JP6183306B2 - Operating device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device provided with a touch switch.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an operation device for an in-vehicle device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a touch switch that detects a change in capacitance that occurs between a finger and the like. In such an operation device, the panel portion exposed toward the operator forms the input surface of the touch switch. The operator performs input to the touch switch by a contact operation in which a finger touches the input surface.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-245606

  Now, the inventor of the present invention has developed an operation device including a dial portion to which a rotation operation is input and a press switch portion to which a pressing operation is input in addition to the touch switch. In the development process, in the configuration in which the touch switch and the dial unit or the press switch unit are arranged, a new operation that a rotation operation on the dial unit or a press operation on the press switch unit is easily misdetected as a touch operation on the touch switch. The problem became clear.

  The case where the rotation operation is input will be described in detail as an example. The dial portion protrudes from the panel portion in the front direction facing the input surface. And the rotation operation to a dial part is input into the cylindrical side surface formed in the dial part. Therefore, it is easy for the operator to move his / her finger to the back side of the cylindrical side surface in an attempt to reliably grip the cylindrical side surface of the dial part. Thus, when the finger is moved to the back side of the cylindrical side surface, it becomes difficult to secure the distance between the input surface and the finger touching the cylindrical side surface. For this reason, the operating body close to the input surface causes a change in capacitance as the dial is rotated, and this change in capacitance is erroneously detected as a touch operation on the touch switch. . In order to avoid such erroneous detection, it is conceivable to narrow the input surface and keep it away from the dial part. However, downsizing of the input surface is undesirable because it deteriorates the operability of the touch switch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems described above, and its purpose is to make each operation on the dial part or the pressing switch part as a touch operation on the touch switch without impairing the operability of the touch switch. An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device capable of avoiding erroneous detection.

In order to achieve the above object, another disclosed invention is an operating device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in electrostatic capacity accompanying a contact operation performed by the operating body (F). Among the touch switches, the panel portion (510) that forms the input surface (11) that comes into contact with the operating body, and the panel portion protrudes from the panel portion in the front direction facing the input surface at a position along with the plurality of touch switches. A touch operation to the touch switch is performed based on a change in capacitance detected by the dial unit (30) in which the rotation operation by the operating body is input to the cylindrical side surface (31) and each touch switch. An operation determination unit (52) for performing determination, and the operation determination unit determines the sensitivity of the first touch switch (561) closest to the dial unit among the plurality of touch switches. It is characterized by lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch spaced (562) from the dial portion than switch.

  Further, another disclosed invention is an operation device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in capacitance in accordance with a contact operation performed by the operation body (F), wherein the touch switch is provided. The panel unit (610, 710) that forms the input surface (11) that comes into contact with the operating body, and the panel that projects from the panel unit in the front direction facing the input surface at a position along with the plurality of touch switches, And a dial part (30) through which the rotation operation by is input to the cylindrical side surface (31), and the sensitivity of the first touch switch (561) closest to the dial part among the plurality of touch switches A sensitivity lowering structure (670, 770, 870, 970) that lowers the sensitivity of the second touch switch (562) that is farther from the dial portion than the one touch switch is provided. It is a symptom.

  In these inventions, the sensitivity of the first touch switch closest to the dial portion is lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch farther from the dial portion than the first touch switch due to the control by the operation determination means or the sensitivity reduction structure. Has been. Therefore, even if the operating body close to the input surface causes a change in capacitance due to the rotation operation to the dial part, such a change in capacitance is erroneously detected as a contact operation to the first touch switch. This situation is avoided. In addition, the area of the input surface can be maintained if the sensitivity of the first touch switch is lowered by the control by the operation determination means or the sensitivity reduction structure. Therefore, the operability of the touch switch is ensured.

  Another disclosed invention is an operating device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in capacitance in accordance with a contact operation performed by the operating body (F). The panel portion (1310) that forms the input surface (11) that contacts the operating body, and the front surface facing the input surface at a position aligned with the touch switch protrudes from the panel portion and is pressed by the operating body. A pressure switch unit (80) to which an operation is input, an operation determination unit (52) for determining whether there is a touch operation on the touch switch based on a change in capacitance detected by each touch switch, And the operation determination means sets the sensitivity of the first touch switch (1361) closest to the press switch portion among the plurality of touch switches to be higher than that of the first touch switch. It is characterized by lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch spaced (1362) from the Department.

  Further, another disclosed invention is an operation device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in capacitance in accordance with a contact operation performed by the operation body (F), wherein the touch switch is provided. The panel (1410, 1510) that forms the input surface (11) that comes into contact with the operating body, and a position that is aligned with the plurality of touch switches, protrudes from the panel section toward the front surface facing the input surface. A pressing switch unit (80) to which a pressing operation is input, and the sensitivity of the first touch switch (1361) closest to the pressing switch unit among the plurality of touch switches is more sensitive than the first touch switch. A sensitivity reduction structure (1470, 1570) that lowers the sensitivity of the second touch switch (1362) separated from the pressing switch portion is provided. That.

  In these inventions, the sensitivity of the first touch switch closest to the pressing switch unit is more sensitive than the sensitivity of the second touch switch farther from the pressing switch unit than the first touch switch due to the control by the operation determination means or the sensitivity reduction structure. Is also low. Therefore, even if an operating body that is close to the input surface causes a change in capacitance due to a pressing operation on the pressing switch unit, such a change in capacitance is erroneously detected as a touch operation on the first touch switch. The situation that is done is avoided. In addition, the area of the input surface can be easily maintained as long as the sensitivity of the first touch switch is lowered by the control by the operation determination means or the sensitivity reduction structure. Therefore, the operability of the touch switch is ensured.

  Note that the reference numbers in the parentheses are merely examples of correspondences with specific configurations in the embodiments to be described later in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and limit the scope of the present invention. It is not a thing.

It is a front view of the operating device by a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure around a dial knob, Comprising: It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the shape of the transparent electrode and wiring part which were provided in the film sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of an operating device. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle in which the value of the electrostatic capacitance detected with a nearest switch falls by formation of a recessed part. It is a front view of the operating device by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a front view of the operating device by 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation determination process implemented by the operation determination part. It is a front view of the operating device by 4th embodiment of this invention. It is the XII-XII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a front view of the operating device by 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which compares and shows the 1st threshold value and the 2nd threshold value which were set to the operation determination part. It is a timing chart for demonstrating each delay time and monitoring time set to the operation determination part. It is a figure which shows the change of the electrostatic capacitance caused by the contact operation by an operator along the elapsed time from the operation start. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region XVII of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the area | region XVIII of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation determination process implemented by the operation determination part. It is a figure which shows the structure around the dial knob of the operating device by 6th embodiment. It is a front view of the operating device by 7th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the shape of the transparent electrode and wiring part which were provided in the film sensor by 7th embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the shape of the transparent electrode and wiring part which were provided in the film sensor by 8th embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the shape of the transparent electrode and wiring part which were provided in the film sensor by 9th embodiment. It is a front view of the operating device by 10th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure around a mechanical switch, Comprising: It is the XXVI-XXVI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of an operating device. It is a front view of the operating device by 11th embodiment of this invention. It is the XXIX-XXIX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a front view of the operating device by 12th embodiment of this invention. It is the XXXI-XXXI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a front view of the operating device by 13th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure around the mechanical switch of the operating device by 14th embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the operating device by 15th embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other part of the configuration. Moreover, not only the combination of the configurations explicitly described in the description of each embodiment, but also the configuration of a plurality of embodiments can be partially combined even if they are not explicitly described, as long as there is no problem in the combination. And the combination where the structure described in several embodiment and the modification is not specified shall also be disclosed by the following description.

(First embodiment)
The operating device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 forms a user interface for operating an air conditioner 90 mounted on a vehicle. The operation device 100 is installed on an instrument panel in a vehicle cabin, and exposes the plurality of touch switches 60 and the two dial knobs 30 in a range where an operator's finger F (see FIG. 2) can be easily reached. The operator can operate the operating state of the air conditioner 90 by inputting to the touch switch 60 and the dial knob 30. The operating state of the air conditioner 90 is notified to the operator by the display unit 17 provided in the operation device 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation device 100 includes an operation panel 10, a film sensor 20, a dial knob 30, a control circuit 50, and the like. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the direction in which the front surface that the finger F contacts on the operation panel 10 faces is the front direction, and the direction opposite to the front direction is the back direction.

  The operation panel 10 is formed, for example, by applying a light-shielding paint or printing with a light-shielding ink to a light-transmitting resin material that is generally plate-shaped. In the operation panel 10, two dial openings 18 and one display opening 19 are formed. The dial opening 18 is a circular through hole through which the dial knob 30 is inserted. The display opening 19 is a rectangular through hole for enabling the display unit 17 of the liquid crystal display 58 arranged in the depth direction of the operation panel 10 to be visible to the operator. The operation panel 10 is provided with a recess 12 and a protrusion 13.

  The recess 12 is formed between two dial openings 18 arranged in the horizontal direction. The concave portion 12 is formed by denting a rectangular region at the center of the operation panel 10 in the back direction with respect to the reference surface portion 10a of the operation panel 10 in which each dial side surface 31 is opened. A plurality of input surfaces 11 are formed on the bottom wall surface 12 a of the recess 12. The input surface 11 is a part of the touch switch 60 and is a part of the touch switch 60 that contacts the finger F. The input surface 11 has a planar shape along the reference surface portion 10a. Each input surface 11 is formed with an icon 11 a that abstracts the function assigned to each touch switch 60. The icon 11a is formed by translucent coating or printing applied in place of light-shielding coating or printing, and is lit and displayed by the transmission of light in the front direction.

  The protruding portion 13 is a portion protruding in the front direction from the outer edge of the input surface 11, and includes a reference surface portion 10 a around the dial opening 18. The top surface 14 of the protrusion 13 that is a part of the reference surface portion 10 a forms a step of about several millimeters (mm) with the input surface 11. It is desirable that the width in the horizontal direction of the top surface 14 is secured at a minimum of about 5 to 10 mm.

  The film sensor 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 forms a touch switch 60 by being combined with the input surface 11 or the like. The film sensor 20 is formed in a film shape, and is attached to the back surface 10b located on the opposite side of the input surface 11 in the operation panel 10 by a double-sided tape or an adhesive. The film sensor 20 includes an insulating film 21, a transparent electrode 22, a wiring part 23, and the like. The insulating film 21 is formed of a light-transmitting thin film material such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyimide.

  The transparent electrode 22 is a translucent conductive layer formed by a conductive polymer paint (for example, PEDOT) applied to the insulating film 21. A plurality of transparent electrodes 22 are arranged so as to overlap each icon 11a. The transparent electrode 22 generates capacitance between the finger F touching the input surface 11. The capacitance generated between the finger F and the transparent electrode 22 changes according to the distance from the input surface 11 to the finger F. In addition, as a material for forming the transparent electrode, for example, indium tin oxide, a metal film material having a large number of light transmitting holes opened, a printing material containing a conductive substance such as carbon, etc. can be adopted. is there.

  The wiring part 23 is formed of a film material such as metal. The wiring part 23 extends in a strip shape so as to go around the transparent electrode 22. Two wiring portions 23 are provided for one transparent electrode 22. One of the two wiring parts 23 located on the inner peripheral side and surrounding the outer edge of the transparent electrode 22 is electrically connected to a later-described capacitance measuring part 54 of the control circuit 50. The other wiring portion 23 located on the outer peripheral side is grounded to the ground through the control circuit 50.

  The dial knob 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape by a hard material such as resin and metal. Each dial knob 30 is inserted into each dial opening 18 in a posture in which the axial direction is substantially orthogonal to the reference surface portion 10a. The dial knob 30 protrudes in the front direction from the reference surface portion 10 a at a position along with the touch switch 60. A rotation operation by the finger F is input to a dial side surface 31 formed in a cylindrical shape in the dial knob 30. The outer diameter of the dial side surface 31 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the dial opening 18. The dial knob 30 can be rotated on both sides in the circumferential direction by a rotation operation input to the dial side surface 31.

  The control circuit 50 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 includes a capacitance measurement unit 54, an operation determination unit 52, two rotation detection units 53, a control unit 51, and the like. These configurations 51 to 54 are mounted on the circuit board 59. The circuit board 59 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is disposed in the back direction of the operation panel 10 in a posture along the plate surface direction of the operation panel 10.

  The capacitance measuring unit 54 measures the capacitance at each transparent electrode 22 from a signal acquired from each transparent electrode 22. The operation determination unit 52 determines whether there is a touch operation on the touch switch based on a change in capacitance detected by the touch switch. That is, the operation determination unit 52 acquires the capacitance value of each transparent electrode 22 calculated by the capacitance measurement unit 54, and the acquired capacitance value is a preset threshold value Cth (FIG. 5). Compare). The operation determination unit 52 determines the presence / absence of a touch operation to each touch switch 60 based on the comparison result, and outputs the determination result to the control unit 51.

  The rotation detection unit 53 is a rotary volume, for example, and is mounted on the circuit board (only one is shown in FIG. 5). The rotation detection unit 53 rotatably supports the dial knob 30 with a rotation shaft 53a. The rotation detection unit 53 detects a rotation operation input to the dial knob 30 and outputs a signal corresponding to the input rotation direction and rotation amount to the control unit 51.

  The control unit 51 is configured by a microcomputer or the like that operates based on a program. The control unit 51 is connected to the control unit of the air conditioner 90 and can exchange information with each other. The control unit 51 acquires information related to the contact operation and the rotation operation input by the operator from the operation determination unit 52 and the rotation detection unit 53, and outputs a signal instructing the change of the operation state to the air conditioner 90. . In addition, the control unit 51 acquires a signal indicating the current operating state from the air conditioner 90.

  In addition, the control unit 51 is connected to a plurality of light sources 57 and the liquid crystal display 58 described above. The light source 57 is a light emitting diode, for example, and is mounted on the front surface of the circuit board 59. Each light source 57 is arranged in the back direction of each touch switch 60, and displays each icon 11a by light emitted toward the front surface. The control unit 51 controls the light emission of each light source 57. The control unit 51 controls the liquid crystal display 58 based on information acquired from the air conditioner 90 and causes the display unit 17 to display the current operating state of the air conditioner 90.

  In the operation device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the middle step surface 40 is provided between the input surface 11 and the dial side surface 31. The middle step surface 40 in the first embodiment is formed by the top surface 14 of the operation panel 10. The middle stage surface 40 is located in the front direction from the input surface 11, and extends in a planar shape along the input surface 11 to the outer peripheral side of the dial side surface 31.

  In the configuration described so far, even when the operator who touches the finger side F with the dial side surface 31 to input the rotation operation to the dial knob 30 moves the finger F further in the back direction, such movement of the finger F is performed. Is blocked by the middle step surface 40 extending to the outer peripheral side of the dial side surface 31. Thus, according to the configuration in which the finger F abuts against the middle step surface 40 and the movement of the finger F toward the back side is restricted, the distance from the finger F touching the dial side surface 31 to the input surface 11 is ensured. Will come to be. Therefore, the capacitance detected at the touch switch 60 (hereinafter referred to as “nearest switch 61”) closest to the dial knob 30 is reduced.

Specifically, the fact that the capacitance detected by the closest switch 61 varies depending on the presence or absence of the recess 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 with reference to FIG. The capacitance is determined by the following Equation 1. In this formula 1, ε is a dielectric constant of a substance existing between the finger F and the transparent electrode 22. S is an area where the finger F and the transparent electrode 22 overlap. D is the distance between the finger F and the transparent electrode 22.
(Formula 1) C = ε × S / d

  In the configuration in which the concave portion 12 is not provided and the input surface is formed at the position of the reference surface portion (see the broken line in FIG. 5), the finger F touching the dial side surface 31 is very close to the closest switch 61. Therefore, since the distance d in Formula 1 is reduced, the capacitance measured by the closest switch 61 due to the finger F touching the dial side surface 31 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold Cth.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment (see the solid line in FIG. 5), the input surface 11 is moved away from the dial side surface 31 by the concave portion 12, and the further proximity of the finger F is prevented by the middle surface 40. The distance d in Equation 1 is ensured. Therefore, the electrostatic capacitance measured by the closest switch 61 due to the finger F touching the dial side surface 31 is greatly below the threshold value Cth.

  Thus, even if the finger F close to the input surface 11 causes a change in capacitance due to the rotation operation to the dial knob 30, such a change in capacitance causes the contact operation to the closest switch 61. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is mistakenly detected. In addition, even if the middle step surface 40 is formed, the area of each input surface 11 can be maintained, so that the operability of each touch switch 60 is hardly impaired. Therefore, after ensuring the operability of each touch switch 60, the operating device 100 with reduced false detection is realized.

  In addition, the middle step surface 40 in the first embodiment is formed by the operation panel 10 among the dial knob 30 and the operation panel 10. In such a form, the middle step surface 40 does not rotate with the dial knob 30. Therefore, the operator avoids the finger F from being in close contact with the middle surface 40. Therefore, the function of the middle step surface 40 that prevents the movement to the back side is further ensured, and the distance from the finger F to the input surface 11 can be ensured. Therefore, the situation in which the closest change switch 61 erroneously detects the change in the capacitance accompanying the rotation operation as the contact operation is further reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the finger F corresponds to the “operation body” recited in the claims, the operation panel 10 corresponds to the “panel portion” recited in the claims, and the dial knob 30 is patented. This corresponds to the “dial part” recited in the claims. The dial side surface 31 corresponds to a “cylindrical side surface” described in the claims, and the air conditioner 90 corresponds to a “device” described in the claims.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a modification of the first embodiment. The recessed part 12 (refer FIG. 2) is abbreviate | omitted from the operation panel 210 of the operating device 200 by 2nd embodiment. Therefore, the input surface 11 is located on the same plane as the reference surface portion 10 a around the dial opening 18, and is formed in the switch region 212 a sandwiched between the two dial knobs 230.

  The dial knob 230 of the second embodiment is formed in a two-stage columnar shape, and has a small diameter portion 232 and a large diameter portion 234. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 232 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 234. The small diameter portion 232 is arranged coaxially with the large diameter portion 234 and is located in the front direction of the large diameter portion 234. The small-diameter portion 232 forms a cylindrical dial side surface 231 that is assumed to be input for a rotation operation by the finger F. The dial side surface 231 corresponds to the dial side surface 31 (see FIG. 2) of the first embodiment. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 234 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the dial opening 18. The large diameter portion 234 forms an enlarged surface 233. The enlarged surface 233 is an end surface of the large-diameter portion 234 that faces the front surface direction. The enlarged surface 233 is an annular flat surface that extends from the edge portion 231a located in the back direction to the outer peripheral side, of both edges of the dial side surface 231. The width of the enlarged surface 233 in the radial direction is, for example, about several mm. For example, a step of about 5 mm is formed between the enlarged surface 233 and the reference surface portion 10a. The level difference between the enlarged surface 233 and the reference surface portion 10a is suppressed to such an extent that it is difficult to grip the side surface of the large diameter portion 234 with the finger F.

  In the operation device 200 described above, the enlarged surface 233 positioned between the input surface 11 and the dial side surface 231 forms a middle step surface 240 corresponding to the middle step surface 40 (see FIG. 2) of the first embodiment. Therefore, even when the operator who has touched the finger F on the dial side surface 231 moves the finger F further in the back direction, the movement of the finger F is performed from the edge portion 231a in the back direction of the dial side surface 231 to the outer peripheral side. It is blocked by the expanding middle step surface 240. When the finger F hits the middle step surface 240, the distance from the finger F touching the dial side surface 231 to the input surface 11 is secured. Therefore, the capacitance detected by the closest switch 61 when the finger F is touching the dial side surface 231 is reduced. By producing the same effect as in the first embodiment as described above, a situation in which a change in capacitance caused by the finger F performing a rotation operation is erroneously detected as a contact operation is avoided.

  In addition, in the second embodiment, since the middle step surface 240 is formed on the dial knob 230, the recess 12 (see FIG. 2) can be omitted from the operation panel 210. Therefore, the area of the switch region 212a in which the plurality of input surfaces 11 are formed is further ensured. Therefore, the operability of the touch switch 60 can be maintained higher and the false detection can be reduced.

  In the second embodiment, the operation panel 210 corresponds to the “panel portion” recited in the claims, the dial knob 230 corresponds to the “dial portion” recited in the claims, and the dial side surface 231 includes This corresponds to the “tubular side surface” recited in the claims.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is another modification of the first embodiment. In the operating device 300 according to the third embodiment, a detection switch 355 is provided between the dial side surface 31 and the input surface 11. The detection switch 355 is a capacitance type sensor that is substantially the same as the touch switch 60 and is provided to detect the finger F touching the dial side surface 31. The detection switch 355 includes a region where the middle surface 340 is formed on the operation panel 310, an extension region 325 of the film sensor 320, and the like.

  The middle step surface 340 corresponds to the middle step surface 40 (see FIG. 2) of the first embodiment, and is formed by the top surface 14 of the protruding portion 13. The middle surface 340 is provided in a region closer to the recess 12 than the center of the dial knob 30 in the reference surface portion 10a. The middle surface 340 extends to the outer peripheral side of the dial knob 30.

  The extension region 325 is connected to the main body region 320 a of the film sensor 320 by the extension wiring portion 324. The main body region 320a is a region attached to the back surface 10b side of the bottom wall surface 12a in the film sensor 320. In the extension region 325, a transparent electrode 322 and a wiring portion 323 that are substantially the same as the transparent electrode 22 and the wiring portion 23 provided in the main body region 320a are formed. The transparent electrode 322 generates a capacitance between the finger F in contact with or close to the middle surface 340 by gripping the dial side surface 31. The wiring unit 323 is electrically connected to the capacitance measuring unit 54 and the ground pattern of the control circuit 50.

  Next, the contact operation determination process performed by the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 4) of the third embodiment will be described based on FIG. 10 and with reference to FIG. The operation determination process shown in FIG. 10 is a process applied to the closest switch 61 among the plurality of touch switches 60. This operation determination process is started by supplying power to the operation device 300, for example, by turning on the accessory power supply of the vehicle, and is repeatedly performed until the power supply is stopped.

  In S201, the capacitance value in the closest switch 61 and the capacitance value in the detection switch 355 are acquired from the capacitance measuring unit 54, and the process proceeds to S202. In S202, it is determined whether or not the capacitance value of the closest switch 61 is greater than or equal to a threshold value Cth. If a negative determination is made in S202, the process proceeds to S205. In S205, it is determined that there is no touch operation on the closest switch 61, and the process returns to S201.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in S202, it is determined in S203 whether the capacitance value of the detection switch 355 is less than the threshold value Cdth. The threshold Cdth used in S203 is set lower than the threshold Cth set for the touch switch 60. By setting the threshold value Cdth, even if the finger F is gripping a portion of the dial side surface 31 away from the middle surface 340, the finger F can be detected. If an affirmative determination is made in S203, it is determined in S204 that there is a touch operation on the closest switch 61, and the process returns to S201. If a negative determination is made in S203, it is determined in S205 that there is no contact operation, and the process returns to S201.

  As described above, when the detection switch 355 detects the finger F, the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 4) has the capacitance measured by the closest switch 61 exceeding the threshold Cth. However, the presence / absence of the touch operation on the closest switch 61 is not determined. In such a third embodiment, not only the movement of the finger F is blocked by the middle step surface 340, but also the presence determination itself of the closest operation to the closest switch 61 is performed during the input of the rotation operation to the dial knob 30. Disappear. Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is achieved, and a situation in which a change in capacitance caused by the finger F inputting a rotation operation to the dial knob 30 is erroneously detected as a contact operation to the closest switch 61 is as follows. More avoided.

  In the third embodiment, the operation panel 310 corresponds to the “panel unit” recited in the claims, and the operation determination unit 52 corresponds to the “operation determination unit” recited in the claims.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is a modification of the third embodiment. The recessed part 12 (refer FIG. 9) is abbreviate | omitted from the operation panel 410 of the operating device 400 by 4th embodiment. Therefore, the input surface 11 is formed in the switch region 412 a defined on the same plane as the reference surface portion 10 a around the dial opening 18. And between the dial side surface 31 and the input surface 11, the detection switch 455 substantially the same as the detection switch 355 (refer FIG. 9) of 3rd embodiment is provided.

  The detection switch 455 includes a detection area 411 of the operation panel 410, an extension area 425 of the film sensor 420, and the like. The detection area 411 is located on both sides of the switch area 412a in the horizontal direction in the reference surface portion 10a, and is sandwiched between the switch area 412a and the dial opening 18. The detection region 411 has a shape corresponding to the middle step surface 340 (see FIG. 9) of the third embodiment, and extends to the outer peripheral side of the dial knob 30. The extension region 425 is a portion of the film sensor 420 that is located on the back surface 10b side of the detection region 411. In the extended region 425, a transparent electrode 322 and a wiring portion 323 are formed.

  Even in the fourth embodiment described so far, when the detection switch 455 detects the finger F, even when the capacitance of the closest switch 61 exceeds the threshold Cth, the operation determination unit 52 (FIG. 4). (See) does not determine whether there is a touch operation on the closest switch 61. Therefore, during the input of the rotation operation to the dial knob 30, the presence / absence of the contact operation on the closest switch 61 is not determined. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a change in capacitance caused by the finger F that inputs a rotation operation is erroneously detected as a contact operation to the closest switch 61. In addition, even if the detection switch 455 is provided between the input surface 11 and the dial knob 30, the area of the switch region 412a forming the input surface 11 can be secured. Therefore, the operability of each touch switch 60 is ensured.

  In the fourth embodiment, the operation panel 410 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 is yet another modification of the first embodiment. In the operation panel 510 of the operation device 500 according to the fifth embodiment, two of the plurality of touch switches 60 that are closest to the dial knob 30 are defined as first touch switches 561. The six touch switches 60 that are sandwiched between the first touch switches 561 and that are further away from the dial knob 30 than the first touch switches 561 are referred to as second touch switches 562. The first touch switch 561 is substantially the same as the closest switch 61 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment or the like. In the operation panel 510, each input surface 11 is defined on the same plane as the reference surface portion 10a.

  Each touch switch 60 is assigned a function of operating each device included in the air conditioner 90. These functions include a simple switching function that switches the operation mode of the associated device (e.g., on and off) among the two, a cyclic switching function that switches the operation mode of the associated device among a plurality, and the associated device There is an adjustment function to adjust the set value.

  Among these functions, a continuous touch operation, that is, an adjustment function and a circulation switching function that are assumed to be repeatedly hit by a switch are assigned to the second touch switch 562. Specifically, an air volume adjustment function for adjusting the set value of the air volume of the air conditioner 90 is assigned to the set 562a, 562b of the plurality of second touch switches 562. The other one 562c among the plurality of second touch switches 562 is assigned a switching function for circulating the operation mode of the outlet in the order of, for example, FACE mode → BiLevel → FOOT.

  On the other hand, only the simple switching function that is less likely to be repeatedly hit is assigned to the first touch switch 561. Specifically, each first touch switch 561 has an air conditioner on / off switching function, an internal air circulation / external air introduction switching function, a dual mode on / off switching function, and an auto air conditioner on / off switching function. , Are assigned respectively. The dual mode is an operation mode that enables individual temperature adjustment on the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side.

  In the operating device 500, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562. Hereinafter, the processing of the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 4) for reducing the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 to be lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562 will be described with reference to FIGS. However, it demonstrates in order.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the operation determination unit 52 is preset with two threshold values Cth1 and Cth2 for determining whether there is a touch operation. One first threshold value Cth1 is a value for determining whether or not there is a touch operation for each first touch switch 561. The other second threshold value Cth2 is a value for determining whether or not there is a touch operation for each second touch switch 562. The first threshold value Cth1 is set to a capacitance value higher than the second threshold value Cth2. Therefore, the first touch switch 561 has a lower sensitivity than the second touch switch 562.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the operation determination unit 52 waits until the contact operation is determined after the capacitance value detected by the touch switch 60 exceeds the threshold value Cth and enters the contact state. , Delay time is set. The delay times t_r1 and t_r2 set for the first touch switch 561 and the second touch switch 562 are different from each other. The time from when the capacitance value detected by the first touch switch 561 exceeds the first threshold value Cth1 to the contact state and before the presence / absence of the contact operation is determined is defined as a first delay time t_r1. . In addition, the second delay time t_r <b> 2 is the time from when the capacitance value detected by the second touch switch 562 exceeds the second threshold value Cth <b> 2 until the contact operation is determined. And The first delay time t_r1 is set longer than the second delay time t_r2 set to a value close to zero. Therefore, the first touch switch 561 has a low sensitivity setting that is less responsive to the finger F (see FIG. 2) than the second touch switch 562.

  Further, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether or not there is a contact operation based on the stabilization of the detected capacitance value. Such processing is applied only to the first touch switch 561 among the first touch switch 561 and the second touch switch 562. In FIG. 16, the change in capacitance until the finger F approaches and contacts the input surface 11 is shown along the elapsed time of the operation. As long as the finger F approaches the input surface 11, the detected capacitance gradually increases. At this stage, since the finger F does not touch the input surface 11, the distance between the finger F and the input surface 11 is not stably reduced. Therefore, the change in capacitance seen microscopically is accompanied by small fluctuations as shown in FIG. Such a variation in capacitance is continued until the finger F comes into contact with the input surface 11 even if the first threshold value Cth1 is exceeded.

  After the finger F comes into contact with the input surface 11, a high capacitance value is detected, and the capacitance is stabilized at the detected value. Therefore, the slight fluctuation of the capacitance is reduced as shown in FIG. The operation determination unit 52 determines that the capacitance has been stabilized based on the fact that the capacitance value has changed for a predetermined time t_s within a predetermined fluctuation range. Based on this determination, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether there is a touch operation on the first touch switch 561. By such processing, the first touch switch 561 has a low sensitivity setting that is less responsive to the finger F than the second touch switch 562.

  As a result of the above control, the first touch switch 561 reacts only when the contact area between the finger F and the transparent electrode 22 is expanded by a reliable contact operation in which the finger F is pushed into the input surface 11. .

  In addition, the operation determination unit 52 acquires information indicating the presence / absence of a rotation operation from each rotation detection unit 53. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the operation determination unit 52 monitors the presence / absence of a rotation operation for a predetermined time t_rm after determining whether or not there is a contact operation to the first touch switch 561. If a rotation operation is detected by the corresponding rotation detection unit 53 within the monitoring time t_rm, the determination of the presence of the previous contact operation is cancelled. In this way, when the rotation operation to the dial knob 30 and the contact operation to the first touch switch 561 adjacent to the dial knob 30 are detected at the same timing, the rotation operation to the dial knob 30 is performed. have priority.

  A series of operation determination processes including the control described so far will be described based on FIG. 19 with reference to FIG. The operation determination process illustrated in FIG. 19 is started when power is supplied to the control circuit 50, and is repeatedly performed by the operation determination unit 52 until the power supply is stopped, similarly to the process illustrated in FIG.

  In S501, an acquisition process for acquiring a capacitance value in the first touch switch 561 is performed, and the process proceeds to S502. In S502, it is determined whether or not the capacitance value acquired in S501 is greater than or equal to the first threshold Cth1. If a negative determination is made in S502, the process proceeds to S507. In S507, it is determined that there is no contact operation on the first touch switch 561, and the process returns to S501. In S507, when the timer started in S503 and S509 described later is continuously counted, the timer is reset.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in S502, counting of a timer that measures an elapsed time after the contact state exceeding the first threshold Cth1 is started in S503, and the process proceeds to S504. In S503, when the timer has been started by the processing up to the previous time, the count is continued, and the process proceeds to S504.

  In S504, it is determined whether the elapsed time of the timer in S503 is equal to or longer than the first delay time t_r1 (see FIG. 15). If the elapsed time is less than the first delay time t_r1 in S504, the process of S501 to S504 is repeated to wait for the first delay time t_r1. Then, when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the first delay time t_r1, the process proceeds to S505.

  In S505, based on the above-described determination method (see FIGS. 16 to 18), it is determined whether or not the detected capacitance is stabilized. If a negative determination is made in S505, the processing of S501 to S505 is repeated until stabilization, and the stabilization of the capacitance is awaited. Then, based on the stabilization of the capacitance, the process proceeds to S506.

  In S506, it is determined that there is a touch operation on the first touch switch 561, and the process proceeds to S508. At this time, the timer whose count is started in S503 is reset. In S508, the timer that measures the elapsed time since the determination of the presence of the contact operation is started, and the process proceeds to S509. In S509, an acquisition process for acquiring information indicating the presence / absence of a rotation operation from each rotation detection unit 53 is performed, and the process proceeds to S510.

  In S510, the presence / absence of a rotation operation input is determined from the information acquired in S509. If it is determined in S510 that the rotation operation has been input, the process proceeds to S507. Thereby, the presence determination of the contact operation performed in immediately preceding S506 is cancelled. On the other hand, if it is determined in S510 that there is no rotation operation input, the process proceeds to S511.

  In S511, it is determined whether the elapsed time of the timer in S509 is equal to or longer than the monitoring time t_rm (see FIG. 15). When the elapsed time is less than the monitoring time t_rm in S511, the presence / absence of a rotation operation is monitored for the monitoring time t_rm by repeating the processing from S509 to S511. Then, when the elapsed time becomes equal to or longer than the monitoring time t_rm, the process returns to S501. At this time, the timer whose counting is started in S509 is reset.

  According to the fifth embodiment described so far, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is made lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562 under the control of the operation determination unit 52. Therefore, even if the finger F close to the input surface 11 causes a change in capacitance due to the rotation operation to the dial knob 30, such a change in capacitance is erroneous as a contact operation to the first touch switch 561. The situation that is detected is avoided. In addition, if the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is reduced by the control by the operation determination unit 52, the area of each input surface 11 can be maintained without being narrowed. Therefore, the operability of each touch switch 60 is ensured.

  In addition, if the first threshold Cth1 is set higher than the second threshold Cth2 as in the fifth embodiment, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is surely lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562. . For this reason, in the first touch switch 561, a change in electrostatic capacitance accompanying a rotation operation is less likely to be erroneously detected as a contact operation. Therefore, erroneous detection associated with the rotation operation can be accurately eliminated.

  Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the first delay time t_r1 is longer than the second delay time t_r2. Thus, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is made lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562 not only by the threshold values Cth1 and Cth2, but also by the delay times t_r1 and t_r2. As described above, by combining the threshold value and the delay time, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 can be easily adjusted to a setting that can accurately eliminate erroneous detection associated with the rotation operation.

  Further, in the fifth embodiment, based on the fact that the detected capacitance is stabilized, the presence / absence of the touch operation on the first touch switch 561 is determined. With such a configuration, a change in electrostatic capacity accompanying a rotation operation on the dial knob 30 is not detected as a contact operation. On the other hand, the operation of strongly pressing the input surface 11 of the first touch switch 561 with the finger F can be reliably detected as a contact operation. As described above, the controller device 500 can accurately exclude only the change in the electrostatic capacity accompanying the rotation operation from the detection target.

  In addition, in the fifth embodiment, when the rotation operation and the contact operation are detected at the same timing, the rotation operation has priority. These operations are difficult to input at the same timing. Therefore, the contact operation detected at the same timing as the rotation operation is highly likely to be a false detection associated with the rotation operation. Therefore, by providing control that gives priority to the rotation operation, erroneous detection associated with the rotation operation can be accurately eliminated.

  In addition, when the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562 as in the fifth embodiment, detecting a continuous contact operation in the first touch switch 561 It becomes difficult. Therefore, the adjustment function and the circulation switching function are assigned to avoid the first touch switch 561. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid continuous hitting input to the first touch switch 561. Therefore, a decrease in operability associated with a decrease in sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 becomes difficult to manifest. Therefore, avoidance of erroneous detection and ensuring of operability can be more compatible.

  In the fifth embodiment, the operation panel 510 corresponds to the “panel unit” recited in the claims, the operation determination unit 52 corresponds to the “operation determination unit” recited in the claims, and the rotation detection The unit 53 corresponds to “rotation detecting means” described in the claims.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 20 is a modification of the fourth embodiment. The operation device 600 according to the sixth embodiment is provided with a sensitivity reduction structure 670 that makes the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562. The sensitivity reduction structure 670 in the sixth embodiment includes an operation panel 610 that changes the plate thickness of the switch region 612a at various places. Here, a first region 671 and a second region 672 are provided in the operation panel 610 of the sixth embodiment. The first area 671 is a range in which the input surface 11 of the first touch switch 561 is formed. The second region 672 is a range in which the input surface 11 of the second touch switch 562 is formed. The plate thickness pt_1 of the first region 671 is thicker than the plate thickness pt_2 of the second region 672.

  In the above configuration, a difference is provided in the plate thicknesses pt_1 and pt_2 of the first region 671 and the second region 672, so that a step is formed on the back surface 10b of the operation panel 610. The film sensor 620 according to the sixth embodiment is affixed to the operation panel 610 in a state of being bent in accordance with the unevenness of the back surface 10b. In the film sensor 620, each transparent electrode 22 is positioned on each back surface 10b of the first region 671 and the second region 672.

  In the sixth embodiment described so far, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is made lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562 by the sensitivity reduction structure 670. Therefore, the same effect as the fifth embodiment is achieved, and erroneous detection of the contact operation in the first touch switch 561 is reduced. In addition, in the above-described configuration, since the area of each input surface 11 is maintained, the operability of each touch switch 60 is naturally ensured.

  In addition, in the sixth embodiment, the first touch switch 561 is more sensitive than the second touch switch 562 because the plate thickness pt_1 of the first region 671 is thicker than the plate thickness pt_2 of the second region 672. Is also low. As described above, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 can be lowered even with a simple structure in which the thickness of the operation panel 610 is changed. Therefore, by adopting the above-described configuration, it is possible to easily realize the operation device 600 that is difficult to erroneously detect the rotation operation on the dial knob 30 as a contact operation.

  In the sixth embodiment, the operation panel 610 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Seventh embodiment)
The seventh embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is a modification of the sixth embodiment. In the operation device 700 of the seventh embodiment, the thickness of the operation panel 710 is substantially constant. On the other hand, the sensitivity lowering structure 770 provided in the operating device 700 includes a first switch electrode 722a and a second switch electrode 722b whose electrode areas are changed. The first switch electrode 722a and the second switch electrode 722b are formed in the film sensor 720.

  The first switch electrode 722 a is disposed on the back surface side of the input surface 11 of the first touch switch 561 so as to overlap the input surface 11. The first switch electrode 722a accumulates electric charge with the finger F (see FIG. 20) that has touched the input surface 11 of the first touch switch 561. The first switch electrode 722a is a reduced size of the second switch electrode 722b, and is formed in a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction. Similar to the second switch electrode 722b, the outer edge of the first switch electrode 722a faces the wiring unit 23 connected to the capacitance measuring unit 54 (see FIG. 4) and is surrounded by the wiring unit 23 around the entire circumference. Yes. The electrode area of the first switch electrode 722a is smaller than the electrode area of the second switch electrode 722b.

  The second switch electrode 722 b is disposed on the back surface side of the input surface 11 of the second touch switch 562 so as to overlap the input surface 11. The second switch electrode 722b accumulates electric charge with the finger F (see FIG. 20) that has touched the input surface 11 of the second touch switch 562. The electrode area of the second switch electrode 722b is equivalent to the electrode area of the transparent electrode 22 (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment.

  In the above configuration, the area of the first switch electrode 722a is smaller than the area of the second switch electrode 722b. Therefore, even if a similar contact operation is performed on the touch switches 561 and 562, the electric charge accumulated between the first switch electrode 722a and the finger F (see FIG. 20) is between the second switch electrode 722b and the finger F. Less than the charge stored in the. As described above, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is set lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 562.

  As in the seventh embodiment described so far, the first touch switch 561 is also used in the sensitivity reduction structure 770 including the first switch electrode 722a and the second switch electrode 722b in which the electrode area is changed, as in the sixth embodiment. The sensitivity is reduced. Therefore, the situation where the rotation operation to the dial knob 30 is erroneously detected by the first touch switch 561 as the contact operation is reduced.

  In addition, in the seventh embodiment, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 561 is reduced by a simple structure in which the electrode areas of the switch electrodes 722a and 722b are changed. Therefore, a configuration capable of avoiding erroneous detection associated with the rotation operation on the dial knob 30 becomes easier to implement.

  In the seventh embodiment, the operation panel 710 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Eighth embodiment)
The eighth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 23 is a modification of the seventh embodiment. Each length of the long side and the short side of the first switch electrode 822a in the eighth embodiment is the second switch electrode 722b.
It is substantially the same as each length of the long side and the short side (see FIG. 22). In the film sensor 820, the first switch electrode 822a is formed in a comb shape. More specifically, the first switch electrode 822a has a plurality (two) of non-electrode regions 873 extending in a strip shape and spaced from each other. The non-electrode region 873 extends along the long side from the short side of the first switch electrode 822a adjacent to the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 21). By forming the non-electrode region 873, the electrode area of the first switch electrode 822a is made smaller than the electrode area of the second switch electrode 722b.

  As in the above eighth embodiment, even in the sensitivity reduction structure 870 including the film sensor 820 in which the first switch electrode 822a and the second switch electrode 722b are combined, the first touch switch 561 ( 21)). Therefore, erroneous detection of the contact operation in the first touch switch 561 is reduced. In addition, in the above-described configuration, since the non-electrode region 873 is formed closer to the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 21), the gap between the first switch electrode 822a and the finger F (see FIG. 21) is near the dial knob 30. It is difficult to accumulate charges on the surface. Therefore, the sensitivity in the vicinity of the dial knob 30 in the first touch switch 561 can be partially reduced. Therefore, it is possible to accurately eliminate a situation in which the rotation operation is erroneously detected as the contact operation while maintaining high sensitivity to the contact operation.

(Ninth embodiment)
The ninth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 24 is another modification of the seventh embodiment. In the film sensor 920 in the ninth embodiment, the first switch electrode 922a is formed in substantially the same shape as the second switch electrode 722b (see FIG. 22). In addition, in the film sensor 920, the wiring part 923 connected to the capacitance measuring unit 54 (see FIG. 4) is shorter than the wiring part 23 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the first embodiment. The wiring portion 923 is connected to one of the two short sides that form the outer edge of the first switch electrode 922a and spaced from the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 21).

  In the above configuration, the electric charge accumulated at a position far from the wiring portion 923 in the first switch electrode 922a is difficult to be detected by the capacitance measuring unit 54 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the sensitivity in the vicinity of the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 21) in the first touch switch 561 (see FIG. 21) can be partially reduced. Therefore, even in the sensitivity reduction structure 970 including the film sensor 920, as in the eighth embodiment, the situation in which the rotation operation is erroneously detected as the contact operation is accurately excluded while maintaining high sensitivity to the contact operation. Can do.

(Tenth embodiment)
The operating device 1000 according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 is still another modification of the first embodiment. The operating device 1000 according to the tenth embodiment is provided with a plurality of mechanical switches 80 instead of the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 1). Further, in the operation panel 1010 of the tenth embodiment, a plurality of switch openings 1018 are formed together with the recesses 12, the protrusions 13, and the display openings 19 instead of the dial openings 18 (see FIG. 1). The switch opening 1018 is a rectangular through hole through which the mechanical switch 80 is inserted. Three switch openings 1018 are provided on both sides of the recess 12 in the horizontal direction of the operation panel 1010.

  Each mechanical switch 80 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole by a hard material such as resin. Each mechanical switch 80 is inserted into each switch opening 1018 in a posture in which the height direction is substantially orthogonal to the reference surface portion 1010a. The mechanical switch 80 protrudes in the front direction from the reference surface portion 1010 a at a position along with the touch switch 60.

  Each mechanical switch 80 is formed with a flange 83 and a pressing top surface 81. The flange 83 is in contact with the periphery of the switch opening 1018 from the back by a shape protruding from the side surface of the mechanical switch 80 to the outer peripheral side. The flange 83 is formed on the side surface of the mechanical switch 80 over the entire circumference. The pressing top surface 81 is a top surface of the mechanical switch 80 protruding from the switch opening 1018 toward the front surface. The pressing top surface 81 has a planar shape along the reference surface portion 1010a and contacts the operator's finger F. As with the input surface 11, an icon 81 a that abstracts the function assigned to each mechanical switch 80 is formed on each pressing top surface 81. The mechanical switch 80 can be displaced in the back direction by a pressing operation input to the pressing top surface 81.

  The operation panel 1010 is provided with a middle step surface 1040 corresponding to the middle step surface 40 (see FIG. 2) of the first embodiment. The middle step surface 1040 is formed by the top surface 14 of the operation panel 1010, and is positioned between two of the plurality of mechanical switches 80 (hereinafter referred to as the inner switch 80 i) and the input surface 11. doing. The middle step surface 1040 is located in front of the input surface 11 and extends in a planar shape around the mechanical switch 80 along the input surface 11.

  The control circuit 1050 shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 includes a plurality of press detection units 56 (see FIG. 27) in addition to the capacitance measurement unit 54, the operation determination unit 52, and the control unit 51 that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment. Has only one). The press detection unit 56 is a tactile switch for detecting a pressing operation input to the mechanical switch 80. The pressure detection unit 56 is mounted in an area located in the back direction of the mechanical switch 80 on the mounting surface of the circuit board 59. The press detection part 56 makes the plunger part 56a which protruded in the front direction contact the mechanical switch 80. FIG. The press detection unit 56 presses the mechanical switch 80 in the front direction via the plunger unit 56a by the restoring force of an elastic member such as rubber provided inside. When the plunger portion 56a is displaced in the back direction together with the mechanical switch 80 by the pressing operation on the pressing top surface 81, the pressing detecting unit 56 is turned on. Signals indicating the ON state and the OFF state of the press detection unit 56 are acquired by the control unit 51.

  In the configuration described so far, a step is secured between the middle step surface 1040 and the input surface 11 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. Therefore, even when the finger F of the operator who is inputting the pressing operation moves in the depth direction, the distance from the finger F touching the pressing top surface 81 to the input surface 11 can be reliably ensured. Therefore, the capacitance detected at the closest switch 61 closest to the mechanical switch 80 is reduced. As a result, even if the finger F close to the input surface 11 causes a change in capacitance due to the pressing operation on the mechanical switch 80, such a change in capacitance becomes a contact operation on the closest switch 61. A situation in which it is erroneously detected is avoided. In addition, even if the middle step surface 1040 is formed, the area of each input surface 11 can be maintained, so that the operability of each touch switch 60 is not easily impaired. Therefore, after ensuring the operability of each touch switch 60, the operating device 1000 with reduced false detection is realized.

  In the tenth embodiment, the operation panel 1010 corresponds to a “panel portion” recited in the claims, and the mechanical switch 80 corresponds to a “press switch portion” recited in the claims.

(Eleventh embodiment)
The eleventh embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is a modification of the third embodiment. The operating device 1100 according to the eleventh embodiment is provided with a plurality of mechanical switches 80 similar to those in the tenth embodiment, instead of the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 8). In addition, the operation panel 1110 of the eleventh embodiment is provided with two detection switches 1155. The detection switch 1155 has a configuration corresponding to the detection switch 355 (see FIG. 8) of the third embodiment, and is located between the mechanical switch 80 and the input surface 11. The detection switch 1155 detects the finger F touching the inner switch 80i. The detection switch 1155 includes an area where the middle surface 1140 is formed on the operation panel 1110, an extension area 1125 of the film sensor 1120, and the like.

  The middle step surface 1140 corresponds to the middle step surface 1040 (see FIG. 26) of the tenth embodiment, and is provided in a region closer to the recess 1112 than the inner switch 80i in the reference surface portion 1110a. The reference surface portion 1110 a is a planar region formed around the switch opening 1018 by the top surface 14 of the protruding portion 13. The extension region 1125 corresponds to the extension region (see FIG. 9) of the third embodiment, and generates a capacitance between the finger F that is in contact with or close to the middle surface 1140 by contact with the pressing top surface 81. .

  The operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 27) of the above eleventh embodiment performs substantially the same operation determination process as the process shown in FIG. Therefore, when the detection switch 1155 detects the finger F, the operation determination unit 52 makes contact with the closest switch 61 even if the capacitance measured by the closest switch 61 exceeds the threshold Cth. Does not determine whether there is an operation. As a result, not only the contact of the finger F with the closest switch 61 is blocked by the middle step surface 1140, but also the determination of the presence of the contact operation with respect to the closest switch 61 is performed during the input of the pressing operation to the inner switch 80i. Disappear. Therefore, the same effect as that of the tenth embodiment is achieved, and the situation in which the change in capacitance caused by the finger F that inputs the pressing operation to the mechanical switch 80 is erroneously detected as the contact operation to the nearest switch 61 is More avoided.

  In the eleventh embodiment, the operation panel 1110 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Twelfth embodiment)
The twelfth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 is a modification of the eleventh embodiment. A recess 1112 (see FIG. 29) is omitted from the operation panel 1210 of the operation device 1200 according to the twelfth embodiment. Therefore, the switch region 1212a forming the input surface 11 is located on the same plane as the reference surface portion 1210a around the switch opening 1018. A detection switch 1255 substantially the same as the detection switch 1155 (see FIG. 29) of the eleventh embodiment is provided between the inner switch 80i and the input surface 11.

  The detection switch 1255 includes a detection area 1211 of the operation panel 1210, an extension area 1225 of the film sensor 1220, and the like. The detection area 1211 is located on both sides in the horizontal direction of the switch area 1212a in the reference surface portion 1210a, and is sandwiched between the switch area 1212a and the switch opening 1018. The detection region 1211 has a shape extending in a strip shape in the vertical direction in which the two inner switches 80i are arranged. The extension region 1225 is a portion located on the back side of the detection region 1211 in the film sensor 1220.

  Even in the fourth embodiment described so far, when the detection switch 1255 detects the finger F, even when the capacitance of the closest switch 61 exceeds the threshold Cth, the operation determination unit 52 (FIG. 27). (See) does not determine whether there is a touch operation on the closest switch 61. Therefore, during the input of the pressing operation to the inner switch 80i, the presence / absence of the contact operation on the closest switch 61 is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a change in capacitance caused by the finger F that inputs a pressing operation is erroneously detected as a contact operation to the closest switch 61. In addition, even if the detection switch 1255 is provided between the input surface 11 and the inner switch 80i, the area of the switch region 1212a can be secured. Therefore, the operability of each touch switch 60 is ensured.

  In the twelfth embodiment, the operation panel 1210 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Thirteenth embodiment)
The thirteenth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 32 is a modification of the fifth embodiment. The operating device 1300 according to the thirteenth embodiment is provided with a plurality of mechanical switches 80 similar to those of the tenth embodiment, instead of the dial knob 30 (see FIG. 13). In the operation panel 1310, the input surfaces 11 of the plurality of touch switches 60 are formed between the three mechanical switch groups arranged three by three. Similarly to the fifth embodiment, two of the plurality of touch switches 60 that are closest to the inner switch 80i are the first touch switches 1361, and the six that are sandwiched between the first touch switches 1361 are the second touches. The switch 1362 is used. The first touch switch 1361 is assigned only a simple switching function that is less likely to be repeatedly hit. On the other hand, the second touch switch 1362 includes a switch to which an adjustment function and a circulation switching function that are assumed to be repeatedly hit are assigned.

  In the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 27), the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 is set lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 1362 as in the fifth embodiment. Specifically, in the operation determination unit 52, the first threshold value Cth1 for determining whether there is a contact operation for each first touch switch 1361, and the second threshold value for determining whether there is a contact operation for each second touch switch 1362. The capacitance value is set higher than Cth2.

  In addition, in the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 27), the first delay time t_r1 is set longer than the second delay time t_r2 set to a value close to zero. The first delay time t_r1 is a time from when the capacitance value detected by the first touch switch 1361 exceeds the first threshold value Cth1 until the contact operation is determined. (See FIG. 15). Similarly, the second delay time t_r2 is a period from when the capacitance value detected by the second touch switch 1362 exceeds the second threshold value Cth2 until the contact operation is determined. Time (see FIG. 15).

  Further, the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 27) indicates that the detected capacitance value is stabilized only for the first touch switch 1361 among the first touch switch 1361 and the second touch switch 1362. Based on the above, the presence / absence of the contact operation is determined (see FIG. 16). The operation determination unit 52 determines that the capacitance has stabilized based on the fact that the capacitance value has changed for a predetermined time t_s or more within a predetermined fluctuation range (see FIG. 18). Based on this determination, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether there is a touch operation on the first touch switch 1361.

  Further, when the operation determination unit 52 (see FIG. 27) detects the pressing operation to the inner switch 80i and the contact operation to the first touch switch 1361 adjacent to the inner switch 80i at the same timing, the inner switch 80i. Give priority to the pressing operation. More specifically, the operation determination unit 52 determines whether or not the first touch switch 1361 has a contact operation, and then from a predetermined time t_rm (see FIG. 15) and each press detection unit 56 (see FIG. 27). Based on the signal to be acquired, the presence or absence of a pressing operation is monitored. If a pressing operation is detected by the pressing detection unit 56 close to the first touch switch 1361 within the monitoring time t_rm, the determination of the presence of the previous contact operation is cancelled.

  A series of operation determination processes performed by the operation determination unit 52 described so far is substantially the same as the process of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. However, in S509, a pressing operation information acquisition process is performed, and in S510, it is determined whether or not there is a pressing operation.

  In the thirteenth embodiment described above, even if the finger F close to the input surface 11 causes a change in capacitance due to the pressing operation on the inner switch 80i, such a change in capacitance is caused by the first touch switch. A situation that is erroneously detected as a contact operation to 1361 is avoided. In addition, if the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 is lowered by the control by the operation determination unit 52, the area of each input surface 11 can be maintained without being narrowed. Therefore, also in the thirteenth embodiment, the operability of each touch switch 60 is ensured as in the fifth embodiment.

  In the thirteenth embodiment, the operation panel 1310 corresponds to the “panel portion” recited in the claims, and the press detection portion 56 (see FIG. 27) is the “press detection means” recited in the claims. It corresponds to.

(14th embodiment)
The fourteenth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 33 is a modification of the thirteenth embodiment. The operating device 1400 according to the fourteenth embodiment is provided with a sensitivity lowering structure 1470 that makes the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 1362. The sensitivity lowering structure 1470 includes an operation panel 1410 that changes the plate thickness of the switch region 1412a at various places. The operation panel 1410 is provided with a first area 1471 and a second area 1472. The first region 1471 is a range in which the input surface 11 of the first touch switch 1361 is formed. The second region 1472 is a range in which the input surface 11 of the second touch switch 1362 is formed. Similar to the first region 671 (see FIG. 20) and the second region 672 (see FIG. 20) of the sixth embodiment, the plate thickness pt_1 of the first region 1471 is made thicker than the plate thickness pt_2 of the second region 1472. ing. Due to the difference between the plate thicknesses pt_1 and pt_2, a step is formed on the back surface 1410b of the operation panel 1410. In the film sensor 1420, the transparent electrode 22 is positioned on each of the back surfaces 1410b of the first region 1471 and the second region 1472 in a state where the film sensor 1420 is bent in accordance with the level difference of the back surface 1410b.

  In the fourteenth embodiment described so far, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 is made lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 1362 by the sensitivity reduction structure 1470. Therefore, the same effect as that of the twelfth embodiment is achieved, and a situation in which the finger F that inputs a pressing operation to the inner switch 80i is erroneously detected as a contact operation by the first touch switch 1361 is less likely to occur. In addition, by maintaining the area of each input surface 11, the operability of each touch switch 60 is naturally secured.

  In the fourteenth embodiment, the operation panel 1410 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Fifteenth embodiment)
The fifteenth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 34 is a modification of the seventh embodiment. In the operation device 1500 according to the fifteenth embodiment, the dial knob 30 and the operation panel 710 (see FIG. 21) of the operation device 700 are substantially the same as the mechanical switches 80 and the thirteenth embodiment similar to the tenth embodiment. The operation panel 1510 is replaced.

  The sensitivity lowering structure 1570 of the operating device 1500 is substantially the same as the sensitivity lowering structure 770 (see FIG. 21) of the seventh embodiment, and the first switch electrode 722a and the first switch electrodes 722a having different electrode areas as shown in FIG. A second switch electrode 722b is included. The first switch electrode 722a is disposed on the back surface side of the input surface 11 of the first touch switch 1361 shown in FIG. The first switch electrode 722 a is disposed on the back surface side of the input surface 11 of the second touch switch 1362 so as to overlap the input surface 11.

  In addition, the area of the first switch electrode 722a is smaller than the area of the second switch electrode 722b. Therefore, even if a similar contact operation is performed on each of the touch switches 1361 and 1362, the charge accumulated between the first switch electrode 722a and the finger F (see FIG. 31) is between the second switch electrode 722b and the finger F. Less than the charge stored in the. As a result, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 is lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 1362. Therefore, a situation in which a pressing operation on the inner switch 80i is erroneously detected by the first touch switch 1361 as a contact operation is reduced.

  In the fifteenth embodiment, the operation panel 1510 corresponds to a “panel unit” recited in the claims.

(Sixteenth and seventeenth embodiments)
In the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, a film sensor 820 in which the second switch electrode 722b and the first switch electrode 822a shown in FIG. 23 are combined instead of the sensitivity reduction structure 1570 of the fifteenth embodiment shown in FIG. A sensitivity lowering structure including is adopted. Due to the form in which the non-electrode region 873 extends from one short side close to the inner switch 80i (see FIG. 34), the electrode area of the first switch electrode 822a is larger than the electrode area of the second switch electrode 722b shown in FIG. It has been made smaller. As a result, the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 is lower than the sensitivity of the second touch switch 1362.

  In the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, instead of the sensitivity reduction structure 1570 of the fifteenth embodiment, the sensitivity reduction includes a film sensor 920 in which the second switch electrode 722b and the first switch electrode 922a shown in FIG. 24 are combined. Structure is adopted. The wiring part 923 of the film sensor 920 is connected to only one of the two short sides of the first switch electrode 922a that is located away from the inner switch 80i (see FIG. 34). With such a configuration, the electric charge accumulated at a position far from the wiring part 923 in the first switch electrode 922a is hardly detected by the capacitance measuring part 54 (see FIG. 27). As a result, the sensitivity particularly in the vicinity of the inner switch 80i in the first touch switch 1361 shown in FIG. 34 may be partially reduced.

  In the sixteenth embodiment and the seventeenth embodiment described above, since the sensitivity of the first touch switch 1361 is lowered, the situation in which a pressing operation on the inner switch 80i is erroneously detected as a contact operation is reduced. .

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the above embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations without departing from the gist of the present invention. can do.

  In the said 1st, 3rd embodiment, the position of the input surface 11 was kept away from the dial side surface 31 by the recessed part 12 dented from the reference surface part 10a (refer FIG. 2). However, by forming the input surface on the same plane as the reference surface, and by forming the area around the dial opening in the front direction, the protrusion that forms the middle step surface from the top surface is formed on the operation panel. It can be formed. Also in the above form, the position of the input surface can be kept away from the dial side surface.

  The detection switch 355 in the third embodiment is formed as a configuration including the middle step surface 340 formed on the operation panel 310. However, the detection switch can be formed in the dial knob as a configuration including the middle step surface 240 (enlarged surface 233) of the dial knob 230 of the second embodiment, for example. Furthermore, the detection switch can be formed on both the operation panel and the dial knob.

  In the above embodiment, two dial knobs are provided at both ends in the horizontal direction of the operation panel. The position and number of such dial knobs can be changed as appropriate. For example, only one dial knob may be provided at the center of the operation panel. Alternatively, three or more dial knobs may be provided. In addition, the shape of the dial knob is not limited to the cylindrical shape and the two-stage cylindrical shape described above. The shape of the dial knob can be appropriately changed to, for example, a polygonal column shape, a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, and a conical shape. Therefore, the shape of the dial side surface is not limited to the cylindrical surface shape.

  In the above embodiment, three mechanical switches are provided at each of the horizontal ends of the operation panel. The position, number, shape, and type of such mechanical switches can be changed as appropriate. For example, a toggle switch, a seesaw switch, a slide switch, or the like can be used as the mechanical switch. In addition, the direction in which the mechanical switch is pressed is not limited to the back direction as in the above embodiment. The mechanical switch may be configured to be pressed in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction along the outer surface of the operation panel. Furthermore, the dial knob and the mechanical switch may be provided together in one operating device.

  In the fifth and thirteenth embodiments, the determination that the contact operation is performed can be canceled by updating the determination that the contact operation has been made once by the determination that there is no contact operation (FIG. 19). reference). However, the processing method implemented in the control circuit can be appropriately changed as long as priority can be given to the rotation operation or the pressing operation among the contact operation and the rotation operation or the pressing operation detected at the same timing. For example, the control unit that acquires information indicating that there is a rotation operation from the rotation detection unit does not acquire the determination of the presence of the contact operation from the operation determination unit, or does not control the air conditioner corresponding to the determination. May be. Similarly, the control unit that acquires information indicating that there is a pressing operation from the pressing detection unit does not acquire the determination that there is a contact operation from the operation determination unit, or does not perform control of the air conditioner corresponding to the determination. It may be made like. The priority of the rotation operation or the pressing operation is also realized by the processing by the control unit described above. Thus, it is possible to cancel the presence determination of the contact operation not by the process by the operation determination unit but by the process by the control unit.

  In the fifth and thirteenth embodiments, different threshold values Cth1 and Cth2 are set for the first touch switch and the second touch switch, respectively. However, the threshold values of the first touch switch and the second touch switch may be the same value. Furthermore, in the form in which a plurality of first touch switches are provided, different threshold values can be set for the individual first touch switches. Similarly, different threshold values can be set for a plurality of second touch switches.

  In the fifth and thirteenth embodiments, the operation determination unit determines that the capacitance has stabilized based on the fact that the capacitance value has changed within a predetermined fluctuation range for a predetermined time or more. However, the processing method for determining that the capacitance has been stabilized is not limited to the above. A well-known method for detecting the stabilization of the capacitance can be appropriately employed.

  In the above embodiment, the input surface of the touch switch is formed by the operation panel. However, for example, a display screen of a touch panel display may form the input surface of the touch switch. With this configuration, the function assigned to each touch switch can be changed according to the preference of the operator together with the icon.

  In the fifth embodiment and the like, among the second touch switches 562, the switches 562a to 562c to which the circulation switching function and the adjustment function are assigned are illustrated, but the other second touch switches naturally have a simple switching function. Can be assigned. On the other hand, if the sensitivity of the first touch switch is sufficiently secured, a circulation switching function and an adjustment function can be assigned to the first touch switch.

  In the fifth and thirteenth embodiments, in order to lower the sensitivity of the first touch switch than the second touch switch, adjustment of each threshold value, adjustment of each delay time, stabilization determination, and the like are combined. It was combined. However, all of these controls may not be applied if the sensitivity of the first touch switch can be reduced. For example, the sensitivity reduction of the first touch switch may be realized only by adjusting each threshold value. Alternatively, the sensitivity reduction of the first touch switch may be realized by combining the adjustment of each threshold value and the adjustment of each delay time. Furthermore, the sensitivity reduction of a 1st touch switch may be implement | achieved by combining the above control and sensitivity reduction structures, such as the said 6th, 14th embodiment.

  The sensitivity reduction structures of the sixth and fourteenth embodiments and the sensitivity reduction structures of the seventh and fifteenth embodiments can be combined with each other. That is, the sensitivity lowering structure may be a combination of a configuration for changing the thickness of the operation panel and a configuration for changing the area of the transparent electrode.

  In the above embodiment, the functions provided by the control unit 51, the capacitance measurement unit 54, and the operation determination unit 52 of the control circuits 50 and 1050 may be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit, or a predetermined program It may be a functional block of a processor that executes Alternatively, it may be provided by hardware and software different from those described above, or a combination thereof.

  In the said embodiment, the example which applied this invention to the operating device which operates the air conditioner 90 mounted in the vehicle was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to such an operation device for an air conditioner, but can be applied to an operation device for operating other equipment mounted on the vehicle. Furthermore, not only for vehicles, but also for various transportation equipment and various information terminals, etc., and operations with touch switches that detect contact operations based on changes in capacitance generated between electrodes and fingers, etc. The present invention is applicable to all devices.

  10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1410, 1510 Operation panel (panel part), 11 input surface, 13 protrusion, 14 top surface, 722a, 822a, 922a One switch electrode, 722b Second switch electrode, 30, 230 Dial knob (dial part), 31,231 Dial side face (tubular side face), 231a Edge part, 233 Enlarged face, 40, 240, 340, 1040, 1140 Middle face , 52 operation determination unit (operation determination unit), 53 rotation detection unit (rotation detection unit), 355, 455, 1155, 1255 detection switch, 56 press detection unit, 60 touch switch, 561, 1361 first touch switch, 562 1362 2nd touch switch, 670, 770, 870, 9 0, 1470, 1570 Sensitivity reduction structure, 671, 1471 first region, 672, 1472 second region, 80 mechanical switch (press switch part), 90 air conditioner (equipment), 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 , 700 Operating device, F Finger (operating body), Cth threshold, Cth1 first threshold, Cth2 second threshold, t_r1 first delay time, t_r2 second delay time, t_rm monitoring time, pt_1, pt_2

Claims (18)

An operation device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance accompanying a contact operation performed by an operation body (F),
A panel unit (510) forming an input surface (11) in contact with the operating body among the touch switches;
A dial portion (30) that protrudes from the panel portion in a front direction facing the input surface at a position aligned with the plurality of touch switches, and that is rotated by the operation body to be input to the cylindrical side surface (31);
Operation determining means (52) for determining whether there is a touch operation on the touch switch based on a change in capacitance detected by each touch switch,
The operation determining means sets the sensitivity of the first touch switch (561) closest to the dial unit among the plurality of touch switches to a second touch switch (the second touch switch separated from the dial unit than the first touch switch). 562), which is lower than the sensitivity. The operation determination means includes a first delay time (t_r1) until a contact operation determination is made after the capacitance detected by the first touch switch exceeds a predetermined threshold (Cth, Cth1). ) Over a second delay time (t_r2) from when the capacitance detected by the second touch switch exceeds a predetermined threshold value (Cth, Cth2) until the presence / absence of contact operation is determined. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the operating device is set long. Said operation determination means, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the first touch switch is based on stabilized, claim 1, characterized in that performing there determination of the contact operation on the first touch switch or 2. The operating device according to 2 . A rotation detection means (53) for detecting an input of a rotation operation to the dial unit;
The operation determining unit determines whether or not the rotation operation is detected by the rotation detecting unit within a predetermined monitoring time (t_rm) after the presence determination of the contact operation to the first touch switch is performed. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the presence determination of the touch operation is canceled. In the operation determination means, a first threshold value (Cth1) for determining whether there is a contact operation with the first touch switch is a second threshold value (Cth1) for determining whether there is a contact operation with the second touch switch. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the operating device is set to be higher than Cth2). An operation device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance accompanying a contact operation performed by an operation body (F),
Panel portions (610, 710) that form an input surface (11) in contact with the operating body among the touch switches,
A dial portion (30) that protrudes from the panel portion in a front direction facing the input surface at a position aligned with the plurality of touch switches, and that is rotated by the operation body to be input to the cylindrical side surface (31); With
Of the plurality of touch switches, the sensitivity of the first touch switch (561) that is closest to the dial unit is greater than the sensitivity of the second touch switch (562) that is further away from the dial unit than the first touch switch. An operating device comprising a sensitivity lowering structure (670, 770, 870, 970) to be lowered. In the panel part (610), the plate thickness (pt_1) of the first area (671) that forms the input surface of the first touch switch is the second area (the first area (671)) that forms the input surface of the second touch switch. 672) thicker than the plate thickness (pt_2),
The operating device according to claim 6 , wherein the sensitivity lowering structure (670) includes the panel unit that changes a plate thickness between the first region and the second region. A first switch electrode (722a, 822a) that is arranged on the back side of the input surface of the first touch switch so as to overlap the input surface and accumulates electric charge with the operating body;
A second switch electrode (722b) that is disposed on the back side of the input surface of the second touch switch so as to overlap the input surface and accumulates electric charge with the operating body;
The electrode area of the first switch electrode is smaller than the electrode area of the second switch electrode,
The operating device according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the sensitivity lowering structure (770, 870) includes the first switch electrode and the second switch electrode whose electrode areas are changed. The first touch switch is assigned a simple switching function for switching between two operation modes of the associated device (90),
The second touch switch is assigned one of an adjustment function for adjusting a setting value of an associated device and a circulation switching function for switching an operation mode of the associated device among a plurality. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . An operation device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance accompanying a contact operation performed by an operation body (F),
A panel portion (1310) forming an input surface (11) in contact with the operating body among the touch switches;
A press switch portion (80) that protrudes from the panel portion toward the front face of the input surface at a position aligned with the plurality of touch switches, and to which a pressing operation by the operating body is input;
Operation determining means (52) for determining whether there is a touch operation on the touch switch based on a change in capacitance detected by each touch switch,
The operation determination means sets the sensitivity of the first touch switch (1361) closest to the press switch unit among the plurality of touch switches to the second touch farther from the press switch unit than the first touch switch. An operating device characterized in that it is lower than the sensitivity of the switch (1362). The operation determination means includes a first delay time (t_r1) until a contact operation determination is made after the capacitance detected by the first touch switch exceeds a predetermined threshold (Cth, Cth1). ) Over a second delay time (t_r2) from when the capacitance detected by the second touch switch exceeds a predetermined threshold value (Cth, Cth2) until the presence / absence of contact operation is determined. The operating device according to claim 10 , wherein the operating device is set long. It said operation determination means, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the first touch switch is based on the fact that stabilized, or claim 10, characterized in that performing there determination of the contact operation on the first touch switch 11. The operating device according to 11 . A pressure detecting means (56) for detecting an input of a pressing operation to the pressing switch unit,
The operation determining unit determines whether or not the first touch switch has a contact operation and then detects the pressing operation by the press detecting unit within a predetermined monitoring time (t_rm). The operating device according to any one of claims 10 to 12 , wherein the presence determination of the touch operation is canceled. In the operation determination means, a first threshold value (Cth1) for determining whether there is a contact operation with the first touch switch is a second threshold value (Cth1) for determining whether there is a contact operation with the second touch switch. The operating device according to any one of claims 10 to 13 , wherein the operating device is set to be higher than Cth2). An operation device provided with a plurality of touch switches (60) for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance accompanying a contact operation performed by an operation body (F),
Panel portions (1410, 1510) forming an input surface (11) in contact with the operating body among the touch switches,
A pressing switch portion (80) that protrudes from the panel portion in the front direction facing the input surface at a position aligned with the plurality of touch switches, and to which a pressing operation by the operating body is input;
Among the plurality of touch switches, the sensitivity of the first touch switch (1361) that is closest to the pressing switch unit is the sensitivity of the second touch switch (1362) that is farther from the pressing switch unit than the first touch switch. An operating device characterized by being provided with a sensitivity lowering structure (1470, 1570) that lowers the sensitivity. In the panel portion (1410), the plate thickness (pt_1) of the first area (1471) that forms the input surface of the first touch switch is the second area (the first area that forms the input surface of the second touch switch). 1472) thicker than the plate thickness (pt_2),
The operating device according to claim 15 , wherein the sensitivity lowering structure (1470) includes the panel unit that changes a plate thickness between the first region and the second region. A first switch electrode (722a, 822a) that is arranged on the back side of the input surface of the first touch switch so as to overlap the input surface and accumulates electric charge with the operating body;
A second switch electrode (722b) that is disposed on the back side of the input surface of the second touch switch so as to overlap the input surface and accumulates electric charge with the operating body;
The electrode area of the first switch electrode is smaller than the electrode area of the second switch electrode,
The operating device according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the sensitivity lowering structure (1570) includes the first switch electrode and the second switch electrode in which the electrode areas are changed. The first touch switch is assigned a simple switching function for switching between two operation modes of the associated device (90),
The second touch switch is assigned one of an adjustment function for adjusting a setting value of an associated device and a circulation switching function for switching an operation mode of the associated device among a plurality. The operating device according to any one of claims 10 to 17 .

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