JP2004214059A - Operation panel input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation panel input device with a simplified constitution, for correctly detecting only a characteristic light signal by input operation without directly receiving the characteristic light signal emitted with a light emitting means 5 with a light receiving means 6 passing through a printed circuit board 7 and forming a pair. <P>SOLUTION: A shielding slit 14 is formed between fitting holes 12, 13 of the printed circuit board 7 in which the light emitting means 5 and the light receiving mens 6 are housed, and the characteristic light signal going from the light emitting means 5 to the light receiving means 6 by directly passing through the printed circuit board 7 is damped in to such a degree that the light receiving means 6 can not detect. Thereby, mis-detection of the characteristic light signal passing through the printed circuit board 7 as the characteristic light received from the outside by input operation can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an operation panel input device for performing various input operations on home electric appliances, and more particularly, to an operation panel input device capable of performing an input operation without touching an operation panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[0003]
2. Description of the Related Art Home appliances such as a water heater and a washing machine are provided with an operation panel on which operation switches for operating these devices are collectively mounted. The operator performs a predetermined operation control on the device by operating one of the operation switches with a finger.
[0004]
However, since the normal operation panel has a structure in which the operation switch is directly pressed with a finger to operate, there is no choice but to use movable parts, and there is a problem in its durability. However, there is a problem that the touch panel becomes dirty and impairs the beauty of the operation panel.
[0005]
For this reason, a non-contact operation panel input device capable of executing a predetermined operation without directly touching the operation panel with a finger is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-100287 (page 4, FIG. 2)
[0007]
FIG. 7 shows this conventional operation panel input device 100, in which an operation panel 101 formed of a transparent acrylic plate corresponds to control contents for home electric appliances (for example, turning on the power of home electric appliances). Operation areas 106 are set, and optical switch units U ₁ , U _2, ... Are arranged inside each operation area 106.
[0008]
Each of the optical switch units U includes an infrared light emitting element 102 that emits an infrared signal having a unique frequency (hereinafter, referred to as a unique optical signal), and an infrared light receiving element that can receive a unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102. And an element 103.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 8, the specific optical signal emitted from each optical switch unit U is a predetermined one so as not to overlap with the specific optical signal emitted from other optical switch units U ₁ , U ₂ . Light is emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 repeatedly in the scanning cycle T.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of the infrared light emitting element 102 and the infrared light receiving element 103 in the same optical switch unit U are mounted on the surface of the printed wiring board 104 so as to be adjacent to each other. An infrared filter 105 that transmits only infrared light is provided between U and the operation panel 101.
[0011]
Therefore, the unique optical signal emitted from each set of infrared light emitting elements 102 is output to the outside through the infrared filter 105 and the operation panel 101 above the same, and the unique optical signal is output from the external light. Is transmitted through the nearby operation panel 101 and the infrared filter 105 and reaches the infrared light receiving element 103.
[0012]
A microcomputer (not shown) that determines an input operation to the optical switch unit U is provided on the output side of the infrared light receiving element 103 via a band-pass filter that allows a photoelectric conversion signal having a natural frequency to pass. Therefore, only when the infrared light receiving element 103 receives the unique optical signal of the unique frequency, the photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer, whereby the natural light, other remote control transmission signals, etc. And the unique optical signal emitted from the light source.
[0013]
When there is no object that reflects the unique optical signal near the optical switch unit U, the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 is received by the infrared light receiving device as a pair of the same optical switch unit U. The element 103 does not receive light, and no photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer. In this state, the microcomputer determines that the input operation on the optical switch unit U has not been performed.
[0014]
On the other hand, the operation panel 101 to the optical switch unit U ₁ is disposed below, for example, performs an input operation close the fingers, unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 is closer to the upper side of the operation panel 101 is reflected by the finger, again, it passes through the operation panel 101 and the infrared filter 105, is inputted to the infrared light receiving elements 103 of the same optical switch unit U _1. Microcomputer, a photoelectric conversion signal which is photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 103, the infrared light emitting element 102 of the same optical switch unit U ₁ is input substantially simultaneously with the timing that emit intrinsic light signal, the light switch unit U ₁ It is determined that an input operation has been performed with respect to, and for example, a control signal for turning on the power is output to the home electric appliance.
[0015]
At this time, even in the infrared light receiving element 103 of the other of the optical switch unit U _2, it is possible to receive the intrinsic light signal reflected by the finger, the infrared light emitting element 102 of the optical switch unit U ₂ unique at a different timing with the timing of emitting the optical signal, since the photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer does not recognize the input operation for the optical switch unit U _2.
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0017]
According to the operation panel input device 100, the finger does not directly touch the operation panel 101 to stain the surface thereof, and since no moving parts are used, the durability can be improved.
[0018]
However, since the infrared light emitting element 102 and the infrared light receiving element 103 forming a pair in the same optical switch unit U are arranged inside the same operation area 106, a unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 Is directly received by the adjacent infrared light receiving element 103 at the light emission timing, and is erroneously recognized as an input operation.
[0019]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, mounting holes 107, 107 are formed in the printed wiring board 104, and the infrared light emitting element 102 and the infrared light receiving element 103 are accommodated in the mounting holes 107, 107, respectively. An operation panel input device improved so that the unique light signal emitted from the light receiving element 102 is not directly received by the infrared light receiving element 103 has been studied.
[0020]
However, even with such an improvement, the printed wiring board 104 uses a material such as glass cloth or glass paper, and further uses a material such as a phenol resin or an epoxy resin as a thermosetting resin for heating and integrating these materials. However, these do not necessarily completely block the light, and as shown by the broken line in FIG. 9, the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 is printed between the mounting holes 107, 107. In some cases, the light passed through the wiring board 104 and reached the infrared light receiving element 103 directly.
[0021]
In particular, since the infrared light receiving element 103 detects an extremely weak unique optical signal reflected by a finger approaching above the operation panel 101 and determines that the input operation has been performed, the infrared light receiving element 103 passes through the printed wiring board 104. Even if the direct light is weak, there is a risk that the input operation may be erroneously determined.
[0022]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such a conventional problem, and has a simple configuration and allows an input operation to be performed without directly receiving a unique light signal emitted by a light emitting unit by a light receiving unit that forms a pair. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel input device that accurately detects only a unique optical signal.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0024]
An operation panel input device according to claim 1, wherein a light-transmitting operation panel in which an operation area is set, light emitting means for emitting a unique optical signal to the outside through the operation area, and a unique light signal from the outside through the operation area. A light-receiving means for receiving light, a light-emitting means and a light-receiving means forming a pair inside the operation area, and a printed wiring board in which each leg of the light-emitting means and the light-receiving means is soldered to a conductive wiring pattern, An operation panel input device that determines that an input operation to an operation area has been performed when a light receiving unit detects a unique optical signal at a light emission timing of a unique optical signal by a light emitting unit,
A mounting hole for accommodating the light emitting means and the light receiving means is formed in the printed wiring board, and a light shielding slit is formed between the mounting holes of the light emitting means and the light receiving means forming a pair.
[0025]
Since a light-shielding slit is formed between the mounting holes in which the light-emitting means and the light-receiving means are accommodated, the specific optical signal from the light-emitting means to the light-receiving means passing directly through the printed wiring board to the light-receiving means is weak, but has a refractive index Is partially reflected at the boundary surface with the light-shielding slit where the light-receiving portion greatly changes, and further attenuates to such an extent that the light-receiving means cannot detect it.
[0026]
As a result, the light receiving unit detects only the unique optical signal received from outside through the operation area, and determines that the input operation is performed.
[0027]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the operation panel input device, wherein an opaque metal plating is attached to an inner wall surface of the light shielding slit.
[0028]
Since the optical path in the printed wiring board directly connecting the light emitting means and the light receiving means is interrupted by opaque metal plating, the light receiving means does not directly receive the unique optical signal emitted from the light emitting means, and the input operation and There is no misjudgment.
[0029]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the opaque metal plating is through-hole plating for electrically connecting conductive wiring patterns wired on the front and back surfaces of the printed wiring board.
[0030]
The opaque metal plating of the light-shielding slit can be made by using through-hole plating for electrically connecting the front and back conductive wiring patterns, so that the number of holes to be drilled in the conventional double-sided printed wiring board can be increased, The direct light of the unique optical signal can be reliably blocked without adding a plating step.
[0031]
The operation panel input device according to claim 4 is characterized in that a light-shielding metal plate is inserted along the inner wall surface of the light-shielding slit.
[0032]
Since the optical path in the printed wiring board directly connecting the light emitting means and the light receiving means is blocked by the light shielding metal plate, the light receiving means does not directly receive the unique optical signal emitted from the light emitting means, and the input operation and There is no misjudgment.
[0033]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the operation panel input device, wherein a metal guide plate having a guide hole communicating with a mounting hole accommodating the light emitting means and the light receiving means with substantially the same inner diameter is provided on the front surface side of the printed wiring board. The tip of the light-shielding metal plate integrated with the metal guide plate is inserted into the light-shielding slit and bent on the back side of the printed wiring board to position and support the metal guide plate.
[0034]
The guide hole communicating with the mounting hole above the light emitting means guides the emitted specific optical signal to the outside without scattering into the operation panel, and the guide hole communicating with the mounting hole above the light receiving means, Reduce the amount of internal scattered light received in the operation panel. Therefore, the light receiving means can more accurately detect the unique optical signal due to the input operation.
[0035]
The light-shielding metal plate that blocks the optical path in the printed wiring board that directly connects the light-emitting means and the light-receiving means is integrated with the metal guide plate in which the guide hole is formed and is inserted into the light-shielding slit, so that the metal guide plate is positioned. The guide hole and the mounting hole do not shift.
[0036]
Since the front end of the light-shielding metal plate is bent toward the back side of the printed wiring board, it can be supported on the front side of the printed wiring board without deforming the metal guide plate even under the influence of temperature change or the like.
[0037]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the operation panel input device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the operation panel input device 1, which is attached to a housing surface of a washing machine (not shown). The operation panel input device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for a control input device such as a washing machine and a bath water heater that require waterproofness, but an input device for controlling other electric devices such as an audio device and an air conditioner. May be attached to these housings.
[0039]
In the operation panel input device 1, a transparent acrylic plate 3, a liquid crystal display panel 4, and a backlight panel 9, which are rectangular operation panels, are laminated from outside (upper side in FIG. 2) with their opposing surfaces adhered to each other. At the same time, a printed wiring board 7 on which the infrared light emitting element 5 and the infrared light receiving element 6 are mounted is disposed inside, and the whole thereof is housed in the case 2 made of synthetic resin.
[0040]
The case 2 is composed of a square base 2a that opens outward and a holding cover 2b that fits around the square and has a fixed frame 22 protruding above the square, and mounting screws 23 that are inserted through the flange portions of both. Are integrated. As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the transparent acrylic plate 3 is screwed with the mounting screws 23, the periphery thereof is sandwiched between the fixing frame 22 of the base 2 a and the holding cover 2 b and is positioned and fixed to the case 2. .
[0041]
By providing a step corresponding to the thickness of the fixing frame 22 around the transparent acrylic plate 3, the surface of the transparent acrylic plate 3 and the surface of the surrounding case 2 are aligned on the same plane. Here, the case 2 and the transparent acrylic plate 3 are bonded in a sealed state with an adhesive so that water droplets, dust, and the like do not enter the operation panel input device 1. Waterproofing and dustproofing may be performed between the case 2 and the transparent acrylic plate 3 by interposing a seal or the like in addition to an adhesive.
[0042]
The liquid crystal display panel 4 displays, through the transparent acrylic plate 3, control contents for performing an input operation on the washing machine and a predetermined display relating to the operation of the washing machine. In the initial operation mode of the washing machine shown in FIG. , 30g indicating input operations such as input of a main power source, start of selection operation, selection of a washing course, etc. are displayed together with operation areas 30A, 30B,. In this initial operation mode, a used water amount 31 estimated from the weight of the put clothes and a washing time 32 are displayed.
[0043]
The display by the liquid crystal display panel 4 is displayed under the control of a liquid crystal driver (not shown). The position and number of the display indicating the operation area and the input operation, and other displays are determined according to the operation state of the washing machine. It is designed to be variable.
[0044]
The backlight panel 9 includes a transparent substrate 9B made of a transparent acrylic plate or the like, a diffusion sheet 9A attached to the surface of the transparent substrate 9B (the surface facing the liquid crystal display panel 4), and a back side of the transparent substrate 9B. And a reflector 9C whose surface facing the transparent substrate 9B is white, and scatters the backlight emitted from the backlight source 40 (see FIG. 3) inside the transparent substrate 9B. While guiding light.
[0045]
As a result, from the outside of the transparent acrylic plate 3, a specific backlight light source is not recognized, and the entire display background of the liquid crystal display panel 4 is visually observed as if illuminated by the backlight light.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, the backlight panel 9 and the backlight light source 40 are separated from each other by the threshold plate 33 for each operation area 30, and the rear surface of the operation area 30 is illuminated by a different light source 40.
[0047]
The reflecting plate 9C has a surface facing the backlight panel 9 made white by applying a white paint to the surface as described above, and reflects the backlight light into the backlight panel 9 so as not to escape downward. ing. Since the color of the backlight is white, if the backlight light is colored in a predetermined color, the background of the display by the liquid crystal display panel 4 is visually recognized as having changed to the color.
[0048]
In the reflection plate 9C, an output side small hole 34 is formed above (front side) the infrared light emitting element 5 in FIG. 3, and an input side small hole 35 is formed above the infrared light receiving element 6 in FIG. These small holes 34 and 35 are, for example, small holes having an inner diameter of about 1 to 1.5 mm. Further, since the light path is scattered by the diffusion sheet 9A on the front side of the backlight panel 9, the transparent acrylic plate 3 It is not visible from outside.
[0049]
The printed wiring board 7 is attached to the case 2 inside the reflector 9C and in parallel with the reflector 9C, and the infrared light emitting element 5 and the infrared light receiving element which are paired for each operation area 30 on the printed wiring board 7 are provided. 6 is implemented. An operation detection unit U is composed of a pair of infrared light emitting elements 5 and an infrared light receiving element 6. Here, corresponding to the seven types of operation areas 30A, 30B,. 5 and the infrared light receiving element operation detecting unit consisting of 6 which _{U 1, U} 2 ·· _{U 6} is arranged.
[0050]
The infrared light emitting element 5 serving as a light emitting means is constituted by an infrared light emitting diode here. As shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the output side mounting hole 12 formed in the printed wiring board 7 below the output side small hole 34. And the legs 5a are soldered to a conductive wiring pattern (not shown) on the back side of the printed wiring board 7 and mounted.
[0051]
Since the infrared light emitting element 5 is housed in the output side mounting hole 12 of the printed wiring board 7, the scattered light to the inside is further reduced as compared with the case where the infrared light emitting element 5 is mounted on the surface side, and the output side small. The amount of the unique optical signal emitted outward through the hole 34 increases.
[0052]
The infrared light receiving element 6 serving as a light receiving means is constituted by a photodiode whose light receiving surface is covered with an infrared filter (not shown), and is formed on the printed wiring board 7 below the input side small hole 35. The input side mounting hole 13 is accommodated, and its leg 6a is soldered to a conductive wiring pattern on the back side of the printed wiring board 7 and mounted. Thereby, the light receiving surface of the infrared light receiving element 6 faces the input side small hole 35 from inside the input side mounting hole 13 and receives the unique optical signal arriving through the input side small hole 35, and The amount of internal scattered light received in the inside is reduced.
[0053]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the printed wiring board 7 on which the infrared light emitting element 5 and the infrared light receiving element 6 forming a pair are mounted for each operation area 30. A double-sided printed wiring board is used in which copper foils are arranged on the front and back surfaces impregnated with epoxy resin, and are integrated by pressing and heating.
[0054]
As shown in the figure, a printed wiring board 7 is provided between the infrared light emitting element 5 and the infrared light receiving element 6 forming a pair in each of the operation detection units U ₁ , U _2. A light-shielding slit 14 is provided between the input side 12 and the input side mounting hole 13. Further, the inner side surface of each light shielding slit 14 is covered with opaque metal plating 18. As a result, a unique optical signal that passes through the inside of the printed wiring board 7 and is emitted from the infrared light emitting element 5 toward the infrared light receiving element 6 forming a pair covers the boundary surface with the light shielding slit 14 and the inner surface thereof. It is completely shut off by the metal plating 18.
[0055]
The light-shielding slit 14 may also serve as a through hole formed in the printed wiring board 7 for the purpose of electrically connecting the conductive wiring patterns formed on the front and back surfaces. The metal plating 18 is a through-hole plating attached to the inner surface.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 5, the infrared light emitting element 5 is driven and controlled by the driver 15 at a natural frequency of, for example, a natural frequency of 455 kHz. The element 5 emits a unique optical signal, which is an infrared signal of 455 kHz.
[0057]
The control output terminal of the microcomputer 10 is connected to the input side of the driver 15, and the microcomputer 10 controls the drive control signal of the driver 15 of each operation detection unit U so as not to be output at the same time. As shown in FIG. 8, the unique optical signals emitted from U are emitted from the respective infrared light emitting elements 5 at timings that do not overlap with each other.
[0058]
A band pass filter 16 is connected to the output of the infrared light receiving element 6. The band-pass filter 16 outputs a photoelectric conversion signal having a natural frequency of 455 kHz, which has been photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 6, to the waveform shaping circuit 17, and accordingly, the infrared light receiving element 6 receives the unique light signal. Only when this is done, the photoelectric conversion signal is output to the microcomputer 10 via the waveform shaping circuit 17.
[0059]
As a result, the natural light, another remote control transmission signal, and the like, and the unique optical signal emitted by the paired infrared light emitting element 5 can be identified by the light receiving means 6. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the above-mentioned light shielding slit 14 and metal plating 18 between the infrared light emitting element 5 and the infrared light receiving element 6 of another operation detection unit U.
[0060]
In the operation panel input device 1 configured as described above, since the infrared light receiving element 6 does not directly receive the unique light signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 5 that forms a pair, When there is no object that reflects the unique optical signal, the unique optical signal is not received, and the photoelectric conversion signal is not output from the waveform shaping circuit 17 to the microcomputer 10. In this state, the microcomputer 10 determines that the input operation has not been performed on the operation area 30 and does not output a control signal to the washing machine.
[0061]
On the other hand, when the finger 11 approaches the specific operation area 30 to perform “input of the main power” displayed on the operation area 30A, for example, the operation detection provided for the operation area 30A is performed. from infrared light-emitting element 5 of the unit U _1, since it is emitting a unique optical signal to the outside of the operation area 30A in period T, the intrinsic optical signal is reflected by the finger 11, again, the same operation in the operation area 30A It is inputted to the infrared light receiving element 6 of the detection unit U _1. Microcomputer 10, a photoelectric conversion signal which is photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 6, since the infrared light emitting element 5 of the same operation detecting unit U ₁ is input substantially simultaneously with the timing that emit intrinsic light signal, the operation area 30A It is determined that an input operation has been performed on the washing machine, and a control signal for turning on the main power is output to the washing machine.
[0062]
At this time, the infrared light emitting element 5 of another operation detection unit (for example, U ₂ ) may also receive the unique optical signal reflected by the finger 11, but the infrared light emission of the operation detection unit U ₂ may be received. at different timing as element 5 to emit intrinsic light signal, since the photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer 10 does not recognize the input operation on the operation detecting unit U _2.
[0063]
When the microcomputer 10 recognizes that an input operation has been performed on the operation area 30A, the backlight light source 40 illuminating the back of the area 30A is turned on, and the backlight light is guided to the backlight panel 9 on the back side. . Therefore, the operator can know whether the input operation to the operation area 30A is correctly recognized by the illumination on the back surface of the operation area 30A.
[0064]
In the initial operation mode shown in FIG. 1, the backlight light source 40 guides the backlight light to the backlight panel 9 on the back side of the operation area 30 </ b> C when waiting for the input of the course washing, and performs the operation. After it is determined that the input operation to the area 30C has been executed, the operation areas 30D, 30E, and 30F of “Normal”, “Wool”, “Hand-washing”, and “Dry” are required to further prompt the next input operation. , And 30G of backlight panel 9.
[0065]
When the operation area 30 has a relatively large area, such as the operation area 30C, the operation detection unit U provided corresponding to one operation area 30 has a plurality of infrared light-emissions that are simultaneously controlled. The element 5 and the plurality of infrared light receiving elements 6 are used as a pair. That is, the output side small hole 34 and the input side small hole 35 are formed inside the plurality of dispersed positions in the operation area 30C, and the output side mounting hole 12 below the output side small hole 34 and the input side small hole 35 are formed. An infrared light emitting element 5 and an infrared light receiving element 6 are arranged in the lower input side mounting hole 13 respectively.
[0066]
Although one infrared light receiving element 6 can detect only a part of the unique optical signal reflected from the outside of the operation area 30, the operation area 30 is dispersed by disposing a large number of infrared light receiving elements 6. Even in a wide range, the reflected specific optical signal can be reliably detected by any of the infrared light receiving elements 6. When a plurality of infrared light-emitting elements 5 and infrared light-receiving elements 6 are arranged in this manner, each infrared light-receiving element 6 is placed between a plurality of infrared light-emitting elements 5 that are paired in the same operation detection unit U. In addition, a light-shielding slit 14 and, if necessary, metal plating 18 are provided on the inner surface of the light-shielding slit 14 so as not to directly receive light.
[0067]
FIG. 6 shows a main part of an operation panel input device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The metal plating 18 is a light-shielding metal plate 51, and a metal guide plate 52 is formed along the surface of the printed wiring board 7. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the input device 1 according to the first embodiment except that the input device is arranged, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, a light-shielding metal plate 51 is inserted in the light-shielding slit 14 in place of the metal plating 18, and the inside of the printed wiring board 7 connecting the infrared light-emitting element 5 and the infrared light-receiving element 6 that form a pair. The optical path is blocked by the metal plate 51.
[0069]
The metal plate 51 is a metal piece obtained by cutting and raising a part of the metal guide plate 52. After the metal plate 51 is inserted from the front side along the inner wall surface of the light shielding slit 14, the front end thereof is again on the back surface of the printed wiring board 7. It is bent and fixed to the printed wiring board 7.
[0070]
When a plurality of light shielding slits 14 are formed in the printed wiring board 7, the metal plate 51 is cut and raised from respective corresponding portions of the metal guide plate 52, and the printed wiring board 7 through which the light shielding slits 14 are inserted. To each part.
[0071]
With this configuration, the metal guide plate 52 is supported along the surface of the printed circuit board 7 by the metal plate 51 and rises from the surface of the substrate 7 even if the metal guide plate 52 is bent due to aging, temperature change, or the like. Be placed without.
[0072]
The metal guide plate 52 disposed on the printed wiring board 7 covers the output-side mounting hole 12 and the input-side mounting hole 13 and has guide holes 53, 53 having substantially the same inner diameter as the mounting holes 12, 13. Are drilled. As described above, the metal guide plate 52 is positioned without penetrating the metal plate 51 into the light-shielding slit 14 and also moving in the plane direction of the printed wiring board 7. 53 is maintained in a state of communicating vertically in the same vertical line.
[0073]
Thereby, the optical path of the output light emitted from the infrared light emitting element 5 is narrowed outward without further internal diffusion by the guide hole 53 above the output side mounting hole 12. 6 has a guide hole 53 disposed above the input side mounting hole 13, so that it can receive a unique optical signal that is input from the outside through the operation area 30, and is capable of receiving internal diffused light that becomes noise. The amount of received light decreases.
[0074]
When the metal guide plate 52 is arranged, it is not always necessary to arrange the metal guide plate 52 over the entire surface of the printed wiring board 7 as long as the guide hole 53 communicating with the mounting holes 12 and 13 is formed. Alternatively, a band-shaped member such as a band-shaped member may be used.
[0075]
The metal plate 51 does not need to be used together with the metal guide plate 52, and may have various shapes as long as the metal plate 51 can be inserted into and fixed to the light shielding slit 14, such as a metal tube fitted into the light shielding slit 14. Alternatively, a copper foil used for manufacturing the printed wiring board 7 may be formed on the inner surface of the light-shielding slit 14 in the manufacturing process and made of copper foil.
[0076]
In the above embodiment, the opaque metal plating 18 and the metal plate 51 are arranged along the inner wall surface of the light-shielding slit 14 to block direct light passing through the printed wiring board 7. Since the refractive index of the light-shielding slit 14 is greatly different from that of the light-shielding slit 14, a part of the light is directly reflected at the boundary surface, and the unique optical signal which becomes weak by passing through the printed wiring board 7 is further attenuated. And reaches the infrared light receiving element 6.
[0077]
Therefore, when the received light amount of the unique light signal passing through the light-shielding slit 14 is negligibly small compared to the received light amount of the unique light signal received through the operation area 30 by the input operation, the opaque metal plating is not necessarily required. It is not necessary to dispose the metal plate 18 or the metal plate 51.
[0078]
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 4 and the backlight panel 9 are arranged on the back side (inside) of the operation panel 3, but the present invention is also applied to an operation panel input device that does not interpose these. it can.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, only the light-shielding slit is formed in the printed wiring board on which the light emitting means and the light receiving means are mounted, and the specific light passing from the light emitting means directly to the light receiving means through the inside of the printed wiring board is provided. The signal is attenuated, and only the unique optical signal due to the input operation can be accurately detected.
[0080]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the optical path in the printed wiring board directly connecting the light emitting means and the light receiving means is interrupted by the opaque metal plating, the unique optical signal passing through the printed wiring board completely more completely. Can be shut off.
[0081]
In addition, according to the third aspect of the invention, opaque metal plating can be adhered to the inside of the light-shielding slit in the process of processing the through-hole and plating the through-hole.
[0082]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the light path in the printed wiring board directly connecting the light emitting means and the light receiving means is cut off by the light shielding metal plate, the unique optical signal passing through the printed wiring board completely more completely. Can be shut off.
[0083]
In addition, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the metal guide plate having the guide hole is arranged along the surface of the printed wiring board, the emitted intrinsic optical signal is not scattered in the operation panel. The light receiving means guides outward and receives a unique optical signal input by an input operation from outside without receiving the internal scattered light.
[0084]
Since the light-shielding metal plate is fixed to the printed wiring board integrally with the metal guide plate having the guide holes, the guide holes and the mounting holes do not shift.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation panel input device 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the operation panel input device 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the printed wiring board 7;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation panel input device 1.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of an operation panel input device 50 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional operation panel input device 100.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a unique optical signal emitted from each operation detection unit U.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing details of a configuration of a conventional operation panel input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,50 Operation panel input device 3 Operation panel (transparent acrylic plate)
5 Light emitting means (infrared light emitting element)
6. Light receiving means (infrared light receiving element)
7 printed wiring board 12 output side mounting hole 13 input side mounting hole 14 light shielding slit 18 opaque metal plating (through hole plating)
30 operation area 51 light shielding metal plate 52 metal guide plate 53 guide hole

Claims (5)

A translucent operation panel (3) in which an operation area (30) is set;
A light emitting means (5) for emitting a unique optical signal outward through the operation area (30);
Light receiving means (6) for receiving a unique optical signal from outside through an operation area (30);
A pair of the light emitting means (5) and the light receiving means (6) are supported inside the operation area (30), and the legs (5a, 6a) of the light emitting means (5) and the light receiving means (6) are electrically conductive. A printed wiring board (7) soldered to the wiring pattern;
An operation panel input device that determines that an input operation to the operation area (30) has been performed when the light receiving unit (6) detects the unique optical signal at the emission timing of the unique optical signal by the light emitting unit (5). So,
In the printed wiring board (7), mounting holes (12, 13) for accommodating the light emitting means (5) and the light receiving means (6) are formed,
An operation panel input device, wherein a light-shielding slit (14) is formed between mounting holes (12, 13) of a light-emitting means (5) and a light-receiving means (6) to be paired. The operation panel input device according to claim 1, wherein an opaque metal plating (18) is attached to an inner wall surface of the light shielding slit (14). The operation panel input device according to claim 2, wherein the opaque metal plating (18) is a through-hole plating for electrically connecting between conductive wiring patterns wired on the front and back surfaces of the printed wiring board (7). The operation panel input device according to claim 1, wherein a light shielding metal plate (51) is inserted along an inner wall surface of the light shielding slit (14). A metal having a guide hole (53) formed in the front surface side of the printed wiring board (7) and having substantially the same inner diameter as the mounting holes (12, 13) for accommodating the light emitting means (5) and the light receiving means (6). A guide plate (52) is provided,
The tip of the light-shielding metal plate (51) integrated with the metal guide plate (52) is inserted through the light-shielding slit (14) and bent on the back side of the printed wiring board (7),
The operation panel input device according to claim 4, wherein the metal guide plate (52) is positioned and supported.

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