JP2004079298A - Operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating device capable of easily setting the level of an input means for every keyboard member of various types, causing no malfunction by a key operation around the operation part of the input means. <P>SOLUTION: The operating device has a supporting plate 40 on which a neck 41 is protrudedly formed avoiding the regions R1, R2, R3, etc., to constitute a supporting positions of a support 61 and a resilient member 51. The input means 20 is fixed to the neck 41 through a fixing plate 30. The neck 41 of the supporting plate 40 hardly deforms to preclude the risk of malfunction. The level of the operation part 21 is easily changeable by making the neck 41 in a protruded or recessed surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operating device having a bar-shaped operating portion provided on an operating surface of a keyboard member capable of inputting characters, and more particularly to an operating device in which a detection element of the operating portion does not malfunction due to a key operation of the keyboard member. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Some operation devices such as notebook computers are provided with a keyboard member formed by arranging a plurality of keys and an input means having a stick-shaped operation unit on an operation surface thereof. The operation unit of the input unit is installed so as to protrude at the center of the operation surface of the keyboard member, and is displayed on a screen by performing an operation of pressing the operation unit with a finger in a desired direction. The cursor is moved in the direction.
[0003]
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a mounting structure of an input means provided in a conventional operation device. The operation unit 101 of the input unit is formed in a convex shape, and is fixed to the support plate 103 via the mounting plate 102.
[0004]
The mounting plate 102 is formed of a metal plate, and a plurality of claw portions 102a and 102b are formed in a part thereof. Input means having the operation unit 101 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 102, and the tips of the claw portions 102a and 102b are bent so that the protruding portion of the operation unit 101 is supported and fixed. Through holes 103c and 103d are formed in the mounting plate 102, caulking portions 103a and 103b are formed in the support plate 103, and the caulking portions 103a and 103b are inserted into the through holes 103c and 103d. I have. Then, the diameter of the distal ends of the caulking portions 103a and 103b is widened, and the mounting plate 102 is caulked to the support plate 103.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional operating device, the height of the keytop of the keyboard member and the amount of pressing (stroke) of the keytop differ for each type of computer. For this reason, it is necessary to set the positional relationship between the upper end surface of the keytop and the upper end of the operation unit 101 to an optimal height for each type of keyboard member. If the height of the operation unit 101 from the keytop is too high, the operation unit 101 may come into contact with the liquid crystal panel when the screen of the personal computer is closed, thereby damaging the panel, and the height is too low. And operability is impaired. As a result, the height of the operation unit 101 and the thickness of the mounting plate 102 and the support 103 must be designed in accordance with the height and stroke of the key top of each keyboard member, resulting in high costs.
[0006]
Further, a distortion sensor is provided for detecting the operation of the operation unit 101. In addition, as the thickness of the notebook computer is reduced, the support plate 103 used also tends to be reduced in thickness. However, the strain sensor is formed of a very sensitive element, and the support plate 103 is easily deformed elastically by thinning. For this reason, when a key of a keyboard member provided around the operation unit 101 is pressed, the external stress generated at that time is transmitted to the support plate 103 and the mounting plate 102, and the distortion sensor erroneously detects. Therefore, there is a problem that the cursor on the screen moves without permission even when the operation unit 101 is not operated.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide an operating device that can be manufactured at a low cost and that does not cause malfunction of input means due to a key operation of a keyboard member. I do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to an operation device provided with a keyboard member having an operation surface on which a plurality of keys are arranged on a metal support plate, and input means having a rod-shaped operation unit in the operation surface.
A diaphragm is provided on the support plate at a position deviating from a position for supporting the keys of the keyboard member, and the input means is provided on the diaphragm.
[0009]
In the present invention, when the aperture is provided, the strength increases more than the portion without the aperture, and it is difficult to bend and deform, and the external stress generated by the key operation of the key of the keyboard member is less likely to be transmitted to the input means. Erroneous detection of the distortion sensor can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cursor on the display screen from moving without permission at the time of the key operation of the keyboard member.
[0010]
For example, the input unit is provided with a strain sensor that detects at least a pressing direction of the operation unit. If the strain sensor can detect not only the pressing direction but also the pressing direction and the pressing amount (pressing force), for example, when the pressing amount (pressing force) is detected, the moving amount of the cursor on the screen is reduced. Can be changed.
[0011]
Further, the diaphragm may have a convex surface, and the input unit may be fixed on the convex surface. Further, the throttle section may have a concave surface, and the input unit may be fixed on the concave surface.
[0012]
As described above, when the aperture portion is formed as a convex surface or a concave surface, the projection height of the operation unit of the input unit can be adjusted, so that it is not necessary to design various types of input units according to various keyboard members, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Can be suppressed.
[0013]
Further, the input means may be supported by a fixed plate, and the fixed plate may be fixed to the throttle unit. The fixing plate may be formed of a metal plate or a synthetic resin.
[0014]
Further, the input means may be directly fixed to the throttle section. For example, it is possible to provide an upright piece at the narrowed portion and fix it, or fix it with a screw. If the input means is directly fixed in this way, the number of components can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a partially omitted plan view showing a notebook personal computer on which the operating device of the present invention is mounted, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the operating device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG.
[0016]
The operating device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a keyboard member 10 and input means 20, and the input means 20 is provided in an operation surface 10 a of the keyboard member 10. The keyboard member 10 is configured by an arrangement of a plurality of keys 11, 11, 11,.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the input means 20 has a rod-shaped (stick-shaped) operation unit 21. The operation unit 21 is located on the boundary between the “B” key, “G” key, and “H” key slightly to the left of the center of the operation surface 10a.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the input means 20 is provided with a base 22 made of synthetic resin. The base 22 has a quadrangular prism-shaped protrusion 22a, and a circular flange 22b is integrally formed at the lower end thereof. A cap 23 made of rubber or silicone resin is attached to the projection 22a. That is, the cap 23 has a square pillar-shaped hole 23a formed on the lower surface thereof, and the hole 23a is fitted to the protrusion 22a. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 21 is constituted by the base 22 and the cap 23.
[0019]
A strain sensor including detection elements 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d formed of a resistor or the like is provided on the back surface of the flange 22b. Each of the detection elements 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d can detect expansion and contraction of the element, and is fixed to the X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 sides with an adhesive or the like. Each of the detection elements 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d is connected to a conductive pattern formed on a strip-shaped flexible substrate 26, and the flexible substrate 26 extends to the side of the input means 20.
[0020]
In the input unit 20, for example, when the operation unit 21 is pressed toward the X1 side, the detection element 25a is expanded and the detection element 25b is contracted. At this time, it is recognized that the operation unit 21 is pressed to the X1 side by the change in the resistance value of the detection elements 25a and 25b. As a result, the cursor displayed on the screen 2a of the display unit 2 is moved in the X1 direction. Also, when the operation unit 21 is pressed in another direction, the cursor can be moved in the same direction as the pressing direction.
[0021]
The input means 20 is fixed on a fixing plate 30 formed of a metal plate. The fixed plate 30 has a circular plate portion 30d below the base 22, and the plate portion 30d is integrally formed with plate portions 30a, 30b, and 30c extending to the X1, X2, and Y2 sides. Have been. Further, the ends of the plate portions 30a and 30b are bent at right angles to the Y1 side, and small-diameter through holes 31a, 31b and 31c are formed at the end of each of the plate portions 30a, 30b and 30c.
[0022]
Upright pieces 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are formed integrally with the peripheral portion of the plate portion 30d. The upright pieces 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are formed at positions shifted by 45 degrees with respect to the X axis or the Y axis. When the input means 20 is placed on the plate 30d, the flanges of the input means 20 are formed. The inner surfaces of the upright pieces 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are located at the outer peripheral edge of 22b. Then, the tips of the standing pieces 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are bent toward the flange 22b, and the input means 20 is fixed on the fixing plate 30.
[0023]
In this embodiment, positioning recesses 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange 22b, and the standing pieces 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are located in the recesses 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d. It is bent. Therefore, when the input means 20 is fixed to the fixed plate 30, the input means 20 can be prevented from rotating along the surface of the fixed plate 30.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed plate 30 to which the input means 20 is fixed is mounted on a support plate 40. The support plate 40 is formed of a thin metal plate such as aluminum, and has a throttle 41 at a predetermined position. The narrowed portion 41 has a shape substantially matching the planar shape of the fixed plate 30 and extends from the position where the keys 11, 11, 11 of the keyboard member 10 are supported, that is, from the regions R1, R2, R3 indicated by the dashed line in FIG. It is formed at the off position. In the present embodiment, the aperture portion 41 is a convex surface formed by being extruded from the back surface, and the fixing plate 30 is placed on the convex surface side.
[0025]
The narrowed portion 41 has cylindrical caulked portions 42a, 42b, 42c formed at the ends of the portions overlapping with the plate portions 30a, 30b, 30c so as to protrude toward the convex surface side. When the through holes 31a, 31b, 31c of the fixed plate 30 are inserted into the caulking portions 42a, 42b, 42c, the fixed plate 30 is positioned on the narrowed portion 41. At this time, the inner diameter of the swaged portions 42a, 42b, 42c protruding from the through holes 31a, 31b, 31c is widened, and the fixed plate 30 is fixed to the throttle portion 41.
[0026]
A film-like sheet member 50 is laminated on the support plate 40 provided with the input means 20 from the installation side of the input means 20. The sheet member 50 is formed of a film made of a synthetic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). On the upper surface of the sheet member 50, elastic members 51, 51, 51,. Are provided on the keyboard member 10 at positions facing the respective keys 11, 11, 11,.... The lower portion of the elastic member 51 is a deformable portion 51a which has a space formed therein and can be elastically deformed. In FIG. 2, only the elastic members 51, 51, 51 facing the "B" key, "G" key and "H" key of the keyboard member 10 are shown.
[0027]
The sheet member 50 has a cutout portion 52 through which the fixing plate 30 to which the input means 20 is fixed can protrude. The shape of the notch 52 is substantially the same as the planar shape of the diaphragm 41. However, the shape of the notch 52 is not limited to this shape as long as it can pass through the fixed plate 30 to which the input means 20 is fixed.
[0028]
On the sheet member 50, wiring patterns 53a and 53b are formed at positions facing the elastic member 51 with a predetermined space therebetween. A contact 54 formed of a conductive member is fixed to a ceiling surface in a space formed in the elastic member 51. When the elastic member 51 is pressed from above, the deformed portion 51a of the elastic member 51 is elastically deformed, and the contacts 54 come into contact with the wiring patterns 53a and 53b to turn on the output. When the output is switched on, it is detected that a key located on the elastic member 51 has been pressed. When the pressing force on the elastic member 51 is released, the key 11 returns to the original state by the elastic restoring force of the deforming portion 51a, and the output is turned off.
[0029]
A metal support base 60 is further laminated on the upper surface of the sheet member 50. The support base 60 is provided with pantograph-shaped supports 61, 61, 61... At positions opposed to the elastic members 51. Each support 61 has a rectangular pressing plate 62 at the upper end thereof, and the pressing plate 62 is supported above the support base 60 by the legs 61a and 61b. One leg 61a is rotatably supported by a support piece 63 formed on the support base 60, and the other leg 61b is rotatably supported by a support piece 64. Further, the elastic member 51 is located on the inner side surrounded by the holding plate 61 and the legs 61a and 61b. Therefore, when the key 11 is pressed downward, the legs 61a and 61b are folded and the pressing plate 62 is lowered horizontally, and the elastic member 51 is pressed by the pressing plate 62, and the switch output is turned on.
[0030]
A cutout 65 having substantially the same shape as the cutout 52 is formed in the support base 60 at the boundary between the supports 61, 61, 61 in the Z direction. However, the notch 65 is not limited to this shape.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, when the sheet member 50 and the support base 60 are further stacked on the support plate 40, the input means 20 protrudes from the support base 60. At this time, the respective elastic members 51 provided on the sheet member 50 and the respective supports 61 provided on the support base 60 are located in regions R1, R2, R3,. Therefore, the aperture portion 41 is located in a region avoiding the regions R1, R2, and R3.
[0032]
When the input means 20 is installed on the diaphragm 41, even if a highly sensitive strain sensor is mounted, the input means 20 can be hardly affected by the key operation of the keyboard member 10 located near the operation unit 21. In other words, since the area of the diaphragm portion 41 is higher in rigidity than the other portions and is less likely to be elastically deformed, external stress generated by key operation of the keyboard member 10 is not transmitted to the input means 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the distortion sensor from erroneously detecting during key operation. Thereby, for example, it is possible to eliminate a problem that the cursor on the screen moves without permission at the time of key operation.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the input means 20 is provided on the convex side of the diaphragm 41. However, the diaphragm is formed in a concave shape, that is, a shape protruding in a direction opposite to the installation side of the input means 20, and the input is performed on the concave surface. Means 20 may be provided. As described above, when the diaphragm is formed to have a convex surface or a concave surface, the height position of the operation unit 21 of the input unit 20 can be easily adjusted. Further, by setting the protrusion dimensions of the convex surface and the concave surface of the diaphragm unit 41 finer, the height position of the operation unit 21 can be set more finely. Therefore, even if the keyboard members have different key height dimensions and key strokes, it is not necessary to design the input means 20 mounted on each keyboard member 10 for each type. Therefore, the height position of the operation unit 21 only needs to change the concave and convex dimensions of the aperture unit 41 and can be handled by the common input unit 20, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0034]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a state where the input means is attached to the support plate and then cut along line 6-6 in FIG. It is sectional drawing.
[0035]
The operating device 70 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the input means 20 is directly provided on the throttle unit 71 formed on the support plate 40. The aperture portion 71 is formed in a convex shape, and the input means 20 is provided on the convex surface side. Further, the narrowing portion 71 is formed with rectangular standing pieces 71a, 71b, 71c. When the input means 20 is fixed by providing the three standing pieces 71a, 71b, 71c as described above, the input means 20 can be fixed more stably without using other members. However, the upright pieces are not limited to three pieces, but may be two pieces or four or more pieces.
[0036]
In the operating device 70, the upright pieces 71a, 71b, 71c are formed by cutting out extending portions 72a, 72b, 72c extending in three directions. When the input means 20 is placed inside the upright pieces 71a, 71b, 71c, the upright pieces 71a, 71b, 71c position the flange 22b so as not to move in the direction along the surface of the narrowed portion 71. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the tips of the upstanding pieces 71a, 71b, 71c are bent inward to fix the flange 22b, and the input means 20 is fixed on the throttle 71.
[0037]
In this embodiment, as in the case of the operation device 1, since the input means 20 is provided on the aperture unit, even if a key operation is performed on the keyboard member 10, the input means 20 is operated by the operation force at that time. Does not malfunction. Also in this embodiment, since the diaphragm portion 71 can be set to a convex surface or a concave surface, the height position of the operation portion 21 can be easily adjusted. In addition, since the input means 20 can be directly mounted on the throttle unit 71, the number of parts can be reduced and cost can be reduced.
[0038]
In the operating device 70, the positioning recess shown in FIG. 3 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flange 22b to position the upright pieces 71a, 71b, 71c.
[0039]
An operating device 80 shown in FIG. 7 is a modified example of the operating device 70, in which the input means 20 is provided directly on the aperture unit 81 as described above. In this embodiment, a circular diaphragm portion 81 is formed in a convex shape, and the input means 20 is provided on the convex surface. On the input means 20 side, slit-shaped insertion holes 22b1 and 22b1 are formed in the peripheral edge portion of the flange 22b so as to penetrate in the vertical direction, and in the narrowed portion 81, a part thereof is cut out to form standing pieces 81a and 81a. Have been. The upright pieces 81a, 81a are inserted into the insertion holes 22b1, 22b1, and the tips thereof are bent inward, so that the input means 20 is fixed to the throttle unit 81.
[0040]
When the standing piece is cut and raised from the inside to the outside as shown in FIG. 7, the projected area of the narrowed portion 81 can be reduced. When the upright pieces 81a, 81a are inserted into the insertion holes 22b1, 22b1, the positioning of the base 22 with respect to the narrowed portion 81 is facilitated, and the input means 20 can be prevented from rotating on the XY plane. .
[0041]
Further, an operation device 90 shown in FIG. 8 is a modified example of the operation device 80. The operating device 90 of this embodiment also has the input means 20 provided directly on the throttle unit 91 in the same manner as described above, but in this operating device 90, the input means 20 is fixed to the throttle unit 91 by screwing. . That is, screw holes 91a, 91a are formed in the circular narrowed portion 91, and screws 92, 92 are inserted into the screw holes 91a, 91a from the back side of the narrowed portion 91, and the lower surface of the base 22 of the input means 20 is formed. It is screwed on. Also in this case, the input unit 20 is securely fixed to the throttle unit 91, and the input unit 20 can be prevented from rotating on the throttle unit 91.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention described above is an operation device provided with another input means having a keyboard member and a rod-shaped operation unit, and does not malfunction even if a key operation of the keyboard member is performed. . In addition, since input means having the same configuration can be mounted on various keyboard members, parts can be used in common and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0043]
In addition, by directly mounting the input means on the support plate, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and to reduce the manufacturing cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially omitted plan view showing a notebook computer equipped with an operating device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the operating device of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an input unit;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of input means of the operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5 after attaching the input means to the support plate;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the operation device in FIG. 6,
8 is a perspective view showing a modification of the operating device in FIG. 7,
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a support structure of input means of a conventional operation device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 70, 80, 90 Operating device 10 Keyboard member 10a Operating surface 11 Key 20 Input means 21 Operating unit 22 Base 22a Projecting body 22b Flange 25a to 25d Detecting element 30 Fixing plates 31a, 31b, 31c Through holes 32a to 32d Piece 40 support plates 41, 71, 81, 91 squeezed portions 42a, 42b, 42c caulked portion 50 sheet member 51 elastic member 52, 65 cutout portion 60 support base 61 support

Claims (6)

In a metal support plate, a keyboard member having an operation surface in which a plurality of keys are arranged, and an operation device provided with input means having a rod-shaped operation unit in the operation surface,
An operating device, characterized in that an aperture is provided on the support plate at a position deviating from a support position of a key of the keyboard member, and the input means is provided on the aperture. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes a distortion sensor that detects at least a pressing direction of the operating unit. 3. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the aperture portion has a convex surface, and the input unit is fixed on the convex surface. 4. 3. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the aperture portion has a concave surface, and the input unit is fixed on the concave surface. 4. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the input unit is supported by a fixed plate, and the fixed plate is fixed to the throttle unit. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the input unit is directly fixed to the throttle unit.

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