JP2011238447A - Rotating operation type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotating operation type input device capable of generating a light operation sound when it is rotationally operated and preventing undesired rotational backlash when it is not operated.SOLUTION: A rotating operation type input device 20 comprises: an operation member 1 rotatably supported by a base 3; an annular cam 5 integrally rotated with the operation member 1; a first elastic member 6 in which a leaf spring 6b elastically biases a first protrusion 6a that can be detachably engaged with the annular cam 5; and a second elastic member 7 in which a second leaf spring 7c elastically biases a second protrusion 7a that can be detachably engaged with the annular cam 5. An outer edge 6c of the leaf spring 6b faces a wall surface 3b in the base 3 so as to be brought into contact with or separated from the wall surface 3b. When the rotating operation type input device 20 is rotationally operated, the outer edge 6c collides with the wall surface 3b on the upstream side in the rotational direction to thereby generate an operation sound. Meanwhile, a fitting part 7b of the second elastic member 7 is latched onto a support boss 3c in the base 3. When the rotating operation type input device 20 is not operated, the second protrusion 7a engages with a recess 5a so as to prevent the annular cam 5 from rotating freely.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotation operation type input device including a click mechanism that generates a click feeling during a rotation operation.

  In the rotary operation type input device that detects a signal corresponding to the rotation position of the operation member, etc., when the user rotates the operation member supported rotatably on the base, a click feeling is generated at a predetermined angular pitch. Since it becomes easier to grasp the amount of rotation operation, a click mechanism for generating a click feeling is often built in. Conventionally, as an example of such a click mechanism, an annular cam portion in which concave portions and convex portions are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction is provided on a rotating body that rotates coaxially and integrally with an operation member, and is held by a coil spring. There is known a structure in which the formed steel ball is brought into elastic contact with the annular cam portion. With this type of click mechanism, the steel ball elastically biased by the coil spring can be inserted into any recess in the annular cam portion, and the steel ball is inserted into one of the recesses when not in operation. Free rotation of the body is prevented. In addition, when a rotating operation force is applied to the operating member and the rotating body rotates, the engagement and disengagement operation that the steel ball gets over the convex portion from the concave portion of the annular cam portion and fits into the adjacent concave portion is repeated. At that time, the reaction force of the coil spring acting on the rotating body increases until the steel ball rides over the convex part of the annular cam part, and decreases rapidly immediately after getting over the convex part of the annular cam part. Is generated, and the user's fingers can feel this click feeling.

  However, when the click mechanism configured to elastically contact the steel ball held by the coil spring to the annular cam portion, it is necessary to incorporate a coil spring in pressure contact with the steel ball outside the rotating body having the annular cam portion. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the assembly workability also deteriorates. Therefore, conventionally, a rotary operation type input device employing a click mechanism in which a leaf spring having a protrusion at the center is incorporated in a base and this protrusion is elastically contacted with an annular cam is known ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In such a click mechanism, the protrusion of the leaf spring is engaged with and disengaged from the annular cam portion with the rotation of the operation member, so that a click feeling can be generated during the rotation operation as in the case of the steel ball described above. Since it is only necessary to incorporate a leaf spring with a flange, the number of parts can be reduced and assembly work can be easily performed.

JP-A-11-232966

  By the way, as described above, in the click mechanism configured to elastically contact the projection part integral with the leaf spring to the annular cam part, the leaf spring is gradually pushed and bent until the projection part gets over the convex part of the annular cam part. Therefore, when the protruding portion climbs over the protruding portion, the end of the leaf spring strikes the wall surface or the like in the base with an elastic restoring force, and a collision noise is likely to be generated. In order to alleviate such a collision noise, a buffer member may be attached to the leaf spring. However, as a result of detailed investigations by the present inventors, the outer edge of the leaf spring is in contact with the wall surface in the base with an appropriate clearance. It was confirmed that the sound generated when the outer edge collides with the wall surface becomes a short “tick” sound that is not detrimental if it is made to face each other. If the collision sound is intentionally used, a light operation sound “titch tick” can be generated according to the amount of rotation operation when the operation member is rotated. The amount of rotation operation can be grasped not only by feeling but also by such operation sound. That is, it can be expected that the leaf spring used in the click mechanism is also used as the operation sound generating means to increase the added value of the rotary operation type input device or to differentiate it.

  However, if the outer edge of the leaf spring used in the click mechanism is opposed to the wall surface in the base so as to be able to come into contact with and away from it, as described above, the annular cam portion is allowed to rotate by this clearance during non-operation. Therefore, undesired rotation play (play) occurs in the operation member of the rotary operation type input device. Therefore, when the operation sound corresponding to the rotation operation amount is generated using the leaf spring of the click mechanism, it is necessary to consider a countermeasure for preventing the rotation play of the operation member.

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is a rotational operation that can generate a light operation sound during a rotational operation and does not generate an undesirable rotational backlash when not operated. It is to provide a mold input device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a rotary operation type input device according to the present invention includes a base, an operation member rotatably supported by the base, and an integral rotation with the operation member in the circumferential direction. An annular cam portion in which concave portions and convex portions are alternately arranged, and an elastic means that elastically contacts the annular cam portion, and is clicked by the cooperation of the annular cam portion and the elastic means when the operating member is rotated. In the rotary operation type input device in which a feeling is generated, the elastic means includes an operation sound generation means and a backlash prevention means incorporated in the base, and the operation sound generation means is engaged with the annular cam portion. A first projecting portion that can be detached; and a leaf spring portion that elastically biases the first projecting portion toward the annular cam portion; and the backlash preventing means is detachable from the annular cam portion. A second protrusion that is elastically biased, and The leaf spring is moved when the first protrusion has moved over the convex portion with the rotation of the operation member by allowing the edge to face the wall in the base so as to be able to contact and separate with clearance. The outer edge of the part collides with the wall surface, and the second protrusion part, in which the backlash in the rotation direction is set smaller than the first protrusion part when the operation member is not operated, is the annular cam part. It was configured to regulate rotation.

  In the rotary operation type input device configured as described above, since the annular cam portion rotates integrally with the rotation operation of the operation member, the first and second protrusions are engaged with and disengaged from the annular cam portion. A click feeling will occur. At this time, as the first protrusion is driven by the convex portion of the annular cam portion and the leaf spring portion is pushed and bent, the outer edge of the leaf spring portion and the base opposite to the edge on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the operation member. Because the clearance between the wall and the inner wall of the base increases, when the first protrusion climbs over the convex part of the annular cam part, the outer edge of the leaf spring part hits the wall surface vigorously due to the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring part. Generate sound. Therefore, a collision sound can be continuously heard at a predetermined angular pitch during the rotation operation of the operation member, and a light operation sound that can grasp the amount of rotation operation can be generated. In addition, when the operation member is not operated, the second protrusion that is fitted in the recess of the annular cam portion prevents the annular cam portion from freely rotating, so that undesirable rotation backlash does not occur in the operation member. . In addition, since both the operation sound generating means and the backlash preventing means can be easily formed by bending a metal thin plate or the like, the parts cost can be easily suppressed and the assembling workability is not easily complicated. In addition, since both the 1st projection part and the 2nd projection part generate | occur | produce a click feeling when engaging / disengaging with respect to an annular cam part, a user's finger | toe can also be made to feel a click feeling at the time of rotation operation.

  In the above configuration, the operation sound generating means has a pair of leaf spring portions continuous via the first protrusion, and the outer edge ends of the leaf spring portions are in contact with the wall surface in the base with clearance. If the operating member is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction, the outer edge of the leaf spring portion collides with the wall surface in the base on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the operating member, as long as they are opposed to each other. A light operation sound can be generated.

  Further, in the above configuration, when the operation sound generating means and the backlash preventing means are disposed in a positional relationship facing each other with the annular cam portion sandwiched in the radial direction, the first and second protrusions with respect to the annular cam portion. This is preferable because the reaction force of the portion can be applied in a balanced manner.

  Further, in the above configuration, the operation sound generating means is composed of a single sheet metal plate in which the first protrusion is provided at the center of the pair of flat plate spring portions, and in the vicinity of both ends of the metal sheet in the longitudinal direction. It is preferable that the portion is supported by the base because an operation sound generating means that can easily elastically deform the leaf spring portion and has a simple structure can be realized at a low cost when the operation member is rotated.

  Further, in the above configuration, the backlash preventing means is formed of a single sheet metal plate in which the second protrusion is provided at the center of the pair of second leaf springs, and both ends in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal are based on the two ends. When the operating member is not operated, it is preferable that the ring-shaped cam portion can be prevented from freely rotating by the second projecting portion when the operating member is not operated.

  According to the rotary operation type input device of the present invention, when the operating member is rotated, the first protrusion is driven by the convex portion of the annular cam portion, and the leaf spring portion is pushed and bent. Since the clearance between the outer edge of the leaf spring part and the wall surface in the base opposite to this increases, the outer edge of the outer edge of the leaf spring part is moved by the elastic return force of the leaf spring part when the first projection part gets over the convex part. It strikes the wall vigorously and generates a short collision sound. Therefore, a collision sound can be continuously heard at a predetermined angular pitch during the rotation operation of the operation member, and a light operation sound that can grasp the amount of rotation operation can be generated. Further, when the operation member is not operated, the second protrusion that is fitted in the recess of the annular cam portion prevents the annular cam portion from freely rotating. No longer occurs. Moreover, since both the operation sound generating means and the backlash preventing means can be easily formed by bending a metal thin plate, etc., it is possible to reduce the cost of parts and to make the assembly workability difficult, and the rotation operation type input device High cost can be suppressed.

It is a cross-sectional view of a rotary operation type input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the AA line of FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the modification of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary operation type input device 20 according to the present embodiment includes an operation member 1 fixed to the tip of the rotary shaft 2 and a box shape that rotatably supports the operation member 1. The base 3, the rotating body 4 fixed to the rotating shaft 2 inside the base 3, the annular cam portion 5 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 4, and the first elasticity as the operation sound generating means. The member 6, the second elastic member 7 which is a backlash preventing means, the code plate 8 fixed to the rotating shaft 2 inside the base 3, and the photo interrupter 9 which detects the rotational position change of the code plate 8 It is mainly composed.

  The rotary operation type input device 20 is configured so that the operation member 1 can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions by the user. The operation member 1, the rotating body 4, and the code plate 8 are centered around the rotation shaft 2 during rotation operation. Rotates integrally. The annular cam portion 5 that forms the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 4 is provided with concave portions 5a and convex portions 5b alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 1, the recesses 5a and the projections 5b are simplified and shown at 45 ° intervals, but in actuality, a large number of the recesses 5a and the projections 5b are connected at a small angular pitch.

  The first elastic member 6 is made of a single-plate elastic metal plate having a first protrusion 6a provided at the center of a pair of flat plate spring portions 6b. The vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction, that is, the vicinity of the outer edge 6 c of each leaf spring portion 6 b is supported by a spring receiving surface 3 a provided inside the base 3. Further, the outer edge 6c of each leaf spring portion 6b is opposed to the wall surface 3b in the base 3 with clearance C therebetween, and the first protrusion 6a is elastically attached to each leaf spring portion 6b. It is urged to elastically contact the annular cam portion 5. Then, as the rotary operating force is applied to the operating member 1 and the annular cam portion 5 rotates, the first protrusion 6a in the recess 5a is driven by the protrusion 5b, and the leaf spring portion 6b is pushed and deflected. After that, an engaging / disengaging operation is performed in which the first protrusion 6a is fitted into the adjacent recess 5a by the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring 6b. Further, as will be described later, when the first protrusion 6a gets over the convex portion 5b as the operation member 1 is rotated, the outer edge 6c collides with the wall surface 3b on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the operation member 1. It has become.

  The second elastic member 7 is made of a thin metal plate having a single plate having a second protrusion 7a at the center in the longitudinal direction and both ends thereof as engaging portions 7b, and each engaging portion 7b A flat plate-like second leaf spring portion 7c extends between the second protrusion 7a. Each engaging portion 7 b is folded in a U shape, and the pair of engaging portions 7 b are respectively hooked on support bosses 3 c provided inside the base 3. The second protrusions 7 a are elastically biased by the respective second leaf springs 7 c and elastically contact the annular cam portion 5. Then, as the rotating operation force is applied to the operation member 1 and the annular cam portion 5 rotates, the second protrusion 7a in the recess 5a is driven by the protrusion 5b, and the second leaf spring portion 7c is pushed and bent. After the engagement, the engaging and disengaging operation is performed such that the second protrusion 7a is fitted into the adjacent recess 5a by the elastic restoring force of the second leaf spring portion 7c. The second protrusion 7a is set to have a smaller backlash in the rotational direction than the first protrusion 6a. The first elastic member 6 and the second elastic member 7 constitute elastic means that elastically contacts the annular cam portion 5, and as shown in FIG. 1, the first elastic member 6 and the second elastic member 6 The members 7 are arranged in a positional relationship facing each other with the annular cam portion 5 sandwiched in the radial direction.

  Next, the operation of the rotary operation type input device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in a non-operation state in which no rotation operation force is applied to the operation member 1, the first protrusion 6 a is fitted into one of the two recesses 5 a positioned 180 degrees away from the annular cam portion 5. And the 2nd projection part 7a is inserted in the other. Since the first elastic member 6 provided with the first protrusion 6a is allowed to slide slightly corresponding to the clearance C, only the first protrusion 6a is fitted in the recess 5a. Assuming that the rotating body 4 has rotational play (play). However, both end portions (engagement portions 7b) in the longitudinal direction of the second elastic member 7 provided with the second projecting portions 7a are hooked on the support bosses 3c of the base 3 and are kept substantially fixed. Therefore, the second protrusion 7a fitted in the recess 5a functions as a stopper that prevents free rotation of the rotating body 4 (annular cam portion 5) when not operated.

  When the user rotates the operation member 1 in either the forward or reverse direction, the rotating body 4 coaxial with the operation member 1 rotates, so that the annular cam portion 5 rotates integrally with the operation member 1. The first protrusion 6 a and the second protrusion 7 a are engaged with and disengaged from the cam portion 5. At this time, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the operation member 1, the first protrusion 6 a is brought into contact with the convex portion 5 b of the annular cam portion 5 in a state where the outer edge 6 c of the leaf spring portion 6 b is in contact with the wall surface 3 b facing this. As the leaf spring portion 6b is driven and deflected, on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the operation member 1, between the outer edge 6c of the leaf spring portion 6b and the wall surface 3b in the base 3 opposite thereto. Clearance C increases. When the first projecting portion 6a gets over the convex portion 5b, the outer edge 6c strikes the wall surface 3b vigorously on the upstream side in the rotational direction due to the elastic restoring force of the leaf spring portion 6b, and a short hit sound is heard. appear. Specifically, when the rotating body 4 rotates clockwise (R direction) in FIG. 1, the outer edge 6c (R) on the right side of the figure collides with the opposing wall surface 3b (R), and conversely, the rotating body When 4 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the outer edge 6c (L) on the left side of FIG. 1 collides with the opposing wall surface 3b (L). In this way, the rotary operation type input device 20 is designed to be “titch-tick” when the operation member 1 is rotated, because it is designed to continuously hear a “chipping” sound at a predetermined angular pitch during normal rotation operation. ... ”Can be generated according to the amount of rotation operation.

  Since the code plate 8 coaxial with the operation member 1 is rotated by the rotation operation, the photo interrupter 9 detects a change in the rotation position of the code plate 8, and the detection signal is output to an external control circuit. Thereby, control according to the rotation operation position of the operation member 1 can be performed.

  Further, since the first projecting portion 6a and the second projecting portion 7a are engaged with and disengaged from the annular cam portion 5 as the operating member 1 is rotated, the rotational operation type input device 20 includes both projecting portions 6a and 7a. Can generate a click feeling almost simultaneously, and this user can feel the click feeling. However, it is also possible to set so that only one of the first protrusion 6a and the second protrusion 7a produces a clear click feeling. Further, if grease is applied to the first protrusion 6a and the second protrusion 7a, the engagement / disengagement operation with respect to the annular cam portion 5 can be performed very smoothly.

  As described above, in the rotary operation type input device 20 according to this embodiment, the outer edge 6c of the leaf spring portion 6b faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the first elastic member 6 when the operation member 1 is rotated. It collides with the wall surface 3b and generates a short collision sound that is not harsh. Therefore, the collision sound can be heard continuously at a predetermined angular pitch, and the rotary operation type input device generates a light operation sound that can grasp the amount of rotation operation. Further, when the operation member 1 is not operated, the second protrusion 7a of the second elastic member 7 functions as a stopper, so that the free rotation of the annular cam portion 5 is prevented. There is no risk of erratic rotation play (play). In addition, since both the first elastic member 6 and the second elastic member 7 can be easily formed by bending a metal thin plate or the like, the component cost can be suppressed and the assembling workability is also good. Therefore, this rotary operation type input device 20 can be manufactured at low cost.

  Further, in the rotary operation type input device 20 according to the present embodiment example, the first elastic member 6 as the operation sound generating means and the second elastic member 7 as the backlash preventing means cause the annular cam portion 5 to extend in the radial direction. Since they are disposed so as to face each other with the sandwiching therebetween, the reaction forces of the first and second protrusions 6a and 7a can be applied to the annular cam portion 5 in a balanced manner. That is, the reaction force of the first protrusion 6a and the reaction force of the second protrusion 7a act so as to sandwich the rotating body 4 in the diametrical direction. It is difficult for the external force to be decentered, and therefore a stable rotation operation can always be performed.

  In the rotary operation type input device 20 according to the present embodiment example, the first elastic member 6 that is an operation sound generating means has a pair of leaf spring portions 6b that are continuous via the first protrusions 6a. The outer edge 6c of each leaf spring portion 6b is opposed to the wall surface 3b in the base 3 so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other with clearance C therebetween. Therefore, even when the operation member 1 is rotated in either the forward or reverse direction, the outer edge 6c of the leaf spring portion 6b collides with the opposing wall surface 3b on the upstream side in the rotation direction so that a light operation sound is generated. It has become. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first elastic member 6 has a configuration in which the dimension of the clearance C, the shape of the wall surface 3b, and the like are greatly different between one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, a rotary operation type input device that generates a light operation sound only when the operation member 1 is rotated in any one direction, or a rotary operation type that generates a different operation sound depending on the rotation operation direction of the operation member 1. An input device can be easily realized.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the operation sound generating means and the backlash preventing means are both made of a single metal thin plate has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, as in the modification shown in FIG. 3, when a synthetic resin first protrusion 10 fixed to a pair of flat plate springs 11 by insert molding or the like is used as an operation sound generating means. When rotating, the outer edge 11a of the leaf spring 11 can collide with the wall surface 3b in the base 3 to generate a light operation sound. Further, as shown in the figure, a combination of the second protrusion 12 and a coil spring 13 may be used as a backlash prevention means.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation member 2 Rotating shaft 3 Base 3a Spring receiving surface 3b Wall surface 3c Support boss 4 Rotating body 5 Annular cam part 5a Concave part 5b Convex part 6 First elastic member (operation sound generating means)
6a First protrusion 6b Leaf spring 6c Outer edge 7 Second elastic member (rattle prevention means)
7a 2nd projection part 7b engaging part 7c 2nd leaf spring part 8 code board 9 photo interrupter 10 1st projection part 11 leaf spring (leaf spring part)
11a Outer edge 12 Second projection 13 Coil spring 20 Rotation operation type input device C Clearance

Claims (5)

A base, an operation member rotatably supported by the base, an annular cam portion that rotates integrally with the operation member, and in which recesses and projections are alternately provided in the circumferential direction; and the annular cam A rotary operation type input device that includes an elastic means that elastically contacts a portion, and a click feeling is generated by the cooperation of the annular cam portion and the elastic means when the operation member is rotated.
The elastic means is composed of an operation sound generating means incorporated in the base and a play preventing means, and the operation sound generating means has a first projection part that can be engaged with and disengaged from the annular cam part, and the first projection part. And a leaf spring portion that elastically urges the protruding portion toward the annular cam portion, and the backlash preventing means includes a second protrusion portion that is elastically urged so as to be detachable from the annular cam portion. ,
By causing the outer edge of the leaf spring portion to face and separate from the wall surface in the base with a clearance, the first projection portion has overcome the convex portion as the operation member rotates. The outer edge of the leaf spring part sometimes collides with the wall surface, and the second protrusion part, in which the backlash in the rotational direction is set smaller than the first protrusion part when the operation member is not operated, A rotary operation type input device configured to restrict the rotation of the annular cam portion.   2. The operation sound generating means according to claim 1, wherein the operating sound generating means has a pair of leaf spring portions that are continuous via the first protrusion, and the outer edge ends of the leaf spring portions have clearances, respectively. A rotary operation type input device, wherein the rotary operation type input device is opposed to a wall surface in a table so as to be able to contact and separate.   3. A rotary operation type according to claim 1, wherein said operation sound generating means and said backlash preventing means are disposed in a positional relationship facing each other with said annular cam portion sandwiched in a radial direction. Input device.   4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operation sound generating means is formed of a single sheet metal plate in which the first protrusion is provided at the center of a pair of flat plate-like plate springs. The rotary operation type input device is characterized in that the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the thin metal plate is supported by the base.   5. The backlash prevention means according to claim 1, wherein the backlash preventing means is formed of a single sheet metal thin plate in which the second protrusion is provided at the center of a pair of second leaf springs. A rotary operation type input device characterized in that both ends of the thin plate in the longitudinal direction are hooked on the base.

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