JP3876578B2

JP3876578B2 - Rotary encoder and composite operation type electronic component using the same

Info

Publication number: JP3876578B2
Application number: JP32949599A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 貴裕西村; 哲也福田; 耕治尾野; 順佐藤
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1999-11-19
Filing date: 1999-11-19
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-19
Also published as: JP2001148216A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、回転操作時に変化の量（回転角）および変化の方向（回転方向）を知るための信号を発生する回転型エンコーダ、およびこれを用いた、携帯電話やコンピュータのマウス等に用いられる複合操作型電子部品に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
回転操作時に変化の量（回転角）および変化の方向（回転方向）を知るための電気信号を発生する従来の回転型エンコーダの接点部の平面図を図１３に示す。
【０００３】
同図において、１は回転接点板で、絶縁樹脂製の円形基板の表面に、共通接点としての円環状接点３とこれから外方に等角度で放射状に伸びた信号発生用接点としての櫛歯状接点４がインサート成形加工等により設けられた回転接点２となっており、この回転接点２に対して、基体部５から伸ばされた三つの弾性摺動子６および７，８の弾性接点６Ａおよび７Ａ，８Ａが半径方向に並列して弾接し、弾性接点６Ａは円環状接点３に、弾性接点７Ａおよび８Ａは櫛歯状接点４にそれぞれ接触しており、弾性接点７Ａと８Ａの接触位置が回転方向に少しずれるように設定されている。
【０００４】
そして、回転接点板１の回転動作に伴って弾性接点６Ａは円環状接点３上を、弾性接点７Ａおよび８Ａは櫛歯状接点４上をそれぞれ弾接摺動して、各弾性摺動子６および７，８の端子６Ｂおよび７Ｂ，８Ｂの６Ｂ−７Ｂ間および６Ｂ−８Ｂ間に、図１４の電気信号の波形図に示すような矩形波の電気信号を発生し、この端子６Ｂ−７Ｂ間に発生する電気信号（Ｍ信号）と端子６Ｂ−８Ｂ間に発生する電気信号（Ｎ信号）の数および両者の間の位相差ｔにより、使用機器の回路で回転角および回転方向を検知できるものであった。
【０００５】
また、このような回転型エンコーダを用いた従来の複合操作型電子部品としてのプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの外観斜視図を図１５に示す。
【０００６】
このプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダは図１５および図１６の側面断面図に示すように、本体である取付基板１１の片側に回転型エンコーダ部１２が、反対側に自力復帰型のプッシュスイッチ部１３が配置され、回転型エンコーダ部１２は垂直方向（図１５および１６に示す矢印Ｖ方向）に移動できるように、プッシュスイッチ部１３は動かないように固定されている。
【０００７】
この取付基板１１は、図１７の外観斜視図に示すように、平板状の樹脂体に回転型エンコーダ部１２の移動用のガイドレール部１４を有する窪み１５と、プッシュスイッチ部１３を固定するための窪み１６および回転型エンコーダ部１２の電気信号を外部へ伝達するための端子１７（１７Ａ，１７Ｂ，１７Ｃ）をそれぞれ有する三つの接点板１８（１８Ａ，１８Ｂ，１８Ｃ）が設けられている。
【０００８】
そして、図１６に示すように、取付基板１１の窪み１５のガイドレール部１４により垂直方向（矢印Ｖ方向）に動き得るように保持された回転型エンコーダ部１２は、上記に図１３を用いて説明したように、円形の操作つまみ１９の内面に取り付けられた回転接点板２０の表面の円環状接点とその外方の櫛歯状接点からなる回転接点２０Ａに対し、樹脂製の基体部２１から並列して伸ばされた三つの弾性摺動子２２Ａ，２２Ｂ，２２Ｃの各弾性接点が半径方向に並列して弾接した構成となっており、操作つまみ１９は円柱軸２３により回転可能なように保持されている。
【０００９】
さらに、上記の三つの弾性摺動子２２Ａ，２２Ｂ，２２Ｃのそれぞれと導通した三つの弾性接点脚２４が基体部１９から反対方向に突出して、上記三つの接点板１８（１８Ａ，１８Ｂ，１８Ｃ）に弾接している。
【００１０】
一方、自力復帰型のプッシュスイッチ部１３は、図１６に示すように、その操作ボタン２５が回転型エンコーダ部１２の円柱軸２３の押圧部２３Ａに当接して押し上げるように、取付基板１１の窪み１６にはめ込んで固定され、その電気信号を外部へ伝達するためのスイッチ端子２６が下方へ突出している。
【００１１】
このように構成されたプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダを使用機器に装着する場合には、使用機器の部分断面の側面図である図１８に示すように、取付基板１１下面の脚部１１Ａおよび回転型エンコーダ部１２の端子１７、プッシュスイッチ部１３のスイッチ端子２６を機器の配線基板２７の取付孔２８，２９に挿入・半田付けすることによって装着され、円形の操作つまみ１９の外周部１９Ａが操作部として機器の上ケース３０から突出するように取り付けられるものであった。
【００１２】
以上のように構成されたプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの動作は、まず、円形の操作つまみ１９の外周１９Ａに接線方向（図１５に示す矢印Ｈ方向）の力を加えて操作つまみ１９を回転させることにより、回転接点板２０が円柱軸２３を中心として回転し、その表面の回転接点２０Ａ上を基体部２１から伸ばされた三つの弾性摺動子２２Ａ，２２Ｂ，２２Ｃの各弾性接点が弾接しながら摺動して回転型エンコーダ部１２としての電気信号を発生し、この電気信号が弾性摺動子２２Ａ，２２Ｂ，２２Ｃから三つの弾性接点脚２４を経由して取付基板１１上の三つの接点板１８に伝わり、各端子１７を経て機器の配線基板２７の回路に伝達されるものである。
【００１３】
また、回転型エンコーダ部１２を押し上げている自力復帰型のプッシュスイッチ部１３の操作ボタン２５の付勢力に逆らって操作つまみ１９の外周部１９Ａに垂直方向（図１８に示す矢印Ｖ１方向）の押し力を加え、回転型エンコーダ部１２全体を取付基板１１のガイドレール部１４に沿って動かし、円柱軸２３の押圧部２３Ａで操作ボタン２５を押してプッシュスイッチ部１３を動作させると、その電気信号はスイッチ端子２６を経て配線基板２７の回路に伝達され、この後、操作つまみ１９に加えていた押し力を除くと、プッシュスイッチ部１３の自己復帰力によって回転型エンコーダ部１２が押し戻されて、元の状態に復帰するものであった。
【００１４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の回転型エンコーダにおいては、回転操作時の変化の量（回転角）および変化の方向（回転方向）を知るための二つの電気信号Ｎ，Ｎを発生させるために、共通接点としての円環状接点３とその外方の信号発生用接点としての櫛歯状接点４に対して、三つの弾性摺動子６，７，８の弾性接点６Ａ，７Ａ，８Ａを半径方向に並列して弾接させるものであるから、回転型エンコーダ全体としての径が大きくなるという課題があった。
【００１５】
そして、この回転型エンコーダを用いた複合操作型電子部品としてのプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダにおいては、回転型エンコーダ部１２を操作する円形の操作つまみ１９の外径を回転型エンコーダ１２の径よりも大きいものとしなければならず、また、使用機器に装着する場合、このプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの本体である取付基板１１の上端が機器の上ケース３０から出ないようにしなければならないと共に、機器の配線基板２７に載せる取付基板１１の下面を操作つまみ１９の外周よりも低くするために、機器の上ケース３０から配線基板２７までの間を広くしなければならず、したがって、機器のケースの寸法が高くなってしまうという課題があった。
【００１６】
本発明は、このような従来の課題を解決するものであり、回転操作時の変化の量および変化の方向を知るための電気信号を発生するクリック節度を備えた小さな径の回転型エンコーダを実現し、これを用いることによって、円形の操作つまみの外径を小さくすると共に、使用機器のケースの寸法を低くすることができ、そのクリック節度点において電気信号を容易に検知することができる複合操作型電子部品を提供することを目的とする。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明は、同一中心角の三つの扇形導電層を中心に対して１２０°の角度ピッチで配設し各扇形導電層に端子を配設した接点基板と、この接点基板の中心に対して点対称な位置にそれぞれ弾接する互いに導通した二つの弾性接点を保持して、上記接点基板の中心を回転中心として回転角６０°毎にクリック節度感を生じて回転可能で、そのクリック節度点において、上記二つの弾性接点が必ず二つの上記扇形導電層に弾接している可動接点体により回転型エンコーダを構成するものである。
【００１８】
これにより、回転操作時に三つの扇形導電層の端子間に発生する三種の電気信号の発生数および発生順序から、回転操作による変化の量および変化の方向を知ることができると共に、接点基板に弾接する二つの弾性接点が一つの半径上にあるクリック節度を備えた小さな径の回転型エンコーダを実現し、これを用いることによって、円形の操作つまみの外径を小さくできると共に、使用機器のケースの寸法を低くし、そのクリック節度点において電気信号を容易に検知することができる複合操作型電子部品を得ることができる。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、同一中心角の三つの扇形導電層を、絶縁基板の中心に対して１２０°の角度ピッチで同一円周上に配設し、各扇形導電層に電気信号取出し用の導出端子を配設した接点基板と、この接点基板の中心に対して点対称な同一円周上の位置に弾接する互いに導通した二つの弾性接点を保持して、上記接点基板の中心を回転中心として回転角６０°毎にクリック節度感を生じて回転可能で、そのクリック節度点において、上記二つの弾性接点が必ず二つの上記扇形導電層に弾接している可動接点体とからなる回転型エンコーダとしたものであり、回転操作時に三つの扇形導電層の端子間に三種の電気信号を１回転中に２回ずつ、クリック節度点である６０°の角度ピッチで計６回発生し、この三種の電気信号の発生数および発生順序から回転操作による変化の量（回転角）および変化の方向（回転方向）を知ることができると共に、接点基板に弾接する二つの弾性接点が一つの半径上にある小さな径の回転型エンコーダを実現できるという作用を有する。
【００２２】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、可動接点体の回転に伴って二つの弾性接点が接点基板上を弾接摺動する際の軌跡が重ならないように、上記二つの弾性接点が上記接点基板に弾接する位置を半径方向に僅かにずらしたものであり、回転操作時に二つの弾性接点が弾接摺動する接点基板上の扇形導電層および絶縁部の摩耗による劣化を少なくして、回転型エンコーダの寿命特性を向上させることができるという作用を有する。
【００２３】
請求項３に記載の発明は、一辺を支持軸として回転可能に支持された四角形の枠体と、この枠体の対向する二辺により、上記支持軸となる辺と平行に回転可能に保持され、外周が操作面となった円柱状の回転体と、この回転体の一端部に二つの弾性接点を有する可動接点体を保持し、これに対向する上記枠体の一辺の面を三つの扇形導電層および導出端子を備えた接点基板とし、上記回転体の他端部に装着したばね体の弾性突部を、上記枠体の上記他端部に対向する一辺の面に６０°の角度ピッチで設けた放射状凹凸部に弾接させることにより、上記回転体が上記６０°毎のクリック節度感を伴って回転し、そのクリック節度点において、上記二つの弾性接点が必ず二つの上記扇形導電層に弾接している請求項１記載の回転型エンコーダと、上記枠体の回動により、上記支持軸となる辺と対向する辺に押されて動作する自力復帰型の押圧操作部品部からなる複合操作型電子部品としたものであり、そのクリック節度点において容易に電気信号を検知することができる小さな径の回転型エンコーダを使用することによって円形の操作つまみの外径を小さくできると共に、本体である枠体も寸法が低い構成であるので、使用機器のケースの寸法を低くすることができる複合操作型電子部品を実現できるという作用を有する。
【００２４】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項３記載の発明において、枠体の支持軸となる辺を、上下および水平方向には動かず回動可能であるように、使用機器の上ケースと配線基板で挟持したものであり、請求項３に記載の発明による作用に加えて、複合操作型電子部品の構成部材を使用機器の部材と共用できることにより、複合操作型電子部品を装着した機器全体としての使用部材を少なくできて安価になると共に、複合操作型電子部品を装着した機器全体を低い寸法にすることができるという作用を有する。
【００２５】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項３記載の発明において、扇形導電層からそれぞれ導出された三本の導出端子を可撓性導体板とし、その先端を固定した絶縁樹脂製の接点ブロックを使用機器の上ケースと配線基板の間で挟持固定することによって、各可撓性導体板とそれぞれ導通して上記接点ブロックから突出した三つの弾性接続子を、上記配線基板上に設けられた三つの接点板に弾接導通させるものであり、回転型エンコーダ部の電気信号を使用機器の配線基板に伝達する部分を、一般に行われる半田付け工程を経ずに構成できるので、複合操作型電子部品の使用機器への装着・接続が容易であると共に、半田付け時の熱やフラックスによる影響を考慮しなくてもよいという作用を有する。
【００２６】
請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項５記載の発明において、接点ブロックを、枠体の支持軸となる辺の中間部下方に配設したものであり、請求項５に記載の発明による作用に加えて、接点ブロックを含む複合操作型電子部品の、使用機器の配線基板に対する投影面積を小さくすることができると共に、四角形の枠体の回動時に、枠体の接点基板となった辺と接点ブロックの間を繋ぐ三本の可撓性導体板が撓む量を最も小さくすることができて、繰返し撓みによる可撓性導体板の劣化を最も少なくすることができるという作用を有する。
【００２７】
請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項３記載の発明において、押圧操作部品部が、使用機器の配線基板上に導電層で形成されたスイッチ固定接点上に弾性金属薄板製の円形ドーム状可動接点を載せて形成されたプッシュスイッチであるものであり、自力復帰型で動作時に節度感を有するプッシュスイッチを、コンパクトで、しかも配線基板に装着される他の構成部材と高い位置精度に備えることができるという作用を有する。
【００２９】
以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を用いて説明する。
【００３０】
（実施の形態１）
図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態による回転型エンコーダの接点部の平面図であり、同図において、３１は固定側の接点を保持した接点基板、３２は可動側の接点を保持した可動接点体である。
【００３１】
接点基板３１は、絶縁樹脂製の略円形の基板３３の表面に、図２の平面図に示すように、金属薄板を打抜き加工して形成された中心角が同一の１００°である三つの扇形導電層３４Ａ，３４Ｂ，３４Ｃが、インサート成形加工により中心に対して１２０°の角度ピッチで同一円周上を通るように配設されたもので、この三つの扇形導電層３４Ａ，３４Ｂ，３４Ｃは第一端子３５Ａ、第二端子３５Ｂ、第三端子３５Ｃをそれぞれ有している。
【００３２】
また、可動接点体３２は、弾性金属薄板を打抜き曲げ加工して形成されたものであり、図３の平面図に示すように、接点基板３１の中心に対して点対称な同一円周上の位置に弾接する互いに導通する二つの弾性接点３６Ａ，３６Ｂを有している。
【００３３】
そして、図４の回転型エンコーダの側面断面図に示すように、可動接点体３２を保持した絶縁樹脂製の回転体３７を、接点基板３１の中心に対して同心位置で回転するように組み合わせることによって、接点基板３１と可動接点体３２は、図１に示すように同心状に組み合わされて、二つの弾性接点３６Ａ，３６Ｂが三つの扇形導電層３４Ａ，３４Ｂ，３４Ｃの半径方向の幅の略中心の円周上に弾接している。
【００３４】
各弾性接点３６Ａ，３６Ｂが弾性脚と接点を二つずつ有しているのは、弾接点における接触を安定させるためであり、これを一つずつにすることによって接点基板３１および可動接点体３２の径を小さくできる。
【００３５】
また、図４において、３８は回転体３７を回転操作するための操作軸、３９はこの操作軸３８を回転可能に支持する軸受であり、さらに、この軸受３９の根元の面に６０°の角度ピッチで凹部が設けられた放射状凹凸部３９Ａに対し、回転体３７に保持された弾性金属薄板製のばね体４０の弾性突部４０Ａが弾接して、操作軸３８の回転操作時にクリック節度感を生じると共に、回転体３７に保持された可動接点体３２を６０°毎の角度位置に設けられたクリック節度点で停止させる節度機構部を構成している。
【００３６】
本実施の形態による回転型エンコーダは以上のように構成されるものであり、次にその動作について説明する。
【００３７】
図５（ａ）〜（ｃ）は本回転型エンコーダの回転操作時の接点部の状態を示す概念図、図６は電気信号の波形図である。
【００３８】
まず、図５（ａ）に示すように、ばね体４０の弾性突部４０Ａが放射状凹凸部３９Ａのクリック節度点である凹部にはまり込んで回転体３７が停止した状態においては、可動接点体３２の弾性接点３６Ａ（白丸で示す）は扇形導電層３４Ｃに、弾性接点３６Ｂ（黒丸で示す）は扇形導電層３４Ｂにそれぞれ接触して両者の間を短絡し、その電気信号が第三端子３５Ｃと第二端子３５Ｂから導出される。この場合の信号波形は図６の［Ｉ］で示すものとなる。
【００３９】
次に、この状態から操作軸３８を時計方向に回転操作して回転体３７を６０°だけ回転させ、図５（ｂ）に示すように、ばね体４０の弾性突部４０Ａが放射状凹凸部３９Ａの次のクリック節度点である凹部に、節度感を伴ってはまり込んだ位置において、可動接点体３２の弾性接点３６Ｂはやはり扇形導電層３４Ｂに接触したままであるが、弾性接点３６Ａは扇形導電層３４Ｃから離れて扇形導電層３４Ａに接触して、今度は扇形導電層３４Ｂと３４Ａの間を短絡し、その電気信号は第二端子３５Ｂと第一端子３５Ａから導出される。この場合の信号波形は図６の［II］で示すものとなる。
【００４０】
そして、回転体３７をさらに時計方向に６０°回転させた図５（ｃ）に示すように、可動接点体３２の弾性接点３６Ａと３６Ｂが扇形導電層３４Ａと３４Ｃの間を短絡して、その電気信号が第一端子３５Ａと第三端子３５Ｃから導出される。この場合の信号波形は図６の［III］で示すものとなる。
【００４１】
同様に、回転体３７を回転させていくと、可動接点体３２の弾性接点３６Ａと３６Ｂは６０°の角度ピッチで、順次図５（ａ），図５（ｂ），図５（ｃ）各位置の場合と同様の接触状態を繰り返して、図６に示すような三種の波形の電気信号を、所定の端子から６０°の安定した角度ピッチで１回転に２回ずつ計６回発生する。
【００４２】
ここで、本回転型エンコーダは節度機構部を備えていることによって、上記のように、回転操作時に回転体３７を節度感を伴って確実に所定の角度位置で停止させることができ、各停止位置図５（ａ）、図５（ｂ）、図５（ｃ）において、可動接点体３２の二つの弾性接点が必ず三つの内の二つの扇形導電層に弾接して、所定の電気信号を発生することができるものである。
【００４３】
そして、本回転型エンコーダを使用する機器の回路において、三種の電気信号の発生数および発生順序から、回転操作による変化の量（回転角）および変化の方向（回転方向）を知ることができ、また扇形導電層３４Ａ，３４Ｂ，３４Ｃの中心角を９０°に設定した場合には、電気信号が発生する角度範囲と発生が途切れるオープン時の角度範囲が等しい安定した電気信号を得ることができる。
【００４４】
さらに、本回転型エンコーダは接点基板３１に弾接する可動接点体３２の二つの弾性接点３６Ａ，３６Ｂが同一半径上にあるので、回転型エンコーダの径を小さくすることができるものである。
【００４５】
また、上記の説明においては、可動接点体３２の二つの弾性接点３６Ａ，３６Ｂは接点基板３１の同一半径位置に弾接し、回転操作時に同一円周上を弾接摺動するように説明したが、二つの弾性接点３６Ａ，３６Ｂの弾接摺動時の軌跡が重ならないように、弾接位置を半径方向に僅かに（０．１〜０．２ｍｍ程度）ずらせておくと、接点基板３１上の三つの扇形導電層３４Ａ，３４Ｂ，３４Ｃおよび絶縁部の摩耗による劣化を少なくして、回転型エンコーダの寿命特性を向上させることができるものである。
【００４６】
（実施の形態２）
図７は本発明の第２の実施の形態による複合操作型電子部品としてのプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの部分断面の外観斜視図、図８は同正面断面図、図９は図８のＰ−Ｐ線における断面図、図１０は同分解斜視図である。
【００４７】
同図に示すように、このプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダは、使用機器の上ケース４１に設けられた支持部４１Ａと配線基板４２の間で支持軸となる一辺４３Ａを回動可能に支持された四角形の枠体４３内に、回転体４５が回転可能に保持され、その外周４５Ａが操作部として上ケース４１の開口部４１Ｃから突出すると共に、回転体４５の一端に保持された、二つの弾性接点４６Ａ，４６Ｂを有する可動接点体４６を、これに対向する枠体４３の一辺５３に形成された三つの扇形導電層４７Ａ，４７Ｂ，４７Ｃを有する接点基板部４７と同心状に組み合わせて、上記実施の形態１で説明した回転型エンコーダを構成し、さらに、枠体４３の支持軸となる一辺４３Ａと対向する辺４３Ｂの下方の配線基板４２上に自力復帰型のプッシュスイッチ４８を配設したものであり、円形の操作つまみとしての回転体４５の外径が小さいと共に、このプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダを使用する機器のケースの寸法を低くできる構成となっている。
【００４８】
各部の構成について説明すると、まず、四角形の枠体４３は絶縁樹脂からなり、図７および図１０に示すように、回動時の支持軸となる一辺４３Ａとこれに対向する辺４３Ｂを辺４４で連結したコの字形体５０の開口部を、板状の辺５３および補強金具５４で塞ぐように、辺４３Ａと辺４３Ｂ先端のボス５５Ａと５５Ｂを辺５３および補強金具５４の孔５３Ａと５３Ｂおよび５４Ａと５４Ｂに通して熱カシメすることにより形成したものである。
【００４９】
なお、辺４４には回転体４５の保持孔５１Ａおよび放射状凹凸部５２が、辺５３には回転体４５の保持孔５１Ｂおよび接点基板部４７（図８参照）がそれぞれ対向して設けられている。
【００５０】
そして、辺４３Ａの両端部の位置に、辺４３Ａと５３から同一軸線上の二つの円形支持部５６Ａ，５６Ｂが突出し、図７および図９に示すように、使用機器の上ケース４１に設けられた支持部４１Ａ先端のＵ字溝４１Ｂと配線基板４２の間に、上下方向には動かず回動可能であるように挟持されており、本回転型エンコーダを使用する機器全体としての使用部材が少なく安価であると共に、寸法の低い構成となっている。
【００５１】
次に、四角形の枠体４３の対向する二つの保持孔５１Ａ，５１Ｂにより回転可能に保持された回転体４５は、外周４５Ａが操作部となった円形の操作つまみであると共に、図８および図１０に示すように、一端の窪み部４５Ｂ内には弾性金属薄板製の可動接点体４６を、他端の窪み部４５Ｄ内にはこれも弾性金属薄板からなるばね体５７を、いずれも共回りするように保持している。
【００５２】
この可動接点体４６は、図１０に示すように、中心に対して点対称な位置の弾性接点４６Ａ，４６Ｂをそれぞれ先端に有する二つの弾性脚４６Ｅを平板部４６Ｄから突出させて形成したもので、平板部４６Ｄに設けた二つの孔４６Ｆに回転体４５の窪み部４５Ｂ底面の二つのダボ４５Ｃを係合カシメすることにより、ガタツキなく回転体４５に保持されている。
【００５３】
そして、図８に示すように、可動接点体４６の二つの弾性接点４６Ａ，４６Ｂは、回転体４５の窪み部４５Ｂと対向する枠体４３の辺５３に設けられた接点基板部４７に弾接して、回転体４５の回転時に電気信号を発生するエンコーダ部５８を形成している。
【００５４】
なお、接点基板部４７の表面には、実施の形態１による回転型エンコーダの接点基板３１と同様に、金属薄板を打抜き加工して形成された中心角が１００°の大きさの三つの扇形導電層４７Ａ，４７Ｂ，４７Ｃ（図示せず）が、インサート成形加工により中心に対して１２０°の角度ピッチで同一円周上に配設されている。
【００５５】
また、ばね体５７は、図１０に示すように、平板部５７Ａから伸ばされた弾性アーム５７Ｂの先端に弾性突部５７Ｃを有し、弾性アーム５７Ｂとは反対側に平板部５７Ａから突出した二つの折曲げ部５７Ｄを回転体４５の窪み部４５Ｄ内の二つの孔（図示せず）に圧入することによってガタツキなく結合されており、図８に示すように、弾性突部５７Ｃが回転体４５の窪み部４５Ｄと対向する辺４４に６０°の角度ピッチで凹部が設けられた放射状凹凸部５２に弾接して、回転体４５の回転時にクリック節度感を生じると共に、エンコーダ部５８の可動接点体４６を所定の角度位置で停止させる節度機構部５９を構成している。
【００５６】
一方、四角形の枠体４３の板状の辺５３の辺４３Ａ側の端部からは、接点基板部４７の三つの扇形導電層４７Ａ，４７Ｂ，４７Ｃのそれぞれと導通した三本の可撓性導体板６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃが導出されて、その先端を辺４３Ａの中間部下方に配設された接点ブロック６１に固定され、さらに接点ブロック６１は、図１１の接点ブロック部の正面断面図に示すように、使用機器の上ケース４１に設けられた支持部４１Ａに支持された弾性体６２によって配線基板４２に押圧固定されており、これによって、各可撓性導体板６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃとそれぞれ導通して接点ブロック６１から突出した三つの弾性接続子６２Ａ，６２Ｂ，６２Ｃが配線基板４２上の三つの接点板６３に弾接導通して、エンコーダ部５８からの電気信号を使用機器の回路に伝達するようになっている。
【００５７】
なお、この三本の可撓性導体板６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃを四角形の枠体４３の回動時に支持軸となる辺４３Ａの近くから導出し、これらを結合した接点ブロック６１を辺４３Ａの中間部下方に配設することによって、枠体４３の回動時の可撓性導体板６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃが撓む量を非常に少なくできると共に、接点ブロック６１を含むこのプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの配線基板４２に対する投影面積が小さくなっている。
【００５８】
さらに、四角形の枠体４３の辺４３Ｂ下方の配線基板４２上に配設された自己復帰型のプッシュスイッチ４８は、図９および図１０に示すように、配線基板４２上に導電層により形成されたスイッチ固定接点４８Ａ上に弾性金属薄板製の円形ドーム状可動接点４８Ｂを載せ、その上部を下面に粘着層を有する可撓性の絶縁フィルム４８Ｃで覆って形成されたものであり、コンパクトであると共に、配線基板４２上の他の構成部材と高い位置精度に配設されている。
【００５９】
そして、図９に示すように、この自己復帰型のプッシュスイッチ４８の上端部に枠体４３の辺４３Ｂ下面の押圧用突部４８Ｄが当接して上方に付勢されることにより、枠体４３はその回動範囲の上端位置に保持されている。
【００６０】
本実施の形態によるプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダは以上のように構成されるものであり、次にその動作について説明する。
【００６１】
まず、図７〜図９において、使用機器の上ケース４１の開口部４１Ｃから突出した操作つまみとしての回転体４５の外周４５Ａに接線方向（図７および図９に示す矢印Ｈ方向）の力を加えて回転体４５を回転させることによって、その両端部に保持された可動接点体４６の二つの弾性接点４６Ａ，４６Ｂが接点基板部４７上を、ばね体５７の弾性突部５７Ｃが放射状凹凸部５２上をそれぞれ弾接摺動して、エンコーダ部５８が動作する。
【００６２】
すなわち、実施の形態１による回転型エンコーダにおいて図５を用いて説明したように、ばね体５７の弾性突部５７Ｃが放射状凹凸部５２のクリック節度点である凹部に停止した状態から、６０°の角度ピッチで順に次の凹部に節度感を伴ってはまり込む位置において、可動接点体４６の二つの弾性接点４６Ａ，４６Ｂは接点基板部４７の三つの扇形導電層４７Ａ，４７Ｂ，４７Ｃの内の二つの扇形導電層に順次接触して、実施の形態１において図６を用いて説明したように、三種の電気信号を順次発生する。
【００６３】
この電気信号を発生する時の動作は、実施の形態１による回転型エンコーダの場合と同じであるので、詳しい説明は省略する。
【００６４】
そして、回転型エンコーダ部５８で発生した電気信号は、接点基板部４７の三つの扇形導電層４７Ａ，４７Ｂ，４７Ｃのそれぞれと導通した三本の可撓性導体板６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃおよび接点ブロック６１から突出した三つの弾性接続子６２Ａ，６２Ｂ，６２Ｃを経て、配線基板４２上の三つの接点板６３に伝わり、使用機器の回路に伝達される。
【００６５】
なお、上記で説明した、四角形の枠体４３の辺４３Ｂを上端位置に押し上げているプッシュスイッチ４８の付勢力は、回転体４５の外周４５Ａを回転操作する際に、回転体４５を保持する枠体４３が回動しない大きさに設定されている。
【００６６】
次に、図７〜図９において、回転体４５を保持した四角形の枠体４３の辺４３Ｂを上方に押し上げているプッシュスイッチ４８の付勢力に逆らって、操作つまみとしての回転体４５の外周４５Ａに垂直方向（図７および図９に示すＶ１方向）の押し力を加えると、枠体４３は支持部４１ＡのＵ字溝４１Ｂと配線基板４２に挟持された辺４３Ａの両端部の位置の円形支持部５６Ａ，５６Ｂを中心として回動し、図１２に示すように、辺４３Ｂ下面の押圧用突部４８Ｄが下がって、プッシュスイッチ４８が動作する。
【００６７】
すなわち、可撓性の絶縁フィルム４８Ｃを介して押圧用突部４８Ｄが円形ドーム状可動接点４８Ｂの上面中央部を下方に強く押すことによって、図１２に示すように、円形ドーム状可動接点４８Ｂは節度感を伴って弾性反転し、中央部下面が中央固定接点４８Ｅに接触することによって、スイッチ固定接点４８Ａと中央固定接点４８Ｅの間が短絡してスイッチＯＮとなり、その信号は配線基板４２上の使用機器の回路に伝達される。
【００６８】
この後、回転体４５の外周４５Ａに加えていた押し力を除くと、プッシュスイッチ４８の円形ドーム状可動接点４８Ｂが弾性復元力によって元の形状に復帰して再びスイッチＯＦＦとなり、押圧用突部４８Ｄを備えた辺４３Ｂが上方に押し上げられると共に、枠体４３は、図９に示す元の回動範囲の上端位置に戻る。
【００６９】
なお、回転体４５の外周４５Ａに押し力を加えて枠体４３を回動させる際に、エンコーダ部５８の三本の可撓性導体板６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃが撓むが、前述のように、その量は非常に少ないものである。
【００７０】
また、この回転体４５の外周４５Ａに押し力を加えて枠体４３を回動させる際に、回転体４５の端部に保持されたばね体５７の弾性突部５７Ｃが枠体４３の辺４４に設けられた放射状凹凸部５２の凹部内にはまり込んでいるので、枠体４３に対して回転体４５が回転せず、したがってエンコーダ部５８は動作しない。
【００７１】
以上のように本実施の形態によれば、回転操作時に発生する三種の電気信号の発生数および発生順序から、回転操作による変化の量および変化の方向を知ることができる小さな径の回転型エンコーダ部５８を使用することによって、円形の操作つまみとしての回転体４５の外径が小さく、さらに本体である枠体４３も低い寸法であるので、使用機器のケースの寸法を低くすることができる複合操作型電子部品を実現することができるものである。
【００７２】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、回転操作時に発生する三種の電気信号の発生数および発生順序から、回転操作による変化の量および変化の方向を知ることができると共に、接点基板に弾接する二つの弾性接点が一つの半径上にあるクリック節度を備えた小さな径の回転型エンコーダを実現でき、これを用いることによって、円形の操作つまみの外径を小さくできると共に、使用機器のケースの寸法を低くし、そのクリック節度点において電気信号を容易に検知することができる複合操作型電子部品を得ることができるという有利な効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態による回転型エンコーダの接点部の平面図
【図２】同要部である接点基板の平面図
【図３】同可動接点体の平面図
【図４】同回転型エンコーダの側面断面図
【図５】同回転操作時の接点部の状態を説明する概念図
【図６】同電気信号の波形図
【図７】本発明の第２の実施の形態による複合操作型電子部品としてのプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの部分断面の外観斜視図
【図８】同正面断面図
【図９】図８のＰ−Ｐ線における断面図
【図１０】同分解斜視図
【図１１】同接点ブロック部の正面断面図
【図１２】同プッシュスイッチの動作状態を説明する側面断面図
【図１３】従来の回転型エンコーダの接点部の平面図
【図１４】同電気信号の波形図
【図１５】従来の複合操作型電子部品としてのプッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダの外観斜視図
【図１６】同側面断面図
【図１７】同要部である取付基板の外観斜視図
【図１８】同プッシュスイッチ付回転型エンコーダを装着した機器の部分断面の側面図
【符号の説明】
３１接点基板
３２，４６可動接点体
３３基板
３４Ａ，３４Ｂ，３４Ｃ，４７Ａ，４７Ｂ，４７Ｃ扇形導電層
３５Ａ第一端子
３５Ｂ第二端子
３５Ｃ第三端子
３６Ａ，３６Ｂ，４６Ａ，４６Ｂ弾性接点
３７回転体
３８操作軸
３９軸受
３９Ａ，５２放射状凹凸部
４０，５７ばね体
４０Ａ，５７Ｃ弾性突部
４１上ケース
４１Ａ支持部
４１ＢＵ字溝
４１Ｃ開口部
４２配線基板
４３枠体
４３Ａ，４３Ｂ，４４，５３辺
４５回転体
４５Ａ外周
４５Ｂ，４５Ｄ窪み部
４５Ｃダボ
４６Ｄ，５７Ａ平板部
４６Ｅ弾性脚
４７接点基板部
４８プッシュスイッチ
４８Ａスイッチ固定接点
４８Ｂ円形ドーム状可動接点
４８Ｃ絶縁フィルム
４８Ｄ押圧用突部
４８Ｅ中央固定接点
５０コの字形体
５１Ａ，５１Ｂ保持孔
４６Ｆ，５３Ａ，５３Ｂ，５４Ａ，５４Ｂ孔
５４補強金具
５５Ａ，５５Ｂボス
５６Ａ，５６Ｂ円形支持部
５７Ｂ弾性アーム
５７Ｄ折曲げ部
５８エンコーダ部
５９節度機構部
６０Ａ，６０Ｂ，６０Ｃ可撓性導体板
６１接点ブロック
６２弾性体
６２Ａ，６２Ｂ，６２Ｃ弾性接続子
６３接点板[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used for a rotary encoder that generates a signal for knowing the amount of change (rotation angle) and the direction of change (rotation direction) during a rotation operation, and a mobile phone or a computer mouse using the encoder. The present invention relates to a composite operation type electronic component.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 13 shows a plan view of a contact portion of a conventional rotary encoder that generates an electrical signal for knowing the amount of change (rotation angle) and the direction of change (rotation direction) during a rotation operation.
[0003]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating contact plate, on a surface of a circular substrate made of an insulating resin, an annular contact 3 as a common contact and a comb tooth shape as a signal generating contact extending radially outward at an equal angle. The contact 4 is a rotary contact 2 provided by insert molding or the like, and the elastic contact 6A of the three elastic sliders 6 and 7 and 8 extended from the base portion 5 with respect to the rotary contact 2 and 7A and 8A are elastically contacted in parallel in the radial direction, the elastic contact 6A is in contact with the annular contact 3, the elastic contacts 7A and 8A are in contact with the comb-shaped contact 4, and the contact positions of the elastic contacts 7A and 8A are It is set to deviate slightly in the rotation direction.
[0004]
As the rotary contact plate 1 rotates, the elastic contact 6A is elastically slid on the annular contact 3, and the elastic contacts 7A and 8A are elastically slid on the comb-shaped contact 4, respectively. 14 and the terminals 6B of 7 and 8 and between the terminals 6B and 7B of 7B and 8B and between the terminals 6B and 8B, a rectangular wave electric signal is generated as shown in the waveform diagram of the electric signal in FIG. Rotation angle and rotation direction can be detected by the circuit of the device used by the number of electrical signals (M signal) generated at the terminal and the number of electrical signals (N signal) generated between the terminals 6B-8B and the phase difference t between them. Met.
[0005]
FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of a rotary encoder with push switch as a conventional composite operation type electronic component using such a rotary encoder.
[0006]
As shown in the side sectional views of FIGS. 15 and 16, the rotary encoder with push switch has a rotary encoder portion 12 on one side of the mounting substrate 11 as a main body, and a self-return type push switch portion 13 on the opposite side. The push switch unit 13 is fixed so as not to move so that the rotary encoder unit 12 can be moved in the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow V shown in FIGS. 15 and 16).
[0007]
As shown in the external perspective view of FIG. 17, the mounting substrate 11 is used to fix the depression 15 having the guide rail portion 14 for moving the rotary encoder portion 12 and the push switch portion 13 to a flat resin body. There are provided three contact plates 18 (18A, 18B, 18C) each having terminals 17 (17A, 17B, 17C) for transmitting electrical signals of the hollow 16 and the rotary encoder section 12 to the outside.
[0008]
Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the rotary encoder unit 12 held so as to be movable in the vertical direction (arrow V direction) by the guide rail portion 14 of the recess 15 of the mounting substrate 11 is described above with reference to FIG. 13. As described, from the resin base portion 21 to the rotary contact 20A composed of the annular contact on the surface of the rotary contact plate 20 attached to the inner surface of the circular operation knob 19 and the comb-like contact on the outside thereof. The elastic contact points of the three elastic sliders 22A, 22B, 22C extended in parallel are elastically contacted in parallel in the radial direction, and the operation knob 19 can be rotated by the cylindrical shaft 23. Is retained.
[0009]
Further, three elastic contact legs 24 that are electrically connected to each of the three elastic sliders 22A, 22B, and 22C protrude in the opposite direction from the base portion 19, and the three contact plates 18 (18A, 18B, and 18C). It is elastically touching.
[0010]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the self-returning push switch unit 13 has a depression in the mounting substrate 11 so that the operation button 25 contacts and pushes up the pressing unit 23 A of the cylindrical shaft 23 of the rotary encoder unit 12. The switch terminal 26 is fixed by being fitted into the pin 16 and transmits the electric signal to the outside.
[0011]
When the rotary encoder with push switch configured in this way is mounted on a device to be used, as shown in FIG. 18, which is a side view of a partial cross section of the device to be used, The terminal 17 of the encoder section 12 and the switch terminal 26 of the push switch section 13 are mounted by being inserted and soldered into the mounting holes 28 and 29 of the wiring board 27 of the device, and the outer peripheral portion 19A of the circular operation knob 19 is the operation section. It was attached so that it might protrude from the upper case 30 of an apparatus.
[0012]
In the operation of the rotary encoder with push switch configured as described above, first, the operation knob 19 is rotated by applying a force in the tangential direction (the direction indicated by the arrow H in FIG. 15) to the outer periphery 19A of the circular operation knob 19. As a result, the rotary contact plate 20 rotates about the cylindrical shaft 23, and the elastic contacts of the three elastic sliders 22A, 22B, 22C extended from the base portion 21 are elastically contacted on the rotary contact 20A on the surface thereof. While sliding, an electrical signal is generated as the rotary encoder 12, and the electrical signal is sent from the elastic sliders 22 A, 22 B, 22 C to the three contacts on the mounting substrate 11 via the three elastic contact legs 24. It is transmitted to the board 18 and is transmitted to the circuit of the wiring board 27 of the device through each terminal 17.
[0013]
Further, the vertical push (in the direction of the arrow V1 shown in FIG. 18) of the outer peripheral portion 19A of the operation knob 19 against the urging force of the operation button 25 of the self-returning push switch 13 that pushes up the rotary encoder 12 is performed. When a force is applied to move the entire rotary encoder portion 12 along the guide rail portion 14 of the mounting substrate 11 and the operation button 25 is pushed by the pressing portion 23A of the cylindrical shaft 23, the push switch portion 13 is operated. When the push force applied to the operation knob 19 is removed after that, the rotary encoder unit 12 is pushed back by the self-returning force of the push switch unit 13 and is transmitted back to the circuit of the wiring board 27 via the switch terminal 26. It was to return to the state of.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional rotary encoder, in order to generate two electric signals N and N for knowing the amount of change (rotation angle) and the direction of change (rotation direction) during the rotation operation, The elastic contacts 6A, 7A, and 8A of the three elastic sliders 6, 7, and 8 are arranged in parallel in the radial direction with respect to the annular contact 3 and the comb-shaped contact 4 as a signal generating contact on the outer side. There is a problem that the diameter of the rotary encoder as a whole increases because it is elastically contacted.
[0015]
In the rotary encoder with push switch as the composite operation type electronic component using this rotary encoder, the outer diameter of the circular operation knob 19 for operating the rotary encoder unit 12 is set to be larger than the diameter of the rotary encoder 12. In addition, when it is to be mounted on a device to be used, the upper end of the mounting substrate 11 which is the main body of the rotary encoder with push switch must be prevented from coming out of the upper case 30 of the device. In order to make the lower surface of the mounting substrate 11 placed on the wiring board 27 lower than the outer periphery of the operation knob 19, the space between the upper case 30 of the device and the wiring substrate 27 must be widened. There existed a subject that a dimension will become high.
[0016]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and generates an electrical signal for knowing the amount of change and the direction of change during a rotation operation. With click moderation Realizing and using a rotary encoder with a small diameter makes it possible to reduce the outer diameter of the circular control knob and reduce the size of the case of the equipment used. Can be easily detected at the click moderation point An object is to provide a composite operation type electronic component.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a contact board in which three fan-shaped conductive layers having the same central angle are arranged at an angle pitch of 120 ° with respect to the center, and terminals are arranged on each fan-shaped conductive layer, Holds two mutually conductive elastic contacts that elastically contact each other at point symmetry with respect to the center of the substrate. The center of rotation of the contact substrate can be rotated with a click mode feeling at every rotation angle of 60 °, and the two elastic contacts always make elastic contact with the two fan-shaped conductive layers at the click mode point. A rotary encoder is constituted by a movable contact body.
[0018]
As a result, it is possible to know the amount and direction of change due to the rotation operation from the number and generation order of the three types of electrical signals generated between the terminals of the three fan-shaped conductive layers during the rotation operation, and to apply elasticity to the contact board. Two contacting elastic contacts are on one radius With click moderation By using a rotary encoder with a small diameter and using it, the outer diameter of the circular control knob can be reduced and the case size of the equipment used can be reduced. Easily detect electrical signals at the click moderation point A composite operation type electronic component that can be obtained can be obtained.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, three fan-shaped conductive layers having the same central angle are arranged on the same circumference at an angular pitch of 120 ° with respect to the center of the insulating substrate. A contact board having a lead-out terminal for taking out an electric signal, and two mutually conductive elastic contacts that elastically contact with a position on the same circumference that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the contact board, The center of rotation as the center of rotation A movable contact body that can rotate with a click mode feeling at every rotation angle of 60 °, and in which the two elastic contacts are always in elastic contact with the two fan-shaped conductive layers at the click mode point; The rotary encoder consists of three electrical signals between the terminals of the three fan-shaped conductive layers during the rotation operation, two times during one rotation, Click mode point It is generated 6 times at an angle pitch of 60 °, and the amount of change (rotation angle) and direction of rotation (rotation direction) due to the rotation operation can be known from the number and generation order of these three types of electrical signals. A rotary encoder having a small diameter in which two elastic contacts elastically contacting the substrate are on one radius can be realized.
[0022]
Claim 2 The invention described in Claim 1 In the invention, the position where the two elastic contacts are in elastic contact with the contact substrate is set so that the locus when the two elastic contacts elastically slide on the contact substrate with the rotation of the movable contact body does not overlap. Slightly in the direction Staggered This is an effect that the life characteristics of the rotary encoder can be improved by reducing the deterioration due to wear of the fan-shaped conductive layer and the insulating part on the contact board where the two elastic contacts are elastically slid during the rotation operation. Have
[0023]
Claim 3 In the invention described in (1), a rectangular frame body rotatably supported with one side as a support shaft and two opposite sides of the frame body are rotatably held parallel to the side serving as the support shaft, and the outer periphery is A cylindrical rotating body serving as an operation surface, and a movable contact body having two elastic contacts at one end of the rotating body are held, and a surface on one side of the frame facing the three rotating conductive layers and As a contact board with lead-out terminals The elastic protrusion of the spring body attached to the other end of the rotating body is elastically contacted with a radial concavo-convex portion provided at an angular pitch of 60 ° on the surface of one side facing the other end of the frame. Thus, the rotating body rotates with a click moderation feeling every 60 °, and at the click moderation point, the two elastic contacts are always in elastic contact with the two fan-shaped conductive layers. This is a composite operation type electronic component composed of a rotary operation unit and a self-returning type pressing operation part that is operated by being pushed by a side opposite to the side that becomes the support shaft by the rotation of the frame. , Electric signals can be easily detected at the click moderation point By using a rotary encoder with a small diameter, the outer diameter of the circular control knob can be reduced, and the frame, which is the main body, has a low size configuration, so that the size of the case of the equipment used can be reduced. The operation type electronic component can be realized.
[0024]
Claim 4 The invention described in Claim 3 In this invention, the side that is the support shaft of the frame is sandwiched between the upper case and the wiring board of the used device so that it can be rotated without moving in the vertical and horizontal directions, Claim 3 In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the components of the composite operation type electronic component can be shared with the members of the equipment used, thereby reducing the number of members used as a whole device equipped with the composite operation type electronic part and reducing the cost. The entire device equipped with the composite operation type electronic component can be reduced in size.
[0025]
Claim 5 The invention described in Claim 3 In this invention, the three lead-out terminals each led out from the fan-shaped conductive layer are flexible conductor plates, and the insulating resin contact block with the tips fixed is sandwiched and fixed between the upper case of the device used and the wiring board. By doing so, the three elastic connectors that are electrically connected to the respective flexible conductor plates and protrude from the contact block are brought into elastic contact with the three contact plates provided on the wiring board, and rotated. The part that transmits the electrical signal of the mold encoder part to the wiring board of the equipment used can be configured without going through the general soldering process, making it easy to mount and connect the composite operation type electronic parts to the equipment used It has the effect that it is not necessary to consider the influence of heat and flux during soldering.
[0026]
Claim 6 The invention described in Claim 5 In the invention, the contact block is disposed below the middle part of the side that becomes the support shaft of the frame, Claim 5 In addition to the operation according to the invention described in (2), the projection area of the composite operation type electronic component including the contact block on the wiring board of the device used can be reduced, and the contact of the frame can be changed when the rectangular frame is rotated. It is possible to minimize the amount of bending of the three flexible conductor plates that connect between the side that becomes the substrate and the contact block, and to minimize the deterioration of the flexible conductor plate due to repeated bending. It has the action.
[0027]
Claim 7 The invention described in Claim 3 In this invention, the pressing operation part is a push switch formed by placing a circular dome-shaped movable contact made of a thin elastic metal plate on a switch fixed contact formed of a conductive layer on a wiring board of a device used. In addition, the push switch that is self-returning and has a feeling of moderation during operation is compact and has an effect that it can be provided with high accuracy with other components mounted on the wiring board.
[0029]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a contact portion of a rotary encoder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 denotes a contact board holding a fixed contact, and 32 denotes a movable contact. It is a movable contact body.
[0031]
As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2, the contact substrate 31 is formed by punching a thin metal plate on the surface of a substantially circular substrate 33 made of insulating resin, and has three sector shapes having the same central angle of 100 °. The conductive layers 34A, 34B, 34C are arranged so as to pass on the same circumference at an angular pitch of 120 ° with respect to the center by insert molding, and the three fan-shaped conductive layers 34A, 34B, 34C It has a first terminal 35A, a second terminal 35B, and a third terminal 35C.
[0032]
Further, the movable contact body 32 is formed by punching and bending an elastic metal thin plate, and as shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, on the same circumference that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the contact substrate 31. It has two elastic contacts 36A and 36B which are in electrical contact with each other and are electrically connected to each other.
[0033]
Then, as shown in the side sectional view of the rotary encoder in FIG. 4, the insulating resin rotating body 37 holding the movable contact body 32 is combined so as to rotate at a concentric position with respect to the center of the contact board 31. Thus, the contact substrate 31 and the movable contact body 32 are concentrically combined as shown in FIG. 1, and the two elastic contacts 36A and 36B are approximately the radial width of the three sector-shaped conductive layers 34A, 34B, and 34C. It is elastically touching the center circle.
[0034]
The reason why each of the elastic contacts 36A and 36B has two elastic legs and two contacts is to stabilize the contact at the elastic contact, and by making them one by one, the contact substrate 31 and the movable contact body 32 are provided. Can be reduced in diameter.
[0035]
In FIG. 4, 38 is an operating shaft for rotating the rotating body 37, 39 is a bearing that rotatably supports the operating shaft 38, and an angle of 60 ° is formed on the base surface of the bearing 39. The elastic protrusions 40A of the spring body 40 made of an elastic metal thin plate held by the rotating body 37 are elastically contacted with the radial uneven portions 39A provided with the concave portions at the pitch, and the click moderation feeling is felt when the operating shaft 38 is rotated. In addition, a moderation mechanism unit is configured to stop the movable contact body 32 held by the rotating body 37 at a click moderation point provided at an angular position of every 60 °.
[0036]
The rotary encoder according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.
[0037]
FIGS. 5A to 5C are conceptual diagrams showing the state of the contact portion during the rotation operation of the rotary encoder, and FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of an electric signal.
[0038]
First, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), in the state where the elastic protrusion 40A of the spring body 40 is fitted into the concave portion which is the click mode point of the radial uneven portion 39A and the rotating body 37 is stopped, the movable contact body 32 is provided. The elastic contact 36A (indicated by a white circle) is in contact with the fan-shaped conductive layer 34C and the elastic contact 36B (indicated by a black circle) is in contact with the fan-shaped conductive layer 34B to short-circuit between them. Derived from the second terminal 35B. The signal waveform in this case is shown by [I] in FIG.
[0039]
Next, from this state, the operating shaft 38 is rotated clockwise to rotate the rotating body 37 by 60 °, and as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the elastic protrusions 40A of the spring body 40 become radially uneven portions 39A. The elastic contact 36B of the movable contact body 32 still remains in contact with the fan-shaped conductive layer 34B at the position where it is fitted with a sense of moderation in the concave portion that is the next click moderation point, but the elastic contact 36A is fan-shaped conductive. It contacts the fan-shaped conductive layer 34A away from the layer 34C, and this time short-circuits between the fan-shaped conductive layers 34B and 34A, and the electric signal is derived from the second terminal 35B and the first terminal 35A. The signal waveform in this case is shown by [II] in FIG.
[0040]
Then, as shown in FIG. 5C in which the rotating body 37 is further rotated by 60 ° in the clockwise direction, the elastic contacts 36A and 36B of the movable contact body 32 short-circuit between the fan-shaped conductive layers 34A and 34C, An electrical signal is derived from the first terminal 35A and the third terminal 35C. The signal waveform in this case is shown by [III] in FIG.
[0041]
Similarly, when the rotating body 37 is rotated, the elastic contacts 36A and 36B of the movable contact body 32 are sequentially rotated at an angular pitch of 60 °, respectively in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b), and 5 (c). By repeating the same contact state as in the case of the position, three types of electrical signals as shown in FIG. 6 are generated from the predetermined terminal at a stable angular pitch of 60 °, twice per rotation for a total of 6 times.
[0042]
Here, since the rotary encoder includes the moderation mechanism, as described above, the rotating body 37 can be reliably stopped at a predetermined angular position with a sense of moderation during the rotation operation. Position FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. two Elastic contact The point is you have to Of three A predetermined electric signal can be generated by elastic contact with the two fan-shaped conductive layers.
[0043]
Then, in the circuit of the device using this rotary encoder, the amount of change (rotation angle) and the direction of change (rotation direction) due to the rotation operation can be known from the number of generations and the order of generation of the three types of electrical signals. Further, when the central angle of the fan-shaped conductive layers 34A, 34B, and 34C is set to 90 °, a stable electric signal can be obtained in which the angle range in which the electric signal is generated is equal to the angle range in the open state where the generation is interrupted.
[0044]
Further, in this rotary encoder, since the two elastic contacts 36A, 36B of the movable contact body 32 that elastically contacts the contact board 31 are on the same radius, the diameter of the rotary encoder can be reduced.
[0045]
In the above description, the two elastic contacts 36A and 36B of the movable contact body 32 are elastically contacted at the same radial position of the contact substrate 31 and are elastically slid on the same circumference during the rotation operation. If the elastic contact positions are slightly shifted in the radial direction (about 0.1 to 0.2 mm) so that the trajectories of the two elastic contacts 36A and 36B do not overlap, These three fan-shaped conductive layers 34A, 34B, 34C and the insulation portion are less deteriorated due to wear, and the life characteristics of the rotary encoder can be improved.
[0046]
(Embodiment 2)
7 is an external perspective view of a partial cross section of a rotary encoder with a push switch as a composite operation type electronic component according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a front cross sectional view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line P, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
[0047]
As shown in the figure, the rotary encoder with push switch is supported so that one side 43A serving as a support shaft can be rotated between a support portion 41A provided on the upper case 41 of the used device and the wiring board 42. Two elastic bodies 45 are rotatably held in a rectangular frame 43, and an outer periphery 45A of the rotating body 45 protrudes from the opening 41C of the upper case 41 as an operation portion and is held at one end of the rotating body 45. The movable contact body 46 having the contacts 46A and 46B is concentrically combined with the contact board portion 47 having the three sector-shaped conductive layers 47A, 47B and 47C formed on the one side 53 of the frame body 43 opposed thereto. The rotary encoder described in the first embodiment is configured, and the self-returning push push is further provided on the wiring board 42 below the side 43B opposite to the side 43A serving as the support shaft of the frame 43. The rotary body 45 serving as a circular operation knob has a small outer diameter, and the size of the case of the device using the rotary encoder with push switch can be reduced. .
[0048]
The structure of each part will be described. First, the rectangular frame 43 is made of an insulating resin. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, one side 43 A serving as a support shaft at the time of rotation and a side 43 B facing the side 43 The bosses 55A and 55B at the tips of the side 43A and the side 43B are connected to the holes 53A and 53B of the side 53 and the reinforcing bracket 54 so that the opening of the U-shaped body 50 connected with And 54A and 54B through heat caulking.
[0049]
The side 44 is provided with a holding hole 51A and a radial uneven portion 52 of the rotating body 45, and the side 53 is provided with a holding hole 51B of the rotating body 45 and a contact board portion 47 (see FIG. 8). .
[0050]
Then, two circular support portions 56A and 56B on the same axis project from the sides 43A and 53 at the positions of both ends of the side 43A, and are provided in the upper case 41 of the used device as shown in FIGS. The support member 41A is sandwiched between the U-shaped groove 41B at the tip and the wiring board 42 so that it can rotate without moving in the vertical direction. The structure is low in price and low in size and low in dimensions.
[0051]
Next, the rotary body 45 rotatably held by the two holding holes 51A and 51B facing each other of the quadrangular frame 43 is a circular operation knob having an outer periphery 45A as an operation portion. As shown in FIG. 10, a movable contact body 46 made of an elastic metal thin plate is provided in the recess 45B at one end, and a spring body 57 also made of an elastic metal thin plate is provided in the recess 45D at the other end. Hold to do.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 10, the movable contact body 46 is formed by projecting two elastic legs 46E having elastic contacts 46A and 46B at the tips thereof at the tips from the flat plate portion 46D. The two dowels 45C on the bottom surface of the recess 45B of the rotator 45 are engaged and squeezed into the two holes 46F provided in the flat plate portion 46D, whereby the rotator 45 is held without backlash.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 8, the two elastic contacts 46 A and 46 B of the movable contact body 46 are in elastic contact with the contact board portion 47 provided on the side 53 of the frame 43 facing the recess 45 B of the rotating body 45. Thus, an encoder unit 58 that generates an electrical signal when the rotating body 45 rotates is formed.
[0054]
In addition, on the surface of the contact board portion 47, as in the contact board 31 of the rotary encoder according to the first embodiment, three fan-shaped conductive films having a central angle of 100 ° formed by punching a thin metal plate are used. Layers 47A, 47B, and 47C (not shown) are disposed on the same circumference at an angular pitch of 120 ° with respect to the center by insert molding.
[0055]
Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the spring body 57 has an elastic projection 57C at the tip of an elastic arm 57B extended from the flat plate portion 57A, and protrudes from the flat plate portion 57A on the opposite side to the elastic arm 57B. The two bent portions 57D are pressed into two holes (not shown) in the recess 45D of the rotator 45 so as to be joined without backlash. As shown in FIG. Elastically touches the radial concavo-convex portion 52 provided with concave portions at an angle pitch of 60 ° on the side 44 opposed to the hollow portion 45D of the dent portion 45D so as to generate a click mode feeling when the rotator 45 rotates, and the movable contact body of the encoder portion 58 A moderation mechanism 59 for stopping 46 at a predetermined angular position is configured.
[0056]
On the other hand, from the end of the plate-like side 53 of the rectangular frame 43 on the side 43A side, three flexible conductors that are electrically connected to each of the three fan-shaped conductive layers 47A, 47B, 47C of the contact board 47 are provided. Plates 60A, 60B, and 60C are led out, and their tips are fixed to contact block 61 disposed below the middle part of side 43A. Contact block 61 is shown in a front sectional view of the contact block part of FIG. As described above, the flexible conductor plates 60A, 60B, and 60C are respectively fixed to the wiring board 42 by the elastic body 62 supported by the support portion 41A provided in the upper case 41 of the used device. The three elastic connectors 62A, 62B, 62C that are conductive and project from the contact block 61 are brought into elastic contact with the three contact plates 63 on the wiring board 42, and the electric signal from the encoder unit 58 is used. Thereby transmitting the circuits.
[0057]
The three flexible conductor plates 60A, 60B, and 60C are led out from the vicinity of the side 43A that becomes a support shaft when the rectangular frame 43 is rotated, and the contact block 61 that couples them is an intermediate part of the side 43A. The rotary encoder with a push switch including the contact block 61 is able to greatly reduce the amount of bending of the flexible conductor plates 60A, 60B, 60C when the frame body 43 is rotated by being disposed below the portion. The projected area with respect to the wiring board 42 is small.
[0058]
Furthermore, the self-returning push switch 48 disposed on the wiring board 42 below the side 43B of the rectangular frame 43 is formed of a conductive layer on the wiring board 42 as shown in FIGS. A circular dome-shaped movable contact 48B made of a thin elastic metal plate is placed on the fixed switch contact 48A, and the upper portion thereof is covered with a flexible insulating film 48C having an adhesive layer on the lower surface, and is compact. In addition, it is arranged with high positional accuracy with other components on the wiring board 42.
[0059]
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the pressing projection 48D on the lower surface of the side 43B of the frame body 43 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the self-returning push switch 48 and is biased upward. Is held at the upper end position of the rotation range.
[0060]
The rotary encoder with push switch according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation thereof will be described.
[0061]
First, in FIGS. 7 to 9, a force in a tangential direction (in the direction of arrow H shown in FIGS. 7 and 9) is applied to the outer periphery 45A of the rotating body 45 as an operation knob protruding from the opening 41C of the upper case 41 of the device used. In addition, by rotating the rotating body 45, the two elastic contacts 46A, 46B of the movable contact body 46 held at both ends thereof are on the contact substrate 47, and the elastic protrusion 57C of the spring body 57 is a radial uneven portion. The encoder unit 58 operates by elastically sliding on each of the surfaces 52.
[0062]
That is, as described with reference to FIG. 5 in the rotary encoder according to the first embodiment, from the state where the elastic protrusion 57C of the spring body 57 is stopped in the recess that is the click mode point of the radial uneven portion 52, the 60 ° The two elastic contacts 46A and 46B of the movable contact body 46 are placed in two of the three fan-shaped conductive layers 47A, 47B and 47C of the contact board portion 47 at positions where the next concave portions are sequentially fitted with a sense of moderation at an angular pitch. As shown in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, three kinds of electric signals are sequentially generated by sequentially contacting the two fan-shaped conductive layers.
[0063]
Since the operation when generating the electric signal is the same as that of the rotary encoder according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0064]
The electrical signal generated by the rotary encoder unit 58 is supplied with three flexible conductor plates 60A, 60B, and 60C that are electrically connected to the three fan-shaped conductive layers 47A, 47B, and 47C of the contact substrate unit 47, and the contact block. The three elastic connectors 62A, 62B, and 62C protruding from 61 are transmitted to the three contact plates 63 on the wiring board 42 and transmitted to the circuit of the device used.
[0065]
The urging force of the push switch 48 that pushes up the side 43B of the rectangular frame 43 to the upper end position described above is a frame that holds the rotating body 45 when the outer periphery 45A of the rotating body 45 is rotated. The body 43 is set to a size that does not rotate.
[0066]
Next, in FIGS. 7 to 9, the outer periphery 45 A of the rotating body 45 as an operation knob against the urging force of the push switch 48 that pushes the side 43 B of the rectangular frame 43 holding the rotating body 45 upward. When a pressing force in the vertical direction (the V1 direction shown in FIGS. 7 and 9) is applied, the frame 43 is circular at the positions of both ends of the side 43A sandwiched between the U-shaped groove 41B of the support portion 41A and the wiring board 42. As shown in FIG. 12, the pressing projection 48D on the lower surface of the side 43B is lowered and the push switch 48 is operated.
[0067]
That is, when the pressing projection 48D strongly presses the center of the upper surface of the circular dome-shaped movable contact 48B downward through the flexible insulating film 48C, as shown in FIG. By reversing elastically with a sense of moderation, the lower surface of the central portion comes into contact with the central fixed contact 48E, so that the switch fixed contact 48A and the central fixed contact 48E are short-circuited and the switch is turned ON. It is transmitted to the circuit of the device used.
[0068]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the outer periphery 45A of the rotating body 45 is removed, the circular dome-shaped movable contact 48B of the push switch 48 is restored to its original shape by the elastic restoring force, and the switch is turned off again. The side 43B provided with 48D is pushed upward, and the frame body 43 returns to the upper end position of the original rotation range shown in FIG.
[0069]
Note that when the frame body 43 is rotated by applying a pressing force to the outer periphery 45A of the rotating body 45, the three flexible conductor plates 60A, 60B, and 60C of the encoder section 58 are bent, as described above. The amount is very small.
[0070]
Further, when the frame body 43 is rotated by applying a pressing force to the outer periphery 45 A of the rotating body 45, the elastic protrusion 57 C of the spring body 57 held at the end of the rotating body 45 is formed on the side 44 of the frame body 43. Since it fits in the recessed part of the provided radial uneven | corrugated | grooved part 52, the rotary body 45 does not rotate with respect to the frame 43, Therefore, the encoder part 58 does not operate | move.
[0071]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a small-diameter rotary encoder capable of knowing the amount of change and the direction of change due to the rotation operation from the number and generation order of the three types of electrical signals generated during the rotation operation. By using the portion 58, the outer diameter of the rotating body 45 as a circular operation knob is small, and the frame body 43, which is the main body, is also low in size, so that the size of the case of the device used can be reduced. An operation type electronic component can be realized.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to know the amount of change and the direction of the change caused by the rotation operation from the number and generation order of the three types of electrical signals generated during the rotation operation, and elastically contact the contact substrate. two Of elastic contacts are on one radius With click moderation A rotary encoder with a small diameter can be realized. By using this encoder, the outer diameter of the circular control knob can be reduced, and the case size of the equipment used can be reduced. Easily detect electrical signals at the click moderation point An advantageous effect that a composite operation type electronic component that can be obtained can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a contact portion of a rotary encoder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a contact board which is the main part of the same.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the movable contact body.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the rotary encoder.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state of a contact portion during the same rotation operation.
FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of the electric signal.
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a partial cross section of a rotary encoder with a push switch as a composite operation type electronic component according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the same.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line PP in FIG.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
FIG. 11 is a front sectional view of the contact block portion.
FIG. 12 is a side sectional view for explaining the operating state of the push switch.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a contact portion of a conventional rotary encoder.
FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram of the electric signal.
FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of a rotary encoder with a push switch as a conventional composite operation type electronic component.
FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the same.
FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of a mounting board that is the main part of the mounting board.
FIG. 18 is a side view of a partial cross section of a device equipped with the rotary encoder with the push switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 Contact board
32,46 Movable contact body
33 Substrate
34A, 34B, 34C, 47A, 47B, 47C Fan-shaped conductive layer
35A first terminal
35B Second terminal
35C 3rd terminal
36A, 36B, 46A, 46B Elastic contact
37 Rotating body
38 Operation axis
39 Bearing
39A, 52 Radial irregularities
40, 57 Spring body
40A, 57C Elastic protrusion
41 Upper case
41A support
41B U-shaped groove
41C opening
42 Wiring board
43 Frame
43A, 43B, 44, 53 sides
45 Rotating body
45A outer circumference
45B, 45D recess
45C dowels
46D, 57A flat plate
46E Elastic leg
47 Contact board
48 Push switch
48A Switch fixed contact
48B circular dome shaped movable contact
48C insulation film
48D Pressing protrusion
48E Center fixed contact
50 U-shape
51A, 51B Holding hole
46F, 53A, 53B, 54A, 54B hole
54 Reinforcing metal fittings
55A, 55B boss
56A, 56B Circular support
57B Elastic arm
57D bent part
58 Encoder section
59 Moderation mechanism
60A, 60B, 60C Flexible conductor plate
61 Contact block
62 Elastic body
62A, 62B, 62C Elastic connector
63 Contact plate

Claims

Three fan-shaped conductive layers with the same central angle are arranged on the same circumference at an angular pitch of 120 ° with respect to the center of the insulating substrate, and a lead-out terminal for taking out an electric signal is arranged on each fan-shaped conductive layer A substrate and two elastic contacts that are electrically connected to each other at the same circumferential position that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the contact substrate are held, and the rotation angle is set every 60 ° with the center of the contact substrate as the rotation center. A rotary encoder that includes a movable contact body that can rotate with a click moderation feeling, and in which the two elastic contacts always make elastic contact with the two fan-shaped conductive layers at the click moderation point .

The position where the two elastic contacts are in elastic contact with the contact substrate is slightly increased in the radial direction so that the trajectory when the two elastic contacts elastically slide on the contact substrate with the rotation of the movable contact body does not overlap. The rotary encoder according to claim 1, which is shifted .

A square frame that is rotatably supported on one side as a support shaft, and a circle that is rotatably held in parallel with the side serving as the support shaft by two opposite sides of the frame, and whose outer periphery is an operation surface A columnar rotating body, a movable contact body having two elastic contacts at one end of the rotating body, a contact having three fan-shaped conductive layers and a lead-out terminal on one side of the frame facing the rotating body The elastic protrusion of the spring body mounted on the other end of the rotating body as a substrate is elastically contacted with a radial concavo-convex portion provided at an angular pitch of 60 ° on one side facing the other end of the frame. The rotating body is rotated with a click moderation feeling of every 60 °, and at the click moderation point, the two elastic contacts are always in elastic contact with the two fan-shaped conductive layers. The rotary encoder and the rotation of the frame body A composite operation type electronic component comprising a self-returning type pressing operation component portion which is operated by being pushed by a side opposite to the side serving as a support shaft.

4. The composite operation type electronic component according to claim 3 , wherein a side serving as a support shaft of the frame is sandwiched between an upper case and a wiring board so as to be rotatable without moving in the vertical and horizontal directions.

By making the three lead-out terminals each led out from the fan-shaped conductive layer a flexible conductor plate, and pinching and fixing the insulating resin contact block with its tip fixed between the upper case and the wiring board of the equipment used, 4. The composite operation type electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the three elastic connectors that are electrically connected to the respective flexible conductor plates and protrude from the contact block are brought into elastic contact with the three contact plates provided on the wiring board. parts.

The composite operation type electronic component according to claim 5 , wherein the contact block is disposed below an intermediate portion of a side serving as a support shaft of the frame body.

4. The composite according to claim 3 , wherein the pressing operation part is a push switch formed by placing a circular dome-shaped movable contact made of an elastic metal thin plate on a switch fixed contact formed of a conductive layer on a wiring board of a device used. Operational electronic components.