WO2014118837A1

WO2014118837A1 - Capacitive operating device

Info

Publication number: WO2014118837A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/006589
Authority: WO
Inventors: 統米地; 祥大西; 悟茶園
Original assignee: 住友電装株式会社
Priority date: 2013-02-01
Filing date: 2013-11-08
Publication date: 2014-08-07
Also published as: JP2014149675A

Abstract

The present invention is a capacitive operating device which is provided with: a circuit board; a retaining member which retains the circuit board; a detecting member which is fixed to the surface of the retaining member and includes a detecting electrode, and in which capacitance between the detecting electrode and the operator varies in accordance with distance between the detecting electrode and the operator; and a design panel which is disposed on the front side of the detecting member. The design panel is removably mounted with respect to the retaining member so as to be separable from an operating unit, which has the circuit board, the retaining member, and the detecting member.

Description

Capacitive operation device

The present invention relates to a capacitance type operating device for use in operating an electronic device provided in a vehicle or the like.

Conventionally, a capacitance type operating device is known as an operating device for operating various electronic devices. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a design panel having an operation unit operated by an operator and a detection member, and the detection member and the operator according to a distance between the detection member and the operator. The electrostatic capacity type operating device provided with what changes the electrostatic capacity between them. The said detection member is adhere | attached on the back surface of the said design panel.

Generally, in an in-vehicle capacitive operating device, there is a case where a change in the external appearance of the capacitive operating device is required depending on the vehicle type, grade, and the like. In this case, in the electrostatic capacitance type operating device described in Patent Document 1 in which all the components are integrally coupled, it is necessary to replace the entire device, and the accompanying increase in cost is significant.

JP 2009-111996 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitance type operating device that can be easily changed in appearance at low cost.

An electrostatic capacity type operating device according to an aspect of the present invention is a detection member including a circuit board, a holding member that holds the circuit board, and a detection electrode that is fixed to a surface of the holding member and includes the detection electrode. The design panel comprising: a design panel arranged on the front side of the sensing member, and a design panel arranged on the front side of the sensing member, wherein a capacitance between the sensing electrode and the operator changes according to a distance between the electrode and the operator Is detachably attached to the holding member so as to be separable from the operation unit having the circuit board, the holding member and the detection member.

It is a top view of the electrostatic capacitance type operating device of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the vicinity of the to-be-operated part of an electrostatic capacitance type operating device. It is a top view of the state from which the design panel of the electrostatic capacitance type operating device shown in FIG. 1 was removed. It is a top view of the electrostatic capacitance type operating device of a second embodiment of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
A capacitance type operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The electrostatic capacitance type operating device of the present embodiment includes an operating unit and a design panel 50 that is detachable from the operating unit. The operation unit includes a circuit board 10, a holding member 20 that holds the circuit board 10, a detection member 30 that is fixed to the surface side of the holding member 20, and a protective layer 40 that protects the surface of the detection member 30. I have. The design panel 50 is detachably attached to the holding member 20 so as to be separable from the operation unit.

The circuit board 10 is a printed wiring board on which a circuit pattern is formed. On the surface of the circuit board 10, a first light source 11 for illuminating an operation unit 41 (to be described later), a second light source 12 for illuminating an indicator 13 indicating the operation status of the operation unit 41, and predetermined information are stored. A display element 15 for displaying is mounted. Examples of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 include LEDs. The indicator 13 is formed of a light guide that guides the light emitted from the second light source 12 to the design panel 50 side. Examples of the display element 15 include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an EL display. In the present embodiment, the display element 15 displays the mode of the air conditioner, the set temperature, and the air volume. Note that the display content of the display element 15 changes according to the operation of each operation unit 41. Further, since the detection member 30 and the protective layer 40 are each made of a transparent member, the display of the display element 15 is visually recognized by the operator from the front side through the window 50 b formed in the design panel 50.

The holding member 20 includes a rear cover 21 that houses the circuit board 10 and a support member 25 that supports the detection member 30. The rear cover 21 accommodates the circuit board 10 with the circuit board 10 supported from the back side. The support member 25 is attached to the surface side of the circuit board 10. The rear cover 21 and the support member 25 hold the circuit board 10 by sandwiching the circuit board 10 from both sides in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 20 includes a holding portion 20 a that holds the design panel 50 so that the design panel 50 can be attached to and detached from the holding member 20. That is, the design panel 50 is detachable from the holding member 20 in the operation unit.

The detection member 30 includes a base film, a detection electrode formed on the base film by printing or the like, and a cover film that protects the detection electrode. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection member 30 is bonded to the surface of the support member 25 by appropriate means. The base film and the cover film are each formed of a transparent resin such as PET. The capacitance between the detection electrode and the operator changes according to the distance between the detection electrode and the operator. In the present embodiment, the detection electrode is made of a transparent material such as ITO. The detection electrode is provided at a position overlapping the first light source 11 in the thickness direction of the circuit board 10 (the stacking direction of the detection member 30 and the design panel 50).

The protective layer 40 is a flat sheet and is adhered to the surface of the detection member 30 by appropriate means. The protective layer 40 has a shape that covers the entire surface of the detection member 30. Examples of the protective layer 40 include a hard coat and a sheet subjected to scratch resistance treatment such as non-glare. The protective layer 40 is made of a transparent resin. The protective layer 40 has a plurality of operation units 41 formed on the surface thereof and operated (touch operation) by an operator. Each operation portion 41 is formed at a position overlapping the detection electrode in the stacking direction in which the protection layer 40 and the detection member 30 are overlapped on the surface of the protection layer 40. As shown in FIG. 3, a display unit 42 that displays the function of the operation unit 41 is formed at a position overlapping the operation unit 41 in the stacking direction on the back surface of the protective layer 40. The operation unit 41 and the display unit 42 are set at a position overlapping the first light source 11 in the stacking direction.

The design panel 50 is detachably attached to the holding member 20 of the operation unit from the surface side of the protective layer 40. Specifically, the design panel 50 has a held portion (not shown) that can be engaged with the holding portion 20a of the holding member 20, and the held portion is detachable from the holding portion 20a. ing. The design panel 50 includes a frame portion 51 having a shape surrounding a region on the front side of the detection electrode, that is, a space in which the protective layer 40 is exposed and the operation portion 41 can be operated (touch operation). Specifically, the design panel 50 is formed with a hole 50a for forming the space, that is, for exposing the operation portion 41, and the frame portion 51 surrounds at least a part of the periphery of the hole 50a. It has an inner peripheral surface. The hole 50a is set to a size that allows the operator to perform a touch operation on the operation unit 41, more specifically, a shape that is slightly larger than the operator's finger. Note that the shapes of the hole 50a and the frame portion 51 can be changed as appropriate as long as the operator can recognize and operate the operation portion 41. Further, the design panel 50 is formed with a window 50b having a shape that allows the operator to visually recognize the display content of the display element 15 from the front side of the operation unit through the detection member 30 and the protective layer 40. In addition, the site | part which opposes the protective layer 40 among the back surfaces of the design panel 50 is formed flat.

In the capacitance type operation device described above, when a change in appearance is required, in this capacitance type operation device, the design panel 50 is separated from the operation unit having the circuit board 10, the holding member 20, and the detection member 30. Since the design panel 50 is attached to and detached from the holding member 20 of the operation unit, the appearance can be flexibly changed by changing only the design panel 50 without changing the detection member 30. It becomes possible to do. In other words, by replacing only the design panel 50 in a state where the circuit board 10 is held by the holding member 20 and the detection member 30 is fixed to the holding member 20, the front side is used while using a common operation unit. It becomes possible to change the appearance. Further, even when the design panel 50 is changed, the operation unit including the detection member 30 can be used as it is, so that the evaluation test of the detection member 30 after the change of the design panel 50 can be omitted. The cost required for

In addition, since the design panel 50 includes the frame portion 51, the operator can easily distinguish the inner region (operation portion 41) of the frame portion 51 from the design panel 50 that is the outer region of the region. The recognizability of the part operated by the operator is improved. Furthermore, for example, by changing the shape of the frame portion 51, it is possible to change the appearance of the capacitive operation device without changing the operation unit including the detection electrode.

Furthermore, since the operation unit includes the protective layer 40, the detection member 30 is appropriately protected.

Further, since the protective layer 40 is made of a transparent material and the display unit 42 is formed on the back surface of the protective layer 40, the operator can easily recognize the position and function of the operation unit 41. Moreover, since the display unit 42 is not directly touched by the operator, the display unit 42 is prevented from being damaged due to the operation of the operation unit 41 by the operator.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same structure, operation, and effect as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

The design panel 50 according to the first embodiment includes a frame portion 51 having an inner peripheral surface surrounding the hole 50a, whereas the design panel 50 according to the present embodiment does not include the frame portion 51 and includes a window 50b. The whole except for has a shape which covers the protective layer 40. Specifically, the design panel 50 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of operation units 53, a plurality of display units 54 that display the functions of the operation units 53, and a partition unit 55 that partitions the operation units 53. . In the present embodiment, a portion of the surface of the protective layer 40 that overlaps the detection electrode in the stacking direction is also covered with the design panel 50, and a portion that covers this portion is the operation unit 53. In this embodiment, not the surface of the protective layer 40 but the operation part 53 of the design panel 50 is touch-operated. A display unit 54 is formed on the operation unit 53. The partition part 55 has a shape surrounding at least a part of the periphery of each operation part 53. In addition, this partition part 55 may be abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, the detection member 30 can detect that the operation unit 53 has been touched.

Also in the present embodiment, the appearance can be flexibly changed by changing only the design panel 50 without changing the detection member 30.

Here, the holding member 20 of the operation unit can detachably hold the design panel 50 shown in the first embodiment, and can also detachably hold the design panel 50 shown in the second embodiment. It is. In other words, the design panel 50 of any embodiment can be attached to a common operation unit. Therefore, it is possible to change the appearance by adopting the design panel 50 shown in any of the embodiments according to needs.

In addition, it should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

For example, in the second embodiment, since the detection member 30 is protected by the design panel 50, the protective layer 40 may be omitted. In the first embodiment, the protective layer 40 can be omitted.

Here, the embodiment described so far is outlined.

The capacitance-type operation device includes a circuit board, a holding member that holds the circuit board, and a detection member that is fixed to a surface of the holding member and includes a detection electrode. The detection electrode and the operator And a design panel arranged on the front side of the detection member. The design panel has a capacitance that changes between the detection electrode and the operator according to the distance between the detection member and the design panel. The design panel is detachably attached to the holding member so as to be separable from the operation unit having the circuit board, the holding member, and the detection member.

According to this apparatus, since the design panel can be separated from the operation unit having the circuit board, the holding member, and the detection member, the design panel is attached to and detached from the holding member of the operation unit. Thus, the appearance can be flexibly changed by changing only the design panel without changing the detection member. In other words, by replacing only the design panel while the circuit board is held by the holding member and the detection member is fixed to the holding member, the common operation unit can be used from the front side. The appearance can be changed. Further, since the detection member can be used as it is even when the design panel is changed, the evaluation test of the detection member after the change of the design panel can be omitted, and the cost required for this test is reduced. Is done.

In this case, it is preferable that the design panel has a frame portion that has a shape surrounding a space that exposes a region on the front side of the detection electrode of the detection member and allows operation of the region.

This makes it easier for the operator to distinguish the area inside the frame from the design panel, which is the area outside the area, thereby improving the recognizability of the part operated by the operator. Furthermore, for example, by changing the shape of the frame portion, it is possible to change the appearance of the capacitive operation device without changing the operation unit including the detection electrode.

Furthermore, in this case, the operation unit further includes a protective layer that is fixed to the surface of the detection member and protects the surface, and the frame portion is positioned on the front side of the detection electrode in the surface of the protective layer. It is preferable to have a shape surrounding the part so that the part to be operated becomes an operation unit operated by the operator.

In this case, the detection member is protected by the protective layer while ensuring the recognizability of the operation unit by the operator.

Specifically, it is preferable that the protective layer is made of a transparent material, and a display unit for displaying the function of the operation unit is formed on a portion of the back surface of the protective layer located on the back side of the operation unit. .

In this way, the position and function of the operation unit can be easily recognized, and the display unit is not directly touched by the operator, so that the display caused by the operation of the operation unit by the operator is performed. Damage to the part is suppressed.

Claims

A capacitive operating device,
A circuit board;
A holding member for holding the circuit board;
A detection member that is fixed to the surface of the holding member and includes a detection electrode, wherein a capacitance between the detection electrode and the operator changes according to a distance between the detection electrode and the operator. What to do,
A design panel arranged on the front side of the detection member,
The capacitive operation device is detachably attached to the holding member so that the design panel is separable from an operation unit having the circuit board, the holding member, and the detection member.
The capacitance type operating device according to claim 1,
The said design panel is a capacitance-type operating device which has the frame part of the shape which surrounds the space which exposes the area | region on the front side of the said detection electrode among the said detection members, and enables the operation of the area | region.
The electrostatic capacity type operating device according to claim 2,
The operation unit further includes a protective layer that is fixed to the surface of the detection member and protects the surface,
The capacitive operating device has a shape in which the frame part surrounds the part of the surface of the protective layer so that a part located on the front side of the detection electrode becomes an operation part operated by the operator.
The electrostatic capacity type operating device according to claim 3,
The capacitance-type operation device, wherein the protective layer is made of a transparent material, and a display unit for displaying the function of the operation unit is formed on a portion of the back surface of the protection layer located on the back side of the operation unit.