JP2017167826A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which allows a position of a rotatable operating body in a height direction to be detected by a capacitive sensor even in the case of the rotatable operating body with a metal body on its outer peripheral surface.SOLUTION: An input device 1 of this invention comprises: a cylindrical operating body 10 which is provided on a base plate 11 and is rotatable about a rotation axis AX; and a capacitive sensor unit 20 provided on the inside of the operating body 10. The operating body 10 has a plurality of ring-shaped operating parts 12 which are provided with the rotation axis AX as centers thereof and have operating faces 12a of metal bodies along a circumferential direction of surfaces thereof and are spaced from each other in a height direction, and the capacitive sensor unit 20 has a plurality of fixed electrode parts 21 which face the plurality of ring-shaped operating part 12 respectively on the inside of the operating body 10 and are fixed to the base plate 11. The input device is characterized in that an operation position of the operating body 10 in the height direction is detected by the change of capacitance between the plurality of ring-shaped operating parts 12 and the plurality of fixed electrode parts 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device having a cylindrical operation body that is rotatably provided.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an input device having a capacitance sensor that detects the approach or contact of an operator, and an operation body that is movably supported with respect to the capacitance sensor. In this input device, even if a metal part (conductive material part) is provided on an operation body that can be moved by operation by grounding the capacitive coupling part that faces the conductive material part, there is an influence on the capacitance sensor. It is small and can prevent malfunction.

  Patent Document 2 is connected to a sliding operation unit on which an object slides, a plurality of sliding detection electrodes that are arranged inside the sliding operation unit and can be bent independently, and a plurality of sliding detection electrodes. A control circuit that outputs an operation signal corresponding to the sliding direction of the object based on a change in capacitance detected from a plurality of sliding detection electrodes, and a plurality of sliding detection electrodes arranged inside the sliding operation unit Is disclosed. The electrostatic switch device includes a wiring board on which all of are arranged. In this electrostatic switch device, even when the curvature of the sliding portion is large, the sliding detection electrode can be arranged flexibly.

JP 2013-191058 A JP 2014-093247 A

  In an input device that detects a rotation operation with a cylindrical operation body provided so as to protrude from the base portion, when an operation position in the height direction on the outer peripheral surface of the operation body is to be detected by a capacitance sensor, It is necessary to arrange a plurality of detection electrodes inside the body.

  However, when a metal body is used as a decorative part on the outer peripheral surface of the operating body in order to improve texture and design, this metal body hinders position detection by the capacitance sensor. Further, when an electrode is provided on the rotating operation body, the electrode also rotates with the rotation of the operation body, which causes a problem of complicated wiring connection.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of detecting a position in the height direction by a capacitance sensor even when a metal body is used on the outer peripheral surface of a rotatable operating body. .

In order to solve the above problems, an input device according to the present invention provides:
A cylindrical operation body provided rotatably, and a capacitance sensor unit provided inside the operation body,
The operation body is provided with a plurality of ring-shaped operation parts that are spaced apart in the height direction, and each of the ring-shaped operation parts has at least an operation surface made of metal,
The capacitance sensor unit is provided with a plurality of fixed electrode units fixed to face each of the plurality of ring-shaped operation units individually from the inside,
The operation position in the height direction of the operation body is detected by a change in capacitance between the ring-shaped operation unit and the fixed electrode unit facing each other.

  According to such a configuration, since the plurality of ring-shaped operation parts having the operation surface of the metal body along the circumferential direction of the surface are used as detection electrodes of the capacitance sensor, the exterior surface is a metal operation body. Even in this case, the operation position in the height direction can be detected by the capacitance sensor. In addition, since the fixed electrode portion is provided facing the rotatable ring-shaped operation portion and the change in capacitance between them is detected, the fixed electrode portion does not rotate even when the operation body rotates. The wiring can be easily connected to the fixed electrode portion.

  In the input device of the present invention, it is preferable to provide an insulator between two adjacent ring-shaped operation units. Thereby, the touch between two adjacent ring-shaped operation parts can be clarified.

  In the input device of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of fixed electrode portions are provided in a ring shape around the rotation axis. Thereby, it arrange | positions so that a fixed electrode part may oppose over the perimeter of a ring-shaped operation part, and the change of the electrostatic capacitance between both can be detected stably.

  In the input device of the present invention, it is preferable that a concave portion is provided on at least one of the mutually opposing surfaces of the plurality of ring-shaped operation portions. Thereby, the capacity | capacitance generate | occur | produced between two adjacent ring-shaped operation parts can be reduced, and the influence with respect to the change of the electrostatic capacitance required for the detection of the operation position of a height direction can be suppressed.

  In the input device of the present invention, it is preferable that an insulating material layer is provided between the ring-shaped operation unit and the fixed electrode unit.

  In this case, the insulating material layer has a facing portion that faces the ring-shaped operation portion and the fixed electrode portion, and a non-facing portion that does not face the ring-shaped operation portion and the fixed electrode portion. More preferably, the thickness of the facing portion is thinner than the non-facing portion.

  In the input device according to the aspect of the invention, the insulating material layer may be provided with a hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the insulating material layer in a facing portion facing the ring-shaped operation portion and the fixed electrode portion. It may be a thing.

  By providing the insulating layer as described above, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to an electrical short circuit between the ring-shaped operation unit and each fixed electrode unit, and to reduce the capacitance between the ring-shaped operation unit and each fixed electrode unit. It can be made even larger.

  The input device of the present invention preferably further includes an angle detection unit that detects the rotation angle of the operating body. Thereby, the rotation angle of the operating body can be detected together with the operating position in the height direction of the operating body.

  The input device of the present invention further includes a cylindrical conductor portion fixed to the base plate and disposed inside the operation body, the cylindrical conductor portion is grounded, and the plurality of fixed electrode portions are outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical conductor portion It is preferable to be attached via an insulating washer. Thereby, a some fixed electrode part is electromagnetically shielded by the cylindrical conductor part, and it can suppress misdetection.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even when the metal body is used for the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable operation body, the input device which can perform the position detection of a height direction with an electrostatic capacitance sensor can be provided. .

It is a perspective view which illustrates the appearance of the input device concerning this embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the input device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the input device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the electrode structure of the input device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the height detection operation | movement by an electrostatic capacitance sensor part. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates about the insulator provided between ring-shaped operation parts. It is a schematic diagram illustrated about the recessed part provided in the opposing surface of the ring-shaped operation part. It is a schematic diagram illustrated about the capacity | capacitance between adjacent ring-shaped operation parts. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram which illustrates the input operation by the input device which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the members once described is omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the input device according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the input device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to the present embodiment.

  The input device 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on a base plate 11 and has a cylindrical operation body 10 provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis AX, and a capacitance provided inside the operation body 10. And a sensor unit 20. The base plate 11 is provided inside the cover 30. In the present embodiment, the base plate 11 is fixed to the back surface 31 a of the upper plate 31 of the cover 30. The base plate 11 is fixed in accordance with a hole 30 h provided in the upper plate 31 of the cover 30. The rotation axis AX is an imaginary line passing through the center of the hole 30h.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a tubular column 120 is fixed to the base plate 11 along the rotation axis AX. Bearings 121 are fitted into the upper end and the lower end in the pipe of the column 120, and the shaft 111 is mounted in the bearing 121. Accordingly, the shaft 111 is disposed along the rotation axis AX and is rotatably supported by the bearing 121.

  The upper end side of the shaft 111 is provided so as to slightly penetrate the bearing 121 at the upper end of the support column 120. A joint 130 is attached to the upper end side of the shaft 111. The joint 130 is fixed to the shaft 111 by fitting the upper end side of the shaft 111 into the hole of the joint 130. Therefore, the joint 130 can rotate together with the shaft 111.

  The cylindrical operation body 10 is attached to the joint 130. For example, the flange portion 130 a of the joint 130 is fixed to the center portion of the back surface 15 a of the knob 15 provided on the upper portion of the operation body 10. Thereby, the operating body 10 is supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis AX together with the joint 130.

  The operation body 10 includes a plurality of ring-shaped operation units 12. The plurality of ring-shaped operation units 12 are provided apart from each other in the height direction (the direction along the rotation axis AX) with the rotation axis AX as a center. Insulating spacers 151 are provided between adjacent ring-shaped operation portions 12 to ensure a gap between them and electrical insulation. In the present embodiment, as an example, three ring-shaped operation units 12 are provided. For convenience of explanation, the three ring-shaped operation units 12 are referred to as operation units X1, X2, and X3 in order from the top. Further, when the operation units X1, X2, and X3 are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as a ring-shaped operation unit 12.

  The surface of the ring-shaped operation unit 12 is a ring-shaped operation surface 12a along the circumferential direction, and the operation surface 12a is formed of metal. In the present embodiment, the operation portions X1, X2, and X3 themselves are formed of aluminum, so that the ring-shaped operation surface 12a is formed of metal. Since the operation surface 12a is formed of metal, the texture and design of the operation body 10 are improved. The operation surface 12a may be subjected to embossing or uneven processing. Thereby, an improvement in texture and appearance, and an anti-slip effect can be obtained.

  Further, the operation portions X1, X2, and X3 may be ones obtained by performing metal plating on the surface of a molded body made of resin. Thereby, a texture and design nature can be improved and it can realize further cheaply.

  The operation body 10 is configured by stacking three operation portions X1, X2, and X3 along the rotation axis AX and attaching a knob 15 to the upper portion. Since the knob 15 is attached to the joint 130, the operation body 10 is disposed so as to be covered above the hole 30 h of the cover 30.

  The capacitance sensor unit 20 is provided between the support column 120 and the inner peripheral surface of the operation body 10 inside the cylindrical operation body 10. The capacitance sensor unit 20 includes a plurality of fixed electrode units 21 provided to face each of the plurality of ring-shaped operation units 12. The plurality of fixed electrode portions 21 are provided apart from each other in the height direction about the rotation axis AX. In the present embodiment, the three fixed electrode portions 21 are provided so as to face the inner peripheral surfaces of the operation portions X1, X2, and X3. For convenience of description, the three fixed electrode portions 21 are referred to as fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 in order from the top. In addition, when the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as the fixed electrode portion 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed electrode portion 21 is made of, for example, copper formed into a ring shape. Each of the three fixed electrode portions 21 is fitted to the outside of an insulating (for example, resin) washer 22 provided in a ring shape. The washer 22 to which the fixed electrode portion 21 is attached is stacked on an insulating (for example, resin) collar 23 formed in a ring shape. A flange portion is provided at the upper end portion of each washer 22, and the upper fixed electrode portion 21 is overlapped by the flange portion being hooked on the upper end surface of the lower fixed electrode portion 21.

  The washer 22 and the collar 23 are fitted to the outside of the shield part 25 that is a cylindrical conductor part. The shield part 25 is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel and is electrically grounded. The shield part 25 is fixed to the base plate 11 with its center aligned with the rotation axis AX. As a result, the three fixed electrode portions 21 are fixed to the base plate 11 in a state where they are electrically insulated from each other by the washer 22.

  Of the three fixed electrode portions 21, the fixed electrode portion D1 faces the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped operation portion X1, the fixed electrode portion D2 faces the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped operation portion X2, and the fixed electrode portion D3 is It faces the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped operation part X3. The input device 1 according to the present embodiment detects a change in capacitance formed between them, thereby operating position in the height direction of the operating body 10 (position in the height direction protruding from the base plate 11). Is detected.

  In order to detect a change in electrostatic capacitance between the ring-shaped operation unit 12 and the fixed electrode unit 21, the wiring W1 is connected to the fixed electrode unit D1, the wiring W2 is connected to the fixed electrode unit D2, and the fixed electrode A wiring W3 is connected to the part D3. Each of the wirings W1, W2, and W3 passes through the slit 25s of the shield part 25 and is drawn into the shield part 25. The wires W1, W2, and W3 drawn inwardly are drawn into the cover 30 from holes (not shown) of the base plate 11.

  An angle detector 40 is provided below the base plate 11. The lower end side of the shaft 111 is provided so as to pass through the lower bearing 121 and extend below the base plate 11. The angle detection unit 40 is attached to the lower end of the shaft 111 and detects the rotation angle of the operating body 10 via the shaft 111. As the angle detection unit 40, an optical or electromagnetic rotary encoder is used.

  In the input device 1, the operating body 10 is a rotating body provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis AX, and the fixed electrode portion 21 that is the capacitance sensor unit 20 is a fixed body that does not rotate. Since the fixed electrode portion 21 is securely fixed to the base plate 11 by the shield portion 25, the washer 22 and the collar 23, the gap between the electrodes for detecting the change in the capacitance even when the operation body 10 rotates is provided. It can be configured accurately and kept constant. Further, the wirings W1, W2, and W3 connected to the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3, which are fixed bodies, are fixedly routed regardless of the rotation of the operating body 10. Therefore, the wiring devices W1, W2, and W3 can be easily routed even in the input device 1 including the operating body 10 that rotates.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrode configuration of the input device.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the height detection operation by the capacitance sensor unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed electrode portion D1 is opposed to the inside of the ring-shaped operation portion X1, the fixed electrode portion D2 is opposed to the inside of the ring-shaped operation portion X2, and the fixed electrode portion is disposed inside the ring-shaped operation portion X3. D3 is facing. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 are ring-shaped, but as shown in FIG. 4, the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 may be plate-shaped. However, more stable height detection can be performed by using the ring-shaped fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3. As shown in FIG. 4, the shield part 25 is opposed to the inside of all the fixed electrodes D1, D2, and D3. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shield part 25 is cylindrical, but the shield part 25 may be flat as shown in FIG. However, the shield effect can be further enhanced by making the shield portion 25 cylindrical.

  The distance between the ring-shaped operation part X1 and the fixed electrode part D1, the distance between the ring-shaped operation part X2 and the fixed electrode part D2, and the distance between the ring-shaped operation part X3 and the fixed electrode part D3 are set to be constant. . This interval is maintained constant even when the operation body 10 is rotated. That is, since the inner peripheral surfaces of the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 are circumferential surfaces around the rotation axis AX, the rotation axis AX can be obtained even if the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 are rotated. The distance from the inner surface to the inner surface does not change. Since the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 are arranged facing the inner peripheral surface, even if the operating body 10 is rotated, the distance between the ring-shaped operation portion X1 and the fixed electrode portion D1, the ring-shaped operation portion The distance between X2 and the fixed electrode part D2 and the distance between the ring-shaped operation part X3 and the fixed electrode part D3 are kept constant.

  By interposing an air layer between the metal ring-shaped operation parts X1, X2, X3 and the fixed electrode parts D1, D2, D3, the metal ring-shaped operation parts X1, X2, X3 and the fixed electrode part Capacitance is formed between D1, D2 and D3.

  As the structure of the operating body 10, a layer of an insulating material is provided inside the metal ring-shaped operating portions X1, X2, and X3, and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2 are spaced apart from each other inside the insulating material layer. , D3 may face each other. In this structure, a capacitance corresponding to the dielectric constant of the insulating material and the air layer is formed between the inner surfaces of the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3. By providing an insulating material between the metal ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, D3, the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2 , D3 can be prevented from being electrically short-circuited and an input device with few false detections can be configured.

  In addition, the thickness of the insulating material in the portions facing the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, D3 is set to the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, By making it thinner than the thickness of the portion where D2 and D3 do not face each other, erroneous detection due to an electrical short circuit is prevented, and between the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2 and X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2 and D3. It is possible to increase the capacitance formed on the substrate.

  Furthermore, a hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the insulating material may be provided in the insulating material in the portion where the ring-shaped operating portions X1, X2, and X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 face each other. By providing a hole, the insulating layer interposed between the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 and the fixed electrode portions D1, D2, and D3 is only an air layer, preventing erroneous detection due to an electrical short circuit. And the electrostatic capacitance formed between ring-shaped operation part X1, X2, X3 and each fixed electrode part D1, D2, D3 can further be enlarged.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows the electrical configuration of the capacitance sensor unit 20. A wiring W1 is connected to the fixed electrode portion D1, a wiring W2 is connected to the fixed electrode portion D2, and a wiring W3 is connected to the fixed electrode portion D3. A capacitance C1 is configured between the operation unit X1 and the fixed electrode unit D1, and a capacitance C2 is configured between the operation unit X2 and the fixed electrode unit D2, and the operation unit X3 and the fixed electrode unit D3. A capacitance C3 is formed between the two.

  Here, for example, when the operation unit X2 is touched with a finger F, the capacitance C2 between the operation unit X2 and the fixed electrode unit D2 changes. In other words, since the capacitances C1, C2, and C3 of the operation units X1, X2, and X3 at the position touched by the finger F change, the change in capacitance is detected by the wirings W1, W2, and W3. It can be detected which of the parts X1, X2, and X3 is touched by the finger F. Since each set of electrodes is arranged in the height direction of the operation body 10, the position in the height direction of the operation body 10 touched by the finger F can be detected.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the insulator provided between the operation units.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the three operation parts X1, X2, and X3 arranged in the height direction are insulated by an air layer, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, two adjacent operation parts An insulator 16 is provided between them. By providing the insulator 16, it is possible to clarify the feeling between two adjacent operation units. That is, the operation surface 12a of the operation portions X1, X2, and X3 is made of metal. When the finger F is slid along the operation surface 12a, if the insulator 16 having a different texture from the operation surface 12a is provided between two adjacent operation units, the feel of the finger F changes. This makes it easy to recognize the contact position of the finger F between the operation units X1, X2, and X3.

  Although the insulator 16 may be provided on the same surface as the operation surface 12a, it is desirable that the insulator 16 is provided at a position lower on the inner side than the operation surface 12a. Thereby, the difference in the touch by a level | step difference can also be acquired.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a recess provided on the facing surface of the operation unit.
As shown in FIG. 7, a recess 12c may be provided on at least one of the mutually opposing surfaces in the three ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 arranged in the height direction. The concave portion 12c is an opposing portion at the top and bottom of the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 so that the vertical space between the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 is wider than the vertical space between the three operation surfaces 12a. It is formed in a concave shape. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, a recess 12 c is provided on each of the facing surfaces of two adjacent operation units. An insulator 16 may be provided between the two operation parts including the recess 12c. By providing such a concave portion 12c, the interval between two adjacent operation portions becomes wider than in the case where the concave portion 12c is not provided, and the capacitance generated therebetween can be reduced. Thereby, false detection can be reduced and it can be set as a highly accurate input device.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the capacitance between adjacent operation units. A capacitance C0 is formed between two adjacent operation units among the three operation units X1, X2, and X3. The capacitance C0 fluctuates the capacitance value in the operation unit (for example, the operation unit X2) adjacent to the operation unit (for example, the operation unit X1) with which the finger F is in contact, which causes erroneous detection.

  As in the present embodiment, the recesses 12c are provided on the opposing surfaces of the two adjacent operation units, and the capacitance generated between the operation units not touching the finger F is reduced by reducing the capacitance generated between them. The influence can be suppressed and false detection can be reduced.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views illustrating an input operation by the input device according to this embodiment. FIG. 9A shows an operation of bringing the operating tool 10 into contact with the fingertip of the hand H, and FIG. 9B shows an example of content selection based on height and rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the user picks the outer periphery of the operating tool 10 with the hand H, and rotates the operating tool 10 as necessary. The input device 1 detects the position (height) of the operation body 10 touched by the fingertip of the hand H. That is, the height is detected depending on which of the operation parts X1, X2, and X3 is touched by the fingertip. The user can select the height by sliding the fingertip that touches the outer periphery of the operating body 10 in the height direction.

  At this time, since the lengths of the thumb and other fingers (particularly the middle finger) are different, the operation unit touched for each finger among the operation units X1, X2, and X3 may be different. In that case, it is preferable to detect the height based on contact with the operation unit located on the lowest side in the height direction. Or you may detect height based on the operation part which the thumb is contacting. The thumb can be determined from the detection position of each finger when the outer periphery of the operation body 10 is picked by the hand H (the thumb is detected at a position away from other fingers on the surface of the operation body 10). Alternatively, the determination can be made based on the contact area of each finger (the contact area of the thumb is wider than the other fingers).

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the content may be selectable by a combination of the height detected by the input device 1 and the rotation angle. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, three types in the height direction and five in the rotation angle can be selected, and a total of 15 types can be selected, and the contents CT1 to CT15 are assigned corresponding to the 15 types of selection. .

  For example, when the operation unit X1 is touched with a fingertip, the contents CT1 to CT5 corresponding to the height of the operation unit X1 can be selected. Then, by rotating the operating tool 10 with the fingertip touching the operation unit X1, any of the contents CT1 to CT5 is selected according to the rotation angle (position in the rotation direction). Further, when the user slides the fingertip that touches the operation body 10 and touches the operation unit X2, the contents CT6 to CT10 corresponding to the height of the operation unit X2 can be selected. When the operating tool 10 is rotated in this state, any of the contents CT6 to CT10 is selected according to the rotation angle. Similarly, when the operation unit X3 is touched with a fingertip, the contents CT11 to CT15 corresponding to the height of the operation unit X3 can be selected. When the operating tool 10 is rotated in this state, any of the contents CT11 to CT15 can be selected according to the rotation angle.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, even when a metal body is used on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable operating body 10, position detection in the height direction can be performed by the capacitance sensor unit 20. It is possible to provide an input device 1 that can be used.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, in the present embodiment, an example in which three operation units X1, X2, and X3 are provided in the height direction is shown, but the number of ring-shaped operation units 12 is not limited to three. In the embodiment, the operation surface 12a of each of the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 is made of metal and is continuous on the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. However, the ring-shaped operation portions X1, X2, and X3 These metal parts may be separated in the circumferential direction. In this case, a fixed electrode portion that individually faces each separated metal portion of the ring-shaped operation portion is provided.

  Moreover, although the cylindrical example was shown as the operation body 10, even if it is shapes other than cylindrical shapes, such as a square pole and a triangular prism, it is applicable. Further, those in which those skilled in the art appropriately added, deleted, and changed the design of the above-described embodiments, and combinations of the characteristics of the configuration examples of each embodiment as appropriate, also include the gist of the present invention. As long as it is provided, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the input device 1 according to the present invention is useful for application to a system in which a large number of contents and commands are desired to be intuitively selected by a single operating tool 10.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 10 Operation body 11 Base plate 12 Ring-shaped operation part 12a Operation surface 12c Recessed part 15 Knob 16 Insulator 20 Capacitance sensor part 21 Fixed electrode part 25 Shield part 30 Cover 40 Angle detection part 111 Shaft 120 Prop 121 Bearing 130 Joint AX Rotating shaft D1 Fixed electrode part D2 Fixed electrode part D3 Fixed electrode part W1 Wiring W2 Wiring W3 Wiring X1 Ring-shaped operating part X2 Ring-shaped operating part X3 Ring-shaped operating part

Claims (9)

A cylindrical operation body provided rotatably, and a capacitance sensor unit provided inside the operation body,
The operation body has a plurality of ring-shaped operation parts provided apart in the height direction, and each of the ring-shaped operation parts has at least an operation surface formed of metal,
The capacitance sensor unit has a plurality of fixed electrode portions fixed to be opposed to each of the plurality of ring-shaped operation units individually from the inside,
An input device in which an operation position in a height direction of the operation body is detected by a change in capacitance between the ring-shaped operation unit and the fixed electrode unit facing each other.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein an insulator is provided between the two adjacent ring-shaped operation units.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fixed electrode portions are provided in a ring shape around the rotation axis.   The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of ring-shaped operation units are provided with a recess in at least one of mutually facing surfaces.   The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an insulating material layer is provided between the ring-shaped operation unit and the fixed electrode unit.   The insulating material layer has a facing portion that faces the ring-shaped operation portion and the fixed electrode portion, and a non-facing portion that does not face the ring-shaped operation portion and the fixed electrode portion. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the input device is thinner than the non-opposing portion.   7. The insulating material layer according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the insulating material layer is provided in a facing portion facing the ring-shaped operation portion and the fixed electrode portion. The input device described.   The input device according to claim 1, further comprising an angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the operation body. A cylindrical conductor portion fixed to the base plate and disposed inside the operation body;
The cylindrical conductor is grounded,
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of fixed electrode portions are attached to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical conductor portion via an insulating washer.

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