５と対向する下方側に位置しており、操作部材３の凸条の押圧突部３ｄが対向する位置に、円環状で所定の幅寸法からなる第１接点４ａが形成され、この第１接点４ａは、カーボン等の抵抗体からなり、印刷等により形成されている。
そして、第１接点４ａは、円環状の中心を通る第１中心線Ｂが外周縁部と交わる２つの交点４ｂ、４ｂから、第１引き出し端子４ｃ、４ｃがそれぞれ延出形成されている。
【００１７】
また、第１シート部材４と対向する上方側の第２シート部材５には、第１シート部材４の第１接点４ａが対向する位置に円環状の第２接点５ａが形成され、この第２接点５ａは、抵抗体、または銀等の導電体からなり、印刷等により形成されている。
また、第２接点５ａは、第１接点４ａの第１引き出し端子４ｃ、４ｃが対向する部分をスリット溝５ｂで分離して絶縁した２個の半円状パターン５ｃ、５ｄを形成している。
そして、第２接点５ａの中心を通ると共に第１中心線Ｂと直交する方向に延びる第２中心線Ｃが外周縁部と交わる２つの交点５ｅ、５ｅから、第２引き出し端子５ｆ、５ｆがそれぞれ延出形成されている。
【００１８】
また、互いに対向する第１、第２シート部材４、５間には、第１、第２シート部材４、５を所定寸法Ａのギャップで離間させるための絶縁フィルム等からなる」スペーサ部材６が配設されている。このスペーサ部材６は、第１、第２シート部材４、５が位置する部分が切り抜きされて接点逃げ穴６ａが形成されている。また、図１に示すように、操作部材３の支持突起３ｅが対向する部分の第１、第２シート部材４、５間には、スペーサ部材６と厚さが同じで、外径寸法が第１、第２接点４ａ、５ａの内径寸法より小さい中央スペーサ７が接着剤等で第１、または第２シート部材４、５、または両方に固着されている。
このような構成の本発明の座標入力装置１は、キーボード入力装置等のプリント基板（図示せず）上に載置されて取り付けされている。
【００１９】
前記第１、第２接点４ａ、５ａの位置関係は、図３に示すように、第１中心線Ｂの延長線上に形成した図示下方に延出する一方の第１引き出し端子４ｃがＧＮＤ端子となり、図示上方に延出する他方の第１引き出し端子４ｃがＶｃｃ端子となっている。
また、２点鎖線で示す第２接点５ａの、それぞれの第２引き出し端子５ｆ、５ｆによって、第２接点５ａが第１接点４ａに接触したときの抵抗値変化を出力して、接触部分の位置検出が可能になっている。
【００２０】
このような構成の本発明の第１の実施の形態の座標入力装置１の動作は、操作部材３の操作面３ａの外周部寄りの任意の位置を下方側に押圧操作すると、支持突起３ｅを支点として操作部材３が押圧した方向に揺動する。
前記操作部材３の押圧は、例えば図１に示す右側の操作面を押圧すると、この押圧された部分の第２シート部材５が下方に撓んで、図３に示す第２接点５ａの右側の半円状パターン５ｃの一部が第１接点４ａの右側の一部に接触する。
この時の第１接点４ａの抵抗値変化が、図示右側の半円状パターン５ｃに接続する第２引き出し端子５ｆから制御部（図示せず）に出力されて、第１、第２接点部４ａ、５ａが接触した部分の位置検出がされる。
この位置検出に基づいて、例えばパソコン等のディスプレー上のカーソル等を、制御部が移動するようになっている。
このような本発明の座標入力装置１は、従来のようなメタルコンタクト４５が不要になり、部品点数を削減できる。
また、操作部材３の操作面の任意の位置を押圧することにより、３６０°全方向の任意なアナログ入力を行うことができる。
【００２１】
また、本発明の第２の実施の形態の座標入力装置１１は、図４に示すように、操作部材１３の操作面１３ａ、鍔部１３ｂ、裏面１３ｃ、押圧突部１３ｄは、第１の実施の形態と同じ形状に形成されているが、押圧突部１３ｄに囲まれた裏面１３ｃ中央には支持突起３ｅのない平坦状に形成されている。
このような操作部材１３は、所定寸法Ａのギャップを有して第１シート部材４から離間している第２シート部材５によって、上方に付勢されている。そして、操作面１３ａの外周部寄りを押圧操作することにより、押圧された部分の第２シート部材５が下方に撓んで、第２接点５ａが部分的に第１接点４ａに接触するようになっている。
このような第２の実施の形態の座標入力装置１１は、第１の実施の形態で説明した中央スペーサ７が不要になり部品点数を更に削減できる。
【００２２】
また、本発明の第３の実施の形態の座標入力装置２１は、図５に示すように、操作部材２３が、円形状で板状に形成され、この操作部材２３は、第２シート部材５上に載置したゴムシート２４に接着されて取り付けられている。
前記ゴムシート２４は、第１、第２接点４ａ、５ａ上に位置する部分を上方に膨出させて空洞部２４ａを形成し、この空洞部２４ａの天井面２４ｂから下方側に突出させて、押圧突部２３ｄと支持突起２３ｅとが形成されている。
このような第３の実施の形態の座標入力装置２１は、押圧突部２３ｄがゴム部材で形成されているので、操作部材２３を押圧操作して、第２接点５ａが第１接点４ａに接触後も、押圧突部２３ｄが弾性変形して操作部材２３が更に下方に移動するオーバストロークとすることができ、操作部材２３の操作性が良い。
【００２３】
また、本発明の実施の形態において、スペーサ部材６及び中央スペーサ７は、第１、または第２シート部材４、５と別体のもので説明したが、第１接点４ａと同材質の抵抗体材料を印刷して、第１、または第２シート部材４、５に一体化したものでも良い。但し、抵抗体材料を印刷して形成したスペーサ部材６は、第１、第２引き出し端子４ｃ、５ｆが接する部分を削除して、互いに導通しないようにしている。
このような抵抗体材料からなるスペーサ部材６及び中央スペーサ７は、第１接点４ａを印刷形成するときに、同時にスペーサ部材６及び中央スペーサ７も印刷で形成することができ製造が容易である。
【００２４】
また、本発明の実施の形態では、下部側に第１シート部材４を、上部側に第２シート部材５を配置したもので説明したが、下部側に第２シート部材５を、上部側に第１シート部材４を配置したものでも良い。
また、スペーサ部材６及び中央スペーサ７は、図６に示すように、絶縁フィルムに替えて印刷形成した絶縁レジスト膜からなるものでも良い。このようなスペーサ部材６を絶縁レジスト膜で形成したものは、抵抗体材料を印刷して形成したスペーサ部材６のように、第１、第２引き出し端子４ｃ、５ｆが接する部分を削除しなくても良く、更に製造が容易である。
【００２５】
【発明の効果】
本発明の座標入力装置の第１接点は、第１中心線が交わる外周縁部の２つの交点から、それぞれ第１引き出し端子を延出形成し、第２のシート部材に形成した第２接点は、第１引き出し部が対向する部分をスリット溝で分離して絶縁した２個の半円状パターンからなり、第２中心線が交わる外周縁部の２つの交点から、それぞれ第２引き出し端子を延出形成したので、操作部材を押圧操作して、第１、第２接点が接触したときの抵抗値変化を第２引き出し端子から出力して、高精度な座標入力が可能な座標入力装置を提供できる。
また、従来のようなメタルコンタクトが不要になり、部品点数を削減できてコストダウンが可能である。
【００２６】
また、互いに対向する第１、第２のシート部材間で記第１、第２接点の外周部には、第１、第２接点を所定寸法のギャップで離間させるためのスペーサ部材を形成したので、操作部材を押圧しないときの第１、第２接点部を確実に離間させることができる。
またそれぞれのシート部材の復元力で、押圧操作しないときの操作部材を常に水平状態に保持することができる。
【００２７】
また、操作部材は、押圧突部に囲まれた裏面の中心から押圧突部と同方向に突出する支持突起を形成し、この支持突起が対向する部分の第１、第２のシート部材間に、スペーサ部材と厚さが同じ中央スペーサを形成したので、支持突起を支点として操作部材を確実に揺動させることができ、操作性の良い座標入力装置を提供できる。
【００２８】
また、スペーサ部材及び中央スペーサは、第１接点と同材質の抵抗体からなるので、第１接点を印刷形成するときに、同時にスペーサ部材及び中央スペーサを形成することができ、組立性を向上することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態に関する要部断面図である。
【図２】図１の分解斜視図である。
【図３】本発明に係わる第１、第２接点の位置関係を説明する概略図である。
【図４】本発明の第２の実施の形態を説明する要部断面図である。
【図５】本発明の第３の実施形態を説明する要部断面図である。
【図６】本発明に係わるスペーサ部材の変形例を説明する概略図である。
【図７】従来の座標入力装置の要部断面図である。
【図８】図６の分解斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１　第１の実施の形態の座標入力装置
２　ケース部材
３　操作部材
３ａ　操作面
３ｂ　鍔部
３ｃ　裏面
３ｄ　押圧突部
３ｅ　支持突起
４　第１シート部材
４ａ　第１接点
５　第２シート部材
５ａ　第２接点
６　スペーサ部材
７　中央スペーサ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, and more particularly to a coordinate input device capable of performing an analog input in any direction of 360 ° by operating an operation tool.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional coordinate input device will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The conventional coordinate input device is configured such that the outer peripheral edge of a circular operating body 41 disposed above is provided with a protruding annular portion 41 a. Are formed to protrude downward in the figure.
On the lower surface of the operating body 41, there are four supporting projections 41b projecting downward from the central part, and four projecting projections projecting downward from positions equally divided by 90 ° between the supporting projections 41b and the annular portion 41a. A pressing projection 41c is formed.
In addition, connecting projections 41d are formed to project from the lower end of the annular portion 41a, which is divided into four equal parts at 90 °.
Further, on the operation surface on the upper surface of the operation body 41, a finger contact portion 41e is formed so as to protrude at a position facing the pressing protrusion 41c.
[0003]
A support member 42 that can support the operation body 41 is provided below the operation body 41. The support member 42 has a plate-like portion 42a slightly larger than the operating body, and a concave portion 42b capable of supporting the support protrusion 41b is formed in the center of the plate-like portion 42a.
Then, four elastic arms 42c are extended in a cross shape around the concave portion 42b, and each arm portion 42c is supported in a cantilever shape with the concave portion 42b side as a fixed end, and a plate-shaped portion 42a is formed by punching. A free end is formed by the slit groove 42d, and this free end is elastically deformable in the vertical direction.
[0004]
A hole 42e through which the connection protrusion 41d can be inserted is formed near the tip of the free end of each arm 42c, and each arm 42c is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the plate-like portion 42a by a predetermined dimension. Have been.
Further, four opening holes 42f through which the pressing protrusions 41c can be inserted are formed through the plate-like portion 42a of the portion sandwiched between the arms 42c. Further, four snap legs 42g are formed to protrude downward from the central portion of the lower surface of the plate portion 42a, and three boss portions 42h are formed to protrude downward from the peripheral portion of the lower surface of the plate portion 42a. ing.
An FPC (flexible substrate) 43 is provided below the support member 42, and the FPC 43 is mounted on a fixed plate 44. The FPC 43 includes a central fixed contact (not shown) at a position where the four openings 42f of the support member 42 are located, and a ring-shaped peripheral fixed contact (not shown) which is insulated from the central fixed contact. ) Are formed respectively.
A dome-shaped metal contact 45 having a hollow inside is fixed on each peripheral fixed contact. The metal contact 45 is reversible by pressing a dome-shaped top.
[0005]
In such a conventional coordinate input device, the connecting protrusion 41d protruding from the annular portion 41a is inserted into a hole 42e formed at the free end of each elastic arm 42c of the support member 42, and the connecting protrusion 41d protruding from the hole 42e. The operating body 41 and the support member 42 are integrated by caulking the tip of 41d.
In addition, the support member 42 in which the operation body 41 is integrated, snaps the snap legs 42g into the openings 44a of the fixing plate 44, and forms three bosses 42h in holes (not shown) formed in the fixing plate 44. The end of the boss portion 2h protruding from the hole is inserted by heat caulking and integrated with the fixing plate 44 to be assembled.
[0006]
The operation of the conventional coordinate input device assembled in this manner is such that when any one of the finger pads 41e of the operation tool 41 is pressed, the operation tool 41 swings around the support protrusion 41b as a fulcrum, and the pressed finger support 41b. The lower end of the pressing projection 41c below the portion 41e presses the metal contact 45.
As a result, the metal contact 45 is elastically deformed and inverted, and the center fixed contact on the FPC 43 side and the peripheral fixed contact are conducted, and the switch circuit is switched from OFF to ON.
Further, since the metal contact 45 is inverted, the operator feels a click feeling and can recognize that the switch circuit has been switched.
[0007]
When the operating force applied to the operating body 41 is released, the operating body 41 is restored to a horizontal initial state by the self-restoring force of the metal contact 45 and the elastic arm 42c, and the switch circuit is switched from ON to OFF. Be replaced.
Such a conventional coordinate input device can input coordinates in four directions by switch circuits arranged in four directions, and can move a cursor or the like on a display such as a personal computer in four directions.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional coordinate input device as described above, the coordinate input direction can be input in four directions corresponding to the number of metal contacts 45, or at most eight directions. In addition, there is a problem that the area of the portion where the metal contact 45 is disposed becomes large, and the conventional coordinate input device becomes large.
In addition, there is a problem that assembling work such as fixing the metal contact 45 to the FPC 43 or heat welding the connecting protrusion 41d and the boss portion 42h is complicated and time-consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a coordinate input device capable of inputting data in all directions of 360 ° and having good assemblability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a coordinate input device according to the present invention comprises an operation member which can be swung by a pressing operation on an operation surface, and a projection protruding from an outer peripheral portion of a back surface opposite to the operation surface. The pressing member includes a pressing protrusion formed, and first and second sheet members disposed to face each other with a gap of a predetermined size on a side of the operation member facing the back surface, wherein the first sheet member includes the pressing protrusion. Forming a first annular contact at a position where the portions oppose each other, and the first contact connects a first lead-out terminal from two intersections of an outer peripheral portion where a first center line passing through the center of the annular shape intersects; Extended formation
The second sheet member forms an annular second contact at a portion facing the first contact, and the second contact is separated from a portion facing the first lead portion by a slit groove and insulated. From the two intersections of the outer peripheral edge where the second center line passing through the center of the second contact point and extending in the direction orthogonal to the first center line intersects. It is characterized in that the terminals are formed to extend respectively.
[0010]
As a second solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, the first contact is made of a resistor, and the second contact is made of a resistor or a conductor.
[0011]
As a third solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, the first and second contact members are provided between the first and second sheet members facing each other at the outer peripheral portions of the first and second contact points. A spacer member for separating the sheet member by a gap having a predetermined dimension is formed.
[0012]
Further, as a fourth solution for solving the problem, the operating member forms a support protrusion that projects in the same direction as the pressing protrusion from the center of the back surface surrounded by the pressing protrusion, A central spacer having the same thickness as the spacer member is formed between the first and second sheet members at a portion where the support protrusion faces.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the spacer member and the central spacer are made of a resistor made of the same material as the first contact.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a coordinate input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a positional relationship between first and second contacts according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is the schematic explaining the modification of the spacer member concerning this invention.
[0015]
First, as shown in FIG. 1, a coordinate input device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention has a support hole 2a formed in a case member 2 supporting, for example, a plurality of key switches (not shown) of a keyboard device. , The operating member 3 is supported in a horizontal state.
The support member 3 is made of a molding material, and is formed in a disk shape by an operation surface 3a formed on an upper surface and a flange portion 3b formed to protrude outward from a lower portion of a circular outer surface.
The operating member 3 has an annular pressing protrusion 3d protruding in a convex shape on the back surface 3b side opposite to the operation surface 3a and near the flange 3b on the outer peripheral portion. Further, from the center of the back surface 3c surrounded by the pressing protrusion 3d, a supporting protrusion 3e is formed to protrude in the same direction as the pressing protrusion 3d.
The projecting amount of the support projection 3e projecting downward is slightly larger than the pressing projection 3d.
Further, first and second sheet members 4 and 5 made of an insulating film material, which are vertically opposed to each other with a gap of dimension A, are arranged on the lower side in the figure facing the back surface 3c of the operation member 3. ing. The first sheet member 4 is located on the lower side facing the upper second sheet member 5 and has a predetermined annular width at a position facing the pressing ridge 3d of the ridge of the operating member 3. Is formed. The first contact 4a is formed of a resistor such as carbon, and is formed by printing or the like.
In the first contact 4a, first extraction terminals 4c, 4c are formed to extend from two intersections 4b, 4b where a first center line B passing through the center of the annular shape intersects the outer peripheral edge.
[0017]
The upper second sheet member 5 facing the first sheet member 4 is formed with an annular second contact 5a at a position where the first contact 4a of the first sheet member 4 faces the second contact member 5a. The contact 5a is made of a resistor or a conductor such as silver, and is formed by printing or the like.
The second contact 5a forms two semicircular patterns 5c and 5d insulated by separating a portion of the first contact 4a facing the first lead-out terminals 4c and 4c by a slit groove 5b.
Then, from the two intersections 5e, 5e where the second center line C passing through the center of the second contact point 5a and extending in the direction orthogonal to the first center line B intersects with the outer peripheral edge, the second extraction terminals 5f, 5f are respectively connected. An extension is formed.
[0018]
In addition, between the first and second sheet members 4 and 5 opposed to each other, an insulating film or the like for separating the first and second sheet members 4 and 5 with a gap having a predetermined dimension A is provided. It is arranged. The spacer member 6 has a contact relief hole 6a formed by cutting out a portion where the first and second sheet members 4 and 5 are located. As shown in FIG. 1, the thickness of the spacer member 6 is the same between the first and second sheet members 4 and 5 in the portion where the support protrusion 3 e of the operation member 3 faces, and the outer diameter dimension is the same. A central spacer 7 smaller than the inner diameter of the first and second contacts 4a, 5a is fixed to the first or second sheet member 4, 5, or both with an adhesive or the like.
The coordinate input device 1 of the present invention having such a configuration is mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) such as a keyboard input device.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second contact points 4a and 5a are arranged such that one of the first extraction terminals 4c formed on an extension of the first center line B and extending downward in the drawing is a GND terminal. The other first lead-out terminal 4c extending upward in the figure is a Vcc terminal.
In addition, the resistance value change when the second contact 5a comes into contact with the first contact 4a is output by the respective second lead-out terminals 5f and 5f of the second contact 5a indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the position of the contact portion is output. Detection is possible.
[0020]
The operation of the coordinate input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration is such that when an arbitrary position near the outer peripheral portion of the operation surface 3a of the operation member 3 is pressed downward, the support projection 3e is moved. As the fulcrum, the operation member 3 swings in the pressed direction.
When the operation member 3 is pressed, for example, when the right operation surface shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, the second sheet member 5 of the pressed portion is bent downward, and the right half of the second contact point 5a shown in FIG. A part of the circular pattern 5c contacts a part on the right side of the first contact 4a.
The change in the resistance value of the first contact 4a at this time is output to the control unit (not shown) from the second lead-out terminal 5f connected to the semicircular pattern 5c on the right side in the figure, and the first and second contact parts 4a. 5a are detected.
Based on this position detection, the control unit moves, for example, a cursor on a display of a personal computer or the like.
Such a coordinate input device 1 of the present invention does not require the metal contact 45 as in the related art, and can reduce the number of components.
In addition, by pressing an arbitrary position on the operation surface of the operation member 3, an arbitrary analog input in all directions of 360 ° can be performed.
[0021]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the coordinate input device 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an operation surface 13a, a flange 13b, a back surface 13c, and a pressing protrusion 13d of the operation member 13 according to the first embodiment. Is formed in the same shape as that of the first embodiment, but is formed in a flat shape without the support protrusion 3e at the center of the back surface 13c surrounded by the pressing protrusion 13d.
The operating member 13 is urged upward by the second sheet member 5 having a gap of a predetermined dimension A and being separated from the first sheet member 4. Then, by pressing the outer surface of the operation surface 13a near the outer periphery, the second sheet member 5 of the pressed portion is bent downward, and the second contact 5a partially comes into contact with the first contact 4a. ing.
In the coordinate input device 11 according to the second embodiment, the central spacer 7 described in the first embodiment is not required, and the number of components can be further reduced.
[0022]
In the coordinate input device 21 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, an operation member 23 is formed in a circular plate shape. It is adhered and attached to the rubber sheet 24 placed thereon.
The rubber sheet 24 bulges the portions located on the first and second contacts 4a, 5a upward to form a cavity 24a, and protrudes downward from a ceiling surface 24b of the cavity 24a. A pressing projection 23d and a supporting projection 23e are formed.
In the coordinate input device 21 according to the third embodiment, since the pressing projection 23d is formed of a rubber member, the operating member 23 is pressed to make the second contact 5a contact the first contact 4a. After that, an overstroke in which the pressing protrusion 23d is elastically deformed and the operating member 23 moves further downward can be provided, and the operability of the operating member 23 is good.
[0023]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the spacer member 6 and the central spacer 7 are described as being separate from the first or second sheet members 4, 5, but the resistor made of the same material as the first contact 4a is used. The material may be printed and integrated with the first or second sheet member 4,5. However, in the spacer member 6 formed by printing the resistor material, portions where the first and second lead-out terminals 4c and 5f are in contact with each other are removed so as not to conduct each other.
The spacer member 6 and the center spacer 7 made of such a resistor material can be formed easily by printing the spacer member 6 and the center spacer 7 at the same time when the first contact 4a is formed by printing.
[0024]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first sheet member 4 is disposed on the lower side and the second sheet member 5 is disposed on the upper side. However, the second sheet member 5 is disposed on the lower side, and the upper side is disposed. The first sheet member 4 may be provided.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the spacer member 6 and the central spacer 7 may be made of an insulating resist film formed by printing instead of the insulating film. In the case where such a spacer member 6 is formed of an insulating resist film, unlike the spacer member 6 formed by printing a resistor material, the portions where the first and second lead-out terminals 4c and 5f are in contact are not deleted. And it is easy to manufacture.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
The first contact point of the coordinate input device according to the present invention is such that first drawer terminals extend from two intersections of the outer peripheral edge where the first center line intersects, and the second contact point formed on the second sheet member is The two lead-out terminals extend from two intersections of the outer peripheral edge where the part facing the first lead-out part is separated and insulated by slit grooves and insulated, and the second center line intersects. A coordinate input device capable of performing high-precision coordinate input by pressing the operation member to output a change in resistance value when the first and second contacts come into contact from the second lead-out terminal. it can.
In addition, the need for the conventional metal contact is eliminated, the number of components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.
[0026]
Further, since a spacer member for separating the first and second contacts by a gap of a predetermined size is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the first and second contacts between the first and second sheet members facing each other. The first and second contact portions when the operation member is not pressed can be reliably separated.
Further, the operating members when no pressing operation is performed can always be kept horizontal by the restoring force of each sheet member.
[0027]
Further, the operation member forms a support protrusion projecting in the same direction as the pressing protrusion from the center of the back surface surrounded by the pressing protrusion, and between the first and second sheet members in a portion where the supporting protrusion faces. Since the central spacer having the same thickness as the spacer member is formed, the operating member can be reliably swung with the support projection as a fulcrum, and a coordinate input device with good operability can be provided.
[0028]
Further, since the spacer member and the central spacer are made of a resistor made of the same material as that of the first contact, the spacer member and the central spacer can be formed at the same time when the first contact is formed by printing, thereby improving the assemblability. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between first and second contacts according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part explaining a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of the spacer member according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional coordinate input device.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coordinate input device 2 of 1st Embodiment Case member 3 Operation member 3a Operation surface 3b Flange part 3c Back surface 3d Pressing protrusion 3e Support protrusion 4 First sheet member 4a First contact 5 Second sheet member 5a Second contact 6 Spacer member 7 Central spacer

Claims

An operation member that can swing by a pressing operation on the operation surface, a pressing protrusion formed to project from an outer peripheral portion of the back surface on the opposite side to the operation surface, and a predetermined size on a side of the operation member facing the back surface. A first and a second sheet member disposed to face each other with a gap, wherein the first sheet member forms an annular first contact at a position where the pressing projection faces each other, and the first contact is Forming first extension terminals from two intersections of an outer peripheral portion where a first center line passing through the center of the annular shape intersects,
The second sheet member forms an annular second contact at a portion facing the first contact, and the second contact is separated from a portion facing the first lead portion by a slit groove and insulated. From the two intersections of the outer peripheral edge where the second center line passing through the center of the second contact point and extending in the direction orthogonal to the first center line intersects. A coordinate input device, wherein terminals are formed to extend.

The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact is made of a resistor, and the second contact is made of a resistor or a conductor.

Between the first and second sheet members facing each other, a spacer member for separating the first and second sheet members with a gap of a predetermined size is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the first and second contact points. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate input device is provided.

The operating member forms a support protrusion projecting in the same direction as the pressing protrusion from the center of the back surface surrounded by the pressing protrusion, and the first and second sheets at portions where the support protrusion faces. The coordinate input device according to claim 3, wherein a central spacer having the same thickness as the spacer member is formed between the members.

The multi-directional input device according to claim 4, wherein the spacer member and the central spacer are made of a resistor made of the same material as the first contact.