JP4187003B2 - Rotary encoder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary encoder mainly used for computer peripheral devices such as a mouse, a mobile phone, an in-vehicle electrical component, and the like.

  Common rotary operation type electronic components include variable resistors that obtain a predetermined resistance value by rotating the operation shaft, encoders that output electrical signals, etc., but these operation shafts are coaxial with the rotation center. In addition, since it is fixed with respect to the axis, it can be moved only in the rotational direction or in the rotational direction and the axial direction.

  A conventional rotary operation type electronic component will be described below with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 by taking a rotary encoder with push switch as an example.

  In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes an operating shaft, which is inserted into the circular hole 32A of the bearing 32 from below so that its intermediate circular portion 31A is fitted and held so that it can rotate and move up and down. A non-circular hole 33A at the center of the rotary contact board 33 is fitted to the part 31B so that the rotational motion is transmitted but the vertical movement is not transmitted.

  The rotary contact substrate 33 is sandwiched between the bearing 32 and the lower case 34 to determine the position in the vertical direction. On the lower surface thereof, as shown in the bottom view of the rotary contact substrate 33 in FIG. A contact plate 35 serving as a movable contact made up of 35A and a plurality of linear portions 35B extending radially therefrom is provided by insert molding.

  Then, the elastic contact portions 36A, 36B, and 36C as the fixed side contacts extended from the case 34 are elastically contacted with the central circle portion 35A and the linear portion 35B of the contact plate 35 to constitute a rotary encoder portion. The positions of the elastic contact portions 36B and 36C are set so as to be slightly shifted in the rotation direction.

  Further, a push switch portion 37 is disposed below the case 34, and a lower end portion 31 </ b> C of the operation shaft 31 is in contact with an upper end of the operation portion 37 </ b> A of the push switch portion 37.

  Next, the operation of the rotary encoder with push switch will be described. First, when the operation knob 39 attached to the upper end portion 31D of the operation shaft 31 is rotated, the rotary contact substrate 33 rotates along with the rotation operation of the operation shaft 31. The three elastic contact portions 36A and 36B, 36C slide on the central circle portion 35A and the straight portion 35B with respect to the contact plate 35 on the lower surface thereof, and terminals 38A and 38B connected to the respective contacts are connected. A pulse signal is generated between 38A and 38B of 38C and between 38A and 38C to function as an encoder.

  At this time, the displacement of the pulse contact signals generated between the terminals 38A-38B and 38A-38C is caused by the displacement of the elastic contact portions 36B and 36C contacting the linear portion 35B of the contact plate 35. The direction of the function to be performed can be detected and adjusted as a circuit.

  Further, during this rotation operation, the operation shaft 31 does not move in the vertical direction, and the push switch unit 37 is configured not to operate.

  Next, as indicated by an arrow in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, when the operation shaft 31 is moved downward by applying a pressing force to the operation knob 39 attached to the upper end portion 31 </ b> D of the operation shaft 31, the lower end portion 31 </ b> C becomes the operation portion. The push switch unit 37 is operated by pressing 37A.

  At this time, the rotary contact board 33 of the rotary encoder unit does not move downward and of course does not rotate, so the rotary encoder unit does not operate.

  However, the conventional rotary operation type electronic component can be operated only in the rotation direction and the axial direction of the operation shaft 31 to which the operation knob 39 is attached. It was a thing.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and it is possible to operate not only the rotating part part but also the linear drive type part part by rotating and tilting the operating shaft to which the operation knob is attached. An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary encoder that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, the rotary encoder according to the present invention is configured so that the push switch is spaced apart from the mounting board on which the push switch is mounted in a state where the rotation center axis of the rotating body is parallel to the board surface. A hole that fits one end of a linear bar-shaped operation shaft that is mounted at an open position and has a disk-shaped operation knob and is arranged so that the rotation center axis is substantially parallel to the substrate surface is rotated. The hole is in the shape of a regular polygonal hole having a uniform hole size at the position of the rotation axis of the body. Formed and fitted with a regular polygonal sphere having a cross-sectional shape of the same size as the polygon, and when the operation shaft is rotated by the rotation operation to the disk-shaped operation knob, the operation shaft rotates. At the same time, the above rotating body rotates together. And a moderation feeling is obtained by elastically sliding the moderation spring fixed to the rotating body, and the moderation is performed when the disc-shaped operation knob is pushed down. The elastic force of the spring against the rotating body prevents inadvertent rotation of the rotating body, and the operation shaft remains straight without bending the fitting portion as a fulcrum. The other end side of the operation shaft placed on the upper side is configured to be configured to be capable of tilting the operation shaft.
Or, with respect to the mounting substrate on which the push switch is mounted, the rotation center axis of the rotating body is mounted at a position spaced apart from the push switch in a state of being parallel to the substrate surface, and the rotation center axis of the rotating body The hole provided at the position of the narrow portion is an oval or regular polygon hole shape at the position of the narrow portion, and at the position other than the narrow portion, the hole shape of the oval or regular polygon at the position of the narrow portion The operation shaft is formed in an oval or regular polygon having the same shape as the oval or regular polygon at the narrow portion of the hole. The rotating body is fitted so as to be able to rotate together, and the other end side of the operating shaft placed on the operating part of the push switch is lowered with the fitting part as a fulcrum. Allows tilting operation of the operation axis It is an those configured to the site.

In either case, the rotary encoder is operated by rotating the disk-shaped operation knob attached to the operation shaft, and the push switch is operated by tilting the operation shaft by pushing the upper outer periphery of the disk-shaped operation knob. A rotary encoder that can be realized can be realized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the rotary encoder is operated by rotating the disk-shaped operation knob attached to the operation shaft, and the push switch is operated by tilting the operation shaft by pushing the outer periphery of the disk-shaped operation knob. An advantageous effect of providing a rotary encoder that can be obtained is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a cross section of a main part of a rotary encoder with a push switch as a rotary operation type electronic component according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof. This rotary encoder with a push switch includes a rotary encoder portion 2 (hereinafter referred to as an encoder portion 2) and a push switch portion 3 disposed on a mounting substrate 1, and a disc-shaped operation knob 4 provided therebetween. An operating shaft 5 is mounted.

  The mounting board 1 has an attachment hole 6 and a terminal insertion hole 7 for the encoder part 2, soldering land parts 6A and 7A on the outer periphery of the lower surface of these holes, and a terminal insertion hole 8 for the push switch part 3. Further, a land portion 8A for soldering on the outer periphery of the lower surface thereof and a relief hole 1A for the disk-like operation knob 4 are provided.

  The encoder unit 2 includes three elastic contact portions 9A, 9B, and 9C as fixed-side contacts, and terminals 10A, 10B, and 10C that are respectively connected to these by insert molding, and a fixed contact substrate 11 on the front surface. A rotating body that is rotatably held by a center hole 11A of the contact substrate 11 and a center hole 12A of the cover 12 on the rear surface, and that has a contact plate 13 as a movable side contact that elastically contacts the elastic contact portions 9A, 9B, and 9C on the front surface. 14 and a dowel 15B disposed on the front surface of the cover 12, and a dowel 15B at the tip of the elastic leg 15A is elastically contacted with the radial uneven portion 14A on the rear surface of the rotating body 14.

  Note that the dowels 15B at the tips of the elastic legs 15A of the moderation spring 15 are stuck in the concave portions of the radial concave and convex portions 14A and stopped in the normal state.

  As shown in the front view of the rotator 14 in FIG. 3, the contact plate 13 is composed of a central circular portion 13A and a plurality of linear portions 13B extending radially therefrom, and three elastic contact portions that elastically contact with the central circular portion 13A. Among 9A, 9B, and 9C, the positions of 9B and 9C that are elastically contacted with the linear portion 13B are slightly shifted in the rotation direction as in the case of the conventional technique.

  Further, a hole 16 is formed in the center of the rotating body 14 with a narrow narrow portion 16A having a small diameter at the front end and a circular portion 16B having a large diameter on the rear side. One end portion 5A of the operation shaft 5 having the same outer diameter is fitted so as to be able to tilt together.

  The outer periphery of the other end portion 5B fitted with the large-diameter circular bush 17 of the operation shaft 5 abuts on the upper end of the operation portion 3A of the push switch portion 3, and the disc-like operation knob 4 on the side portion thereof. The circular small-diameter portion 5C is regulated so as to move only in the vertical direction by the long hole 18A of the shaft support portion 18 extended upward from the case end portion of the push switch portion 3, and in a normal state, the push switch portion 3 is pushed upward by the elastic force of the shaft return spring 19 mounted on the side of the shaft 3, and is pressed against the upper end of the long hole 18A of the shaft support portion 18.

  Further, a large-diameter disk-shaped operation knob 4 is mounted on an intermediate portion of the operation shaft 5 so as to rotate together, and a clearance hole 1A is formed in the mounting substrate 1 below the operation shaft 5.

  Next, the operation of the rotary encoder with push switch will be described.

  First, when a tangential force is applied to the outer periphery of the disk-shaped operation knob 4 and rotated, the operation shaft 5 rotates, so that the oval shape portion 16A of the center hole 16 is fitted into one end portion 5A of the oval outer diameter. The combined rotating body 14 is rotated, and the elastic contact portions 9A, 9B, and 9C elastically contacting the contact plate 13 on the front surface slide on the central circular portion 13A and the linear portion 13B, and are connected to the respective contacts. A pulse signal is generated between terminals 10A and 10B and 10C of terminals 10A and 10B and 10C and between terminals 10A and 10C and functions as an encoder.

  At this time, the displacement of the pulse signals generated between the terminals 10A-10B and 10A-10C is caused by the displacement of the elastic contact portions 9B and 9C that are in contact with the linear portion 13B of the contact plate 13. The direction of the function to be detected can be detected and adjusted as a circuit, as in the case of the prior art.

  Further, the dowel 15B at the tip of the elastic leg 15A of the moderation spring 15 that has been fitted in the concave portion of the radial concave portion 14A on the rear surface of the rotating body 14 escapes from the concave portion with the rotation of the rotary body, and the radial concave portion. After elastically sliding on 14A to give a sense of moderation, it again fits into the recess at the new stop position.

  Since the operation shaft 5 has its large-diameter circular other end portion 5B pushed up by the elastic force of the shaft return spring 19, it does not move downward during this rotation operation, and the push switch portion 3 does not operate.

  Next, as shown by an arrow in the side view of FIG. 4, when a pressing force is applied to the upper portion 4 </ b> A of the disk-like operation knob 4 against the elastic force of the shaft return spring 19, the operation shaft 5 rotates the encoder unit 2. A push switch part that tilts so that the other end part 5B is lowered with the one end part 5A fitted in the oval part 16A of the center hole 16 of the body 14 as a fulcrum, and contacts the lower outer periphery of the bush 17 of the other end part 5B. 3 is operated to operate the push switch unit 3 (see FIG. 4), and when the pushing force applied to the disk-like operation knob 4 is removed, the operation shaft 5 and the disk-like operation knob 4 are elastic force of the shaft return spring 19 1 and the operation portion 3A of the push switch portion 3 is returned to the original position by the elastic return force, and returns to the state shown in FIG.

  When the operation shaft 5 is tilted by applying a pressing force to the disk-like operation knob 4, the dowels 15B of the elastic legs 15A of the moderation spring 15 are inserted into the recesses of the radial unevenness 14A on the rear surface of the rotating body 14 of the encoder unit 2. The rotating body 14 does not rotate because of the interference, so the encoder unit 2 does not operate.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by rotating the disk-shaped operation knob 4 attached to the operation shaft 5, the encoder unit 2 is tilted by pushing the outer periphery of the disk-shaped operation knob 4. A highly versatile rotary encoder with a push switch capable of operating the push switch unit 3 can be realized.

  In the above description, the case where the shape of the non-circular small hole portion of the central hole 16 of the rotating body 14 and the outer diameter of the operation shaft 5 fitted thereto is an oval shape has been described. As shown in the front view of the rotating body in FIG. 5, by making a regular polygon such as a regular hexagonal hole 16 </ b> C, the operation of tilting the operating shaft 5 can be performed more smoothly at any rotational angle position of the rotating body 14. It is something that can be done.

  In the above description, the disk-like operation knob 4 is arranged between the encoder part 2 and the push switch part 3 in the arrangement of the encoder part 2 and the push switch part 3 and the disk-like operation knob 4 for operating both. In this case, the push switch unit 3 may be disposed between the encoder unit 2 and the disk-shaped operation knob 4 as shown in the side view of FIG. In this case, the pressing stroke of the disk-shaped operation knob 4 when the disk-shaped operation knob 4 is pushed to tilt the operation shaft 23 is increased.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a side view of a cross section of a main part of a rotary encoder with push switch as a rotary operation type electronic component according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The shape of the hole 22 at the center of the 20 rotating bodies 21 and the shape of the operation shaft 23 fitted to the hole 22 are different.

  That is, the center hole 22 of the rotating body 21 has a regular hexagonal uniform size, and a large-diameter regular hexagonal sphere portion 23A having a regular hexagonal cross section at one end of the operation shaft 23 is fitted therein. The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Since the operation in this case is exactly the same as that in the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly rotate the operation shaft 23 at any rotational angle position of the rotating body 21 as compared with the case of the first embodiment, and to rotate the rotating body 21. The play angle of the operation shaft 23 can be kept small by increasing the diameter of the large regular hexagonal sphere 23A at one end of the center hole 22 and the operation shaft 23 fitted therein.

  Note that the shape of the large-diameter regular hexagonal sphere portion 23A at one end of the central hole 22 of the rotating body 21 and the operation shaft 23 fitted therein is not a regular hexagon, but is a regular octagon, a regular dodecagon, or the like. Of course, it may be square.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a mouse using a rotary encoder with a push switch as a rotary operation type electronic component according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG.

  The basic configuration and operation of the rotary encoder with push switch according to the present embodiment shown in the figure are the same as those described in the section of the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. The height of the base portion covering the outer periphery of the substrate is the highest on the fixed contact substrate 11 side, which is the side close to the disk-shaped operation knob 4, and the cover 12 side, which is the side far from the disk-shaped operation knob 4, is lower. As shown in FIG. 10, in the plane perpendicular to the operation shaft 5, the central portion is high and the left and right sides are low.

  As a result, when the rotary encoder with push switch is mounted in the mouse, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the mouse, such as making the disk-shaped operation knob 4 on the outer shape of the mouse the highest and easy to operate. It is.

  In order to provide a height difference in the height of the base portion of the rotary encoder unit 2 described above, components such as the fixed contact board 11 that greatly affects the characteristics of the encoder unit 2 depending on the size are arranged on the operation knob 4 side. Of course, parts such as the moderation spring 15 having a small influence are arranged on the side far from the disk-like operation knob 4.

  Further, in the above description, the push switch unit 3 is not particularly described because it has a smaller dimension than the rotary encoder unit 2, but if necessary, the push switch unit 3 is also operated in a disk-like manner. Of course, the side closer to the knob 4 is raised and the side farther away is lowered.

  In the rotary encoder according to the present invention, the rotary encoder can be operated by rotating the disk-shaped operation knob attached to the operation shaft, and the push switch can be operated by pushing the outer periphery of the disk-shaped operation knob and tilting the operation shaft. This is useful when configuring the input operation unit of various electronic devices such as a computer peripheral device such as a mouse, a mobile phone, and an in-vehicle electrical component.

The side view of the principal part cross section of the rotary encoder with a push switch by the 1st Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Front view of the main rotating body Side view of the cross section of the main part explaining the operation during tilting operation of the operating shaft Front view for explaining another shape of the rotating body which is the main part Side view of the other embodiment The side view of the principal part cross section of the rotary encoder with a push switch by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention External perspective view of mouse using rotary encoder with push switch according to third embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing in the EE line of FIG. Sectional drawing in the FF line of FIG. Sectional view of a conventional rotary encoder with push switch Bottom view of the rotating contact board, the main part Sectional drawing explaining operation | movement when pushing and operating the same operation axis

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mounting board 1A Escape hole 2,20 (Rotation type) Encoder part 3 Push switch part 3A Operation part 4 Disc-shaped operation knob 4A Upper part 5,23 Operation shaft 5A One end part 5B Other end part 5C Circular thin diameter part 6 Attachment hole 6A , 7A, 8A Land portion 7, 8 Terminal insertion hole 9A, 9B, 9C Elastic contact portion 10A, 10B, 10C Terminal 11 Fixed contact board 11A, 12A Center hole 12 Cover 13 Contact plate 13A Center circle portion 13B Linear portion 14, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Rotating body 14A Radial uneven part 15 Moderation spring 15A Elastic leg 15B Dowel 16,22 Hole 16A Oval part 16B Circular part 16C Regular hexagonal hole 17 Bush 18 Shaft support part 18A Long hole 19 Return spring 23A Regular hexagonal sphere part

Claims (2)

A rotary encoder in which a rotary body rotatably held on a fixed contact board rotates, whereby a contact portion formed between the two is mechanically connected and separated to obtain an encoder signal. the substrate but to the mounting substrate is mounted, the rotational center axis of the rotating body is mounted in a position spaced above the push switch in a state where a parallel relationship to the substrate surface, comprises a circular plate-shaped operating knob There is a hole that fits one end of the linear rod-shaped operation shaft that is arranged so that the rotation center axis is substantially parallel to the surface at the position of the rotation center axis of the rotating body. A regular polygonal sphere having a regular polygonal hole shape of such a size, and having one end side of the operation shaft inserted into the hole having a cross-sectional shape of the same size as the regular polygon of the hole Formed and fitted on the top When the operation shaft is rotated by rotating the disk-shaped operation knob, the rotating body rotates together with the rotation of the operation shaft to generate an encoder signal, and the fixed state with respect to the rotating body is set. A moderation feeling is obtained by elastically sliding the moderated spring, and the rotating body is not prepared due to the elastic contact force of the moderating spring to the rotating body when the disk-shaped operation knob is pushed down. The above-mentioned operation in which the other end side of the operation shaft placed on the operation portion of the push switch is lowered while the operation shaft is kept straight without being bent with the fitting portion as a fulcrum. rotary encoder which is characterized by being configured at a site capable forming a tilting operation of the shaft. A rotary encoder in which a rotating body rotatably held on a fixed contact board is rotated so that a contact portion formed between them is brought into contact with and separated from the mounting board on which a push switch is mounted. The rotation center axis of the rotating body is mounted at a position spaced apart from the push switch in a state of being parallel to the substrate surface, and the hole provided at the position of the rotation center axis of the rotating body is narrow. in oval or regular polygonal hole shape at the position of the parts, their in positions other than Hosohaba portion is formed in a larger hole shape than the hole shape of oval or regular polygonal at the location of the Hosohaba portion, the hole within, is one end inserted in the operating shaft which are formed in the oval or regular polygonal hole the same shape was made in oval shape or regular polygonal in the position of Hosohaba portion of the hole the rotary body Are fitted together so that they can rotate together , Rotary, characterized in that its mating portion as a fulcrum, and configured at a site forming capable of tilting motion of the operating shaft the other end side of the operating shaft placed on the operation portion on the push switch drops Encoder.

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