JP2019152974A - Operation terminal and auxiliary panel - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable an operator to easily perform an input operation even without looking at an operation terminal.SOLUTION: An operation terminal 1 comprises a touch panel unit 12 and an output unit. The touch panel unit 12 has an input surface 31. The output unit outputs an operation signal in response to an operator's input operation on the input surface 31. The input operation includes a moving operation of moving a contact element brought into contact with the input surface 31, on a prescribed movement path (namely, a first movement path 43 or a second movement path 44) within the input surface 31. The input surface 31 comprises a guide part (namely, a first guide part 33 or a second guide part 34) arranged along the movement path. Thus, the operator is enabled to easily perform the input operation on the operation terminal 1 even without looking at the operation terminal 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation terminal and an auxiliary panel that covers a touch-sensitive surface of a general-purpose smart device that serves as an operation terminal.

  Conventionally, an operation terminal (so-called controller) for operating a machine tool, an industrial robot, or the like is provided with a push button switch, an operation wheel, or the like. In the operation terminal, when the operator rotates the operation wheel with a fingertip or the like, a signal instructing movement of the movement amount according to the rotation amount is output to the operation target.

  In Patent Document 1, it is proposed to use a touch-sensitive surface sealed in a casing instead of the operation wheel of the operation device in order to prevent dust particles, liquid, and gas from entering the operation device. In the screw tightening robot teaching apparatus (so-called teaching pendant) of Patent Document 2, an operation information setting screen for controlling the operation of the robot body is displayed on a display panel including a color liquid crystal display and a touch panel. Is done.

JP 2004-209560 A JP 2009-282773 A

  By the way, when actually operating machine tools, industrial robots, etc., the operator needs to pay close attention to the operation target in order to make the operation target operate accurately and to ensure its own safety. There is. Therefore, the operator needs to input information regarding the operation without paying attention to the operation device.

  However, in the operation device of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to grasp which part of the touch-sensitive surface the operator is touching, so it is not easy to input information without gazing at the operation device. Similarly, in the teaching device of Patent Document 2, it is not easy to input information to the touch panel without gazing at the teaching device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily perform an input operation even when the operation terminal is not viewed.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an operation terminal, comprising: a touch panel unit having an input surface; and an output unit that outputs an operation signal in response to an input operation performed on the input surface by an operator. Includes a moving operation of moving a contact element that contacts the input surface on a predetermined movement path on the input surface, and the input surface includes a guide portion arranged along the movement path.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the operation terminal according to the first aspect, wherein the guide portion is a concave portion or a convex portion.

  Invention of Claim 3 is the operation terminal of Claim 1 or 2, Comprising: The said touch panel part covers the touch-sensitive surface which has a touch-sensitive surface, and the transparent which has the said input surface while covering the said touch-sensitive surface An auxiliary panel, and the input operation by the operator is performed on the touch-sensitive surface via the auxiliary panel.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the operation terminal according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the guide portion is disposed along the movement path, the guide element is disposed along the movement path, and the movement path. And another guide element that sandwiches the movement path between the guide element and the guide element.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the operation terminal according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the input surface includes a plurality of delimiters arranged at predetermined intervals on the movement route. In the moving operation, when the contact element moves from one of the plurality of partition portions to an adjacent partition portion, an operation signal of one pulse is output by the output unit.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the operation terminal according to the fifth aspect, wherein each of the plurality of partitioning portions is a protruding portion that protrudes from a surrounding portion.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the operation terminal according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the touch panel units are arranged on the movement route or along the movement route at predetermined intervals. A plurality of light emitting units are provided, and lighting states of the plurality of light emitting units are changed according to the movement of the contact element in the moving operation.

  The invention according to claim 8 is an auxiliary panel that covers a touch-sensitive surface of a general-purpose smart device that serves as an operation terminal, the contact surface being a main surface that contacts the touch-sensitive surface, and the side opposite to the contact surface And an input operation on the input surface by an operator includes a moving operation for moving a contact element in contact with the input surface on a predetermined movement path on the input surface, The input surface includes a guide portion arranged along the movement path.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the auxiliary panel according to claim 8, wherein the guide portion is a concave portion or a convex portion.

  In the present invention, an input operation can be easily performed even when the operating terminal is not visually observed.

It is a perspective view of the operation terminal concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a front view of an operation terminal. It is a side view of an operation terminal. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an operation terminal. It is a perspective view of an auxiliary panel. It is a perspective view of the panel case which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another operation terminal.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an operation terminal 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operation terminal 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the operation terminal 1. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the operation terminal 1. In FIG. 4, only a part of the internal structure of the operation terminal 1 is illustrated. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary panel 3 of the operation terminal 1.

  The operation terminal 1 is a portable terminal that is used by the operator holding the lower part in FIGS. 1 and 2 from the rear side (that is, the back side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). is there. The operation terminal 1 is a controller used for operation of industrial machines such as machine tools and industrial robots. In the following description, it is assumed that the operation target of the operation terminal 1 is an industrial robot having a robot hand.

  The operation terminal 1 includes a housing 11, a touch panel unit 12, an output unit 13, an enable switch 14, and an emergency stop switch 15. The housing 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A touch panel unit 12 is disposed on the front surface (that is, the front surface) of the housing 11. An emergency stop switch 15 is disposed on the top of the housing 11. An enable switch 14 is disposed on the left side surface of the housing 11. An output unit 13 is disposed inside the housing 11.

  The touch panel unit 12 is an input unit that receives input from an operator. The output unit 13 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the input from the touch panel unit 12. The enable switch 14 is a three-position enable switch that can be pushed toward the housing 11 (that is, to the right side in FIG. 2). When the enable switch 14 is pushed to the intermediate position, the operation signal from the output unit 13 is transmitted to the industrial robot that is the operation target. The operation signal is transmitted by, for example, wired or wireless. In the state where the enable switch 14 is not pushed in and the state where the enable switch 14 is pushed larger than the intermediate position, the operation signal from the output unit 13 is not transmitted to the operation target. The emergency stop switch 15 is an emergency stop switch for pressing the operation target.

  The touch panel unit 12 has a touch-sensitive input surface 31. Touch sensing on the input surface 31 is performed by, for example, a capacitance method. The touch sensing on the input surface 31 may be performed by other methods such as a resistive film method or an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave (SAW) method. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the touch panel unit 12 and the input surface 31 are substantially rectangular in a front view. The touch panel unit 12 is attached to a substantially rectangular opening provided on the front surface of the housing 11. The input surface 31 is exposed from the housing 11 on the front side of the operation terminal 1.

  The touch panel unit 12 receives information input by contact of a contact element (for example, an operator's finger or an input tool such as a touch pen) with respect to the input surface 31. The touch panel unit 12 receives a contact position or movement of the contact element on the input surface 31 as an input signal and transmits the input signal to the output unit 13. The output unit 13 outputs an operation signal for operating the operation target in response to an input operation on the input surface 31 by the operator. The input operation includes, for example, a contact operation for bringing a contact element into contact with the input surface 31 and a movement operation for moving the contact element in contact with the input surface 31 on the input surface 31 along a predetermined movement path. .

  The touch panel unit 12 includes a touch panel body 2 and an auxiliary panel 3. The touch panel body 2 is a thin plate-like member, and has a touch-sensitive surface 21 that senses contact of a contact element on the front surface. The touch panel body 2 is disposed inside the housing 11. The auxiliary panel 3 is a thin plate-like member and is fixed to the touch sensitive surface 21 of the touch panel body 2. The auxiliary panel 3 may be fixed to the touch panel body 2 so as not to be detachable, or may be fixed detachably via an adhesive tape or the like. In the following description, the main surface (that is, the rear surface) on the rear side of the auxiliary panel 3 that contacts the touch sensitive surface 21 is referred to as a “contact surface 38”. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary panel 3 covers the touch sensitive surface 21 over substantially the entire surface. The auxiliary panel 3 may cover only a part of the touch sensitive surface 21. The auxiliary panel 3 is transparent and is made of, for example, resin.

  The front main surface (that is, the front surface) of the auxiliary panel 3 is the above-described input surface 31 with which the contact element directly contacts. In the operation terminal 1, an input operation by the operator is performed on the touch sensitive surface 21 of the touch panel unit 12 through the auxiliary panel 3. In other words, the touch sensitive surface 21 senses indirect contact of the contact element via the auxiliary panel 3.

  On the touch-sensitive surface 21, four contact areas 42 and two movement paths 43 and 44 are set. In the following description, the movement path 43 is referred to as “first movement path 43”, and the movement path 44 is referred to as “second movement path 44”. In FIG. 2, in order to facilitate understanding of the drawing, the first moving path 43 and the second moving path 44 are shaded in parallel.

  The four contact areas 42 are disposed on the touch-sensitive surface 21. Each contact area 42 is, for example, a substantially rectangular area, and senses contact of the contact element on the input area 31 on the contact area 42. Each contact area 42 corresponds to, for example, a setting button switch for performing settings related to movement of the operation target. For example, by bringing the contact element into contact with the contact region 42, the moving direction of the robot hand of the industrial robot that is the operation target is selected from the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. Further, the unit movement distance of the robot hand is changed by bringing the contact element into contact with another contact area 42. The unit movement distance is a movement distance corresponding to one pulse of an operation signal for instructing movement transmitted from the operation terminal 1.

  The first movement path 43 is disposed below the four contact areas 42 on the touch sensitive surface 21. The first movement path 43 is, for example, a substantially annular region. The first movement path 43 senses the contact of the contact element with the input surface 31 on the first movement path 43 and the movement of the contact element on the first movement path 43 while maintaining the contact state with the input surface 31. To do. The first movement path 43 corresponds to, for example, an operation wheel that moves the operation target. In the operation terminal 1, by moving the contact element in the circumferential direction on the first movement path 43 with the contact element in contact with the input surface 31, the movement distance (or movement of the contact element on the first movement path 43) The robot hand moves by a moving distance determined corresponding to (angle).

  The second movement path 44 is disposed below the first movement path 43 on the touch sensitive surface 21. The second movement path 44 is, for example, a substantially rectangular (or belt-like) region extending substantially linearly in the left-right direction (that is, the width direction of the operation terminal 1). The second movement path 44 senses contact of the contact element with the input surface 31 on the second movement path 44 and movement of the contact element on the second movement path 44 while maintaining the contact state with the input surface 31. To do. The second movement path 44 corresponds to, for example, an operation stick that moves the operation target. By moving the contact element in the predetermined direction (for example, from the left side to the right side) on the second movement path 44 while the contact element is in contact with the input surface 31 in the operation terminal 1, the second movement path of the contact element The robot hand moves by a movement distance determined in accordance with the movement distance on 44. In the operation terminal 1, for example, the second movement path 44 is used when the robot hand moves relatively large, and the first movement path 43 is used when the robot hand moves slightly.

  The touch panel body 2 includes a first indicator 36 and a second indicator 37. The first indicator 36 includes a plurality of light emitting units 361 arranged at predetermined intervals along the first movement path 43. The second indicator 37 includes a plurality of light emitting units 371 arranged at predetermined intervals along the second movement path 44. In the following description, the light emitting units 361 and 362 are referred to as “first light emitting unit 361” and “second light emitting unit 371”, respectively. The first light emitting unit 361 and the second light emitting unit 371 are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The shapes of the first light emitting units 361 and the second light emitting units 371 in a front view are, for example, substantially circular. The colors of the plurality of first light emitting units 361 may be the same or different. The colors of the plurality of second light emitting units 371 may be the same or different. In FIG. 4, illustration of the first light emitting unit 361 and the second light emitting unit 371 is omitted.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the plurality of first light emitting units 361 are disposed on the radially outer side of the first movement path 43. The plurality of first light emitting units 361 are arranged in a substantially circumferential shape at substantially equal angular intervals along the outer peripheral edge of the first moving path 43. For example, twelve first light emitting units 361 are arranged at intervals of about 30 °. The plurality of second light emitting units 371 are disposed above the second movement path 44. A plurality of (for example, eight) second light emitting units 371 are arranged in a substantially straight line at substantially equal intervals along the upper edge of the second movement path 44. The positions of the first light emitting unit 361 and the second light emitting unit 371 may be changed as appropriate. The plurality of first light emitting units 361 may be disposed on the first movement path 43. The plurality of second light emitting units 371 may also be disposed on the second movement path 44.

  The auxiliary panel 3 includes a panel body 32 and two guide portions 33 and 34. The panel body 32 is a substantially rectangular thin plate, and covers a portion of the front surface of the touch panel portion 12 that is not covered by the housing 11 over substantially the entire surface. The guide portions 33 and 34 are convex portions that project forward from the front surface of the panel body 32 (that is, on the side opposite to the touch-sensitive surface 21). In other words, the guide portions 33 and 34 are provided on the input surface 31 of the auxiliary panel 3. The auxiliary panel 3 is thinner than the touch panel body 2. The thickness of the panel body 32 is substantially uniform, for example, about 0.1 mm. The maximum thickness of the auxiliary panel 3 at the site where the guide portion 33 is provided is, for example, about 0.5 mm. The maximum thickness of the auxiliary panel 3 at the site where the guide portion 34 is provided is, for example, about 0.3 mm.

  The guide part 33 is disposed along the first movement path 43. The guide part 34 is disposed along the second movement path 44 below the guide part 33. In the following description, the guide part 33 is referred to as a “first guide part 33”, and the guide part 34 is referred to as a “second guide part 34”.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first guide portion 33 includes a guide element 331 and a guide element 332. The guide element 331 is a substantially annular convex portion in a front view that is disposed on the radially outer side of the first movement path 43. The guide element 331 extends in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge of the first movement path 43. The guide element 332 is a substantially circular convex portion in a front view arranged on the radially inner side of the first movement path 43. The outer peripheral edge of the guide element 332 substantially overlaps the inner peripheral edge of the first movement path 43. In the following description, the guide element 331 is referred to as an “outer guide element 331”. Further, the guide element 332 positioned on the radially inner side of the outer guide element 331 is referred to as an “inner guide element 332”.

  The thickness of the outer guide element 331 (that is, the amount of protrusion from the front surface of the panel body 32) increases gradually and gradually from the innermost peripheral edge of the outer guide element 331 toward the radially outer side, and becomes the maximum. It decreases gradually and smoothly as it goes radially outward. The thickness of the inner guide element 332 (that is, the amount of protrusion from the front surface of the panel body 32) gradually and gradually increases from the outer peripheral edge of the inner guide element 332 toward the radially inward direction, and the radial direction of the inner guide element 332 It becomes the maximum in the central part (that is, the central part). In other words, the inner guide element 332 has a substantially dome shape. For example, the maximum thickness of the inner guide element 332 is larger than the maximum thickness of the outer guide element 331.

  The second guide part 34 is a substantially rectangular (or belt-like) convex part in a front view arranged below the second movement path 44. The second guide part 34 extends substantially linearly along the lower edge of the second movement path 44. The thickness of the second guide part 34 (that is, the amount of protrusion from the front surface of the panel body 32) increases gradually and gradually as it goes downward from the upper edge of the second guide part 34, and reaches the maximum from the thickest part. Decreases smoothly and gradually toward The maximum thickness of the second guide portion 34 is, for example, approximately the same as the maximum thickness of the outer guide element 331 of the first guide portion 33 and is smaller than the maximum thickness of the inner guide element 332.

  The auxiliary panel 3 includes a plurality of partition portions 35. Each of the plurality of partition portions 35 is a convex portion that protrudes forward from the front surface of the panel body 32. In other words, each partition 35 is a protrusion (that is, a protrusion) that is provided on the input surface 31 of the auxiliary panel 3 and protrudes from the surrounding portion. In the front view, each delimiter 35 is a substantially circular point-like portion. The plurality of delimiters 35 are arranged at predetermined intervals on the first movement path 43 between the thickest part of the inner guide element 332 and the thickest part of the outer guide element 331 of the first guide part 33. . Specifically, the plurality of partition portions 35 are disposed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the inner guide element 332 and in the vicinity of the inner peripheral edge of the outer guide element 331.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of delimiters 35 are arranged in the central portion in the radial direction of the first movement path 43. The plurality of delimiters 35 are marks that are arranged in a substantially circumferential shape at substantially equal angular intervals along the inner and outer peripheral edges of the first movement path 43. For example, twelve delimiters 35 are arranged at intervals of about 30 °. The number of separators 35 is the same as the number of first light emitting units 361, for example. For example, the plurality of partition portions 35 are disposed at substantially the same position in the circumferential direction as the plurality of first light emitting units 361 on the radially inner side of the plurality of first light emitting units 361.

  The thickness of each partition portion 35 (that is, the amount of protrusion from the front surface of the panel body 32) gradually and gradually increases from the outer peripheral edge of the partition portion 35 toward the inside in the radial direction of the partition portion 35. It becomes the maximum in the radial center (that is, the center). In other words, the delimiter 35 has a substantially dome shape. The maximum thickness of each partition portion 35 is smaller than the maximum thickness of the outer guide element 331 and the maximum thickness of the inner guide element 332 of the first guide portion 33 and the maximum thickness of the second guide portion 34.

  When the industrial robot that is the operation target is operated by the operation terminal 1, first, the operator brings the contact element into contact with the contact area 42 in a state where the enable switch 14 is pushed to the intermediate position, and the robot hand A moving direction, a unit moving distance, and the like are set. The setting information is transmitted as an operation signal from the output unit 13 to the industrial robot. In addition, the contact with respect to the contact area | region 42 of a contact element is an indirect contact via the auxiliary | assistant panel 3, as mentioned above. Similarly, the contact of the contact element to the first movement path 43 and the second movement path 44 described later is indirect contact via the auxiliary panel 3.

  Subsequently, the operator brings the contact element into contact with the second movement path 44 and moves the contact element from the left side to the right side on the second movement path 44 while maintaining the contact state. An operation signal corresponding to the moving operation is transmitted from the output unit 13 to the industrial robot. In the industrial robot, the robot hand moves by a movement distance determined in accordance with the movement distance of the contact element on the second movement path 44 and is positioned in the vicinity of the target position.

  In the operation terminal 1, the lighting state of the plurality of second light emitting units 371 changes according to the movement of the contact element in the moving operation. Specifically, for example, in a state where the contact element is not in contact with the second movement path 44, all the second light emitting units 371 are turned off. And when a contact element contacts the left end part of the 2nd movement path | route 44, only the 1st 2nd light emission part 371 located in the left end among several 2nd light emission parts 371 will light. Thereafter, when the contact element moves on the second movement path 44 from the left side to the right side, the second light emitting units 371 positioned above the contact position of the contact element are sequentially turned on from the left side to the right side. The second light emitting unit 371 that is lit is not turned off even if the contact element moves from the lower side. That is, in the operation terminal 1, the number of second light emitting units 371 corresponding to the moving distance of the contact element on the second moving path 44 is turned on. Thereby, the operator can easily visually recognize the approximate movement distance of the contact element on the second movement path 44. The second light emitting unit 371 that has been turned on is turned off when the contact element leaves the second movement path 44.

  Next, the operator brings the contact element into contact with the first movement path 43 and moves it in the circumferential direction on the first movement path 43 while maintaining the contact state. The contact element moves on the first movement path 43 while intermittently contacting the plurality of partition portions 35. An operation signal corresponding to the moving operation is transmitted from the output unit 13 to the industrial robot. In the output unit 13, for example, in the movement operation, the contact element moves from one partition unit 35 to the adjacent partition unit 35 among the plurality of partition units 35, thereby outputting a one-pulse operation signal. In the industrial robot, the robot hand moves by a movement distance determined corresponding to the movement distance of the contact element on the first movement path 43. Thereby, the position of the robot hand is finely adjusted, and the robot hand is positioned at the target position. Note that the movement direction of the robot hand is opposite, for example, when the contact element is moved clockwise on the first movement path 43 and when it is moved counterclockwise.

  In the operation terminal 1, the lighting state of the plurality of first light emitting units 361 changes according to the movement of the contact element in the moving operation. Specifically, for example, in a state where the contact element is not in contact with the first movement path 43, all the first light emitting units 361 are turned off. And when a contact element contacts the 1st movement path | route 43, it will be located in the radial direction outer side of the contact position of a contact element among several 1st light emission parts 361 (namely, located in the position nearest to a contact position) 1 Only the first light emitting unit 361 lights up. Thereafter, when the contact element moves on the first movement path 43 in the circumferential direction, the first light emitting units 361 located on the radially outer side of the contact position of the contact element are sequentially turned on along the movement direction of the contact element. The light-emitting first light emitting unit 361 is not turned off even when the contact element moves from the inside in the radial direction. That is, in the operation terminal 1, the number of first light emitting units 361 corresponding to the moving distance of the contact element on the first moving path 43 is turned on. Thereby, the operator can easily visually recognize the approximate movement distance of the contact element on the first movement path 43. The first light emitting unit 361 that has been turned on is turned off when the contact element leaves the first movement path 43.

  As described above, the operation terminal 1 includes the touch panel unit 12 and the output unit 13. The touch panel unit 12 has an input surface 31. The output unit 13 outputs an operation signal corresponding to an input operation performed on the input surface 31 by the operator. The input operation includes a moving operation of moving a contact element that contacts the input surface 31 on the input surface 31 on a predetermined moving path (that is, the first moving path 43 or the second moving path 44). The input surface 31 includes a guide portion (that is, the first guide portion 33 or the second guide portion 34) arranged along the movement path.

  In the operation terminal 1, when the contact element is moved while being in contact with the movement path, the contact element can be prevented from being displaced from the movement path by moving the contact element along the guide portion. As a result, even when the operation terminal 1 (particularly, the touch-sensitive surface 21 of the touch panel unit 12) is not viewed, the input operation to the operation terminal 1 can be easily performed.

  As described above, the guide part is a convex part. Thereby, the movement along the guide part of a contact element can be made easy. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the contact element from deviating from the movement path, and it is possible to more easily perform an input operation on the operation terminal 1.

  As described above, the touch panel unit 12 includes the touch panel body 2 and the auxiliary panel 3. The touch panel body 2 has a touch sensitive surface 21. The auxiliary panel 3 covers the touch sensitive surface 21 and has an input surface 31. The auxiliary panel 3 is transparent. An input operation by the operator is performed on the touch-sensitive surface 21 via the auxiliary panel 3.

  In this way, by forming the member provided with the guide portion (that is, the auxiliary panel 3) as a separate member from the member provided with the touch-sensitive surface 21 (ie, the touch panel body 2), the guide portion can be easily formed. The guide part can be easily provided on the touch panel part 12. Further, by making the auxiliary panel 3 transparent, it is possible to facilitate visual recognition of the display of the touch sensitive surface 21. Therefore, the operation on the operation terminal 1 can be performed using the display of the touch sensitive surface 21. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the display similar to the touch sensitive surface 21 in the auxiliary panel 3, and the structure of the auxiliary panel 3 can be simplified.

  In the operation terminal 1, the first guide unit 33 includes a guide element (that is, an outer guide element 331) arranged along the first movement path 43 and another guide element arranged along the first movement path 43. (That is, the inner guide element 332). The inner guide element 332 sandwiches the first movement path 43 with the outer guide element 331. Thereby, when the contact element is moved while being in contact with the first movement path 43, it is possible to further suppress the contact element from being displaced from the first movement path 43. As a result, the input operation to the operation terminal 1 can be performed more easily.

  In the operation terminal 1, the input surface 31 includes a plurality of delimiters 35 arranged at predetermined intervals on a movement route (that is, the first movement route 43). In the moving operation described above, the contact element moves from one of the plurality of partitioning portions 35 to the adjacent partitioning portion 35, whereby an output signal of one pulse is output from the output unit 13. As a result, the operator can easily recognize the output of the one-pulse operation signal based on the change in tactile sensation caused by the contact with the separation portion 35 of the contact element. As a result, the operation accuracy of the operation target of the operation terminal 1 can be improved.

  Further, each of the plurality of delimiters 35 is a protrusion that protrudes from the surrounding portion. Thereby, since the change of the above-mentioned tactile sensation can be made relatively large, the operator can easily recognize the delimiter 35. As a result, the operator can more easily recognize the output of the one-pulse operation signal, so that the operation accuracy of the operation target can be further improved.

  As described above, the touch panel unit 12 includes a plurality of light emitting units (that is, the first movement route 43 or the second movement route 44) or a plurality of light emitting units (that is, arranged at predetermined intervals along the movement route). , The first light emitting unit 361 or the second light emitting unit 371). The lighting states of the plurality of light emitting units change according to the movement of the contact element in the above moving operation. Thereby, the operator can easily visually recognize the position, the moving distance, and the like (that is, the movement state of the contact element) on the movement path of the contact element. As a result, the operation accuracy of the operation target of the operation terminal 1 can be improved. In addition, the change aspect of the lighting state of a several light emission part is not limited to the above-mentioned example, You may change variously.

  In the operation terminal 1, instead of the plurality of first light emitting units 361 of the first indicator 36, a notification unit that outputs sound or vibration according to the movement of the contact element on the first movement path 43 may be provided. In addition, instead of the plurality of second light emitting units 371 of the second indicator 37, a notification unit that outputs sound or vibration according to the movement of the contact element on the second movement path 44 may be provided. The notification unit may output both sound and vibration. Moreover, in addition to the 1st indicator 36 and the 2nd indicator 37, the said alerting | reporting part may be provided. In any case, the operation accuracy of the operation target of the operation terminal 1 can be improved.

  Next, a panel case 4 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 also shows a general-purpose smart device 5 described later. The panel case 4 includes an auxiliary panel 3 a and a panel support portion 41. The panel case 4 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member having an upper opening. The auxiliary panel 3 a is a thin plate member having the same structure as the auxiliary panel 3 described above, and constitutes one side surface of the panel case 4. The panel support part 41 is a support member to which the auxiliary panel 3 a is fixed, and constitutes the other three side surfaces and the bottom surface of the panel case 4. The auxiliary panel 3a may be fixed so as not to be detachable with respect to the panel support portion 41, or may be fixed detachably.

  A general-purpose smart device 5 is attached to the panel case 4. Specifically, the general-purpose smart device 5 is inserted from the upper opening of the panel case 4 and is electrically connected to a connection terminal provided on the inner bottom surface of the panel case 4. As a result, the panel case 4 and the general-purpose smart device 5 can be used as the operation terminal 1a substantially similar to the operation terminal 1 described above.

  The general-purpose smart device 5 is, for example, a smartphone, and operation application software to be operated is preinstalled together with other application software. The general-purpose smart device 5 includes a touch panel body 2a having a touch-sensitive surface 21a and an output unit (not shown) that outputs an operation signal. The touch panel body 2a has, for example, a liquid crystal display function. When the above-described operation application software is activated, an operation screen is displayed on the touch-sensitive surface 21a. The operation screen is the same as the operation screen displayed on the touch-sensitive surface 21 of the operation terminal 1, for example. Four touch areas 42, a first movement path 43, and a second movement path 44 are set on the touch sensitive surface 21a.

  When the general-purpose smart device 5 is mounted on the panel case 4, the touch-sensitive surface 21a is covered with the transparent auxiliary panel 3a. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the touch-sensitive surface 21a is covered with the auxiliary panel 3a over substantially the entire surface. The auxiliary panel 3a may cover only a part of the touch sensitive surface 21a. The main surface (that is, the inner surface) of the auxiliary panel 3a facing the inside of the panel case 4 is a contact surface 38 that contacts the touch sensitive surface 21a. The main surface of the auxiliary panel 3 a facing the outside of the panel case 4 (that is, the outer surface that is the main surface opposite to the contact surface 38) is the input surface 31.

  An enable switch 14 a is provided on the side surface of the panel support portion 41 of the panel case 4. The enable switch 14a is, for example, a contact sensor using a piezo film, and detects an area (hereinafter referred to as “contact area”) where the operator's fingertip touches the enable switch 14a. A signal corresponding to the contact area detected by the enable switch 14 a is transmitted from the panel case 4 to the general-purpose smart device 5. The enable switch 14a is a three-position enable switch. When the contact area detected by the enable switch 14a is within a predetermined range, an operation signal from an output unit (not shown) of the general-purpose smart device 5 is transmitted to an operation target (for example, an industrial robot). On the other hand, when the contact area is smaller than the predetermined range and larger than the predetermined range, the operation signal from the output unit of the general-purpose smart device 5 is not transmitted to the operation target.

  As described above, the auxiliary panel 3a covers the touch-sensitive surface 21a of the general-purpose smart device 5 that becomes the operation terminal 1a. The auxiliary panel 3a includes a contact surface 38 that is a main surface that contacts the touch-sensitive surface 21a, and an input surface 31 that is a main surface opposite to the contact surface 38. In the operation terminal 1a, similarly to the operation terminal 1 described above, an input operation performed by the operator on the input surface 31 is that a contact element that contacts the input surface 31 is moved to a predetermined movement path (that is, the first movement path). 43 or the second movement path 44). The input surface 31 includes a guide portion (that is, the first guide portion 33 or the second guide portion 34) arranged along the movement path.

  In the operation terminal 1a, when the contact element is moved while being in contact with the movement path, the contact element can be prevented from being displaced from the movement path by moving the contact element along the guide portion. As a result, even when the operation terminal 1a (particularly, the touch-sensitive surface 21a) is not viewed, the input operation to the operation terminal 1a can be easily performed.

  As described above, the guide part is a convex part. Thereby, the movement along the guide part of a contact element can be made easy. As a result, the contact element can be further prevented from being displaced from the movement path, and the input operation to the operation terminal 1a can be more easily performed.

  In the auxiliary panel 3a, the first guide portion 33 includes a guide element arranged along the first movement path 43 (that is, the outer guide element 331) and another guide element arranged along the first movement path 43. (That is, the inner guide element 332). The inner guide element 332 sandwiches the first movement path 43 with the outer guide element 331. Thereby, when the contact element is moved while being in contact with the first movement path 43, it is possible to further suppress the contact element from being displaced from the first movement path 43. As a result, the input operation to the operation terminal 1a can be performed more easily.

  In the auxiliary panel 3a, the input surface 31 includes a plurality of delimiters 35 arranged at predetermined intervals on the movement path (that is, the first movement path 43). In the moving operation described above, the contact element moves from one of the plurality of partitioning portions 35 to the adjacent partitioning portion 35, whereby a one-pulse operation signal is output from the output unit of the general-purpose smart device 5. The As a result, the operator can easily recognize the output of the one-pulse operation signal based on the change in tactile sensation caused by the contact with the separation portion 35 of the contact element. As a result, the operation accuracy of the operation target of the operation terminal 1a can be improved.

  Further, each of the plurality of delimiters 35 is a protrusion that protrudes from the surrounding portion. Thereby, since the change of the above-mentioned tactile sensation can be made relatively large, the operator can easily recognize the delimiter 35. As a result, the operator can more easily recognize the output of the one-pulse operation signal, so that the operation accuracy of the operation target can be further improved.

  The auxiliary panel 3a may be used alone without being attached to the panel support portion 41. For example, the contact surface 38 of the auxiliary panel 3a may be directly fixed to the touch sensitive surface 21a of the general-purpose smart device 5 via an adhesive tape or the like. In this case, the general-purpose smart device 5 and the auxiliary panel 3a are used as the operation terminal 1a.

  Various changes can be made in the operation terminals 1 and 1a.

  For example, in the first indicator 36 and the second indicator 37 of the operation terminal 1, the plurality of first light emitting units 361 and the plurality of second light emitting units 371 are not necessarily arranged at equal intervals. For example, the intervals between the plurality of first light emitting units 361 may be partially different or all different from each other. In addition, the intervals between the plurality of second light emitting units 371 may be partially different or all different from each other. The same applies to the operation terminal 1a.

  In the 1st indicator 36 and the 2nd indicator 37 of the operating terminal 1, the shape in the front view of the 1st light emission part 361 and the 2nd light emission part 371 is not limited to a substantially circular shape, You may change variously. For example, the shape of the first light emitting unit 361 and the second light emitting unit 371 in a front view may be a dot shape or a substantially rectangular shape. The shape of each first light emitting unit 361 in the front view may be a partial annular shape or a sector shape, and the first light emitting units 361 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction may be continuous. In the plurality of second light emitting units 371 as well, adjacent second light emitting units 371 may be continuous. In the operation terminal 1, one or both of the first indicator 36 and the second indicator 37 may be omitted. The same applies to the operation terminal 1a.

  The partition part 35 of the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a is not necessarily a protrusion, and may be, for example, a recessed part that is recessed backward from the surrounding part (that is, in a direction approaching the touch sensitive surfaces 21 and 21a). Alternatively, the separation part 35 may be a part having a different tactile sensation from the surrounding part. In this case, the separation part 35 may be located at substantially the same height as the surrounding part. For example, the delimiter 35 may be a rough surface having a surface roughness larger than that of the surrounding portion. The shape of the separator 35 in the front view is not limited to a substantially circular shape, and may be variously changed. For example, the partition part 35 may be substantially rectangular when viewed from the front. Alternatively, a plurality of partition portions 35 each having a partial annular shape may be arranged in the circumferential direction around the inner guide element 332. The plurality of delimiters 35 are not necessarily arranged at equal intervals. For example, the intervals of the plurality of delimiters 35 may be partially different or all different from each other. In the operation terminals 1 and 1a, the delimiter 35 may be omitted.

  The first guide portion 33 of the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a is not necessarily a convex portion, and may be a concave portion that is recessed backward from a surrounding portion (that is, in a direction approaching the touch sensitive surfaces 21 and 21a), for example. Good. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the contact element from being displaced from the movement path, as in the case where the first guide portion 33 is a convex portion, and the input operation to the operation terminals 1 and 1a can be easily performed. It can be carried out. The same applies to the second guide portions 34 of the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a.

  The first guide part 33 may be a part having a different tactile sensation from the surrounding part. In this case, the first guide part 33 may be located at substantially the same height as the surrounding part. For example, the first guide portion 33 may be a rough surface having a surface roughness larger than that of the surrounding portion. The same applies to the second guide portion 34.

  Alternatively, in the auxiliary panels 3, 3 a, the region overlapping with the first movement path 43 is a recess that is recessed from the surrounding part, and the part around the recess in the auxiliary panel 3, 3 a is along the first movement path 43. The first guide portion 33 may be arranged. Moreover, the area | region which overlaps with the 2nd movement path | route 44 of the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a is made into the recessed part dented rather than a surrounding site | part, and the site | part around the said recessed part in the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a is along the 2nd movement path | route 44. It may be the 2nd guide part 34 arranged. In this case, the 1st guide part 33 and the 2nd guide part 34 may be located in the substantially same height as the surrounding site | part except the said recessed part.

  In the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a, a convex portion or a concave portion along the contact region 42 may be provided. In the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a, either the outer guide element 331 or the inner guide element 332 of the first guide portion 33 may be omitted. In the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a, either one of the first guide part 33 and the second guide part 34 may be omitted.

  In the auxiliary panels 3 and 3a, the outer guide element 331, the inner guide element 332, and the second guide part 34 of the first guide part 33 do not necessarily have the above-described shape, and may have various shapes. For example, as in the operation terminal 1b shown in FIG. 7, the outer guide element 331b and the inner guide element 332b of the first guide portion 33b, and the second guide portion 34b are provided with an upper end surface having a clear outer edge or the like. It may be a shape.

  The auxiliary panels 3 and 3a are not necessarily transparent, and may be translucent or colored, for example.

  The operation terminals 1, 1a, and 1b are not necessarily used for operation of industrial machines, and may be used for operations of various machines and operation objects other than machines.

  The configurations in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate as long as they do not contradict each other.

1, 1a, 1b Operation terminal 2, 2a Touch panel body 3, 3a Auxiliary panel 5 General-purpose smart device 12 Touch panel unit 13 Output unit 21, 21a Touch sensitive surface 31 Input surface 33, 33b First guide unit 34, 34b Second guide unit 35 Separating part 38 Contact surface 43 First moving path 44 Second moving path 331, 331b Outer guide element 332, 332b Inner guide element 361 First light emitting part 371 Second light emitting part

Claims (9)

An operation terminal,
A touch panel unit having an input surface;
An output unit that outputs an operation signal corresponding to an input operation on the input surface by an operator;
With
The input operation includes a moving operation of moving a contact element that contacts the input surface on a predetermined movement path on the input surface;
The operation terminal, wherein the input surface includes a guide unit arranged along the movement path. The operation terminal according to claim 1,
The operation terminal, wherein the guide portion is a concave portion or a convex portion. The operation terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
The touch panel unit is
A touch panel body having a touch-sensitive surface;
A transparent auxiliary panel that covers the touch-sensitive surface and has the input surface;
With
The operation terminal, wherein the input operation by the operator is performed on the touch-sensitive surface through the auxiliary panel. An operation terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The guide portion is
A guide element arranged along the movement path;
Other guide elements that are arranged along the movement path and sandwich the movement path between the guide elements,
An operation terminal comprising: The operation terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The input surface includes a plurality of delimiters arranged at predetermined intervals on the movement path,
In the moving operation, when the contact element moves from one of the plurality of partition portions to an adjacent partition portion, an operation signal of one pulse is output by the output unit. Operation terminal. The operation terminal according to claim 5,
The operation terminal characterized in that each of the plurality of partitioning portions is a protruding portion that protrudes from a surrounding portion. The operation terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The touch panel unit includes a plurality of light emitting units arranged at predetermined intervals on the movement route or along the movement route,
An operating terminal, wherein lighting states of the plurality of light emitting units change according to movement of the contact element in the moving operation. An auxiliary panel that covers the touch-sensitive surface of a general-purpose smart device that becomes an operation terminal,
A contact surface that is a main surface that contacts the touch-sensitive surface;
An input surface that is a main surface opposite to the contact surface;
With
The input operation on the input surface by the operator includes a moving operation for moving a contact element that contacts the input surface on a predetermined movement path on the input surface,
The auxiliary panel, wherein the input surface includes a guide portion arranged along the movement path. The auxiliary panel according to claim 8,
The auxiliary panel, wherein the guide portion is a concave portion or a convex portion.

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