JP2006196309A - Operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating device capable of realizing improvement in an operation feeling of an operating member and a sure detection of rotation direction. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with a joy pad knob 2 fitted in free rotation, a dial knob 1 arranged outside the joy pad knob 2, and momentary switches 13a to 13d for detecting rotation direction of the joy pad knob 2. The momentary switches 13a to 13d are constituted with the number fewer than rotation directions of the joy pad knob, and a height from an upper end part 1a of the dial knob 1 and an upper end part A1 of the joy pad knob 2 at a rotation direction side at the time when rotation directions of the joy pad knob 2 are detected by the momentary switches 13a to 13d is to be identical at all rotation directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device such as a joypad.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation device such as a joypad is known in the art of detecting a rotation direction of an operation member by detecting a first position and a second position of the operation member by a detection unit.
Moreover, such a detection means is comprised by the tact switch etc. of a number smaller than the rotation direction of the operation member which should be detected (for example, refer patent document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-161804

  However, since the operation device described in Patent Document 1 is composed of tact switches that are fewer than the rotation direction of the operation member to be detected by the detection means, the rotation direction positioned directly above the tact switch is In other rotation directions, the rotation stroke of the operation member is different.

Therefore, when the operator puts a finger on the upper end of the outer frame member and the upper end of the operation member on the rotation direction side and touches the operation member, in other words, the operation feeling is different. there were.
In addition, such a problem may result in an insufficient rotation operation by the operator, and the operator may be forced to perform the same rotation operation again, or input an excessive force to the operation member.

  Therefore, although it is conceivable that tact switches corresponding to all the rotation directions to be detected are respectively arranged below the operation member, in this case, the overall size of the apparatus and the number of parts, manufacturing cost, and weight are increased. I will invite you.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect the rotation direction of the operation member from the upper end portion of the outer frame member when the detection means detects the rotation direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device capable of realizing improved operation feeling of the operating member and reliable detection of the rotating direction by making the height to the unit the same in all rotating directions.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the operation member configured to be rotatable, the outer frame member disposed outside the operation member, and the number of rotations of the operation member to be detected are smaller. A detecting unit configured to detect the rotation direction of the operation member based on the first and second positions, and from an upper end portion of the outer frame member when the rotation direction of the operation member is detected by the detection unit; The height to the upper end of the operating member in the rotational direction is the same in all rotational directions.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the height from the upper end portion of the outer frame member to the upper end portion on the rotation direction side of the operation member when the rotation direction of the operation member is detected by the detection means Since the rotation direction is the same, it is possible to improve the operation feeling of the operation member and reliably detect the rotation direction while reducing the size of the entire apparatus, reducing the number of parts, manufacturing cost, and weight.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1 will be described below.
FIG. 1 is an overall exploded view showing the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operating device according to the first embodiment (circuit assembly is omitted), and FIG. 3 shows the operating device according to the first embodiment. 4 is a sectional view taken along line S4-S4 in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line S5-S5 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line S6-6 in FIG. It is.

  7 is a diagram for explaining the action at the time of turning in the oblique direction along the line S4-S4 in FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is a figure for explaining the action at the time of turning in the cross direction in the line S5-S5 in FIG. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are diagrams for explaining the rotation stroke of the joypad knob.

First, the overall configuration will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the operating device according to the first embodiment includes a dial knob 1 (corresponding to an outer frame member), a joy pad knob 2 (corresponding to an operating member), a determining knob 3, and a determining spring 4. A holder joy pad 5, a holder upper joint 6, a joy pad spring 7, a slider joy pad 8, a guide light 9, a base dial 10, a base joy pad 11, push rods 12a to 12d, a circuit, An assembly 17 is provided.

The dial knob 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and its upper end portion 1a is formed substantially flat, and a plurality of projecting portions 1b projecting radially outward from the upper end portion 1a are concentrically arranged. Has been.
Further, at four locations in the radial direction at the lower end of the dial knob 1, there are provided fixing portions 1d (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) having openings 1c and extending downward, and each opening 1c. Since the claw portion 10a of the base dial 10 is concavo-convexly coupled, both are integrally fixed with the lower end of the dial knob 1 being fitted on the outer periphery of the base dial 10.

A plurality of tongue pieces 10 b extending downward are concentrically disposed at the lower end of the base dial 10, and each tongue piece 10 b is in an outer groove 11 a formed in a substantially cylindrical base joypad 11. It is in the state inserted in.
Further, the base dial 10 is supported so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction with its upper end positioned by claw portions 11b (see FIG. 1) provided at four positions in the radial direction of the base joy pad 11, and its lower end is supported. It is in a state in which it is slidably supported in a state where it is positioned on the protrusion 11c which is also a part of the outer groove 11a.

At four locations in the radial direction at the lower end of the base joy pad 11, leg portions 11 e having claw portions 11 d and extending downward are formed, and each claw portion 11 e penetrates the circuit assembly 17. By being locked and fixed, both are integrally fixed.
Therefore, the dial knob 1 and the base dial 10 are provided to be rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the base joy pad 11 (and the circuit assembly 17).

The joypad knob 2 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and its upper end 2 a is disposed in a state of being exposed upward from the upper end 1 a of the dial knob 1.
In the cross direction of the center O on the joypad knob 2, arc-shaped protrusions 2b protruding upward are formed, and the height of each protrusion 2b is formed at a predetermined height described later. Yes.
In addition, columnar pressing portions 2c to 2f extending downward from the inside of the joypad knob 2 are formed at positions orthogonal to the cross direction in which the protruding portion 1b is disposed at an angle of 45 °. Yes.

The lower ends of the pressing portions 2c to 2f are in contact with the upper ends of substantially rod-shaped push rods 12a to 12d that are slidably supported in the through grooves 11f of the base joy pad 11, and further the lower ends of the push rods 12a to 12d. The contact surfaces of tact switches 13a to 13d (corresponding to detection means) provided on the circuit assembly 17 are in contact with each other.
The center of the joypad knob 2 is provided with a circular opening 2g which is inclined downward toward the center O, and is arranged in a state where the upper part of the substantially cylindrical determination knob 3 protrudes.

The decision knob 3 is formed with a circumferential groove 3a that opens downward, and the decision spring 4 provided in the circumferential groove 3a is biased upward by the lower end of the opening 2g of the dial knob 1, Further, the lateral side of the holder upper joint 6 is slidably supported on the inner side of the outer cylindrical portion 6a, so that it can be moved up and down within the outer cylindrical portion 6a of the holder upper joint 6.
Further, a pressing portion 3b (see FIG. 1) that is bent downward in an L shape is formed on a part of the side of the determination knob 3, and the pressing portion 3b is similar to the pressing portions 2c to 2f described above. Further, the switch surface of the tact switch 15 is in contact with the push rod 14.

  The inner cylindrical portion 6 b of the holder upper joint 6 is provided with a substantially cylindrical slider joypad 8 urged downward by a joypad spring 7 on the inner side thereof, and a lower portion of the slider joypad 8 is a guide light 9. The conical groove 9a is provided so as to be movable up and down while being biased by the inclined taper angle 9b. Note that the lower end of the slider joypad 8 of the present embodiment is formed in a hemispherical shape.

The guide light 9 is fixed to the base joy pad 11 with a plurality of leg portions 9c protruding outward in the radial direction.
Further, the guide light 9 is formed using a transparent material, and a light source (not shown) is arranged on the lower side, so that the light of the light source is transmitted upward so that an operator's operation will be visually described later. It is configured to provide assistance.

  The outer cylindrical portion 6a of the holder upper joint 6 is formed with a locking pin 6b (see FIG. 1) protruding outward in the radial direction, and the locking pin 6b is formed on the substantially cylindrical holder joypad 5. A locking pin 5b provided at a position orthogonal to the locking pin 6b in the holder joy pad 5 is rotatable with respect to the base joy pad 11. The above-described joypad knob 2 (and the determination knob 3, the determination spring 4, the holder joypad 5, the holder upper joint, the joypad spring, and the slider joypad) are in the cross direction on the joypad knob 2. And dial knob 1 (and guide light 9, base dial 10, base joy pad 11, push button in a total of eight directions. Head 12 a to 12 d, and is configured so as to be rotatable with respect to the circuit ASSY 16).

  Although not shown, the dial knob 1 and the base dial 10 detect the relative positions of the tongue piece 10b of the base dial 10 and the outer groove 11a of the base joy pad 11 as the dial knob 1 rotates. A rotation position detection mechanism for detecting the rotation position of the dial knob 1 is provided, and the dial slider position 21 urged radially outward by the dial spring position 20 (see FIG. 1) is provided on the inner surface of the base dial 10. There is provided a click mechanism that applies an intermittent operation reaction force to the operator by rotating the dial knob 1 while engaging the groove 10c.

Next, the operation will be described.
The operation device configured as described above is mounted on a vehicle in a state where the circuit assembly 17 is electrically connected to an on-vehicle device (not shown) such as an on-vehicle monitor and a navigation device. Referring to FIG. 4, various information is obtained and setting / instruction of the in-vehicle device is performed by rotating the dial knob 1 described later, pressing the determination knob 3, and rotating the joypad knob 2.

[Rotating operation of dial knob]
When the operator grasps the dial knob 1 with his / her finger and rotates it appropriately, the rotation position detection mechanism detects a change in the relative position between the tongue piece 10b of the base dial 10 and the outer groove 11a of the base joy pad 11, Thus, the rotational position of the dial knob 1 can be detected.
At this time, the operator can obtain an appropriate click feeling by the intermittent operation reaction force of the click mechanism.

[Pressing the decision knob]
When the operator depresses the determination knob 3 with a finger, the pressing portion 3b of the determination knob 3 depresses the switch surface of the tact switch 15 via the push rod 14 against the urging force of the determination spring 4. Thus, the tact switch 15 is turned on, and the pressing operation of the determination knob 3 can be detected.
In addition, although it is a supplement, when the operator removes his / her finger from the determination knob 3, the determination knob 3 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the determination spring 4.

[Rotating the joypad knob]
When the operator rotates in an oblique direction on the joypad knob 2, for example, in the direction A in FIG. 2, the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 and the joypad knob 2 are moved as shown in FIG. By placing a finger 30 on the upper end 2a in the A direction and pressing down the joypad knob 2, the joypad knob 2 (and the determination knob 3, the determination spring 4, the holder joy pad 5, the holder upper joint, and the joy pad spring) 7. The slider joypad 8) is rotated to move from the first position shown in FIG. 4 to the second position shown in FIG. 7, and the pressing portion 2c of the joypad knob 2 is tacted via the push rod 12a. By depressing the switch surface of the switch 13a, the tact switch 13a is turned on, and the rotation operation in the A direction can be detected.

  The lower end of the slider joypad 8 is displaced from the taper angle 9b of the conical groove 9a during the rotation. However, when the operator releases the finger from the joypad knob 2, the joypad spring 7 As the pad knob 2 returns to the original position due to the restoring force, the lower end of the slider joy pad 8 also returns to the original position while sliding along the inclination of the conical groove 9a.

Next, when the operator rotates in the cross direction on the joypad knob 2, for example, in the direction B in FIG. 2, the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 and the joypad knob 2 as shown in FIG. By placing a finger 30 on the protrusion 2b in the B direction and pressing the joypad knob 2, the joypad knob 2 (and the determination knob 3, the determination spring 4, the holder joy pad 5, the holder upper joint, The pad spring 7 (slider joypad) is rotated to move from the first position shown in FIG. 5 to the second position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the pressing portions 2c and 2d of the joypad knob 2 are pushed rods. By simultaneously pressing the switch surfaces of the tact switches 13a and 13b via 12a and 12b, the tact switches 13a and 13b are turned on to detect the rotation operation in the B direction.
That is, the tact switches 13a to 13d, which are detection means of the first embodiment, have a smaller number of components than the rotational direction (eight directions) of the joypad knob 2 to be detected, and the first and second of the joypad knob 2 are the first and second. Thus, the rotation direction of the joypad knob 2 can be detected, whereby the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced and the number of parts, manufacturing cost, and weight can be reduced.

[Rotation angle of joypad knob]
Here, the rotation angle of the joypad knob 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The switch stroke of the tact switch 13a is S1, the rotation radius of the joypad knob 2 is L1, and the tact switch 13a is turned on. The rotation angle C of the joypad knob 2 when detecting the A direction is as shown in FIG.
From tanC = S1 / L1, C = tan ⁻¹ S1 / L1.
On the other hand, the rotation angle F of the joypad knob 2 when the tact switches 13a and 13b are turned on and the B direction is detected is as shown in FIG.
From tanF = S1 / (L1-L2), F = tan ⁻¹ S1 (L1−L2).
Since L1> L2, F> C is obtained, and as a result, the rotation stroke S2 of the joypad knob 2 necessary for detection in the B direction becomes larger by S2-S1 than in the A direction.
Therefore, the height from the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end A1 on the rotation direction side of the joypad knob 2 when the tact switches 13a to 13d detect the rotation direction is the cross direction on the joypad knob 2. As a result, the operation fee when the operator rotates the joypad knob 2 by placing the finger 30 on the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 and the upper end portion A1 of the joypad knob 2 in the rotational direction. The ring is different, or the rotation operation in the cross direction is insufficient as compared with the oblique direction, which causes a problem that the rotation direction cannot be detected properly.

However, in the operating device according to the first embodiment, the protrusion 2b is formed at the position in the cross direction of the upper end 2a of the joypad knob 2, and the protrusion 2b is formed by the joypad knob 2 described above. Since it is formed at a height corresponding to the difference S2-S1 in the rotation stroke between when it is rotated in the direction and when it is rotated in the oblique direction, the A direction of the joypad knob 2 is detected by the tact switch 13a. The height H1 (see FIG. 7) from the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end portion A1 in the rotational direction of the joypad knob 2 and the B direction of the joypad knob 2 are detected by the tact switches 13a and 13b. In this case, the height H2 (see FIG. 8) from the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end A1 on the rotation direction side of the joypad knob 2 can be made the same.
Note that the rotation operation in the oblique direction other than the A direction and the cross direction other than the B direction is the same as described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Accordingly, the height from the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end portion A1 on the rotation direction side of the joypad knob 2 when the rotation direction of the joypad knob 2 is detected by the tact switches 13a to 13d is adjusted all the time. It can be made the same in the moving direction, and thereby, it is possible to realize a good operation feeling and improved accuracy in detecting the rotating direction.

Next, the effect will be described.
As described above, in the operating device according to the first embodiment, the joypad knob 2 provided to be rotatable, the dial knob 1 disposed outside the joypad knob 2, and the detection should be detected. The tactile switches 13a to 13d are configured to have a smaller number than the rotation direction (eight directions) of the joypad knob 2 and detect the rotation direction of the joypad knob 2 by the first and second positions. When the turning direction of the joypad knob 2 is detected by the switches 13a to 13d, the height from the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end portion A1 on the turning direction side of the joypad knob 2 in all the turning directions. Since they are the same, it is possible to improve the operation feeling of the operation member and reliably detect the rotation direction while reducing the size of the entire apparatus and reducing the manufacturing cost and weight.

  Further, by forming a protrusion 2b on the upper end 2a of the joypad knob 2, the joypad knob 2 can be rotated from the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 when the rotation direction of the joypad knob 2 is detected. Since the height to the direction-side upper end A1 is made the same in all the rotation directions, it is possible to improve the operation feeling of the operation member and reliably detect the rotation direction with an inexpensive and easy-to-manufacture configuration.

  Further, the projecting portion 2b can be used to perform a turning operation while confirming the position in the cross direction on the joypad knob 2 with a finger, thereby facilitating a blind touch and preventing an erroneous operation.

Example 2 will be described below.
The operating device according to the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the protrusion 2b described in the first embodiment is omitted and the height of the upper end portion of the dial knob is different depending on the rotation direction. 1, members having the same configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only differences are described in detail.
12 is a plan view showing the operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line S13-S13 in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line S14-S14 in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, in the operating device according to the second embodiment, the height of the upper end 2 a of the dial knob 1 is formed to be different depending on the rotation direction.
Specifically, the cross-direction position 20 at the upper end 2a of the joypad knob 2 is the difference S2-S1 between the rotation strokes when the joypad knob 2 rotates in the cross direction and when it rotates in the oblique direction. Accordingly, the height from the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end 2a of the joy pad knob 2 at the cross position 20 is set to H3 (FIG. 13). Reference), assuming that the height from the upper end 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end 2a of the joypad knob 2 at the diagonal position 21 is H4 (see FIG. 14), H4-H3 = S2-S1.
In the second embodiment, the height difference between the cross-direction position 20 and the diagonal position 21 at the upper end 2a of the joypad knob 2 is provided in a gentle taper shape, but a step is formed at an appropriate position. Also good.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the protrusion 2b is formed at the position in the cross direction of the upper end 2a of the dial knob 1 and the height corresponding to the above S2-S1 is added to the joypad knob 2 side. In the second embodiment, the position 20 in the cross direction at the upper end 2a of the dial knob 1 is deleted by lowering the height corresponding to S2-S1, and the tactile switches 13a to 13d are used to turn the joypad knob 2. The height from the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 to the upper end portion A1 on the rotational direction side of the joypad knob 2 when the moving direction is detected is made the same in all rotational directions.

  Accordingly, the height of the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 is formed to be different depending on the rotation direction, so that the rotation from the upper end portion 1a of the dial knob 1 when the rotation direction of the joypad knob 2 is detected. Since the height of the joypad knob 2 to the upper end A1 on the rotation direction side is the same in all rotation directions, the operation feeling of the operation member is improved and the rotation direction is ensured with an easy and inexpensive configuration. Detection can be realized.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the number of directions detected by the detecting means can be set as appropriate, and the internal and external structural changes of the operating device accompanying the increase / decrease of the direction are within the scope of the present invention.

It is a whole exploded view showing the operating device of Example 1 of the present invention. It is a top view (circuit assembly is abbreviate | omitted) which shows the operating device of the present Example 1. It is a side view (circuit assembly is abbreviate | omitted) of the operating device of the present Example 1. It is sectional drawing in the S4-S4 line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the S5-S5 line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the S6-S6 line of FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action at the time of the diagonal direction rotation in the S4-S4 line | wire of FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action at the time of the cross direction rotation in the S5-S5 line | wire of FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action at the time of the cross direction rotation in the S6-S6 line | wire of FIG. It is a figure explaining the rotation stroke of a joy pad knob. It is a figure explaining the rotation stroke of a joy pad knob. It is a top view which shows the operating device of the present Example 2. It is sectional drawing in the S13-S13 line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the S14-S14 line | wire of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dial knob 1a Upper end part 1b Projection part 1c Opening part 1d Fixing part 2 Joy pad knob 2a Upper end part 2b Projection part 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 3b Push-down part 2g Opening part 3 Determination knob 3a Circumferential groove 4 Determination spring 5 Holder joy pad 6 Holder upper joint 6a Outer cylinder part 6b Inner cylinder part 7 Joy pad spring 8 Slider joy pad 9 Guide light 9a Conical groove 9b Taper angle 9c, 11e Leg part 10 Base dial 10a Upper cylinder part 10b Tongue piece part 10c Uneven Groove 11 Base joy pad 11a Outer groove 11b, 11d Claw part 11c Projection part 11f Through groove 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 14 Push rods 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 15 Tact switch 17 Circuit assembly 20 Dial spring position 21 Dial Slider port Deployment 30 finger

Claims (3)

An operation member configured to be rotatable;
An outer frame member disposed outside the operation member;
It is configured with a number smaller than the rotation direction of the operation member to be detected, and includes detection means for detecting the rotation direction of the operation member from the first and second positions,
The height from the upper end portion of the outer frame member to the upper end portion on the rotation direction side of the operation member when the rotation direction of the operation member is detected by the detection means is the same in all rotation directions. The operating device. The operating device according to claim 1,
By forming a protrusion at the upper end of the operating member in the rotational direction, the upper end of the operating member is rotated from the upper end of the outer frame member when the detecting means detects the rotational direction of the operating member. An operating device characterized by having the same height in all rotation directions. The operating device according to claim 1,
By forming the height of the upper end portion of the outer frame member to be different according to the rotation direction, the operation member is moved from the upper end portion of the outer frame member when the rotation direction of the operation member is detected by the detecting means. The operating device characterized in that the height to the upper end of the rotating direction is the same in all rotating directions.

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