JP5780641B2 - Three-dimensional interface structure using capacitive sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an external operation detection structure that can be applied to an operation panel of various devices such as an audio system and a navigation system. In particular, the present invention relates to an external operation detection structure having a seal structure for preventing internal entry of water or the like. It relates to a detection structure.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices such as automobile audio systems, navigation systems, and air conditioners have been equipped with externally operated input devices (interfaces) for turning the operation on and off and adjusting the volume and temperature. In particular, in recent years, as such an input device, use of a touch panel using a detection sensor for an external operation with a finger has been examined in place of a rotary or mechanical contact type operation switch.

  In such an external operation detection structure such as a touch panel, generally, an opening window for operation is provided in a sensor casing, and an external operation detection sensor is disposed at a portion where the opening window is formed. The opening window is covered with a sheet-like interface member that covers the surface of the detection sensor, and an external operation by a finger is detected through the interface member.

  By the way, in such a touch panel, since an opening window is provided in the sensor casing, there is a risk that water, dust, or the like may enter the sensor casing through the opening window. If water, dust, or the like enters the sensor casing, it may cause a malfunction in the detection sensor or the like disposed in the opening window formation site.

  Therefore, in the conventional touch panel, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 3347909 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 3818046 (Patent Document 2), the peripheral edge of the opening window of the sensor housing extends over the entire circumference. A sealing structure sealed with a sealing member is employed.

  However, such a seal structure requires a separate seal member to be mounted between the sensor housing and the touch panel, so that the number of parts increases and the assembly work is troublesome. Moreover, since the separate seal member is attached to the sensor housing or touch panel with a bolt tightening structure or an adhesive bonding structure, the bolt tightening or adhesive application is insufficient. For this reason, there is a possibility that the desired sealing performance may not be obtained, and there is a problem that management is difficult and sufficient reliability is difficult to obtain.

Japanese Patent No. 3347909 Japanese Patent No. 3818046

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background as described above, and the problem to be solved is a novel structure capable of obtaining excellent sealing performance with a small number of parts and a simple structure. It is to provide a detection structure for an external operation.

  A first aspect of the present invention made to solve such a problem is that a detection sensor for external operation is disposed at a portion where the opening window of the sensor housing is formed and the surface of the detection sensor is covered. In the external operation detection structure in which a sheet-like interface member covering the opening window is disposed, the interface member is formed of an elastic material, and protrudes from the back surface at the outer peripheral portion of the interface member. An outer peripheral wall portion is formed which enters the opening window of the housing and is arranged between the detection sensor and the sensor housing, and spreads from the surface side end of the outer peripheral wall portion to the outer peripheral side. In the interface member, the front side seal protrusion that is superimposed on the surface of the peripheral edge of the opening window in the interface member and the back surface side end of the outer peripheral wall portion is spread to the outer peripheral side. Characterized in that the rear sealing projection to be superimposed on the back surface of the peripheral portion of the opening window is formed.

  In the external operation detection structure having the structure according to this aspect, the interface member that covers the sensor surface and forms the input operation surface is formed of a sheet-like elastic material, and the seal portion is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of the interface member Will be. Therefore, a sealing member as a separate part is not required, the number of parts and the number of parts assembling steps are reduced, the assembling work is facilitated, and the sealing failure due to the assembling mistake is reduced.

  In addition, the seal portion integrally formed with the interface member includes an outer peripheral wall portion that enters the opening window, a front-side seal protrusion that is superimposed on the surface of the peripheral edge portion of the opening window of the sensor housing, and an opening window of the sensor housing. And a back side seal projection that is superimposed on the back surface of the peripheral edge. The seal part is attached so that the peripheral part of the opening window of the sensor housing is sandwiched from the front and back sides. The elasticity of the sealing part causes the front side seal protrusion and the back side seal protrusion to be against the peripheral part of the sensor case opening window. And closely stacked. Therefore, even if the fastening force by the tightening bolt or adhesive is not sufficient, or even if there is no such fastening force, the waterproof and dustproof properties of the sensor housing opening window are sufficiently stable and highly reliable. It becomes possible to realize with the nature.

  Furthermore, the outer peripheral wall portion constituting the seal portion is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the detection sensor and the inner peripheral surface of the opening window of the interface member. The outer peripheral wall portion prevents the detection sensor from directly interfering with the interface member, and the elasticity of the outer peripheral wall portion also exerts a protective action on the detection sensor and a positioning action as necessary. Will get.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the external operation detection structure according to the first aspect, a base member to which the sensor housing is fixed and attached, and a peripheral portion of the opening window of the sensor housing. In the meantime, the back side seal projection is sandwiched.

  In this aspect, between the opposing surfaces of the sensor housing and the base member that are fixed to each other, the back side seal projection is sandwiched by using the fixing force between the sensor housing and the base member, A higher degree of sealing performance can be realized without an increase in the number of special parts and the assembly process. Therefore, even if water or the like enters through the overlap surface of the front side seal protrusion or outer peripheral wall part and the sensor housing, the back side seal protrusion effectively prevents the inside of the opening window from entering. is there. As a means for fixing the sensor casing and the base member, well-known means such as bolts, screws, rivets, adhesives, and welding can be used. In addition, the base member is preferably a hard material, and may be configured by an electronic board on which an electrical component that configures an electrical circuit of the detection sensor is mounted, for example.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the external operation detection structure according to the first or second aspect, a thick positioning portion is integrally formed at a tip portion of the back side seal projection, and the sensor The positioning portion is held in a locked state between the housing and the substrate.

  In this aspect, the locking force of the thick positioning portion can exert a resistance force against the back-side seal protrusion coming out from the clamping portion between the sensor housing and the base member. Therefore, even if an external input of an unexpected direction or size is applied to the interface member, the pinching state against the back side seal protrusion is stably maintained, and the desired sealing performance is effectively achieved. Can be maintained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the external operation detection structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, the surface of the front seal protrusion gradually becomes thinner toward the outer peripheral end. The inclined surface approaches the surface of the housing.

  In this aspect, it is possible to reduce the amount of protrusion from the sensor casing at the outer peripheral end of the front side seal protrusion. Therefore, while maintaining the desired sealing performance by securing the overlapping area of the front seal protrusion and the sensor housing, the front seal protrusion of the front seal protrusion due to the finger's catch on the outer peripheral end of the front seal protrusion is maintained. The squeezing up and the accompanying deterioration of the sealing performance are effectively prevented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the external operation detection structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, an operation region for external operation is provided in a central portion of the interface member, A strain-insulating concave groove is formed on the outer peripheral side of the operation region and on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral wall forming portion and is open to the surface of the interface member.

  In this aspect, in the interface member, a concave groove is formed between the operation region and the outer peripheral seal portion so as to be thin, so that transmission of stress and strain from the operation region to the seal portion can be suppressed. It has become. Therefore, there is a risk that the strain and stress generated by the external input to the operation area of the interface member may be exerted on the above-described sealing portion formed on the outer peripheral portion due to the elasticity of the interface member, and the sealing performance may be temporarily reduced. Can also be reduced or avoided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the external operation detection structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the detection sensor has an external force based on a change in capacitance due to a deformation accompanying an external force action. And is disposed in an internal region surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion on the back surface side of the interface member.

  In this aspect, instead of a known capacitance type detection sensor that detects an external operation by detecting a change in the capacitance between the fingertip and the conductive film, a change in the capacitance based on a deformation caused by an operation external force By adopting a capacitance type detection sensor that detects external operations, an external operation detection structure using an interface member made of an elastic material such as a rubber film has excellent operation input detection accuracy. It can be realized more easily. In addition, as a capacitance type detection sensor that detects an external operation by detecting a change in capacitance based on deformation caused by an external operation force, for example, as described in JP 2010-43880 A or JP 2010-43881 A. A thing can be employ | adopted suitably.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the external operation detection structure according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, an electrical circuit for energizing the detection sensor is provided on the opening window of the sensor casing. It is disposed at the formation site.

  In this aspect, it is possible to arrange an electric circuit composed of, for example, a circuit board by using the space behind the detection sensor (back side) at the site where the opening window of the sensor housing is formed. That is, the present invention makes it possible to realize the excellent sealing function as described above, thereby avoiding the risk associated with intrusion of water or the like, which is a major problem in the electric circuit, even at the opening window formation site. Therefore, a large degree of freedom in setting the installation space can be secured.

  In the external operation detection structure having the structure according to the present invention, the peripheral portion of the opening window of the sensor housing is turned upside down by a seal member formed of an elastic material and integrally formed with an interface member constituting the input operation surface. A seal portion that is overlapped so as to be sandwiched from both sides is realized, whereby it is possible to obtain excellent sealing performance stably and with a simple structure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the external operation detection structure as an embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to the II cross section of FIG. 4. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the detection structure shown by FIG. 1, Comprising: It is a figure corresponded in the II-II cross section of FIG. It is a principal part expansion explanatory drawing in FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the detection structure shown in FIG. 1 is turned upside down.

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIGS. 1 to 4 show a detection structure 10 for external operation as one embodiment of the present invention. The detection structure 10 is used to input a control signal to an in-vehicle device that is a control object such as an air conditioner or an audio device of an automobile.

  More specifically, the detection structure 10 of the present embodiment includes a sensor casing 12, and a detection sensor 14 that detects an external operation is assembled to the sensor casing 12. Further, the front side (lower side in FIG. 4) of the detection sensor 14 is covered with the interface member 16, while the pressure receiving member 18 and the substrate 20 are arranged on the back side (upper side in FIG. 4) of the detection sensor 14. It is installed. The detection structure 10 is configured by assembling the interface member 16, the pressure receiving member 18, and the substrate 20 together with the detection sensor 14 together with the detection housing 14 so as to overlap the detection sensor 14.

  The sensor housing 12 has a frame shape having an opening window 22 in the center, and particularly has a rectangular frame shape having a rectangular opening window 22 in the present embodiment. Further, the outer peripheral frame portion of the opening window 22 extends in the circumferential direction with a predetermined thickness, and is substantially from both the front and back ends of the inner circumferential surface 24 extending in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the sensor housing 12. A sensor housing front surface 26 and a sensor housing back surface 28 that extend at right angles toward the outer peripheral side are provided.

  The sensor housing rear surface 28 is integrally formed with a locking projection 30 that projects in the circumferential direction of the opening window 22 at the edge on the inner peripheral surface 24 side. In addition, a plurality of fixing portions 32 having a thick block shape are provided on the back side of the sensor housing 12 and positioned on the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral edge portion of the opening window 22 for fixing screws, bolts 31 and the like. (4 in this embodiment) are integrally formed.

  The sensor housing 12 is attached to the surface of a support member (not shown) such as an automobile center panel, console panel, or steering switch panel by appropriate fixing means such as fitting, locking, and bolts. Will be. The sensor housing 12 may be integrally formed with such a support member. The sensor housing 12 is preferably formed of a hard material such as metal or synthetic resin.

  The detection sensor 14 assembled in such a sensor housing 12 is provided with an operation unit corresponding to an on-vehicle device as a control object on the front surface. For example, in the case of an air conditioner, an on / off operation unit In addition, a temperature adjustment operation unit, an air volume operation unit, and the like can be provided. For an audio device, in addition to an on / off operation unit, a volume adjustment operation unit, a treble / bass adjustment operation unit, a left / right volume balance operation unit, etc. Can be provided.

  In addition, the detection sensor 14 may employ various known structures capable of detecting an operation input by an external finger as the structure of the operation unit. For example, in addition to the conventional matrix switch method, the switch resistance film method, A surface acoustic wave method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, or the like can also be employed. Preferably, a structure in which an operation input is detected by a positive pressing force from the outside is employed, and particularly an elastically deformable dielectric layer as described in JP 2010-43880 A or JP 2010-43881 A. A capacitive sensor having a structure in which a pair of electrodes is formed of a conductive film that can be elastically deformed on the front and back is preferably employed. The detection sensor 14 of the present embodiment is a capacitance type sensor that detects the external force based on the change in capacitance caused by the elastic deformation of the interface member 16 due to the action of an external force.

  In such a capacitive sensor, since the whole including the pair of electrodes can be elastically deformed, it is possible to cope with deformation when the operating force acts as a compressive force. In addition, even when the distance between the detection surface of the detection sensor 14 and the fingertip that is operated because the operation force is applied through another member such as the interface member 16 is effective as long as the pressing force is applied. A detection result can be obtained.

  The detection sensor 14 of the present embodiment is configured to have an operation force detection part (sensor part) at an appropriate part on the surface by such a capacitive sensor, and has a sheet shape as a whole. . In particular, in the present embodiment, the detection sensor 14 having a sheet shape with an outer peripheral shape (planar rectangular shape) slightly smaller than the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 is employed.

  A pressure receiving member 18 is superimposed on the back surface of the detection sensor 14, and the thin sheet detection sensor 14 is held in a planar shape by the pressure receiving member 18. The pressure receiving member 18 is made of an elastically deformable material, more preferably a material that can be compressively deformed. By adopting such a pressure receiving member 18, it is possible to exert a reaction force sufficient to cause compressive deformation in the thickness direction on the detection sensor 14 when an external operation force is applied by fingers, The operation feeling can be improved by allowing a certain amount of elastic deformation. Specifically, the pressure receiving member 18 formed of an elastic foam material having a compression deformation property harder than the compression deformation in the thickness direction of the detection sensor 14 is preferable, and more preferably, the pressure receiving member 18 is made of urethane foam. Etc. are adopted.

  Thus, the laminated body 34 in which the detection sensor 14 is supported by being superposed on the surface of the pressure receiving member 18 is disposed and assembled in the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12. Under such an assembled state, the interface member 16 is superimposed and assembled on the surface of the detection sensor 14 constituting the laminated body 34, and the substrate 20 is superimposed on the back surface of the pressure receiving member 18 constituting the laminated body 34. Are assembled.

  The interface member 16 has a substantially flat plate shape as a whole, and has a rectangular sheet shape with a size capable of covering the entire opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12. The back surface 36 of the interface member 16 is a substantially flat surface, and is closely overlapped with the surface of the detection sensor 14 provided with the detection site for the external operating force. Thereby, the input of the operation force to the detection part of the detection sensor 14 is performed via the interface member 16.

  That is, the interface member 16 has an operation region 38 for external operation at a central portion that is overlapped with a detection region setting region in the detection sensor 14. The surface 40 of the operation area 38 is an input surface that exerts an operation force when the operator presses it with a fingertip. Further, the surface 40 can be formed in an arbitrary shape so that the position of the detection site can be confirmed by touch, for example, so that the input to the detection site in the detection sensor 14 can be easily performed.

  Specifically, when the detection parts of the detection sensor 14 are scattered in a plurality of places, it is easy to confirm the detection part by tactile sense by forming a recess in a part corresponding to each detection part. However, it is also possible to improve the transmission efficiency of the pressing force to the detection sensor. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the surface 40 of the operation region 38 has a curved concave shape throughout, and the center of the operation region 38 can be confirmed by tactile sense by making the center most concave. It is also possible.

  Further, when the operation area 38 is set in a specific area on the surface of the interface member 16, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, it extends along the outer peripheral edge of the operation area 38. You may form the protrusion 42, a protrusion, or an unevenness | corrugation. As a result, the outer edge of the operation area can be easily confirmed by touch.

  By the way, the interface member 16 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and can be deformed by an external force and has a restoring function by elasticity. Specifically, silicone rubber or the like is preferably employed in consideration of durability and operational feeling.

  Further, the interface member 16 is integrally formed with a seal portion 44 at the outer peripheral edge thereof. The seal portion 44 has an outer peripheral wall portion 46 having a peripheral wall structure that is formed along the outer peripheral portion of the interface member 16 and protrudes from the back surface 36. The outer peripheral wall portion 46 enters the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 and is disposed between the detection sensor 14 and the sensor housing 12. Further, a front-side seal projection 48 and a back-side seal projection 50 that are spread out and extend toward the outer circumference are integrally formed at the front-side end and the back-side end of the outer peripheral wall 46, respectively. The front-side seal projection 48 and the back-side seal projection 50 extend from the both ends of the outer peripheral wall 46 so as to face each other and extend substantially in parallel, with the outer peripheral wall 46 as the bottom wall and the front and rear seal projections 48, 50. Are formed on both side walls, and a circumferential groove 52 is formed in the outer peripheral surface so as to continuously extend over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the protruding tip portion of the back side seal protrusion 50 is thick with a substantially spherical head cross-sectional shape. Thereby, the back side seal projection 50 is integrally formed with a locking head 54 that extends in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral edge.

  Note that the interface member 16 of the present embodiment is provided with a connection region 56 that extends in the circumferential direction with a predetermined width between the operation region 38 at the center portion and the seal portion 44 at the outer peripheral edge portion. In this connection region 56, a concave groove 58 that opens to the surface of the interface member 16 and extends in the circumferential direction is located on the outer peripheral side of the operation region 38 and on the inner peripheral side of the site where the outer peripheral wall portion 46 is formed. The interface member 16 is thin and easily deformed at the site where the concave groove 58 is formed. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a back-side concave groove 60 that is open on the back surface of the connection region 56 and extends in the circumferential direction is also formed. By forming the front and back concave grooves 58 and 60, deformation and stress transmission between the operation region 38 and the seal portion 44 are reduced.

  And the interface member 16 is assembled | attached by the seal | sticker part 44 being fitted with respect to the opening peripheral part of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing | casing 12, and adhere | attaching as needed. That is, under such an assembled state, the opening peripheral edge portion of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 is fitted into the circumferential groove 52 of the seal portion 44 of the interface member 16. And the outer peripheral wall part 46 of the seal | sticker part 44 is overlaid on the internal peripheral surface of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing | casing 12, and it has preferably overlapped closely. Further, the front-side seal protrusion 48 of the seal portion 44 is closely overlapped with the surface of the opening peripheral portion of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12. On the other hand, the back side seal protrusion 50 of the seal portion 44 is closely overlapped with the back surface of the opening peripheral portion of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12.

  The front and back surfaces of the opening peripheral edge of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 are both substantially flat surfaces so that the front and back seal protrusions 48 and 50 are in close contact with each other. It is desirable. Further, the distance between the opposed surfaces of the front and back seal projections 48 and 50 in the seal portion 44 of the interface member 16 is slightly smaller than the thickness dimension between the front and back surfaces of the opening peripheral edge of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12. Accordingly, based on the elasticity of the seal portion 44, the front and back seal protrusions 48 and 50 are pressed against both the front and back surfaces of the opening periphery of the opening window 22 so as to be held in close contact with each other. It is desirable. Furthermore, by inclining the distance between the opposing surfaces of the front and back seal projections 48, 50 in the seal portion 44 so as to gradually decrease toward the outer peripheral side (projection tip side), the seal projections 48, 50 You may make it exhibit the contact | adherence force with respect to both front and back surfaces of the opening peripheral part of the opening window 22 more stably.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of partition grooves 62 are formed in an appropriate pattern on the back surface 36 of the interface member 16. In the present embodiment, the partition groove 62 is formed in the form of two grid-like linear grooves each in the vertical and horizontal directions. These partitioning grooves 62 have a pattern that further divides the operation region 38 into a plurality of regions, and when stress is applied to one region from the outside by a finger, stress and strain are transmitted to other regions. It can be reduced.

  Thus, in the above-described laminate 34 in which the detection sensor 14 is overlapped and supported on the surface of the pressure receiving member 18, the outer peripheral wall of the seal portion 44 of the interface member 16 is obtained by the interface member 16 being overlapped on the surface side. It is arranged in a state of being housed in an area surrounded by the portion 46. On the other hand, the board | substrate 20 assembled | attached to the back surface of this laminated body 34 is a hard member, and is made into the flat form in this embodiment. The substrate 20 has a larger planar shape than the pressure receiving member 18 constituting the laminated body 34, is overlaid on the entire back surface of the pressure receiving member 18, and further extends from the pressure receiving member 18 to the outer periphery. A substrate fixing part 64 is provided.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a circuit board configured by an electric circuit for supplying power to and detecting the detection sensor 14 is employed as the board 20. That is, a plurality of electrical components are mounted on the surface of the substrate 20 and necessary current paths are formed to constitute an electrical circuit.

  The substrate fixing portion 64 extends to the outer peripheral edge portion of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 and is also overlapped with the fixing portion 32 provided in the sensor housing 12. Thereby, the board | substrate 20 is being fixed with respect to the back surface of the sensor housing | casing 12 using fixing means, such as a screw | thread, the bolt 31, a welding pin, and adhesion | attachment attached to the fixing | fixed part 32. FIG.

  By assembling the substrate 20 to the sensor housing 12 in this manner, the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 is covered with the interface member 16 at the front side opening and the opening at the back side is covered with the substrate 20. Has been. Between the facing surfaces of the interface member 16 and the substrate 20, the detection sensor 14 having the back surface supported by the pressure receiving member 18 is disposed and assembled in the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12.

  Under such an assembled state, the stacked body 34 including the pressure receiving member 18 and the detection sensor 14 is superposed on the interface member 16 and the substrate 20 in close contact with each other. Here, the thickness dimension of the pressure receiving member 18 is set so that the thickness dimension of the stacked body 34 is slightly larger than the distance between the facing surfaces of the interface member 16 and the substrate 20 assembled in the sensor housing 12. Is preferably set so that the detection surface of the detection sensor 14 is held in a superposed state in close contact with the back surface 36 of the interface member 16. As a result, an external input of an operation by a fingertip or the like on the surface of the operation region 38 of the interface member 16 is efficiently applied from the interface member 16 to the detection sensor 14.

  Further, an outer peripheral wall portion 46 constituting a seal portion 44 is formed on the rear surface 36 on the outer peripheral portion of the interface member 16, and is accommodated in an inner region 66 of the interface member 16 surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion 46. In this state, the detection sensor 14 and the pressure receiving member 18 are disposed. In particular, in the present embodiment, the detection sensor 14 and the pressure receiving member 18 have substantially the same planar shape, and the outer peripheral wall of the seal portion 44 is between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12. A portion 46 is interposed. Thereby, in the opening window 22 of the sensor housing | casing 12, the direct interference to the sensor housing | casing 12 of the detection sensor 14 is prevented, and the outer peripheral wall part 46 of the interface member 16 which has elasticity has detected the detection sensor 14's. It is positioned and held in a cushioning manner in the surface direction.

  In addition, the detection sensor 14 is also elastically positioned and supported between the interface member 16 and the pressure receiving member 18 having elasticity in the thickness direction in close contact with each other. This arrangement is realized.

  Further, a seal portion 44 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of the interface member 16, and the seal portion 44 covers the inner peripheral edge portion of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 so as to be gripped (FIG. 3). Therefore, intrusion of water or the like from the outside into the internal region 66 of the interface member 16 in which the detection sensor 14 is disposed is extremely effectively prevented. That is, even if water enters from the gap between the seal portion 44 and the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12, the seal portion 44 includes a circumferential groove 52 that opens outward. It is possible to effectively prevent the water that has entered from entering the region (inner region 66) where the detection sensor 14 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the seal portion 44.

  In addition, the outer peripheral wall portion 46 of the seal portion 44 is formed so as to protrude from the back side of the interface member 16, and the detection sensor 14 is located within the arrangement region (inner region 66) of the detection sensor 14 surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion 46. It is lifted by the pressure-receiving member 18 and positioned upward (in the proximity of the back surface 36 of the interface member 16). Therefore, even if water that has entered through the gap between the seal portion 44 and the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 enters the inner peripheral side, contact with the detection sensor 14 can be effectively prevented. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the back side seal projection 50 of the seal portion 44 is sandwiched in the thickness direction and compressed between the inner peripheral edge of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 and the substrate 20 as the base member. It is assembled in the state. Therefore, even better sealing performance can be exhibited at the clamping pressure position of the back side seal projection 50.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a locking protrusion 30 formed on the back surface 28 of the sensor housing 12 of the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12 is pressed against the back side seal projection 50. Then, the locking head 54 of the back side seal projection 50 is positioned so as to get over the locking projection 30 to the outer peripheral side. As a result, between the sensor housing 12 and the substrate 20, the outer side of the back side seal projection 50 is clamped with respect to the displacement in the direction in which the back side seal projection 50 is pulled out to the inner circumference side of the sensor housing 12. Resistive force is exerted by the locking action of the locking head 54 positioned on the sensor housing 12 to stably maintain the sealing performance.

  Further, a front seal protrusion 48 is superimposed on the sensor casing surface 26 of the opening window 22 of the sensor casing 12. In the present embodiment, the surface of the front-side seal protrusion 48 has a thickness (vertical direction in FIG. 1) that gradually decreases toward the outer peripheral side, and is an inclined surface that approaches the surface of the sensor housing. Thereby, the finger or the like is caught on the outer peripheral edge of the interface member 16, but the interface member 16 is elastically deformed by an external input to the interface member 16, and the inner peripheral surface of the opening window 22. Even when a gap is generated between the outer peripheral wall portion 46 of the seal portion 44, the opening of the gap to the outside is maintained in a state covered with the front side seal projection 48. Therefore, entry of foreign matter such as water through such a gap can be stably prevented.

  Particularly in this embodiment, the front and back concave grooves 58 and 60 formed in the interface member 16 prevent deformation of the seal portion 44 caused by an operation external force exerted on the operation region 38 of the interface member 16. The sealing performance in the seal portion 44 can be exhibited more stably.

  The detection structure 10 of the present embodiment having the above-described structure is configured to detect entry of water or the like into the opening window 22 of the sensor housing 12, in particular, detection by a seal portion 44 having a specific structure integrally formed with the interface member 16. It is possible to effectively prevent water or the like from entering the internal region 66 where the sensor 14 is disposed. Therefore, with a small number of parts and a simple structure, the target sealing performance can be realized in a highly stable and highly reliable manner while avoiding work errors during the assembly process as much as possible. Is possible.

  In addition, since such a high sealing performance is realized, it is possible to set a space for disposing the electric circuit (substrate 20) in the sensor casing 12 behind the portion where the opening window 22 is formed. It is also possible to realize a compact and space-saving device including a circuit.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention has been explained in full detail, this invention is not limitedly interpreted by description of this Embodiment. For example, the shape and position of the operation region 38 of the interface member 16 can be appropriately changed. For example, a plurality of operation regions can be formed in one interface member, and the shape of the interface member 16 itself is also flat. Arbitrary design is possible, such as a substantially circular shape.

  Further, the front and back concave grooves 58, 60 for reducing the transmission of stress and strain in the interface member 16 are adopted as necessary and can be formed in an arbitrary shape. May form a plurality of concave grooves.

  Furthermore, the pressure receiving portion 18 of the present embodiment can be electrically detected by changing the capacitance by elastically deforming the detection sensor 14 by an external operation force input via the interface member 16. For example, a hard resin plate or the like may be employed.

10: detection structure, 12: sensor housing, 14: detection sensor, 16: interface member, 20: substrate, 22: opening window, 38: operation area, 46: outer peripheral wall, 48: front seal protrusion, 50 : Back side seal projection, 54: Locking head, 58: Concave groove, 66: Inner region

Claims (7)

An external operation detection sensor is arranged at the opening window forming portion of the sensor casing, and an external operation detection sheet is provided that covers the surface of the detection sensor and covers the opening window. In the detection structure,
The interface member is formed of an elastic material, and protrudes from the back surface at the outer peripheral portion of the interface member to enter the opening window of the sensor casing, and is arranged between the detection sensor and the sensor casing. An outer peripheral wall portion, and a front-side seal projection that extends from the surface-side end of the outer peripheral wall portion to the outer peripheral side and is superimposed on the surface of the peripheral edge portion of the opening window in the interface member; and the outer peripheral wall A detection structure for external operation, characterized in that a back-side seal projection is formed which extends from the back-side end of the part to the outer peripheral side and is superimposed on the back of the peripheral edge of the opening window in the interface member.   The detection of an external operation according to claim 1, wherein the back-side seal projection is sandwiched between a base member to which the sensor casing is fixed and attached and a peripheral edge of the opening window of the sensor casing. Structure.   A thick-walled locking head is integrally formed at the tip of the back-side seal projection, and the locking head is held in a locked state between the sensor housing and the substrate. Item 3. An external operation detection structure according to Item 1 or 2.   The external operation detection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface of the front seal protrusion is an inclined surface that gradually becomes thinner toward an outer peripheral end and approaches the surface of the sensor casing. Structure.   An operation region for external operation is provided in the central portion of the interface member, and the interface member is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the operation region and on the inner peripheral side of the formation portion of the outer peripheral wall portion. The detection structure for external operation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a concave groove for strain insulation is formed to open on the surface and extend.   The detection sensor is a capacitance type sensor that detects an external force based on a change in capacitance caused by deformation due to an external force action, and is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall on the back side of the interface member. The external operation detection structure according to claim 1, wherein the external operation detection structure is accommodated in an internal region.   The external operation detection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an electric circuit for energizing the detection sensor is disposed at a portion where the opening window of the sensor casing is formed.

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