JP3880652B2 - Capacitance type analog switch and operation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a capacitance type analog switch whose capacitance changes according to the amount of pressing, and an operation device including a capacitance type analog switch for inputting an operation amount to, for example, a computer or other equipment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a capacitive switch has been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-17376), and it has been proposed to use the capacitive switch as a keyboard for inputting information to a computer.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the conventional capacitance type analog switch.
[0003]
In this example, two fixed electrodes, that is, a drive side fixed electrode 2 a and a sense side fixed electrode 2 b are formed on the substrate 1. A dielectric film 3 is disposed on the fixed electrodes 2a and 2b, and a movable electrode 4 made of a spiral coil spring is disposed thereon.
Here, when the movable electrode 4 is pushed down from the top of FIG. 10, the capacitance between the fixed electrodes 2 a and 2 b and the movable electrode 4 changes.
[0004]
FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of change in capacitance with respect to the stroke of pressing the capacitance type switch.
Since the capacitance changes according to the pressing stroke as shown in FIG. 11, the degree of pressing of the movable electrode 4, that is, the stroke position of the capacitance type switch is known by detecting the capacitance. Can do.
[0005]
In order to measure the capacitance of this capacitance type switch, a predetermined AC voltage signal is inputted to the drive side fixed pole 2a, the capacitance between the drive side fixed electrode 2a and the movable electrode 4, and the capacitance The capacitance type switch by detecting a signal appearing on the sense side fixed electrode 2b via the capacitance between the movable electrode 4 and the sense side fixed electrode 2b, which is a capacitor equivalently connected in series Can be detected.
[0006]
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a capacitance measurement circuit of the capacitance type switch having the structure shown in FIG.
The driver 31 generates a signal having a predetermined frequency and inputs the signal to the analog multiplexer 32. The analog multiplexer 32 receives a command from the microcomputer 36, and a signal input from the driver 31 is input to any one of the plurality of capacitance switches 33 at a time. Thus, the plurality of capacitance-type switches 33 are sequentially scanned. The signal that has passed through the capacitive switch 33 to which the signal has been input is appropriately amplified by the amplifier 34, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 35, and input to the microcomputer 36. The microcomputer 36 determines whether the magnitude of the input digital signal is larger or smaller than the threshold value Th shown in FIG. 11, for example, and binarizes it on / off to operate the capacitance type switch. A binary signal indicating whether or not it has been generated is generated and sent to the host computer.
[0007]
For example, the operation of the capacitive switch is detected in this way.
The capacitance type switch shown in FIG. 10 includes two fixed electrodes 2a and 2b. Therefore, when a large number of capacitance type switches are arranged, the large number of capacitance type switches are arranged vertically and horizontally. For example, in the vertical direction, the drive-side fixed electrodes 2a of a plurality of capacitive switches arranged in the vertical direction are connected to each other, and in the horizontal direction, the plurality of capacitive switches arranged in the horizontal direction. The sense-side fixed electrodes 2b are connected to each other, and a capacitance-type switch is identified by selecting a drive-side line and a sense-side line, and the capacitance of the identified capacitance-type switch may be measured. . However, in principle, there may be one fixed electrode, and a signal passing between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode may be detected to detect the capacitance among these electrodes.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the capacitance type analog switch having the above structure, the cause of the problem is inherent in the spiral coil spring, and it takes time to assemble the spiral coil spring, resulting in an increase in cost. It is also very difficult to replace the spiral coil spring when there is a problem with the spiral coil spring. This spiral coil spring is hard because it is made of metal, and it is necessary to pay attention to the material and the manufacturing method of the film in order to prevent wear of the dielectric film on the fixed electrode, which is also disadvantageous in terms of cost. Furthermore, when this capacitance type analog switch is applied to, for example, a so-called joystick-type operation element, there is a possibility that the spiral coll spring may be pushed obliquely. For example, a guide or a stem is required to prevent the capacitor from being pushed obliquely because the problem that the amount of change in capacitance greatly differs. Not only this capacitance type analog switch alone, The cost of an apparatus that employs this capacitance type analog switch is also increased. Moreover, since it is necessary to provide a guide, a stem, etc. as a countermeasure against such an oblique push, there is a problem that the height of the switch is increased correspondingly, and the entire operation device is increased in size or thickness.
[0009]
Furthermore, due to manufacturing variations and assembly variations of spiral coil springs, the amount of change in stroke and capacitance is not constant, and adjustment is necessary to use it as an analog switch, which also increases costs. It was.
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is capable of detecting the stroke amount with high accuracy by using a capacitive analog switch that is more mass-productive than the prior art and has high reliability, and the capacitive analog switch. An object is to provide an operating device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The capacitance-type analog switch of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and at least a part thereof. The tip is hemispherical It has a convex part and is arranged so that the tip of the convex part faces the fixed electrode across the dielectric film, and the contact area to the dielectric film changes according to the degree of pressing, and according to the contact area And a rubber-like elastic body having a capacitance determined between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode.
[0011]
Here, the “rubber-like elastic body” refers to an elastic body whose material itself is stretchable, and is a concept including not only rubber but also stretchable resin, elastomer, sponge and the like.
In the capacitance-type analog switch of the present invention, the fixed electrode is fixed on a predetermined substrate, and the rubber-like elastic body extends between the convex portion and the substrate. It is preferable to have a support portion that supports the convex portion with respect to the substrate and deforms depending on the degree of pressing when pressed.
[0012]
Since the capacitance type analog switch of the present invention includes the rubber-like elastic body described above instead of the spiral coil spring in the conventional example described above, it has the following functions and effects.
(1) By disposing the tip of the convex portion so as to be located away from the dielectric film when not pressed, the capacitance value when not pressed can be reduced to zero. The difference can be made large, and the change amount (slope) of the capacitance value with respect to the stroke can be improved.
(2) There are few assembling errors and can be easily assembled. Moreover, exchange is also easy.
(3) Since it is a rubber-like elastic body, there is almost no wear of the dielectric film on the fixed electrode, and the selection range of the dielectric film material is widened, so that an inexpensive and highly stable material can be adopted.
(4) A stable capacitance characteristic can be obtained even when pressed from an oblique direction, and a member for preventing the oblique depression is not required on the operating device side.
(5) Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the stroke amount more than necessary, and it is possible to manufacture a thin operation device, for example, a controller for a game machine, using a thin capacitive analog switch.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a first operating device according to the present invention. The first operating device of the present invention comprises:
(1) a fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and at least a part thereof The tip is hemispherical It has a convex part and is arranged so that the tip of the convex part faces the fixed electrode across the dielectric film, and the contact area to the dielectric film changes according to the degree of pressing and is fixed according to the contact area Capacitance type analog switch 50 provided with a rubber-like elastic body in which the capacitance between the electrodes is determined
(2) Detection means 51 for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance type analog switch 50
(3) The capacitance value when the capacitance analog switch 50 is not depressed and the capacitance value when the capacitance analog switch 50 is depressed are stored, and the capacitance value of the capacitance analog switch 50 detected by the detection means 51 and the stored capacitance Correction means 52 for determining the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch 50 based on the value.
It is provided with.
[0014]
Since the first operating device of the present invention is provided with the correcting means 52, even if there is a variation in the capacity with respect to the stroke, fine adjustment is not necessary and the stroke is detected with high accuracy. be able to.
In addition, since the first operating device of the present invention includes the correcting means 52, the stroke position can be accurately obtained. Therefore, the first operating device of the present invention is connected to the capacitance type switch 50. It can be applied to a so-called touch response of whether the button is pressed strongly or weakly.
[0015]
In this case, in the first operating device of the present invention, when the capacitance analog switch 50 is operated, the capacitance analog switch 50 passes through a predetermined first stroke position, and the predetermined time is reached. Time measuring means 53 for measuring the time until the time of passing through the second stroke position is provided.
By measuring the time by the time measuring means 53, the strength of the operation of whether the button is pressed hard or weakly is detected.
[0016]
Further, the second operating device of the present invention includes a fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and at least a part thereof. The tip is hemispherical It has a convex part and is arranged so that the tip of the convex part is opposed to the fixed electrode across the dielectric film, and the contact area to the dielectric film changes according to the degree of pressing, and according to the contact area At least three electrostatic capacitance type analog switches each having a rubber-like elastic body that determines the electrostatic capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode are arranged in a circle and covers these electrostatic capacitance type analog switches. An operation panel that tilts in any direction around the center of the circle in which the capacitance type analog switches are arranged and depresses some of the capacitance type analog switches. It is provided with.
[0017]
The second operation device can input a two-dimensional operation amount similar to that of a conventional mouse, joystick, trackball, or the like. Although the use of the second operating device is not limited, it can be suitably incorporated in a game machine controller. Furthermore, the third operating device of the present invention includes a key that is pivotally supported in a direction in which one end side is pivotally supported by the base body and is in contact with and away from the base body, a spring member that biases the key in a direction away from the base body, A fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and at least partly pressed by pressing The tip is hemispherical It has a convex part and is arranged so that the tip of the convex part faces the fixed electrode across the dielectric film, and the contact area to the dielectric film changes according to the degree of pressing and is fixed according to the contact area A capacitance type analog switch having a rubber-like elastic body in which capacitance between the electrodes is determined is provided.
[0018]
A keyboard device incorporated in an electronic musical instrument or connected to an electronic musical instrument or the like is provided with a switch for detecting a key pressing speed. According to the third operating device of the present invention, it is possible to detect the pressing position and the pressing speed of the key using the capacitance type switch.
The second operating device and the third operating device define the mechanical structure. However, the second operating device and the third operating device are added to the mechanical structure. ,
Detecting means for detecting a capacitance of the capacitance analog switch; and storing a capacitance value when the capacitance analog switch is not pressed and when the capacitance analog switch is pressed, and detecting the static detected by the detection means. There may be provided correction means for obtaining the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch based on the capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch and the stored capacitance value.
[0019]
When the second to third operating devices of the present invention are provided with the correcting means, the stroke position can be accurately obtained as in the first operating device of the present invention, so the second to third of the present invention. This operation device can be applied to a so-called touch response in which the capacitance type switch is pressed strongly or weakly. In this case, similarly to the first operating device of the present invention, in the second to third operating devices of the present invention, when the capacitive analog switch is operated, Time measuring means for measuring the time from the time when the first stroke position is passed to the time when the predetermined second stroke position is passed is provided.
[0020]
By measuring the above time with this time measuring means, the strength of the operation of whether it is pressed hard or weakly is detected, for example, the volume of the musical sound that is pronounced when this operating device is used for a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument Or, when this operating device is used in a game machine, the speed of animation movement on the screen can be controlled. If only a binary value indicating whether the button is pressed strongly or weakly is sufficient, the above-described measured time may be binarized.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
2 and 3 are schematic schematic views showing states before and after pressing, respectively, of one embodiment of the capacitance type analog switch of the present invention. The same components as those of the conventional capacitance type analog switch shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals even if there are some differences in shape, and the differences will be described.
[0022]
Here, fixed electrodes 2a and 2b, dielectric film 3 covering fixed electrodes 2a and 2b, and rubber elastic body 41 are shown. This rubber-like elastic body 41 replaces the spiral coil spring in the conventional example shown in FIG. 10, and includes a convex portion 41a and a support portion 41b. The convex portion 41a is arranged so that the convex tip thereof faces the fixed electrodes 2a and 2b with the dielectric film 3 interposed therebetween, and in order to reduce the capacitance when not pressed down, These are disposed at a position slightly away from the dielectric film 3. The rubber elastic body 41 is made of conductive rubber so that at least the tip portion of the convex portion 41a has conductivity, or a conductive material is applied to at least the tip portion. .
[0023]
Further, the support portion 41b extends between the convex portion 41a and the substrate 1, and plays a role of supporting the convex portion 41a with respect to the substrate 1 at the predetermined position. As shown in the figure, it has an appropriate elasticity so that the convex portion is in contact with the dielectric film 3 by an amount proportional to the pressing stroke.
The convex portion 41a has a hemispherical tip, and even if pressed slightly diagonally, the contact area with the dielectric film 3 with respect to the pressing stroke is kept almost constant, and therefore the error due to the diagonal pressing is extremely small. . Further, by setting the height of the support member 41b to a height adjusted in advance, the tip of the convex portion 41a can be disposed at a position slightly away from the dielectric film 3 when not pressed, The capacitance can be reduced to zero.
[0024]
In addition, a rubber-like elastic body having a low height can be easily manufactured, and a capacitive analog switch having a low height is configured for an application that does not require a large stroke.
Further, the rubber-like elastic body 41 is simply disposed at that position, and fine adjustment is not required, and the assembly and exchangeability are excellent.
[0025]
Next, an embodiment of the operating device of the present invention will be described. In the following description of the embodiment, description will be given again with reference to FIG.
2 and 3, the capacitance between the rubber-like elastic body 41 and the fixed electrodes 2a and 2b, which is formed when the switch is pressed, is different for each capacitance-type switch. The value of the capacitance formed is different with respect to the pressing stroke. Further, the gap between the rubber-like elastic body 41 and the dielectric film 3 in the stage before the pressing is slightly different for each electrostatic capacitance type switch.
[0026]
As described with reference to FIG. 12, the electrostatic capacity of the electrostatic capacity type switch is cyclically sensed sequentially over the plurality of electrostatic capacity type switches 33, and the data is taken into the microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as “capacitance type switch”). This is referred to as “scanning the capacitive switch repeatedly”).
Since the capacitance type switch has such variations as described above, the microcomputer 36 corrects the data as follows.
[0027]
(Determining the minimum capacity)
Inside the microcomputer 36, the minimum capacity of the capacitance type switch 33 corresponding to each capacitance type switch 33, that is, the capacitance before the capacitance type switch is pressed is stored. A buffer (named as buffer A) is prepared, and a value representing a predetermined maximum capacity is stored in the buffer A by a program that operates when power is supplied to the circuit shown in FIG. After that, scanning of the capacitance type switch is started, but the current sensed value is compared with the value stored in the buffer A every time scanning is performed, and the current sensed value is smaller than the buffer. The value of A is subtracted by “1” (representing a decrease in the capacitance value). By doing so, the value stored in the buffer A is changed to the static value before pressing for each capacitance type switch by scanning repeated many times almost instantaneously for the human sense after the power is turned on and before the start of use. It shows the electric capacity.
[0028]
However, in order to avoid that the capacitance before pressing the capacitance type switch is detected lower than the actual value due to power supply fluctuation, noise, etc., and the lower value remains stored in the buffer A. In addition, the value of the buffer A is incremented by “+1” in a period considerably longer than the scanning time. If the currently sensed value is smaller than the value stored in the buffer A in the scanning after being “+1”, the value of the buffer A is again set to “−1”.
[0029]
In this way, the minimum capacity for each capacitance type switch is dynamically determined until the power is turned off.
(Determining the maximum capacity)
In the microcomputer 36, in addition to the above-described buffer A, the maximum capacity of the capacitance type switch 33, that is, the maximum depression of the capacitance type switch, corresponding to each capacitance type switch 33, respectively. There is also a buffer (named buffer B) that stores the capacitance at the time. When the power is turned on, even if the capacitance type switch varies, the capacitance value is always ensured when the switch is fully pressed. Is stored. A capacitance type switch whose capacitance does not increase to the capacitance value when the maximum pressing is performed is regarded as a defective product at the time of shipping inspection, for example.
[0030]
This maximum capacity cannot be corrected before use, but each time a value larger than the value of the buffer B is sensed during scanning, the content of the buffer B is updated with the larger value.
At this time, in order to increase the reliability, the contents of the buffer B may be updated when a large value is sensed by scanning a plurality of times.
[0031]
As described above, the minimum capacity and the maximum capacity are dynamically updated.
In actual use, the capacitance value of a currently sensed capacitive sensor is corrected based on the minimum and maximum capacities of the capacitive switches stored in buffer A and buffer B, and The correct value, i.e. the current pressing stroke of the capacitive switch, is determined. The stroke data obtained in this way is sent to the host computer without being binarized, and is processed on the host computer side, thereby enabling various applications.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a touch response which is one of the applications.
As described above, the minimum capacity and the maximum capacity are stored in the buffer A and the buffer B, respectively, and the accurate stroke of the capacitance type switch is used by using the minimum capacity and the maximum capacity stored in the buffers A and B. Therefore, the actual stroke when the capacitance type switch is pressed matches the obtained stroke with high accuracy.
[0033]
Therefore, two stroke threshold values, that is, stroke A and stroke B, are set, and when the capacitance type switch is pressed, timing is started at the time when the stroke A is passed. Time measuring means for measuring the time to reach is provided. The time thus measured directly measures the speed at which the capacitive switch is pressed, but for human sense, the strength of pressing the capacitive switch. (So-called touch response) is supported. The time thus measured corresponds to the strength (speed) of pressing the key when the capacitive switch is used in a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, for example, depending on the use of the capacitive switch. ) Is reflected in the volume of the tone to be generated, or when this capacitive switch is used, for example, in a controller for a game machine, the strength (speed) of pressing the capacitive switch, For example, it can be reflected in the speed of animation movement on the television screen. This timing means may be provided on the host computer side, or may be provided in the microcomputer 36 incorporated in the capacitance type switch side shown in FIG. 12 (that is, by a program operating on the microcomputer 36). The time measurement result may be sent to the host computer side.
[0034]
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an operating device incorporating the capacitive switch shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG. 6 is different from the capacitive switch shown in FIGS. It is a schematic cross section which shows embodiment of the operating device incorporating the electrostatic capacitance type switch as embodiment.
The operating device shown in FIG. 5 has a structure in which a capacitive switch including a rubber-like elastic body 41 having a convex portion 41a and a support portion 41b shown in FIGS. The capacitance of the capacitive switch changes according to the amount of pressing of the operation plate 60.
[0035]
The rubber-like elastic body 42 of the capacitive switch constituting the operating device shown in FIG. 6 does not have a portion corresponding to the support portion 41b of the rubber-like elastic body 41 of the capacitive switch shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to only the convex portion 41a of the rubber-like elastic body 41 shown in FIG. 5, and the rubber-like elastic body 42 is fixed to the lower surface of the operation plate 60 by, for example, adhesion or molding. Thus, the support portion is not necessarily required for the rubber-like elastic body of the capacitive switch of the present invention.
[0036]
6 is the same as the operation device shown in FIG. 5 in that the capacitance of the capacitance-type switch changes according to the amount of pressing of the operation plate 60. In the operation device shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a controller for a game machine provided with a capacitance type switch, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a part thereof.
The game machine controller 10 shown in the figure is provided with four capacitance type switches 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d that can be independently operated, and an operation plate 12 on a disc. The operation plate 12 is configured to tilt toward the pressed side with the center point 0 as the center by pressing a portion away from the center point 0 toward the peripheral side.
[0037]
Under the operation plate 12, as shown in FIG. 8, in the example shown here, four capacitance type switches 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are arranged in a circle, and the operation plate When 12 is pressed, one or two capacitance type switches arranged on the pressed side of the four capacitance type switches 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d according to the pushed direction. The switch is depressed. Which direction and how much the operation panel 12 is tilted by sensing which one capacitance type switch is pressed or how much each of the two capacitance type switches is pressed. Can know.
[0038]
A conventional general-purpose game machine controller binaryly detects whether or not each of the capacitance switches 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d; 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is simply pressed. Compared with this, in the case of the game machine controller 10 shown in FIG. 7, in combination with the correction means for correctly detecting the above-mentioned pressing stroke, A complicated operation as exemplified below can be performed. Conventionally, since only binary on / off operations were performed, for example, in a car racing game, only a binary operation of accelerating or not accelerating the car was possible, whereas the game shown in FIG. The machine controller 10 can change the degree of acceleration, such as slowly accelerating or quickly accelerating, as desired by the operator. On the operation plate 12 side, conventionally, the angle resolution is 45 degrees depending on whether one switch is turned on or two switches adjacent in the circumferential direction are turned on. In the case of the operation panel 12 shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to obtain an extremely fine angular resolution, for example, by 1 °, depending on how the data is taken, the direction of the instruction can be controlled very precisely, and the operation amount of the operation panel 12 If necessary, you can also enter the 'operation strength' for that direction.
[0039]
Conventionally, in the case of a game that cannot be handled by a controller for a game machine having a shape similar to that shown in FIG. 7 and having a normal on / off contact switch instead of a capacitance type switch, A controller that is suitable for the game software is necessary. However, according to the game machine controller 10 shown in FIG. 7, the game machine controller 10 is suitable for a wider range of games than before, and a controller other than the game machine controller 10 is separately provided. There is almost no need to prepare.
[0040]
The configuration of the operation panel 12 and the capacitive switches 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is not limited to the controller for the game machine, but is an operation for instructing the direction on the screen, such as a conventional mouse, trackball, and joystick. You may comprise as an operator instead of a child.
FIG. 9 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of one key constituting a keyboard for an electronic musical instrument.
[0041]
A rear end portion 21 a of the key 21 is pivotally supported by the chassis 22, and a front end portion 21 b of the key 21 is configured to be rotatable in a direction toward and away from the chassis 22. A tension spring 23 is disposed between the rear end portion 21 a of the key 21 and the chassis 22, and the key 21 is biased in a direction away from the chassis 22. The key 21 is formed with a locking claw 21c. When the locking claw 21c is engaged with the chassis 22, the upper limit of the rotation of the key 21 in the direction away from the chassis 22 is restricted. . The key 21 has a protrusion 21d. When the key 21 is pushed in a direction approaching the chassis 22, the protrusion 21d comes into contact with the chassis 22, so that the lower limit of the rotation of the key 21 is reduced. It is regulated.
[0042]
Further, a capacitance type switch 24 is provided on the chassis 22, and a pressing portion 21 e that presses the capacitance type switch 24 is formed at a position of the key 21 facing the capacitance type switch 24. ing. When the key 21 is pressed, the capacitance of the capacitance type switch 24 changes according to the stroke of the depression, and the amount of depression of the key 21 can be known by sensing the capacitance. .
[0043]
When this capacitance type switch 24 is combined with the correction means for correctly determining the pressing stroke described above, the key pressing position can be accurately detected, and if a timing means for touch response is further provided, The pressing speed is accurately detected, and the expressive power of the delicate nuance of the performer can be improved. In addition, the capacitance type switch can take a stroke and can be pressed with a light touch, so that the key operation feeling is not impaired.
[0044]
Further, when the operating device of the present invention is used for on / off operation, for example, when used as a keyboard for computer input, the pressing stroke is detected with high accuracy, so that it turns on when pressed, for example. By providing hysteresis between the stroke position to be turned off and the stroke position to be turned off when released from the pressed state, a highly reliable keyboard without chattering is realized.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the capacitance type analog switch of the present invention, it is possible to realize a capacitance type analog switch that is rich in mass productivity and highly reliable.
Further, according to the operating device of the present invention, a novel operating device that has not been available in the past can be realized, and a highly reliable operating device can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a first operating device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state before pressing of an embodiment of the capacitance-type analog switch of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state after pressing of one embodiment of the capacitance type analog switch of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a touch response.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an operating device incorporating the capacitive switch shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.
6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an operating device incorporating a capacitive switch as an embodiment different from the capacitive switch shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a game machine controller including a capacitance type switch.
8 is an explanatory diagram of a part of the controller for the game machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of one key constituting a keyboard for an electronic musical instrument.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional capacitive switch.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of a change in capacitance with respect to a pressing stroke of a capacitance type switch.
12 is a circuit diagram showing a capacitance measurement circuit of the capacitance type switch having the structure shown in FIG. 10; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Substrate
2a Drive side fixed electrode
2b Sense-side fixed electrode
3 Dielectric film
4 Movable electrodes
10 Controller for game console
11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 24, 12
21 keys
22 Chassis
23 Tension spring
31 drivers
32 Analog multiplexer
33 Capacitance type switch
34 Amplifier
35 A / D converter
36 Microcomputer
41, 42 Rubber-like elastic body
41a Convex part
41b Support part
50 Capacitance type analog switch
51 Detection means
52 Correction means
53 Timekeeping
60 Operation panel

Claims (9)

A fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and a convex part having a hemispherical tip at least in part, and the tip of the convex part facing the fixed electrode across the dielectric film A rubber-like elastic body that is arranged and has a contact area with the dielectric film that changes according to the degree of pressing, and a capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode that depends on the contact area. Capacitance type analog switch.   The fixed electrode is fixed on a predetermined substrate, and the rubber-like elastic body extends between the convex portion and the substrate to support the convex portion with respect to the substrate. 2. The capacitance type analog switch according to claim 1, further comprising a support portion that is deformed in accordance with the degree of pressing when pressed. A fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and a convex part having a hemispherical tip at least in part, and the tip of the convex part facing the fixed electrode across the dielectric film A capacitance type analog comprising a rubber-like elastic body that is arranged and has a contact area to the dielectric film that changes according to the degree of pressing, and a capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode is determined according to the contact area switch,
Detecting means for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance analog switch; and storing capacitance values when the capacitance analog switch is not pressed and when the capacitance analog switch is pressed, and detecting the static detected by the detection means. An operating device comprising correction means for obtaining a current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch based on a capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch and a stored capacitance value. A fixed electrode, a dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and a convex part having a hemispherical tip at least in part, and the tip of the convex part facing the fixed electrode across the dielectric film A capacitance type analog comprising a rubber-like elastic body that is arranged and has a contact area to the dielectric film that changes according to the degree of pressing, and a capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode is determined according to the contact area At least three switches are arranged in a circle,
Covering these capacitive analog switches, tilting in any direction around the center of the circle where these capacitive analog switches are arranged as a part of these capacitive analog switches And an operation plate for pressing the capacitance type analog switch.   The operation device according to claim 4, wherein the operation device is incorporated in a game machine controller. A key whose one end is pivotally supported by the base body and rotatable in a direction to come in contact with and away from the base body, a spring member that biases the key in a direction to move away from the base body, and a fixed electrode that is pressed down by pressing the key; A dielectric film covering the fixed electrode, and a tip part at least partially having a hemispherical convex part, the tip of the convex part being arranged so as to face the fixed electrode across the dielectric film, and pressing A capacitance-type analog switch having a rubber-like elastic body in which the contact area with the dielectric film changes according to the degree of contact and the capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode is determined according to the contact area An operation device characterized by.   7. The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the operating device is incorporated in an electronic musical instrument keyboard device.   Detecting means for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance analog switch; and storing capacitance values when the capacitance analog switch is not pressed and when the capacitance analog switch is pressed; The correction means for obtaining the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch based on the capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch and the stored capacitance value is provided. The operating device according to claim 1.   Measures the time from when the capacitance analog switch passes a predetermined first stroke position to the time when the capacitance analog switch passes a predetermined second stroke position when the capacitance analog switch is operated 9. The operating device according to claim 3 or 8, further comprising time measuring means.

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