JP3476534B2 - Operation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating device which is mounted on various electronic devices such as on-vehicle electronic devices so that a movable portion of a switch element can be pressed by an operating body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG . 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional example of an operating device which is mounted on various electronic devices and presses a movable portion of a switch element. In FIG. 6 , reference numeral 1 is a support frame, the upper surface of which is an operation surface 1a. A switch fixing plate 2 is fixedly provided inside the support frame 1 and fixed to the rear surface side of the portion where the operation surface 1a is formed with a gap.
Switch elements S, S are arranged on the switch fixing plate 2 with a space therebetween, and each switch element S, S is provided with movable buttons S1, S1 facing the direction of the support frame 1. An operating body 3 is interposed between the support frame 1 and the switch fixing plate 2. The central portion 3a of the operating body 3 projects from the opening 1b formed in the support frame 1 in front of the operating surface 1a. The base portion of the operating body 3 has flange portions 3b, 3b.
Are integrally formed, and pressing projections 3c, 3c facing the movable buttons S1, S1 of the switch elements S, S are integrally provided on the back surfaces of the flange portions 3b, 3b. A fulcrum protrusion 3d is integrally formed at the center of the back surface of the operation body 3,
Its tip is abutted against the switch fixing plate 2. Further, the flange portions 3b, 3b of the operating body 3 and the support frame 1
The compression coil springs 4 and 4 are interposed between the operation surface 1a and the back surface of the operation surface 1a.

In this operating device, when an external force is not applied to the operating body 3, the operating body 3 is in the neutral position shown by the solid line due to the balance of the elastic forces of the compression coil springs 4 and 4, and the pressing projections 3c and 3c. Is a switch element S,
It is separated from the S movable buttons S1 and S1. When the portion A of the central portion 3a of the operating body 3 is pressed, the operating body 3 rotates counterclockwise as shown by the chain line with the abutting portion between the fulcrum projection 3d and the switch fixing plate 2 as a fulcrum, The movable projection S of the switch element S on the left side of the drawing is pressed by the pressing protrusion 3c on the left side of the drawing.
1 is pressed. When the portion B of the central portion 3a of the operating body 3 is pressed, the operating body 3 rotates clockwise with the abutting portion between the fulcrum projection 3d and the switch fixing plate 2 as a fulcrum, and the right side of the drawing is pressed. The movable button S1 of the switch element S on the right side in the drawing is pressed by the protrusion 3c.

[0004]

In the operating device shown in FIG . 6 , the abutting portion between the fulcrum protrusion 3d provided at the central portion of the operating body 3 and the switch fixing plate 2 serves as the pivotal fulcrum of the operating body 3. ing. Therefore, the distance L1 between the pressing position indicated by A on the central portion 3a of the operating body 3 and the rotation fulcrum of the operating body 3 is short, and this distance L1 is almost half of the width of the central portion 3a on the left and right in the figure. ing. Since the movable button S1 of the switch element S is elastically biased in the switch OFF direction, when the movable button S1 is pressed, a repulsive force F is exerted to some extent. In order to press the movable button S1 against the repulsive force F, it is necessary to give the operating body 3 a moment larger than a predetermined value. However, the distance L between the rotation fulcrum and the portion indicated by A above
If 1 is short, a predetermined moment cannot be obtained unless the pressing force at the position A is increased. Therefore, if L1 is short, a stronger operation force than necessary is required, and the movable button S of the switch element S is required.
In some cases, it may not be possible to reliably press 1 in the ON direction, resulting in extremely poor operability or operation feeling.

Therefore, in order to obtain reliable operability, it is necessary to increase the dimension of the central portion 3a of the operating body 3 in the left-right direction in the drawing to increase the dimension L1. Therefore, the arrangement interval of the switch elements S, S in the left-right direction in the drawing becomes long, and the overall size of the operating device becomes large. Further, since the operating body 3 rotates by using the fulcrum protrusion 3d provided in the central portion as a fulcrum of rotation, as shown in FIG. The position of is projected forward from the operation surface 1a by a predetermined dimension h. This h
The protrusion having the size of 11 is unattractive as the operation of the central portion 3a of the operating body 3. Further, the central portion 3a of the operating body 3
6 rotates from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 to the state shown by the chain line in the opening region of the opening 1b, so that the periphery of the central portion 3a and the periphery of the opening 1b formed in the support frame 1 It is necessary to provide a gap δ to some extent to secure the above-mentioned rotation area. The degree of airtightness inside the support frame 1 is reduced by the amount of the gap δ, and dust or the like is likely to enter the support frame 1 through the gap δ. Further, for scrolling a screen on a display device of a vehicle-mounted navigation device, an operating device for indicating, for example, eight directions on the screen is used.

[0006] FIG. 7 is an operation device for such scroll operation, is illustrated on the assumption that providing the operation of the same structure as that shown in FIG. In this operating device, a switch fixing plate 7 fixed at intervals is provided on the back side of the support frame 5 serving as an operation surface, and eight switch elements S arranged in the switch fixing plate 7 in the circumferential direction. Is fixed. A disc-shaped operating body 6 is fitted into the opening 5 a of the support frame 5 from the back side. This operating body 6
A fulcrum projection 6a is integrally provided on the back surface of the center of the operating body 6, and the abutting portion between the fulcrum projection 6a and the switch fixing plate 7 serves as a pivotal fulcrum of the operating body 6, as in the operating device shown in FIG. There is. The movable button of each switch S is the operating body 6
Facing the outer peripheral back surface of the. Marks 6b, 6b, ... Which are formed by dividing the operation body 6 into eight in the circumferential direction are provided, and each mark 6b is formed at a position corresponding to each switch element S. When the edge portion of the operating body 6 is pushed in the portion where any of the marks 6b is formed, the operating body 6 moves in the direction of the switch fixing plate 7 with the abutting portion between the fulcrum protrusion 6a and the switch fixing plate 7 as the fulcrum. The movable button of the switch element S is pushed by the back surface of the operating body 6 corresponding to the pushed position mark 6b.

However, also in this operating device, if the distance L1 between the position where the operating body 6 is pressed by the finger and the rotation fulcrum provided with the fulcrum protrusion 6a is short, similar to the operating device shown in FIG. However, it becomes difficult to apply a sufficient pressing force to the movable button of the switch element S, and the operability or the feeling of operation becomes very bad. Therefore, the diameter of the operating body 6 must be made considerably large, and the operating device becomes large. On the contrary, if the operating space for the operating device cannot be sufficiently secured in the support frame 5 and the diameter of the operating body 6 is small, the operability or the feeling of operation becomes very bad. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the switch elements S are provided corresponding to the respective portions of the eight marks 6b of the operating body 6, it becomes necessary to provide eight switch elements S. The number is large and the cost is high. Further, when the eight switch elements S are arranged at an equal pitch, the switch arrangement space itself becomes large, which also increases the size of the operating device.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the related art. Even when the size of the operating body is small, good operability or operating feel can be obtained, and a plurality of switch elements are provided. Even in such a case, it is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device capable of operating each switch element with a good operating feeling.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a support frame and a front
Serial and operation of quadrilateral which is fitted from the back side of the support frame relative to the opening formed in the support frame, and the switch fixing member fixed at an interval on the back side of the support frame, the operating body and the operation member is interposed between the switch fixing member
The switch and elastic member for returning the direction away from the fixing member, four sides and the movable portion are arranged so as to surround the periphery of the operating body of the elastic member in the switch fixing member on
And a plurality of switch elements provided so as to face the back surface of each of the , the flange portion around the operating body.
The flange portion is formed on the back surface of the support frame.
Two facing ribs are formed on each side of the operating body.
And when each side of the quadrilateral of the operating body is pressed,
The rib and the front provided on the other side opposite to the pressing side
The abutting portion with the back surface of the support frame is used to support the rotation of the operating body.
One of the switches facing the pressing side is a point.
It is possible to operate the touch element,
When a corner is pressed, another corner that faces the corner to press
Two ribs located on both sides of the part and the back surface of the support frame
The abutting part of the
Two switch elements located on both sides of the corner to be pressed
It is characterized in that the child can be operated .

Further, in the present invention, the pressing operation of the operating body is performed.
On the work surface, the pressing point of each of the switch elements
And a mark is attached to the corner.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

In the present invention, the switch element is arranged around the elastic member.
They are arranged in rows, and four switch elements are arranged.
If done. The operating body is biased by the elastic member,
If no pressure is applied to the operating body,
The moving parts of all the switch elements are not pressed. Izu
At or near the part facing any switch element
When you push the operating body, the operating body pushes the pressing part and the elastic member.
Abutment between two ribs provided on opposite sides of the sandwich and the support frame
Rotate toward the switch fixing member with the lever as the fulcrum.
It As a result, the movable part of the switch element is
Is pressed. Also, the corners of the operating body are pushed.
And on both sides of the opposite corner that sandwiches this pressing part and the elastic member
The abutting portion between the two ribs and the supporting frame that are formed is used as a fulcrum of rotation.
Then, the operating body rotates in the direction of the switch fixing member. this
Two switch elements located on both sides of the corner when pressing
The moving parts of are pressed at the same time. Therefore, the operation at this time
The moving part of a single switch element pushes the input / output mode.
If it is different from when it was made, the actual switch
The number of input modes can be increased more than the number of H elements, for example, 4
Eight types of input operations can be performed when one switch element is provided.
It will be possible.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view showing a part of a display device in a vehicle-mounted navigation device as an electronic device equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device. Is a perspective view of the operating body as seen from the diagonal back direction,
4A and 4B show the operation of the operating device, which is IV- in FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the IV line. In the display device 10 of the vehicle-mounted navigation device shown in FIG. 1, a color liquid crystal panel 12 is provided at the center of a support frame 11 made of, for example, a plastic material. A portion of the support frame 11 below the color liquid crystal panel 12 serves as an operation surface 11a. The upper and lower width dimension H of the operation surface 11a in the figure is about 30 mm, which is a relatively small width dimension. Various operation buttons 13 are provided on the operation surface 11a.
Are arranged, and the operating device 20 of the first embodiment of the present invention is provided at the left end portion in the drawing. The operating device 20 is for scrolling a screen displayed on the color liquid crystal panel 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the support frame 11
A boss 11c is integrally formed on the back surface 11b of the operation surface 11a so as to project. A switch fixing member 21 is provided behind the back surface 11b. Switch fixing member 21
A fixing hole 21a is formed in the fixing hole 21a, and the fixing screw 22 is inserted into the fixing hole 21a as shown in FIG.
It is screwed to 1c. The boss 11c and the fixing hole 21a are provided at a plurality of places, and each of them is fixed by a fixing screw 22. As a result, the switch fixing member 21 is fixed to the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 with a predetermined gap. The switch fixing member 21 is, for example, the support frame 1
1 is a printed circuit board on which a lead pattern made of a conductive film is formed on the surface 21b facing the substrate 1. And this surface 21
4 switch elements S which are tact switch elements in b
a, Sb, Sc and Sd are fixed. The terminals of the respective switch elements Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd are electrically connected to the lead pattern, and the lead pattern functions as a signal line of each switch element.

The switch fixing member 21 does not necessarily have to be a printed circuit board, and may be made of a plate material having rigidity other than the printed circuit board, or the support frame 1.
The back frame or the back chassis provided on the back side of 1 may function as a switch fixing member, and the switch element may be directly fixed to the back frame or the back chassis. Alternatively, a support protrusion may be provided on the back frame, the back chassis, or the printed board, and the switch element may be fixed to the tip of the support protrusion. However, in order to simplify the wiring of the signal line to each switch element, the switch fixing member 21 is preferably a printed board. In addition, all switch elements S
It is not necessary that a, Sb, Sc, and Sd be fixed to the same switch fixing member 21, and separate switch fixing members may be provided for each individual switch element or for each of a plurality of switch elements. Four switch elements Sa to Sd
An elastic member 23 is fixed to the center of the array. The elastic member 23 is made of a highly elastic material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or a synthetic resin material having elasticity. As shown in FIG. 4, an engaging protrusion 23 a is integrally formed on the back surface of the elastic member 23.
3a is an engaging hole 21 formed in the switch fixing member 21.
The elastic member 23 is inserted into the switch fixing member 21c and is locked on the back surface of the switch fixing member 21.
It is fixed to. A support recess 23b is formed in the center of the front surface of the elastic member 23 facing the support frame 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switch fixing member 21
Above, the respective switch elements Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd are fixed at four positions in the figure, up, down, left and right, and the center of the movable button S1 which is the movable portion of each switch element Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, Distances from the center of the elastic member 23 are all the same dimension L
It is 2. The switch element in the illustrated embodiment is a tact switch element, and the movable portion is the back surface 11b of the support frame 11.
The movable button S1 elastically projects in the direction of
The switch element may be provided with a movable part having a lever structure, or the leaf contact may be the movable part as it is.

An operating body 25 is provided between the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 and the switch fixing member 21. The operating body 25 is made of a plastic material. The operating body 25 has a rectangular shape such as a square or a rectangle. The central portion of the front surface of the operating body 25 is an operation pressing portion 25a which is a rectangular protrusion, and the surface thereof is an operation pressing surface 25b. On the rear end side of the operating body 25, a flange portion 25c extending around the operation pressing portion 25a is integrally formed. A pair of minute ribs 26a and 26b are provided on the front surface of the flange portion 25c of the operating body 25 extending upward in the drawing.
And a pair of minute ribs 26c and 26d are formed on the front surface of the flange portion 25c extending to the left side in the drawing. Further, a pair of minute ribs 26e and 26f are provided on the front surface of the flange portion 25c extending to the right side in the figure, and a pair of minute ribs 26g and 26 are provided to the flange portion 25c extending to the lower side in the figure.
h are formed respectively. These minute ribs 26a
All of the through holes 26 to 26h are protruded from the front surface of the flange portion 25c toward the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 by a minute dimension. The minute ribs 26a to 26h may be formed together when the operating body 25 is molded with a resin material, but since they may be extremely minute convex ribs, they may be a coating film or a plating film on the surface of the operating body 25. May be formed by bulging a part of it in the direction of the back surface 11b of the support frame 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, an elastic projection 27 is formed in the central portion of the back surface of the operating body 25, and the pressing surfaces 28a, 28b, 28c, 27b, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 28c, 27c, 28c
28d is integrally formed. A rectangular opening 11d is formed in the support frame 11. As shown in FIG.
The operation pressing portion 25 a of the operation body 25 is provided on the back surface 11 of the frame body 11.
The operation pressing surface 2 is inserted into the opening 11d from the side b.
5 b projects slightly forward of the operation surface 11 a on the surface of the support frame 11. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), when the operating body 25 is fitted to the support frame 11 and the switch fixing member 21 is attached from the back side thereof, the elastic protrusion 27 provided on the back surface of the operating body 25 is elastic. Support recess 2 of member 23
Insert into 3b. Then, the elastic member 23 is slightly contracted, and the restoring elastic force of the elastic member 23 elastically biases the central portion of the operating body 25 toward the support frame 11. The elastic member 23
4 is provided to prevent the operating body 25 from being buried in the direction of the switch fixing member 21 in the state of FIG. 23 may not be contracted and may be in a free length state.

At this time, the minute ribs 26a to 26h formed on the front surface of the flange portion 25c of the operating body 25.
Contact the back surface 11 b of the support frame 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the abutting portion P is a portion where each of the minute ribs 26a to 26h and the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 abut. Then, the abutting portion P serves as a rotation fulcrum when the operating body 25 is pressed (see FIG. 4 (B)) .
Flange portion 25c may be also referred to as a flange portion. Further, the flange portion 25a or the flange portion need not be provided over the entire outer circumference of the operation pressing portion 25a, and a plurality of flange portions or flange portions may radially extend as protrusions on the outer circumference of the operation pressing portion 25a.

The outer peripheral dimension of the operation pressing portion 25a is the opening 11
The opening size is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the opening size of d, and when the operation pressing part 25a of the operating body 25 is fitted in the opening 11d, the outer peripheral surface of the operation pressing part 25a and the inner edge part of the opening 11d. The joint between the two (in Fig. 4 (A), (a)
In the part indicated by, there is almost no gap formed,
Alternatively, only very small gaps are formed.
Therefore, the structure is such that dust and the like are less likely to enter the support frame 11 through the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the operation pressing portion 25a and the inner edge portion of the opening 11d. Further, the pressing surfaces 28a to 28d formed on the back surface of the operating body 25 face the front surface of the movable button S1 of the switch elements Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the pressing force does not act on the operating body 25, and the minute ribs 26a to 26h are in contact with the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 (elastic member 2).
In the state of being returned to the support frame 11 direction by 3), the pressing surfaces 28a to 28d of the operating body 25 are
The switch elements Sa to Sd are in contact with the front surface of the movable button S1 and the movable button S1 is not pressed.
That is, the operation body 25 has a front surface side of the back surface 1 of the support frame 11.
Since the back surface hits the movable button S1 of the switch element in 1b, the operation body 25 is prevented from rattling in the vertical direction in FIG.

Since the operating body 25 does not rattle, the rattling noise of the operating body 25 is prevented even if the vehicle body vibration is transmitted to the support frame 11. Marks 30a to 30d and marks 31a to 31d are provided on the operation pressing surface 25b of the operation body 25. The mark 30a is provided on the surface of the operating body 25 corresponding to the switch element Sa, and the mark 30a
b, 30c and 30d are switching elements Sb and S, respectively.
It is attached to the surface of the operating body 25 corresponding to c and Sd.
The marks 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d are located at the corners of the operation pressing surface 25b, and are provided at positions corresponding to the middle of the adjacent switch elements.

Next, the operation of the operating device 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4A shows a state where the pressing force does not act on the operating body 25. At this time, the operating body 25 is elastically returned to the support frame 11 by the elastic member 23. That is, the elastic member 23 is provided to prevent the operation body 25 from being buried in the switch fixing member 21, and preferably, the operation member 25 is provided by the elastic member 23.
It is pressed toward the frame 11 by a light elastic force. As a result, the minute ribs 26a to 26h formed on the front surface of the flange portion 25c are brought into contact with the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 around the opening 11d by a light elastic force.

FIG. 4B shows a state in which the position where the mark 30a is attached on the operation pressing surface 25b on the front surface of the operation body 25 or the position in the vicinity thereof (position A) is pressed by a finger or the like. There is. When the A position is pushed, the position opposite to the A position with the elastic member 23 sandwiched therebetween becomes the fulcrum of rotation. Ie A
The abutting portion P between the minute ribs 26g and 26h provided on the end portion of the operating body 25 and the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 spaced apart in the same direction as the spacing direction between the switch elements Sa and Sb forming a set with respect to the position. Serves as a rotation fulcrum, and the operating body 25 rotates counterclockwise. At this time, the elastic member 23 slightly contracts, and the pressing surface 28a of the operating body 25 causes the switching element Sa to move.
The movable button S1 is pressed and the switch element Sa is turned on.

At this time, the distance between the A position where the operating body 25 is pushed and the abutting portion P which is the fulcrum of rotation is substantially equal to the width dimension of the operating body 25 in the left-right direction in the drawing, and the switch elements Sa and Sb are arranged. It is almost equal to the interval (2 × L2). By ensuring a sufficiently long distance between the position where the operating body 25 is pressed and the rotation fulcrum, it is possible to apply a sufficient moment to the operating body 25 by pressing the position A even if the width of the operating body 25 is small. Therefore, even if the pressing force is comparatively light, the elastic return force F of the movable button S1 of the switch element Sa is
It is possible to reliably press against the above, and to obtain a sufficiently satisfactory operation feeling. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the operation surface 11
The width dimension H of a is approximately 30 mm, and the width dimension H of the operating body 25 is
Although a is approximately 20 mm, even with the operating body 25 having such a small size, the abutting portion P serving as a rotation fulcrum.
With this, it is possible to secure a sufficiently long distance from the position A where the operating body 25 is pressed. When the pressing force at the position A is removed, the elastic return force of the elastic member 23 and the movable button S of the switch element Sa are removed.
The elastic restoring force F of 1 in the OFF direction causes the operating body 25 to return to the state shown in FIG.

When the position of the mark 30b of the operating body 25 or a position in the vicinity thereof is pushed, the minute ribs 26a, 26b formed on the flange portion 25c of the operating body 25 and the support frame 1 are pushed.
The operation body 25 is rotated by the abutting portion of the first member 1 with the back surface 11b serving as a fulcrum of rotation, and the movable button S1 of the switch element Sb is pressed. Similarly, when the position of the mark 30c or a position in the vicinity thereof is pushed, the minute ribs 26e, 26
The abutment portion between f and the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 serves as a rotation fulcrum, and when the position of the mark 30d or a position in the vicinity thereof is pushed, the abutment portion between the minute ribs 26c and 26d and the back surface 11b is a rotation fulcrum. Becomes As described above, when the positions of the marks 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d of the operating body 25 or the positions in the vicinity thereof are pressed, only one of the corresponding switch elements Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd is selected. Are pressed.

Next, for example, the mark 31d of the operating body 25
When the position (the position of the corner of the operation pressing surface 25b) or a position in the vicinity thereof is pressed, the abutting portion between the minute ribs 26a and 26c located on the opposite side (the symmetrical side) and the back surface 11b of the support frame 11 is pressed. The operating body 25 rotates as a rotation fulcrum.
At this time, by the pressing surfaces 28b and 28d of the operating body 25,
Movable buttons S for both switch element Sb and switch element Sd
1 is pressed at the same time. These two switch elements Sb and S
By simultaneously turning on d, the operation input mode different from that when the switch elements are individually pressed is set. The same applies when the positions of the other marks 31a, 31b, 31c or the positions in the vicinity thereof are pressed. Mark 31a
When the position of the is pressed, the switch elements Sa and Sc are both turned ON, when the position of the mark 31b is pressed, the switch elements Sa and Sd is turned ON together. Then, when the position of the mark 31c is pushed, both the switch elements Sb and Sc are turned on. In this way, the operation pressing surface 2
When any of the marks 31a to 31d located at the corners of 5b or a position in the vicinity thereof is pressed, the movable buttons of the two switch elements adjacent to both sides of the pressed position are pressed. However, the combination of switch elements that are operated differs depending on the pressing position of each mark. Therefore, when any of the marks 31a to 31d is pressed, four operation input modes are obtained.

Therefore, in the operating device 20 of the above embodiment,
Eight kinds of operation inputs can be performed according to the number of eight marks 30a to 30d and 31a to 31d formed on the operation pressing surface 25b. In addition, the number of switch elements may be four from Sa to Sd, and the maximum number of input modes can be set with the minimum number of switch elements. Since the number of switch elements is small and the size of the operating body 25 is small,
The operating device can be placed in a small space. The example in the figure
The operating device 20 is provided in the display device of the vehicle-mounted navigation device, and the map information displayed on the screen of the color liquid crystal panel 12 is scrolled by the eight operation input modes.

In the operating device 20, the operating body 25
The operation pressing surface 25b is a quadrilateral, and marks 30a to 30d are attached to the central portions of the sides, and marks 31a to 31d are formed on the corners of the quadrilateral. Therefore, even when operating the operation pressing surface 25b by hand,
It is possible to easily recognize the position of each mark only by the touch, and it is possible to perform the pressing operation accurately without visually observing the position of each mark in the operation such as at night. Also, with this operating device,
As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the operating body 25 is configured to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing with the abutting portion P as a fulcrum of rotation. The right end portion of 25 in the figure does not largely protrude forward from the operation surface 11 a on the surface of the support frame 11. That is, the operation surface 1 at the end of the operation body 25
The protrusion amount ha from 1a does not increase. Operating body 2
Since the end portion of 5 does not project forward from the operation surface 11a, the appearance of the operation body 25 during operation does not deteriorate.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the operating body 25
The left end portion in the figure, which is the pressing side of, is the back surface 11 b of the support frame 11.
To move inward from. Therefore, the operating body 25
Outer peripheral surface of the operation pressing portion 25a and the opening 11 of the support frame 11
Even if there is almost no gap with d as shown in FIG. 4 (A) (b), there is no hindrance to the rotating operation of the operating body 25. That is, unlike the conventional example of FIG. 8, the operating body does not rotate within the opening of the support frame, and the operating body 25 only moves in the direction away from the back surface 11b of the support frame 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the gap of the above-mentioned (a) part. By making the gap of the part (a) small, it becomes difficult for dust and the like to enter the inside of the support frame 11.

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

FIG . 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment , a spring fitting boss 27a is integrally formed at the center of the back surface of the operating body 25, and a coil spring 41 is attached to the outer periphery of the boss 27a. It is an elastic member that returns in a direction away from the switch fixing member 11. As the elastic member, various spring members such as a leaf spring can be used in addition to the coil spring. Further, the operation device of each of the above embodiments is not limited to being mounted only on the display device of the vehicle-mounted navigation device, and can be implemented on various other electronic devices.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pressing surface (28a or the like) is formed on the back surface of the operating body 25 as a pressing portion for pressing the movable button S1 of the switch element. However, instead of the pressing surface, the tip end is spherical or It is also possible to provide a sharp projection and use this projection as a pressing portion for pressing the movable button S1.

[0039]

As described above, in the operating device of the present invention, the distance between the pressing position of the operating body and the rotation fulcrum can be made substantially equal to the width dimension of the operating body. Therefore, even with a small operating body, the movable portion of the switch element can be sufficiently operated, the switch element can be reliably operated, and a good operation feeling can be obtained. Further, the arrangement interval of the switch elements is shortened, and the operating device can be made compact and can be arranged in a small space.

By pressing the operating body in the middle of the adjacent switch elements and operating both switch elements at the same time, it becomes possible to input various modes of operation with a small number of switch elements. Also in this case, since the number of switch elements can be reduced, not only the cost can be reduced, but also the size can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of a display device equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the operating body as seen obliquely from the rear,

4 (A) and (B) show the operation of the operating device and are sectional views taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an operating device of a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional operating device,

FIG. 7 is a front view of an operation unit equipped with a conventional operation device ,

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Support frame 11a Operation surface of support frame 11b Back of support frame 11d Support frame opening 20, 20A, 20B operating device 21 Switch fixing member 23 Elastic member 25 Manipulator 25a Operation pressing part 25b Operation pressing surface 25c Flange 26a to 26h Micro rib 27 Repression protrusion 28a-28d pressing surface 30a to 30d, 31a to 31d marks Sa to Sd switch element S1 movable button P abutting part

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-5-174672 (JP, A) JP-A-63-66811 (JP, A) JP-A-4-71128 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-60-129038 (JP , U) Actually open 60-69441 (JP, U) Actually open 4-61722 (JP, U) Actually open 61-201241 (JP, U) Actually open 1-80736 (JP, U) Actually open 62-10341 (JP, U) Actual development 61-44735 (JP, U) Actual development 61-44730 (JP, U) Actual development 60-107543 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 3/12 H01H 3/02 H01H 25/04 H01H 13/14

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A support frame, a quadrilateral operation body fitted into the opening formed in the support frame from the back surface side of the support frame, and fixed to the back surface side of the support frame with a space therebetween. and a switch fixed member, and an elastic member for returning the operating member is interposed between the switch fixing member and the operating member in a direction away from the switch fixing member, of the elastic member in the switch fixing member on A plurality of switch elements arranged so as to surround the periphery and provided so that the movable portion faces the respective back surfaces of the four sides of the operating body, and a flange portion is formed around the operating body, Said franc
A rib facing the back surface of the support frame is provided in
It is formed in two places on each side of the work body, and is pressed when each side of the quadrilateral of the operating body is pressed.
The rib and the support frame provided on the other side facing the side
The contact part with the back surface of the
And the one switch element facing the pressing side.
When the corners of the operating body are pressed, the
The two said ribs located on opposite sides of the other facing corner and
The abutting portion with the back surface of the support frame is a fulcrum of rotation of the operating body.
And two fronts located on both sides of the pressing corner
An operating device characterized in that the switch element can be operated. 2. The pressing operation surface of the operation body,
Make sure that each of the switch element pressing points and the corners are marked.
The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating device is provided with a ark.