JP2010129329A - Switching device and electronic apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching device, along with an electronic apparatus equipped with the same, wherein a plurality of kinds of functions can be assigned to a single-operation switch and having a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A cover part 3 formed from a non-conductive plastic resin in an almost planar shape is provided freely openable/closable, on a surface on the side where an electrode pad 9 of an electrostatic sensor 5 is operated; a different function is selected, depending on when the cover part 3 is closed and a touch is made with the cover part 3, which is present or when the cover part 3 is opened and a touch is made with the cover part 3 which is not present. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device and an electronic apparatus that function as a switch by changing a capacitance of an electrostatic sensor or the like.

  Electronic devices such as home appliances and remote controllers that remotely control electronic devices are equipped with buttons for operation on the front of the device or on the outer surface of the remote controller, and the user operates switches such as those buttons. By doing so, the device is controlled.

  In recent years, various functions have been added to an electronic device to make it more complicated, and this type of operation buttons tends to increase. However, when the number of operation buttons increases, there are problems that the operability is deteriorated such that it becomes difficult to distinguish the operated buttons and that the appearance gives the user a complicated impression.

For such a problem, for example, a remote controller described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The remote controller described in Patent Document 1 includes a main body, a lid provided on the main body so as to be freely opened and closed, an open / close detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the lid, and is directly operated when the lid is open, and the lid is closed when the lid is closed. And an operation switch that is operated through an external operation mechanism attached to the switch and has a function that varies depending on the open / closed state of the lid detected by the open / close detection means, and the lid is closed when the lid is opened. Two functions can be added to the operation switch at the same position as in the case of switching, and can be switched respectively.
JP-A-2-168796

  However, the remote controller described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it takes time and effort to process and assemble in proportion to the number of operation switches because an open / close detection means and an external operation mechanism are required.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that can add a plurality of types of functions to one operation switch with a simple structure, and an electronic apparatus including the switch device.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch device includes an electrode and detection means for detecting whether or not the electrode is operated by a change in capacitance of the electrode. A cover portion provided on the surface on which the electrode is operated so as to be openable and closable, formed in a substantially plate shape with a non-conductive material, and a switching means for switching functions according to the detection result of the detection means; And the switching means determines whether the electrode is operated by opening the cover part or by closing the cover part, and switches to a function corresponding to each operation. .

  Hereinafter, a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cover part formed in a plate shape with a non-conductive material is provided in an openable and closable manner in front of an electrode. In addition, there is provided switching means for switching the function in accordance with the detection result of the detection means for detecting whether or not the operation is performed by changing the capacitance of the electrode, and the electrode is operated by opening the cover portion by this switching means. The operation switch function can be performed by changing the capacitance like an electrostatic sensor without providing a complicated mechanism. A plurality of types of operations can be added to a single operation switch simply by adding a member having a simple structure, such as a plate-like cover, to the one having a switch.

  The detection means includes a circuit that repeats charging / discharging with respect to the capacitance of the electrode, counts the number of times of charging / discharging per unit time, and compares the number of times of charging / discharging per unit time with a first threshold value. The switching means detects whether the electrode has been operated with the cover part opened by comparing the counted number of times of charge / discharge per unit time with the second threshold value, or the cover It may be determined whether the operation is performed with the part closed. By doing so, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the electrode is operated and whether or not the cover portion is present by counting the number of times of charging / discharging per unit time by providing two types of count threshold values.

  Further, the cover portion may be rotated with one end portion being rotatably supported. By doing so, it can be applied to a remote controller as described in Patent Document 1, and a plurality of types of functions can be added to one operation switch with a simple structure.

  The cover portion may slide in parallel with the electrodes. In this way, it is easy to add two types of functions of one switch even in a device that slides the cover.

  Moreover, the part corresponding to the electrode of a cover part may be different in thickness from other parts. By doing in this way, only the part required for operation among cover parts can be made into thickness required to detect a plurality of functions, and other parts are made into thickness which is easy to mold, or thickness which wants to design. be able to.

  A remote controller 1 as an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The remote controller 1 includes a housing 2, a cover 3, a button 4, an electrostatic sensor 5, a controller 6, and a signal output unit 7 as shown in FIGS. And remotely control in-vehicle devices.

  The casing 2 is formed in a flat box shape with a nonconductive resin (acrylic, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.) having a thickness of about 1 mm. A cover portion 3 and a button 4 are provided on the front surface 2 a which is one surface of the housing 2. One end portion of the front surface 2a is recessed by the thickness of the cover portion 3 from the portion where the button 4 is provided because the cover portion 3 is attached.

  The cover part 3 is a substantially plate-like member formed of a nonconductive resin (acrylic, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.) to a thickness of about 1 to 2 mm. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part in the vicinity of the cover 3, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The cover portion 3 has one end portion 3a engaged with a substantially cylindrical engaging portion 2b provided at one end portion of the housing 2 to form a hinge mechanism, and is rotatable along the rotation axis Z. It is provided so that it can be opened and closed by rotating with respect to the housing | casing 2 by using one edge part 3a as a fulcrum. The cover 3 is attached so as to be flush with the front surface 2a of the housing 2 in a closed state. A substrate 8 is provided inside the housing 2 covered with the cover portion 3, and an electrode pad 9 is provided on the substrate 8. When the electrode pad 9 as an electrode touches a position corresponding to the electrode pad 9 on the housing 2 with a finger, the capacitance changes and functions as a switch. That is, the cover 3 is provided on the surface on the side where the electrode pad 9 is operated so as to be opened and closed.

  A plurality of buttons 4 are provided on the front surface 2 a of the housing 2, and a function for giving an operation instruction to a device remotely operated by the remote controller 1 is assigned to each button 4.

  The electrostatic sensor 5 as the electrostatic operation means has a basic circuit structure as shown in FIG. In the circuit diagram of FIG. 5, a switch SW1, a resistor R, and a power source E are connected in series to the electrode pad 9, and a switch SW2 is connected in parallel to the electrode pad 9. The resistor R is for limiting the current flowing from the power source E to the electrode pad 9 to a certain amount, and may be configured by a constant current circuit instead of the resistor.

  The operation of the electrostatic sensor 5 (also called an electrostatic switch) will be described. First, the switch SW1 is turned on and the switch SW2 is turned off to start charging, and when the voltage V of the electrode pad 9 reaches a predetermined voltage. The switch SW1 is turned off and the switch SW2 is turned on to discharge. After discharging is complete, repeat charging and discharging. The charging time varies depending on the capacitance of the electrode pad 9 so that it is long when the capacitance is large and short when the capacitance is small. The capacitance is as shown in FIG. And the electrode pad 9 are known to change depending on the distance (the closer the finger is, the larger the capacitance). That is, as the capacitance increases, the charge / discharge time becomes longer, so the number of times of charge / discharge within the unit time decreases. Therefore, the number of times of charging / discharging within a certain unit time is counted, and if it is smaller than a predetermined count threshold, it can be determined that the finger has touched.

  The control unit 6 serving as a detection unit and a switching unit counts the number of charging / discharging times within a predetermined time detected by the electrostatic sensor 5, and closes the cover unit 3 to the electrostatic sensor 5 according to the counted number. Either touched through the cover 3 and the housing 2 (with the cover 3), opened the cover 3 and touched only through the housing 2 (without the cover 3), or Determine if you are away.

  The signal output unit 7 outputs a signal for operating the function added to each determination result based on the determination result determined by the control unit 6.

  In the present embodiment, the cover unit 3, the electrostatic sensor 5, the control unit 6, and the signal output unit 7 described above constitute the switch device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, when the electrostatic sensor 5 is operated as shown in FIG. 4, a change in electrostatic capacitance due to the presence or absence of the cover portion 3 is detected and the function is switched to the corresponding function. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, a button mechanism is not provided on the cover part 3 and a mechanism for determining whether the cover part 3 is open or closed is unnecessary, and the structure becomes simple.

  Whether or not the cover portion 3 is present, the distance between the finger and the electrode pad 9 changes as shown in FIG. 4, and therefore the charge / discharge time is different because the capacitance changes as shown in FIG. 6. When touched without the cover 3, the electrostatic capacity is larger than when touched with the cover 3, so the charge / discharge time is longer. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the number of times the electrostatic sensor 5 is charged / discharged per unit time T is 4 times when touched without the cover 3 and 5 times when touched with the cover 3. If the count threshold is set according to the number of times, the presence / absence of the cover 3 can be determined and the function corresponding to each can be switched.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an operation flowchart of the switch device 20 according to the present embodiment, which is executed by the control unit 6.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether the number n of charging / discharging per unit time is larger than a count threshold A as a first threshold for determining that the finger is separated. The process waits and proceeds to step S2 if the count threshold A or less. That is, it is determined whether or not the electrode pad 9 has been operated in this step, and if it is greater than the count threshold A for determining that the finger is separated, it can be determined that the electrode pad 9 has not been operated.

  Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the number n of charge / discharges per unit time is larger than a count threshold B as a second threshold for determining that the cover 3 is present. If it is less than or equal to the count threshold B, the process proceeds to step S5. Note that the count threshold value B for determining that the cover 3 is present and the count threshold value A for determining that the finger is separated are set in a relationship of A> B. In this step, it is determined whether the touch is made with or without the cover 3.

  Next, in step S3, since the number n of charging / discharging per unit time is larger than the count threshold B for determining that the cover portion 3 is present, it is determined that the cover portion 3 is present, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  Next, in step S4, the signal output unit 7 is instructed to output a predetermined signal so as to switch to the function 1, that is, the function when the cover unit 3 is provided.

  Next, in step S5, since the charge / discharge number n per unit time is equal to or less than the count threshold B for determining that the cover unit 3 is present, it is determined that the cover unit 3 is not present, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  Next, in step S6, the signal output unit 7 is instructed to output a predetermined signal so as to switch to the function 2, that is, the function without the cover unit 3.

  According to the present embodiment, the cover portion 3 formed in a substantially plate shape with a non-conductive resin or the like is provided on the surface on the side where the electrode pad 9 of the electrostatic sensor 5 is operated so as to be freely opened and closed. Since a different function can be switched between when the cover 3 is touched with the cover part 3 closed and when the cover part 3 is opened and touched without the cover part 3, a complicated mechanism is provided. In addition, it is possible to add a plurality of types of operations to one electrostatic sensor, that is, an operation switch, by simply adding a member having a simple structure such as a plate-like cover portion 3.

  Further, the controller 6 determines whether or not the electrode pad 9 has been operated by determining whether or not the number n of charging / discharging per unit time is larger than the count threshold value A, and whether or not it is larger than the count threshold value B. Since it is determined whether or not it is touched with or without the cover part 3 by determining whether or not it is touched, the electrode pad is obtained by counting the number n of charge / discharge per unit time by providing two count thresholds. It is possible to easily determine whether or not 9 is operated and whether or not the cover portion 3 is present.

  Further, the cover 3 is rotatably attached to the housing 2 with one end 3a as a fulcrum, and is provided so that it can be opened and closed by rotation. Therefore, the cover 3 is applied to a remote controller as described in Patent Document 1. Thus, a plurality of types of functions can be added to one operation switch with a simple structure.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cover portion 3 is provided so that it can be opened and closed by rotating about one end portion 3a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the surface of the housing 2 can be slid freely as shown in FIG. It is good. In the case of FIG. 9, a pair of guide portions 2c are provided in the housing 2 in parallel with the sliding direction, and the cover portion 3 can be guided by the guide portions 2c to be slidable in the arrow direction. Of course, the sliding method is not limited to FIG. 9, and a method of providing a guide groove in the housing 2 positioned below the cover 3 may be used. Further, the sliding direction is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. 9 and may be slid in a direction orthogonal to FIG.

  In the embodiment described above, the cover portion 3 is formed in a plate shape with a flat surface. However, the cover portion 3 cannot be formed to have a required thickness due to the convenience of molding or design of the housing 2 or the cover portion 3. In such a case, only the portion corresponding to the electrode pad 9 may be made thicker or thinner as shown in FIG. By doing in this way, while ensuring the thickness which can detect the presence or absence of the cover part 3 with one electrostatic sensor 5, other parts can be matched with a design or the like.

  Further, the number of the cover portions 3 is not limited to one, and a plurality of functions can be switched by one electrostatic sensor 5 by providing a plurality of the cover portions 3 in a stacked manner. For example, if two cover portions 3 are provided, three types can be switched between the case where there is no cover portion 3, one cover portion 3, and two cover portions 3.

  Moreover, although the remote controller 1 was demonstrated as an electronic device in the Example mentioned above, this invention is not limited to the remote controller 1 but the operation panel etc. which were provided in the housing | casing front surface of electronic devices, such as household appliances and vehicle equipment, etc. You may apply.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following switch device 20 is obtained.

(Additional remark 1) In the switch apparatus 20 provided with the electrode part 9 and the control part 6 which detects whether it was operated by the change of the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode pad 9,
A cover portion 3 provided on the surface on which the electrode pad 9 is operated so as to be openable and closable and formed in a substantially plate shape with a non-conductive material;
A control unit 6 that switches a predetermined function in accordance with a detection result of the control unit 6,
The switch device 20 is characterized in that the control unit 6 determines whether the electrode pad 9 has been operated by opening the cover unit 3 or is operated by closing the cover unit, and switches to a function corresponding to each.

  According to the switch device 20, it is possible to add a plurality of types of operations to one operation switch by adding a simple structure member such as the plate-like cover portion 3 without providing a complicated mechanism.

  In addition, the Example mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to an Example. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the remote controller concerning one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the block configuration of the switch apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is a principal part perspective view of cover part 3 vicinity of the remote controller shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is the circuit diagram which showed the basic circuit structure of the electrostatic sensor. It is the graph which showed the distance between a finger-electrode pad, and the relationship of an electrostatic capacitance. It is the graph which showed the frequency | count of charging / discharging in the unit time T of the electrostatic sensor shown by FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the switch device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the other moving method of a cover part. It is sectional drawing which showed the other structure of the thickness of a cover part and a housing | casing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Remote controller (electronic equipment)
3 Cover part 5 Electrostatic sensor (electrostatic operation means)
6 Control unit (switching means)
9 Electrode pads (electrodes)
20 Switch device

Claims (6)

In a switch device comprising an electrode and detection means for detecting whether or not it has been operated by a change in capacitance of the electrode,
A cover portion provided on the surface on which the electrode is operated so as to be openable and closable and formed in a substantially plate shape with a non-conductive material;
Switching means for switching functions according to the detection result of the detection means,
The switching unit is configured to determine whether the electrode is operated by opening the cover part or by closing the cover part, and switches to a function corresponding to each operation. The detection means includes a circuit that repeats charging / discharging with respect to the capacitance of the electrode, counts the number of times of charging / discharging per unit time, and compares the number of times of charging / discharging per unit time with a first threshold value. To detect whether or not the electrode has been operated,
The switching means compares the counted number of times of charging / discharging per unit time with a second threshold value to determine whether the electrode has been operated by opening the cover part or by closing the cover part. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made.   3. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein one end portion of the cover portion is rotatably supported.   The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion slides in parallel with the electrode.   The switch device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the cover portion corresponding to the electrode has a thickness different from that of other portions.   An electronic apparatus comprising the switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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