JP2004139256A - Input device and electronic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device and an electronic appliance each configured of an operation button of one component while maintaining operation functions of operation buttons on both sides, so as to enable miniaturization. <P>SOLUTION: The integrated operation button wherein right and left operation buttons are integrated is provided such that the integrated operation button can be tilted right and left in a seesaw state. Thereby, because input operation parts can be provided on both right and left sides though the single component, the number of components is reduced, and the miniaturization in the lateral direction is enabled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input device provided on an input operation surface of a mobile phone, for example, and more particularly, to an input device and an electronic device that can be further reduced in size by reducing the number of components.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, as an example of an input device provided in an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, an indicator, a dial, left and right push buttons (operation buttons), numeric keys, and various input keys are provided on the upper surface of the mobile phone. The image displayed on the display is scrolled by using the dial section and the left and right push buttons, or the cursor on the screen is moved in an arbitrary direction.
[0003]
In this case, the rotation information on the rotation direction and the rotation amount obtained when the user rotates the cylindrical dial portion on the upper surface of the mobile phone, the part of which freely protrudes a part of the roller surface, is rotated by the fingertip. In order to perform detection, rotation information of the dial unit is obtained by an encoder provided on the shaft of the dial unit.
[0004]
Further, when the left and right push buttons are pressed down, one of the left and right detection switches corresponding to the pressing down is pressed down, and the pressed input information is detected (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-283885.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the left and right push buttons are independently disposed at both sides of the center dial section, the push buttons on both sides and the respective shaft support structures are required, and the number of parts and the number of assembly steps are reduced. And increased costs.
[0007]
In recent years, with the miniaturization of electronic devices, there has been a demand for miniaturization of input devices provided in the input operation unit, and the input device having these three points of a dial unit and left and right push buttons has been used. As the miniaturization proceeds, the distance between the operating section and the point of action becomes too short, making it difficult to operate. Further, the left and right push buttons have a problem that the strength of the parts is reduced due to the small parts.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an input device which can be reduced in size by being configured with one component operation button while maintaining the operation functions of the operation buttons on both sides. And electronic equipment.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a rotating body that is freely rotatable and pressed by touching a user's fingertip and left and right operation buttons that are freely pressed and held at both sides of the rotating body are provided on a base of the apparatus main body. An input device which is mounted, and has a push detection switch for each of the rotating body and the left and right operation buttons on a base on a lower surface side opposed to a pressing direction of the rotating body and the left and right operation buttons, An integrated operation button in which left and right operation buttons are integrated is provided, and an intermediate portion of the integrated operation button is pivotally supported on the base and allowed to tilt in a lateral seesaw shape.
[0010]
Here, the rotating body can be constituted by, for example, a cylindrical shaft body that supports both ends in the axial direction and freely rotates forward and backward.
[0011]
The operation button is arranged such that a reversing spring is elastically opposed from below so that the operation button can be pressed from above, and when the operation button is pressed against the reversing spring, a switching operation is performed to detect a pressing signal.
[0012]
The base can be composed of a flat board on which each component is mounted.
[0013]
The press detection switch may be configured as a reversing spring switch that opens and closes between the contact portions corresponding to the operation button.
[0014]
The input device can be applied to an input operation surface, such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, which is suitable for a user's fingertip input operation.
[0015]
The integrated operation button is an integrated operation button in which the operation buttons on both the left and right sides are connected to one, and by pivotally supporting this central portion, it can be allowed to tilt in a seesaw shape in the left and right direction. It can be configured to be able to input either left or right by pushing when tilting. In addition, at the time of integration, if they are connected to the left and right with an intervening space of the rotating body at the center, they can be easily integrated.
[0016]
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to perform an input operation on the tilted side when the integrated operation button that allows tilting in a seesaw shape is pressed and tilted, so that the single integrated operation button is provided. It is possible to have the input operation function of both sides just by doing.
[0017]
Therefore, the input operation units required on both the left and right sides can be covered by a single component, and can be constituted by one component while maintaining the operation functions on both sides, so that the size in the left and right direction can be reduced. In particular, in this case, not only the operation buttons on both sides can be reduced to one, but also the support structures on both sides can be reduced, so that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.
[0018]
Further, even if the miniaturization is promoted, the integrated operation button does not become a small component, so that it can have a sufficient component strength, and a highly reliable input device can be obtained.
[0019]
Further, since the integrated operation button is pivotally supported about a center portion, the distance between the operation portion of the button and the operation point can be sufficiently long, and is suitable for a switching operation.
Another embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a relief hole is provided in an opposing member facing directly below a lower central portion of the lower surface of the rotating body so as to sink the lower central portion of the lower surface of the rotating body.
[0020]
Here, the opposing member is, for example, a base and a flexible substrate that face downward when the rotating body is mounted.
[0021]
The relief hole is a hole that is opened so that the top of the lower surface of the rotating body does not touch when the entire rotating body is lowered, and may be opened in a shape corresponding to the size of the rotating body.
[0022]
In the case of such a configuration, since the top of the center of the lower surface of the rotating body can sink into the lower relief hole, the entire height of the rotating body can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to contribute to downsizing in the height direction by suppressing the mounting height of the rotating body that requires a large arrangement space in the height direction.
[0023]
As another embodiment of the present invention, a shaft support portion of an integrated operation button that allows a seesaw-like tilt in the left-right direction is shifted to one side from a center position in the left-right direction for setting a pressing load at the left-right position. It is characterized by being supported.
[0024]
With this configuration, it is possible to set a desired light and heavy load switching operation force suitable for both, without changing the individual structures of the push detection switches disposed on the left and right sides. For example, the left side can be set for a light load operation with a small load because of frequent use, and the right side can be set for a heavy load operation with a large load because the use frequency is low and the importance is high.
[0025]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a push detection switch which traverses the axial direction of the rotating body in the horizontal direction on the upper surface of the apparatus main body and faces the lower surface side of the rotating body on the axial center line of the rotating body. And the left and right push detection switches facing the lower side of the integrated operation button are set and disposed farther than the position on the axial center line of the rotating body. Can be configured.
[0026]
In such a configuration, when the user rotates the rotating body with the fingertip, an operating force may be applied from the near side to the front from the position on the axial center line of the rotating body, and in this case, the rotating body may be rotated. At the same time as the operation, a diagonally downward pressing force is mixed and applied to the front, and despite the rotation operation, when the rotating body is pressed down due to excessive force, the corresponding front is also pressed. Since there is no push detection switch diagonally below, the erroneous operation is eliminated.
[0027]
For example, when the mobile phone is gripped with one hand, when the rotating body is rotated forward with the belly of the gripping thumb, there is no push detection switch diagonally below the front corresponding to the push, but on the axial center line. Since the press detection switch is disposed on the front side of the position, an erroneous press operation is not applied during the rotation operation, and the erroneous press operation is eliminated by detecting only the rotation operation force during the rotation operation.
[0028]
Further, since the left and right push detection switches facing the lower surface side of the integrated operation button are set so as to be located deeper than the position on the axial center line of the rotating body, the push detection switches for the rotating body are provided. When a total of three push detection switches, ie, push detection switches on the left and right of the integrated operation button, are provided, they can be distributed in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the arrangement area for disposing the push detection switch does not extend in the left-right direction, but can be reduced in the left-right direction to reduce the size.
[0029]
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rotating body that is freely rotatable and pressed by touching a user's fingertip is provided, a permanent magnet is provided on the rotating body, and the polarity of the permanent magnet is detected. An input device including a non-contact detecting means for detecting a rotation direction and a rotation amount of an input operation performed on the rotary body based on the input device can be configured.
[0030]
Here, the permanent magnet can be formed using a magnet having a high degree of manufacturing freedom suitable for incorporation into details, for example, a bonded magnet that can be manufactured into an arbitrary shape by mixing a magnetic powder and a resin. .
[0031]
The detection means may be constituted by, for example, a Hall IC that detects the polarity of the N pole and the S pole of the permanent magnet and converts the polarity into an electric signal.
[0032]
In the case of such a configuration, when the permanent magnet rotating integrally with the rotating body rotates, the strength of the magnetic field alternately appears between the different polarities of the N pole and the S pole in the circumferential direction and a change in the polarity such as the number of occurrences. , It is possible to detect the rotation information of the rotation direction of the rotating body in the forward and reverse directions and the rotation amount in a non-contact manner. Therefore, there is no wear part compared to the detection means for acquiring rotation information by physical rotation contact, and there is also an adverse effect that dust or dirt adheres to the rotation contact part and deteriorates contact performance. I will not receive it. Therefore, highly reliable detection performance and semi-permanent life extension can be achieved.
[0033]
Further, in the case where the integrated operation buttons are provided, an internal space for obtaining a vertical pressing stroke is required directly below these buttons, but on the small diameter axis at one end of the rotating body corresponding to this internal space. Since the permanent magnets can be efficiently installed around and incorporated into the device, the input device does not increase in size even if the permanent magnets are incorporated.
[0034]
When such an input device is provided in an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, the input device can be efficiently used as a small and highly reliable input device suitable for fine input operation with a fingertip.
[0035]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 shows an input device provided in a mobile phone. First, FIG. 1 shows a mobile phone 11, which is provided on a top surface of a case body 12, a display 13, an input device 14, an input key 15. Are arranged in order, and an antenna (not shown) is attached to the upper end or the rear side of the case body 12 to be integrally formed.
[0036]
The above-described input device 14 has a switch function for detecting a rotation operation when input from the upper surface of the case body 12, a switch function for detecting a depression operation at the rotation position, and an independent depression operation at the left and right positions. It has a composite input function having a total of four types of switch functions including both switch functions for detection, and is incorporated in the mobile phone 11.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the input device 14 includes an integrated operation button 16, an operation dial unit 17, and a flexible substrate 18, which are integrally stacked on a base 19 in this order from above. ing.
[0038]
The above-mentioned base 19 has a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, and as shown in FIG. 4, a first position for rotatably supporting the operation dial unit 17 is provided at a position opposed to both sides in the upper surface longitudinal direction. A pair of left and right first standing pieces 20 each having a shaft support hole 20a opened are provided so as to rise.
[0039]
Further, a second upright piece 21 having a second shaft support hole 21a for supporting the integrated operation button 16 is provided upright at the front-rear facing position in the upper surface short direction of the base central portion. I have.
[0040]
These first and second upright pieces 20 and 21 not only have a pivotal support function, but also upright pieces that stand up at a substantially right angle are locked to the outer edge and the locking holes 18 a provided corresponding to the base shape of the flexible substrate 18. The flexible substrate 18 is positioned on the base 19 supported by the upright pieces 20 and 21 and is mounted at a fixed position.
[0041]
The above-mentioned flexible board 18 has a first press detection switch SW1 at a position near the center of the front end corresponding to the base shape, a second press detection switch SW2 on the left back side, and a third press detection switch on the right back side. A switch SW3 is provided, and a hall IC 22 for detecting rotation information corresponding to a permanent magnet described later is mounted at a central position on the left side.
[0042]
The above-described first to third press detection switches SW1 to SW3 are integrally formed by superposing a circular film 23 on a circular reversing spring 24, and usually the central portion of the circular reversing spring 24 is protruded to a middle height. A pusher, which will be described later, is provided on the upper surface of the central portion, and when the circular reversing spring 24 receives a pressing operation force, the spring is turned downward to turn on the pressing detection switch and output a detection signal.
[0043]
FIG. 5 shows a state in which an operation dial unit 17 is mounted on a base 19 via a flexible board 18. The operation dial unit 17 pivots a tire-like operation dial 25 on a horizontally long frame 26 so as to be freely rotatable. It is mounted in a state where it is supported. First support shafts 26a protrude from both left and right ends of the frame body 26, and the first support shafts 26a protruding from both left and right sides of the frame body 26 are provided on both sides of the base 19 by the first support pieces 20a. The first push detection switch SW1 on the base 19 is made to correspond to the first push detection switch SW1 on the base 19 by allowing the center pusher 27 (see FIG. 4) vertically suspended at the center of the lower surface of the frame body 26 to pivot freely in the shaft support hole 20a. Provided.
[0044]
In this case, escape holes 18b and 19a are provided in the flexible board 18 and the base 19, which are located directly below the lower center of the lower surface of the operation dial 25, so as to sink the lower center of the upper surface of the operation dial 25.
[0045]
By providing such relief holes 18b and 19a, when the operation dial 25 is mounted on the base 19, the top of the center of the lower surface of the operation dial 25 can be lowered toward the lower relief holes 18b and 19a. For this reason, the operation dial 25 can be mounted with its overall height lowered, and the space in the mounting height direction can be reduced, and the height can be reduced.
[0046]
After the operation dial unit 17 is mounted, the integrated operation button 16 is mounted. The integrated operation button 16 is mounted with a mountain-shaped semicircular shape on both sides so as to cover the upper surfaces of both sides of the operation dial 25, respectively. You. The integrated operation button 16 is configured such that a pair of front and rear second support shafts 28 protruding from the front and rear surfaces are rotatably respectively formed in second shaft support holes 21 a of the second standing piece 21 standing at the front and rear opposing positions of the base 19. Be pivoted.
[0047]
Further, a left pusher 29 vertically provided on the lower left side of the integrated operation button 16 is provided in correspondence with the pressing of the second push detection switch SW2 on the flexible board 18, and further vertically provided on the lower right side of the same operation button 16. The right pusher 30 is provided to correspond to a press of the third press detection switch SW3 on the flexible board 18.
[0048]
In this case, the integrated operation button 16 is an integrated operation button in which the left and right operation button portions are connected to one, and by pivotally supporting the central portion thereof, it is possible to allow a right and left tilting in a seesaw shape. It is possible to perform an input operation on either the left or right by pressing the button when tilting. In addition, at the time of integration, if the left and right sides are connected to each other with an intervening space of the operation dial 25 at the center part, it is possible to easily form an integrated structure.
[0049]
As described above, the integrated operation button 16 provided to allow tilting in a seesaw shape is tilted to the side where the pressing operation is performed, and the input operation on the tilted side is enabled. Therefore, the input operation function on both sides can be provided only by disposing the single integrated operation button 16. In addition, even if the miniaturization is promoted, the integrated operation button 16 does not become a small part, so that the integral operation button 16 can have sufficient component strength, and a highly reliable input structure can be obtained.
[0050]
Further, since the integrated operation button 16 is a pivoting structure that tilts around the center portion, the distance between the pressing operation portion on the upper surface of the button with respect to the pivoting portion and the operating point at which the lower pusher presses down is sufficient. A long switching time can be ensured, and a stable switching operation can be obtained even if the size is reduced.
[0051]
Also, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5, the pair of second support shafts 28 in front of and behind the integrated operation button 16 are shifted to one side from the center position in the left-right direction for setting the pressing load at the left-right position. If it is provided and supported, it can be set to a desired light and heavy load switching operation force suitable for both without changing the individual structure of the push detection switches SW2 and SW3 disposed on the left and right sides. Can be. For example, the left side can be set for a light load operation with a small load because of frequent use, and the right side can be set for a heavy load operation with a large load because the use frequency is low and the importance is high.
[0052]
Next, the detection configuration of the first to third press detection switches SW1 to SW3 will be described in detail.
[0053]
First, when the operation dial 25 corresponding to the first press detection switch SW1 receives the pressing operation force of the user, the first support shaft 26a is rotated downward with the frame 26 around the rotation fulcrum to push the center of the lower surface. The child 27 presses the first press detection switch SW1 below the switch 27 to perform a switching operation.
[0054]
In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the arrangement position of the first press detection switch SW1 is set slightly before the position on the axial center line of the operation dial 25.
[0055]
As a result, when the user rotates the upper surface of the operation dial 25 with the fingertip F, an operation force is applied in a direction in which the operation dial 25 is pressed obliquely downward and forward from the near side of the axial center line of the operation dial 25. However, the first push detection switch SW1 is not provided diagonally below and in front of it, and the first push detection switch SW1 is disposed on the near side of the position on the axial center line. Even if a force is applied diagonally downward and forward, the switch SW1 is not applied, and only a rotation operation force is detected during a rotation operation, and a highly reliable detection signal that eliminates an erroneous pressing operation is obtained.
[0056]
The function of avoiding the erroneous pressing operation is particularly vigorous in the direction in which the fingertip of the thumb extends from the bent state when the operation dial 25 is rotated forward with the thumb of the grasped mobile phone 11 with one hand. Since there is a tendency to move and a strong pressing force is likely to be applied, a remarkable effect can be obtained to avoid an erroneous pressing operation via the operation dial 25.
[0057]
Further, left and right press detection switches SW2 and SW3 facing the lower surface side of the integrated operation button 16 are set so as to be located further back than a position on the axial center line of the operation dial 25. With this arrangement, when a total of three push detection switches SW1 to SW3 are provided, they can be distributed in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the arrangement area for disposing the push detection switch does not extend in the left-right direction, but can be narrowed in the left-right direction to achieve a compact arrangement.
[0058]
Also, when the left side of the integrated operation button 16 corresponding to the second press detection switch SW2 is pressed down from above by receiving the pressing operation force of the user, the second support shaft 28 of the button 16 is used as a rotation fulcrum. After rotating downward (left rotation), the left pusher 29 on the lower surface pushes down the second push detection switch SW2 corresponding to the lower portion to perform a switching operation.
[0059]
Similarly, when the right side of the integrated operation button 16 corresponding to the third press detection switch SW3 is pressed from the upper side by receiving the pressing operation force of the user, the second support shaft 28 of the button 16 is pivoted. Then, the right pusher 30 on the lower surface pushes down the third push detection switch SW3 corresponding to the lower portion to perform a switching operation.
[0060]
At the time of the switching operation of the first to third press detection switches SW1 to SW3, the operation feeling at the time of pressing is obtained by the touch when the circular reversing spring 24 is inverted downward. After the pressing operation with the fingertip released, the pressing force is released, and the pressing switches SW1 to SW3 are pushed up by the reversing action of reversing the circular reversing spring 24 upward to return to the original upward movement position.
[0061]
Next, a rotation detecting structure of the operation dial 25 will be described.
[0062]
FIG. 8 shows the operation dial unit 17 in an exploded state. The operation dial unit 17 is connected to a left U-shaped frame 33 and a right frame stopper plate 34 through a shaft 32 through a permanent magnet 31 and an operation dial 25. It is held together.
[0063]
The above-mentioned operation dial 25 is provided with small irregularities suitable for rotation operation to prevent slippage by providing sufficient contact resistance when a fingertip touches the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and a forward or reverse rotation operation force is applied. An operation surface 35 having a small diameter is formed on the end surface of the small-diameter shaft portion 25a on one side of the operation surface 35, and a radial groove 36 for operation feeling of relatively large unevenness is formed so as to contact a touch spring 37 described later. The permanent magnet 31 has a cylindrical body, is connected to the operation dial 25, and is supported on a through shaft 32.
[0064]
In this case, as the permanent magnet 31, a magnet having a high degree of manufacturing freedom suitable for incorporation into details, for example, a bonded magnet that can be manufactured into an arbitrary shape by mixing magnetic powder and resin is used. As shown, permanent magnets having different polarities of N pole and S pole are alternately and equally (for example, equally divided into 6, preferably equal to 12) in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. At this time, a magnetic field μ is generated between different polarities in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 31, and a change in the strength and the number of generated magnetic fields μ are detected by the Hall IC 22 located below.
[0065]
The two Hall ICs 22 are mounted on the upper surface of the flexible substrate 18 below the permanent magnet 31 at positions shifted from each other. Thus, the rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the permanent magnet 31 are detected by detecting the change in the electric signal corresponding to the change in the intensity of the magnetic field μ generated by the permanent magnet 31 and the number of generations.
[0066]
In this way, when the operation dial 25 is rotated, the Hall IC 22 detects the strength change and the number of generated magnetic fields μ of the permanent magnet 31 rotating integrally therewith in a non-contact manner, and only converts this to an electric signal. Thus, the rotation information of the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operation dial 25 can be accurately obtained.
[0067]
Further, the arrangement of the polar portion of the permanent magnet 31 can be provided in an arbitrary shape suitable for manufacturing using a bonded magnet. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), a pair of left and right circular comb teeth 31a, 31b may be abutted with each other and combined integrally.
[0068]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), N poles and S poles are equally distributed alternately in the annular direction of the end face of the cylindrical body, and the intensity change and generation of the magnetic field μ between different polarities are generated on the end face. The number of the permanent magnets 31c may be increased to reduce the size of the permanent magnet 31c in the axial length direction.
[0069]
The above-mentioned U-shaped frame 33 and the frame stopper plate 34 are provided integrally by abutting from both sides, and one end of the through shaft 32 is inserted into a shaft support hole 33a penetrating through the left-sided U-shaped frame 33 so as to form a shaft. The other end of the through shaft 32 is inserted into a shaft support hole 34a penetrating the right frame stopper plate 34 to support the shaft.
[0070]
At this time, a tactile spring for giving a resistance (click feeling) for generating a tactile sense of rotation of the operation dial 25 is provided between an axially opposed surface of the end surface of the right frame stopper plate 34 and the radial groove 36 of the operation dial 25. 37 is interposed.
[0071]
The above-mentioned touch spring 37 is provided with a leaf spring in an inverted V-shape, and is interposed in the axial direction with elasticity provided between the inverted V-shapes, and protrudes from the center of the touch spring 37. The radial groove 36 of the operation dial 25 is in contact with and opposes the touching protruding piece (not shown), and when the operation dial 25 rotates in either the forward or reverse direction, the uneven surface of the radial groove 36 intermittently contacts the touching protruding piece. As a result, an operational feeling in the rotational direction is obtained.
[0072]
The operation feeling of the operation dial 25 is not limited to this. For example, the N-pole and S-pole, the S-pole and the N-pole in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 31 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Permanent magnets for operation feeling are arranged opposite to each other, and a magnetic attraction effect and a magnetic repulsion effect alternately occur between the opposing permanent magnets during the rotation operation, and the operation feeling in the rotation direction is magnetically generated. It can also be obtained by action.
[0073]
In this manner, the operation dial 25 is supported by the U-shaped frame 33 and the frame stopper plate 34 so as to be freely rotatable in the normal and reverse directions (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In addition, a central pusher 27 is vertically provided on the lower surface on the central side of the left U-shaped frame body 34 that integrally supports the operation dial 25.
[0074]
By the way, when the integrated operation button 16 is provided, an internal space for obtaining a vertical pressing stroke is required directly below both sides of the button 16, but one end of the operation dial corresponding to this internal space is required. Since the permanent magnet 31 can be efficiently installed around the small diameter shaft and incorporated, the input device 14 does not increase in size even if the permanent magnet 31 is incorporated.
[0075]
When the user operates the input device 14 configured as described above, for example, the user touches the upper surface of the operation dial 25 with his fingertip lightly to scroll the display image on the display 13 in the vertical direction. When rotated, the coaxial permanent magnet 31 rotates in the same direction in conjunction therewith, and the intensity change and the number of occurrences of the magnetic field μ alternately appearing between the N and S poles of the permanent magnet 31 having different polarities at this time. Is detected by the Hall IC 22 corresponding to the lower side and converted into an electric signal, thereby transmitting either the forward or reverse rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the rotated operation dial 25 to a central processing unit (not shown) to display a display image. Is controlled to scroll upward or downward by the rotation operation.
[0076]
As a result, display items such as a display menu, an outgoing / incoming call history list, a telephone directory list, and a game image are scroll-displayed on the display 13. In addition to the scroll operation, the cursor on the display screen can be moved and displayed.
[0077]
The operation dial 25 is normally in a press-standby state that can be pressed other than the rotation operation. When the operation dial 25 is pressed downward, the operation dial 25 is pushed down and moves downward. 27 performs a switching operation by depressing the first depression detection switch SW1 corresponding to depression downward. As a result, selection and determination of the display items displayed on the display 13 can be executed.
[0078]
Further, when the left side of the integrated operation button 16 is pressed down, the left side of the integrated operation button 16 is moved down to switch the second press detection switch SW2, and the input signal on the left side is detected. Similarly, when the right side of the integrated operation button 16 is pressed down, the right side of the integrated operation button 16 moves down to perform switching operation of the third press detection switch SW3, and an input signal on the right side is detected. .
[0079]
As described above, since the rotation information of the operation dial 25 can be detected in a non-contact manner, there is no need for a mechanical contact portion to physically rotate and contact to obtain a detection signal. Service life can be extended. Further, in addition to this non-contact detection function, a multifunction detection input unit can be constructed by combining the press detection function of the operation dial 25 itself and the press detection function of the integrated operation button 16.
[0080]
As described above, the provision of the integral operation button that allows the seesaw-like tilting allows the necessary input operation units on both the left and right sides to be covered by a single component. Since it can be composed of components, it is possible to reduce the size in the left-right direction.
[0081]
In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the configuration of the above embodiment,
The rotating body of the present invention corresponds to the operation dial 25 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The device body corresponds to the case body 12,
The facing member corresponds to the flexible substrate 18 and the base 19,
The detecting means corresponds to the Hall IC 22,
Although the electronic device corresponds to the mobile phone 11,
The present invention can be applied based on the technical idea described in the claims, and is not limited to only the configuration of the above embodiment.
[0082]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a Hall IC is applied to the detecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured by a combination of a Hall element and an IC.
[0083]
In the input device 14 described above, the flexible substrate 18 is mounted on the base 19 and connected by wiring. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first to third press detection switches SW1 to SW3 may be provided on the lower surface of the base 19. It is also possible to provide an input device in which terminals corresponding to the SW3 and the Hall IC 22 are directly attached.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, not only the operation buttons on both sides can be reduced to one, but also the shaft support structures on both sides can be reduced, so that the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an input device applied to a mobile phone.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an assembled state of the input device.
FIG. 3 is a developed perspective view showing the input device in a developed state.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mounting state of a flexible substrate.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mounted state of the operation dial unit.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement relationship of three push detection switches of the input device.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state of an input operation to the input device.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the operation dial unit in an exploded manner.
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a permanent magnet showing a state where a magnetic field is generated.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 mobile phone 14 input device 16 integrated operation button 25 operation dial SW1 to SW3 press detection switch

Claims (6)

A rotating body that is freely rotatable and pressed by touching a user's fingertip and left and right operation buttons that are freely pressed and held at both side positions of the rotating body are mounted on a base of the apparatus main body. An input device in which respective push detection switches of the rotating body and the left and right operation buttons are provided on a base on a lower surface side opposed to a pressing direction of the rotating body and the left and right operation buttons,
Providing an integrated operation button integrating the left and right operation buttons,
An input device, wherein an intermediate portion of the integrated operation button is pivotally supported on the base and allowed to tilt in a seesaw shape in the left-right direction. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a relief hole is provided in an opposing member that faces directly below the lower center top of the rotating body to sink the lower center top of the rotating body. 3. The integrated operation button according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a shaft supporting portion that allows a seesaw-like tilt in the left-right direction is shifted to one side from a center position in the left-right direction for setting the pressing load at the left-right position. Input device. The axial direction of the rotator is laid horizontally on the upper surface of the main body of the apparatus, and a push detection switch facing the lower surface of the rotator is set at a position closer to the axial center line of the rotator. Set up
4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the left and right push detection switches facing the lower surface of the integrated operation button are set at a position deeper than a position on an axial center line of the rotating body. 5. 3. A non-contact detecting means for providing a permanent magnet to the rotating body and detecting a rotation direction and a rotation amount input to the rotating body based on a polarity of the permanent magnet. 5. The input device according to 3, 3 or 4. An electronic apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

Images