JPH09265872A - Thin switch and switch-equipped display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thin switch which has the function of self-holding its switch state, while utilizing the characteristic of a touch panel that it can be made very thin, and which allows the switch state to be checked according to the state of a push button and to provide a switch-equipped display panel that uses the same. SOLUTION: A switch-equipped display panel has a structure in which a thin switch 50 is laid on top of a display panel 2. The thin switch 50 includes a touch panel 4 having one or more switch parts 4a and one or more operating mechanism parts 30 placed thereon. Each operating mechanism part 30 includes a push button 32 that can be rocked in two directions with a fulcrum projection 34 serving as a fulcrum, a movable magnetic substance 40, and a fixed magnetic substance 42. At least one of the magnetic substances is a permanent magnet, and one movable magnetic substance 40 and the fixed magnetic substance 42 normally attract each other while they are parallel to each other. The switch part 4a operated by an operating projection 36 is provided below the push button 32.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thin switch for use in, for example, FA (factory automation) equipment, vending machines, automatic ticket vending machines, information equipment, home electric appliances, medical operation equipment and the like, and uses the same. The present invention relates to a display panel with a switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A touch panel is a typical thin switch. In summary, the touch panel has one or more switch parts and pushes the switch parts so that the stroke is almost zero.
That is, it can be said that it is a panel-like switch that can be operated by touching or lightly pressing.

Conventionally, a display panel with a switch having a structure in which such a touch panel is superposed on a display panel having an information display function has been proposed (for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-7).
No. 23), the touch panel can be made extremely thin, but since the pressing stroke of the switch part is almost 0, it is impossible to obtain a stroke feeling (this is also called an operation feeling) that the switch part is operated. have. In addition, although a switch mechanism is provided on the display panel to give a feeling of stroke, a display panel with a switch having a structure in which the display content of the display panel must be raised by an image guide has been conventionally proposed (for example, However, this has problems that the image guide is expensive, the image quality is rough, and the display contents are difficult to see from an oblique direction. Therefore, a thin switch that solves these problems and a display panel with a switch using the thin switch have been previously proposed by the same applicant.

An example of this will be described with reference to FIG.
This switch-equipped display panel has a structure in which a thin switch 26 is superposed on a display panel 2 having an information display function.

The display panel 2 is typically a liquid crystal display, which usually has a touch panel 4 described below.
In the vicinity of the lower part of the switch section 4a, a display area 2 for displaying the content selected by the operation of the switch section 4a, for example, the control content in FA, the destination in the automatic ticket vending machine,
a is formed.

The thin switch 26 is a resistive film type touch panel 4 provided with one or more switch portions 4a which are turned on by being lightly (that is, the stroke is almost 0) pressed from the outside between transparent thin plates, and the touch panel 4. And one or more operation mechanism units 20 provided on the switch unit 4a.

Each operation mechanism 20 is provided with a transparent push button 21 that is vertically movable to push the switch portion 4a of the touch panel 4 to turn it on, and an arrow A of the push button 21 provided in the vicinity of the periphery of the push button 21. The guide member 22 for guiding the vertical movement as shown in FIG.
And a return means 23 which is provided near the peripheral portion and which gives a return force to the push button 21.

In this example, the returning means 23 is a magnetic plate 25 provided on the upper part of the guide member 22 so as to surround the push button 21, and a peripheral portion of the push button 21 below the magnetic plate 25. The movable-side magnet 24 is provided at the position where the magnetic plate 25 is attracted.

In the display panel with a switch, the movable magnet 24 always attracts the magnetic plate 25 strongly,
When the push button 21 is pushed down, the push button 21 cannot be lowered unless it is pushed down to some extent at first, but the push button 2
When 1 is lowered even a little, the force by which the movable-side magnet 24 attracts the magnetic plate 25 suddenly weakens, so that the pushing-down suddenly becomes lighter. This is also called a snap action or a click feeling, which makes the switch operation feeling even better. If the pushing is stopped, the push button 21 is automatically returned by the force of the movable magnet 24 attracting the magnetic plate 25.

Thus, the display panel with the switch is
Since a stroke for pushing the push button 21 can be ensured, a clear stroke feeling can be obtained unlike the conventional display panel with a switch in which a person directly presses the touch panel. In addition, it is possible to obtain a click feeling as described above.

Moreover, since the touch panel 4 is used as a switch and it is not necessary to provide a mechanical switch mechanism between the push button 21 and the display panel 2, a stroke is made between the push button 21 and the display panel 2. It is possible to bring them closer to each other while leaving only a distance (for example, about a few mm to 2 mm) necessary for obtaining a feeling. Therefore, since the display content of the display panel 2 is displayed in the immediate vicinity of the back of the push button 21, the image guide is not required unlike the conventional display guide with a switch which has a structure for raising the display. Become.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The thin switch 26 described above.
Since the push button 21 automatically returns when the push operation of the push button 21 is stopped, the thin switch 26 itself does not have a self-holding function of the switch state. Therefore, pushbutton 2
When the pressing operation of No. 1 is stopped, the signal output from the switch unit 4a of the touch panel 4 disappears. Further, since the push button 21 is automatically restored, the switch state (for example, the on state or the off state) cannot be confirmed only by the state of the push button 21. Therefore, the thin switch 26 cannot be used, for example, like a tumbler switch (a switch that is opened and closed by raising and lowering an operation button) used as a power switch or the like.

While utilizing the feature that the touch panel can be made extremely thin, it can be used like a tumbler switch, that is, it has a self-holding function of the switch state, and the switch state can be changed depending on the state of the push button. There is a demand for a thin switch that can be confirmed and a switch-equipped display panel using the thin switch, and the present invention responds to the demand.

[0014]

A thin switch according to the present invention has a touch panel which has one or more switch parts and which can be operated with a stroke of almost 0, and a switch arranged on the touch panel. One or more operation mechanism parts for operating the parts, and each operation mechanism part has a fulcrum protrusion on the lower surface side on the line that divides the push button into two areas, which is provided on the touch panel. A push button that is in contact with and can swing in two directions around the fulcrum projection as a fulcrum, and movable magnetic bodies provided on the upper surface side of the push button near the outer ends of the two regions, respectively. And a fixed-side magnetic body disposed above the movable-side magnetic body so that at least one of the movable-side magnetic body and the fixed-side magnetic body attracts the counterpart magnetic body. And Normally, one of the movable side magnetic bodies and the fixed side magnetic body are attracted in a state of being substantially parallel to each other, and the touch panel is placed below at least one of the two regions of each push button. A switch portion that is operated by the lower surface portion of the area when the push button is pressed is provided in the positioned portion.

The switch-equipped display panel according to the present invention has a display panel having an information display function, and the display panel is superposed on the display panel and has one or more switch portions. A transparent or semi-transparent touch panel that can be operated with the touch panel, and one or more operation mechanism sections that are arranged on the touch panel and operate the switch section, and each operation mechanism section has two push buttons. A transparent or semi-transparent push button that has a fulcrum projection on the lower surface side on a line that divides into two areas and that is in contact with the touch panel and can swing in two directions with the fulcrum projection as a fulcrum. A movable side magnetic body provided on the upper surface side of the push button near the outer ends of the two regions thereof, and a fixed side magnetic body disposed above and facing the movable side magnetic body. At least one of the movable-side magnetic body and the fixed-side magnetic body is a permanent magnet that attracts the counterpart magnetic body, and at least one of the movable-side magnetic body and the fixed-side magnetic body is normally provided. Are held in a state in which they are substantially parallel to each other, and the touch panel has a lower surface part of at least one of the two regions of each push button, which is located below the at least one region when the push button is pressed. It is characterized in that a switch section operated by is provided.

According to the above-mentioned thin switch, when the push button is pushed up in the raised area, the magnetic attraction between the movable side magnetic body and the fixed side magnetic body on that side suddenly occurs (that is, with a click feeling). The detached push button rotates with a fixed stroke using the fulcrum projection as a fulcrum, and thereby the switch portion of the touch panel can be operated (for example, turned on).
At the same time, the area on the side opposite to the pushed side rises and the movable-side magnetic body and the fixed-side magnetic body on that side strongly adsorb, so that the state is maintained even when the push button is stopped from being pushed down. As described above, this thin switch has a self-holding function of the switch state.

Moreover, one of the areas of the push button is always down and the other area of the push button is up, and the state can be confirmed visually or by touching with a finger. Therefore, the switch state can be confirmed by the state of the push button.

The switch-equipped display panel has a structure in which the above-mentioned thin switch using a touch panel is superposed on the display panel, and a mechanical switch is provided between the push button and the display panel. Since it is not necessary to provide a switch mechanism, the push button and the display panel can be brought very close to each other, which causes the display content of the display panel to be displayed in the immediate vicinity of the back of the push button. No need for image guides.

[0019]

1 is a sectional view partially showing an embodiment of a switch-equipped display panel using a thin switch 50 having a resistive touch panel. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the push button in FIG.

The switch-equipped display panel of this embodiment comprises a thin switch 5 on a display panel 2 having an information display function.
It has a structure in which 0s are stacked.

The thin switch 50 comprises a resistive film type touch panel 4 overlaid on the display panel 2 and one or more operation mechanism sections 30 arranged on the touch panel 4 for operating the switch section 4a. ing. The number of the operation mechanism units 30 is one or more and is arbitrary.

The display panel 2 need only have an information display function, and has information such as whether the information to be displayed is fixed information or variable information, whether it is self-luminous, a backlight, or the like. Whether or not it does not matter. For example, the display panel 2 is typically a liquid crystal display, but may also be an EL (electroluminescent) display,
It may be a plasma display, a thin CRT, an LED array, a combination of a nameplate or liquid crystal shutter for displaying information and a luminous body or reflector for illuminating the shutter, or a mere paper or plate on which information is described.

In this embodiment, the display panel 2 is provided near the lower portion of each push button 32 constituting the thin switch 50.
A display area 2a for displaying the content selected by operating the push button 32 is formed. Therefore,
It becomes easy to select and operate the desired push button 32. In that case, one push button 32 may be provided with one display area 2a, or two push button 32 areas 3 to be described later.
The display areas 2a may be provided below the 2a and 32b, respectively.

The touch panel 4 is turned on by being lightly pressed from the outside (that is, the stroke is almost 0) 1
It has the above-mentioned switch part 4a, and in this example, the whole is transparent. More specifically, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the touch panel 4 has a transparent electrode 8 on the upper surface.
The transparent thin plate 6 having the openings 12 is stacked on the transparent thin plate 6 on which the transparent thin plate 6 is formed, and the transparent thin plate 16 having the transparent electrode 18 formed on the lower surface is further stacked thereon. The transparent electrodes 8 and 18 may be a plurality of stripe-shaped electrodes that are orthogonal to each other, or one electrode, for example, the transparent electrode 18
May be a plurality of electrodes, and the other electrode, for example, the transparent electrode 8 may be a common electrode. Since both transparent thin plates 6 and 16 are thin, they are flexible. However, the lower transparent thin plate 6 may not be flexible.

A switch portion 4a is formed in each opening portion 12. For example, when the desired opening portion 12 is lightly pressed from the transparent thin plate 16 side, the transparent thin plate 16 in the pressed portion is pressed.
Then, the transparent electrode 18 bends, and the transparent electrode 18 comes into contact with the underlying transparent electrode 8 through the opening 12 and is electrically turned on. However, the size, shape, position of each switch unit 4a,
The number and the like are arbitrary, and there are also cases where a plurality of small switch parts 4a are collected (that is, electrically connected in parallel) and used as one switch part.

Each operation mechanism section 30 is provided with a transparent push button 32 in this embodiment. The planar shape of the push button 32 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, as an example, it is a quadrangle, and the display area 2a of the display panel 2 is also in the same quadrangle, for example.

This push button 32 has a fulcrum projection 34 on the lower surface side on a line 33 that divides (for example divides into equal parts) the push button 32 into two regions 32a and 32b.
The fulcrum projection 34 may have a triangular peak shape along the line 33 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or may have a rounded peak. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, so as not to be ridged, to be positioned on the line 33 and preferably near both ends of the push button 32,
A plurality of fulcrum protrusions 34 may be provided. The fulcrum protrusion 34 is always in contact with the touch panel 4, and the push button 32 swings in two left and right directions as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 1 with the fulcrum protrusion 34 as a fulcrum ( That is, it can be rotated within a predetermined angle range.

In the present embodiment, the touch panel 4 has a lower surface portion of the areas 32a and 32b when the push button 32 is pressed, in a portion located below the two areas 32a and 32b of the push button 32. The above-mentioned switch sections 4a that are respectively operated (typically turned on) are provided. As in this embodiment, it is preferable to provide the operation projections 36 for operating the switch portion 4a thereunder on the lower surface portions of both areas 32a and 32b, respectively. Can be operated more reliably with less force. Operation protrusion 3
The shape of 6 is not limited to the hemispherical shape as in this example, but may be a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape or the like, and may be any shape. Its size is also arbitrary.

However, the switch portion 4a may be provided only on one side, in which case the thin switch 50 is of a so-called single-pole / single-throw type. In that case, whether or not the operation projection 36 is provided on the side where the switch portion 4a is not provided is arbitrary. When the switch portions 4a are provided on both sides, the thin switch 50 is a so-called inverted double pole single throw type.

The switch portion 4a is not provided below the fulcrum projection 34 of the push button 32. However, even if there is a switch part, it is good if you do not use it.

On the upper surface side of the push button 32 and near the outer ends of the two regions 32a and 32b, that is, in the present embodiment, near the two sides facing each other with the fulcrum projection 34 interposed therebetween, the movable side magnetic Each body 40 is provided. Further, a fixed side magnetic body 42 is disposed above the movable side magnetic body 40, and the fixed side magnetic body 42 is supported by a column 44. In this specification, the magnetic material is more strictly a ferromagnetic material. That is, the movable magnetic body 40 and the fixed magnetic body 42
Is a ferromagnetic material such as Fe, Co, Ni or alloys thereof, or a ferrimagnetic material such as various ferrites.

The movable side magnetic body 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 42
At least one of them is a permanent magnet that attracts the magnetic material of the other side. For example, in this embodiment, the fixed-side magnetic body 42 is a magnetic plate such as an iron plate, and the movable-side magnetic body 40 is a permanent magnet that attracts the fixed-side magnetic body 42. Permanent magnets having mutually opposite polarities may be used. The method of magnetizing the permanent magnets is not limited to a particular one as long as it can attract the magnetic material of the other side. Typically, one side in the thickness direction is the N pole and the other side is the S pole (thickness direction magnetization), but the N pole and the S pole are in the plane facing the other side.
A pole may be provided (in-plane magnetization).

As shown in the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the movable side magnetic body 40 may be provided in a portion near the central portion of the two opposite sides of the push button 32, or the entire two sides. It may be provided on each of the two sides, or may be provided near both ends of the two sides. Which is to be selected may be determined according to the attraction force or the like required between the movable magnetic body 40 and the fixed magnetic body 42. However, in either case, the fixed magnetic body 42 on the other side is provided above the movable magnetic body 40.

Normally, one of the left and right movable side magnetic bodies 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 42 thereon are attracted in a state of being substantially parallel to each other. In order to realize this, the two movable magnetic bodies 40, 40 are not parallel to each other, but are inclined in a V shape by an angle α from a line connecting the ends of the movable magnetic bodies 40, 40. This angle α is an angle at which the movable side magnetic body 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 42 that are raised when the opposite side is pushed down become substantially parallel to each other.

The push button 32 may be provided with a brim 38 at the peripheral edge thereof, as in the example shown in FIG.
By doing so, the push button 3 can be formed by the brim 38.
It is possible to prevent water droplets or dust from entering the inside through the gap between the fixed magnetic body 42 and the fixed magnetic body 42 that surrounds it. In this case, it is preferable that the brim 38 is not flat but has a chevron shape at the above-mentioned angle α, and even if the brim 38 is covered with the fixed-side magnetic body 42, When one region of the push button 32 is pushed down, the upside flange 38 rises only up to a state in which it is parallel to the fixed magnetic body 42, so that the flange 38 hits the fixed magnetic body 42 above it. The operation of the push button 32 does not become incomplete.

When such a brim 38 is provided, the fulcrum projection 34 may be provided only on the lower surface portion of the brim 38. In this case, the fulcrum projection 34 is displayed on the display panel 2 below. It is possible to prevent the region 2a from crossing. In that case, the fulcrum protrusion 34 may be a mountain-shaped one along the brim 38 as in the example shown in FIG. 4, or may be a partial one as shown in FIG.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. At one time, the movable magnetic body 40 on one side and the fixed magnetic body 4 on the movable magnetic body 40 are always provided.
Since the two and the two are strongly attracted to each other in a substantially parallel state, one of the regions of the push button 32 (the left region 32a in the illustrated example) is lifted by the force, and the operation of the lower surface side of the opposite region is performed. The switch portion 4a of the touch panel 4 is operated (typically turned on) by the projection 36. In that case, since a relatively large gap is formed between the movable side magnetic body 40 on the lower side and the fixed side magnetic body 42 above it, the attraction force between the two is weak. On the other hand, the movable side magnetic body 40 on the rising side has the fixed side magnetic body 4 thereon.
Since they are adsorbed in a state of being substantially parallel to each other, the adsorbing force between the two is much larger than that on the lower side. Moreover, since the particles are adsorbed in a substantially parallel state, no rotational moment is given to the push button 32 by this adsorption force. Therefore,
The push button 32 is held in a constant state by the suction force on the rising side.

When the upper area of the push button 32 is pushed against the attraction between the movable side magnetic body 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 42, the movable side magnetic body 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 4 are pressed.
When the suction between the two is released, the push button 32 becomes the fulcrum projection 3
4 is used as a fulcrum to rotate in the direction of arrow B with a constant stroke, whereby the switch portion 4a of the touch panel 4 can be operated (typically turned on) by the operation protrusion 36 on the lower surface side. At this time, the operator can obtain a stroke feeling that the push button 32 is pushed.

Further, in the above case, since the movable side magnetic body 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 42 are strongly attracted to each other, the push button 32 must be pushed to some extent strongly at the beginning.
Does not rotate, but if the push button 32 rotates even a little,
Since the distance between the movable-side magnetic body 40 and the fixed-side magnetic body 42 increases and the attraction force between the two suddenly weakens, the pushing down suddenly becomes lighter. This is called a snap action or a click feeling, and if there is this, the operator can be surely transmitted the feeling that the switch has been operated, so that the operation feeling of the switch is further improved.

Simultaneously with the above-mentioned rotation, the area on the side opposite to the pushed side rises and the movable side magnetic body 40 and the fixed side magnetic body 42 on that side strongly adsorb in a substantially parallel state. Depending on the force, pushbutton 3
Even when the pressing operation of 2 is stopped, the inverted state of the push button 32 and the operating state of the switch portion 4a are maintained. As described above, the thin switch 50 has a self-holding function of the switch state.

Moreover, the push button 32 has one of its areas constantly lowered and the other area raised, and the state can be confirmed visually or by touching with a finger. Therefore, the switch state can be confirmed by the state of the push button 32.

As described above, the thin switch 50 has a self-holding function of the switch state, and the switch state can be confirmed by the state of the push button 32. Therefore, for example, the thin switch 50 can be used like a tumbler switch used for a power switch or the like.

Moreover, since the touch feeling can be obtained in addition to the stroke feeling as described above despite using the touch panel 4, the switch operation feeling is very good.

The switch-equipped display panel is constructed by stacking the above-mentioned thin switch 50 using the touch panel 4 on the display panel 2, and a mechanical switch is provided between the push button 32 and the display panel 2. Since it is not necessary to provide a switch mechanism, the push button 32 and the display panel 2 can be brought very close to each other. For example, when the operation protrusion 36 is provided and its height is set to about 0.5 mm, the thickness of the touch panel 4 is as small as about 1 mm, so that the distance between the lower surface of the push button 32 and the upper surface of the display panel 2 is small. Is
The area of the area being pressed down is very small, such as about 1.5 mm. Therefore, since the display content of the display panel 2 is displayed in the immediate vicinity of the back of the push button 32, the image guide is not required unlike the case of the conventional example. As a result, the display content of the display panel 2 can be viewed with good image quality without making the display content of the display panel 2 coarse. In addition, since the image guide that limits the viewing angle is not used, the display contents of the display panel 2 can be viewed well from an oblique direction. In addition, since an expensive image guide is not required and a complicated switch mechanism is not required and the structure is simple, the cost of the display panel with switches can be reduced.

Incidentally, the touch panel 4 and the push button 32
Is transparent as described above in order to combine with the display panel 2 in this embodiment.
It is not always necessary to be transparent depending on the display contents and the like, but may be translucent. In short, it is only necessary that light from the lower display panel 2 can be transmitted. The same applies to other embodiments combined with the display panel 2.

The thin switch 50 may be used without being stacked on the display panel 2. For example, the thin switch 50 may be used separately from the display panel 2 or in combination with other devices. In that case, since it is not necessary to transmit the light from the display panel 2 below, the touch panel 4 and the push button 32 need not be transparent or translucent, and may be opaque. In that case,
To identify the push button 32, characters, symbols, or the like may be written, marked, or attached on the surface of the push button 32. The same applies to the other examples.

By the way, in addition to the resistive film type touch panel 4 as described above, the touch panel is a photoelectric type touch panel for interrupting or attenuating the light emitted from the light emitting element entering the light receiving element, or an ultrasonic oscillating element. It may be an ultrasonic touch panel that intermittently or attenuates the ultrasonic waves emitted from the input to the vibration receiving element. Therefore, next, an embodiment using a photoelectric touch panel or an ultrasonic touch panel will be described. However, the same parts as those in the previous embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and the description will focus on the differences from the previous embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view partially showing an embodiment of a switch-equipped display panel using a thin switch 50 having a photoelectric touch panel. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the push button portion in FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the switch-equipped display panel of FIG. 6 together with a detection circuit.

Thin switch 5 in the embodiment of FIG.
0 has an operation mechanism section 30 and a photoelectric touch panel 114, which are substantially the same as those in the embodiment of FIG. Therefore, the description of the operation mechanism 30 will not be repeated here.
The number of operation mechanism units 30 arranged vertically and horizontally is m × n (m, n
Is an integer of 1 or more) and is arbitrary.

The touch panel 114 is also shown in FIG.
A plurality of light emitting elements 84 for outputting the light 86 and the light 86
A plurality of light receiving elements 90 which receive and convert it into an electric signal
Are arranged on the peripheral portion of the substrate 82 so as to face each other vertically and horizontally, and a matrix-shaped optical path 88 according to the number of the push buttons 32 is formed in the space between the surface of the substrate 82 and the push buttons 32. are doing. The vicinity of the intersection of the two optical paths 88 is a switch section 114a.

The base of each pillar 44 and the fulcrum projection 34
Holes or notches 46 and 35 for passing the light 86 are respectively provided at the tip end of the. Of course, that portion may be formed of a transparent resin or the like. Also, holes or notches 35
Instead of providing the fulcrum, the fulcrum projection 34 may be divided.

Optical path 8 in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7)
8 is one area of the push button 32 (in this example, the area 32
It is located below a). As in the case of the resistive film type touch panel 4 described above, a vertical optical path may be provided below the other area and the switch section 114a may be formed there as well. The light 86 passing through the optical path 88 may be directly blocked or attenuated by the lower surface of the push button 32, or the operation projection 36 formed of a light shielding member such as an opaque sponge on the lower surface as in this embodiment. It is also possible to provide and to block or attenuate it. This operation projection 3
The shape of 6 is not limited to the cylindrical shape as in this example, but may be any shape such as a prismatic shape, a horizontally long prismatic shape, or a flat plate shape. Its size is also arbitrary.

The substrate 82 is, for example, a transparent or semitransparent glass substrate. However, by substituting the substrate 82 or the like for the substrate constituting the display panel 2, the substrate 82
May be omitted.

Each light emitting element 84 is, for example, an LED, a semiconductor laser or the like. Each light receiving element 90 is, for example, a photodiode, a phototransistor, or the like.

The light 86 output from each light emitting element 84 is preferable because infrared light is invisible to the human eye, but of course visible light may be used. In addition, a method for causing each light emitting element 84 to emit light is as follows.
A method of constantly emitting light or a method of sequentially emitting light using a microcomputer or the like (this is also called a sequential light emitting method or a scanning method) may be used. This microcomputer or the like may also be used, for example, as a component of the detection circuit 92 described below.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, in each of the vertical and horizontal light receiving elements 90, the position (coordinate) of the intersection point of the optical path 88 in which the light path is blocked or the light amount is decreased in response to the signal from each light receiving element 90. Switch unit 1 that has been detected, that is, operated
A detection circuit 92 for identifying 14a is connected. However, such a detection circuit 92 is used in the touch panel 11
It is also possible to use a circuit, a microcomputer, or the like provided in the device to which the device is connected, instead of being attached to the device 4.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. As described above, each push button 32 operates like a tumbler switch. According to the operation, the touch panel 114 is operated by the operation projection 36 in this embodiment. The corresponding optical path 88 is blocked or the amount of light is attenuated, and the corresponding switch portion 114a is operated.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view partially showing an embodiment of a switch-equipped display panel using a thin switch 50 having a touch panel of ultrasonic type. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the push button portion in FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the display panel with switch of FIG. 9 together with the detection circuit.

Thin switch 5 in the embodiment of FIG.
0 has an operation mechanism section 30 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and an ultrasonic touch panel 124. Therefore, the description of the operation mechanism 30 will not be repeated here. The number of the operation mechanism units 30 arranged side by side in the vertical and horizontal directions is m × n (m, n is an integer of 1 or more) and is arbitrary.

The touch panel 124 is based on the same technical idea as the touch panel described in, for example, US Pat. No. 5,177,327.

That is, referring to FIG. 11 as well, this touch panel 124 has a plurality of oscillating elements 96 for outputting the ultrasonic waves 100.
A plurality of vibration receiving elements 106 that receive the ultrasonic wave 100 and convert it into an electric signal are arranged vertically and horizontally on the surface of the peripheral edge of the substrate 94, and the number of the push buttons 32 is set on the surface of the substrate 94. Matrix-shaped ultrasonic path 102 according to
Is formed. The vicinity of the intersection of the two ultrasonic paths 102 is a switch section 124a. In this case, since the ultrasonic wave 100 has extremely high directivity, there is usually no possibility that the ultrasonic wave 100 propagating in one ultrasonic wave path 102 enters the adjacent ultrasonic wave path 102 and interferes with it.

The ultrasonic path 102 in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 10) is located below one region (the region 32a in this example) of the push button 32. As in the case of the resistive film type touch panel 4 described above, a vertical ultrasonic path may be provided below the other area and the switch section 124a may be formed there as well. This ultrasonic path 102
The ultrasonic wave 100 transmitted through the push button 32 may be directly attenuated by the lower surface of the push button 32, or the operating projection 36 made of a sound absorbing member may be provided on the lower surface of the push button 32 to attenuate it. good. The shape of the operation projection 36 is not limited to the cylindrical shape as in this example, and may be any shape such as a prismatic shape, a horizontally long prismatic shape, and a flat plate shape. Its size is also arbitrary.

If the operation projection 36 is not provided, for example, if the push button 32 or only the lower surface thereof is formed of an elastic resin or the like, the ultrasonic wave 100 can be absorbed and attenuated further. You can It is preferable that the sound absorbing member forming the operation protrusion 36 is appropriately soft and absorbs the ultrasonic wave 100 well, and specific examples thereof include rubber such as silicone rubber and urethane rubber.

Since the column 44 is usually made of a hard resin or the like and hardly absorbs the ultrasonic wave 100, there is no inconvenience even if it exists on the ultrasonic path 102. If there is any inconvenience, the support column 44 located on the ultrasonic path 102
It is sufficient to provide a notch at the root portion of the device. Push button 32
Since the fulcrum projection 34 and the fulcrum projection 34 are usually made of a hard resin or the like, there is no inconvenience even if the fulcrum projection 34 exists on the ultrasonic path 102. If there is any inconvenience, a notch may be provided in a portion located on the ultrasonic path 102, or the fulcrum projection 34 may be divided.

The substrate 94 is, for example, a transparent or semitransparent glass substrate.

The ultrasonic wave 100 is a surface acoustic wave in this example, and the ultrasonic wave 100 from the oscillating element 96 is guided to the surface of the substrate 94 via the waveguide 98 and the ultrasonic wave 100 on the surface of the substrate 94. Is the vibration receiving element 10 via the waveguide 104.
It is led to 6. Each oscillating element 96 and each vibrating element 106
Is, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, in each of the vertical and horizontal vibration receiving elements 106, the position (coordinates) of the intersection point of the ultrasonic wave path 102 in which the ultrasonic wave 100 is attenuated in response to the signal from each vibration receiving element 106. ) Is detected, that is, the switch circuit 124a that has been operated is specified, and the detection circuit 108 is connected. However, such a detection circuit 108 may not be attached to the touch panel 124 but may utilize a circuit or a microcomputer provided in the device to which the touch panel 124 is connected.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. As described above, each push button 32 operates like a tumbler switch. According to the operation, the touch panel 124 is moved by the operation projection 36 in this embodiment. The ultrasonic wave 100 propagating through the ultrasonic path 102 corresponding to
The corresponding switch unit 124a is operated.

As the ultrasonic wave 100, a torsion wave propagating inside the substrate 94 may be used instead of the surface acoustic wave as described above. In that case, the oscillation element 96 and the vibration receiving element 106 are attached to the opposite end faces of the substrate 94. This method is also called an inner waveguide type.

[0070]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the thin switch of the first aspect, the switch portion of the touch panel can be operated by pushing one area of the push button, and at the same time, the opposite side is raised and fixed to the movable magnetic body on that side. Since the magnetic material and the side magnets are strongly attracted in a state of being substantially parallel to each other, the inverted state of the push button and the operating state of the switch section can be retained even if the pressing operation of the push button is stopped, and the self-holding function of the switch state is provided. are doing. Moreover, one of the areas of the push button is always down and the other area is up, and the state can be confirmed by visual inspection or by touching with a finger. Is possible. As described above, this thin switch has a self-holding function of the switch state, and the switch state can be confirmed by the state of the push button. Therefore, it can be used like a tumbler switch.

In addition, since the stroke for pushing the push button can be ensured and a click feeling can be obtained when the movable side magnetic body and the fixed side magnetic body are released from the attraction at the time of pushing, the touch panel can be made extremely thin. While taking advantage of the feature, it is possible to obtain a stroke feeling and a click feeling, and the switch operation feeling is very good.

The display panel with a switch according to claim 2 is
The thin switch as claimed in claim 1 using a touch panel is laminated on the display panel, and there is no need to provide a mechanical switch mechanism between the push button and the display panel. Since the display panel can be very close to the display panel, and the display content of the display panel is displayed in the immediate vicinity of the back of the push button, the image guide is not necessary. As a result, the display contents of the display panel can be viewed with good image quality. In addition, since the image guide for limiting the viewing angle is not used, the display contents of the display panel can be viewed well from an oblique direction. In addition, since an expensive image guide is not required and a complicated switch mechanism is not required and the structure is simplified, the cost of the display panel with switches can be reduced.

Further, since the thin switch as described above is used, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view partially showing an embodiment of a display panel with a switch using a thin switch in which a touch panel is a resistive film type.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a push button in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing another example of the arrangement of the fulcrum projections of the push button.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a push button with a collar,
(A) is the side view, (B) is the top view.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing an example of a resistive film type touch panel.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view partially showing an embodiment of a switch-equipped display panel using a thin switch whose touch panel is photoelectric.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a push button portion in FIG.

8 is a plan view showing the display panel with switch of FIG. 6 together with a detection circuit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view partially showing an embodiment of a switch-equipped display panel using a thin switch whose touch panel is an ultrasonic type.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a push button portion in FIG.

11 is a plan view showing the display panel with switch of FIG. 9 together with a detection circuit.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view partially showing a prior art example of a switch-equipped display panel using thin switches.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 display panel 4 resistive film type touch panel 30 operation mechanism section 32 push button 34 fulcrum protrusion 36 operation protrusion 40 movable side magnetic body 42 fixed side magnetic body 50 thin switch 114 photoelectric touch panel 114a switch section 124 ultrasonic type Touch panel 124a Switch part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A touch panel having one or more switch parts, which can be operated with a stroke of almost 0 by pushing the switch parts, and one or more operating mechanism parts arranged on the touch panel for operating the switch parts. And each operating mechanism has a fulcrum projection on the lower surface side on the line that divides the push button into two areas, and it is in contact with the touch panel and the fulcrum projection is a fulcrum. Of the push button, the movable side magnetic body provided on the upper surface side of the push button near the outer ends of the two regions, and the upper side facing the movable side magnetic body. And a fixed magnetic body disposed on the movable magnetic body, at least one of the movable magnetic body and the fixed magnetic body is a permanent magnet that attracts the magnetic body of the other side, and the movable magnetic body is always provided. Fixed with one of the The side magnetic body is attracted in a state of being substantially parallel to each other, and the touch panel has a portion located below at least one of the two regions of each push button when the push button is pressed. A thin switch characterized in that a switch portion operated by a lower surface portion of the area is provided. 2. A display panel having an information display function, and a transparent or translucent panel which is superposed on the display panel and has one or more switch parts which can be operated with a stroke of almost 0 by pushing the switch parts. Operate the touch panel and the switch part that is arranged on this touch panel 1
The above-mentioned operation mechanism section is provided, and each operation mechanism section has a fulcrum projection on the lower surface side on a line that divides the push button into two areas, and it is in contact with the touch panel. A transparent or semi-transparent push button that can swing in two directions with the fulcrum projection as a fulcrum, and movable magnetic bodies provided on the upper surface side of the push button near the outer ends of the two regions. And a fixed-side magnetic body disposed above the movable-side magnetic body so that at least one of the movable-side magnetic body and the fixed-side magnetic body attracts the counterpart magnetic body. In general, one of the movable side magnetic bodies and the fixed side magnetic body are attracted in a state of being substantially parallel to each other, and the touch panel has at least one of two regions of each push button. The part located below Switch with a display panel, characterized in that the switch unit which is operated by the lower surface portion of the region is provided when the button is pressed.