JPH0644861A - Button switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size without making detected values different from one another due to the difference in pushing points by providing an ON/OFF detection part for detecting whether a key is pushed or not, and an after-touch detection part for detecting the strength of the key pushing, in a graded formation in the direction of pressure. CONSTITUTION:When a pushing part 10 made of silicone rubber and the like is pushed, at first in a movement process, a moving contact pattern 11 comes into contact with fixed contact patterns 15a, 15b on a flexible board 16 such as polyester, and after they are shortcircuited, a moving contact pattern 17 comes into contact with fixed contact patterns 18a, 18b and they are shortcircuited. Detection is carried out step by step from an ON/OFF detection part to an after-touch detection part. Since the both detection parts are formed into graded form, detected values of the after-touch detection part are constantly provided even any part of the surface of the pushing part 10 is pressed, and the size of a switch device main body is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is to detect ON / OFF of whether or not a key is pressed and the strength after keying, that is, after-touch, by closing a plurality of contacts stepwise in response to a pressing operation. The present invention relates to a button type switch device capable of performing, and particularly to a button type switch device suitable for application to a rhythm pattern setting switch or the like in an electronic musical instrument.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in a keyboard instrument such as a piano, musical tone components such as tone color and volume slightly change according to the strength of keystroke. For this reason, after-touch detection is provided in addition to the on / off detection function as to whether or not the key is pressed as described above, in the switch device of the keyboard part of the electronic musical instrument or keyboard musical instrument that is generated by electrically synthesizing the piano sound or the like. The function to detect is required.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a conventional button type switch device having an after-touch detection function. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a pressing portion which is directly pressed by a human finger or the like and is made of silicon rubber or the like. Further, a plurality of movable contact patterns 2 and 3 are formed on the back surface of the pressing portion 1. In this case, the movable contact pattern 2 is composed of the pressure-sensitive ink layer 4, and the movable contact pattern 3 is composed of the conductive ink layer 5. The pressure-sensitive ink has a resistance value that electrically changes depending on the pressure.

Reference numeral 6 is a flexible portion (hereinafter referred to as a flare portion) which is arranged around the lower end of the pressing portion 1 and whose cross-sectional shape or strength changes along the arrangement direction of the movable contact patterns 2, 3. The flare portion 6 and the pressing portion 1 are integrally formed to form a push button. Reference numerals 7 and 8 denote fixed contact patterns, which are formed on the substrate 9 so as to face the movable contact patterns 2 and 3.

In the button type switch device having such a structure, the movable contact pattern 2 is short-circuited to the fixed contact pattern 7 and the movable contact pattern 3 is short-circuited to the fixed contact pattern 8 in the process of pressing the pressing portion 1 with a finger. . On this occasion,
The resistance value (pressure detection value) between the movable contact pattern 2 and the fixed contact pattern 7 becomes a value according to the pressing force, and aftertouch can be detected.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional button type switch device, the on / off detecting portion and the after-touch detecting portion are provided in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pressing portion 1 is pushed. As shown in FIG.
However, there is a problem that the detection values obtained at the respective places are different as indicated by arrows A, B, C and D. Further, since the fixed contact patterns are arranged at two positions in the horizontal direction, there is a problem that it is difficult to downsize the apparatus body.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a button type switch device in which the detection value does not change due to the difference in the pressing place of the pressing portion 1 and the switch device main body can be downsized. It is an object.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A button type switch device according to the present invention has a pressing portion which is expanded and contracted in a substantially pressing direction and is directly pressed by a human finger or the like, and is turned on by pressing the pressing portion. And an ON / OFF detecting section, which is arranged in a hierarchy below the ON / OFF detecting section in the pressing direction, and is turned on immediately after the ON / OFF detecting section is turned on, depending on the pressing force. And an after-touch detection unit that outputs the detected value.

[0009]

According to the structure of the present invention, since the after-touch detection section is layered in the pressing direction with respect to the on / off detection section, in the process of pressing the pressing section with the finger, the on / off state is first set. The detection unit is turned on, and immediately after that, the after-touch detection unit is turned on.

Therefore, a constant detection value can be obtained from the after-touch detecting section regardless of which part of the key-pressing portion of the pressing section is pressed, and the on / off detecting section, the after-touch detecting section, and the pressing direction are hierarchical. Therefore, the size of the switch device body can be reduced.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of a button type switch device having an after-touch detection function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 10 is a pressing portion having a solid structure, which is made of silicon rubber or the like.
A movable contact pattern 11 is formed on the back surface of the pressing portion 10. In this case, the movable contact pattern 11 is composed of a conductive ink layer.

Numeral 13 is arranged around the lower end of the pressing portion 10,
It is a flare portion whose cross-sectional shape or strength changes. The pressing portion 10 and the flare portion 13 are integrally formed, and the push button 1
Make up 4. Reference numerals 15a and 15b denote fixed contact patterns, which face the movable contact pattern 11 and face the substrate 16
Formed on. In this case, each of the fixed contact patterns 15a and 15b is composed of a conductive ink layer. As the substrate 16, a flexible member such as a polyester film is used. The movable contact pattern 11 and the fixed contact patterns 15a, 15
b constitutes an on / off detector.

A movable contact pattern 17 made of a pressure-sensitive ink layer is formed on the back surface of the substrate 16 so as to face the fixed contact patterns 15a and 15b. 18a, 18
Reference characters b are fixed contact patterns, which are formed on the surface of the substrate 19 so as to face the movable contact pattern 17. The fixed contact patterns 18a and 18b are each made of a conductive ink layer. 20 and 20 are spacers,
As shown in the drawing, they are separated from each other and inserted between the substrate 16 and the substrate 19. In this case, the spacers 20, 20 are formed by either of the following. A polyester film with a pressure-sensitive portion cut out, a double-sided adhesive tape for adhering the substrate 16 and the substrate 19, a thick film insulating resin or double resist applied on the substrate 19, a thick film insulating resin or double resist applied on the substrate 16. . The movable contact pattern 17 and the fixed contact patterns 18a and 18b constitute an after-touch detection section.

In the button type switch device having such a structure, when the pressing portion 10 is pressed, the movable contact pattern 11 first contacts the fixed contact patterns 15a and 15b in the process of moving the pressing portion 10. After short-circuiting between them, the movable contact pattern 17 becomes the fixed contact pattern 1.
8a and 18b are contacted and short-circuited between them.

In this way, the on / off detection section and the after-touch detection section perform the detection step by step. Since the on / off detection unit and the after-touch detection unit are configured in a hierarchical manner, the detection value at the after-touch detection unit can be obtained constant regardless of which part of the surface of the pressing unit 10 is pressed. Further, the switch device main body can be miniaturized by configuring the on / off detection unit and the after-touch detection unit in a hierarchical structure.

In this embodiment, the movable contact pattern 11 and the fixed contact patterns 15a and 15b are made of a conductive ink layer, the movable contact pattern 17 is made of a pressure sensitive ink layer, and the fixed contact patterns 18a and 18b are made. Although it is composed of a conductive ink layer, at least one of the movable contact pattern 11 and the fixed contact patterns 15a and 15b is composed of a pressure sensitive ink layer, or at least one of the movable contact pattern 17 and the fixed contact patterns 18a and 18b is composed of a pressure sensitive ink layer. You can do it. That is, at least one of the movable contact pattern 11, the fixed contact patterns 15a and 15b, the movable contact pattern 17, and the fixed contact patterns 18a and 18b may be formed of a pressure sensitive ink layer.

Next, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of a button type switch device which is an application example of the above embodiment. This application example is provided with an initial touch detection function in addition to an after touch detection function. In the figure, reference numeral 30 is a pressing portion having a solid structure, which is made of silicon rubber or the like. A movable contact pattern 31 is formed on the back surface of the pressing portion 30. In this case, the movable contact pattern 31 is composed of a conductive ink layer.

As shown in the figure, a collar portion 32 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the hole h of the case C is provided in the central portion of the pressing portion 30 so that the pressing portion 30 does not protrude from the case C. . Reference numeral 33 is a flare portion which is arranged around the lower end of the pressing portion 30 and whose sectional shape or strength changes. 34
Reference numerals a and 34b are movable contact patterns formed on the lower end of the flare portion 33, respectively. These movable contact patterns 34a,
34b is composed of a conductive ink layer. The pressing portion 3
0 and the flare portion 33 are integrally formed to form the push button 35.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a flare portion which is arranged below the collar portion 32 of the pressing portion 30 and whose sectional shape or strength changes, and the lower end portion thereof is laminated on the lower end portion of the flare portion 33. . In this case, the flare portion 36 lifts the pressing portion 30 upward and regulates the lateral shake associated with the vertical movement thereof.

Reference numerals 38a to 38c denote fixed contact patterns, which are formed on the substrate 41 so as to face the movable contact pattern 31. These fixed contact patterns 38a-3
Each of 8c is composed of a conductive ink layer. As the substrate 41, a flexible member such as a polyester film is used. The substrate 41 is the substrate 16 described above.
Is formed similarly to. The movable contact pattern 31 and the fixed contact patterns 38a to 38c form an on / off detection unit.

Reference numerals 39a and 39b denote fixed contact patterns, which face the movable contact pattern 34a and face the substrate 41.
Formed on. The fixed contact patterns 40a and 40b are respectively formed on the substrate 41 so as to face the movable contact pattern 34b. Each of these fixed contact patterns 39a, 39b, 40a, 40b is composed of a conductive ink layer.

A movable contact pattern 42 is formed on the back surface of the substrate 41 so as to face the fixed contact patterns 38a to 38c. The movable contact pattern 42 is composed of a pressure-sensitive ink layer. The movable contact pattern 34a
The fixed contact patterns 39a and 39b, the movable contact pattern 34b, and the fixed contact patterns 40a and 40b form an initial touch detection unit, respectively.

Reference numerals 43a to 43c denote fixed contact patterns, which are formed on the substrate 44 so as to face the movable contact pattern 42. These fixed contact patterns 43a-4
3c conductive ink layer.

Reference numerals 45 and 45 respectively denote spacers, which are interposed between the substrate 41 and the substrate 44 so as to be separated from each other as shown in the drawing. The movable contact pattern 42 and the fixed contact patterns 43a to 43c form an after-touch detection unit.

In the button type switch device having such a structure, when the pressing portion 30 is pressed, the movable contact pattern 34a first comes into contact with the fixed contact patterns 39a and 39b while the pressing portion 30 moves. The movable contact pattern 34b contacts the fixed contact patterns 40a and 40b. As a result, the fixed contact patterns 39a, 39b
The short-circuit occurs between the fixed contact patterns 40a and 40b. Then, after short-circuiting between them, the movable contact pattern 31 contacts the fixed contact patterns 38a to 38c, and short-circuits between them. Then, the movable contact pattern 42 further contacts the fixed contact patterns 43a to 43c to short-circuit them.

In this way, the initial touch detection section, the on / off detection section, and the after-touch detection section are sequentially detected. Further, since the initial touch detection unit and the after-touch detection unit are hierarchically configured together with the on / off detection unit, the detection value in the after-touch detection unit is constant regardless of which part of the surface of the pressing unit 10 is pressed. can get. Furthermore, since the initial touch detection unit and the after-touch detection unit are configured in a hierarchy with the ON / OFF detection unit, the switch device body can be downsized.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, an on / off detection unit for detecting whether or not a key is pressed and an after-touch detection unit for detecting a strength after keying, that is, an after-touch are arranged in the pressing direction. On the other hand, since it is configured in a hierarchical manner, the detection value in the after-touch detection unit does not differ due to the difference in the pressing place with respect to the pressing unit, and a constant detection value can be obtained. Further, since the on / off detection unit, the after-touch detection unit, and the pressing direction are arranged in a layered structure, the switch device body can be downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a configuration of a button type switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a button type switch device that is an application example of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional button type switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 30 Pressing part 12, 17, 31, 34a, 34b, 42 Movable contact pattern 13, 33 Flare part (flexible part) 15a, 15b, 18a, 18b, 38a to 38c, 3
9a, 39b, 40a, 40b, 43a to 43c Fixed contact pattern 16,41 Flexible substrate 19,44 Substrate

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pressing part which is expanded and contracted in a substantially pressing direction and is directly pressed by a human finger or the like, an on / off detection part which is turned on by pressing the pressing part, and the on / off detection part. And an after-touch detection section that is arranged in a hierarchy below the pressing direction and that is turned on immediately after the on / off detection section is turned on and outputs a detection value according to the pressing force. A button type switch device characterized in that