JP5451328B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device used for in-vehicle devices such as audio and navigation systems mounted on automobiles.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in-vehicle devices such as a car audio have used a composite button that performs a plurality of inputs with a single button in order to effectively use buttons and operability of the space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  A conventional input device using this composite button will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an input device using a conventional composite button. The vertical direction in FIG. 9 indicates the actual vertical direction of the input device. Further, the upward direction and the downward direction in FIG. 9 indicate the external direction and the internal direction of the input device, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the input device includes an insanity 101, a printed circuit board 102, a button 103, first and second tact switches 104 and 105, and first and second LEDs 106 and 107. The casing 101 has an opening. Inside the casing 101, a printed circuit board 102 is provided that contacts the casing 101 and closes the opening of the casing 101. The button 103 is in contact with the printed board 102. On the printed circuit board 102, a first tact switch 104 and a second tact switch 105 that are respectively pressed by the buttons 103 are arranged. A first LED 106 and a second LED 107 are arranged on the printed circuit board 102 closer to the center of the opening of the housing 101 than the first tact switch 104 and the second tact switch 105.

  The button 103 includes an operation unit 110 whose surface is pressed by the user, a support unit 111 that extends inward from a substantially central back surface of the operation unit 110 and contacts the printed circuit board 102, and is operated more than the support unit 111. The first pusher portion 112 and the second pusher portion 113 are disposed on the outer peripheral side of the portion 110 and extend inward from the back surface of the operation portion 110, and the outer peripheral surface 114. The support unit 111 includes a support point 115 that contacts the printed circuit board 102.

  When the surface of the operation unit 110 is pressed by the user, the support point 115 serves as a fulcrum, and either the first pusher 112 or the second pusher 113 is pushed downward. When the first pusher unit 112 is pressed, the first pusher unit 112 presses the first tact switch 104. At this time, the second pusher portion 113 moves away from the second tact switch 115 and does not come into contact with the second tact switch 105. Thereby, an input to the first tact switch 104 is performed. Further, when the second pusher portion 113 is pressed, the second pusher portion 113 presses the second tact switch 105. At this time, the first pusher portion 112 moves in a direction away from the first tact switch 104 and does not contact the first tact switch 104. Thereby, an input to the second tact switch 105 is performed.

  A gap 120 is provided between the outer peripheral surface 114 of the button 103 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 101. By this gap 120, even if the button 103 is tilted by pressing the operation unit 110, the button 103 and the casing 101 do not come into contact with each other, and the input to the first tact switch 104 and the second tact switch 105 can be performed. it can.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-9024

  Incidentally, in-vehicle devices such as car audio devices are required to narrow the gap 120 between the input device 103 and the housing 101 in order to improve the design quality. However, the conventional input device has a limit in narrowing the gap 120 between the button 103 and the casing 101. This will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an input device using a conventional composite button. As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation unit 110 on the first pusher unit 112 side is pressed by the user, the clearance 120 between the button 103 and the housing 101 is such that the support point 115 is a fulcrum. Thus, it tilts toward the first pusher portion 112 side. At this time, the outer peripheral surface 114 of the operation unit 110 rotates around the support point 115 toward the inner peripheral surface of the housing 101 until the first pusher unit 112 contacts the first tact switch 104. To do. At this time, the moving distance of the outer peripheral surface 114 toward the housing 101 depends on the distance from the support point 115 to the outer peripheral surface 114. Therefore, the conventional input device has a problem that if the position of the printed circuit board 102 is determined, the length of the gap 120 cannot be reduced beyond a certain level.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of narrowing a gap between a button and a casing even when the arrangement position of a printed circuit board is the same as the conventional one.

  The input device according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that when the hinge portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the housing toward the center of the opening and the button is pressed, one of the hinge portions presses one of the switches. And

  According to the present invention, the gap between the button and the housing can be narrowed even if a composite button is used for the input device.

The perspective view of the vehicle-mounted apparatus using the input device of Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view when viewed in the negative direction of the Y axis. Sectional drawing when the XY plane along line A-A 'in FIG. 2 is viewed from the direction of the arrow Three views of hinge 5a which is the main part of FIG. The figure explaining operation | movement of the hinge 5a which is the principal part of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the support part 11 which is a main part of FIG. Sectional drawing when the YZ plane along line C-C 'in FIG. 2 is viewed from the direction of the arrow. Sectional view of an input device using a conventional composite button The figure explaining operation | movement of the input device using the conventional composite button

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, an in-vehicle device using the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-vehicle device using the input device of the present invention. The direction of the X axis shown in FIG. 1 indicates the width direction. The direction of the Y axis indicates the depth direction. The direction of the Z axis indicates the length direction. The negative direction in the Y-axis direction indicates the actual front direction, and the positive direction indicates the actual rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a display panel 2, a button unit 3, and a housing 4. The display panel 2 and the button unit 3 are on the front side of the in-vehicle device 1. Therefore, when the housing 4 is incorporated in the center console and attached to the vehicle, the user can visually observe the display panel 2 and the button unit 3. The button unit 3 includes a plurality of buttons 3a to 3d. A gap is provided between each button.

  Next, the structure of the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view when FIG. 2 is viewed in the negative direction of the Y axis.

  The input device includes a button unit 3, a housing 4, a hinge unit 5, a printed circuit board 6, a switch unit 7, an illumination unit 8, a lock unit 9, and a claw unit 10.

  The button unit 3 includes a plurality of buttons 3a and 3b. A gap 3e is provided between the buttons 3a and 3b. The button part 3 is made of a resin material such as polycarbonate.

  The housing 4 is provided with an opening 4a and an opening 4b in the depth direction. The opening 4 a is formed by the inner peripheral surface 4 c of the housing 4. The opening 4 b is formed by the inner peripheral surface 4 d of the housing 4.

  The hinge unit 5 includes a plurality of hinges 5a to 5f. The hinges 5a to 5d protrude from the inner peripheral surface 4c of the housing 4 toward the center of the opening 4a. The hinges 5e and 5f protrude from the inner peripheral surface 4d of the housing 4 toward the center of the opening 4b. The hinges 5a to 5d are in contact with the back side of the button 3a on the front side. On the other hand, the hinges 5e and 5f are in contact with the back side of the button 3b on the front side. Moreover, the hinge part 5 has a cylindrical structure opened in the depth direction.

  The printed circuit board 6 is mounted with a circuit such as a CPU that performs each process of the in-vehicle device 1. The printed circuit board 6 is disposed by closing the bottom surfaces of the openings 4 a and 4 b of the housing 4. A switch unit 7 and an illumination unit 8 are mounted on the front side of the printed circuit board 6. Each process of the in-vehicle device 1 is performed via the printed circuit board 6 by an input to the switch unit 7. In addition, the illumination unit 8 illuminates the button unit 3 by emitting light toward the front side according to a command from the printed circuit board 6.

  The switch unit 7 includes a plurality of switches 7a to 7f. The switches 7a to 7d are pressed by the hinges 5a to 5d, respectively. The switches 7e and 7f are pressed by the hinges 5e and 5f, respectively.

  The illumination unit 8 includes a plurality of LEDs 8a to 8f. LED8a-8d irradiates each part of button 3a through the opening each provided in hinge 5a-5d, respectively. Therefore, the button 3a is irradiated at four places. Therefore, the button 3a is irradiated at four places. Moreover, LED8e, 8f irradiates each part of button 3b through the opening each provided in hinge 5e, 5f, respectively. Therefore, the button 3b is irradiated at two places. Thereby, the user can grasp that it is possible to input to each of the switches 7a to 7f by pressing each irradiation portion of the buttons 3a and 3b.

The lock unit 9 includes a plurality of lock units 9a to 9h. The lock portions 9a to 9d protrude from the four corners of the back surface of the button 3a in a direction in which the fitting portion is on the long side. Also, the lock portions 9e-9h
Are projected from the four corners of the back surface of the button 3b in a direction in which the fitting portion is on the long side.

  The claw portion 10 includes a plurality of claw portions 10a to 10h (some are not shown). The claw portions 10a to 10d protrude from the long sides of the four corners of the inner peripheral surface 4c of the housing 4 and are fitted with the lock portions 9a to 9d, respectively. The claw portions 10e to 10h protrude from the long sides of the four corners of the inner peripheral surface 4d of the housing 4 and are fitted with the lock portions 9e to 9h, respectively. Thereby, the buttons 3a and 3b are coupled to the housing 4 respectively.

  Next, the detailed structure of the hinge part 5 is demonstrated using FIG. 4, FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the XY plane along the line A-A ′ in FIG. 2 when viewed from the direction of the arrow. FIG. 5 is a three-side view of the hinge 5a, which is the main part of FIG. 5 is an XZ plan view when the hinge 5a is viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge 5a when the XY plane along the line A-A 'of FIG. 4 is viewed from the direction of the arrow. The right drawing in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the YZ plane along the line B-B ′ when viewed from the direction of the arrow. In addition, about the structure of other hinges 5b-5f, since it is the same as that of the hinge 5a, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hinge 5 a includes a protruding portion 11, a pusher portion 12, a support portion 13, a movable portion 14, and an opening portion 15.

  The protruding portion 11 protrudes from the movable portion 14 to the front side and comes into contact with the button 3a. The presser part 12 protrudes from the movable part 14 to the back surface side. The pusher portion 12a is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the switch 7a when pressed. The support portion 13 protrudes from the side surface of the movable portion 14 and is coupled to the inner peripheral surface 4 c of the housing 4. As a result, the hinge 5 a is coupled to the housing 4. The support portion 13 is shorter in the Y-axis direction than the movable portion 14. For this reason, the hinge 5a is easy to rotate around the Z axis with the connecting portion of the support portion 13 and the housing 4 as a fulcrum. The opening 15 is an opening provided in the Y direction (the direction from the button 3a side to the printed circuit board 6 side) by forming the movable portion 14 in a U shape on the XZ plane.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a gap 20 is provided between the button 3 a and the housing 4. Thereby, when the button 3a is pressed, the rotation of the button 3a is not hindered by the casing 4, and the hinge 5a can press the switch 7a.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening 15 is provided in the hinge 5 a due to the U-shaped structure of the movable portion 14, so that the LED 8 a is mounted on the printed circuit board 6 between the switch 7 a and the housing 4. By arranging, the LED 8a can directly irradiate the vicinity of the hinge 5a through the opening 15. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate the buttons without taking measures against diffusion of illumination light and illumination unevenness such as an additional LED and a paint undercoat.

  Next, the operation of the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the hinge 5a, which is the main part of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the protrusion 11 which is a main part of FIG. In addition, in order to make grasping | ascertainment of operation | movement of the hinge 5a easy, the hatching of the housing | casing 4 and the presser part 12, and LED8a, 8c are abbreviate | omitted. The hinges 5b to 5f other than the hinge 5a are similar in operation to the hinge 5a, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, when a portion near the hinge 5a is pressed on the surface of the button 3a, the projection 11 of the hinge 5a is pressed by the button 3a. At this time, the button 3 a
The a side portion is inclined in the positive direction of the Y axis. The hinge 5a rotates about the Z axis in the clockwise direction with the joint portion of the support portion 13 to the housing 4 as a fulcrum. Thereby, the movable part 14 couple | bonded with the support part 13 and the presser part 12 couple | bonded with this movable part 14 move to a Y-axis positive direction. Then, the pusher unit 12 presses the switch 7a. An input to the switch 7a is performed by this depression.

  Here, the button 3a rotates counterclockwise on the Z-axis with the protrusion 11 of the hinge 5a as a fulcrum. Since the protrusion 11 and the button 3a are in a substantially horizontal positional relationship in a stationary state, the range in which the button 3a moves in the negative direction of the X axis is small even when the button 3a rotates about the protrusion 11 as a fulcrum. . Therefore, in order to improve the design quality, the gap 20 between the button 3a and the housing 4 can be made narrower than before.

  Next, a stopper function when the surface of the button 3a is pressed will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the YZ plane along the line C-C ′ in FIG. 2 when viewed from the direction of the arrow. In addition, in order to make grasping | ascertainment of operation | movement of the button 3a easy, the part concerning hinge parts 5, such as the support part 13, is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the end of the surface of the button 3a on the negative side of the Z axis (the portion near the hinge 5d) is pressed, the portion of the surface of the button 3a on the negative direction of the Z axis is Tilt to the positive side of the Y axis. This is because the button 3a rotates counterclockwise on the X axis with the protruding portion 11 of the hinge 5d as a fulcrum. At this time, the lock portion 9d (and the lock portion 9c (not shown)) is inclined to the positive direction side of the Y axis. Further, when the user presses the negative side of the Z axis on the surface of the button 3a, the end of the positive side of the Z axis on the surface of the button 3a is inclined toward the negative side of the Y axis. As a result, the inner peripheral portion of the lock portion 9b of the button 3a on the Y axis positive direction side contacts the end portion of the claw portion 10b on the Y axis positive direction side (and the inner portion of the lock portion 9a (not shown) on the Y axis positive direction side). This prevents the button 3a from rotating further counterclockwise about the X axis by the peripheral portion abutting the end of the claw portion 10a on the Y axis positive direction side). Thus, the lock part 9 and the claw part 10 can fulfill a function as a stopper that prevents the button 3a from excessively rotating. In addition, this makes it possible to prevent an excessive step between the button 3 and the housing 4 in order to maintain the design quality.

  The input device according to the present invention is useful for an in-vehicle device such as a car audio.

3 Button 4 Case 5 Hinge part 6 Printed circuit board 7 Switch part 8 Illumination part

Claims (2)

An open housing;
A printed circuit board disposed on the bottom of the opening of the housing;
A plurality of switches provided on the printed circuit board;
A plurality of hinge portions each capable of contacting the switch;
And a button disposed in the hinge portion with a gap to the inner peripheral surface of the casing,
The hinge portion protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the housing toward the opening center,
When the button is pressed, one of the hinges presses one of the switches ,
The hinge part is
A movable part movable by pressing the button;
A protrusion that protrudes from the front side of the movable portion toward the button and contacts the button;
A support portion that protrudes from a side surface of the movable portion and is coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the housing;
A pusher part protruding from the back side of the movable part and provided so as to be in contact with the switch;
An input device which is characterized in that have a. The hinge portion has an opening in the direction from the button side to the printed circuit board side,
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination unit disposed on the printed circuit board below the opening.