JPH09265865A - Thin switch and display panel with thin switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate mechanical members or the like between buttons and facilitate visible display recognition by supporting plural push buttons spaced on the top face of a touch switch by means of a shaft body penetrating one side and providing the other side with a restoration member. SOLUTION: In a thin switch 11 in which plural transparent push buttons 13 are arranged in a rectangular outer frame 12, a button 13 is arranged with a certain space upward of a translucent touch panel 17. An axle body 14 made of piano wires of magnetic wire rod or the like is penetrated in the vicinity of one end 13a of the button 13, both ends thereof is supported by means of a shorter side 12b of the outer frame 12, and the lower side of the side 13a is cut out. The upper side of the other side 13b of the button 13 is cut out, on the lower side of which a magnet 15 is mounted. This part is engaged into the lower side of a side 13a or the lower side of a longer side 12a of the outer frame 12, and a restoration member during operation release is constituted by the piano wire 14 and the magnet 15. Since the piano wire is thin, the entire display face can be visually recognized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a factory automation (hereinafter referred to as FA) device, an automatic vending machine, an automatic ticket vending machine, a household electric appliance, and a display panel with a switch used for medical equipment and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In FA equipment and the like, it is necessary to receive a large number of input operation signals, and a large number of operation switches are installed on an operation panel. In this case, the plurality of operation switches are collectively arranged on the same surface of the operation panel so as to improve the operability and not give a complicated image in appearance.

Further, in devices such as automatic ticket vending machines, LCD,
Operation contents are hierarchically displayed on a display panel having an information display function such as a CRT, and an input operation is accepted by a transparent touch switch arranged on the screen of the display panel. Since this transparent touch switch is poor in operational feeling such as click feeling and stroke feeling, it is conceivable to dispose a translucent push button on the upper surface of the transparent touch switch with a predetermined gap therebetween via the operation member. Therefore,
The applicant previously mentioned that a magnetic plate, which is a frame body including a cross member,
We proposed an operation panel with a magnet on the push button.

[0004]

However, in general, the operation switch is surrounded by a crosspiece member of the frame body around the operation button, and even if a plurality of operation switches are arranged adjacent to each other, a crosspiece is provided between the operation switches. Since the members are located, it is difficult to create a sense of unity on the operation surface. Further, even when a plurality of push buttons are arranged on the transparent touch switch, if a crosspiece member for sliding each push button in the vertical direction is provided, not only a sense of unity of the operation surface is not obtained, but also in the display panel. There is a problem that the display screen is divided by the crosspiece member and the displayed contents are difficult to see. In particular, when the display panel hierarchically displays the operation content, the display range of one switch may change in each hierarchy, and for example, one switch is displayed in the range of two push buttons. In this case, the range in which a single display content is displayed is divided at the center by the crosspiece member, which not only lowers the visual recognition of the display content but also causes a malfunction.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a crosspiece member or the like arranged between the push buttons and to give a sense of unity to the entire operation surface of a plurality of operation switches arranged adjacent to each other. Provided with a thin switch and a display panel with a thin switch that facilitates visual recognition of the displayed content and can reliably prevent erroneous operation even when a single content is displayed on the operation surface of the operation switch To do.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch switch for detecting a pressing operation at a plurality of operation positions and outputting an operation signal, and a plurality of touch switches facing the operation positions of the touch switch. The push buttons are arranged on the upper surface of the touch switch with a predetermined gap, and each push button is pivotally supported by a shaft body penetrating in the vicinity of one side of the touch switch, and the other side of each push button parallel to the shaft body is touch switch. And an operating member having a returning member that exerts a large reaction force at the time of the initial operation to the side.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of push buttons are arranged on the upper surface of the touch switch which detects the pressing operation at the plurality of operation positions and outputs the operation signal with a predetermined gap. Each push button is pivotally supported by a shaft body that penetrates in the vicinity of one side thereof, and is provided with a return member. Therefore, when the other side of the push button is pressed, the push button moves to the touch switch side around the shaft body, and the touch switch detects the pressing operation and outputs an operation signal. When the pressing of the push button is released, the other side of the push button moves upward by the return member and returns to the original state. In addition, the return member exerts a large reaction force at the time of initial operation of the other side of the push button parallel to the shaft toward the touch switch side in each push button. it can. Also, since each push button is supported by the shaft,
The crosspiece member for restricting the horizontal movement of the push button becomes unnecessary.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a display panel having an information display function, a translucent touch switch for detecting a pressing operation at a plurality of operation positions and outputting an operation signal, and an operation position of the touch switch. A plurality of translucent push buttons facing each other are arranged on the upper surface of the touch switch with a predetermined gap, and each push button is rotatably supported by a shaft body penetrating in the vicinity of one side of the touch switch. And an operating member having a return member that applies a large reaction force to the other side parallel to the shaft body at the time of initial operation toward the touch switch side.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the information displayed on the display panel can be visually recognized from the front side of the push button through the touch switch and the push button.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the shaft body is a magnetic wire rod, and the return member is a magnet attached to the other side of each push button parallel to the magnetic wire rod. It is characterized in that the operating member is configured as a magnet located below the magnetic wire rod that axially supports another push button that is adjacent in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic wire rod.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, each push button is axially supported by a magnetic wire penetrating near one side of the push button, and a magnet is attached to the other side parallel to the magnetic wire. This magnet is located below the magnetic wire rod that pivotally supports another adjacent push button. Therefore,
When the magnet side of the push button is pressed, the push button moves to the touch switch side around the magnetic wire, and the touch switch detects the pressing operation and outputs an operation signal. When the push button is released, the magnet side of the push button moves the magnet side of the push button upward due to the magnetic attraction of the magnet to the magnetic wire rod that supports the other push button located above. Return to the contact position. For this reason,
It is possible to give a click feeling in addition to a stroke feeling to the operation of the push button. In addition, each push button is rotatably supported by the magnetic wire, and the movement in the direction away from the touch switch is restricted by the other push buttons.Therefore, move the push button in the horizontal direction and away from the touch switch. The crosspiece member for regulation is unnecessary.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thin switch according to an example of an embodiment of the invention described in claim 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the thin switch. FIG.
It is sectional drawing of the same thin switch. The thin switch 11 is
As an example, eight push buttons 13 are provided in the rectangular outer frame 12.
Are arranged in two rows of four, and the end faces are brought close to each other and collectively arranged. In the thin switch 11, the push button 13 is arranged above the touch panel 17 with a gap of about 0.5 mm. Side 1 of push button 13
A piano wire 14 which is the magnetic wire of the present invention is provided in the vicinity of 3a.
Is penetrating. The piano wire 14 continuously penetrates the four push buttons 13 in the longitudinal direction of the thin switch 11. Both ends of the piano wire 14 are short sides 12 of the outer frame 12.
a. In addition, the piano wire 14 is provided inside the one side 12b of the outer frame 12 so that the other piano wire 14
It is stored parallel to.

On one side 13a of the push button 13, the piano wire 14 is located on the upper side, and the lower side of the side 13a is cut out. Side 13a of push button 13
The other side 13b parallel to is cut out at the upper side and the magnet 15 is attached at the lower side. The lower side of the other side 13b of the push button 13 including the magnet 15 is below the one side 13a of the other push button 13 located in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the piano wire 14 or the one side 12a of the outer frame 12. It is fitted on the lower side. Therefore, the magnet 15 attached to each push button 13 is located below the piano wire 14.

In the structure described above, in consideration of the magnetic attraction of the magnet 15, it is possible to penetrate the push button 13 with the lower surface of the piano wire 14 exposed. Also, magnet 1
When 5 is attached to the push button 13, a mounting hole is formed in the magnet 15, a shaft portion protruding from the push button 13 is fitted into the mounting hole, and then the shaft portion is easily heat-crimped for mounting. .

It should be noted that by coating the surface of the piano wire 14 with tetrafluoroethylene, the push button 13
The smoothness of the rotation of the piano wire 14 and the durability of the piano wire 14 can be improved. Further, a ferromagnetic wire material having a sufficient strength can be used as the magnetic wire material instead of the piano wire 14.

As the magnet 15, the push button 13 is used.
The magnetic poles may be arranged in the thickness direction of, or the upper surface of the magnet 15 may be surface-magnetized.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of a display panel with a thin switch according to the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2. The thin switch-equipped display panel 21 is formed by accommodating an LCD 23, a touch panel 24, and an operation unit 25 which are stacked in this order from the bottom in a housing 22 having an open upper surface. The LCD 23 is an example of a display panel having the information display function of the present invention, and displays on the upper surface by a drive signal input from the outside. As the display panel, a plasma display, LCD or CRT,
Alternatively, an LCD or LED sheet can be used. It should be noted that the display panel can be configured by distributing light generated by receiving external light to the outside through a shutter that opens and closes according to the drive signal, instead of the light-emitting body that is turned on by the drive signal. It will be described later.

The touch panel 24 is an example of the touch switch of the present invention. Light-transmitting electrodes are arranged in a matrix in a resin sheet having a light-transmitting elasticity, and the resin sheet is formed by changing the resistance value of the electrodes. It is a resistance film type switch that detects a pressing position on a surface. Since the touch panel 24 is translucent, the display content of the LCD 23 can be visually recognized through the touch panel 24. The thin switch of the present invention includes a touch panel 2 of a resistance film type switch.
Various touch switches can be used in place of 4,
This will be described later. The operation unit 25 is an operation member of the present invention, and includes a push button 26, a piano wire 27, and a magnet 28. The push button 26 has the same configuration as the push button 13 described in FIG. 3, except that the push button 26 is made of transparent resin.

In the display panel 21 with a thin switch having the above-described configuration, the operation content displayed on the LCD 23 by the drive signal supplied from the outside is provided with the thin switch via the translucent touch panel 24 and the transparent push button 26. The operation contents can be visually recognized from the upper surface of the push button 26 by being irradiated to the outside of the display panel 21. Moreover, there is no cross member between the push buttons 26 on the upper surface of the display panel 21 with a thin switch,
Further, since the piano wire 27 penetrating each push button 26 is sufficiently thin with respect to the entire display surface, the entire display surface of the LCD 23 can be visually recognized. Therefore, LC
When the information is displayed on D23, the display range of one switch changes, and even when the information is displayed over the range facing the plurality of push buttons 26, the display content is accurate without being blocked by the frame member. Can be visually recognized.

The existence of the piano wire 27 is made more unclear by making the portion of the upper surface of the push button 26 facing the piano wire 27 semi-transparent or by performing a diamond cut or a V-shaped cut. And LCD2
It is possible to create a sense of unity of the entire display surface of No. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the display panel. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the display panel 41 is composed of a light source 42, a diffusion plate 43, and a liquid crystal shutter 44. When the light of the light source 42 such as a fluorescent lamp that is constantly turned on is incident on the end surface of the diffusion plate 43, the diffusion plate 43 irradiates the top surface with light having substantially uniform illuminance. The liquid crystal shutter 44 is located on the upper surface of the diffusion plate 43, and changes the liquid crystal arrangement according to the presence / absence of a drive signal to open / close the optical paths for the upper and lower surfaces. Therefore, by switching the drive signal to the liquid crystal shutter 44, the light emitted from the diffusion plate 43 can be selectively distributed on the upper surface of the liquid crystal shutter 44.

In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the display panel 51
Is composed of a fluorescent light condensing plate 52 and a liquid crystal shutter 53. The fluorescent light condensing plate 52 is, for example, a resin (PMMA) containing polymethylmethacrylate as a main component, and fluorescent particles 52b are diffused and arranged inside a transparent resin 52a having a small critical angle at an interface with an air layer. . The fluorescent particles 52b are, for example, beryllene-based organic phosphors, and receive external light that has entered the transparent resin 52a from the surface and emit light. When the composition of the transparent resin 52a is appropriately selected, when the light emitted from the fluorescent particles 52b has an exit angle at the boundary surface with the air layer equal to or greater than a certain critical angle, the transparent resin 5
It does not go out of 2a. Therefore, on the upper and lower surfaces of the transparent resin 52a whose emission angle is equal to or more than the critical angle, the fluorescent particles 52
Most of the light emitted from b repeats total reflection inside the transparent resin 52a. On the other hand, light is emitted to the outside of the transparent resin 52a from the end surface of the transparent resin 52a whose emission angle is equal to or less than the critical angle.
The light emitted from the fluorescent particles 52b is attached to the transparent resin 52a.
Reflects in.

A reflective plate 52c is adhered and adhered to a part of the lower surface of the transparent resin 52a. This reflector 52c
The transparent resin 52a does not form a boundary with the air layer in the portion where is adhered, and does not totally reflect even if the emission angle is equal to or greater than the critical angle. Therefore, the light emitted from the fluorescent particles 52b is emitted to the outside from the portion where the reflection plate 52c is attached, is reflected by the reflection plate 52c, and then is transmitted through the transparent resin 52a.
Is transmitted through and is irradiated on the upper surface.

On the upper surface of the fluorescent light collecting plate 52, the reflecting plate 5
A liquid crystal shutter 53 is arranged at a position facing 2c. The liquid crystal shutter 53 is the liquid crystal shutter 4 described above.
Similar to 4, the optical paths for the upper and lower surfaces are opened and closed according to the drive signal. Therefore, by switching the drive signal to the liquid crystal shutter 53, the light emitted from the fluorescent light condensing plate 52 can be selectively distributed on the upper surface of the liquid crystal shutter 53.

By providing a light source such as an LED for supplying external light to the fluorescent light condensing plate 52, the operation state can be displayed with sufficient illuminance even when the display panel with a thin switch is operated in a dark place. can do.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the touch switch. FIG. 1A shows an example in which a touch switch is constituted by a photoelectric touch switch. Push button 26 and L
The light projecting element 61 and the light receiving element 62 are arranged so as to face each other with a gap from the CD 23 interposed therebetween. When the push button 26 is pressed, the light of the light projecting element 61 is blocked by the push button 26 and is not received by the light receiving element 62. Each push button 26
With respect to, the two pairs of the light projecting element 61 and the light receiving element 62 are arranged orthogonally to each other, and by reading the light receiving signal of each light receiving element 62, the operated push button 26 among the plurality of push buttons 26 can be specified.

FIG. 1B shows an example in which the touch switch is composed of a surface acoustic wave type touch switch which is an ultrasonic type touch switch. Resin or glass transparent substrate 71
The ultrasonic wave transmitter 72 and the ultrasonic wave receiver 73, which come into contact with the upper surface of the transparent substrate 71, are arranged so as to face each other with a gap between the transparent substrate 71 and the push button 26 interposed therebetween, and the surface acoustic wave having directivity from the ultrasonic wave generator 72 is disposed. As an ultrasonic wave. Push button 2
When 6 is pressed, a part of the push button 26 becomes transparent substrate 71.
The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 72 when contacting the
Absorption is blocked by a part of the push button 26, and the ultrasonic receiver 73 stops receiving ultrasonic waves. Each push button 26
About two pairs of ultrasonic transmitter 72 and ultrasonic receiver 7
By arranging 3 orthogonally and reading the reception state in each ultrasonic receiver 73, the push button 26 operated among the plurality of push buttons 26 can be specified. The ultrasonic touch switch may be an inner waveguide touch switch by using a twist wave propagating inside the transparent substrate 71 instead of the surface acoustic wave.

As long as the touch switch is translucent and can be made thin, it is possible to use an electrostatic capacitance type touch switch other than those described above.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C,
Between the EL panel 23a and the touch panel 24, or
A name sheet 29 can be arranged between the touch panel 24 and the push button 26, and the name plate 29 can be attached or marked on the push button 26 itself. By thus providing the name sheet 29, the EL panel 2
It is possible to simplify the drive signal supplied to the display panel configured by 3a and the like, and to change the display content of the display panel with a thin switch in a complicated manner.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a main part of a thin switch according to another embodiment of the present invention. The push button 3 is made of a resin flat plate, and has a bearing portion 3a extending downward at one end thereof, and a recess 3b formed at the back surface of the other end thereof. 3c is protruding. The engaging portion 3c engages with an engaging recess 3d formed at one end. Further, the leaf spring 6 is provided in the recess 3b.
Is attached.

On the upper surface of the touch switch 7 located below the push button 3, the shaft body 4 fitted to the bearing portion 3a and the convex portions 5 with which the leaf spring 6 abuts are formed in a grid pattern. This convex portion 5 together with the leaf spring 6 corresponds to the return member of the present invention. When the shaft body 4 is fitted in the bearing portion 3 a, the push button 3 is rotatable with respect to the touch switch 7. When the other end of the push button 3 is pressed in this state, the leaf spring 6 comes into contact with the convex portion 5, and a large elastic force acts as a reaction force at the initial operation of the push button 3 in the direction approaching the touch switch 7. .

When the end portion of the leaf spring 6 moves to the outside of the convex portion 5, the elastic force acting on the push button 3 becomes small, and a click feeling can be given to the operation of the push button 3. When the push button 3 is continuously pressed, the lower surface of the push button 3 contacts the touch switch 7, and the touch switch 7 detects the pressing operation and outputs an operation signal. When the pressing force of the push button 3 is released, the elastic force of the leaf spring 6 causes the push button 3
The other end of moves to a direction away from the touch switch 7,
The push button 3 is returned to its original position by the engagement between the engagement portion 3c and the engagement recess 3d.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the push button 3 is pivotally supported by the shaft body 4, and the engagement of the recess 5 and the leaf spring 6 causes a reaction force to the pressing operation of the push button 3. be able to. Further, the shaft body 4 is fitted in the bearing portion 3a, and the engaging portion 3c engages with the engaging recessed portion 3d of the other push button 3 to thereby move the push button 3 in a direction away from the touch switch 7. Since it is possible to define the above, and since the plurality of push buttons 3 can be arranged with their ends in contact with each other, a crosspiece member for guiding the movement of the push buttons 3 can be eliminated,
A display surface can be integrally configured by a plurality of push buttons 3 on the upper surface of the display panel with switch 1.

[0034]

According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to give a stroke feeling and a click feeling to the operation of the push button, improve the operation feeling and prevent erroneous operation. It is possible to obtain a sense of unity of the display content on the entire display surface by eliminating the crosspiece member for restricting the movement.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give a stroke feeling and a click feeling to the operation of the push button, improve the operation feeling, prevent erroneous operation, and move the push button. Not only is it possible to eliminate the need for a crosspiece member for regulation, and to obtain a sense of unity in the display content for the entire display surface, but it is also possible to easily visually recognize the information displayed on the display panel from the front surface of the push button.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is an advantage that the magnetic wire and the magnet can extremely easily constitute the return member, and the device can be made thinner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a thin switch according to an embodiment of the invention described in claim 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the thin switch.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the thin switch.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a display panel with a thin switch according to an embodiment of the invention described in claim 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the variable light display plate.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the touch switch.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a display panel with a thin switch according to another embodiment of the invention described in claim 2;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a push button of a thin switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 11-Display panel with switch 3, 13-Push button 4-Shaft body 5-Convex portion 6-Leaf spring 7,17-Touch panel (thin switch) 14-Piano wire (magnetic wire material) 15-Magnet

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A touch switch for detecting a pressing operation at a plurality of operation positions and outputting an operation signal, and a plurality of push buttons facing each of the operation positions of the touch switch with a predetermined gap provided on the upper surface of the touch switch. Each push button is rotatably supported by a shaft that penetrates near one side of the push button, and the other side of each push button that is parallel to the shaft is applied with a large reaction force at the time of initial operation to the touch switch side. A thin switch, comprising: an operating member including a member. 2. A display panel having an information display function, a translucent touch switch that detects a pressing operation at a plurality of operation positions and outputs an operation signal, and a plurality of touch switches that oppose each of the operation positions of the touch switch. Translucent push buttons are arranged on the upper surface of the touch switch with a predetermined gap, and each push button is rotatably supported by a shaft that penetrates in the vicinity of one side of the touch switch. A display panel with a thin switch, comprising: an operation member having a return member that exerts a large reaction force when an edge is initially moved to the touch switch side. 3. A magnet in which the shaft body is a magnetic wire and the return member is attached to the other side of each push button parallel to the magnetic wire, and the magnet is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic wire with respect to the push button. 2. The thin switch according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is configured as a magnet located below a magnetic wire rod that axially supports another push button that is adjacent in the direction in which
Alternatively, the display panel with a thin switch according to claim 2.