JP2012150932A - Rotating operation body and rotating operation-type input device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotating operation body mainly used for operation of various types of electronic devices in an automobile, and a rotating operation-type input device using the rotating operation body, which enables bright illumination with proper viewability and reliable operation.SOLUTION: An illuminator 23 inserted into a long groove part 21A of an operation body 21 in the state of being superposed on a light guide body 22 is protruded outward from an outer periphery of the operation body 21, and an approximately wall-like light-emitting part 22A protruding into the illuminator 23 is provided in the light guide body 22 so as to form a rotating operation body 24. Thus, since illumination is provided not only by end surfaces of left and upper ends of the illuminator 23 but also by a lateral surface of the illuminator 23 protruding outward from the outer periphery of the operation body 21, the bright illumination with proper viewability can be provided. Consequently, the easy-to-operate rotating operation body 24 and a rotating operation-type input device using the same can be obtained.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary operation body mainly used for operation of various electronic devices in an automobile, and a rotary operation type input device using the rotary operation body.

  In recent years, a push operation type or rotary operation type input device in which various operating bodies are mounted on a switch, a variable resistor, or the like has been provided in the vicinity of a front panel portion or a steering wheel in a vehicle interior. There are an increasing number of devices that operate various electronic devices such as those that are easy to use and can perform reliable operations.

  Such a conventional rotary operation type input device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional rotary operation type input device, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view thereof. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a substantially cylindrical operation body made of an insulating resin, which is formed in a dark color such as black or brown. In addition, a long groove portion 1A is provided on the outer peripheral side surface in the vertical direction.

  In addition, 2 is a light transmissive and light guide made of insulating resin, 3 is also an illuminator, and the light guide 2 is transparent or light white such as milky white, and the illuminator 3 is orange or white. As shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. 9, a flat light emitting portion 2 </ b> A is provided at the left end and the upper end of the light guide 2.

  Further, the light guide 2 and the light emitter 3 are press-fitted, or the light emitter 3 is superimposed on the outside of the light emitting portion 2A by two-color molding or the like in which parts of different colors are integrally molded in one mold. In addition, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 10, these are inserted into the long groove portion 1 </ b> A of the operating body 1 to constitute the rotary operating body 4.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a rotary operation type electronic component such as a switch or a variable resistor. A rotating body 7 made of the same insulating resin is rotatably housed in the insulating resin case 6, and the upper surface of the case 6 is moved upward. The rotating operation body 4 is mounted on the substantially cylindrical rotating shaft 7A of the protruding rotating body 7.

  The case 6 accommodates a wiring board 8 having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of fixed contacts 9 such as copper alloy and carbon are formed on the upper surface. The movable contact 10 made of a conductive metal thin plate fixed to the lower surface of the rotating body 7 is elastically contacted with the plurality of fixed contacts 9 in a slightly bent state to form a switch contact.

  Further, 11 is a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, which is mounted and mounted on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 8, and the light emitting element 11 is incident on the lower end of the light guide body 2 protruding above the light emitting surface to the inner periphery of the operating body 1. A rotary operation type input device is configured toward the unit 2B.

  Then, the rotational operation type input device configured as described above projects the rotational operation body 4 forward and is mounted on the front panel portion or the like in the vehicle interior, and a plurality of fixed contacts 9 and light emitting elements 11 are connected to the wiring board. 8 is electrically connected to an automobile electronic circuit (not shown) via a wiring pattern 8, a connector, a lead wire (not shown), or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the rotary operation body 4 is rotated with a finger, the rotary body 7 rotates as the rotary operation body 4 rotates, and the movable contact 10 on the lower surface elastically slides on the upper surfaces of the plurality of fixed contacts 9. Then, the electrical contact of the switch contacts and the resistance value change are performed, and this electrical signal is output to the vehicle's electronic circuit, for example, operations such as switching the temperature and air volume of the air conditioner or increasing / decreasing the volume of the audio Is done.

  Also, when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, when a combination switch (not shown) mounted near the steering wheel is operated, the electrical circuit of the vehicle detects this electrical contact and separation, and the rotation operation type The light emitting element 11 of the input device is caused to emit light.

  Then, the light of the light emitting element 11 travels upward between the case 6 and the rotating body 7, enters the light guide 2 from the light incident portion 2B at the lower end, and the light emitting portion 2A at the left end or the upper end emits light, As shown in FIG. 10, the left end and upper end of the illuminating body 3 inserted into the long groove portion 1A of the operating body 1, that is, the outer peripheral side surface and the upper end of the rotating operating body 4 are illuminated in a light-colored strip shape, thereby rotating. It is possible to easily identify the operating body 4 and confirm the operating position of how much the rotating body is operated.

  That is, by rotating the rotary operation body 4 of the rotary operation type input device mounted in the passenger compartment, various devices in the vehicle can be operated and inserted into the long groove portion 1A on the outer peripheral side surface of the operation body 1. By illuminating the left end and the upper end of the illuminated body 3, the rotating operation body 4 can be easily operated even when the surroundings are dark.

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

JP 2005-216798 A

  However, in the conventional rotational operation type input device, the outer peripheral side surface and upper end of the rotating operation body 4 are illuminated in a strip shape by the left end and upper end of the illumination body 3 inserted into the long groove portion 1A. Depending on the location where the mold input device is mounted, it is difficult to see the illuminator 3, and there is a problem in that it may be difficult to identify the rotary operation body 4 or confirm the operation position.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and to provide a rotary operation body that can perform bright and easy-to-see illumination and can be reliably operated, and a rotary operation type input device using the rotary operation body. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an illuminating body inserted into the long groove portion on the outer peripheral side surface of the operating body so as to overlap the light guiding body is projected outward from the outer periphery of the operating body, and the light guiding body includes the illuminating body. The rotating operation body is configured by providing a substantially wall-shaped light emitting portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the operation body, and in addition to the left end and the end face of the upper end of the illumination body, the light emitting portion protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the operation body Since the illumination is performed also by the side surface of the illuminating body, it is possible to illuminate brightly and easily to see, and to obtain a rotating operation body that can be easily operated.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotary operation body according to the first aspect is mounted on the rotary shaft of the rotary operation type electronic component to constitute a rotary operation type input device. Therefore, it is possible to realize a rotary operation type input device capable of reliable operation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a rotary operation body capable of performing bright operations that are bright and easy to see and capable of reliable operation, and a rotary operation type input device using the rotary operation body.

Sectional drawing of the rotational operation type input device by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Partial perspective view Same perspective view Partial perspective view Exploded perspective view Sectional view of a conventional rotary operation input device Exploded perspective view Partial perspective view Same perspective view

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure demonstrated in the term of background art, and detailed description is simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rotary operation type input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and in this figure, 21 is an operating body made of an insulating resin such as an ABS. In addition to being formed in a dark color such as black or brown, a long groove portion 21A is provided in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral side surface.

  Further, 22 is a light-transmitting light guide made of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, 23 is also an illuminator, the light guide 22 is transparent or milky white or the like, and the illuminator 23 is orange or white. As shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. 3, a semicircular and substantially wall-shaped light emitting portion 22 </ b> A is provided at the left end and upper end of the light guide 22 and projects into the illumination body 23. It has been.

  Further, the light guide 22 and the light emitter 23 are press-fitted, or the light emitter 23 is overlapped on the outside of the light emitting portion 22A by two-color molding or the like in which parts of different colors are integrally molded in one mold. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4, these are inserted into the long groove portion 21 </ b> A of the operating body 21, the illuminating body 23 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the operating body 21, and the rotary operating body 24 is It is configured.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a rotary operation type electronic component such as a switch or a variable resistor. A rotating body 7 made of an insulating resin is also rotatably accommodated in a case 6 made of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate. A rotating operation body 24 is attached to a substantially cylindrical rotating shaft 7A of the rotating body 7 projecting upward from the head.

  Further, the case 6 accommodates a wiring board 8 such as paper phenol or glass-filled epoxy having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed of copper foil or the like on the upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of fixed contacts 9 such as carbon are formed, and a movable contact 10 made of a conductive metal thin plate such as a copper alloy or steel fixed to the lower surface of the rotating body 7 is slightly bent to the plurality of fixed contacts 9. A switch contact is formed by elastic contact.

  Further, 11 is a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, which is mounted and mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 8, and the light emitting element 11 is incident on the lower end of the light guide 22 protruding above the light emitting surface to the inner periphery of the operating body 21. A rotary operation type input device is configured toward the unit 22B.

  The rotary operation type input device configured as described above projects the rotary operation body 24 forward and is mounted on the front panel portion or the like in the vehicle interior, and the plurality of fixed contacts 9 and the light emitting elements 11 are connected to the wiring board. 8 is electrically connected to an automobile electronic circuit (not shown) via a wiring pattern 8, a connector, a lead wire (not shown), or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the rotary operation body 24 is rotated with a finger, the rotary body 7 is rotated with the rotation of the rotary operation body 24, and the movable contact 10 on the lower surface elastically slides on the upper surfaces of the plurality of fixed contacts 9. Then, the electrical contact of the switch contacts and the resistance value change are performed, and this electrical signal is output to the vehicle's electronic circuit, for example, operations such as switching the temperature and air volume of the air conditioner or increasing / decreasing the volume of the audio Is done.

  Also, when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, when a combination switch (not shown) mounted near the steering wheel is operated, the electrical circuit of the vehicle detects this electrical contact and separation, and the rotation operation type The light emitting element 11 of the input device is caused to emit light.

  The light from the light emitting element 11 travels upward between the case 6 and the rotator 7, enters the light guide 22 from the light incident portion 22 </ b> B at the lower end, and protrudes into the light emitter 23 at the left end or the upper end. The light emitting section 22A emits light, and as shown in FIG. 4, the left end and upper end of the illuminating body 23 and both side surfaces of the illuminating body 23 projecting outward from the outer periphery of the operating body 21 are illuminated with light colors, thereby rotating. The operation body 24 can be easily identified and the operation position of how much the rotation operation has been performed can be easily confirmed.

  That is, by rotating the rotary operation body 24 of the rotary operation type input device mounted in the vehicle interior, various devices in the vehicle can be operated, and the left end, upper end, and side surfaces of the illumination body 23 are illuminated. By doing so, the rotary operation body 24 can be easily operated even when the surroundings are dark.

  At this time, the illumination body 23 inserted in the long groove portion 21A of the operation body 21 so as to overlap the light guide body 22 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the operation body 21, and the light guide body 22 includes the illumination body 23 inside. Since the substantially wall-shaped light emitting portion 22A is formed so as to project, the illumination is performed not only on the left end and upper end face of the illumination body 23 but also on both side surfaces of the illumination body 23 projecting outward from the outer periphery of the operation body 21. It is like that.

  That is, the illuminating body 23 is formed so as to project outward from the outer periphery of the operating body 21, and the light guide 22 is provided with a substantially wall-shaped light emitting section 22 A that projects into the illuminating body 23, whereby the projected light emitting section 22 A is entirely exposed. In addition to the left and upper end faces of the illuminating body 23, both the side surfaces of the illuminating body 23 protruding from the outer periphery of the operating body 21 are illuminated so that bright and easy-to-see illumination is performed.

  Therefore, even when the position where the rotary operation type input device is mounted is at a position where the illuminating body 23 is somewhat difficult to see, for example, the rotary operation body 24 can be easily identified and the operation position can be confirmed. Can be reliably operated.

  In the above description, a configuration in which the substantially wall-shaped light emitting portion 22A protruding into the illuminating body 23 of the light guide 22 is formed in a semicircular shape as shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. As described above, as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D, the present invention may be configured to have a triangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or a polygonal shape and project them into the illuminator 23. Implementation is possible.

  In the above description, the configuration using the rotary operation type electronic component 5 in which the light emitting element 11 is integrally formed in the case 6 has been described. However, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. A plurality of light emitting elements 11A are arranged on the outer periphery of the component 5A, and a rotary operation type input device is formed by mounting the rotary operation body 24 on the rotary shaft 7B protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotary operation type electronic component 5A. Good.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the illumination body 23 inserted in the long groove portion 21 </ b> A of the operation body 21 so as to overlap the light guide body 22 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the operation body 21, and the light guide body 22. By providing a substantially wall-shaped light emitting portion 22A projecting into the illuminating body 23 to form the rotary operation body 24, the illumination projecting outward from the outer periphery of the operating body 21 in addition to the left end and upper end face of the illuminating body 23. Since the illumination is performed also by the side surface of the body 23, it is possible to illuminate brightly and easily to see, and it is possible to obtain a rotary operation body 24 that is easy to operate and a rotary operation type input device using the rotary operation body 24.

  The rotary operation body according to the present invention and the rotary operation type input device using the rotary operation body have an advantageous effect of being able to realize bright and easy-to-see illumination and capable of reliable operation. Useful for operation of electronic equipment.

5, 5A Rotating operation type electronic component 6 Case 7 Rotating body 7A, 7B Rotating shaft 8 Wiring board 9 Fixed contact 10 Movable contact 11, 11A Light emitting element 21 Operating body 21A Long groove portion 22 Light guide 22A Light emitting portion 22B Light receiving portion 23 Illuminator 24 Rotating body

Claims (2)

The light guide comprises a substantially cylindrical operation body, a light guide inserted in a long groove portion on the outer peripheral side surface of the operation body, and an illuminating body that is superimposed on the light guide and protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the operation body. A rotary operation body having a body provided with a substantially wall-shaped light emitting portion protruding into the illumination body. A rotation operation body according to claim 1, and a rotation operation type electronic component in which a switch contact is electrically connected to or separated from the rotation shaft according to the rotation of the rotation shaft, and the rotation operation body is mounted on the rotation shaft. Operation type input device.

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