JP4770646B2 - Input device and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and an information processing device that detect a movement amount based on a change amount of capacitance, and in particular, an input device that receives an input of a movement amount in a movement operation of a pointer or the like and a scroll operation of a screen, and the input device. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus provided.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-314163 discloses a so-called capacitance type sensor that accepts an input of a moving amount based on a detected amount of change in capacitance. As shown in FIG. 20, the electrostatic capacitance sensor described in the publication has an electrode portion C formed on the lower surface of the substrate 101 fixed to the input shaft portion 110, and the substrate 102 facing the lower side of the substrate 101. The electrode part C ′ (CX +, CX−, CY +, CY−) facing the electrode part C is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 102.

  In the configuration of the publication, the capacitance generated between the electrode portion C and the electrode portion C ′ is changed by moving the substrate 101 in the horizontal direction, and the change in capacitance is converted into an output voltage and moved. Detect direction and amount of movement. In FIG. 20, four electrodes CX +, CX−, CY +, and CY− are used to detect movement in four directions.

JP-A-6-314163

  As screens of various information processing apparatuses increase in size and resolution, the range of pointer movement and scrolling becomes wider, and detailed operations are required. For example, when a relatively small target such as an icon or button is selected or when fine drawing is performed, it is necessary to move the pointer slowly with respect to the instruction amount (movement amount) to the operation unit (fine adjustment). operation). On the other hand, for example, when moving the pointer between buttons that are far apart, or moving the pointer from one end of the screen to the other, it can be felt frustrated by the above-mentioned slow movement, so the amount of instruction to the operation unit (movement amount) On the other hand, it is necessary to move the pointer or the like quickly (rough adjustment operation).

  In order to cope with both the fine adjustment operation and the coarse adjustment operation in the above-described conventional configuration, for example, there are two systems in which the change amount of the electrostatic capacitance is set to be small in the entire range of movement amount and two systems in which the capacitance is set to be large. A structure that overlaps in the vertical direction is conceivable. In this case, there is a problem that the number of output signals for detecting capacitance needs to be twice that of the conventional one. For example, when four electrodes are arranged in four directions at intervals of 90 degrees, the number of output signals for each electrode is four. However, in the structure in which the two are stacked in the vertical direction, eight detection electrodes are required. Thus, the number of output signals is 8, and the number of output signals is twice that of the prior art. Further, these features are disadvantageous not only in the input device but also in the downsizing of devices and devices incorporating the input device.

  Further, as another method corresponding to both the fine adjustment operation and the coarse adjustment operation, a button for switching each operation is provided outside, and the amount of change in capacitance corresponding to the ON / OFF state of the button. A method of switching the moving speed by multiplying by a constant is conceivable. However, in this case, there is a problem that an electric circuit and software for realizing the function are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and does not increase the number of output signals for detecting capacitance, and without providing an electric circuit and software for switching the operation to the outside, the fine adjustment operation described above. It is another object of the present invention to provide an input device that can handle both the coarse adjustment operation and the coarse adjustment operation.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection electrode and a capacitance detection circuit that is connected to the detection electrode and detects a capacitance, and the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection circuit. An input device for detecting a movement amount based on a change amount of capacitance, wherein the first dielectric is disposed so as to be movable in parallel with respect to the detection electrode, and is grounded and a first dielectric is disposed on the first dielectric. A second dielectric disposed between the electrode, the detection electrode, and the first dielectric so as to be movable in parallel with the detection electrode; and not electrically connected to the outside; A second electrode disposed on two dielectrics, and is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode at an initial position before the first dielectric and the second dielectric move. , A first electrostatic capacitance that changes due to the movement of the first dielectric, and between the detection electrode and the second electrode. And, a second capacitance which varies by the movement of said second dielectric, it is different, the input device according to claim is provided.

  Moreover, according to the 2nd viewpoint of this invention, the information processing apparatus provided with the input device which has the said characteristic is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to configure a movement amount input means that is simple and excellent in operability, and can detect a movement amount (instruction) instructed by a user based only on the amount of change in capacitance.

[First Embodiment]
Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from above. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes first to third dielectrics 5 to 7 in which detection electrodes 4 a to 4 d, second electrodes 3 a to 3 d, and first electrodes are formed, respectively. It is comprised from three layers. The first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are energized by elastic members (not shown) such as rubber and spring, respectively, and are held in the initial state shown in FIGS.

  The first dielectric 5 can be translated with respect to the third dielectric 7, and the rectangular first electrode 2 is formed on the upper surface thereof. The first electrode 2 can be moved by moving the first dielectric 5. The first electrode 2 is connected to the ground (GND).

  The second dielectric 6 disposed opposite to the lower side of the first dielectric 5 is movable in the horizontal direction in the same manner as the first dielectric 5. On the upper surface of the second dielectric 6, second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are formed. By moving the second dielectric 6, the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d can be moved.

  The second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are not electrically connected to the outside, and are disposed so that a part of the electrode area faces the first electrode 2 and protrudes outward. The In the example of FIG. 1, the second dielectric 6 and the first dielectric 5 are parallel to the moving direction (vertical direction and horizontal direction in FIG. 1) and on a straight line passing through the center position of the first electrode 2. Two electrodes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center position of one electrode 2.

  When viewed in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, the second electrodes 3a and 3c are on a straight line (the one-dot chain line AA in FIG. 1) that passes through the center position of the first electrode 2 and is parallel to the moving direction. In addition, the first electrodes 2 are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center position. In the vertical direction, the second electrodes 3b and 3d are symmetrically arranged around the first electrode 2 in the same manner as the horizontal direction.

  The first electrode 2 and the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are partially opposed to each other before being moved, and are always opposed to each other even when the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are moved. It is arranged to be in the state.

  On the third dielectric 7, detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are formed. The detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are connected to a circuit (capacitance detection circuit; not shown) that detects external capacitance. The second electrode 3a and the detection electrode 4a, the second electrode 3b and the detection electrode 4b, the second electrode 3c and the detection electrode 4c, and the second electrode 3d and the detection electrode 4d face each other part of the electrode area and protrude outside. It is arranged to be in the state.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the outer shapes of the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are substantially the same, and the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 in the state before the movement (initial position). And the center position is consistent. In this state, the capacitance values between the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d and the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, and the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d and the first electrode The capacitance values between 2 are set to be different from each other.

  The material of the first dielectric 5, the second dielectric 6, and the third dielectric 7 may be any dielectric material that can form electrodes, and may be, for example, a glass epoxy material, a ceramic material, glass, or the like.

  The material of the first electrode 2, the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d may be any conductive material, such as copper or aluminum that is often used as an electrode.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are arranged in two axial directions (left and right and up and down) so as to be suitable for movement of the pointer and the like. However, the second electrode 3b, 3d and the detection electrode 4b, 4d are connected to one first electrode 2 with the detection direction of the moving amount as the moving direction as one axis direction, for example, the vertical direction. The structure to arrange | position may be sufficient. According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to obtain an input device that accepts a scroll operation of the screen in the vertical direction, for example, a scroll lever of a scroll mouse.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d have a right-angled isosceles triangle and are arranged so as to face each other. This is because each electrode is laid out as large as possible on the surface of each dielectric. Of course, the shapes of the second electrodes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d may be other polygonal shapes such as a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape, and a pentagonal shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape. it can.

  FIG. 3 shows the capacitance generated in each electrode in the configuration of FIG. The capacitance generated between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3a is the first capacitance C1a, and the capacitance generated between the second electrode 3a and the detection electrode 4a is the second capacitance. It is expressed as C2a. Since the first electrode 2 is grounded as described above, the capacitance Ca generated at the detection electrode 4a is equivalent to a state in which the first capacitance C1a and the second capacitance C2a are connected in series. And can be expressed by the following formula (1).

  FIG. 4 shows the capacitance generated in the input device according to the present embodiment by an equivalent circuit. Respective capacitances generated between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2 are first capacitances C1a, C1b, C1c, and C1d, and the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the detection electrodes 4a to 4d Respective capacitances generated in the meantime are defined as second capacitances C2a, C2b, C2c, and C2d. One of the first capacitances C1a, C1b, C1c, and C1d (first electrode 2) is connected to the ground (GND), and one of the second capacitances C2a, C2b, C2c, and C2d (detection) The electrodes 4a to 4d) are each connected to an external (capacitance) detection circuit. The first capacitances C1a, C1b, C1c, C1d and the second capacitances C2a, C2b, C2c, C2d are in a state of being connected in series.

  Next, the operation of the input device 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows a state in which only the first dielectric 5 is horizontally moved in the left direction. When the first dielectric 5 is moved by an external force acting on the first dielectric 5, the opposing area of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 a decreases, and the first electrode 2 and the second The capacitance between the electrodes 3a decreases. Thereby, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 4a decreases according to the above formula (1). Conversely, the area where the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3c face each other increases, and the capacitance between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3c increases. Thereby, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 4c increases according to the above equation (1).

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are horizontally moved together in the left direction. When an external force acts on the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6, the opposing area of the second electrode 3a and the detection electrode 4a decreases, and the capacitance between the second electrode 3a and the detection electrode 4a. Decrease. Thereby, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 4a decreases according to the above formula (1). Conversely, the area where the second electrode 3c and the detection electrode 4c face each other increases, and the capacitance between the second electrode 3c and the detection electrode 4c increases. Thereby, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the detection electrode 4c increases according to the above equation (1).

  As described above, the second electrodes 3a and 3c and the detection electrode are selectively used by selectively using the two states of the state in which only the first dielectric 5 moves and the state in which both the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 move. The capacitance between 4a and 4c and the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a and 3c and the first electrode 2 can be changed separately. An increase or decrease in capacitance detected by each detection electrode appears as a difference in movement amount.

  Further, when the difference between the capacitances detected by the detection electrodes 4a and 4c (capacitance of the detection electrode 4a) − (capacitance of the detection electrode 4c) is taken, the capacitance in the state of FIGS. The difference between is negative. If the difference is a negative value, it is defined as a leftward movement, and the movement amount can be detected by the movement direction by the positive / negative of the detected value and the absolute value of the detected value. Further, the right direction and the up / down direction can be detected in the same manner as in the left direction.

  Further, for the movement in the diagonal upper right direction of FIG. 1, both the capacitances detected by the detection electrodes 4a and 4d (see FIG. 1) increase, and both the capacitances detected by the detection electrodes 4b and 4c are both. Therefore, the movement in the oblique direction can be detected by the change in the capacitance.

  In the above description, the description of the capacitance between the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d and the first electrode 2 is omitted, but the central positions of the second dielectric 6 and the first dielectric 5 are one. At the initial position, the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and the first electrode 2 may be opposed to generate a capacitance. The reason is that even if the detection electrodes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and the first electrode 2 face each other, a change in capacitance can be detected in the moving state as shown in FIGS.

  When the external force is released from each state of FIGS. 5 and 6, the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are caused by the elastic member (not shown) such as rubber and spring as described above. The state returns to the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the center positions match.

  Next, a mechanism for greatly changing the change in capacitance with respect to the amount of movement when only the first dielectric 5 moves and when the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 move together will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state of the second electrode 3c and the first electrode 2 when only the first dielectric 5 has moved (corresponding to FIG. 5). The dotted line in the figure represents the first electrode 2 before moving, and the solid line in the figure represents the first electrode 2 after moving leftward. In addition, the shaded portion in the figure represents the facing area between the second electrode 3c and the first electrode 2 that has increased as the first electrode 2 moves.

  The first electrode 2 has a quadrangular shape, and since the outer shape of the second electrode 3c that is opposed when the first electrode 2 moves is larger than the outer shape of the first electrode 2, the opposing area is increased by the movement of the first electrode 2. The area (shaded portion) where the increase is substantially rectangular. Accordingly, the facing area increases substantially in proportion to the amount of movement.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of the second electrode 3c and the detection electrode 4c when both the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are moved (corresponding to FIG. 6). The dotted line in the figure represents the second electrode 3c before moving, and the solid line in the figure represents the second electrode 3c after moving leftward. In addition, the shaded portion in the figure represents the opposing area of the detection electrode 4c and the second electrode 3c that has been increased by the movement of the second electrode 3c.

  Since the second electrode 3c and the detection electrode 4c have a triangular shape with apexes oriented in the center direction, a region (shaded portion) where the opposing area increases due to the movement of the second electrode 3c has a trapezoidal shape. Therefore, the facing area can be greatly increased with respect to the movement amount.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a result of calculating the change amount of the capacitance with respect to the movement amount. The horizontal axis of the figure is the movement amount, 0% of the initial position where the first dielectric and the second dielectric are not moved, and the full stroke where the first dielectric and the second dielectric are moved to the maximum. The state is 100%. The vertical axis of the figure is the amount of change in capacitance, and shows the value obtained by subtracting the capacitance that changes during movement based on the capacitance detected at the initial position (equivalent to a movement amount of 0%). ing.

  The calculation conditions in FIG. 9 are as follows. The capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2 is set to be larger than the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the detection electrodes 4a to 4d. The ratio between the gap between the two electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2 and the gap between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the detection electrodes 4a to 4d is set to 1: 3.

  The shape of the second electrodes 3a to 3d is an isosceles triangle having a height of 10 mm and a base of 20 mm, and the detection electrodes 4a to 4d have the same shape as the second electrodes 3a to 3d. The shape of the first electrode 2 is a square and one side is 12 mm.

  In the initial state of FIG. 1, the overlap width between the detection electrodes 4 a to 4 d and the second electrodes 3 a to 3 d is 5.5 mm in the movement direction (eg, the AA direction in FIG. 1). The overlap width between 3d and the first electrode 2 is 5.5 mm in the moving direction (example: AA direction in FIG. 1).

  The movable amount (full stroke) of the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 is both 4 mm. The first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 have the same dielectric constant.

  As described above, the capacitance between the detection electrodes 4a to 4d and the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2 are connected in series. It can be considered. Further, the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2 is made larger than the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the detection electrodes 4a to 4d. The capacitance between the detection electrodes 4a to 4d and the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2 do not change at the same time. Change.

  As a result, when the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d set to a large value and the first electrode 2 changes, the detected change amount of the capacitance Ca is small, and the detection set to a small value. When the capacitance between the electrodes 4a to 4d and the second electrodes 3a to 3d changes, the amount of change in the detected capacitance Ca increases (see the above-described equation (1)).

  A solid line L1 in FIG. 9 shows a change in capacitance when only the first dielectric 5 is moved as shown in FIG. When determining the moving speed of the pointer with respect to the magnitude of the change in capacitance, the pointer moves slowly with the characteristic of the solid line L1 in which the change in capacitance is small relative to the change in movement as a whole. Can be realized (equivalent to fine adjustment operation).

  On the other hand, a dotted line L2 in FIG. 9 shows a change in capacitance when both the first dielectric 5 and the second dielectric 6 are moved as shown in FIG. When the moving speed of the pointer is determined with respect to the magnitude of the change amount of the capacitance, the pointer is moved at a high speed with the characteristic of the solid line L2 in which the change in the capacitance is large with respect to the change in the movement amount as a whole. It can be realized (equivalent to coarse adjustment operation).

  Further, for example, when comparing the amount of change in capacitance when the movement amount is 50% in FIG. 9, the amount of change C1 in capacitance on the solid line L1 (during the fine adjustment operation) is static It is a value of about one third compared with the change amount C2 of the electric capacity. This means that the movement speed of the pointer is changed by about one third between the fine adjustment operation and the coarse adjustment operation.

  As described above, fine adjustment operation and coarse adjustment operation with greatly different pointer moving speeds are realized without increasing the number of output signals for detecting capacitance and without providing an external circuit or software for switching the operation. can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the detection electrodes 4a to 4d is smaller than the capacitance between the second electrodes 3a to 3d and the first electrode 2. It is also possible to change the magnitude relationship of the capacitance. For example, when the above-described magnitude relationship between the capacitances is switched, the capacitance characteristic lines L1 and L2 (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the states in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be switched.

  In addition, the above-mentioned gap ratio between each electrode, the shape / size / layout of each electrode, the movable width of each dielectric, etc. are merely examples, and according to the application and required specifications of the input device, It can be changed as appropriate.

[Second Embodiment]
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention in which the layout of the second electrode and the detection electrode is changed will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the input device according to the present embodiment as seen from above. The difference from FIG. 1 is that the second electrodes 73a and 73b and the detection necessary for detecting the same movement direction as in FIG. The number of electrodes 74a and 74b is half, and the shape of the second electrodes 73a and 73b is a rectangle.

  According to the configuration of FIG. 10, since the second electrodes 73a and 73b are rectangular, the absolute value of the amount of change in capacitance becomes equal to the movement of the first electrode 72 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the moving direction based on positive and negative changes in the capacitance and determine the moving speed of the pointer with respect to the absolute value of the change amount of the capacitance. This means that the right and left movement directions and movement amounts can be detected by one second electrode 73a and one detection electrode 74a.

  Further, according to the configuration of FIG. 10, the second electrode 73b is disposed at a position rotated by 90 degrees from the center position of the first electrode 72 with respect to the second electrode 73a. The detection electrode 74a is disposed so as to face a part of the electrode area with respect to the second electrode 73a and protrude outward. The detection electrode 74b is similarly arranged with respect to the second electrode 73b.

  FIG. 11 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the capacitance generated in the configuration of FIG. Respective capacitances generated between the second electrodes 73a and 73b and the first electrode 72 are respectively generated between the first capacitances C71a and C71b, the second electrodes 73a and 73b and the detection electrodes 74a and 74b. The second capacitance C72a and C72b are defined as the second capacitance C72a and C72b.

  One of the first capacitances C71a and C71b (first electrode 72) is connected to the ground (GND), and two of the second capacitances C72a and C72b (detection electrodes 74a and 74b) are external to each other. (Capacitance) detection circuit. Further, the first electrostatic capacitances C71a and C71b and the second electrostatic capacitances C72a and C72b are respectively connected in series.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a result of calculating the amount of change in capacitance with respect to the amount of movement in the above configuration. The dotted line in FIG. 12 shows the change in capacitance when only the first dielectric 75 is moved. The solid line in FIG. 12 shows the change in capacitance when both the first dielectric 75 and the second dielectric are moved. The vertical axis in FIG. 12 indicates the amount of change in capacitance, and the horizontal axis indicates the amount of change in movement.

  In the calculation conditions of FIG. 12, the ratio between the gap between the second electrodes 73a and 73b and the first electrode 72 and the gap between the second electrodes 73a and 73b and the detection electrodes 74a and 74b is set to 1: 2. . Also, the dielectric constant of each dielectric, the opposing area between the first electrode 72 and the second electrodes 73a and 73b, and the opposing area between the second electrodes 73a and 73b and the detection electrodes 74a and 74b are made equal. ing.

  When each dielectric is moved in the right direction (or upward), the opposing area increases, and the amount of change in capacitance becomes a positive value. Further, when each dielectric is moved in the left direction (or downward), the opposing area decreases, and the amount of change in capacitance becomes a negative value.

  In addition, the characteristic line (solid line) in which the amount of change in capacitance in FIG. 12 changes greatly in the positive and negative directions is set as a coarse adjustment operation, and the characteristic line (dotted line) that changes in the positive and negative directions is changed in a fine adjustment operation. Switching of the moving speed of the pointer according to the amount of change in the electric capacity is realized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the number of output signals can be halved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the second electrodes 73a and 73b is rectangular. However, other shapes that can satisfy the above principle can be employed. For example, a portion that is line symmetric with respect to a line orthogonal to the moving direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode overlap at the initial position, and a line symmetric with respect to a line orthogonal to the moving direction in which the second electrode and the detection electrode overlap at the initial position. If the layout is such that the second electrode has a part and the line-symmetric part is the relative movement range of each electrode, the absolute value of the change in capacitance between the electrodes due to the movement from the initial position is made equal. be able to.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention including an operation unit having a switching mechanism that switches between the movement of only the first dielectric and the simultaneous movement of the first dielectric and the second dielectric will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the initial state in which the center positions of the first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric 36 coincide (in the initial position) in the input device 31 according to the present embodiment.

  The first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric 36 have the same shape, and in the initial state where the center positions of the first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric 36 coincide (in the initial position), their outer edges Is also consistent. The configurations of the first electrode 32, the second electrodes 33a and 33c, and the detection electrodes 34a and 34c are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The operation unit 30 includes an upper lever portion operated by a human finger and the like, and a lower fitting structure opened downward, and the lower fitting structure accommodates the first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric 36. It is configured to be possible. The operation unit 30 is urged upward by an elastic body 39a such as a spring or rubber disposed between the lower fitting structure and the first dielectric 35, and in the initial state, the first dielectric Only 35 can be moved in the horizontal direction.

  In addition, by pushing down the operation unit 30 in the initial state of FIG. 13, the lower fitting structure is fitted to the second dielectric 36, and both the first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric 36 are horizontally aligned together. It becomes movable in the direction.

  A plurality of sets of elastic bodies 39b and 39c such as springs and rubbers are disposed between the lower fitting structure of the operation unit 30 and the case 38 and between the second dielectric 36 and the case 38, respectively. The operation unit 30 can always return to the center position by the urging force.

  The lower fitting structures of the elastic bodies 39a, 39b, 39c and the operation unit 30 are made of a conductive material. As a result, the first electrode 32 is electrically connected to the case 38 via the elastic bodies 39a, 39b, 39c and the fitting structure.

  The case 38 is a member that houses and protects the components of the input device 31. When the input device is incorporated in various input devices or the information processing apparatus main body 200 as shown in FIG. 14, the input device is fixed with screws or the like.

  FIG. 15 shows a state in which the operation unit 30 is moved in the horizontal direction without applying a load of a predetermined value or more downward. When the load applied to the operation unit 30 is smaller than the predetermined load set by the elastic body 39a, the lower fitting structure of the operation unit 30 is fitted only to the first dielectric 35, as shown in FIG. Therefore, only the first dielectric 35 moves.

  FIG. 16 shows a state in which the operation unit 30 is moved in the horizontal direction while applying a load of a predetermined value or more downward. When the load applied to the operation unit 30 is larger than the predetermined load set by the elastic body 39a, the lower fitting structure of the operation unit 30 includes the first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric as shown in FIG. 36, the first dielectric 35 and the second dielectric 36 can be moved together.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to switch between the fine adjustment operation and the coarse adjustment operation according to the vertical position of the operation unit 30 without preparing a special software driver or the like.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Subsequently, a fourth embodiment of the present invention including an operation unit having a switching mechanism of a type different from that of the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 51 according to the present embodiment in an initial state where the center positions of the first dielectric 55 and the second dielectric 56 are coincident (in the initial position).

  The present embodiment is characterized in that a protrusion 56 a is formed on the outer periphery of the second dielectric 56 located below the first dielectric 55. The protrusion 56 a is formed with a predetermined play that defines a fine adjustment operation range or a coarse adjustment operation range with respect to the outer periphery of the first dielectric 55. Thus, when the first dielectric 55 moves beyond the play width, the outer peripheral portion of the first dielectric 55 comes into contact with the protrusion 56a of the second dielectric 56, and the second dielectric 56 is moved. It has become.

  Also in this embodiment, a plurality of sets of elastic bodies 59b, 59c such as springs and rubbers are disposed between the operation unit 50 and the case 58 and between the second dielectric 56 and the case 58, respectively. The operation unit 50 can be always returned to the center position (initial position) by the urging force.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit 50 is made of a conductive material, and the first electrode 52 is electrically connected to the operation unit 50 directly or appropriately through a conductive spacer.

  In addition, the configurations of the first electrode 52, the second electrodes 53a and 53c, the detection electrodes 54a and 54c, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 18 illustrates a state in which the operation unit 50 is moved in the horizontal direction until the outer peripheral portion of the first dielectric 55 abuts on the protrusion 56 a of the second dielectric 56. When the operation unit 50 is further moved from here, the first dielectric 55 and the second dielectric 56 move together as shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to continuously switch the fine adjustment operation or the coarse adjustment operation according to the movement amount of the operation unit 50 without preparing a special software driver or the like. .

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the uppermost dielectric layer of the input device having the three-layer structure of the upper two layers of the movable dielectric material and the lowermost detection electrode layer is described above. In addition, the first electrode is disposed so as to generate a change in the first capacitance when it is grounded and moved, and is moved without being electrically connected to the outside on the dielectric of the intermediate layer. In this case, a second electrode for generating a second capacitance change different from the first capacitance change is provided, and the change in the capacitance is switched depending on the movement of the dielectric of the intermediate layer. Needless to say, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described third and fourth embodiments, the method of moving the first dielectric and the second dielectric separately or together has been exemplified, but the first dielectric and the second dielectric are mutually connected. It is possible to achieve the switching structure by providing convex portions and concave portions to be engaged and engaging / disengaging the convex and concave portions. In addition, it is also possible to appropriately adopt a restriction on the moving range and moving direction of the first dielectric or the second dielectric.

It is the perspective view which looked at the input device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention from the upper surface. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure showing the electrostatic capacitance which generate | occur | produces in each electrode of FIG. It is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the electrostatic capacitance which generate | occur | produces in the input device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which only the first dielectric of FIG. 2 is horizontally moved leftward. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first dielectric and a second dielectric of FIG. 2 are horizontally moved to the left. It is a figure for demonstrating the opposing area between the 1st electrode and 2nd electrode which increase at the time of the movement of only a 1st dielectric. It is a figure for demonstrating the opposing area between the 2nd electrode and detection electrode which increase when both the 1st dielectric material and the 2nd dielectric material move. It is a figure for demonstrating the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance with respect to the movement amount in the input device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the input device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the upper surface. It is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the electrostatic capacitance which generate | occur | produces in the input device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the variation | change_quantity of the electrostatic capacitance with respect to the movement amount in the input device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the input device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the information processing apparatus carrying the input device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the input device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the input device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the input device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the input device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the input device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing showing the structure of the conventional input device.

Explanation of symbols

1, 31, 51, 71 Input device 2, 32, 52, 72 First electrode 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 33a, 33c, 53a, 53c, 73a, 73b Second electrode 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 34a , 34c, 54a, 54c, 74a, 74b Detection electrode 5, 35, 55, 75 First dielectric 6, 36, 56 Second dielectric 7, 37, 57 Third dielectric 30, 50 Operation unit 38, 58 Case 39a, 39b, 39c, 59b, 59c Elastic body 56a Protruding portion 200 Information processing apparatus main body C1a, C1b, C1c, C1d, C71a, C71b Capacitance

Claims (7)

An input for detecting a movement amount based on a change amount of the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection circuit, the detection electrode and a capacitance detection circuit connected to the detection electrode and detecting a capacitance; A device,
A first dielectric disposed to be movable relative to the detection electrode;
A first electrode grounded and disposed on the first dielectric;
A second dielectric disposed between the detection electrode and the first dielectric so as to be movable in parallel with respect to the detection electrode;
A second electrode not electrically connected to the outside and disposed on the second dielectric,
In an initial position before the first dielectric and the second dielectric move,
A first capacitance that is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode and changes due to movement of the first dielectric;
A second capacitance that occurs between the detection electrode and the second electrode and changes due to the movement of the second dielectric, is different,
An input device characterized by. The detection electrode and the second electrode are partially opposed, the second electrode and the first electrode are partially opposed,
The detection electrode, the first electrode, and the second electrode are arranged side by side in the detection direction of the movement amount;
The input device according to claim 1. The detection electrode and the second electrode are each two, and are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the central position of the first electrode;
The input device according to claim 1 or 2. There are two or more detection directions of the movement amount around one first electrode,
The detection electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on respective detection direction axes;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is an input device. The first dielectric and the second dielectric are movable in one direction and the opposite direction with respect to the initial position;
Changes in the facing area of the first electrode and the second electrode and the facing area of the detection electrode and the second electrode when the moving distances of the dielectrics in the one direction and the opposite direction from the initial position are equal Each of the electrodes is configured to have equal amounts,
The input device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4. An operation unit having a switching mechanism for switching between the movement of only the first dielectric and the simultaneous movement of the first dielectric and the second dielectric;
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   An information processing apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1.

Images