JP2011171953A - Remote control transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control transmitter having a simple configuration and low cost which is mainly used for remote operation of various electronic apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: A remote control transmitter 35 is provided for sure detection at low cost, in which a connector for connecting a touch sensor 32 to a wiring board 25 is not required, because the touch sensor 32 is formed of a conductive metal wire that is elastically contacted to the inside surface of a lower case 30, resulting in smaller number of components, and easy assembly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control transmitter mainly used for remote control of various electronic devices.

  In recent years, as various electronic devices such as televisions and disc players have become highly functional, remote control transmitters that remotely operate these electronic devices are also required to be inexpensive and reliable.

  Such a conventional remote control transmitter will be described with reference to FIGS.

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

  6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional remote control transmitter, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the same. In FIG. 6, 1 is an upper case made of insulating resin, 2 is a cover, and a plurality of openings on the upper surface of the upper case 1 A plurality of covers 2 are attached to 1A so as to be movable up and down.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes an electrostatic panel, and a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the upper surface or the upper and lower surfaces in a perpendicular direction with a predetermined gap, and the plurality of electrostatic panels 3 are respectively attached to the lower surface of the cover 2.

  An operation body 4 such as rubber is provided with a plurality of pressing portions 4A protruding upward in a substantially dome shape on the upper surface, and the lower surface of the electrostatic touch panel 3 is in contact with the upper surface of the pressing portion 4A.

  Furthermore, 5 is a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, 6 is a switch contact such as a push switch, and the plurality of switch contacts 6 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 5, and wiring The operation body 4 covers the upper surface of the substrate 5, and the switch contact 6 is accommodated in the pressing portion 4A.

  7 is a flexible substrate on which a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed, 8 is a connector, and the plurality of electrostatic panels 3 are connected to the wiring pattern of the wiring substrate 5 by the plurality of flexible substrates 7 and connectors 8. Has been.

  Further, on the upper and lower surfaces of the wiring board 5, there are formed transmission means 9 for transmitting a remote control signal such as an antenna, and control means 10 such as a microcomputer, and the lower case 11 made of insulating resin covers the lower surface of the upper case 1. A battery (not shown) is accommodated on the lower surface of the lower case 11 covered with the insulating resin lid 12.

  Further, reference numeral 13 denotes a touch sensor. As shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. 8, a plurality of sensor parts 13B such as copper are formed on the surface of the film-like base material 13A, and a plurality of sensor parts 13B are formed from the end of the sensor part 13B. The wiring pattern (not shown) extends to the tongue piece portion 13C, and the ground portion 13D is formed on the entire rear surface by copper or the like.

  Then, the tongue pieces 13C of the plurality of touch sensors 13 are inserted into the left and right connectors 14 of the wiring board 5, the plurality of sensor parts 13B are connected to the wiring pattern of the wiring board 5, and the plurality of sensor parts 13B are Attached to the left and right inner surfaces below the lower case 11 with an adhesive 15 such as a double-sided tape.

  In addition, a plurality of sensor units 13B of the touch sensor 13, the electrostatic panel 3, the switch contact 6, and the transmission unit 9 are connected to the control unit 10 through the wiring pattern of the wiring substrate 5, and the remote control transmitter 16 is configured. ing.

  In the above configuration, as shown in the front view of FIG. 4, a plurality of menus, for example, a plurality of keys 42 are displayed on the display screen 41 of an electronic device 40 such as a television to be remotely operated. When a finger touches a predetermined place on the upper left side of the cover 2, a part of the charge of the electrostatic panel 3 is conducted to the finger, and the capacitance of the electrode at the operated place changes. The control means 10 detects which part the finger touches.

  When the control unit 10 transmits a remote control signal corresponding to the finger contact position as a radio wave from the transmission unit 9 to the device and the electronic device 40 receives the signal, the control unit 10 corresponds to the finger contact position on the electrostatic panel 3. For example, the “A” key 42A displayed on the display screen 41 is displayed as a cursor.

  When the upper surface of the cover 2 is pressed at this position, the cover 2 and the electrostatic panel 3 are moved downward, the pressing portion 4A is bent, and the switch contact 6 is electrically connected / separated. Is detected, and a remote control signal different from the above is transmitted. For example, “A” is displayed on the input section 41A below the display screen 41, and the selection of the character is confirmed.

  That is, by touching the upper surface of the cover 2 of the remote control transmitter 16 and moving and touching it, a menu such as characters displayed on the display screen 41 is selected and the upper surface of the cover 2 is pressed. By pressing the lower switch contact 6, the menu of characters and the like can be confirmed and input by remote operation.

  Furthermore, as shown in the front view of FIG. 5, when the remote control transmitter 16 is held by hand, a part of the charge of the touch sensor 13 attached to the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 11 is conducted to the hand and fingers. Since the capacity of the sensor unit 13B where the hand or finger touches changes, the control means 10 detects that the remote control transmitter 16 is held by hand, and is operated to prevent, for example, battery consumption. While it is not, power is supplied to the electrostatic panel 3 that is turned off.

  Alternatively, the control means 10 detects whether the left and right hands are held by the number of sensor units 13B in which the capacitances of the left and right touch sensors 13 have changed, and a predetermined remote control signal is transmitted. The display is switched to left hand operation, right hand operation, or the like.

  That is, in addition to the remote operation by the electrostatic panel 3 and the switch contact 6 described above, the remote control transmitter 16 is held by the hands by a plurality of touch sensors 13 attached to the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 11, It is configured such that it is possible to switch various functions of the remote control transmitter 16 and the electronic device 40 by detecting which hand is held.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2009-33596 A

  However, in the conventional remote control transmitter, the touch sensor 13 having the plurality of sensor portions 13B formed on the front surface and the ground portion 13D formed on the back surface is formed on the wiring pattern of the wiring substrate 5 using the plurality of connectors 14. Since it is connected and attached to the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 11 with the adhesive 15, there are problems that the number of components is increased and the assembly is time-consuming and expensive.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide an inexpensive remote control transmitter with a simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a touch sensor disposed on the inner surface of the case with a conductive metal wire, and is configured to elastically contact the inner surface of the case to constitute a remote control transmitter. There is no need for a connector to connect the touch sensor to the wiring board, the number of components is reduced, and the touch sensor is elastically contacted with the inner surface of the case, making it easy to assemble and inexpensive and reliable detection. It has the effect | action that a remote control transmitter can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that an inexpensive remote control transmitter can be realized with a simple configuration.

Sectional drawing of the remote control transmitter by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Partial perspective view Front view of electronic equipment Front view of remote control transmitter Cross-sectional view of a conventional remote control transmitter Exploded perspective view Partial perspective view

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

  These drawings are partially enlarged in size for easy understanding of the configuration.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a remote control transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in which 21 is an upper case made of an insulating resin such as polystyrene or ABS, and 22 is a cover. Thus, a plurality of covers 22 are swingably attached to a plurality of openings 21A on the upper surface of the upper case 21 with the fulcrum 22A at the outer end as a fulcrum.

  Further, reference numeral 23 denotes an electrostatic panel, which is formed by laminating a plurality of electrodes such as copper foil in a substantially strip shape in which a substantially square shape is connected to a base material such as glass-filled epoxy, with a predetermined gap provided therebetween. A plurality of electrostatic panels 23 are respectively attached to the lower surface of the cover 22.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an operating body such as silicone rubber or elastomer, and the cover 22 and the electrostatic panel 23 are placed on a plurality of substantially frame-shaped frame portions 24A formed on the upper surface.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a wiring board made of glass-filled epoxy or the like. A plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces by copper foil or the like, and a plurality of fixed contacts (such as carbon) are formed in the middle portion on the upper surface. (Not shown), and a plurality of switch contacts 26 are formed by movable contacts (not shown) made of a copper alloy or the like in a substantially dome shape placed thereon.

  Further, the operating body 24 covers the upper surface of the wiring board 25, and a pressing portion (not shown) formed on the inner end of the cover 22 is in contact with the upper surface of the operating body 24 above the center of the switch contact 26. Yes.

  Reference numeral 27 denotes an elastic connection body, which is formed by laminating a conductive layer in which carbon or the like is dispersed in silicone rubber or the like and an insulating layer such as silicone rubber in a horizontal direction at predetermined intervals. The electrodes of the electrostatic panel 23 are elastically mounted between the lower surface of the electrostatic panel 23 in the vicinity of the fulcrum 22A and the upper surface of the wiring board 25 in a state where the wiring board 25 is bent slightly. It is electrically connected to the wiring pattern.

  Further, on the upper and lower surfaces of the wiring board 25, a transmitting means 28 for transmitting a remote control signal such as an antenna and a control means 29 such as a microcomputer are formed, and the lower surface of the upper case 21 is made of an insulating resin such as polystyrene or ABS. A battery (not shown) is housed on the lower surface of the lower case 30 covered with the lower case 30 and covered with the lid 31 made of insulating resin.

  Further, reference numeral 32 denotes a touch sensor, which is formed from a conductive metal wire such as steel or copper alloy, and as shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. The arm portions 32B are connected by a U-shaped arm portion 32B, and an intermediate portion of the arm portion 32B is connected to the wiring pattern on the back surface of the wiring substrate 25 by soldering or the like.

  Reference numeral 33 denotes a ground body made of a conductive metal wire such as steel or copper alloy. The touch body 32 is formed in a shape surrounding the touch sensor 32 with a predetermined gap therebetween. The wiring substrate 25 is connected to a ground pattern 34 such as a copper foil formed in a substantially lattice shape on almost the entire back surface of the wiring board 25 by soldering or the like.

  In a state where the plurality of touch sensors 32 and the ground body 33 are slightly bent, the plurality of sensor portions 32A elastically contact the left and right inner surfaces below the lower case 30, and the plurality of touch sensors 32 and the electrostatic panel 23, The switch contact 26 and the transmission means 28 are connected to the control means 29 via a wiring pattern to constitute a remote control transmitter 35.

  In the above configuration, as shown in the front view of FIG. 4, in the state where a plurality of menus, for example, a plurality of keys 42 are displayed on the display screen 41 of the electronic device 40 such as a television that is remotely operated, For example, when a finger of the left hand touches a predetermined position on the upper left side of the cover 22, a part of the electric charge of the electrostatic panel 23 is conducted to the finger, and the capacitance of the electrode at the operated position changes. The control means 29 detects which part of the panel 23 the finger touches.

  When the control unit 29 transmits a remote control signal corresponding to the finger contact position as a radio wave from the transmission unit 28 to the device and the electronic device 40 receives it, the control unit 29 corresponds to the finger contact position on the electrostatic panel 23. For example, the “A” key 42A displayed on the display screen 41 is displayed as a cursor.

  Further, when the upper surface of the cover 22 is pressed at this position, the cover 22 swings downward with the fulcrum portion 22A at the outer end as a fulcrum, and the pressing portion at the inner end of the cover 22 The movable contact of the switch contact 26 is pressed through the switch contact 26, and the switch contact 26 is electrically connected and separated.

  Then, the control means 29 detects the electrical contact / separation of the switch contact 26, and a remote control signal different from the above is transmitted. For example, “A” is displayed on the input section 41A below the display screen 41, and the character The selection is confirmed.

  Further, when the right hand touches another part on the upper right side of the cover 22, the control unit 29 detects the contact position by the capacitance change of the electrostatic panel 23, and a remote control signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 28. When the “B” key 42B of the display screen 41 is displayed as a cursor and the upper surface of the cover 22 is pressed as it is, the switch contact 26 below is electrically connected and disconnected, and a remote control signal is transmitted to the input unit 41A. A letter “B” is displayed alongside “A”.

  At this time, when it is desired to select the characters “N” and “H” instead of “B”, if the finger is moved rightward or upward while touching the upper surface of the cover 22, the contact portion is controlled by the control means 29. Is detected and a remote control signal is transmitted, and the “N” and “H” keys on the display screen 41 are displayed as cursors. After that, when the upper surface of the cover 22 is pressed, these characters are displayed on the input unit 41A. The

  That is, by touching the top surface of the cover 22 of the remote control transmitter 35 and moving and touching it, the menu such as characters displayed on the display screen 41 is selected and the top surface of the cover 22 is pressed. By pressing the lower switch contact 26, menus such as characters can be confirmed and input by remote control.

  Furthermore, as shown in the front view of FIG. 5, when the remote control transmitter 35 is held by hand, a part of the charge of the touch sensor 32 elastically contacting the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 30 is conducted to the hand and fingers. Since the capacity of the sensor unit 32A where the hand or finger touches changes, the control means 29 detects that the remote control transmitter 35 is held by hand, and is operated to prevent, for example, battery consumption. While it is not, power is supplied to the electrostatic panel 23 that is turned off.

  Alternatively, depending on the number of sensor units 32A in which the capacitances of the left and right touch sensors 32 have changed, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when held by the left hand, the number of left side sensor units 32A is large and the number on the right side is Therefore, the control means 29 detects whether it is held by the left or right hand, and a predetermined remote control signal is transmitted as a radio wave from the transmission means 28 to the device. For example, the display on the display screen 41 is displayed for left-hand operation or Switch to right hand operation.

  That is, in addition to the remote operation by the electrostatic panel 23 and the switch contact 26 described above, the remote control transmitter 35 is held by the hand by the plurality of touch sensors 32 elastically contacting the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 30, It is configured so that various functions of the remote control transmitter 35 and the electronic device 40 can be switched by detecting with which hand it is held.

  By forming such a touch sensor 32 from a conductive metal wire, the touch sensor 32 can be manufactured relatively easily using a forming process similar to that for manufacturing a coil spring or the like, and a plurality of touch sensors 32 can be manufactured. By connecting the intermediate part of the arm part 32B connecting the sensor part 32A to the wiring board 25 by soldering or the like, a connector or the like for connecting the touch sensor 32 to the wiring board 25 becomes unnecessary. The remote control transmitter 35 can be formed at a low cost.

  Further, by assembling the upper case 21 and the lower case 30 with the touch sensor 32 slightly bent, the sensor portions 32A of the plurality of touch sensors 32 are brought into elastic contact with the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 30. Adhesive or the like for attaching the touch sensor 32 to the lower case 30 is not required, can be easily assembled, and can detect a change in capacitance by hand through the lower case 30 with certainty. Yes.

  Further, a ground is provided in the vicinity of the touch sensor 32 with a predetermined gap so as to surround the touch sensor 32, and the ground is formed in a substantially lattice shape on almost the entire surface of the wiring board 25 and has a large area. By connecting to the pattern 34, noise such as electromagnetic waves can be prevented and detection without error of the touch sensor 32 can be performed.

  As described above, when the cover 22 is pressed, the cover 22 swings around the fulcrum 22A of the outer end so that the center of the cover 22 is pressed or the end is moved. Even when the switch is pressed, the switch contact 26 can be securely connected and disconnected.

  That is, the cover 22 is formed not to move up and down with respect to the upper case 21 but to be swingable with the fulcrum 22A at the outer end as a fulcrum. The pressing portion at one end always presses the switch contact 26 vertically so that reliable electrical contact / separation can be performed.

  Further, by forming the cover 22 so as to be able to swing with the fulcrum 22A as a fulcrum instead of moving up and down as described above, the cover 22 is elastically connected in the vicinity of the fulcrum 22A where there is little swinging amount when the swinging operation is performed. It is possible to attach the body 27 and to electrically connect the electrostatic panel 23 to the wiring pattern of the wiring board 25.

  That is, since a plurality of flexible boards and connectors for connecting the electrostatic panel 23 and the wiring board 25 are not required, and the electrostatic panel 23 can be connected to the wiring board 25 only by the elastic connection body 27, a simpler configuration is possible. Thus, the remote control transmitter 35 can be formed at low cost.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the plurality of sensor units 32A of the touch sensor 32 are elastically contacted with the left and right inner surfaces of the lower case 30 has been described, but depending on the shape and size of the upper case 21 and the lower case 30 The present invention can also be implemented with a configuration in which the touch sensor 32 is elastically contacted with the left and right inner surfaces of the upper case 21 or a configuration in which the upper case 21 and the lower case 30 are integrally formed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the touch sensor 32 is formed of a conductive metal wire, and is elastically brought into contact with the inner surface of the upper case 21 or the lower case 30, whereby the touch sensor 32 is attached to the wiring board 25. A connector or the like for connection is not required, the number of components is reduced, and it is possible to obtain a remote control transmitter 35 that can be easily assembled and can be detected inexpensively and reliably.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the substantially dome-shaped movable contact is placed on the fixed contact on the upper surface of the wiring board 25 to form the switch contact 26 has been described. However, the movable contact is formed on the lower surface above the fixed contact. The present invention can also be implemented as a configuration using various switch contacts such as a configuration in which push buttons such as rubber are opposed to each other, or a configuration in which a single push switch is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 25.

  The remote control transmitter according to the present invention has a simple configuration and is inexpensive, and is useful mainly for remote control of various electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Upper case 21A Opening part 22 Cover 22A Supporting point part 23 Electrostatic panel 24 Operation body 24A Frame part 25 Wiring board 26 Switch contact 27 Elastic connection body 28 Transmission means 29 Control means 30 Lower case 31 Cover body 32 Touch sensor 32A Sensor part 32B Arm unit 33 Ground body 34 Ground pattern 35 Remote control transmitter 40 Electronic device 41 Display screen 41A Input unit 42, 42A, 42B Key

Claims (1)

A cover mounted in an opening on the upper surface of the case; an electrostatic panel disposed below the cover; a control unit that transmits a remote control signal from the transmission unit in response to an operation of the electrostatic panel; A remote control transmitter comprising a touch sensor disposed on the inside of the case, wherein the touch sensor is formed of a conductive metal wire and elastically contacted with an inner side surface of the case.

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