JP2006286328A - Composite operation type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite operation type input device which can attain a lateral miniaturization. <P>SOLUTION: The composite operation type input device includes a pushing knob 29 supported as compressively operable by the top surface of an upper knob 28, a circuit substrate 35 arranged oppositely to the rear face side of this pushing knob 29, a push switch 37 mounted in the front surface of this circuit substrate 35, a rotary ring 27 supported rotatably between a lower knob 26 and an upper knob 28, a code plate 33 interlocked with this rotary ring 27 and rotating, and a photo interrupter 36 mounted in the rear surface side of the substrate 35. While a push switch 37 is operated by the pushing operation of the pushing knob 29. The photo interrupter 36 mounted in the rear surface side of the circuit substrate 35 is operated by rotating the code disk 33 with the rotating operation of the rotary ring 27. In that case, the rotary force of the rotary ring 27 is made to be transmitted to the code disk 33 arranged at the rear surface side of the circuit substrate 35 by coupling and arranging the rotary ring 27 from the front surface side to the rear surface side of the circuit substrate 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite operation type input device capable of performing predetermined input by two different types of operations, ie, a press operation and a rotation operation, and more particularly, a composite operation in which a press detection element and a rotation detection element are mounted on a common circuit board. The present invention relates to a mold input device.

  Conventionally, as this type of composite operation type input device, the operating body is supported by the case so as to be rotatable and movable up and down, and a code plate is splined to the operating body via a return spring and arranged in the case. A device is known in which a rotation detection element for detecting a rotation operation of an operating body and a pressure detection element for detecting a pressing operation of the operating body are mounted on a circuit board (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  A pair of plungers are slidably held on the operating body via coil springs, and the tips of these plungers protrude from the outer edge of the operating body and are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the case. Is engaged. The operating body is provided with a shaft portion at the center and a cylindrical portion outside the shaft portion, and the code plate is splined to the center shaft portion via a return spring. Thereby, although a code board rotates integrally with an operation body, even if an operation body raises / lowers, a code board does not raise / lower. The rotation detection element is composed of a photo interrupter mounted on the inner side of the circuit board. When the code plate rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the operating body, an ON signal and an OFF signal are alternately output from the photo interrupter. The Further, the press detection element is composed of another photo interrupter mounted on the outer side of the circuit board. When the cylindrical portion is lowered as the operating body is pressed, the optical path of the photo interrupter is interrupted and an ON signal is generated. It is designed to output.

  In the composite operation type input device schematically configured in this way, when the operator rotates the operating body, the code plate rotates integrally with the operating body, so that the photo mounted on the inner side on the circuit board An ON / OFF signal is alternately output from the interrupter (rotation detection element), and the rotation operation of the operator can be detected based on this signal. Further, when the operating body is rotated, the plunger tip engages and disengages with the uneven portion on the inner peripheral surface of the case to generate a click feeling. Therefore, the operator can grasp the rotation amount of the operating body by the click feeling. .

On the other hand, when the operator presses the operating body, the operating body descends while compressing the return spring, and when the operating body descends a predetermined stroke, the cylindrical portion is mounted on the outer side on the circuit board. The optical path of another photo interrupter (press detection element) is blocked. Accordingly, the output of the photo interrupter is switched from on to off, and the pressing operation of the operating body can be detected by the switching signal. However, since the code plate does not move even when the operating body descends, the signal from the inner photo interrupter (rotation detecting element) does not change. When the pressing operation force on the operating body is removed, the operating body is raised to the initial position by the return force of the return spring, and the cylindrical portion is detached from the optical path of the outer photo interrupter (press detecting element). Thereby, the output of the photo interrupter is switched from OFF to ON, and the ascending operation of the operating body can be detected by the switching signal.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-87307 (page 4-5, FIG. 3)

  However, in the above-described conventional combined operation type input device, the mounting space for the rotation detection element and the mounting space for the pressure detection element are concentrated on the surface side of the circuit board. There is a problem in that the size of the substrate becomes large, and miniaturization in the lateral direction is hindered. Such a problem is not limited to the case where the photo interrupter is used for both the rotation detection element and the pressure detection element. For example, a push switch is used as the pressure detection element and a photo interrupter is used as the rotation detection element. is there.

  Further, in the above-described conventional composite operation type input device, the plunger tip protruded from the outer edge of the operation body is pressed against the uneven portion of the inner peripheral surface of the case, and the plunger according to the rotation operation of the operation body Since the click feeling is generated by engaging and disengaging with the concavo-convex portion, the space in the horizontal direction is increased by such a click mechanism, and there is a problem that miniaturization in the horizontal direction is prevented from this point.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a composite operation type input device that can be miniaturized in the lateral direction.

  In order to achieve the above object, a composite operation type input device of the present invention includes a pressing operation member supported by a holding body so as to be able to perform a pressing operation, a circuit board disposed in the pressing operation direction of the pressing operation member, A pressure detection element mounted on the surface side of the circuit board and operated by a pressing operation of the pressing operation member, a rotation operation member supported so as to be rotatable by the holding body, and mounted on the circuit board and the A rotation detection element that is operated by a rotation operation of the rotation operation member, the rotation detection element is mounted on the back side of the circuit board, and at least a part of the rotation operation member is on the surface side of the circuit board It arrange | positions and it comprised so that the rotational force of the said rotation operation member received on the surface side of the said circuit board might be transmitted to the back surface side of the said circuit board.

  In the composite operation type input device configured as described above, the mounting space for the pressure detection element and the mounting space for the rotation detection element can be distributed and superimposed on both the front and back surfaces of the circuit board, so that the lateral downsizing is achieved. be able to.

  In the above configuration, the entire rotation operation member can be disposed on the surface side of the circuit board. However, the rotation operation member is preferably a cylindrical rotation ring that surrounds the circuit board. The operation type input device can be downsized in the vertical direction.

  In this case, the holding body includes an upper knob and a lower knob that sandwich the rotating ring, and the circuit board and the upper knob are fixed to the upper end portion of the support shaft that is erected at the center of the lower knob. The knob and the rotating ring can be arranged close to each other to improve operability.

  In the above configuration, a Hall element, a rotary encoder, or the like can be used as the rotation detection element. However, the rotation detection element is composed of a photo interrupter in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other through a recess, and the rotation detection element is rotated. Preferably, a code plate having a light shielding part and a transmission part is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the ring, and the light shielding part and the transmission part are moved in the concave portion of the photo interrupter as the rotary ring rotates.

  In this case, an uneven portion is provided on the back side of the code plate, and a plunger elastically biased toward the code plate is held on the lower knob so as to be able to be raised and lowered. If the upper end engages and disengages from the concavo-convex portion to generate a click feeling, the click mechanism can be disposed in the lower space of the circuit board, preventing the click mechanism from preventing lateral downsizing. Not only can this be performed, but also the rattling of the rotating ring can be prevented by utilizing the urging force from the plunger provided in the click mechanism.

  In the composite operation type input device of the present invention, the rotation detection element is mounted on the back surface side of the circuit board on which the pressure detection element is mounted on the front surface side, and at least a part of the rotation operation member is disposed on the front surface side of the circuit board. Since the rotational force of the rotation operation member received on the front side of the circuit board is transmitted to the back side of the circuit board, the mounting space for the pressure detection element and the mounting space for the rotation detection element are determined on both the front and back sides of the circuit board. Can be divided and superimposed, and accordingly, the size in the lateral direction can be reduced.

  1 is a perspective view of a control unit according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the control unit, and FIG. 3 is taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a composite operation type input device provided in the control unit, and FIG. 6 is a multidirectional input device provided in the control unit. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the multidirectional input device, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the main part of the multidirectional input device, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the main part of the multidirectional input device. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part of the multidirectional input device, FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the guide members and the engaging protrusions provided in the multidirectional input device, and FIG. 12 is the engaging protrusions. FIG. 13 is provided in the composite operation type input device of FIG. FIG. 14 is a side view of the circuit board, and FIG. 15 is a back view of the circuit board.

  The control unit according to this embodiment centrally controls in-vehicle electrical equipment such as an air conditioner, an acoustic device, a navigation system, etc., and this control unit is a housing attached to a center console or the like in the vehicle. A body 1 and an operation body 2 protruding from the housing 1 are provided. The housing 1 includes a hollow case 3 having an upper and lower opening, an upper cover 4 that closes the upper opening end of the case 3, a lower cover 5 that closes the lower opening end of the case 3, and the like. These are all made of synthetic resin.

  An annular ring body 6 is disposed inside the case 3, and a pair of support shafts 6a and a pair of through holes 6b are alternately formed in the ring body 6 every 90 degrees. Both the support shafts 6a are inserted into shaft holes 3a formed in the opposing upper inner walls of the case 3, and the ring body 6 is rotatably supported by the case 3 with a straight line connecting both shaft holes 3a as a central axis. Yes. A cylindrical holder 7 is inserted into the ring body 6, and a pair of stepped protrusions 7 a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 7. A through hole 7b is formed in the holder 7 so as to cross the central axis and both stepped protrusions 7a. Pins 8 are inserted into the through hole 7b and the through holes 6b of the ring body 6. Yes. The pin 8 is prevented from coming off from the ring body 6 by a locking ring 9, and the holder 7 is rotatably supported by the ring body 6 with a straight line connecting both the through holes 6b as a central axis. That is, the holder 7 is supported by the case 3 through the ring body 6 so as to be swingable in directions orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the swinging direction of the holder 7 using both the support shafts 6a of the ring body 6 as fulcrums. The (X1-X2 direction) is referred to as a first direction, and the swinging direction (Y1-Y2 direction) of the holder 7 with the pin 8 as a fulcrum is referred to as a second direction.

  The holder 7 constitutes a part of the components of the operating body 2, and a pair of protrusions 7 d are erected on the upper surface of the holder 7 with a screw hole 7 c interposed therebetween. The connecting body 10 is integrated using the fixing means. In this embodiment, the connecting body 10 is used so that the drive motor and the like can be stored inside the holder 7. However, when such a storage space is not required, the holder 7 and the connecting body 10 are connected. You may comprise with an integrally molded product. A cylindrical engagement projection 11 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the connecting body 10 and a storage hole 11a extending in the vertical direction is formed in the engagement projection 11 (see FIG. 10). Four projecting portions 11b as guided portions project from the outer wall surface of the engaging projecting portion 11, and these projecting portions 11b extend in the first and second directions from the center of each side of the quadrangle. As shown in FIG. 7, the coil spring 12 and the drive rod 13 are inserted into the housing hole 11 a of the engagement protrusion 11, and the tip (lower end) of the drive rod 13 exerts the elastic force of the coil spring 12. Receiving and in pressure contact with the inner bottom surface of the cam groove 14. The cam groove 14 is a mortar-shaped recess provided on the upper surface of the support 15 made of synthetic resin, and a click projection 14a is formed on the same circumference centering on the deepest part. The support 15 is press-fitted and fixed in a recess 5 a formed at the center of the inner bottom surface of the lower cover 5, and projections 15 a and screw holes 15 b are formed at four corners of the upper surface of the support 15.

  A synthetic resin guide member 16 is placed on the support 15, and circular holes 16 a are formed at four corners of the guide member 16. Two of the circular holes 16a function as positioning holes that fit into the projections 15a of the support 15, and screws 17 are inserted into the remaining two circular holes 16a and screwed into the screw holes 15b. 16 is fixed on the support 15. An opening 18 is formed in the center of the guide member 16, and as shown in FIG. 11, the engaging protrusion 11 protruding from the lower surface of the connector 10 is located inside the opening 18, and the engaging protrusion The tip of the drive rod 13 held by the portion 11 is pressed against the cam groove 14 exposed at the center position of the opening 18. Four notches 18a as guide portions are formed on the inner wall surface of the opening 18, and these notches 18a extend in the first and second directions from the center of each side of the quadrilateral toward the outside. . Each protrusion 11b of the engagement protrusion 11 faces the entrance of each notch 18a. The distance between the opposing inner wall surfaces of the opening 18 is L1, and the distance between the tips of the opposite protrusions 11b. When L2 is L2, L2 is set to be slightly smaller than L1.

  In addition, a pair of first guide protrusions 16b and a pair of second guide protrusions 16c are erected on the outer edge of the guide member 16, and each guide protrusion 16b, 16c is positioned on an extension line of the notch 18a. Yes. The first and second guide protrusions 16b and 16c are formed in a bifurcated shape, and the height dimension of the first guide protrusion 16b is set shorter than that of the second guide protrusion 16c. The first slider 19 is supported by the first guide protrusions 16b to be slidable in the first direction (X1-X2 direction), and the second slider 20 is supported by the second guide protrusions 16c in the second direction (Y1- Y2 direction) is slidably supported. The first slider 19 has a rectangular frame body portion 19a, a pair of arm portions 19b extending outward from the center of opposite long sides of the frame body portion 19a, and the front end portions of both arm portions 19b perpendicular to the plate surface. The frame body 19a has a long hole 19d extending in the second direction. The second slider 20 has a rectangular frame body portion 20a, a pair of arm portions 20b extending outward from the center of opposite long sides of the frame body portion 20a, and the front end portions of both arm portions 20b perpendicular to the plate surface. The frame body portion 20a has a long hole 20d extending in the first direction. The first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are common parts of the same shape formed by using a synthetic resin. However, when used, the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are incorporated in the guide member 16 with the top and bottom reversed. The frame body portion 20a of the second slider 20 is laminated and disposed so as to overlap the frame body portion 19a in a planar manner.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the first slider 19 is arranged in such a direction that the light shielding portion 19c protrudes upward from the plate surface of the arm portion 19b, and the arm portion 19b is formed on the corresponding first guide protrusion 16b. By sandwiching, the first slider 19 is slidably supported by the first guide protrusions 16b on the short side of the guide member 16. On the other hand, the second slider 20 is arranged in the reverse direction in which the light shielding portion 20c protrudes downward from the plate surface of the arm portion 20b, and the arm portion 20b is sandwiched between the corresponding second guide protrusions 16c, whereby the second slider 20 is disposed. Is slidably supported by the second guide protrusions 16c on the long side of the guide member 16. Thus, by arranging the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 having the same shape upside down, the light shielding portions 19c of the first slider 19 and the light shielding portions 20c of the second slider 20 are on the same plane. The long hole 19d formed in the frame body portion 19a of the first slider 19 and the long hole 20d formed in the frame body portion 20a of the second slider 20 are overlapped with each other in a state of being orthogonal to each other. The The engaging protrusion 11 described above is inserted into both the long holes 19d and 20d (see FIG. 8), and the first slider 19 receives an external force from the engaging protrusion 11 in the first direction (X1-X2). When the second slider 20 moves in the direction), the second slider 20 receives the external force from the engagement protrusion 11 and does not move. When moving in the direction 2 (Y1-Y2 direction), the first slider 19 is merely moved relative to the engagement protrusion 11 in the long hole 19d and does not move.

  A printed circuit board 21 is fixed on the lower cover 5, and the guide member 16 is exposed from an opening 21 a formed in the center of the printed circuit board 21. Four photo interrupters 22 are mounted on the printed circuit board 21, and each photo interrupter 22 is arranged on X1-X2 and Y1-Y2. The photo interrupter 22 is a light detection element in which a light emitting element 22b and a light receiving element 22c are integrally opposed to each other through a recess 22a. As shown in FIG. 8, the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are the first slider 19 and the second slider 20, respectively. When in the neutral position in the second direction, each of the light shielding portions 19c and 20c enters the dead zone at the entrance of the recess 22a of the photo interrupter 22, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a circular opening 4 a is formed at the center of the upper cover 4, and a plurality of operation keys 23 are arranged around the opening 4 a. Inside the upper cover 4, a plurality of push switches (not shown) are provided corresponding to the respective operation keys 23, and these push switches are operated by pressing operation keys 23. . Further, an annular decorative ring 24 is locked to the opening 4a of the upper cover 4 using a fixing means such as a snap joint. From the decorative ring 24, a base 25 and a lower knob which are components of the operating body 2 are provided. 26, a rotating ring 27, an upper knob 28, a pressing knob 29, and the like protrude.

  The base 25 is placed on the holder 7 described above, and a through hole 25a and a pair of positioning holes 25b are formed in the base 25, and these positioning holes 25b are inserted into both protrusions 7d of the holder 7. Yes. The lower knob 26 is placed on the base 25, and a cylindrical support shaft 26 a is erected at the center of the lower knob 26. The lower knob 26 is provided with a pair of storage holes 26b, and the portions excluding the support shaft 26a and both storage holes 26b penetrate vertically. Coil springs 30 and plungers 31 are inserted into the housing holes 26 b, respectively. The plungers 31 are pressed against the lower surface of the click plate 32 by receiving the elastic force of the coil springs 30. Concave and convex portions 32a are formed on the lower surface of the click plate 32 along the circumferential direction, and four engaging portions 32b are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the click plate 32 so as to protrude at an interval of 90 degrees. Yes. Each engaging portion 32 b is locked to a notch portion 27 a formed at the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 27, and a code plate 33 is fixed on the click plate 32 using a screw 34. A plurality of light shielding portions 33 a and transmission portions 33 b are alternately formed along the circumferential direction on the upper surface of the code plate 33, and a circuit board 35 is disposed above the code plate 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, two photo interrupters 36 that are rotation detection elements are mounted on the back surface of the circuit board 35, and a pair of push switches that are pressure detection elements are mounted on the surface of the circuit board 35. 37 is implemented. These photo-interrupters 36 are also light detection elements in which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element (both not shown) are integrally opposed via a recess 36a. The light-shielding part 33a and the transmission part 33b of the code plate 33 are the photo-interrupter 36. It moves in the recess 36a. The push switch 37 is called a tact switch having a stem 37a, and the stem 37a is urged upward by receiving the elastic force of a built-in tact spring (not shown). The circuit board 35 has a pair of through holes 35b sandwiching an oval-shaped engagement hole 35a, and the engagement hole 35a is inserted into the upper end step portion of the support shaft 26a of the lower knob 26. . Although not shown, the circuit board 35 is formed with wiring patterns that are electrically connected to the photo interrupters 36 and the push switches 37, and the lead wires connected to the wiring patterns are connected to the code board 33 and the click board. The printed circuit board 21 is connected from the center hole 32 through the through hole of the lower knob 26.

  The upper knob 28 is disposed above the circuit board 35, and a recess 28 a is formed on the upper surface of the upper knob 28. A through hole 28b is formed in the center of the inner bottom surface of the recess 28a, and a set screw 38 inserted into the through hole 28b passes through the support shaft 26a of the lower knob 26 and the through hole 25a of the base 25, and It is screwed into the screw hole 7c. Thus, the lower knob 26 is fixed on the holder 7 via the base 25, and the circuit board 35 and the upper knob 28 are fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 26a standing on the lower knob 26. A rotating ring 27 is sandwiched between the lower knob 26 and the upper knob 28. That is, the rotation ring 27 that is a rotation operation member is rotatably supported between the lower knob 26 and the upper knob 28 constituting the holding body, and the rotation ring 27 extends from the front surface side to the rear surface side of the circuit board 35. They are connected and arranged. Since the click plate 32 and the code plate 33 are locked to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 27, the click plate 32 and the code plate 33 are integrally rotated in conjunction with the rotation operation of the rotating ring 27. Can do. At that time, the plunger 31 receives the elastic force of the coil spring 30 and is pressed against the lower surface of the click plate 32, and the upward biasing force from the plunger 31 is applied to the rotating ring 27 via the click plate 32. Since the rotation is transmitted, the rotary ring 27 is held between the lower knob 26 and the upper knob 28 without rattling. A pair of escape holes 28c and a pair of guide holes 28d are formed on the inner bottom surface of the recess 28a of the upper knob 28 with the through hole 28b interposed therebetween, and both push switches 37 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 35 are provided. These escape holes 28c project into the recesses 28a. Further, the upper knob 28 is formed with guide pieces 28e extending downward from the outer edge portions of both guide holes 28d. These guide pieces 28e reach the lower knob 26 through the through holes 35b of the circuit board 35. .

  The pressing knob 29, which is a pressing operation member, is disposed so as to be movable up and down in the recess 28a of the upper knob 28. A pair of protrusions 29a provided on the lower surface of the pressing knob 29 abut against the stem 37a of the push switch 37, thereby pressing the pressing knob 29. The knob 29 is biased upward by receiving the resilience of a tact switch built in both push switches 37. Note that only one of the two push switches 37 is involved in the contact switching operation, and the other push switch 37 is used as elasticity applying means for biasing the pressing knob 29 upward in a balanced manner. A plurality of hooks 29a are formed on the peripheral edge of the lower end of the pressing knob 29, and the pressing knob 29 is prevented from falling off the upper knob 28 by locking the hooks 29a to the outer peripheral edge of the recess 28a. In addition, a pair of guide bars 29 b are suspended from the pressing knob 29, and these guide bars 29 b reach the inside of the guide piece 28 e through the guide holes 28 d of the upper knob 28.

  Next, operations of the multidirectional input device and the composite operation input device provided in the control unit configured as described above will be described.

  First, the operation of the multidirectional input device will be described. FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 show a non-operation state in which an external force is not applied to the operation body 2. The base 25, the lower knob 26, the rotating ring 27, the upper knob 28, etc. are oriented in the vertical direction (Z1-Z2 direction in FIG. 1). In this non-operating state, the lower end of the drive rod 13 receives the elastic force of the coil spring 12 and is in pressure contact with the center of the inner bottom surface (the deepest portion) of the cam groove 14, and as shown in FIG. The engaging protrusion 11 to be held is located at the center of the opening 18 of the guide member 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the engagement protrusion 11 is positioned at the longitudinal center of both the long holes 19d and 20d, so that the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are in the first and second directions. At the neutral position, each of the light shielding portions 19c and 20c enters the dead zone at the entrance of the recess 22a of the photo interrupter 22, respectively. Accordingly, the optical path between the light emitting element 22b and the light receiving element 22c of the photo interrupter 22 is not blocked, and a high level signal is output from all the photo interrupters 22.

  When the operator swings the operating body 2 in the first direction or the second direction from the non-operating state, the holder 7 swings in the same direction with both the support shafts 6a or the pins 8 of the ring body 6 as fulcrums. Therefore, the lower end of the drive rod 13 held by the engaging projection 11 slides from the center to the outside on the inner bottom surface of the cam groove 14, and the click feeling generated when the drive rod 13 gets over the click protrusion 14a. Is fed back to the operator via the operating body 2. At that time, the engaging protrusion 11 moves outward along the first or second direction from the center of the opening 18, and one convex portion 11b enters the corresponding notch portion 18a to engage with the concave and convex portions. At that time, further movement of the engaging protrusion 11 is restricted.

  That is, for the sake of convenience, the pair in the X1 direction is the pair of the protrusion 11b-1, the notch 18a-1, and the X2 among the pair of the protrusion 11b and the notch 18a facing each other in the first and second directions. A protrusion 11b-2, a notch 18a-2, a pair in the Y1 direction is a protrusion 11b-3, a notch 18a-3, a pair in the Y2 direction is a protrusion 11b-4, and a notch 18a-4. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, in a non-operation state, each convex part 11b-1,2,3,4 is facing the entrance of each notch part 18a-1,2,3,4. When the engagement protrusion 11 moves from the neutral position in the X1 direction, for example, the tips of the protrusion 11b-3 and the protrusion 11b-4 are opposed to the opposing inner wall surfaces of the opening 18, as shown in FIG. While being guided, the protrusion 11 b-1 enters the notch 18 a-1, and the engagement protrusion is at a position where the outer wall surface of the engagement protrusion 11 located in the X 1 direction abuts against the inner wall surface of the opening 18. Further movement in the X1 direction of 11 is restricted. Therefore, the engagement protrusion 11 is supported at the three positions of the protrusions 11b-1, 11b-3, and 11b-4 with respect to the opening 18 at the moving end position, and the operating body 2 moved in the X1 direction is Y1. There is no mistaken operation in the direction or Y2. Similarly, when the engagement protrusion 11 moves in the Y1 direction other than the above, for example, the ends of the protrusions 11b-1 and 11b-2 are opposed to each other in the opening 18 as shown in FIG. The protrusion 11b-3 enters the notch 18a-3 while sliding on the wall surface, and the engagement wall 11 is positioned at the position where the outer wall surface of the engagement protrusion 11 located in the Y1 direction contacts the inner wall surface of the opening 18. Further movement of the mating protrusion 11 in the Y1 direction is restricted. In this case, the engaging protrusion 11 is supported at the three positions of the protrusions 11b-1, 11b-2, and 11b-3 with respect to the opening 18 at the moving end position, and the operating body 2 moved in the Y1 direction. Is not erroneously operated in the X1 direction or the X2 direction.

  When the engaging projection 11 moves in the first or second direction in the opening 18 in conjunction with the swinging operation of the operating body 2 in this way, the first slider 19 or the second slider 20 is moved accordingly. While sliding by being guided by the guide member 16, one of the photo interrupters 22 is selectively turned on. For example, when the engagement protrusion 11 moves in the X1 direction from the neutral position shown in FIG. 8, the engagement protrusion 11 only moves relative to the long hole 20d extending in the first direction (X1-X2 direction). The second slider 20 remains stopped without receiving an external force (driving force in the moving direction) from the engaging protrusion 11, but the first slider 19 receives the external force from the engaging protrusion 11 and moves in the X1 direction. Moving. In this case, the arm portion 19b of the first slider 19 moves in the X1 direction while being guided by the first guide projection 16b of the guide member 16, and accordingly, the light shielding portion 19c is a concave portion 22a of the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the X1 direction. Move in. When the engaging protrusion 11 moves to the end position in the X1 direction, the light path between the light emitting element 22b and the light receiving element 22c of the photo interrupter 22 is blocked by the light blocking portion 19c. A level signal is output. At this time, since the second slider 20 remains stopped without receiving an external force from the engaging projection 11, the signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 located in the Y1-Y2 direction and the X2 direction are It remains high. The same applies to the case where the engaging protrusion 11 moves in the X2 direction from the neutral position. In this case, the first slider 19 receives the external force from the engaging protrusion 11 and moves in the X2 direction, thereby moving in the X2 direction. A low level signal is output from the photo interrupter 22 positioned, and the signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 remain at a high level.

  On the other hand, when the engagement protrusion 11 moves in the Y1 direction from the neutral position shown in FIG. 8, the engagement protrusion 11 only moves relative to the long hole 19d extending in the second direction (Y1-Y2 direction). The first slider 19 remains stopped without receiving the external force from the engaging protrusion 11, but the second slider 20 moves in the Y1 direction in response to the external force from the engaging protrusion 11. In this case, the arm portion 20b of the second slider 20 moves in the Y1 direction while being guided by the second guide protrusion 16c of the guide member 16, and accordingly, the light shielding portion 20c is a concave portion 22a of the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the Y1 direction. Move in. When the engaging protrusion 11 moves to the end position in the Y1 direction, the light path between the light emitting element 22b and the light receiving element 22c of the photo interrupter 22 is blocked by the light blocking portion 20c. A level signal is output. At this time, since the first slider 19 remains stopped without receiving external force from the engaging protrusion 11, the signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 located in the X1-X2 direction and the Y2 direction are It remains high. The same applies to the case where the engaging protrusion 11 moves in the Y2 direction from the neutral position. In this case, the second slider 20 receives the external force from the engaging protrusion 11 and moves in the Y2 direction, thereby moving in the Y2 direction. A low level signal is output from the photo interrupter 22 positioned, and the signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 remain at a high level.

  When the operating body 2 is selectively swung in one of the first and second directions orthogonal to each other in this way, only the output signal of the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the operating direction is changed from the high level to the low level. Therefore, the operation direction of the operating tool 2 can be recognized based on the signals output from the four photo interrupters 22. When the swinging operation force on the operation body 2 is removed, the lower end of the drive rod 13 returns to the center of the inner bottom surface of the cam groove 14 due to the elastic force of the coil spring 12, so that the entire operation body 2 including the holder 7 is It becomes a vertical posture, and the engagement protrusion 11 and the first and second sliders 19 and 20 are automatically returned to the neutral position.

  Next, the operation of the composite operation input device will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 25, the lower knob 26, the rotating ring 27, the upper knob 28, the pressing knob 29, and the like that are components of the operating body 2 protrude from the upper cover 4 of the housing 1. When the operator rotates the rotating ring 27 clockwise or counterclockwise, the click plate 32 and the code plate 33 are integrally rotated in conjunction with the rotating ring 27, and the light shielding unit is rotated along with the rotation of the code plate 33. Since the 33a and the transmission part 33b rotate in the recesses 36a of the respective photo interrupters 36 mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 35, a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the code plate 33 is output from each photo interrupter 36. Further, since the upper end of the plunger 31 elastically urged by the coil spring 30 with the rotation of the click plate 32 is engaged with and disengaged from the concavo-convex portion 32a, the click feeling generated at that time is operated via the operating body 2. Feedback. When the rotation ring 27 is rotated in this way, a signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount is output from each photo interrupter 36. Based on this signal, the rotation information of the rotation ring 27 is recognized with a click feeling. can do.

  On the other hand, when the operator presses the pressing knob 29 right below (Z2 direction in FIG. 1), the stems 37a of the push switches 37 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 35 are pushed down by the protrusions 29a of the pressing knob 29. The contact of the push switch 37 is switched from off to on. Further, when the pressing operation force is removed, the pressing knob 29 is raised to the original position by the resilient force of the tact springs built in the push switches 37, and the contact of the push switch 37 is also switched from on to off. . At that time, since the guide bar 29b suspended from the lower surface of the pressing knob 29 moves up and down while being guided by the guide piece 28e of the upper knob 28, the pressing knob 29 can be smoothly pressed without rattling.

  As described above, the composite operation type input device according to the present embodiment includes the pressing knob 29 supported on the top surface of the upper knob 28 so that the pressing operation is possible, and the circuit board 35 disposed in the pressing operation direction of the pressing knob 29. A push switch 37 mounted on the surface side of the circuit board 35, a rotary ring 27 supported so as to be rotatable between the lower knob 26 and the upper knob 28, and a cord that rotates in conjunction with the rotary ring 27 A plate 33 and a photo interrupter 36 mounted on the back side of the circuit board 35 are operated, and a push switch 37 mounted on the surface side of the circuit board 35 is operated by a pressing operation of the pressing knob 29 and the rotating ring 27 is Since the code plate 33 is rotated in accordance with the rotation operation, the photo interrupter 36 mounted on the back side of the circuit board 35 is operated. The mounting space of the push switch 37 that is a pressure detection element and the mounting space of the photo interrupter 36 that is a rotation detection element can be distributed and superimposed on both the front and back surfaces of the circuit board 35, and accordingly, the horizontal direction of the entire input device can be increased accordingly. Miniaturization can be achieved. In addition, the rotation ring 27 that is a rotation operation member is connected and arranged from the front surface side to the back surface side of the circuit board 35, and the rotational force of the rotation ring 27 received on the front surface side of the circuit board 35 moves to the back surface side of the circuit board 35. Since it is transmitted, the pressing knob 29 and the rotating ring 27 can be disposed close to each other on the surface side of the circuit board 35, and the operator can easily press or rotate the pressing knob 29 and the rotating ring 27. be able to.

  In addition, an uneven portion 32a is formed on the lower surface of the click plate 32 that rotates integrally with the code plate 33, and the plunger 31 is held in the accommodation hole 26b of the lower knob 26 via the coil spring 30 so as to be movable up and down. Since the upper end of the plunger 31 is engaged with and disengaged from the concavo-convex portion 32a as the ring 27 is rotated, a click mechanism is provided by effectively using the lower space of the circuit board 35. From this point, the overall size of the input device can be reduced. Moreover, since the upward biasing force applied from the plunger 31 to the concavo-convex portion 32a also acts on the rotating ring 27 via the click plate 32, the rotating ring 27 uses the biasing force from the plunger 31 provided in the click mechanism. Can be reliably prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the push switch 37 is used as the pressure detection element mounted on the surface side of the circuit board 35 has been described. However, this pressure detection element is a pressing operation of the pressing knob 29 that is a pressing operation member. Any device may be used as long as it operates according to the above. For example, a magnetic detection element, an optical detection element or the like can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the click plate 32 is integrated with the code plate 33, and the uneven portion 32a is formed on the lower surface of the click plate 32. However, the uneven portion can be directly formed on the lower surface of the code plate 33. In this case, the click plate 32 can be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit including both the multi-directional input device and the composite operation type input device has been described. However, it is natural that the present invention can be applied to a single composite operation type input device. is there.

It is a perspective view of a control unit concerning the example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of this control unit. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the composite operation type input device with which this control unit is equipped. It is a disassembled perspective view of the multidirectional input device with which this control unit is equipped. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a top view which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship of the guide member with which this multidirectional input device is equipped, and an engaging protrusion. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of this engagement protrusion. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a circuit board provided in the composite operation type input device of FIG. 5. It is a side view of the circuit board. It is a reverse view of this circuit board.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Operation body 3 Case 4 Upper cover 5 Lower cover 7 Holder 25 Base 26 Lower knob 26a Support shaft 26b Storage hole 27 Rotating ring (Rotating operation member)
28 Upper knob 28a Depression 28b Through hole 29 Press knob (press operation member)
29a Protrusion 30 Coil spring 31 Plunger 32 Click plate 32a Concavity and convexity 33 Code plate 33a Light-shielding portion 33b Transmission portion 35 Circuit board 35a Engagement hole 35b Through-hole 36 Photo interrupter (rotation detection element)
36a Concave part 37 Push switch (Pressure detecting element)
37a stem

Claims (5)

A pressing operation member supported by the holding body so as to be able to perform a pressing operation, a circuit board disposed in the pressing operation direction of the pressing operation member, and mounted on the surface side of the circuit board and operated by the pressing operation of the pressing operation member A pressure detection element, a rotation operation member supported rotatably on the holding body, and a rotation detection element mounted on the circuit board and operated by a rotation operation of the rotation operation member,
The rotation detection element is mounted on the back surface side of the circuit board, and at least a part of the rotation operation member is disposed on the front surface side of the circuit board, and is received on the front surface side of the circuit board. The combined operation type input device is configured such that the rotational force is transmitted to the back side of the circuit board.   The compound operation type input device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation operation member is a cylindrical rotation ring surrounding the circuit board.   3. The circuit board and the upper knob according to claim 2, wherein the holding body includes an upper knob and a lower knob that sandwich the rotating ring, and the circuit board and the upper knob are disposed at an upper end portion of a support shaft that is erected at the center of the lower knob. A compound operation type input device which is fixed.   4. The code according to claim 3, wherein the rotation detecting element comprises a photo interrupter in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other through a recess, and a code plate having a light shielding part and a transmission part is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring. The composite operation type input device is configured such that the light shielding portion and the transmission portion move in the concave portion in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotating ring. 5. The rotary operation of the rotating ring according to claim 4, wherein a concave and convex portion is provided on the back side of the code plate, and a plunger elastically biased toward the code plate is held on the lower knob so as to be movable up and down. Accordingly, a combined operation type input device is configured such that the upper end of the plunger engages and disengages from the concavo-convex portion to generate a click feeling.

Images