JP4276584B2 - Operating device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a press-type operation device mounted on a small electronic device such as a mobile phone, and more particularly to an operation device that can perform a reliable input operation even when the device is downsized.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a game machine operating device.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the game device operation device, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation lever provided in the game device operation device. In FIG. 10, the back side of the paper is the + Y direction, and the front side of the paper is the −Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the game machine operation device 300 includes an operation lever 301.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation lever 301 is tilted in the −X direction, the operation point Q of the operation lever 301 moves in the −X direction and deviates from the position when it is on the neutral axis N when not operated. Move to position. In this state, among the plurality of conductive elastic bodies 302 provided at predetermined positions in the −X direction, + X direction, −Y direction, and + Y direction, the movement transmitting member 303 is in the −X direction. The conductive elastic body 302 a is pushed downward by the movement transmitting member 303. And the conductive elastic body 302a contacts the resistor 304a corresponding to the conductive elastic body 302a. The contact area between the conductive elastic body 302 a and the resistor 304 a corresponds to the amount of movement of the operation lever 301. For this reason, in the location between the conductive elastic body 302a and the resistor 304a, the resistance value changes due to the change in the contact area, and the current flowing through the resistor 304a changes. The azimuth | direction and inclination angle which moved the operating point Q of the operating lever 301 by detecting a voltage change from the change of this electric current are detected. The detected signal is input as an analog signal from the flexible board 305 to the computer game machine via a cable or the like.

Similarly, when the operation lever 301 is tilted in the + X direction, the -Y direction, and the + Y direction, the conductive elastic body 302 provided at a predetermined position in each direction and the position corresponding to the conductive elastic body 302 are provided. The azimuth | direction and inclination angle which moved the operation lever 301 from the contact with the resistor 304 and moved the operation lever 301 are detected. The detected signal is input as an analog signal from the flexible board 305 to the computer game device via a cable or the like.
JP 2000-348574 A

  When the electronic device is downsized, the surface area of the housing is reduced, so that the installation space for the operation device to be mounted is reduced, and the operation device to be mounted is also downsized. For this reason, even in a downsized operating device, it is necessary to ensure that the operation is performed.

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, detection of the azimuth and the tilt angle by which the operation lever 301 is moved is performed by tilting the operation lever 301 in each direction with a finger or the like, and the conductive elastic body 302 and the resistor 304. Done by contact with. For this reason, when the operation lever 301 is downsized, it becomes difficult to incline the operation lever 301 in each direction with a finger or the like and bring the conductive elastic body 302 and the resistor 304 into contact with each other. As a result, the azimuth | direction and inclination angle which moved the operation lever 301 are not detected, but a desired input operation cannot be performed by the operation lever 301.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation device that can perform a reliable input operation even when the device is downsized.

The operating device of the present invention, the elastic body provided on the lower surface of the elastic member and the elastic body having an operation surface on the surface is and a first reinforcing member for restricting the flex a predetermined amount or more operations a parts and, and said first reinforcing member and the detection portion provided predetermined distance apart,
The operation unit and the detection unit and a second arm portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction as the first arm portion extending in a first direction, the first arm portion of the detecting unit the first at intervals in the direction provided with a plurality of sets of contact portions, the contact portions of the plurality of sets in the second arm portion at intervals in the second direction of the detection unit is provided on, each of the contact portion, and the upper conductive portion provided on the upper sheet faces and a lower conductive portion provided on the lower sheet,
Wherein between the operation unit and the detection unit, and a first projection corresponding to each of the contact portions are provided at a plurality of positions, the operation unit the detector and Ru are resiliently deformed toward the first is pressed the contact portion through the protrusion and the upper conductive portion and the lower conductive portion is to be connected,
A plurality of switches are provided on the lower side of the detection unit, and the switches are arranged along the first direction and the second direction with an interval wider than the interval between the contact points, When the operation unit is bent and deformed toward the detection unit, the switch is pressed via the detection unit by the first protrusion .

According to the present invention, the switch includes a central portion where the first arm portion and the second arm portion intersect with each other, and two locations spaced apart on both sides from the central portion in the first arm portion, The second arm portion can be configured to be provided at a total of five locations, two locations spaced from the center portion on both sides.

The present invention can connect the upper conductive portion and the lower conductive portion of the contact portion without operating the switch when the operating surface is pressed with a first operating force, The switch can be operated when the operation surface is pressed with a second operation force larger than the first operation force.

For example, in the switch, the conductive portion and the reverse plate face each other, and the reverse plate is pushed to come into contact with the conductive portion.

The present invention, the output of such movement direction and movement amount of the finger or the like by the detection unit is obtained, et al is, so binary output on and off switch is obtained. That is, it is possible to obtain both the output of the movement direction and the movement amount of the finger or the like and the binary output of ON and OFF.

Alternatively, it is preferable that a spacing member is provided between adjacent switches, and the first protrusion and the contact portion face each other on the spacing member .

  In the operating device of the present invention, a reliable input operation can be performed even when the operating device is downsized.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mobile phone on which the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention that changes by a pressing operation. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1 showing the inside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 200 includes a case (housing) 201 in which a first case 201 a and a second case 201 b are rotatably connected with a shaft 203 as a fulcrum. A plurality of push button type key input units 202 are arranged in the first case 201a, and a display unit 204 formed of a liquid crystal panel is provided in the second case 201b.

  In the mobile phone 200, the surface on which the key input unit 202 is provided and the surface of the display unit 204 face each other and are folded into two so that the first case 201a and the second case 201b are almost not used. It is set to be in a use state when it is expanded to an angle close to 180 degrees (when the state shown in FIG. 1 is reached).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 of the present invention has a substantially cross shape extending in four directions of the X1 direction, the X2 direction, the Y1 direction, and the Y2 direction with the central portion P as a center. For example, a key input unit 202 is provided. The operation surface 4 is provided between the portion thus formed and the shaft 203 so as to be exposed from the first case 201a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operating device 1 is provided on an operating portion 3 a having an elastic member (elastic body) 2, an operating surface 4, and a first reinforcing member 5, and on the first reinforcing member 5 side of the operating portion 3 a. And a detecting unit 3b. Note that the cross section of the operating device 1 in the Y1-Y2 direction is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, and the elastic member 2, the operating surface 4, the first reinforcing member 5, the operating portion 3a, and the detecting portion 3b of the operating device 1 are used. Are substantially cross-shaped and extend in the X1, Y2, Y1, and Y2 directions around the central portion P. In the present invention, the X1-X2 direction is the first direction, and the Y1-Y2 direction is the second direction. Of the elastic member 2, the operation surface 4, the first reinforcing member 5, the operation unit 3 a, and the detection unit 3 b, the portion extending in the first direction is the first arm portion, and the portion extending in the second direction is the first Two arms.

  The elastic member 2 is formed of a soft material that can be elastically deformed, and the operation surface 4 is formed of a material having a low frictional resistance and is formed so as to overlap the upper surface (the surface on the Z1 side) of the elastic member 2.

  The elastic member 2 is preferably formed of silicone rubber. For example, high-density polyethylene and polypropylene have high hardness and cannot be bent and deformed with a low load. Conversely, low density polyethylene has poor high temperature properties and cannot be used. On the other hand, when silicone rubber is used as the elastic member 2, the elastic member 2 can be bent and deformed locally with low load. The elastic member 2 is not limited to silicone rubber, and may be other rubber-based elastic members.

  However, silicone rubber has a problem that it is too soft and twisted, has a large frictional resistance, and impairs operability. Therefore, in the present invention, the film-like first reinforcing member 5 is fixed to the lower surface (the surface on the Z2 side) of the elastic member 2 formed of silicone rubber. The first reinforcing member 5 is made of PET resin or polypropylene resin. By affixing the 1st reinforcement member 5 to the lower surface of the elastic member 2, the said twist can be prevented, without impairing the bending deformation to the Z1-Z2 direction of the elastic member 2. FIG.

  In addition, a method for dealing with the point that the frictional resistance is large and the operability is impaired is, for example, to form a silicone resin containing an inorganic filler on the operation surface 4, specifically containing silica particles. By applying or printing such a resin on the operation surface 4, the frictional resistance of the operation surface 4 can be reduced, and a finger or the like can be smoothly moved on the operation surface 4. However, as long as the operation surface 4 can be made a smooth surface with low resistance, the operation surface 4 is not limited to the above-described silicone resin containing silica, and may be made of other members.

  When such a low resistance operation surface 4 is provided on the elastic member 2, it becomes possible to smoothly move a finger or the like in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction with respect to the operation surface 4, Operability can be improved.

  The first reinforcing member 5 preferably has a shape protruding from the operation surface 4 toward the Y1-Y2 side and the X1-X2 side. At this time, portions protruding from the elastic member 2 and the operation surface 4 to the Y1-Y2 side and the X1-X2 side are the flanges. The flange is locked on the upper inner surface of the first case 201a, and has a retaining function and a waterproof function for preventing the elastic member 2 from coming out of the first case 201a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the lower surface of the first reinforcing member 5, for example, five hemispherical first protrusions 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e are linearly formed along the X1-X2 direction. It is provided at equal pitch intervals. However, the 1st processus | protrusions 2a-2e are the structures formed in the upper surface of the upper sheet | seat 31 of the detection part 3b mentioned later on the upper surface of the upper part sheet 31 at equal pitch intervals along the X1-X2 direction similarly to the above. Also good.

  Support portions 6a and 6b are formed on the outer sides of the first protrusions 2a and 2e. The first protrusions 2a to 2e and the support portions 6a and 6b are all formed simultaneously by printing with an ultraviolet curable resin. However, the first protrusions 2a to 2e and the support portions 6a and 6b are not necessarily made of an ultraviolet curable resin. Although not shown, an adhesive layer having adhesiveness is formed on the lower surfaces of the support portions 6a and 6b, and is bonded and fixed to the upper surface of the upper sheet 31 of the detection portion 3b.

Next, the detection unit 3b will be described.
The detection unit 3b includes an upper sheet 31 having upper conductive parts 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e on the lower surface, and a lower sheet 32 having lower conductive parts 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, and 32e on the upper surface. Configured.

  The upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32 are formed of an integral sheet made of a flexible resin material such as PET resin or polyimide resin. As shown in FIG. The upper conductive portions 31a to 31e formed on the lower sheet 32 and the lower conductive portions 32a to 32e formed on the lower sheet 32 face each other.

  The upper conductive portions 31a to 31e and the lower conductive portions 32a to 32e are printed and formed as conductive coating films obtained by screen-printing a conductive paste on the resin material and evaporating the solvent by heating. Further, a carbon coating for suppressing corrosion or the like is formed on the conductive coating.

  Between the upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32, there is a spacer 33 provided with holes 33a to 33e at positions facing the upper conductive parts 31a to 31e and the lower conductive parts 32a to 32e. The spacer 33 is made of, for example, an adhesive material. The upper conductive portions 31a to 31e and the lower conductive portions 32a to 32e constitute the contacts S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5.

  A second reinforcing member 7 is provided on the lower surface side of the lower sheet 32. The second reinforcing member 7 is formed of a material that can be bent and deformed, and maintains the detection unit 3b so as to be horizontal to the XY plane.

  Between the 2nd reinforcement member 7 and the 1st case 201a, 1st switch 8a, 8b, 8c which generates a click feeling in the position corresponding to contact S1, S3, S5 is provided. Then, on the lower surface side of the second reinforcing member 7, second protrusions 9a, 9b, and 9c formed by printing with an ultraviolet curable resin are provided at positions corresponding to the first switches 8a to 8c. Yes.

  In the first switch 8a, a metal dome-shaped reversal plate 8a1 is provided on the first case 201a, and a peripheral edge 8a11 of the reversal plate 8a1 is fixed to the first case 201a. Further, a conductive pattern 8a2 is formed on the surface of the first case 201a at a position facing the inner center of the reversing plate 8a1, and another conductive pattern (not shown) is connected to the peripheral portion 8a11 of the reversing plate 8a1. ing. The other first switches 8b and 8c have the same structure as the first switch 8a as shown in FIG.

Next, operation | movement of the operating device 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 3 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the operator places a finger (operation body) F on the portion corresponding to the contact S3 in the operation surface 4 and gently pushes it down in the Z2 direction, the elastic member 2 corresponds to the contact S3. A downward bending deformation centered on the portion is locally generated. As the elastic member 2 is deformed, the first reinforcing member 5 is also bent and deformed downward. At this time, the pressing amount of the first protrusion 2c in the Z2 direction is maximized. Therefore, the upper sheet 31 is locally bent downward and deformed by the first protrusion 2c, the upper conductive part 31c and the lower conductive part 32c come into contact with each other, and the contact S3 is conducted.

  In the present invention, the first protrusions 2 a to 2 e are provided between the first reinforcing member 5 and the upper sheet 31. For this reason, even when the pressing force from the finger F is small and the downward bending deformation of the first reinforcing member 5 is small, the downward bending deformation of the first reinforcing member 5 is caused by the first protrusions 2 a to 2. 2e can be reliably transmitted to the upper sheet 31, the upper sheet 31 can be reliably bent downward and deformed, and the upper conductive parts 31a to 31e and the lower conductive parts 32a to 32e are brought into contact with each other. Each of the contacts S1 to S5 can be reliably conducted. That is, even when the operation surface 4 is pressed with a small pressing force, the contacts S1 to S5 can be reliably conducted.

  Moreover, in this invention, the 2nd reinforcement member 7 is provided in the lower surface side of the lower sheet | seat 32, and the detection part 3b is being fixed to the XY plane horizontally. For this reason, when the operation part 3a is pressed by the finger F, the upper conductive parts 31a to 31e and the lower conductive parts 32a to 32e are reliably in contact with each other and become conductive.

  When the finger F is moved in the X1 direction, for example, from the state shown in FIG. 3, the upper conductive portion 31b and the lower conductive portion 32b are brought into contact (contact S2), and then the upper conductive portion 31a and the lower conductive portion are contacted. It becomes possible to sequentially contact between the portions 32a (contact point S1). Further, when the load from the finger F is increased, the plurality of contacts can be made conductive.

  In the present invention, by applying a predetermined voltage between the upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32, the conduction sequence of the contacts S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 is detected by, for example, a control unit (not shown). The moving direction of the finger F is detected. It is also possible to detect the number of conductive contacts.

  When the operation surface 4 is further pushed down in the Z2 direction with the finger F from the state shown in FIG. 3, the lower sheet 32 is bent downward and deformed as shown in FIG. 4, and the second reinforcing member 7 is pushed down as a whole. It is done. However, since the second protrusions 9b and 9a and the second protrusions 9b and 9c are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, a portion of the second reinforcing member 7 corresponding to the second protrusion 9b. Is most deformed downward and the second protrusion 9b moves most downward. Thereby, the center part of the inversion board 8b1 provided in the 1st switch 8b is changed into the concave shape by the second protrusion 9b, and a click feeling is generated. At this time, the second protrusions 9a and 9c do not move downward to such an extent that the central portions of the reversing plates 8a1 and 8c1 provided in the first switches 8a and 8c are deformed into a concave shape.

  Simultaneously with the click feeling, the reversal plate 8b1 connected to the other conductive pattern comes into contact with the conductive pattern 8b2 by the reversal operation, and the output of the first switch 8b is switched from off to on.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the second protrusions 9a to 9c are provided on the lower surface side of the second reinforcing member 7 at positions corresponding to the first switches 8a to 8c. For this reason, the first switches 8a to 8c are surely pressed by the second protrusions 9a to 9c, and the click feeling and the switching of the output from OFF to ON are reliably performed.

  In addition, when the first switches 8a to 8c that generate the click feeling are provided, the operator can surely recognize that the first switches 8a to 8c are pressed, and on the detection unit 3b side. Outputs such as the moving direction and amount of movement of the finger F are obtained, and binary output of on and off can be obtained on the first switches 8a to 8c side. That is, it is possible to obtain both the output of the movement direction and the movement amount of the finger F and the binary output of ON and OFF.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing an operation device according to another modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the inside of the operation device of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG.

  The operating device 1 </ b> A of this modification is different from the operating device 1 only in the structure between the detection unit 3 b and the first case 201 a, and the other structure is the same as the operating device 1.

  In this modification, a spacing member 10 having the same height as the height h0 of the first switches 8a to 8c is provided between the detection unit 3b and the first case 201a, and the first switches 8a to 8c. The upper surface of the reversing plates 8a1 to 8c1 and the upper surface 10a of the spacing member 10 are made to coincide with each other to form one horizontal plane 11 that is horizontal to the XY plane. Spacing member 10 is made of, for example, an adhesive. And the lower sheet | seat 32 of the detection part 3b is adhere | attached on the horizontal surface 11, and the detection part 3b is horizontally fixed to XY plane.

  With such a structure, as shown in FIG. 6, when the portion corresponding to the contact S <b> 3 of the operation surface 4 is pushed down in the Z <b> 2 direction with the finger F, unlike the operation device 1, the first protrusion 2 c is formed. The lower sheet 32 is pressed, and only the portion of the lower sheet 32 pressed by the first protrusion 2c is bent downward and deformed. And the center part of the inversion board 8b1 provided in the 1st switch 8b by the 1st protrusion 2c deform | transforms into a concave shape, and a click feeling is generated. Simultaneously with the click feeling, the reversing plate 8b1 connected to the other conductive pattern comes into contact with the conductive pattern 8b2 by the reversing operation, and the output of the first switch 8b is switched from off to on.

  In the operating device 1A of the present modified example, unlike the operating device 1, the lower sheet 32 is directly fixed to the upper surfaces of the reversing plates 8a1 to 8c1 of the first switches 8a to 8c and the upper surface 10a of the spacing member 10. That is, as in the case of the operating device 1, the second reinforcing member 7 and the second protrusions 9a to 9c are not provided between the lower sheet 32 and the upper surfaces of the reversing plates 8a1 to 8c1. For this reason, the thickness of the entire operation device 1A can be reduced, and the operation device 1A can be reduced in size.

  In addition, the spacing which has the same height h1 as the predetermined space | interval h1 of the 2nd reinforcement member 7 and the 1st case 201a between the 2nd reinforcement member 7 of the operating device 1, and the 1st case 201a. The member 10 may be provided. In this manner, when the spacing member 10 is provided in addition to the second reinforcing member 7, the detection unit 3b can be more securely fixed horizontally to the XY plane, and when the operation unit 3a is pressed, the detection unit 3b The upper conductive parts 31a to 31e and the lower conductive parts 32a to 32e can be brought into contact with each other more reliably and can be conducted.

FIG. 7A is a plan view showing an operating device as a reference example of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is II-II in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 when cut by a line.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the operating device 1B has the operating device 1 at the center, and pressing members 101, 102 are provided on the sides of the operating device 1 in the X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 directions. , 103, 104 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, only the first switch 8d is provided on the lower surface side of the second reinforcing member 7 of the operating device 1 only at a position corresponding to the first switch S3. Only the second protrusion 9d is provided at the opposing position.

  Below the pressing members 101 and 102, second switches 80a and 80b are provided in the first case 201a. The structure of the second switches 80a and 80b is the same as that of the first switches 8a to 8d. A second switch is similarly provided below the pressing members 103 and 104.

  Based on the above principle, the detection unit 3b can obtain an output such as the movement direction and the movement amount of the finger F, and the first switch 8d can obtain the binary output of on and off.

  Further, when the pressing members 101, 102, 103, 104 are pressed with a finger or the like, the above-described binary output of on and off is obtained in the second switch based on the same principle as the first switches 8a to 8d.

Operating apparatus 1B, the output of such movement direction and movement amount of the finger F is obtained by the operation device 1, the binary output is mostly pressing member 101, 102, 103, 104 and the second switch of the on and off can get. For this reason, the part and operation for obtaining the output such as the moving direction and the moving amount of the finger F and the part and operation for obtaining the binary output of on and off are clearly distinguished, and the operability of the controller device 1B is improved. As a result, the operator can easily and accurately perform an input operation for obtaining a desired output.

In the present embodiment, instead of the controller device 1, an controller device 1A shown in FIG.
When the operation device 1A is used, the part and operation for obtaining the output such as the moving direction and the amount of movement of the finger F are clearly distinguished from the part and operation for obtaining the binary output of on and off, and the operation device 1B. In addition to improving the operability, the thickness of the entire operation device 1B can be reduced, and the operation device 1B can be downsized.

Since the operating devices 1 and 1A of the present invention include the operating unit 3a and the detecting unit 3b having the above-described structure, the operating devices 1 and 1A are downsized and reliable input is possible even when operated with a small pressing force. The operation can be performed.

  In the above description, the structure of the portion extending in the X1 direction and the X2 direction has been described, but the structure of the portion extending in the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction is the same as the structure of the portion extending in the X1 direction and the X2 direction.

  In addition, the upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32 of the detection unit 3b of the present invention are not limited to the one that is formed of the same material and is folded as described above. For example, the upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32 are separately formed, and the anisotropic conductive adhesive is provided between the side end portion of the upper sheet 31 in the illustrated X1 direction or the X2 direction and the lower sheet 32 positioned therebelow. A conductive adhesive layer made of, for example, may be provided, and the upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32 may be conducted through the conductive adhesive layer. If it does in this way, without providing a separate connection member, the upper sheet 31 and the lower sheet 32 can be conducted, and it becomes unnecessary to provide the separate connection member, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. . In addition, the connection path for conducting both sheets can be shortened.

  Further, the operating device of the present invention is not limited to the substantially cross shape as described above, and may be any shape as long as the first arm portion and the second arm portion intersect each other.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the operation device in the mobile phone shown in FIG. Note that a display portion 205a, which is one portion of the original information 205, is indicated by hatching.

  On the display unit 204 of the mobile phone 200, a display part 205a, which is a part of original information 205 such as a map information or a menu such as TV program information, is displayed.

  When the operating device 1 or 1A of the present invention is mounted on the mobile phone 200 and the finger or the like is moved from, for example, the X1 direction to the X2 direction while pressing the operating device 1 or 1A with the finger or the like, the detecting unit 3b Thus, it is detected which contact is conducted in which order, and it is detected that the finger or the like is moved from the X1 direction to the X2 direction. Then, in accordance with the detected movement direction of the finger or the like, the display portion 205a moves in the original information 205, for example, in the X2 direction. And the display part 205a which changes with this movement is displayed on the display part 204 sequentially. Similarly, when the finger or the like is moved from the X2 direction to the X1 direction, the display portion 205a moves in the X1 direction. When the finger or the like is moved from the Y1 direction to the Y2 direction, the display portion 205a moves in the Y2 direction, and from the Y2 direction to the Y1 direction. Display portion 205a moves in the Y1 direction, and the display portion 205a that changes due to these movements is sequentially displayed on the display unit 204.

  Then, when the desired display portion 205a is displayed, if the portion corresponding to the position where the first switch is provided is pressed with a finger or the like, the binary output of on and off is output from the first switch. The desired display portion 205a is determined and selected. Thereafter, the operator can edit the desired display portion 205a selected and selected by an input operation to the key input unit 202.

Even when the operation device 1B of the reference example is mounted, the same operation as described above can be performed. However, when the operating device 1B is mounted, the determination and selection are performed not only by the binary output of the on and off from the first switch but also by the pressing member provided with the second switch. This is also performed by the binary output of on and off from the second switch obtained by pressing with the same.

  In the present invention, the operation unit and the detection unit may have a configuration in which an arm unit other than the first arm unit and the second arm unit is added.

  In the above description, the operation device of the present invention is mounted on a mobile phone. However, a small electronic device on which the operation device of the present invention is mounted is not limited to a mobile phone, and the operation device of the present invention. Is mounted on a small electronic device such as a small PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable personal computer, or a controller of a portable game machine.

The front view which shows the mobile telephone by which the operating device of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is mounted, 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1, showing the inside of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which changes depending on the pressing operation; 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1, showing the inside of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which changes depending on the pressing operation; 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1, showing the inside of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which changes depending on the pressing operation; Sectional drawing similar to FIG. 2 which shows the operating device of the other modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the inside of the operating device of FIG. 7A is a plan view showing an operating device as a reference example of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 taken along the line II-II in FIG. 7A, The figure explaining the operation example of the operating device in the mobile phone shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the conventional operating device for game machines, Sectional drawing which shows the operating lever with which the conventional operating device for game machines is equipped,

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B Operating device 2 Elastic member (elastic body)
2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e 1st protrusion 3a Operation part 3b Detection part 4 Operation surface 5 1st reinforcement member 7 2nd reinforcement member 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d 1st switch 9a, 9b, 9c , 9d Second protrusion 10 Spacing member 11 Horizontal surface 31 Upper sheet 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e Upper conductive part 32 Lower sheet 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e Lower conductive part 33 Spacers 80a, 80b First 2 switch 100 Press sensor 101, 102, 103, 104 Press member 201a 1st housing | casing S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 Contact

Claims (6)

A first composed and a reinforcing member operation portion to which the elastic member provided on the lower surface of the elastic member and the elastic body having an operation surface to restrict the flex a predetermined amount or more to the surface, the first Having a reinforcing member and a detection portion provided at a predetermined distance;
The operation unit and the detection unit and a second arm portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction as the first arm portion extending in a first direction, the first arm portion of the detecting unit the first at intervals in the direction provided with a plurality of sets of contact portions, the contact portions of the plurality of sets in the second arm portion at intervals in the second direction of the detection unit is provided on, each of the contact portion, and the upper conductive portion provided on the upper sheet faces and a lower conductive portion provided on the lower sheet,
Wherein between the operation unit and the detection unit, and a first projection corresponding to each of the contact portions are provided at a plurality of positions, the operation unit the detector and Ru are resiliently deformed toward the first is pressed the contact portion through the protrusion and the upper conductive portion and the lower conductive portion is to be connected,
A plurality of switches are provided on the lower side of the detection unit, and the switches are arranged along the first direction and the second direction with an interval wider than the interval between the contact points, The operating device, wherein the switch is pressed through the detection unit by the first protrusion when the operation unit is bent and deformed toward the detection unit . The switch includes a central portion where the first arm portion and the second arm portion intersect, two locations spaced from the central portion on both sides of the first arm portion, and the second arm portion. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operating device is provided at a total of five locations, two at a distance from the center to both sides of the arm. When the operation surface is pressed with a first operation force, the upper conductive portion and the lower conductive portion of the contact portion can be connected without operating the switch, and the operation surface is The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the switch can be operated when pressed with a second operating force that is greater than the first operating force. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein when the first operating force is moved along the operation surface, information on a moving direction and a moving amount of the first operating force is obtained by an operation of the contact portion. The operation device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the switch is configured such that the conductive portion and the reverse plate face each other, and the reverse plate is pressed to contact the conductive portion. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein a spacing member is provided between adjacent switches, and the first protrusion and the contact portion are opposed to each other on the spacing member.

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