JP2006253273A - Variable resistor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of touch type variable resistor for reducing an area occupied with an input device or the like to realize reduction in size of a product. <P>SOLUTION: The variable resistor comprises a first insulating substrate 3 forming any one of a resistor 9 and a conductor 10, and a flexible second insulating substrate 4 forming the other of the resistor 9 and the conductor 10. The resistor 9 and the conductor 10 are attachably and detachably disposed under the condition that these may be accessible with each other, and are brought into contact by allowing to push the resistor 9 and conductor 10 when the second insulating substrate 4 is pressed in order to obtain an output in accordance with the pressing position. Moreover, press switches 11, 12 which may be pressed via the first and second insulating substrates 3, 4 are allocated in the lower side of the first insulating substrate 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch-type variable resistor used in various electronic devices, and more particularly to a structure of a touch-type variable resistor with a switch.

  The structure of a conventional touch-type variable resistor has a resistance element and a short-circuit element of a predetermined length, and the resistance element and the short-circuit element are arranged opposite to each other and are usually supported in a non-contact relationship. One is flexible and has a configuration in which an electric potential corresponding to the pressed position is output by pressing and contacting at an arbitrary position in the length direction ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  The structure of this conventional touch type variable resistor is shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional touch-type variable resistor, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example in which the conventional touch-type variable resistor is incorporated in an operation panel of a water heater.

  In the figure, an operation panel 110 is installed at an appropriate place as a main controller or a bathroom controller of a water heater, and controls the water heater by wire or wirelessly. On the operation panel 110, a push button switch 112 for commanding operation and stop of the water heater, push button switches 114 and 116 for selecting water supply and hot water supply, hot water supply to the shower and hot water supply to the bathtub curan are selected. Push button switches 118 and 120 are provided.

  The operation panel 110 is provided with an input device 122 and a liquid crystal display device 124. The input device 122 includes an insulating substrate 126 that also serves as a substrate of the operation panel 110, and an elongated resistance element 128 having a predetermined length is disposed in parallel with the long axis of the operation panel 110. The substrate 126 is covered with an elastic sheet 130 having electrical insulation and a waterproof function.

  A part of the elastic sheet 130 is lifted from the substrate 126 along the entire length of the resistance element 128, and a tunnel-like void 132 is formed between the elastic sheet 130 and the substrate 126. A conductive short element 134 made of a copper wire or the like is attached to the inside of the elastic sheet 130 so as to face the void 132. The resistance element 128 and the short-circuit element 134 may be formed by a printed wiring technique of a resistance material and a conductive material together with related wiring and terminals.

  The short-circuit element 134 is separated from the resistance element 128 with a uniform minute interval along its entire length. When the elastic sheet 130 is pressed against the substrate 126 against the elasticity at an arbitrary position in the length direction of the short-circuit element 134, the short-circuit element 134 is elastically deformed together with the elastic sheet 130, and the short-circuit element 134 is the resistance element 128. It becomes a point contact. As described above, the input device 122 includes a touch-type variable resistor including the resistance element 128 and the short-circuit element 134.

JP-A-6-53015

  However, in the structure of the conventional touch-type variable resistor, the push button switch for selecting various functions is provided at a position apart from the touch-type variable resistor. There is a problem that the size of the product becomes large.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a structure of a touch-type variable resistor that can reduce an occupied area of an input device or the like and can reduce the size of a product.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, as a first solving means, a first insulating substrate on which one of a resistor and a conductor is formed, and one of the resistor and the conductor is formed. A flexible second insulating substrate, wherein the resistor and the conductor are arranged to face each other so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other, and when the second insulating substrate is pressed, the resistor And the conductor are in contact with each other and an output corresponding to the pressed position is obtained, and is pressed below the first insulating substrate via the first and second insulating substrates. The press switch is arranged.

As a second solving means, a support member for supporting the first insulating substrate is disposed between the first insulating substrate and the push switch.
As a third solution, the support member is formed of a synthetic resin material, and the support member is provided with an elastically displaceable pressing body that presses the pressing switch.
As a fourth solution, the pressing switch includes a reversible leaf spring, and the pressing body is provided with a protrusion that presses the leaf spring of the pressing switch.
As a fifth solution, the pressing body is provided in a long shape at a position overlapping the effective input region of the resistor and the conductor in the longitudinal direction of the support member, and is provided in the long shape. The pressing switch is arranged below the pressing body.

Further, as a sixth solving means, the pressing body is provided at a substantially central portion of the support member, and the pressing switch is disposed below the pressing body provided at the central portion.
Further, as a seventh solving means, when the second insulating substrate is pressed into a region corresponding to the position where the pressing switch is provided, the resistor and the conductor do not contact, or The invalid input area where the output does not change is provided.
As an eighth solution, the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate are formed of a single flexible film substrate, and a fixed contact portion of the pressure switch is provided on the film substrate. The first and second insulating substrates and the fixed contact portion are arranged vertically by forming and folding the film substrate.
As a ninth solution, the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate have long slits facing both sides of the resistor and the conductor.

  As described above, the variable resistor of the present invention has the first insulating substrate on which one of the resistor and the conductor is formed, and the flexibility on which the other of the resistor and the conductor is formed. A second insulating substrate, the resistor and the conductor are arranged opposite to each other so as to be able to come into contact with and separated from each other, and when the second insulating substrate is pressed, the resistor and the conductor are brought into contact with each other and pressed A variable resistor capable of obtaining an output corresponding to a position, wherein a pressing switch that is pressed through the first and second insulating substrates is disposed below the first insulating substrate. By providing a pressure switch on the lower side of the insulating substrate, the pressure switch can be arranged integrally with the variable resistor, and the area occupied by the variable resistor and the pressure switch can be reduced. Miniaturization can be achieved.

In addition, since the support member that supports the first insulating substrate is disposed between the first insulating substrate and the press switch, the insulating substrate on which the resistor and the conductor are formed is supported by the support member. Therefore, a reliable pressing operation is possible without impairing the operability of the variable resistor.
In addition, since the support member is formed of a synthetic resin material and an elastically displaceable pressing body for pressing the pressing switch is provided on the supporting member, the pressing body is integrally formed on the supporting member. The member which supports is unnecessary, and the position can be determined with high accuracy.
In addition, the press switch includes a reversible leaf spring, and a protrusion that presses the leaf spring of the push switch is provided on the push body, so that the click feeling can be obtained by reversing the leaf spring and the leaf spring is pressed. Since the position is stabilized by the protrusion, the deformation and sag of the leaf spring can be reduced.
In addition, the pressing body is provided in a long shape at a position overlapping the effective input area of the resistor and the conductor in the longitudinal direction of the support member, and a press switch is disposed below the pressing body provided in the long shape. For this reason, no matter where the effective input area of the resistor and the conductor is pressed, the pressing body is pressed, so that the pressing switch can be operated regardless of the pressing position.

In addition, since the pressing body is provided in the substantially central portion of the support member and the pressing switch is disposed below the pressing body provided in the central portion, the pressing switch can be operated reliably in the central portion. The operability is improved.
In addition, when the second insulating substrate is pressed, an invalid input area in which the resistor and the conductor do not contact or the output does not change is provided in the area corresponding to the position where the pressing switch is provided. Therefore, the output signal processing circuit can be configured easily and erroneous input can be prevented.
In addition, the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate are formed by a single flexible film substrate, a fixed contact portion of a pressure switch is formed on the film substrate, and the film substrate is folded to form the first substrate. In addition, since the second insulating substrate and the fixed contact portion are arranged vertically, the number of parts can be reduced, the assembly workability is improved, and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, since the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate are provided with long slits facing both sides of the resistor and the conductor, each insulating substrate can be easily bent along the slits. Therefore, the operation of the push switch can be performed reliably.

  Embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 is a perspective view showing a variable resistor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a variable resistor according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the variable resistor according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a film substrate of the variable resistor of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the variable resistor of the present invention, and FIG. Is a partial cross-sectional view showing the main part, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the film substrate.

  1 to 5 show the configuration of one embodiment of the variable resistor of the present invention. In the figure, the variable resistor of the present invention includes a rectangular base 1 made of a flat metal plate, A film substrate 2 made of a resin film having first and second insulating substrates 3 and 4 and a switch substrate 5 engaged on the base 1, and between the first insulating substrate 3 and the switch substrate 5. A support member 6 made of synthetic resin, a touch plate 7 made of a flexible rubber material, and an upper cover 8 made of a metal plate are included.

  The base 1 is formed in a rectangular shape with a flat metal plate, and a cylindrical boss portion 1a protruding upward by squeezing processing such as burring is formed in the square portion. Guide holes of a film substrate 2, a support member 6, a touch plate 7, and an upper cover 8, which will be described later, are inserted into the boss portion 1a, positioned, and attached.

  The film substrate 2 is made of a resin film such as a flexible PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin. As shown in FIG. 5, the first insulating substrate 3 having a rectangular shape and the first insulating substrate 3 The same rectangular second insulating substrate 4 connected in a pair of first crosspieces 2a, and the same rectangular switch connected to the second insulating substrate 4 in a second crosspiece 2b. And a substrate 5.

  The first insulating substrate 3 is provided with a resistor 9 formed by printing a carbon paste or the like in a band shape along the longitudinal direction at the approximate center of one surface side (front surface side in FIG. 5). Electrodes 9a and 9b made of a conductive material such as silver paste are provided at both ends of the resistor 9, and conductive patterns 9c made of a conductive material such as silver paste are provided from the electrodes 9a and 9b. 9d is derived. A pair of long slits 3a and 3a are provided on both sides of the central portion of the resistor 9 so as to face each other, and the square portion of the first insulating substrate 3 has a round hole. A guide hole 3b is provided.

  The second insulating substrate 4 is provided with a conductor 10 formed by printing a silver paste or the like in the same strip shape along the longitudinal direction at the approximate center on one side (the front side in FIG. 5). The conductor 10 is formed at a position corresponding to the resistor 9 formed on the first insulating substrate 3. Further, a conductive pattern 10 a made of a conductive material such as silver paste is led out from one end side of the conductor 10. Further, a pair of long slits 4a and 4a are provided opposite to each other on both sides of the conductor 10, and the square portion of the second insulating substrate 4 is also formed of a round hole. Guide holes 4b are provided.

  Further, a connecting piece 4c having a slightly narrow rectangular shape is integrally extended on one end side of the second insulating substrate 4, and the conductive pattern 10a is drawn around the connecting piece 4c. ing. In addition, the conductive patterns 9c and 9d led out from the electrode portions 9a and 9b of the first insulating substrate 3 are routed through the pair of first crosspieces 2a on the connection piece 4c. It is installed.

  The switch substrate 5 has a circular center contact 11a formed by printing a silver paste or the like substantially at the center on one side (the surface side in FIG. 5), and an arc shape formed along the periphery of the center contact 11a. The fixed contact 11 including the peripheral contact 11b is provided. The central contact 11a and the peripheral contact 11b are arranged in a state of being spaced apart from each other with a certain distance. Further, a plate spring 12 constituting a pressing switch is disposed on the upper surface side of the fixed contact 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the leaf spring 12 is made of a conductive thin metal plate, and has a dome-shaped bulged portion that can be reversed at the center. The leaf spring 12 is mounted on the peripheral contact 11b having an annular outer peripheral edge, and is inverted downward by pressing the bulging portion on the dome, so that the bottom lower surface of the bulging portion is centered. The pressure switch is switched by contact with the contact 11a. When the leaf spring 12 is reversed, a click feeling can be obtained. In addition, a guide hole 5 a that is also a round hole is provided in a square portion of the switch substrate 5. The leaf spring 12 is held on the switch substrate 5 by a film-like adhesive tape (not shown).

  In addition, conductive patterns 11c and 11d made of a conductive material such as silver paste are led out from the central contact 11a and the peripheral contact 11b, and these conductive patterns 11c and 11d are connected to the second cross section 2b through the second crosspiece 2b. It is routed around the connection piece 4 c of the insulating substrate 4. Therefore, the conductive pattern 9c derived from the electrode portions 9a and 9b of the first insulating substrate 3 is placed on the connection piece 4c of the second insulating substrate 4 at the upper and lower positions in FIG. 5 with the conductive pattern 10a interposed therebetween. 9d and conductive patterns 11c and 11d led out from the central contact 11a and the peripheral contact 11b are arranged in parallel with each other. And each conductive pattern 9c, 9d, 10a, 11c, 11d arrange | positioned in parallel with the front end side of this connection piece 4c comprises the connection terminal part connected with the control circuit of the electronic device which is not shown in figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a resist layer 13 made of an insulating material such as an epoxy resin is applied to one surface side (front surface side in FIG. 5) of the second insulating substrate 4 as shown by hatching in the drawing. Is formed. The resist layer 13 is formed over the entire region excluding the region where the conductor 10 is formed and the connection terminal portion of each conductive pattern. The resist layer 13 is also formed on the central portion of the conductor 10 corresponding to the position where the fixed contact 11 constituting the pressing switch of the switch substrate 5 is provided. A resist layer 13 is also provided at the connecting portion between the central contact 11a and the conductive pattern 11c to prevent the outer peripheral edge of the leaf spring 12 from contacting the central contact 11a.

Thus, by providing the resist layer 13 in the central portion of the conductor 10, when the second insulating substrate 4 is pressed in this area, the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 do not come into contact with each other. It constitutes an area. In this embodiment, the resist layer 13 is provided in the central portion of the conductor 10 to form the invalid input region where the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 do not contact. It is also possible to provide an ineffective input area in which the output does not change when the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 are in contact with each other so as to provide a conductive area having a small value (the resistance value of the resistor becomes almost zero).
In this way, when the second insulating substrate 4 is pressed into one of the regions of the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 corresponding to the position where the push switch is provided, the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 By providing an invalid input area where no contact occurs or the output does not change, an output signal processing circuit can be easily configured and erroneous input can be prevented.

  Then, the first insulating substrate 3 and the second insulating substrate 4 are folded via the pair of first crosspieces 2a, whereby the resistor 9 and the conductive material are interposed via the resist layer 13. The body 10 is arranged opposite to the body 10 so as to be able to come into contact with and away from the body 10 while maintaining a certain distance. Further, the second insulating substrate 4 and the switch substrate 5 are folded via the second crosspiece 2b, so that the first insulating substrate 3 and the second insulating substrate 4 can be supported as described later. The switch board 5 is arranged so as to face the switch board 5 with a certain distance through the member 6.

  In this way, the first insulating substrate 3 and the second insulating substrate 4 are formed of a single flexible film substrate, and the switch substrate 5 of the film substrate 2 constitutes a press switch. Since the fixed contact 11 is formed and the film substrate 2 is folded, the first and second insulating substrates 3 and 4 and the fixed contact 11 of the switch substrate 5 are arranged vertically, thereby reducing the number of parts. In addition, the assembly workability is good and the low price is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the resistor 9 is formed on the first insulating substrate 3 and the conductor 10 is formed on the second insulating substrate 4. On the other hand, The conductor 10 may be formed on the insulating substrate 3 and the resistor 9 may be formed on the second insulating substrate 4. In this case, the same effect can be obtained.

The support member 6 is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and is formed in a rectangular shape with a thin box shape having an open top surface. In addition, a substantially rectangular pressing body 6a supported by an elastic arm portion 6b so as to be elastically displaceable in the vertical direction is provided at the approximate center of the bottom plate portion of the support member 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a projecting portion 6c projecting downward is provided on the lower surface of the pressing body 6a, and the projecting portion 6c forms a dome-shaped bulge of the leaf spring 12 constituting the pressing switch. When the pressing body 6a is pressed, the elastic arm portion 6b is elastically displaced when the pressing body 6a is pressed, so that the protruding portion 6c is interposed via the adhesive tape. The bulging part of the leaf | plate spring 12 is pressed and reversed.
Thus, by providing the pressing body 6a with the protrusion 6c that presses the leaf spring 12 of the pressing switch, the pressing position of the leaf spring 12 is stabilized by the protrusion 6c. It will be possible to reduce such as.

Further, a guide hole 6 d made of a round hole is provided in a square part of the bottom plate part of the support member 6. Further, a first cutout 6e is provided on one side wall in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of second cutouts 6f and 6f are provided on both ends on one of the opposite side walls in the short side direction. The other is provided with a third notch 6g at the center.
The support member 6 has a first insulating substrate 3 and a second insulating substrate 4 disposed on the upper surface side, and a switch substrate 5 disposed on the lower surface side. The protrusion 6c of the pressing body 6a and the The leaf spring 12 is interposed between the first insulating substrate 3 and the switch substrate 5 of the film substrate 2 with the plate springs 12 facing each other.

At this time, the film substrate 2 and the support member 6 are formed in guide holes 3b, 4b, and 5a formed by round holes provided in the respective square portions of the cylindrical boss portions 1a provided in the square portions of the base 1. , 6d is inserted, positioned and attached.
Further, in this case, the film substrate 2 is such that the connection piece 4c of the second insulating substrate 4 extends outward from the first cutout portion 6e of the support member 6, and the second cutout portion 6f. 6f is provided with a pair of first crosspieces 2a of the film substrate 2, and a third cutout 6g is provided with a second crosspiece 2b of the film substrate 2.

As described above, the support member 6 that supports the first insulating substrate 3 is disposed between the first insulating substrate 3 and the pressing switch (switch substrate 5). Since the first and second insulating substrates 3 and 4 on which the conductor 10 is formed are supported by the support member 6, even a variable resistor formed from the flexible film substrate 2 can be surely used. Since it is supported, its operability is not impaired, and a reliable pressing operation is possible.
In addition, the support member 6 is formed of a synthetic resin material, and the support member 6 is provided with the elastically displaceable pressing body 6a for pressing the pressing switch. As a result, the member for supporting the pressing body 6a becomes unnecessary, and the position accuracy can be obtained satisfactorily.

  The touch plate 7 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a flexible elastic material such as silicon rubber. The touch plate 7 includes a flat substrate portion 7a and a touch portion 7b formed to protrude in a slightly small flat plate shape on the upper surface side of the substrate portion 7a. Further, a guide hole 7c, which is also a round hole, is provided in the square part of the substrate part 7a. The touch plate 7 is disposed on the upper surface side of the second insulating substrate 4 of the film substrate 2, and the touch portion 7 b is pressed, so that the conductor 10 of the second insulating substrate 4 and the first insulating plate 7 are insulated. The resistor 9 of the substrate 3 comes into contact with the output, and an output corresponding to the pressed position is obtained. The touch plate 7 is positioned on the film substrate 2 by inserting a guide hole 7 c through the boss 1 a of the base 1 and positioning the touch plate 7.

  The upper cover 8 is a flat metal plate formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and a long opening 8b is provided at the center of the flat plate portion 8a. Further, an annular ridge portion 8c is provided around the opening 8b so as to continuously protrude downward so as to surround the opening 8b. Further, a guide hole 8d made of a round hole is provided in a square portion of the flat plate portion 8a. The upper cover 8 is positioned with the guide hole 8d inserted through the boss 1a of the base 1 and the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 protruding from the opening 8b provided in the flat plate portion 8a. It is arranged on the side.

  Then, the tip of the boss 1a is caulked like a dovetail by a press or the like, so that the switch substrate 5, the support member 6, the first insulating substrate 3, and the like are between the base 1 and the upper cover 8. The second insulating substrate 4 and the touch plate 7 are fixedly attached in this order. At this time, the annular ridge 8c continuously provided around the opening 8b so as to surround the opening 8b presses and presses the upper surface of the substrate portion 7a of the touch plate 7. The opening 8b is sealed to prevent entry of dust and foreign matters from the outside.

Next, the operation of the variable resistor having the above configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the variable resistor is attached with the touch part 7b of the touch plate 7 exposed on the upper surface side. The touch part 7b is touched with a finger or the like and moved to the left or right to move to an arbitrary location. The touch plate 7 is bent downward by its own flexibility.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the second insulating substrate 4 disposed below the touch plate 7 is pressed downward by the touch plate 7 and bends, whereby the conductor 10 and the resistance corresponding to the pressed portion are resisted. The body 9 comes into contact. Conduction is performed based on the resistance value (ratio) between the conductive pattern 10a derived from the conductor 10 at the pressed position and the conductive patterns 9c and 9d derived from the electrode portions 9a and 9b on both sides of the resistor 9. The voltage value output from the pattern 10a is detected, and the output value corresponding to the pressed position is set or selected.

  At this time, since the second insulating substrate 4 is provided with a pair of elongated slits 4a, 4a facing both sides of the conductor 10, the second insulating substrate 4 has the slits 4a, 4a. Therefore, the conductor 10 and the resistor 9 can be reliably brought into contact with each other.

  When confirming this setting and the selected content, the finger on the touch plate 7 is continuously moved to the left or right and moved to the center, and then the center of the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 is again pressed downward. Is done. That is, when the center of the touch part 7b of the touch plate 7 is pressed, the supporting members 6 disposed below the first and second insulating substrates 3 and 4 disposed below are bent. The pressing body 6a provided in the central part of is pressed.

  At this time, similarly, the first insulating substrate 3 and the second insulating substrate 4 are provided with a pair of elongated slits 3a, 3a and 4a, 4a facing the both sides of the resistor 9 and the conductor 10, respectively. Therefore, the first and second insulating substrates 3 and 4 can be easily bent along the slits 3a and 4a, and the pressing body 6a can be reliably operated. It has become.

  And the protrusion part 6c provided in the lower side of this press body 6a presses and reverses the bulging part of the leaf | plate spring 12 which comprises the press switch arrange | positioned below via the adhesive tape which is not shown in figure. It will be a thing. As a result of the reversal of the leaf spring 12, the central contact 11a and the peripheral contact 11b of the fixed contact 11 provided on the switch board 5 via the leaf spring 12 are electrically connected to turn on the switch. The ON signal is output from the conductive patterns 11c and 11d. The output is detected and the set and selected contents are confirmed.

  As described above, the pressing body 6a for operating the pressing switch is provided in the substantially central portion of the support member 6, and the leaf spring 12 constituting the pressing switch is provided below the pressing body 6a provided in the central portion. Since the fixed contact 11 is arranged, the pressing switch can be operated reliably in the center portion, and the operability of the pressing switch is good.

  Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a resist layer 13 made of an insulating material such as an epoxy resin is shown on the one surface side (front surface side in FIG. 5) of the second insulating substrate 4 as shown by hatching in the figure. The resist layer 13 is also formed in the central portion of the conductor 10 corresponding to the position where the fixed contact 11 constituting the pressing switch of the switch substrate 5 is provided. When the second insulating substrate 4 is pressed, an ineffective input region is formed in which the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 do not contact each other. For this reason, an output signal processing circuit can be configured easily and erroneous input can be prevented.

  According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the first insulating substrate 3 on which the resistor 9 is formed and the flexible second insulating substrate 4 on which the conductor 10 is formed. The resistor 9 and the conductor 10 are arranged facing each other in a separated state so as to be able to come into contact with and away from each other, and when the second insulating substrate 4 is pressed, the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 are A structure of a variable resistor that is brought into contact with the conductor 10 to obtain an output corresponding to the pressed position, and the first and second insulating substrates 3 are disposed below the first insulating substrate 3; Since the pressing switch (fixed contact 11 and leaf spring 12) that is pressed through 4 is arranged, a pressing switch is provided on the lower side of the first insulating substrate 3 so as to be integrated with the variable resistor. The push switch can be arranged, and the variable resistor and the push switch occupy Since the area can be reduced, which is assumed to be able to reduce the size of mounting the device the variable resistor.

  6 to 8 show another embodiment of the variable resistor of the present invention. In this case, the difference from the above embodiment is that the configuration of the pressing member of the support member is partially different from the configuration of the pressing switch. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The support member 14 of the present embodiment is the same in that it is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and is formed in a rectangular shape with a thin box shape having an open top surface. Further, the bottom plate portion of the support member 14 is provided with a long pressing body 14a in which a square portion is supported by an elastic arm portion 14b so as to be elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, projecting portions 14c projecting downward are provided at two positions slightly on the both ends of the lower surface of the pressing body 14a, and the projecting portions 14c constitute leaf springs constituting a pressing switch. 12 are arranged to face each other with an adhesive tape (not shown) holding the leaf spring 12 sandwiched between tops of the dome-shaped bulges. When the pressing body 14a is pressed, the elastic arm portion 14b is elastically displaced, so that the protruding portion 14c presses the bulging portion of the leaf spring 12 disposed below via the adhesive tape. It is meant to be reversed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressing body 14 a has a long longitudinal dimension that is substantially the same as the long longitudinal dimension of the touch portion 7 b of the touch plate 7. Has been. That is, the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 and the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressing body 14a are formed at the same position, whereby the touch portion of the touch plate 7 is formed. The resistor 9 and the conductor 10 are formed so as to overlap with the effective input area when the 7b is pressed. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of pressing switches are arranged below the pressing body 14a provided in the long shape.

  Similarly, a guide hole 14 d made of a round hole is provided in a square portion of the bottom plate portion of the support member 14. Further, a first cutout portion 14e is provided on one side wall in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of second cutout portions 14f and 14f are provided on both end sides on one of the opposite side walls in the short side direction. The other is provided with a third cutout 14g at the center. Similarly, the support member 14 is provided with the first insulating substrate 16 and the second insulating substrate 17 on the upper surface side, and with the switch substrate 18 on the lower surface side, and the protrusion 14c of the pressing body 14a. The leaf spring 12 is disposed between the first insulating substrate 16 of the film substrate 15 and the switch substrate 18 so as to face each other.

  The film substrate 15 is made of a resin film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin which has the same flexibility. As shown in FIG. 8, a rectangular first insulating substrate 16 and the first insulating substrate 16 are formed. The second insulating substrate 17 having the same rectangular shape connected to the pair of first crosspieces 15a, and the same rectangular shape connected to the second insulating substrate 17 at the second crosspiece portion 15b. And a switch board 18.

  Here, the difference between the film substrate 2 having the configuration of the above-described embodiment and the film substrate 15 of the present embodiment is that a pair of long slits 16a and 16a provided on the first insulating substrate 16 are slits 3a, 3a, the resist layer 13 is not provided in the central portion of the conductor 10 of the second insulating substrate 17, and the press switch formed on the switch substrate 18 is The configurations are different from each other in that a plurality of fixed contacts 11 (two in the present embodiment) are provided.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 is pressed, the first insulating substrate 16 and the second insulating substrate 17 disposed to face the lower side of the touch plate 7 are arranged. The size of the pressing body 14a of the support member 14 disposed below the first insulating substrate 16 is elongated so that the resistor 9 and the effective input area of the conductor 10 provided on the substrate 10 overlap each other. It is formed so that the long dimension in the longitudinal direction is substantially the same as the long dimension in the long longitudinal direction of the touch portion 7 b of the touch plate 7. In other words, the dimension of the support member 14 in the longitudinal direction of the pressing body 14a is set to be equal to or larger than the length of the effective input area so as to cover the effective input area.

  When a plurality of (two in this embodiment) press switches are arranged below the pressing body 14a provided in the long shape, any part of the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 is pressed. In this case, the pressing force operates any one of a plurality of pressing switches disposed below through the pressing body 14a. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, in the fixed contact 11 formed on the switch board 18, the central contacts 11a and the peripheral contacts 11b are connected in parallel with each other, and one of them is turned on. Output can be detected.

  That is, as an operation of the present embodiment, the touch part 7b is touched with a finger or the like and moved to the left and right and pressed at an arbitrary position, thereby bringing the conductor 10 and the resistor 9 corresponding to the pressed position into contact with each other. The voltage value output based on the resistance value between the conductive pattern 10a derived from the conductor 10 at this pressed position and the conductive patterns 9c and 9d derived from the electrode portions 9a and 9b on both sides of the resistor 9 The output value corresponding to the pressed position is set and selected in the same manner.

Thereafter, when confirming this setting and the selected content, it is not necessary to move the finger on the touch plate 7 to the left or right to move it to the center, and continuously press the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 downward. It will be done by.
That is, when the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 is pressed, the pressing body 14a of the support member 14 disposed below the first and second insulating substrates 16 and 17 disposed below is provided. It will be pressed.
At this time, the first insulating substrate 16 and the second insulating substrate 17 are provided with a pair of elongated slits 16a, 16a and 17a, 17a along both sides of the resistor 9 and the conductor 10. Therefore, the first and second insulating substrates 16 and 17 are easily bent downward.

  Of the two protrusions 14c provided on the lower side of the pressing body 14a, the protrusion 14c closer to the pressing position bulges out the leaf spring 12 constituting the pressing switch disposed below. The part is pressed and reversed through an adhesive tape (not shown). As a result of the reversal of the leaf spring 12, the central contact 11a and the peripheral contact 11b of the fixed contact 11 provided on the switch substrate 18 via the leaf spring 12 are electrically connected to turn on the switch. The ON signal is output from the conductive patterns 11c and 11d. The output is detected and the set and selected contents are confirmed.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the pressing body 14a of the support member 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the support member 14, and the resistors 9 and conductors 10 of the first insulating substrate 16 and the second insulating substrate 17 are effectively used. Since a long switch is provided at a position overlapping with the input area, and a press switch operated by the pressing body 14a is arranged below the long pressing body 14a, the touch portion 7b of the touch plate 7 is provided. No matter where the effective input area of the resistor 9 and the conductor 10 is pressed, the pressing body 14a is pressed, so that the pressing switch is operated regardless of the pressing position of the touch portion 7b. It has become something that can be.
In addition, the setting and selection of the output value corresponding to the pressing position is performed, and at the same time, by pressing further downward at the same position, the setting and the selected content can be confirmed, so that the operability is improved. Will be.
In this embodiment, the switch board 18 is provided with two push switches. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more push switches may be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the variable resistor of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the variable resistor of this invention. It is a top view which shows the variable resistor of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the principal part of the variable resistor of this invention. It is a top view which shows the film board | substrate of the variable resistor of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the other Example of the variable resistor of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the principal part of the other Example of the variable resistor of this invention. It is a top view which shows the film substrate of the other Example of the variable resistor of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional touch-type variable resistor. It is a top view which shows the example which incorporated the conventional touch-type variable resistor in the operation panel of the water heater.

Explanation of symbols

1: base 1a: boss portion 2: film substrate 2a: first crosspiece portion 2b: second crosspiece portion 3: first insulating substrate 3a: slit 3b: guide hole 4: second insulating substrate 4a: slit 4b: Guide hole 4c: Connection piece 5: Switch board 5a: Guide hole 6: Support member 6a: Pressing body 6b: Elastic arm 6c: Projection 6d: Guide hole 6e: First notch 6f: Second notch 6g: Second 3 Notch 7: Touch plate 7a: Substrate 7b: Touch 7c: Guide hole 8: Upper cover 8a: Flat plate 8b: Opening 8c: Annular protrusion 8d: Guide hole 9: Resistor 9a: Electrode 9b : Electrode part 9c: Conductive pattern 9d: Conductive pattern 10: Conductor 10a: Conductive pattern 11: Fixed contact 11a: Central contact 11b: Peripheral contact 11c: Conductive pattern 11d: Conductive pattern 12: Leaf spring 13: Res Stroke layer 14: support member 14a: pressing body 14b: elastic arm portion 14c: protrusion 14d: guide hole 14e: first notch portion 14f: second notch portion 14g: third notch portion 15: film substrate 15a: first bar Part 15b: Second crosspiece 16: First insulating substrate 16a: Slit 17: Second insulating substrate 17a: Slit 18: Switch substrate

Claims (9)

  A first insulating substrate on which one of the resistor and the conductor is formed, and a flexible second insulating substrate on which the other of the resistor and the conductor is formed, and the resistor When the second insulating substrate is pressed, the resistor and the conductor come into contact with each other, and an output corresponding to the pressed position is obtained. The variable resistor is characterized in that a pressing switch that is pressed through the first and second insulating substrates is disposed below the first insulating substrate.   The variable resistor according to claim 1, wherein a support member that supports the first insulating substrate is disposed between the first insulating substrate and the push switch.   The variable resistor according to claim 2, wherein the support member is formed of a synthetic resin material, and an elastically displaceable pressing body for pressing the pressing switch is provided on the support member.   4. The variable resistor according to claim 3, wherein the pressing switch includes a reversible leaf spring, and a protrusion for pressing the leaf spring of the pressing switch is provided on the pressing body.   The pressing body is provided in a long shape at a position overlapping the effective input region of the resistor and the conductor in the longitudinal direction of the support member, and the pressing body is provided below the pressing body provided in the long shape. 5. The variable resistor according to claim 3, wherein a switch is arranged.   5. The variable according to claim 3, wherein the pressing body is provided at a substantially central portion of the support member, and the pressing switch is disposed below the pressing body provided at the central portion. Resistor.   In an area corresponding to the position where the pressing switch is provided, an invalid input area is provided in which the resistor and the conductor do not contact or the output does not change when the second insulating substrate is pressed. The variable resistor according to claim 6.   Forming the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate with a single flexible film substrate, forming a fixed contact portion of the pressing switch on the film substrate, and folding the film substrate The variable resistor according to claim 1, wherein the first and second insulating substrates and the fixed contact portion are arranged vertically. 9. The variable resistor according to claim 8, wherein the first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate are provided with long slits facing both sides of the resistor and the conductor. .

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