JP2007027060A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of surely moving from one operation to the other with a simplified structure. <P>SOLUTION: With the input device provided with a holder 7 with a housing support part 8 of a bottomed box shape and brim-like operating piece 9 extended around its open end 8a, a rotating operation member 1 housed in the housing support part 8 with its top part exposed and with a rotating shaft 2 pivotally supported by the housing support part 8, a case 11 supporting the holder 7 in free rocking and pressing-down movement, a rotation detecting means (a code plate 4 and a photosensor 6) detecting rotation of the rotating operation member 1, and a tact switch 18 detecting rocking of the holder 7, the rotating operation member 1 and the holder 7 integrally make a rocking movement at the rocking operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunctional and small-sized input device that can perform a rotation operation and a swing operation, and more particularly to an input device suitable for in-vehicle use.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an input device is known in which a rotary operation member is rotated and moved (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As another conventional example, there is also known an input device that rotates a rotation operation member and presses a switch separately provided in the vicinity of the rotation operation member (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-82363 A (page 3, FIG. 1) JP 2002-150894 A (Page 2-5, FIG. 5)

  By the way, among the above-described conventional examples, in the former input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a place where a finger is placed for performing one operation (rotation operation) and a finger for performing the other operation (movement operation) are disclosed. Since there is the same place as where to put, there is an advantage that it is possible to move quickly from one operation to the other without moving the finger. However, when the user cannot concentrate on the input operation such as during driving, there is a problem that even if the user intends to perform one operation, the other operation is mistakenly performed.

  Further, in the latter input device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a place where a finger is placed to perform one operation (rotation operation) and a place where a finger is placed to perform the other operation (pressing operation in the vicinity) Therefore, even when the nerve cannot be concentrated on the input operation such as driving, there is an advantage that the finger can be moved and the operation can be surely shifted from one operation to the other. However, there is a problem in that the number of operation pieces required is at least the number of switches provided separately, which complicates the structure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can reliably shift from one operation to the other and simplify the structure. It is in.

In order to achieve the above object, the input device of the present invention has a rotation operation member and a storage support portion that pivotally supports the rotation operation member so that the rotation operation is performed at the open end of the storage support portion. A holder exposing a part of the member, a case for supporting the holder so as to be swingable, a rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation of the rotating operation member, and a swing detecting means for detecting the swing of the holder The holder has an operation piece integrally extended on the opening end side of the storage support portion toward the opposite side of the rotation operation member, and the operation piece is operated to swing. And the storage support portion and the rotation operation member are configured to swing integrally. The input device configured as described above is a place where a finger is placed to perform one operation (rotation operation) and the other operation. The place where you put your finger to perform (swing operation) is different Therefore, it is possible to reliably shift from one operation (rotation operation) to the other operation (swing operation). Further, since the operation piece is integral with the holder and the number of parts does not increase, the structure can be simplified.

  In the above configuration, the storage support portion of the holder is formed in a bottomed box shape in which a side wall is erected around the bottom plate portion facing the opening end, and the rotation operation member is a side wall of the storage support portion. It is preferable that the storage support portion is mechanically supported, and this reduces the risk of damage to the storage support portion even if a strong operating force is applied to the rotary operation member or the operation piece. So durability is improved.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, a pressing detection means for detecting pressing of the holder is provided, the holder is supported by the case so as to be pressable, and when the rotary operation member is pressed, the holder If it is configured to be pressed together, the holder can be pressed and the detection signal can be extracted regardless of whether the rotary operation member or the operation piece is pressed. Further, a multi-function input device that can selectively perform the pressing operation is obtained.

  In the input device of the present invention, a hook-shaped operation piece extends around the opening end of the storage support portion exposing the rotation operation member, and when the operation piece is swung, the holder and the rotation operation member are Since it swings integrally with the case, it is possible to selectively and easily perform the rotating operation and the swinging operation while keeping the finger of the operator in contact with the rotating operation member and the operation piece. Further, since the two operation members (the rotation operation member and the operation piece) are arranged in a compact manner, it is easy to reduce the size. Therefore, it is possible to provide a multi-function and small-sized input device that is excellent in operability and does not easily cause an erroneous operation and is suitable for in-vehicle use.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the input device as viewed from the back side. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the input device, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the case with the case omitted from FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the input device as seen from the back side of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the engaging structure of the swing shaft portion in the input device, and FIG. 8 is an explanation of the operation during the swing operation of the input device. FIG.

  The input device shown in these figures includes a rotation operation member 1 having a cylindrical operation portion 1a, a rotation shaft 2 inserted through and integrated with a central engagement hole 1b of the rotation operation member 1, and this rotation. A leaf spring 3 provided with a click projection 3a that engages and disengages with one end (grooved head 2a) of the moving shaft 2, a cord plate 4 attached to the other end (small diameter portion 2b) of the rotating shaft 2, A photosensor 6 for detecting rotation mounted on a small substrate 5, a holder 7 having a bottomed box-shaped storage support portion 8, a bowl-shaped operation piece 9, a pair of swinging shaft portions 10, and the like, and this holder 7 that can be pressed and swingable, a pair of leaf springs 12 that are in elastic contact with the tip surfaces of both swing shaft portions 10, and a seesaw member 13 that is driven by a seesaw drive portion 7a of the holder 7. A pair of coil springs 14 and a pair of plungers 15 as elastic return means, and wiring It is mainly constituted by a pair of tact switch 18 for the photo sensor 17 and the swing detection for depression detection mounted on the plate 16.

  Since the rotation operation member 1 is housed in the storage support portion 8 of the holder 7 and the rotation shaft 2 is pivotally supported by the storage support portion 8, the upper end portion of the rotation operation member 1 is the opening end 8 a of the storage support portion 8. It can be exposed and rotated. The storage support portion 8 of the holder 7 has side walls 8 c and 8 d erected on four surfaces along the periphery of the bottom plate portion 8 b that is curved along the lower end portion of the rotation operation member 1, and the small diameter portion of the rotating shaft 2. In order to increase the mechanical strength, the bearing portion 8e is formed in a shape protruding from the inside of the side wall 8c through which 2b is inserted. The side wall 8c including the bearing portion 8e and another side wall 8c opposite to the side wall 8c are formed. The rotation shaft 2 is supported so as to be rotatable. Further, the bottom plate portion 8b of the storage support portion 8 is provided with a punching hole 8f at a position facing the bearing portion 8e in the height direction, and the bearing portion 8e and the punching hole 8f overlap in a plane. is doing. The holder 7 has an operation piece 9 that extends integrally on the opening end 8 a side of the storage support portion 8 toward the opposite side of the rotation operation member 1. The operation piece 9 extends so as to continuously surround the opening end 8a with the upper end side of the storage support portion 8. When the operation piece 9 is pressed, the storage support portion 8 and the rotation operation member 1 are moved. When the operation piece 9 is swung integrally and the operation piece 9 is swung, the storage support portion 8 and the rotation operation member 1 are swung integrally. Both oscillating shaft portions 10 of the holder 7 are projected outside a pair of side walls 8 d substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 2, and a seesaw drive unit is provided below the base end of one oscillating shaft portion 10. 7a protrudes, and a light shielding piece 7b protrudes below the base end of the other oscillating shaft 10. The swing shaft portion 10 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape processed into a D-cut shape, and the lower surface biased by the plunger 15 of the swing shaft portion 10 is a substantially flat surface. In addition, a cam groove including a concave rocking center portion 10a, an annular groove 10b, and the like is formed on the front end surface of the rocking shaft portion 10 in the protruding direction. In addition, the holder 7 is formed with a spring receiving portion 7c for attaching the leaf spring 3 and a snap claw 7d for attaching the small substrate 5 outside the pair of side walls 8c.

  In addition, after assembling the rotation operation member 1 in the storage support portion 8 when assembling the input device, the rotary shaft 2 is inserted from the outside of the one side wall 8c to attach the code plate 4 to the small diameter portion 2b. Thereby, the rotation operation member 1 and the rotation shaft 2 are integrated, and the code plate 4 functions as a retaining member for the rotation shaft 2, and the lower end portion of the code plate 4 passes through the photosensor 6. To be arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a minute clearance C for avoiding contact between the side walls 8c of the storage support portion 8 and the rotation operation member 1 is secured. Is set to a value slightly smaller than the dimension 2C, so that the operation of incorporating the rotary operation member 1 into the storage support portion 8 can be performed smoothly. In addition, a recess 1c is provided at a position facing one side portion of the rotation operation member 1 and the bearing portion 8e at a position recessed inward from the side surface 1d of the operation portion 1a. When the rotation shaft 2 is inserted through the engagement hole 1b, the tip of the bearing portion 8e is inserted into the recess 1c so that the rotation operation member 1 is centered in the axial direction. The distance between the operation member 1 and each side wall 8c becomes equal, and the clearance C is easily set to a small value.

  The case 11 is formed in a frame shape in which a pair of support walls 11a arranged outside the side walls 8d of the storage support portion 8 are bridged. The case 11 has an upper opening 11b and a lower opening 11c. Yes. Each support wall 11a has a window hole 11d in which the swing shaft portion 10 is disposed, a spring holding portion 11e in which both ends of the leaf spring 12 are housed and held, and a cylinder in which the coil spring 14 and the plunger 15 are housed and held. A portion 11f is formed. In addition, a semicircular receiving surface 11g defining a part of the window hole 11d is provided on the upper portion of the support wall 11a, and the receiving surface 11g is slidably contacted with the swinging shaft portion 10. It is formed in a shape that substantially matches the cylindrical surface of the swing shaft 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, guide grooves 11 h for positioning the holder 7 and restricting movement in an undesired direction are provided at a plurality of locations on the inner wall portion of the case 11. When attaching the holder 7 to the case 11, the storage support portion 8 is inserted from the upper opening 11b side while aligning with the guide groove 11h, and the pair of swing shaft portions 10 are inserted into the corresponding window holes 11d. Just snap in.

  The leaf spring 12 has a tongue-like central elastic contact portion 12 a between both ends accommodated and held in the spring holding portion 11 e of the case 11, and the central elastic contact portion 12 a is formed on the distal end surface of the swing shaft portion 10. It is in elastic contact. As shown in FIG. 7, the central elastic contact portion 12a is formed with an engaging projection 12b that protrudes toward the swing shaft portion 10, and this engagement protrusion 12b is normally engaged with the concave swing center portion 10a. However, when the swing shaft portion 10 is lowered during the pressing operation, the engagement protrusion 12b is detached from the swing center portion 10a, and a click feeling is generated. Further, a seesaw member 13 is swingably incorporated inside one support wall 11 a of the case 11, and when the pressed projection 13 a is pushed into the seesaw driving portion 7 a of the holder 7, the seesaw member 13 swings. It rotates around the fulcrum part 13b.

  The coil spring 14 is housed and held in a compressed state in the cylindrical portion 11 f of the case 11, and a plunger 15 is interposed between the coil spring 14 and the swing shaft portion 10. The plunger 15 is always in elastic contact with the substantially flat lower surface, and the cylindrical surface on the upper end side of the swing shaft portion 10 is elastically in contact with the receiving surface 11g of the case 11 by the urging force. That is, both the rocking shaft portions 10 of the holder 7 are sandwiched between the plunger 15 and the receiving surface 11g and elastically supported in the radial direction, and the center elastic contact portion 12a of the leaf spring 12 is elastically contacted with the tip surface thereof. Therefore, the holder 7 is supported by the case 11 so as to be able to be pressed and swingable. Note that the swing shaft portion 10 is lowered and the plunger 15 is pushed down during the pressing operation, and the plunger 15 is pushed down slightly by the substantially flat lower surface of the swing shaft portion 10 during the swing operation. The operation is performed against the elastic repulsive force of the coil spring 14.

  A case 11 that supports the holder 7 so as to be able to be pressed and swingable is mounted on a wiring board 16, a seesaw member 13 is disposed on a pair of tact switches 18, and a light shielding piece 7 b of the holder 7 is provided. It is arranged on the photosensor 17. The wiring board 16 is formed with a notch-shaped relief portion 16a, and a part of the bottom plate portion 8b of the storage support portion 8 is disposed in the relief portion 16a so as to be drilled in the bottom plate portion 8b. The punching hole 8f is exposed in the escape portion 16a.

  Next, the operation of the input device configured as described above will be described. The input device can selectively perform a rotation operation, a pressing operation, and a swing operation. That is, the rotation shaft 2 integrated with the rotation operation member 1 is pivotally supported by the storage support portion 8, and the code plate 4 is attached to the small diameter portion 2 b, so that it is exposed to the opening end 8 a of the storage support portion 8. When the upper end portion of the rotating operation member 1 is rotated with the fingers of the operator, the code plate 4 rotates integrally, and rotation information (amount of rotation and rotation direction) can be detected from the photosensor 6. At this time, the rotating shaft 2 rotates while engaging and disengaging the grooved head portion 2a with the click protrusion 3a of the leaf spring 3, so that the amount of rotation can be grasped by the click feeling transmitted to the finger of the operator.

  In addition, since the case 11 supports the holder 7 so that the holder 7 can be pressed and swingable, for example, the rotary operation member 1 or the operation piece 9 is held against the elastic repulsion force of the coil spring 14 by the operator. When pushed down with a finger, the rotary operation member 1 and the holder 7 are integrally lowered, and the light shielding piece 7b blocks the optical path in the photosensor 17, thereby detecting the pressing operation. At this time, the engaging protrusion 12b of the leaf spring 12 that is elastically in contact with the distal end surface of the swing shaft portion 10 is detached from the swing center portion 10a as the holder 7 is lowered, so that it is clear to the operator's fingers. A click feeling is felt. Further, when the rotation operation member 1 or the operation piece 9 is swung with the finger of the operator against the elastic repulsion force of the coil spring 14, the rotation operation member 1 and the holder 7 with the swing center portion 10a as a fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the seesaw driving portion 7a of the holder 7 pushes one pressed projection 13a to rotate the seesaw member 13, and accordingly, one tact switch 18 is rotated. Is driven by the seesaw member 13 to produce a click feeling. That is, since the tact switch 18 that is different depending on the swinging direction is pressed and driven, the swinging operation can be detected. When the pressing operation force and the swinging operation force are removed, the plunger 15 pushes back the lower surface of the swinging shaft portion 10 by the elastic repulsive force of the coil spring 14, so that the rotary operation member 1 and the holder 7 are in the initial state. Automatically return to.

  As described above, in the input device according to this embodiment, the bowl-shaped operation piece 9 extends around the open end 8a of the storage support portion 8 where the rotation operation member 1 is exposed. When the swinging operation is performed, the holder 7 swings with respect to the case 11 integrally with the rotation operation member 1. For this reason, the place where a finger is placed to perform one operation (rotation operation) is different from the place where a finger is placed to perform the other operation (swing operation). It is possible to reliably shift to (oscillation operation). Further, since the operation piece 9 is integral with the holder 7 and the number of parts does not increase, the structure can be simplified. In this input device, the rotation shaft 2 of the rotation operation member 1 is pivotally supported by the storage support portion 8 having a bottomed box shape and high mechanical strength, and around the opening end 8 a of the storage support portion 8. Since the operation piece 9 is extended, there is little risk of damaging the storage support portion 8 even if a strong operation force is applied to the rotary operation member 1 or the operation piece 9, and the durability that can be used for a long period of time is low. I can expect.

It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the input device concerning the example of an embodiment of the present invention from the surface side. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at this input device from the back side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of this input device. It is a perspective view which abbreviate | omits a case from FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the input device as viewed from the back side of FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which shows the shaft support structure of the rotation operation member in this input device. It is sectional drawing which shows the engagement structure of the rocking | fluctuation shaft part in this input device. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of rocking | fluctuation operation in this input device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotation operation member 2 Rotating shaft 3 Leaf spring 4 Code plate 6 Photosensor (for rotation detection)
7 Holder 7a Seesaw drive part 7b Light shielding piece 8 Storage support part 8a Open end 8b Bottom plate part 8c, 8d Side wall 9 Operation piece 10 Oscillating shaft part 10a Oscillating center part 11 Case 11g Receiving surface 12 Plate spring 13 Seesaw member 14 Coil spring 15 Plunger 16 Wiring board 17 Photo sensor (for pressing detection)
18 Tactile switch (for swing detection)

Claims (3)

  A rotation operation member, a holder having a storage support portion that pivotally supports the rotation operation member so that a part of the rotation operation member is exposed at an opening end of the storage support portion, and the holder A case that supports the swing operation; a rotation detection unit that detects rotation of the rotation operation member; and a swing detection unit that detects the swing of the holder. The holder includes the opening of the storage support unit. There is an operation piece integrally extended toward the opposite side of the rotation operation member on the end side, and when the operation piece is swung, the storage support portion and the rotation operation member are swung integrally. An input device configured to move.   2. The storage support portion according to claim 1, wherein the storage support portion is formed in a bottomed box shape in which a side wall is erected around a bottom plate portion facing the opening end, and the rotation operation member is formed on the storage support portion. An input device supported by a side wall. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing detection means for detecting pressing of the holder, the holder being supported by the case so as to be pressed, and when the rotating operation member is pressed. An input device characterized in that the holder is pressed together.

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