JP2005063936A - Operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device capable of operating different detecting means by one operating member and capable of improving operation feeling. <P>SOLUTION: A membrane sheet 20 where a plurality of contacts are provided in parallel is provided on the back side of an operating member 10, the membrane sheet 20 is fixed to a movable plate 26 made of a rigid body, and the movable plate 26 is rotatably supported by a case 2 through hinge parts 26a, 26b. A base substrate 31 provided with a switch 30 is provided on the back side of the movable plate 26. The contact is tuned on when the operating member 10 is operated by first pressing force. The movable plate 26 is turned to turn on the switch 30 and to transmit click feeling to an operator when the operating member 10 is operated by second pressing force. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device in which two types of detection means are operated by a single operating member, and more particularly to an operating device capable of outputting two types of different operation signals in accordance with a pressing force.

  As an operating device in which a plurality of detecting means are operated by one operating member, there are those shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.

  The following Patent Document 1 includes an operation member that is rotatably and pressably supported, and a second detection unit formed of a rotary encoder on the back side of the operation member and a switch element. The detection means is provided. When the operation member is rotated, the output is switched by the first detection means, and when the operation member is pressed, the output of the first detection means remains unchanged and the output of only the second detection means is switched.

The following Patent Document 2 has a planar input device capable of performing an input mode in which a pressing operation can be performed on the same operation surface and a mode in which coordinate data can be input. A dome-shaped metal plate is provided on the back side of the flat input device so that the operator can feel an operation when the operation surface is pressed in a pressable mode.
JP 2002-170462 A JP 2002-123363 A

  The operation devices shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are both provided with a dome-shaped member. In Patent Document 1, when the operator presses the operation member with the member, the operator feels operation. It is like that. However, the structure shown in Patent Document 1 has a complicated structure, and it is difficult to reduce the size and thickness of the apparatus, and the technique shown in Patent Document 2 executes two types of input modes on the operation surface. This complicates the control of input mode switching.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can be mounted on a small-sized device in which two types of detection means are operated with one operation member, and the operability is not impaired. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation device that can be easily controlled.

According to the present invention, a flexible operation member that can be bent and deformed, a first detection unit that switches an output when the operation member is operated with a first pressing force, and the operation member that is operated by the first pressing force. Having a second detection means for switching the output when operated with a large second pressing force,
When the first detection means is provided on the back side of the operation member, the second detection means is provided on the back side of the first detection means, and the operation member is operated with the first pressing force. When the output of only the first detection means is switched and the operation member is operated with the second pressing force, the output of the second detection means is based on the operating force of the first detection means. It can be switched.

  In the present invention, the second pressing force at which the second detecting means operates is set higher than the first pressing force at which the first detecting means operates, so that both detecting means are of the pressing type. Can be configured.

  For example, the first detection means includes a movable plate formed of a rigid body that is difficult to bend and deform, and the first detection means is configured to operate with the operating force of the movable plate when the operation member is operated with the second pressing force. The output of the second detection means is switched.

  The second detection means is an on / off type switch, and the switch has a mechanism for giving an operation feeling to an operator when the operation member is operated by the second pressing force. Preferably it is. An example of this switch is a tact switch.

  Further, the movable plate may be rotatably supported in the housing, and the operation member may be supported to be pressed. If the movable plate is rotatably supported in this way, the movable plate can be reliably supported and the switch output can be switched reliably even when only a single switch is provided on the back side of the movable plate.

  Further, the operating member may be formed in a linear shape or may be formed in an annular shape.

  A plurality of the switches may be arranged on the base substrate. By arranging a plurality of switches, the movable plate can be supported only by these switches, and there is no need to provide a mechanism for supporting the movable plate in the housing.

  Furthermore, a plurality of the switches may be arranged at positions on the base substrate that are symmetric with respect to an axis passing through the center of the operation member. In this case, the individual switches are mutually relative to the axis. Those arranged at a right angle are preferable.

  According to the present invention, in an apparatus in which two types of detection means are operated with one operation member, it is possible to reliably tell the operator that the operation member has been pressed, so that the operability is not impaired. In addition, since any detection means is a pressing type, the control can be simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an appearance of an operating device according to an example of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure located in a housing of the operating device, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 has an operating member 10 that is elongated in the X direction. The operation member 10 is supported so as to be exposed from an opening 2 a formed in the housing 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the opening 2 a is formed with an opening area having substantially the same size as the operation surface 10 a on the surface of the operation member 10, and the operation member 10 is inserted from the back side of the housing 2.

  The operation member 10 is a soft member such as silicone rubber or synthetic rubber, and is formed with a predetermined thickness dimension in the Z direction. The operation surface 10a on the surface of the operation member 10 is formed with a member having a low frictional resistance to be a smooth surface, and the operation surface 10a can be smoothly moved in the X1-X2 direction when operated with a finger. It is like that.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plate material 11 is provided on the back surface of the operation member 10 on the Z2 side. The plate 11 is a synthetic resin sheet formed of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, and is formed wider than the area of the operation surface 10a, and a flange 11a that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the operation member 10 in the XY plane direction. have. Thus, when the plate member 11 having the flange 11a is fixed to the lower surface (Z2 side surface) of the operation member 10 and the operation member 10 is assembled so as to be inserted from the back side of the housing 2, the flange 11a 11a is locked by the back surface 2b of the housing | casing 2, and it is prevented that the operation member 10 slips out of the housing | casing 2. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, five protrusions 12 are linearly formed at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (X direction) on the surface of the plate 11 on the Z2 side. Each of the protrusions 12 is formed by screen printing, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin. Further, support protrusions 13 and 13 are formed of ultraviolet curable resin on both sides in the X direction of the protrusion 12 in the same manner as described above, and the membrane sheet 20 is fixed via the support protrusions 13 and 13. The manufacturing process can be simplified by simultaneously forming the protrusions 12 and the support protrusions 13 by printing.

  The membrane sheet 20 is composed of an upper sheet 21 and a lower sheet 22 and a spacer 23 interposed between the upper sheet 21 and the lower sheet 22 using a synthetic resin such as PET or polyimide resin. Yes. In the spacer 23, through holes 23a are formed at positions corresponding to the protrusions 12, and electrodes 24 and 25 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the upper sheet 21 and the lower sheet 22 in which the through holes 23a are formed. Yes. One electrode 24 and the electrode 25 facing each other constitute one contact. The membrane sheet 20 is formed with a strip-like lead portion 28 formed by extending a part thereof to the side (see FIG. 2), and a conductive pattern extending from the contact point is formed on the lead portion 28. The conductive pattern is connected to a control unit (not shown).

  A movable plate 26 is fixed to the surface of the membrane sheet 20 on the Z2 side. The movable plate 26 is formed of a rigid body such as a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate and is not easily bent and deformed. The movable plate 26 is reinforced so that the membrane sheet 20 is not easily deformed. The movable plate 26 is formed wider than the membrane sheet 20 with respect to the XY plane, and the entire membrane sheet 20 (excluding the drawer portion 28) is located on the movable plate 26.

  As shown in FIG. 2, hinge portions 26a and 26b extending in the Y2 direction are integrally formed on both sides of the movable plate 26 in the X direction. The hinge portions 26a and 26b have plate-like support portions 26a1 and 26b1 at their base portions and columnar rotation portions 26a2 and 26b2 each having an axis in the X direction at the distal end portions. It is rotatably supported in the housing 2. That is, the housing 2 is composed of, for example, an upper case 2A and a lower case 2B as shown in FIG. 3, and the housing 2 is rotated when the upper case 2A and the lower case 2B are combined. A support recess 27 is formed to rotatably support the portions 26a2 and 26b2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a switch 30 as a second detection means is provided on the back side of the movable plate 26. This switch 30 is, for example, a tact switch, and is provided directly behind (below) the operation member 10 and facing the central portion in the X direction. The switch 30 has a pressed portion 30a supported so as to be movable back and forth in the Z1-Z2 direction. The pressed portion 30a is pushed down in the Z2 direction when pressed, and the pressing operation force is released. The pressed portion 30a is lifted in the Z1 direction by an elastic return force of an elastic member (not shown) provided in the switch 30, and the pressed portion 30a returns to the original position (the state shown in FIG. 3). In addition, the switch 30 provides an operation feeling such as a click feeling to the operator when the operator performs a pressing operation.

  The switch 30 is provided on a base substrate 31 formed of a rigid body such as a glass epoxy substrate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the switch 30 may be mounted on a flexible substrate having flexibility, and the flexible substrate may be fixed with a rigid reinforcing member.

  For example, when the operation member 10 is formed of silicone rubber and the plate member 11 is formed of PET as the operation device of the present embodiment, the distance between adjacent contacts is 10 mm or less, and it is a very small device of about several mm. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to bend and deform the operation member 10 locally, and to input each contact reliably. Further, by moving the operation surface 10a while pressing it in the X direction, each contact can be input continuously, and the number of contacts that can be input simultaneously can be changed based on the pressing force.

  Further, in the operating device 1 illustrated as described above, the pressing force with which the output is switched when the operating member 10 is pressed against the membrane sheet 20 is 0.196N to 0.294N (where N is Newton) ), And the pressing force at this time is the first pressing force in the present embodiment. In the switch 30, the pressing force at which the output is switched when the operating member 10 is pressed is set to 1.47N, and the pressing force at this time is the second pressing force in the present embodiment. However, the first pressing force and the second pressing force are not limited to the set values described above, and are appropriately determined according to the elastic modulus of the operation member 10 or the plate material 11, the configuration of the membrane sheet 20 or the switch 30, and the like. Can be changed.

  3 and 4 show a non-operating state, and the movable plate 26 is maintained in a horizontal posture by the return force of the pressed portion 30a of the switch 30, and the operating member 10 is lifted upward. In this state, when the operating member 10 is pressed with the first pressing force, specifically, the operating surface 10a (S point) positioned directly above the projection 12A at the center in the X direction of the operating surface 10a is pressed. Then, the region of the operation member 10 and the plate material 11 corresponding to the protrusion 12A is locally bent and deformed, and the protrusion 12A is pushed down in the Z2 direction. Then, the upper sheet 21 is pressed by the movement of the projection 12A so that the electrode 24 and the electrode 25 come into contact with each other, and the switch output is switched to the input side. Even when the operation surface 10a is pressed at a position corresponding to the other protrusion 12, the operation member 10 and the plate material 11 are locally deformed in the same manner as described above, and the contacts of the membrane sheet 20 are individually input. Set to

  Further, when the operating member 10 is operated with the second pressing force when the operating member 10 is not operated or when the operating member 10 is operated with the first pressing force, the operating member 10 is supported. The movable plate 26 is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 3 with the turning portions 26a2 and 26b2 as fulcrums. At this time, the movable plate 26 is swung, the pressed portion 30a of the switch 30 is pressed by the operating force of the movable plate 26 at this time, and the switch output is switched from OFF to ON. Simultaneously with the switching of the switch output, the operator is given an operational feeling by clicking. Further, by releasing the pressing force on the operation member 10, the movable plate 26 and the operation member 10 are restored to the initial state by the elastic return force of the pressed portion 30a.

  Thus, by setting the second pressing force to operate with a pressing force sufficiently larger than the first pressing force, it is inadvertent when operating the operation member 10 with the first pressing force. The switch 30 is never input. Therefore, by operating one operation member 10, it is possible to reliably operate each detection means in which the same type of detection means of the same type as the pressing type is provided on the back side of the operation member 10. Further, when the operation member 10 is strongly pressed with the second pressing force, a click feeling can be given to the operator, so that the operator can recognize that the operation has been performed, and an operation error can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, since the movable plate 26 is supported by the housing 2 via the hinge portions 26a and 26b, the movable plate 26 can be operated regardless of which position on the operation surface 10a of the operation member 10 is pressed. Can be operated evenly, and the switch 30 can be reliably input.

  In the operating device 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a recess 16 is formed in the peripheral portion of the opening 2 a formed in the housing 2. The concave portion 16 is cut obliquely so that the depth dimension becomes deeper from the outside toward the inside, and a part of the outer peripheral side surface of the operation member 10 is exposed together with the operation surface 10a of the operation member 10. Yes. When the concave portion 16 formed in this way is formed around the operation member 10, the pressing force acting on the housing 2 side when the operation surface 10a of the operation member 10 is pressed with a finger is reduced. A pressing force acts intensively on the operation member 10 side. Therefore, the operation member 10 can be reliably pressed.

  As an example of use of the operation device 1, in the case where a plurality of menu icons are displayed on the display screen, the operation surface 10a of the operation member 10 is moved in the X direction while applying a first pressing force. The selection position of the icon is sequentially switched, and the icon selected by the operation is determined by applying a second pressing force to the operation surface 10a of the operation member 10 in a state where any one of the icons is selected. The function assigned to this icon is executed. In the case where the mouse cursor is displayed on the display screen, the mouse cursor is moved in the X1 direction with respect to the display screen by sliding the operation surface 10a while bringing the finger in contact with the first pressing force in the X1 direction. The mouse cursor can be moved in the X2 direction by sliding in the X2 direction, and various operations such as volume adjustment and menu selection can be performed by such a slide operation.

  FIG. 5 is a modification of the operating device shown in FIGS. The operating device 15 is different from the operating device 1 only in that a plurality of switches 30 and 30 are provided and that the movable plate 36 is not provided with a hinge portion. It is the same as the operating device 1.

  In the operation device 15, the movable plate 36 is not provided with a hinge portion, and the movable plate 36 is formed with a slightly larger area than the membrane sheet 20 (except for the drawer portion 28). The operating device 15 is provided with two switches 30, 30, which are provided on the base substrate 31 at positions facing the both ends in the X direction of the operating member 10 in a state of being separated from each other. In this way, by installing the switches 30 and 30 at predetermined positions on the base substrate 31 at a distance from each other, there is no need to provide a hinge portion on the movable plate 36, and the movable plate 36 is composed of only two switches 30 and 30. Can be supported.

  Further, in the operating device 15, as in the operating device 1, when the operating surface 10 a of the operating member 10 is operated with the first pressing force, only the contact of the membrane sheet 20 as the first detecting means is in the input state. When the operation surface 10a is operated with the second pressing force, the movable plate 36 is pushed down and one of the switches 30, 30 as the second detecting means is brought into the input state by the operating force of the movable plate 36. Can be switched. Further, at least one of the switches can be input by pressing any surface of the operation surface 10a.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an operating device as a modification of the second embodiment.

  The operating device 40 has an operating member 45 formed in a ring shape, and the basic structure is the same as that of the operating device 1. The operation member 45 is formed of a soft member such as silicone rubber, and a member for reducing frictional resistance is formed on the operation surface 45a on the surface thereof, so that the operation surface 45a can be smoothly slid with a finger. ing. A plate member 46 made of a synthetic resin sheet such as PET is fixed to the back surface of the operation member 45, and a flange 46 a is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the plate member 46. Protrusions (not shown) are formed on the lower surface of the plate material 46 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

  A membrane sheet 47 is provided on the rear side (Z2 side) of the plate member 46 provided with the protrusions, and the membrane sheet 47 is fixed to the movable plate 48. The membrane sheet 47 and the movable plate 48 are formed in the same manner as the operation device 1. A base substrate 50 is provided further behind the movable plate 48, and a switch 51 as a second detection unit is provided on the base substrate 50. The switch 51 is a tact switch as described above, and is located at the center of the operation member 45. In addition, four screw insertion holes 50 a, 50 a, 50 a, 50 a are formed in the base substrate 50, and each screw insertion hole 50 a is located outside the peripheral edge portion of the movable plate 48.

  A circular opening 41a is formed on the housing 41 side where the operation device 40 is installed, and the operation member 45 is inserted into the opening 41a from the inside of the housing 41. The A square frame-shaped support member 42 is integrally formed on the ceiling surface inside the housing 41, and the movable plate 48 is inserted into the frame of the support member 42. Also, four screw holes 43 are formed on the outside of the support member 42, and screws are inserted into the screw insertion holes 50 a from the back side of the base substrate 50 and screwed into the screw holes 43. The base substrate 50 is fixed to the back side of the housing 41.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first pressing force and the second pressing force are set so as to operate with the same pressing force as described above. In the operation device 40, various functions can be executed by performing a sliding operation in the circumferential direction along the operation surface 45a. When the operation member 45 is operated with the first pressing force, only each contact of the membrane sheet 47 is switched to the input state, and when operated with the second pressing force, the movable plate 48 swings. The switch 51 is set to the input state. Since the second pressing force is set to be sufficiently larger than the first pressing force, the output of the switch 51 is not switched by the operation of lightly pressing on the operation surface 45a or the operation of sliding while lightly pressing. The output of the switch 51 is switched only when the operation of pushing the 45a strongly is performed. Simultaneously with the switching of the output, the switch 51 gives the operator a feeling of operation by clicking.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when the operation surface 45 a of the operation member 45 is operated with the second pressing force, the movable plate 48 is hardly moved in the XY plane direction by the support member 42. Since only the operation in the Z direction is permitted, the movable plate 48 can be stably supported even if only one switch 51 is mounted on the back side of the movable plate 48, and the second pressing force is also provided. The movable plate 48 can be stably operated when the pressing operation is performed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the number of switches 51 is not limited to one, and a plurality of switches may be installed. As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, four switches 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D are placed on an axis OO passing through the center of the annular operating member 45 at a position outside the operating member 45. In this configuration, it is installed at a position on the base substrate 50 that is symmetrical. In the example shown in FIG. 7, four switches 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D are arranged on the X1 side, X2 side, Y1 side, and Y2 side near the periphery of the movable plate 48 that is perpendicular to the axis OO. Is installed. In this case, the movable plate 48 has the same configuration as that of the operation device 15 shown in FIG. 5, that is, the movable plate 48 is an elastic member (inside each of the four switches 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D). It is supported in a state where it is lifted in the Z1 direction by an elastic return force (not shown).

  The switches 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D correspond to the X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 directions on the display screen of a computer or the like, respectively. For example, if the X1 side (point S1) of the annular operation member 45 is continuously pressed with the second pressing force, only the switch 51A is switched to the input state, so the mouse cursor in the display screen is moved in the X1 direction. When the Y2 side (point S2) of the operation member 45 is continuously pressed with the second pressing force, only the switch 51C is switched to the input state, and the mouse cursor can be moved in the Y1 direction. Has been. Furthermore, when the point S3 on the operation member 45, which is intermediate between the points S1 and S2, is continuously pressed with the second pressing force, the mouse cursor is moved in the X1 direction and the Y1 direction, that is, the orthogonal X1 axis and Y1 axis. It is possible to move it in an oblique direction of 45 degrees.

  When the switch is installed outside the operation member 45 to be pressed, the switch is pressed with a smaller pressing force than when the switch is disposed directly below the operation member 45 when the operation member 45 is pressed. The switch can be operated.

  The switch for giving the operation feeling to the operator is not limited to the tact switch, and the switch shown in FIG. 8 or 9 below can also be used.

  The switch 52 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a reversal plate 32 formed in a dome shape with a metal plate on a base substrate 31. A pair of electrodes 33, 33 formed of copper foil or the like is formed on the base substrate 31 inside the reversing plate 32, and the upper end portion of the reversing plate 32 is in contact with the lower surface of the movable plate 26. When the second pressing force is applied to the operating member 10 and the movable plate 26 is pushed down, the reversing plate 32 is deformed as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The switch output is switched in contact with both. Further, at this time, an operation feeling is generated by a reversing operation caused by deformation when the reversing plate 32 is pressed. When the pressing operation force on the operating member 10 is released, the original state is restored by the restoring force of the reversing plate 32.

  The switch 53 shown in FIG. 9 is integrally formed with a columnar pressed portion 34a at the center and a conical leg portion 34b around it by an elastic member such as rubber. A conductor 35 made of conductive resin mixed with carbon or the like is formed at the tip of the pressed portion 34a located inside. A pair of electrodes 37, 37 are formed on the base substrate 31 facing the conductor 35. When the pressed portion 34a is pushed down by the operating force of the movable plate 26, the leg portion 34b is bent and deformed, and the conductor 35 comes into contact with both the electrodes 37 and 37 to switch the switch output. When the operating force on the operating member 10 is released, the operating member 10 is returned to its original state by an elastic return force.

  The shape of the operation member of the present invention is not limited to a linear shape or an annular shape, and may be other shapes such as a square shape or a cross shape.

The top view which shows the external appearance of the operating device of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, The perspective view which shows the structure of an operating device, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. The perspective view which shows the modification of the operating device of this invention, The disassembled perspective view which shows the operating device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, The disassembled perspective view which shows the operating device as a modification of 2nd Embodiment, Sectional drawing which shows the modification of the switch mounted in an operating device, Sectional drawing which shows the other modification of the switch mounted in the operating device,

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,40 Operation apparatus 2,41 Case 2a, 41a Opening part 10,45 Operation member 10a, 45a Operation surface 11,46 Plate material 11a, 46a Flange 12 Protrusion 20,47 Membrane sheet 26,36,48 Movable plate 26a, 26b Hinge part 30, 51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D, 52, 53 Switch 30a, 51a Pressed part 31, 50 Base substrate 42 Support member

Claims (9)

A flexible operating member that can be bent and deformed, a first detecting means for switching an output when the operating member is operated with a first pressing force, and a second operating member that is larger than the first pressing force. A second detecting means for switching the output when operated with a pressing force of
When the first detection means is provided on the back side of the operation member, the second detection means is provided on the back side of the first detection means, and the operation member is operated with the first pressing force. When the output of only the first detection means is switched and the operation member is operated with the second pressing force, the output of the second detection means is based on the operating force of the first detection means. An operating device that can be switched.   The first detection means includes a movable plate formed of a rigid body that is not easily bent and deformed, and the second detection unit is operated by the operating force of the movable plate when the operation member is operated by the second pressing force. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the output of the detecting means is switched.   The second detection means is an on / off type switch, and the switch has a mechanism for giving an operation feeling to an operator when the operation member is operated by the second pressing force. Item 3. The operating device according to Item 1 or 2.   The operating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable plate is rotatably supported in a housing, and the operating member is supported to be freely pressed.   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is formed in a linear shape.   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is formed in an annular shape.   The operating device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the switches are arranged on a base substrate.   The operation device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the switches are arranged at positions on the base substrate that are symmetrical with respect to an axis passing through a center of the operation member.   The operating device according to claim 8, wherein the individual switches are arranged at positions perpendicular to the axis.

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