JP2022072864A - Input device, and assembly method of input device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an input device for assembling an operation part to an exact position, and an assembly method of the input device.SOLUTION: The input device includes a design panel 11, an operation part holder 14, and an operation part. The operation part holder is assembled to the design panel in a manner that a positioning jig 50 is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the design panel first, and in a state that a tapered portion 53 of the positioning jig is in contact with the design panel, the operation part holder is inserted into the positioning jig from the side opposite to the insertion direction of the positioning jig. The operation part is assembled to the operation part holder by being inserted into the insertion hole after the positioning jig is removed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5D

Description

The present invention relates to an input device and a method of assembling the input device.

Conventionally, there is known an input device in which a positioning portion is provided on a panel member and the positioning surface on the panel member side and the positioning surface on the push button side are brought into contact with each other to determine the position of the push button with respect to the panel member (for example). See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-192325

In the prior art, the misalignment between the mounting member to which the operation unit such as a push button is mounted and the panel member is not considered. For example, if the positions of the panel member and the mounting member deviate from each other, the operation unit may not be mounted at an accurate position.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device for mounting an operation unit at an accurate position, and a method for assembling the input device.

The input device according to one embodiment includes a design panel, an operation unit holder, and an operation unit. In the operation unit holder, the positioning jig is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the design panel, and the positioning jig is positioned from the side opposite to the insertion direction of the positioning jig with the tapered portion of the positioning jig in contact with the design panel. It is fitted to the tool and attached to the design panel. After the positioning jig is removed, the operation unit is inserted into the insertion hole and attached to the operation unit holder.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, the operating unit can be mounted in an accurate position.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of an input device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the input device as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a part of the input device in the section III-III of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a positioning jig used in the assembly method according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram (No. 1) for explaining the operation unit holder and the method of assembling the operation unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is a diagram (No. 2) for explaining the operation unit holder and the method of assembling the operation unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5C is a diagram (No. 3) for explaining the operation unit holder and the method of assembling the operation unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5D is a diagram (No. 4) for explaining the operation unit holder and the method of assembling the operation unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5E is a diagram (No. 5) for explaining the operation unit holder and the method of assembling the operation unit according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, the input device according to the embodiment and the method of assembling the input device will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

<Input device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 10 according to the embodiment is provided in the passenger compartment A of the vehicle C. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the input device 10 according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a case where the input device 10 according to the embodiment is provided on the instrument panel 1 of the vehicle C will be described as an example. The instrument panel 1 (hereinafter, may be referred to as “instrument panel 1”) is provided with a display device 2 and an input device 10.

The display device 2 is, for example, a liquid crystal display provided with a display screen 2a. For example, navigation by a navigation device (not shown) is displayed on the display screen 2a, but the display screen 2a is not limited to this.

The input device 10 is arranged at a position between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the instrument panel 1, for example. Specifically, the input device 10 is arranged between the display screen 2a in the center of the instrument panel 1 and the meter panel 4 behind the handle 3. The position of the input device 10 described above is merely an example and is not limited, and can be appropriately changed depending on, for example, the type of vehicle C. The input device 10 may be provided integrally with the display device 2.

The input device 10 is a device that receives an input operation from the user. Examples of user input operations include, but are limited to, start-up instruction operations for the drive source (engine, electric motor, etc.) of vehicle C, and start-up or operation instruction operations for in-vehicle devices such as navigation devices. is not. The input device 10 may be a display device 2 such as a navigation device.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the input device 10 includes a design panel 11, a display unit 12, a frame panel 13, an operation unit holder 14, and an operation unit 15. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the input device 10 as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a part of the input device 10 in the cross section III-III of FIG.

The design panel 11 is formed in a plate shape, for example. The design panel 11 is made of, for example, a glass material. The design panel 11 may be made of a resin material. The design panel 11 may be provided with a design such as a wood grain pattern. The same design (pattern) as the design panel 11 may be applied to a part or all of the instrument panel 1.

The design panel 11 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects a user's contact operation. As the sensor, a capacitance type sensor that detects a contact operation of a user's finger or the like by a change in capacitance can be used, but the sensor is not limited to this, and for example, the user's sensor may be an infrared method or a resistance film method. It may be a sensor that detects a contact operation. In this way, the design panel 11 functions as a touch panel.

The design panel 11 does not necessarily have to include a sensor. That is, the design panel 11 is not limited to the touch panel.

The design panel 11 has translucency. For example, the design panel 11 is formed so as to transmit light from the display unit 12 arranged on the back surface side. Specifically, the design panel 11 is a half mirror, and is configured to reflect a part of the light incident from the display unit 12 and transmit a part of the light. The reflectance and transmittance of the design panel 11 are arbitrarily set.

The design panel 11 does not necessarily have to be a half mirror, and may be any one that transmits light to some extent, such as smoke color or milky white color. When the display unit 12 is emitting light, the display content of the display unit 12 can be visually recognized from the surface of the design panel 11, and when the display unit 12 is not emitting light, the display unit 12 is displayed from the surface of the design panel 11. Any material may be used as long as it has a transmittance that is invisible or difficult to see. The design panel 11 is formed with a hole 11a (insertion hole) into which the operation unit 15 is inserted.

The display unit 12 is provided on the back surface side of the design panel 11. The display unit 12 is provided, for example, on the back surface side of a part of the design panel 11. The display unit 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display provided with a display screen. The display unit 12 can display an icon or the like by performing a light emitting operation of emitting light from the display screen. The icon is, for example, an icon for starting or operating an operation instruction for an in-vehicle device such as a navigation device.

The frame panel 13 is provided so as to surround the peripheral edge of the design panel 11. The frame panel 13 is arranged on a part of the back surface side of the design panel 11 and around the design panel 11. The frame panel 13 is made of, for example, a resin material. The frame panel 13 is an attachment device for supporting the design panel 11 and attaching the input device 10 to the vehicle body inside the instrument panel 1. The frame panel 13 may be integrated with the design panel 11.

A hole 13a into which the operation unit 15 is inserted is formed in the frame panel 13. The frame panel 13 includes a plurality of protrusions 20 around the holes 13a. The protruding portion 20 projects toward the side opposite to the design panel 11 (back surface side). The protruding portion 20 is formed, for example, along the axial direction of the operating portion 15. A mounting hole 13b for mounting the operating portion holder 14 is formed in the protruding portion 20.

The operation unit holder 14 includes a tubular unit 30 and a mounting unit 31. The tubular portion 30 is formed along the axial direction of the operating portion 15. The cross-sectional shape of the inner wall 30a of the tubular portion 30 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the operating portion 15 is circular. The tubular portion 30 is formed so that the operating portion 15 can be fitted.

The mounting portion 31 projects from the tubular portion 30 along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the operating portion 15. For example, the mounting portion 31 is formed over the entire circumference of the tubular portion 30. A plurality of holes 31a are formed in the mounting portion 31. A screw 32 is inserted into the hole 31a. The operation unit holder 14 is attached to the frame panel 13 by screws 32.

A plurality of mounting portions 31 may be provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 30. In this case, a plurality of mounting portions 31 are provided in accordance with the protruding portions 20 of the frame panel 13. Holes 31a are formed in each mounting portion 31.

The operation unit 15 is a switch that accepts an input operation by the user. For example, the operation unit 15 is a start switch that receives a start instruction operation for a drive source (engine, electric motor, etc.) of the vehicle C. The operation unit 15 has a columnar shape.

The operation unit 15 includes a fitting unit 40 and a step unit 41. The fitting portion 40 is cylindrical. The fitting portion 40 is fitted to the operation portion holder 14. Specifically, the fitting portion 40 is fitted to the tubular portion 30 of the operation portion holder 14.

The step portion 41 is provided on the design panel 11 side (front side) with respect to the fitting portion 40. The step portion 41 is columnar. The diameter of the step portion 41 is larger than the diameter of the fitting portion 40. Further, the diameter of the step portion 41 is larger than the diameter of the inner wall 30a of the tubular portion 30 of the operation portion holder 14.

The operation unit 15 is fitted to the cylinder portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14 and accepts a pushing operation by the user. That is, the operation unit 15 is supported by the operation unit holder 14 and moves with respect to the operation unit holder 14 by a pushing operation by the user.

For example, when the pushing operation by the user is not performed on the operation unit 15, the urging force by the spring acts on the operation unit 15, and the operation unit 15 is held at the initial position.

Then, when the operation unit 15 is pushed against the urging force by the user, the operation unit 15 advances from the initial position to the pushing position. The pushing position is, for example, a position where the step portion 41 abuts on the tubular portion 30 of the operation portion holder 14. When the pushing operation by the user is stopped, the operation unit 15 returns from the pushing position to the initial position by the urging force of the spring.

The operation unit 15 is not limited to the start switch, and may be, for example, a switch for starting an in-vehicle device such as a navigation device. Further, the operation unit 15 may be a rotary switch. Further, the operation unit 15 may be fitted and fixed to the cylinder portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14. In this case, the operation unit 15 includes a movable unit inside, and the moving unit accepts a pushing operation by the user.

<Assembly method>
Next, a method of assembling a part of the input device 10 will be described. Specifically, a method of assembling the operation unit holder 14 and the operation unit 15 will be described.

First, the positioning jig 50 used when assembling the operation holder will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the positioning jig 50 used in the assembly method according to the embodiment.

The positioning jig 50 includes a first cylindrical portion 51, a second cylindrical portion 52, and a tapered portion 53. The first columnar portion 51 is cylindrical and is provided on one end side. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51 is smaller than the diameter of the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the diameter of the hole 13a of the frame panel 13. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51 is smaller than the diameter of the inner wall 30a of the tubular portion 30 of the operation portion holder 14. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51 is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the fitting portion 40 of the operating portion 15. Specifically, the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the fitting portion 40 of the operating portion 15.

The second columnar portion 52 is cylindrical and is provided on the other end side. The first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52 are provided coaxially. The diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52 is larger than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51. The diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52 is larger than the diameter of the hole 11a of the design panel 11.

The tapered portion 53 is provided between the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52. The tapered portion 53 is provided so as to reduce the diameter from the second cylindrical portion 52 to the first cylindrical portion 51. The cross-sectional shape of the tapered portion 53 in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the positioning jig 50 is circular.

Next, the method of assembling the operation unit holder 14 and the operation unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E. 5A to 5E are views (Nos. 1 to 5) for explaining the method of assembling the operation unit holder 14 and the operation unit 15 according to the embodiment.

With the design panel 11 attached to the frame panel 13, the positioning jig 50 is inserted into the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the hole 13a of the frame panel 13 as shown in FIG. 5A. Specifically, the first cylindrical portion 51 of the positioning jig 50 is inserted into the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the hole 13a of the frame panel 13.

The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 51 of the positioning jig 50 is smaller than the diameter of the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the diameter of the hole 13a of the frame panel 13. Further, the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 52 of the positioning jig 50 is larger than the diameter of the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the diameter of the hole 13a of the frame panel 13. Therefore, the tapered portion 53 provided between the first cylindrical portion 51 and the second cylindrical portion 52 abuts on the design panel 11 as shown in FIG. 5B. Specifically, the tapered portion 53 abuts on the design panel 11 over the entire circumference. As a result, the position of the positioning jig 50 is determined with reference to the hole 11a of the design panel 11.

With the positioning jig 50 inserted into the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the tapered portion 53 in contact with the design panel 11, as shown in FIG. 5C, the cylindrical portion 30 of the operation portion holder 14 is the positioning jig 50. It is fitted to the first columnar portion 51. Specifically, the operation portion holder 14 is fitted to the first cylindrical portion 51 of the positioning jig 50 from the side opposite to the insertion direction of the positioning jig 50.

Since the tubular portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14 is fitted into the first cylindrical portion 51 of the positioning jig 50 positioned with respect to the hole 11a of the design panel 11, the tubular portion of the operation unit holder 14 with respect to the hole 11a of the design panel 11 is fitted. The position of 30 is determined. That is, the misalignment between the shaft P of the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the shaft Q of the tubular portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14 is suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 5D, the screw 32 is inserted into the hole 31a of the mounting portion 31 of the operating portion holder 14 with the tubular portion 30 of the operating portion holder 14 fitted in the first cylindrical portion 51 of the positioning jig 50. , The operation unit holder 14 is attached to the frame panel 13 by the screw 32. As a result, the operation unit holder 14 is attached to the design panel 11 in a state where the axis P of the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the axis Q of the cylinder portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14 are suppressed. Specifically, the operation unit holder 14 is attached to the design panel 11 via the frame panel 13.

After the positioning jig 50 is pulled out from the operation unit holder 14, the frame panel 13, and the design panel 11, as shown in FIG. 5E, the fitting portion 40 of the operation unit 15 is the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the frame panel 13. It is inserted into the hole 13a and the cylinder portion 30 of the operation portion holder 14. That is, the operation unit 15 is fitted and attached to the cylinder portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14.

In this way, the operation unit 15 is operated in a state where the axis P of the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the axis Q of the cylinder portion 30 of the operation unit holder 14 and the axis R of the operation unit 15 are suppressed. It is attached to the part holder 14.

<Effect>
The input device 10 includes a design panel 11 and an operation unit holder 14. In the operation unit holder 14, the positioning jig 50 is inserted into the hole 11a formed in the design panel 11, and the positioning jig 50 is inserted in the insertion direction in a state where the tapered portion 53 of the positioning jig 50 is in contact with the design panel 11. It is fitted to the positioning jig 50 from the opposite side and attached to the design panel 11. After the positioning jig 50 is removed, the operation unit 15 is inserted into the hole 11a and attached to the operation unit holder 14.

As a result, in the input device 10, the misalignment between the axis P of the design panel 11 and the axis Q of the operation unit holder 14 is suppressed. Therefore, in the input device 10, the operation unit 15 is attached to the design panel 11 and the operation unit holder 14 at an accurate position. That is, the input device 10 can improve the mounting accuracy of the operation unit 15. Further, even if the tolerance of the hole 11a of the design panel 11, the tolerance of the operation unit holder 14, and the tolerance of the step portion 41 of the operation unit 15 are small, the operation unit 15 can be operated without interfering with the design panel 11. It can be attached to the portion holder 14. Therefore, the gap between the side wall forming the hole 11a of the design panel 11 and the step portion 41 of the operation unit 15 can be reduced, and the design of the input device 10 can be improved.

The operation unit 15 has a columnar shape. As a result, in the input device 10, the operation unit 15 is attached to the design panel 11 and the operation unit holder 14 at an accurate position regardless of the rotation position of the operation unit 15 with respect to the design panel 11.

The cross-sectional shape of the tapered portion 53 in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the positioning jig 50 is circular.

As a result, the entire circumference of the tapered portion 53 of the positioning jig 50 comes into contact with the design panel 11, and the misalignment of the positioning jig 50 with respect to the design panel 11 can be suppressed. Therefore, the operation unit holder 14 is attached to the design panel 11 at an accurate position. Further, the operation unit 15 is attached to the design panel 11 and the operation unit holder 14 at an accurate position. Therefore, the input device 10 can improve the mounting accuracy of the operation unit 15 and can improve the design.

<Modification example>
In the positioning jig 50 according to the modified example, the cross section of the tapered portion 53 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction may be substantially triangular. The substantially triangle includes an equilateral triangle and a shape in which the vertices of the equilateral triangle are R-shaped.

This also makes it possible to suppress the misalignment of the positioning jig 50 with respect to the design panel 11. Therefore, the position of the operation unit holder 14 with respect to the design panel 11 can be made accurate, and the operation unit 15 can be attached accurately. Therefore, the input device 10 can improve the mounting accuracy of the operation unit 15 and can improve the design.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments described and described above. Thus, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

10 Input device 11 Design panel 11a Hole (insertion hole)
12 Display unit 13 Frame panel 13a Hole 14 Operation unit holder 15 Operation unit 30 Cylindrical part 30a Inner wall 31 Mounting part 40 Fitting part 41 Step part 50 Positioning jig 51 First columnar part 52 Second columnar part 53 Tapered part

Claims (5)

With the design panel,
The positioning jig is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the design panel, and in a state where the tapered portion of the positioning jig is in contact with the design panel, the positioning control is performed from the side opposite to the insertion direction of the positioning jig. An operation unit holder that is fitted to the tool and attached to the design panel,
An input device including an operation unit that is inserted into the insertion hole and attached to the operation unit holder after the positioning jig is removed. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is cylindrical. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the tapered portion in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction is circular. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the tapered portion in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction is a substantially triangular shape. The process of inserting the positioning jig into the insertion hole formed in the design panel, and
The process of fitting the operation unit holder to the positioning jig from the side opposite to the insertion direction of the positioning jig while the tapered portion of the positioning jig is in contact with the design panel.
The process of attaching the operation unit holder to the design panel,
A method for assembling an input device, which comprises a step of inserting an operation unit into the insertion hole after the positioning jig is removed and attaching the operation unit to the operation unit holder.

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