JP2012190250A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which is excellent in portability and storage performance, secures sufficient operation strokes to provide improved input operability.SOLUTION: The input device includes: an input body part 1 in which a plurality of unfolding parts 3 piled on one another are unfolded in such a way that they are foldable in a fan shape while rotating around a pivot 4, and the boundary parts between the unfolding parts 3 are folded by turns in mountain parts 5 and valley parts 6; and a plurality of contact point parts 2 which are provided at parts corresponding to the respective mountain parts 5 in the input body part 1 and become conductive when the parts corresponding to the mountain parts 5 are pressed and elastically deformed. Thus, by folding the unfolding parts 3 on top of one another, the input device can be compact when it is carried and tacked. When the unfolding parts 3 are unfolded for input operation, the moutain parts 6, positioned at the boundaries between the unfolding parts 3, can be elastically deformed such that they are crushed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device used for an electronic instrument such as an electronic musical instrument or an information terminal (PDA: personal digital assistant).

  Conventionally, in an electronic instrument such as an electronic musical instrument, as described in Patent Document 1, as an input device, a plurality of white key portions and a plurality of black key portions are displayed on a flexible sheet that can be wound. There is known a configuration in which a plurality of white key portions and a plurality of black key portions are provided with detection portions that detect the pressing, and detection signals detected by the detection portions are output.

JP 2002-175077 A

  However, in such an input device of a conventional electronic device, since the whole is formed in a flexible sheet shape, for example, even if it can be rolled into a cylindrical main body case and carried compactly, When using it by pulling it out, it is difficult to obtain operation strokes that accompany each of the white key portions and the black key portions corresponding to the plurality of black key portions. There is a problem that feeling is bad and input operability is bad.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an input device that has good portability and stowability, and that can secure a sufficient operation stroke to improve input operability.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of overlapping portions that overlap each other are unfolded so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating around a main portion, and each boundary portion of the plurality of expanded portions is alternately turned into a crest and a trough. Each of the input main body portion bent into the input main body portion and a portion corresponding to any one of the peak portions and the valley portions in the input main body portion, and the peak portions and the valley portions. An input device comprising: a plurality of contact portions each conducting when a portion corresponding to one is pressed and elastically deformed.

  According to this invention, since a plurality of development portions can be folded and overlapped with each other, they can be carried compactly and can be stored compactly. Moreover, when performing an input operation by developing a plurality of development portions in a fan shape, one of the crests and the troughs in the plurality of development portions can be elastically deformed so as to be crushed according to the pressing operation. For this reason, it is possible to secure a sufficient operation stroke by elastic deformation such as crushing of each peak and valley at the time of input operation, thereby improving the touch feeling at the time of input operation. Can be improved.

Embodiment 1 of the input device to which the present invention is applied is shown, (a) is a front view showing a state in which the input main body is developed in a fan shape, and (b) is a side view thereof. It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part in the AA arrow of the input device shown by Fig.1 (a). It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part which showed the state which pushed the mountain part in the input main-body part shown by FIG. 2 from upper direction with the finger | toe. It is the front view which showed the spacer layer of the contact part in the input main-body part shown by Fig.1 (a). It is the bottom view which looked and showed the 1st conductive layer of the contact part in the input main-body part shown by Fig.1 (a) from lower side. It is the front view which showed the 2nd conductive layer of the contact part in the input main-body part shown by Fig.1 (a). It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part in the BB arrow of the input device shown by Fig.1 (a). FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing an essential part of the input device shown in FIG. 7 in an exploded manner. It is the front view which showed the 1st usage example which displayed the numeric key which serves as a character key in the location corresponding to each contact part of the input device shown by Fig.1 (a). It is the front view which showed the 2nd usage example which displayed the keyboard part of the keyboard musical instrument in the location corresponding to each contact part of the input device shown by Fig.1 (a). The modification of the input device of Embodiment 1 shown by FIG. 1 is shown, (a) is the front view which showed the state which expand | deployed the input main-body part in fan shape, (b) is the side view. Embodiment 2 of the input device to which the present invention is applied is shown, (a) is a front view showing a state in which the input main body is developed in a fan shape, and (b) is a side view thereof. It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part in CC view of the input device shown by Fig.12 (a). FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a trough in the input main body shown in FIG. 13 is pushed from above with a finger. It is the front view which showed the spacer layer of the contact part in the input main-body part shown by Fig.12 (a). FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the first conductive layer of the contact portion in the input main body shown in FIG. It is the front view which showed the 2nd conductive layer of the contact part in the input main-body part shown by Fig.12 (a).

(Embodiment 1)
A first embodiment of an input device to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, this input device includes an input main body 1 that expands in a fan shape and a plurality of contact portions 2 provided on the input main body 1. .

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the input main body 1 is configured such that a plurality of overlapping development portions 3 are deployed so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating around a main portion 4 respectively. In this case, when the input main body unit 1 is expanded in a fan shape while the plurality of expansion units 3 are respectively rotated around the main portion 4, as shown in FIG. It is comprised so that a boundary part may expand | deploy in the state bent alternately by the peak part 5 and the trough part 6. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of development portions 3 are composed of a surface material 7 made of a flexible synthetic resin such as a polyurethane resin, and a flexible synthetic resin such as a polyurethane resin. A backing material 8 having a rigidity higher than that of the material 7, and the front material 7 and the backing material 8 are opposed to each other so as to face each other (up and down in FIG. 2). It is the structure formed continuously in fan shape along the direction.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the plurality of development portions 3 are in a development direction (up and down direction in the same figure) on one end side (right end side in the same figure) located on the opposite side to the main part 4. ) Are formed into elongated triangular shapes that gradually become longer than the length (width) in the developing direction on the other end side (left end side in the figure) located on the main 4 side. Yes.

  In addition, when the plurality of development portions 3 are deployed, the development portions 3 positioned at both ends in the deployment direction are provided with reinforcing members 9, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). 10 are provided. Each of the reinforcing members 9 and 10 is made of a hard synthetic resin such as ABS resin, and a main portion 4 is formed in a circular shape, and the other portions are formed in substantially the same shape as the development portion 3.

  In this case, one reinforcing member 9 among the reinforcing members 9 and 10 is, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. ) Is fixed to the upper surface of the surface material 7 of the development part 3 located at the lower end part) by ultrasonic welding or the like. The other reinforcing member 10 is fixed to the lower surface of the backing 8 of the developing portion 3 located at the other end (the upper end in FIG. 1B) in the developing direction of the plurality of developing portions 3 by ultrasonic welding or the like. Has been.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the portions 4 of the circular shape of the reinforcing members 9, 10 are in a state where the plurality of development portions 3 are deployed, and the plurality of deployment portions 3 are folded and overlap each other. In this state, the front and back surfaces (the front and back surfaces of the paper in FIG. 1A) are opposed to each other, and the end portions of the plurality of development portions 3 are sandwiched between them. The connecting shafts 4a provided at the center are connected to each other so as to be rotatable.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of contact portions 2 are respectively provided at locations corresponding to the mountain portions 5 in the input main body portion 1. That is, the plurality of contact portions 2 are respectively provided between the front material 7 and the backing material 8 of the plurality of development portions 3, and the portions corresponding to the mountain portions 5 of the input main body portion 1 are pushed from above. When elastically deforming, the ridges 5 are configured to conduct before the crests 5 are completely crushed and become flat.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the contact portion 2 includes a first conductive layer 11 provided on the back surface of the front material 7 (the lower surface in FIG. 2, hereinafter referred to as the inner surface), and the backing material. 8 between the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 provided on the surface of FIG. 8 (the upper surface in FIG. 2 and hereinafter referred to as the inner surface) and facing the first conductive layer 11. And a spacer layer 13 provided.

  Each of the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12 is a conductive thin film made of a conductive material such as carbon, aluminum, or copper. The spacer layer 13 is an insulating film made of an insulating material such as a polyethylene-based resin. As shown in FIG. 4, openings 13 a are provided at locations corresponding to the mountain portions 5 of the plurality of development portions 3. It has been configured.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the spacer layer 13 is fixed to both the front material 7 and the back material 8 through the second conductive layer 12 by ultrasonic welding or the like. Further, the spacer layer 13 is formed to have a thickness such that the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 do not come into contact with each other when a load is not applied to the surface material 7 corresponding to the opening 13a. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first conductive layer 11 is provided only on the inner surface of the surface material 7 located at a location corresponding to each opening 13 a of the spacer layer 13. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of first conductive layers 11 is connected to one end of each of a plurality of wiring patterns 11 a patterned on the inner surface of the surface material 7.

  Each of the other end portions of the plurality of wiring patterns 11a is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, an outer surface of the surface material 7 located at one end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 5) in the developing direction of the plurality of developing portions 3. In FIG. 7, the plurality of connection terminals 14 formed on the upper surface are electrically connected through the through holes 14a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of connection terminals 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the development part 3, which is a direction orthogonal to the development direction of the development part 3, and the upper surface that is the outer surface of the surface material 7. The pattern is formed. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of through holes 14 a are formed through the surface material 7 so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, and are formed on the inner surface (lower surface in FIG. 7) of the surface material 7. The plurality of connection terminals 14 provided on the upper surface which is the outer surface of the material 7 are configured to be electrically connected to each other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the second conductive layer 12 is provided on the inner surface of the backing 8 corresponding to almost the entire region of the spacer layer 13 including the plurality of openings 13 a of the spacer layer 13. One end portion of one wiring pattern 12 a patterned on the inner surface of the backing 8 is electrically connected to the second conductive layer 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the other end portion of the wiring pattern 12 a is on the upper surface that is the outer surface of the surface material 7 located at one end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 6) in the developing direction of the plurality of developing portions 3. It is connected to the formed connection terminal 15 through a through hole 15a. In this case, the through hole 15a is provided so as to penetrate the spacer layer 13 and the surface material 7, and thereby, the wiring pattern 12a of the backing 8 and the connection terminal 15 are electrically connected.

  Further, the connection terminals 14 and 15 of the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12 are electrically connected to the circuit board 17 in the reinforcing member 9 via the interconnector 16 as shown in FIGS. It is connected to the. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing member 9 is provided with a storage recess 9a that is open at the bottom thereof, and a circuit board 17 is disposed in the storage recess 9a. A plurality of electrode terminals 17a are provided on the lower surface of the circuit board 17, and a chip component 17b for constituting an electronic circuit for an interface is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the interconnector 16 is of a zebra type in which conductive rubbers 16 a and insulating rubbers 16 b are alternately arranged, and each connection of the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12. It is interposed between the terminals 14 and 15 and the plurality of electrode terminals 17a of the circuit board 17, and is configured to electrically connect both of them. Note that a connection cable (not shown) is connected to the circuit board 17. This connection cable is pulled out from the main portion 4 of the input main body 1 and is configured to electrically connect an external device (not shown) and the circuit board 17.

By the way, when the location corresponding to each peak part 5 of input body part 1 is pushed from the upper part and elastically deforms, a plurality of contact parts 2 are before each peak part 5 is completely crushed and becomes a flat state. Since it is necessary to conduct, it is desirable that the front material 7, the back material 8, and each contact portion 2 are configured as follows. That is, the surface material 7 is a polyurethane-based resin having a thickness of about 0.2 mm and a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ² . The backing 8 is a polyurethane-based resin having a thickness of about 0.8 mm and a bending rigidity of about 850 kgf / cm ² .

The first conductive layer 11 of the contact portion 2 is a carbon paste having a thickness of about 0.05 mm and a bending rigidity of about 15 kgf / cm ² . The spacer layer 13 is a polyurethane-based resin, has a thickness of about 0.3 mm, and a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ² . The second conductive layer 12 is a carbon paste having a thickness of about 0.05 mm and a bending rigidity of about 15 kgf / cm ² . As a result, the plurality of development portions 3 are each formed with an overall thickness of about 1.4 mm.

Thereby, each peak part 5 corresponding to the plurality of contact parts 2 has a thickness of the surface material 7 of about 0.2 mm, a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ² , and a thickness of the backing material 8. Since the bending rigidity is about 850 kgf / cm ² at about 0.8 mm, the surface material 7 is more than the backing material 8 when the portion corresponding to each mountain portion 5 of the input main body portion 1 is pushed from above. The first conductive layer 11 is brought into contact with the second conductive layer 12 through the opening 13a of the spacer layer 13 and becomes conductive before the peak portion 5 is completely crushed and becomes flat. It is configured as follows.

Next, the operation of this input device will be described.
When the plurality of developing parts 3 of the input main body part 1 are fan-shaped, the reinforcing members 9 and 10 located on the front and back sides are shifted in the left-right direction (vertical direction in FIG. The plurality of developing portions 3 are rotated about the connecting shaft 4a to be developed in a fan shape. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a plurality of developments are performed in a state in which each boundary portion of the developed development parts 3 is alternately bent into a peak part 5 and a valley part 6. Part 3 is developed in a fan shape.

  Then, when the input main body 1 developed in a fan shape is placed on a mounting surface such as a tabletop, and one of the peaks 5 is pressed with a finger from above in this state, as shown in FIG. The peak part 5 of the done part is elastically deformed so that it may be crushed, and the contact part 2 becomes conductive. That is, while the interval between the valley portions 6 located on both sides of the peak portion 5 of the pressed portion is widened, the peak portion 5 of the pressed portion is elastically deformed so as to be pushed down, and the elastically deformed peak portion 5 The first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 of the contact portion 2 corresponding to the peak portion 5 come into contact with each other through the opening portion 13a of the spacer layer 13 before being completely crushed and flattened. Part 2 conducts.

  In this case, the backing material 8 in the contact portion 2 is formed with a rigidity higher than the rigidity of the front material 7 facing it, so that when the peak portion 5 of the pressed portion is elastically deformed, Before the elastically deformed peak portion 5 is completely crushed and becomes flat, the front material 7 is elastically deformed more greatly than the backing material 8. Therefore, the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 come into contact through the opening 13 a of the spacer layer 13.

That is, the developed portion 3 corresponding to the contact portion 2 has a thickness of the surface material 7 of about 0.2 mm and a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ^2. Since it is about 0.8 mm and its bending rigidity is about 850 kgf / cm ² , the rigidity of the backing 8 is formed higher than the rigidity of the surface material 7 facing it, and this corresponds to the peak 5. When the part is pushed from above, the front material 7 is more easily elastically deformed than the backing material 8.

  For this reason, when the part corresponding to the peak part 5 of the input main body part 1 is pushed from the upper side, the interval between the valley parts 6 located on both sides of the peak part 5 of the pushed part is widened. Even if it is elastically deformed so as to be pushed down, the front material 7 is more easily elastically deformed than the backing material 8, so that it corresponds to this mountain portion 5 before the mountain portion 5 is completely crushed and becomes flat. The first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 can be brought into contact with each other through the opening 13a of the spacer layer 13 in the contact portion 2 at a location, and the contact portion 2 can be conducted.

  At this time, the plurality of contact portions 2 are respectively connected to the plurality of connection terminals 14 and 15 by the respective wiring patterns 11a and 12a, and the connection terminals 14 and 15 are respectively connected to the respective electrode terminals 17a of the circuit board 17 by the interconnector 16. By being connected, an electrical signal which is a conduction signal is applied from the contact portion 2 to the circuit board 17 as a switch signal, and the electrical signal as the switch signal is connected to the circuit board 17 (not shown). Via the, it can be given as input information to an external device (not shown).

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, numeric keys (0, 1, 2,..., 9) that also serve as character keys for representing a switch function are provided on the surface corresponding to each mountain portion 5 of the input main body portion 1. Is displayed by printing or the like, and is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or a mobile phone by a connection cable (not shown). A signal can be given as input information to an external device to perform predetermined information processing, and it is not always necessary to connect to the external device using a connection cable. For example, it can be used as a remote control for a television.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, on the surface corresponding to each mountain portion 5 of the input body portion 1, a keyboard of a keyboard instrument for representing a switch function, that is, a white key and a black key are displayed by printing or the like. For example, if a connection cable (not shown) is connected to an external device such as an instrument body of an electronic keyboard instrument or an amplifier of a speaker, the inputted information can be given to the external device to emit a predetermined musical sound.

  By the way, when not using this input device, the some expansion | deployment part 3 of the input main-body part 1 can be folded like a fan, and it can carry compactly, and can be accommodated compactly. At this time, while the reinforcing members 9 and 10 positioned on the front and back sides are shifted in a direction approaching each other, the plurality of development portions 3 are rotated around the connection shaft 4a of the main portion 4 so as to overlap each other. Then, it can arrange | position like a fan between the reinforcement parts 9 and 10 of the front and back in the state in which the some expansion | deployment part 3 mutually overlapped. Thereby, while being able to fold the input main body 1 compactly and to carry, it can accommodate compactly.

  As described above, according to the input device of the first embodiment, the plurality of development portions 3 that overlap each other are developed so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating about the main part 4, respectively. Of the input main body 1 in which the respective boundary portions of the input main body 1 are alternately bent into the ridges 5 and the valleys 6, and the ridges 5 are provided at locations corresponding to the ridges 5 in the input main body 1. Provided with a plurality of contact portions 2 that are electrically connected when the corresponding portions are pressed and elastically deformed, the portability and the storage property are good, and the operation stroke is ensured during the input operation. Can be improved.

  That is, in this input device, since the plurality of developing portions 3 can be folded and overlapped with each other, they can be folded compactly and carried, and can be stored compactly. Further, when performing the input operation by expanding the plurality of expansion portions 3 in a fan shape, each boundary portion of the plurality of expansion portions 3 is alternately bent into the peak portion 5 and the valley portion 6, so that this bending is performed. In addition, each peak portion 6 can be elastically deformed so as to be crushed according to the pressing operation. For this reason, a sufficient operation stroke can be ensured by elastic deformation such as the crushing of the mountain portion 5 during an input operation, thereby improving the input operability.

  In this case, if the bending angle, ie, the apex angle, of each peak portion 5 when the plurality of expanding portions 3 are expanded, the apex of the peak portion 5 is increased, and therefore the operation stroke can be further increased. For this reason, the operation stroke which a user desires can be obtained easily and easily by adjusting the bending angle of each peak part 5 when a plurality of development parts 3 are developed.

  In addition, when the plurality of contact portions 2 are elastically deformed so that the portions corresponding to the respective mountain portions 5 of the input main body portion 1 are pressed and crushed, the respective contact portions 2 are electrically connected before the respective mountain portions 5 become flat. With this configuration, when the portion corresponding to each peak portion 5 of the input main body portion 1 is pushed and crushed so as to be crushed, the contact portion 2 can be reliably conducted in the middle of the elastic deformation. Thus, an electrical signal as a switch signal can be output satisfactorily.

  In addition, the plurality of development portions 3 of the input main body portion 1 include a surface material 7 made of a soft material that can be bent, and a backing material 8 made of a soft material that can be bent and formed with higher rigidity than the surface material 7. Provided, the surface material 7 and the backing material 8 are continuously formed in the development direction in an overlapping state, and the plurality of contact portions 2 are respectively provided between the surface material 7 and the backing material 8. Thus, the structure is simple and the input main body 1 can be thinned, whereby the entire apparatus can be configured compactly.

  In this case, since the backing 8 is formed to be higher in rigidity than the front material 7, when a portion corresponding to the mountain portion 5 of the input main body portion 1 is pushed from above, the mountain of the pushed portion is formed. Even if the interval between the valley portions 6 located on both sides of the portion 5 is widened and the elastic deformation is performed so that the peak portion 5 is pushed down, the surface material 7 can be elastically deformed more easily than the backing material 8. Thus, the contact portion 2 can be reliably conducted before the peak portion 5 is completely crushed and becomes flat.

  The contact portion 2 includes a first conductive layer 11 provided on the back surface, which is the inner surface of the front material 7, and a second conductive layer provided on the surface, which is the inner surface of the backing material 8, and faces the first conductive layer 11. 12 and the spacer layer 13 provided between each of the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12 and having an opening 13a at a position corresponding to the peak portion 5, thereby reducing the thickness of the contact portion 2. Since the input body portion 1 can be formed thin, the input body portion 1 can be folded in a compact manner, and the unfolding operation and the folding operation of the plurality of unfolding portions 3 can be performed. It can be done easily.

  In this case, the reinforcing members 9 and 10 are respectively provided on the expanding portions 3 located at both ends in the expanding direction in a state where the plurality of expanding portions 3 are expanded. Even if it is formed thin, when the plurality of development portions 3 are folded and overlapped, the plurality of development portions 3 can be reliably and satisfactorily protected by the reinforcement members 9 and 10, and the reinforcement members 9 and 10 The unfolding operation and the folding operation in the plurality of unfolding units 3 can be improved, and the unfolding operation and the folding operation can be further easily performed.

  Of the first and second conductive layers 11, 12, the first conductive layer 11 is provided only at a position corresponding to the opening 13 a of the spacer layer 13, and the second conductive layer 12 has a plurality of openings. The spacer layer 13 is provided at a location corresponding to almost the entire region of the spacer layer 13 including the portion 13 a, so that when the location corresponding to each mountain portion 5 of the input main body portion 1 is pushed and crushed and elastically deformed, the spacer layer Through the 13 openings 13a, the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 can be reliably and satisfactorily brought into conduction.

  Furthermore, in this input device, when the plurality of developing portions 3 of the input main body portion 1 are deployed, a circuit in which the plurality of contact portions 2 are electrically connected to the developing portion 3 located at one end in the developing direction. Since the circuit board 17 is provided, the circuit board 17 can be electrically connected to an external device through a connection cable, whereby an electric signal output from the input main body 1 is given as input information to the external device. be able to.

  For example, if the circuit board 17 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or a mobile phone by a connection cable, the input information can be given to the external device to perform predetermined information processing. If the circuit board 17 is connected to an external device such as an instrument body of an electronic keyboard instrument or an amplifier of a speaker by a connection cable, the inputted information can be given to the external device to emit a predetermined musical sound.

  In this case, the storage recess 9a is provided in one reinforcing member 9 among the reinforcing members 9 and 10 respectively provided in the expanding portions 3 positioned at both ends in the expanding direction in a state where the plurality of expanding portions 3 are expanded. By arranging the circuit board 17 in the housing recess 9a, the circuit board 17 can be securely and satisfactorily protected by the reinforcing members 9 and 10 and can be mounted on the input main body 1 and a plurality of the circuit boards 17 can be mounted. The connection terminals 14 and 15 of the contact portion 2 and the electrode terminals 17a of the circuit board 17 can be easily and reliably electrically connected by the interconnector 16.

  In addition, in Embodiment 1 mentioned above, although the case where the one contact part 2 was each provided in the location corresponding to each peak part 5 of the input main-body part 1 was described, not only this but as shown, for example in FIG. Moreover, the structure which provided the some contact part 20 along the ridgeline of the peak part 5 in the location corresponding to each peak part 5 of the input main body part 1 may be sufficient. If comprised in this way, since the contact part 20 can be expanded, an input function can be increased significantly.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, an input device according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same part as Embodiment 1 shown by FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, this input device is provided with contact portions 25 at locations corresponding to both the peak portions 5 and the valley portions 6 of the input main body portion 1. The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except for this.

  In this case, as in the first embodiment, the input main body 1 is configured such that a plurality of overlapping unfolding portions 3 are unfolded so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating around a main portion 4. In this case, when the input main body unit 1 is expanded in a fan shape while the plurality of expansion units 3 are respectively rotated around the essential portion 4, as shown in FIG. It is comprised so that a boundary part may expand | deploy in the state bent alternately by the peak part 5 and the trough part 6. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the plurality of development portions 3 are also made of a surface material 7 made of a flexible synthetic resin that can be bent such as a polyurethane resin, and a flexible synthetic resin that can be bent such as a polyurethane resin. A backing material 8 having higher rigidity than that of the material 7, and the front material 7 and the backing material 8 are opposed to each other so as to face each other (up and down in FIG. 13). It is the structure formed continuously in fan shape along the direction.

  Further, when the plurality of development portions 3 are deployed, the development portions 3 located at both ends in the deployment direction are provided with reinforcing members 9, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). 10 are provided. Similarly to the first embodiment, the reinforcing members 9 and 10 are each made of a hard synthetic resin such as ABS resin, and the main portion 4 is formed in a circular shape, and the other portions are formed in substantially the same shape as the developing portion 3. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the four essential portions of each of the reinforcing members 9 and 10 are in a state where the plurality of development portions 3 are deployed, and the plurality of development portions 3 are folded and overlapped with each other. Even in the state, the front and back sides (the front and back sides of the paper surface in FIG. 12A) are opposed to each other, and the end portions of the plurality of development portions 3 are sandwiched between them. Are connected to each other by a connecting shaft 4a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the plurality of contact portions 25 are respectively provided at locations corresponding to both the mountain portions 5 and the valley portions 6 in the input main body portion 1. As in the first embodiment, the plurality of contact portions 25 are provided between the front material 7 and the backing material 8 of the plurality of development portions 3, respectively, and each peak portion 5 and each valley portion 6 of the input main body portion 1. When the portion corresponding to is pushed from above and is elastically deformed, the ridges 5 and the valleys 6 are each made conductive before being completely crushed and flattened.

  Also in this case, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the contact portion 25 includes the first conductive layer 11 provided on the back surface of the surface material 7 (the lower surface in FIG. 13, hereinafter referred to as the inner surface), A second conductive layer 12 provided on the surface of the backing 8 (upper surface in FIG. 13, hereinafter referred to as an inner surface) and facing the first conductive layer 11, and the first and second conductive layers 11, 12. And a spacer layer 13 provided therebetween.

  Each of the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12 is a conductive thin film made of a conductive material such as carbon, aluminum, or copper, as in the first embodiment. The spacer layer 13 is an insulating film made of an insulating material such as polyethylene-based resin. As shown in FIG. 15, the spacer layer 13 is formed at locations corresponding to the peak portions 5 and the valley portions 6 of the plurality of development portions 3. Each is provided with an opening 13a.

  In this case, similarly to the first embodiment, the spacer layer 13 is also fixed to both the front material 7 and the back material 8 through the second conductive layer 12 by ultrasonic welding or the like. Further, the spacer layer 13 is formed to have a thickness such that the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 do not come into contact with each other when a load is not applied to the surface material 7 corresponding to the opening 13a. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16, the first conductive layer 11 is provided only on the inner surface of the surface material 7 located at a location corresponding to each opening 13 a of the spacer layer 13. As shown in FIG. 16, one end portions of a plurality of wiring patterns 11 a patterned on the inner surface of the surface material 7 are connected to the plurality of first conductive layers 11, respectively. Each of the other end portions of the plurality of wiring patterns 11a is formed on the outer surface of the surface material 7 located at one end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 16) in the developing direction of the plurality of developing portions 3, as in the first embodiment. The connection terminals 14 are electrically connected through the through holes 14a.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the second conductive layer 12 is provided on the inner surface of the backing 8 at a location corresponding to substantially the entire region of the spacer layer 13 including the plurality of openings 13 a of the spacer layer 13. One end portion of one wiring pattern 12 a patterned on the inner surface of the backing 8 is electrically connected to the second conductive layer 12. Similar to the first embodiment, the other end of the wiring pattern 12a is a connection formed on the upper surface, which is the outer surface of the surface material 7 located at one end (lower end in FIG. 17) in the developing direction of the plurality of developing portions 3. The terminal 15 is connected through a through hole 15a.

  The connection terminals 14 and 15 of the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12 are electrically connected to the circuit board 17 in the reinforcing member 9 via the interconnector 16 as in the first embodiment. Yes. Also in this case, the reinforcing member 9 is provided with a storage recess 9a opened at the lower portion thereof, and the circuit board 17 is disposed in the storage recess 9a. The circuit board 17 is also configured to be electrically connected to an external device (not shown) by a connection cable (not shown).

By the way, when the location corresponding to each peak part 5 and each trough part 6 of the input main body part 1 is pushed from the upper part and elastically deforms, the plurality of contact parts 25 are connected to each peak part 5 and each trough part 6. Therefore, it is desirable that the front material 7, the back material 8, and each contact portion 2 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, the surface material 7 is a polyurethane-based resin having a thickness of about 0.2 mm and a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ² . The backing 8 is a polyurethane-based resin having a thickness of about 0.8 mm and a bending rigidity of about 850 kgf / cm ² .

Further, the first conductive layer 11 of the contact portion 25 is a carbon paste as in the first embodiment, has a thickness of about 0.05 mm, and a bending rigidity of about 15 kgf / cm ² . The spacer layer 13 is a polyurethane-based resin, has a thickness of about 0.3 mm, and a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ² . The second conductive layer 12 is a carbon paste having a thickness of about 0.05 mm and a bending rigidity of about 15 kgf / cm ² . As a result, the plurality of development portions 3 are each formed with an overall thickness of about 1.4 mm.

Thereby, each boundary part in each development part 3 of a part corresponding to a plurality of contact parts 25 has the thickness of the surface material 7 of about 0.2 mm, the bending rigidity is about 650 kgf / cm ² , and the backing material When the thickness of 8 is about 0.8 mm and the bending rigidity is about 850 kgf / cm ² , when the portions corresponding to the peaks 5 and the valleys 6 of the input main body 1 are pushed from above In addition, before the front material 7 is elastically deformed more easily than the backing material 8, and thus the ridges 5 and the respective valleys 6 are completely crushed and become flat, the first conductive layer 11 becomes the spacer layer 13. The second conductive layer 12 is brought into contact with the second conductive layer 12 through each opening 13a.

Next, the operation of this input device will be described.
In the case where the plurality of developing portions 3 of the input main body 1 are used in a fan shape, the developed input main body 1 is placed on a mounting surface such as a tabletop, and in this state, each mountain portion 5 and each Press one of the valleys 6 with your finger from above. At this time, when a portion corresponding to the peak portion 5 is pressed, the peak portion 5 is elastically deformed so as to be crushed as in the first embodiment, and the elastically deformed peak portion 5 is completely crushed into a flat state. Before the contact portion 25 contacts the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 of the contact portion 2 corresponding to the peak portion 5 through the openings 13a of the spacer layer 13, the contact portion 25 becomes conductive.

  Further, when a portion corresponding to the valley portion 6 is pushed, as shown in FIG. 14, the valley portion 6 is elastically deformed so as to be crushed while being expanded, and the elastically deformed valley portion 6 is completely crushed. Before the flat state is reached, the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 of the contact portion 25 corresponding to the valley portion 6 come into contact with each other through the opening portion 13a of the spacer layer 13, so that the contact portion 25 becomes conductive. .

  In this case, the backing 8 in the contact portion 25 is formed so that the rigidity thereof is higher than the rigidity of the surface material 7 opposed thereto, so that the valley portion 6 of the pressed portion is pushed down while being expanded. When the elastic deformation is performed, the front material 7 is more elastically deformed than the backing material 8 before the elastically deformed valley portion 6 is completely crushed and becomes flat. Therefore, the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 come into contact through the opening 13 a of the spacer layer 13.

That is, the developed portion 3 corresponding to the contact portion 25 has a thickness of the surface material 7 of about 0.2 mm and a bending rigidity of about 650 kgf / cm ^2. Since it is about 0.8 mm and its bending rigidity is about 850 kgf / cm ² , the rigidity of the backing 8 is formed higher than the rigidity of the surface material 7 facing it, thereby corresponding to the valley 6. When the part is pushed from above, the front material 7 is more easily elastically deformed than the backing material 8.

  For this reason, even when the portion corresponding to the valley portion 6 of the input main body portion 1 is pushed from above, even if the valley portion 6 of the pushed portion is pushed and expanded while being elastically deformed, 7 is more easily elastically deformed than the backing 8, so that the opening 13a of the spacer layer 13 in the contact portion 25 corresponding to the valley 6 before the valley 6 is completely crushed and flattened. The first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 can be brought into contact with each other, and the contact portion 25 can be conducted.

  As described above, when the portions corresponding to the peaks 5 and the valleys 6 of the input main body 1 are pushed from above and the contact portions 25 are conducted, the plurality of contact portions 25 are respectively connected to the respective wirings as in the first embodiment. The connection terminals 14 and 15 are connected to the plurality of connection terminals 14 and 15 by the patterns 11a and 12a, and the connection terminals 14 and 15 are connected to the electrode terminals 17a of the circuit board 17 by the interconnector 16. A certain electric signal is applied as a switch signal to the circuit board 17, and the electric signal as the switch signal is input to an external device (not shown) via a connection cable (not shown) connected to the circuit board 17. Can be given as.

  As described above, according to the input device of the second embodiment, the plurality of overlapping deployment portions 3 are deployed so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating around the main portion 4 respectively, and the plurality of deployed deployment portions 3 are expanded. Are provided at locations corresponding to the peak portions 5 and the valley portions 6 of the input main body portion 1 and the input body portions 1 that are alternately bent into the peak portions 5 and the valley portions 6, respectively. In addition, by providing a plurality of contact portions 25 that are electrically connected when the portions corresponding to the peak portions 5 and the valley portions 6 are respectively pressed and elastically deformed, The storability is good, and it is possible to improve the input operability by securing the operation stroke during the input operation.

  That is, also in this input device, since the plurality of developing portions 3 can be folded and overlapped with each other, they can be carried in a compact manner and can be accommodated in a compact manner. Further, when performing the input operation by expanding the plurality of expansion portions 3 in a fan shape, the crest portions 5 and the trough portions 6 positioned at the respective boundary portions of the plurality of expansion portions 3 are crushed according to the pressing operation. Can be elastically deformed. For this reason, a sufficient operation stroke can be ensured by the elastic deformation of each crest 5 and each trough 6 being crushed during an input operation, thereby improving the input operability.

  Also in this case, if the bending angle between each crest 5 and each trough 6 when the plurality of developments 3 are deployed, that is, the apex angle of the crest 5 and the opening angle of the trough 6 is reduced, the crest 5 Since the position of the finger that is inserted between the apex and the valley portion 6 and makes contact therewith becomes higher, the operation stroke can be further increased. For this reason, the operation stroke which a user desires can be obtained easily and easily by adjusting the bending angle of each peak part 5 and each trough part 6 when a plurality of development parts 3 are developed.

  Further, when the plurality of contact portions 2 are elastically deformed so that the portions corresponding to the crests 5 and the troughs 6 of the input main body 1 are pushed and crushed, the crests 5 and the troughs 6 When the elastic deformation is performed such that the portions corresponding to the crests 5 and the troughs 6 of the input main body 1 are pressed and crushed by being in a conductive state before each becomes flat. In the middle of the elastic deformation, the contact portion 25 can be reliably conducted, whereby an electrical signal as a switch signal can be output satisfactorily.

  The plurality of development portions 3 of the input main body 1 also include a surface material 7 made of a soft material that can be bent, and a backing material 8 made of a soft material that can be bent and having a higher rigidity than the surface material 7. The surface material 7 and the backing material 8 are continuously formed in the development direction in a state where they overlap each other, and the plurality of contact portions 25 are respectively provided between the surface material 7 and the backing material 8. Thus, the structure is simple and the input main body 1 can be thinned, whereby the entire apparatus can be configured compactly.

  In this case, since the backing 8 is formed to be higher in rigidity than the front material 7, when the portions corresponding to the ridges 5 and the valleys 6 of the input main body 1 are pressed from above, this pressing is performed. Even if the peak portion 5 and the valley portion 6 are deformed so as to be crushed, the front material 7 can be elastically deformed more easily than the backing material 8 in the middle of the elastic deformation. The contact portion 25 can be reliably conducted before the 5 and the valley portion 6 are completely crushed and become flat.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the contact portion 25 is provided on the first conductive layer 11 provided on the back surface, which is the inner surface of the front material 7, and on the first conductive layer 11 provided on the surface, which is the inner surface of the backing material 8. An opposing second conductive layer 12 and a spacer layer 13 provided between the first and second conductive layers 11 and 12 and having openings 13a at locations corresponding to the ridges 5 and the valleys 6 respectively. By providing, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the contact portion 25 and thereby reduce the thickness of the entire input main body 1, so that the input main body 1 can be folded compactly, The unfolding operation and the folding operation of the plurality of unfolding units 3 can be easily performed.

  Also in this case, the thickness of the plurality of development portions 3 is provided by providing the reinforcing members 9 and 10 on the development portions 3 located at both ends in the development direction in a state where the plurality of development portions 3 are deployed. Even when each of the plurality of development portions 3 is folded, the plurality of development portions 3 can be reliably and satisfactorily protected by the reinforcing members 9 and 10 when the plurality of development portions 3 are folded and overlapped. 10, the unfolding operation and the folding operation in the plurality of unfolding units 3 can be improved, and the unfolding operation and the folding operation can be more easily performed.

  Of the first and second conductive layers 11, 12, the first conductive layer 11 is provided only at a position corresponding to the opening 13 a of the spacer layer 13, and the second conductive layer 12 has a plurality of openings. By being provided at locations corresponding to almost the entire region of the spacer layer 13 including the portion 13a, the portions corresponding to the crests 5 and the troughs 6 of the input main body 1 are elastically deformed so that they are pressed and crushed. In doing so, the first conductive layer 11 and the second conductive layer 12 can be brought into contact with each other reliably and satisfactorily through the opening 13a of the spacer layer 13.

  Furthermore, also in this input device, when the plurality of developing parts 3 of the input main body part 1 are developed, the plurality of contact parts 25 are electrically connected to the developing part 3 located at one end in the developing direction. Since the circuit board 17 is provided, the circuit board 17 can be electrically connected to an external device by a connection cable, whereby an electric signal output from the input body 1 is input to the external device as input information. Can be given.

  For example, if the circuit board 17 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or a mobile phone by a connection cable, the input information is given to the external device to perform predetermined information processing as in the first embodiment. If the circuit board 17 is connected to an external device such as an instrument body of an electronic keyboard instrument or an amplifier of a speaker by a connection cable, the input information is given to the external device as in the first embodiment, and a predetermined value is obtained. Musical sound can be emitted.

  In the second embodiment described above, when the plurality of development portions 3 of the input main body 1 are fan-shaped and arranged on a mounting surface such as a tabletop, each mountain portion 5 is turned up, and each valley portion 6 is Although the case where the input main body portion 1 is arranged and input operation is performed in the state of being lowered is not limited thereto, for example, the input main body is in a state where each mountain portion 5 is directed downward and each valley portion 6 is directed upward. The unit 1 may be arranged on a mounting surface such as a desktop. Thus, even if the input main body 1 is placed upside down, each valley 6 becomes a peak and each peak 5 becomes a valley, so that the input operation can be performed well as in the second embodiment. Can do.

  In the second embodiment described above, the case where one contact portion 25 is provided at each of the portions corresponding to the peak portions 5 and the valley portions 6 of the input main body portion 1 is described. For example, as in the modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of contact portions 25 are respectively provided at locations corresponding to the crests 5 and the troughs 6 of the input main body 1. The structure provided along the valley bottom of the part 6 may be sufficient. If comprised in this way, since the contact part 25 can be expanded further, an input function can be increased significantly.

As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to these, The invention described in the claim and its equal range are included.
The invention described in the claims of the present application will be appended below.

(Appendix)
In the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of development portions that overlap each other are developed so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating around a main portion, respectively, and each boundary portion of the plurality of development portions thus developed is a mountain portion. An input main body portion that is alternately bent to a valley portion, and each of the input main body portion is provided at a location corresponding to any one of the peak portion and the valley portion, and the peak portion and the valley portion. An input device comprising: a plurality of contact portions each conducting when a portion corresponding to the one of the portions is pressed and elastically deformed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to the first aspect, the plurality of contact portions are respectively provided at locations corresponding to the peak portions in the input main body portion. It is an input device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to the first aspect, the plurality of contact portions are respectively provided at locations corresponding to both the peak portions and the valley portions in the input main body portion. It is the input device characterized by being provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of contact portions are at least each of the peak portions and the valley portions in the input main body portion. When each of the portions corresponding to the one is pressed and crushed so as to be crushed, the one of the ridges and the valleys is electrically connected before being flattened. Device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the plurality of development portions of the input main body portion include a surface material made of a bendable soft material, and a bent portion. A backing material made of a soft material capable of being formed and having a rigidity higher than that of the front material, wherein the front material and the back material are continuously formed in the development direction in a state where the front material and the back material overlap each other. The contact portion is an input device provided between the front material and the back material, respectively.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to the fifth aspect, the contact portion is provided on the first conductive layer provided on the back surface of the front material and on the front surface of the back material. A second conductive layer facing one conductive layer; and a spacer layer provided between each of the first and second conductive layers and having an opening at a position corresponding to at least one of the peak and the valley It is provided with the input device characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to the sixth aspect, one of the first and second conductive layers is provided only at a position corresponding to the opening of the spacer layer, The other of the first and second conductive layers is provided at a location corresponding to substantially the entire area of the spacer layer including the opening.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the input device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the plurality of expansion portions of the input main body portion are expanded, the input device is positioned at one end portion in the expansion direction. In the input device, the developing portion is provided with a circuit board to which the plurality of contact portions are electrically connected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input display part 2, 20, 25 Contact part 3 Expanding part 4 Essential part 5 Mountain part 6 Valley part 7 Surface material 8 Backing material 9, 10 Reinforcing member 11 1st conductive layer 11a Wiring pattern 12 2nd conductive layer 12a Wiring Pattern 13 Spacer layer 13a Opening 14, 15 Connection terminal 16 Interconnector 17 Circuit board 17a Electrode terminal

Claims (8)

A plurality of overlapping development portions are developed so as to be foldable in a fan shape while rotating around a main portion, respectively, and each boundary portion of the developed development portions is alternately folded into a peak portion and a trough portion. An input body,
Each of the input main body portions is provided at a location corresponding to one of the crests and the troughs, and a location corresponding to the one of the crests and the troughs is pressed. A plurality of contact portions each conducting when elastically deformed; and
An input device comprising:   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact portions are respectively provided at locations corresponding to the mountain portions in the input main body portion.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact portions are respectively provided at locations corresponding to both the peak portions and the valley portions in the input main body portion. apparatus.   4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact portions are pressed at locations corresponding to at least one of the peak portions and the valley portions of the input main body portion, respectively. The input device is characterized in that, when elastically deformed so as to be crushed, the one of the crests and the troughs becomes conductive before becoming flat.   5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of development portions of the input main body are formed of a bendable soft material and a bendable soft material. A backing material formed with higher rigidity than the material, and the surface material and the backing material are continuously formed in the unfolding direction in an overlapping state, and the plurality of contact portions include the surface material and the surface material. An input device, wherein the input device is provided between a backing material.   The input device according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion includes a first conductive layer provided on a back surface of the front material and a second conductive material provided on a surface of the back material and facing the first conductive layer. And a spacer layer provided between each of the first and second conductive layers and having an opening at a position corresponding to at least one of the peak and the valley. Input device.   7. The input device according to claim 6, wherein one of the first and second conductive layers is provided only at a position corresponding to the opening of the spacer layer, and the first and second conductive layers are provided. The other of the layers is provided at a location corresponding to substantially the entire area of the spacer layer including the opening. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the plurality of development portions of the input main body portion are deployed, the plurality of deployment portions positioned at one end portion in the deployment direction include the plurality of deployment portions. An input device comprising a circuit board to which the contact portions of the circuit board are electrically connected.

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