WO2022219895A1 - 入力装置、及び組込装置 - Google Patents
入力装置、及び組込装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022219895A1 WO2022219895A1 PCT/JP2022/004448 JP2022004448W WO2022219895A1 WO 2022219895 A1 WO2022219895 A1 WO 2022219895A1 JP 2022004448 W JP2022004448 W JP 2022004448W WO 2022219895 A1 WO2022219895 A1 WO 2022219895A1
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- operating body
- electrode
- substrate
- input device
- contact
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- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 245
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 38
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 32
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 36
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 36
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 29
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 28
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 28
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 14
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000005057 finger movement Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000126211 Hericium coralloides Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H25/00—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
- H01H25/04—Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H25/00—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
- H01H25/06—Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H89/00—Combinations of two or more different basic types of electric switches, relays, selectors and emergency protective devices, not covered by any single one of the other main groups of this subclass
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to input devices and embedded devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an input device into which an operator's operation is input, and an embedded device incorporating the input device.
- the force detection device (input device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a substrate, four electrodes (fixed electrodes), a conductive land (reference electrode), an operation button (operation body), and a displacement electrode (moving electrode). Prepare.
- the four electrodes are arranged at 90° intervals on the substrate.
- Conductive lands are arranged on the substrate on the outer peripheral side of the four electrodes.
- the operation button is arranged at a position facing the four electrodes and the conductive land.
- the displacement electrodes are provided on the side of the operation button facing the four electrodes and the conductive land. In this force detection device, when no pressing force is applied to the operation button, the four electrodes and the conductive lands do not come into contact with the displacement electrodes. A capacitance is generated between the displacement electrode and the four electrodes upon contact.
- the detection accuracy of the operation changes depending on the tilt amount of the operation button. Therefore, when an operation is detected, it is possible to identify whether or not the detection is performed in a range in which the tilt amount of the operation button is large to some extent (a range equal to or greater than a predetermined tilt amount). desirable.
- an object of the present disclosure is to enable detection of an operation in a wider range of the tilt amount of the operating body, and to detect the operation in a range where the tilt amount of the operating body is equal to or greater than a predetermined tilt amount.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an input device and an embedded device that can identify whether or not an operation has been detected.
- An input device includes a substrate, a fixed electrode, a reference electrode and a switch electrode, an operating body, a moving electrode, and a holder.
- the fixed electrode, the reference electrode and the switch electrode are provided on the substrate.
- the operation body is arranged to face the substrate, and is vertically movable and tiltable with respect to the substrate by being pushed.
- the moving electrode is provided on the operating body and is movable integrally with the operating body.
- the substrate is arranged on the holder.
- the moving electrode has a first connection and a second connection. The first connecting portion faces the reference electrode.
- the second connection portion faces the switch electrode.
- the moving electrode When the operating body is not pushed, the moving electrode is out of contact with the fixed electrode, the reference electrode, and the switch electrode, and when the operating body is pushed, the first connecting portion contacts the reference electrode. contact with an electrode, and then the second contact is in contact with the switch electrode.
- An embedded device includes the input device, a rubber sheet, an operation button, a base, and a cover panel.
- the rubber sheet is arranged on the front side of the operating body of the input device.
- the operation button is arranged on the front side of the rubber sheet.
- the base has an accommodation recess capable of accommodating the input device, the rubber sheet, and the operation button.
- the cover panel has openings for exposing the operation buttons, and is attached to the front surface of the base with the input device, the rubber sheet, and the operation buttons accommodated in the accommodation recesses.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embedded device according to Embodiment 1.
- FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the built-in device of the same.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embedded device of the same.
- 4 is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to the first embodiment as seen from the front side.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the input device as seen from the rear side.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sensor substrate viewed from the front side.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the operation body and the moving electrodes as seen from the back side (rear side).
- FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a standby state of the input device;
- FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a standby state of the input device;
- FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a standby state of the input device;
- FIG. 8A is a cross-
- FIG. 8B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8A.
- FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a center-pushed state of the input device;
- FIG. 9B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9A.
- FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilted state of the input device;
- FIG. 10B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 10A.
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tilting fulcrum, a tilting axis, and a tilting direction of the operating body when the operating body is tilted in the same input device.
- FIG. 12 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between the width of the split electrodes, one side of the outer shape of the operating body, and the tilting direction of the operating body in the input device of the same.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the operating body of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 as seen from the back side.
- 14 is a perspective view of the operating body of Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 as seen from the back side.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the operating body of the input device according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 1, as seen from the back side;
- FIG. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a standby state of the same input device;
- 16B is a cross-sectional view for explaining the central push state of the input device
- 16C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilted state 1 of the input device
- FIG. 16D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilted state 2 of the input device
- 17A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flick operation in Modification 4 of Embodiment 1.
- FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input prediction screen.
- FIG. 17C is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the input prediction screen.
- 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the rotation operation in Modification 4.
- FIG. 19A and 19B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a swipe operation in Modification 4.
- FIG. 20A and 20B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the slide operation in Modification 4.
- FIG. FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the input device according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the same input device as viewed from the front side.
- FIG. 23 is a plan view of the sensor substrate viewed from the front side.
- FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the operation body and the moving electrodes as seen from the back side (rear side).
- FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a standby state of the same input device.
- FIG. 26A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilted state 1 of the input device;
- FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilted state 2 of the input device;
- FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a tilting fulcrum and a tilting axis of the operating body when the operating body is tilted in the same input device.
- FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the central push state of the input device;
- Embodiment 1 An input device and an embedded device according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
- the configuration described in this embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure.
- the present disclosure is not limited to the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made according to design or the like without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure.
- the embedded device 500 is a device that receives an operator's operation.
- the embedded device 500 includes an operation button 520 and the input device 1 (see FIG. 2).
- the built-in device 500 is a device that detects the pressing operation by the input device 1 when the operator presses the outer edge or the center of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 with a finger.
- the embedded device 500 can detect, for example, a pushing operation and a tilting operation on the operation button 520 .
- a pushing operation is an operation of pressing the operation button 520
- a tilting operation is an operation of tilting the operation button 520 .
- Embedded device 500 can be mounted, for example, on the spokes of a steering wheel of an automobile.
- the embedded device 500 includes an input device 1, a rubber sheet 510, an operation button 520, a base 530, and a cover panel 540.
- the base 530 is a housing that houses the input device 1, the rubber sheet 510, and the operation buttons 520.
- the base 530 has a housing portion 531 and a flange portion 532 .
- the housing part 531 is a part that houses the input device 1 , the rubber sheet 510 and the operation buttons 520 .
- the housing part 531 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and has an open front surface. That is, the housing portion 531 has a housing recess 533 (that is, the inside of the housing portion 531) capable of housing the input device 1, the rubber sheet 510, and the operation buttons 520 on the front surface.
- the flange portion 532 is a portion to which the cover panel 540 is attached. The flange portion 532 protrudes outward from the periphery of the front opening of the housing portion 531 .
- the input device 1 is a device that, when the outer edge or the center of the front surface (pressure receiving surface) 21a of the operating body 2 is pressed, detects the pressing operation with a capacitance sensor.
- the input device 1 includes an operating body 2 and a detection device 14 .
- the operation body 2 is a part that receives operations. In this embodiment, the operator inputs an operation to the operation body 2 via the operation button 520 .
- the operating body 2 is arranged in front of the detection device 14 .
- the detection device 14 detects the operation input to the operating body 2 by detecting the displacement of the operating body 2 when the operating body 2 is operated.
- the input device 1 is arranged at the bottom of the accommodation recess 533 of the base 530 and fixed to the bottom of the accommodation recess 533 with screws N1.
- the rubber sheet 510 is a member that is arranged on the front side of the operation body 2 of the input device 1 and supports the operation button 520 .
- the rubber sheet 510 is made of an elastically deformable member (for example, a member having rubber elasticity).
- the rubber sheet 510 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped box shape and an open bottom surface.
- the rubber sheet 510 has a front portion 511 and a peripheral wall portion 512 .
- the front portion 511 is a portion where the operation buttons 520 are arranged.
- the peripheral wall portion 512 protrudes rearward from the peripheral edge of the back surface of the front surface portion 511 .
- the rubber sheet 510 is housed inside the housing recess 533 of the base 530 so as to house the input device 1 therein (see FIG.
- the rubber sheet 510 is arranged on the front side of the operation body 2 of the input device 1 .
- the peripheral wall portion 512 of the rubber sheet 5110 is fixed to the bottom portion of the housing recess 533 .
- the operation button 520 is a part that accepts operations from the operator. For example, the operator operates the operation button 520 by touching (lightly pressing) the operation button 520 with a finger.
- the operation button 520 has a button portion 521 and a flange portion 522 .
- the button portion 521 has a circular plate shape.
- the front surface of the button portion 521 is an operation surface 523 operated by an operator, and has, for example, a concave curved surface shape (a concave curved surface shape).
- the flange portion 522 is a portion that is hooked to the back side edge portion of an opening portion 541 of the cover panel 540, which will be described later.
- the flange portion 522 protrudes outward from the rear edge of the outer peripheral surface of the button portion 521 .
- the operation button 520 is housed in the housing recess 533 of the base 530 so as to be arranged on the front side of the front surface portion 511 of the rubber sheet 510 (see FIG. 3).
- the cover panel 540 is a member that closes the front opening of the housing portion 531 of the base 530 and is attached to the front surface of the flange portion 532 of the base 530 .
- the cover panel 540 is, for example, a rectangular plate.
- the cover panel 540 has an opening 541 that exposes the button portion 521 of the operation button 520 forward.
- the cover panel 540 is attached to the front side of the flange portion 532 of the base 530 while the input device 1 , the rubber sheet 510 and the operation buttons 520 are housed in the housing recess 533 of the base 530 . In this state, the button portion 521 of the operation button 520 is exposed through the opening portion 541 of the cover panel 540 .
- the operation button 520 is supported by a rubber sheet 510.
- the operation button 520 when the operation button 520 is pushed by the operator's finger, it sinks into the base 530 against the elastic force of the rubber sheet 510, and when the pushing operation is released, the rubber sheet 510 is pushed. It returns to its original position due to its elastic force.
- the operation body 2 of the input device 1 can be displaced integrally with the operation button 520 via the rubber sheet 510 . Therefore, when the operation button 520 is pushed and sinks, the operation body 2 sinks together with the operation button 520 . Further, when the operation button 520 is pushed and tilted, the operation body 2 tilts integrally with the operation button 520 .
- the input device 1 detects the operation input to the operation button 520 by detecting the displacement of the operating body 2 (displacement due to sinking and tilting).
- FIG. 1 Details of Input Device The input device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12.
- FIG. 1 Details of Input Device The input device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12.
- the input device 1 includes an operating body 2, a front adhesive sheet 3, a moving electrode 4, a rear adhesive sheet 5, an insulating film 6, and a sensor substrate. 7 and a holder 8 .
- the moving electrode 4, the rear adhesive sheet 5, the insulating film 6, and the sensor substrate 7 constitute the detection device 14 described above.
- the operation body 2 is a part to which an operator's operation is input via the operation button 520 .
- the operation body 2 is arranged to face a first substrate 711 of a sensor portion 71 (to be described later) of the sensor substrate 7, and can be vertically moved and tilted with respect to the first substrate 711 by being pushed.
- the operating body 2 is, for example, a polygonal flat plate (more specifically, a regular polygon, specifically a regular octagon).
- the operating body 2 is made of, for example, colorless and transparent resin.
- the operation body 2 is made of colorless and transparent resin as described above, and thus functions as a light guide member that guides light emitted from the light emitting section 722 (to be described later) to the front surface of the operation body 2 .
- the operation button 520 and the rubber sheet 510 are made of a transparent member. As a result, the light (illumination light) from the light emitting unit 722 is guided to the operation button 520 through the operation body 2 and the rubber sheet 510, and emitted from the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520, thereby causing the operation surface 523 to emit light. It is possible.
- the operating body 2 has a substrate portion 21 , a convex portion 22 (contact portion), a rear rib 23 , a projecting portion 24 and a front rib 25 .
- the substrate portion 21 is, for example, a polygonal (more specifically, a regular polygon, specifically a regular octagon) flat plate shape.
- a convex portion 22 and a rear rib 23 are provided on the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 .
- a region between the convex portion 22 and the rear rib 23 on the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 constitutes a smooth flat portion 26 .
- the moving electrode 4 can be attached in close contact with the area (flat portion 26 ) on the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 .
- a front rib 25 is provided on the front surface of the substrate portion 21 .
- a projecting portion 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate portion 21 .
- the convex portion 22 is provided in the center of the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 (that is, the surface facing the holder 8).
- the convex portion 22 is, for example, cylindrical.
- a top surface (rear end surface) of the convex portion 22 is a contact surface 22 a that contacts the holder 8 .
- the contact surface 22a is, for example, a plane.
- the contour line 22b of the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 serves as the tilting fulcrum of the operating body 2.
- the top surface (contact surface 22a) of the convex portion 22, the flat portion 26 and the top surface (rear end surface) of the rear rib 23 are parallel to each other.
- a recess 22c is provided in the center of the contact surface 22a of the projection 22. As shown in FIG.
- the recess 22c is an incident portion for allowing light (illumination light) from a light emitting portion 722, which will be described later, to enter the inside of the operating body 2. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this incident portion may be referred to as an incident portion 22c.
- the rear rib 23 is annularly provided on the periphery of the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 .
- the rear rib 23 protrudes to the rear side of the substrate portion 21 (toward the sensor substrate 7 described below).
- the rear rib 23 is concentric with the protrusion 22 .
- a top surface (rear end surface) of the rear rib 23 is, for example, a flat surface.
- the projecting portion 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate portion 21 so as to project to the rear side of the substrate portion 21 .
- the protruding portions 24 are provided at two locations on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate portion 21 that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 .
- a recess 24c is provided on the rear end surface of the projecting portion 24 .
- the recess 24c is an incident portion that allows light (illumination light) from a light emitting portion 722 (to be described later) to enter the inside of the operating body 2 .
- this incident portion may be referred to as an incident portion 24c.
- the front rib 25 is provided on the front surface of the substrate portion 21 . More specifically, the front rib 25 is provided inside the outer peripheral edge of the front surface of the substrate portion 21 . Front rib 25 is concentric with each of rear rib 23 and protrusion 22 . The front rib 25 protrudes forward from the substrate portion 21 .
- a region 21a inside the front rib 25 on the front surface of the substrate portion 21 is a pressure receiving surface that receives an operation force from an operator via the operation button 520, and light (illumination light) incident on the incident portions 22c and 24c. It is also an exit surface from which .
- the pressure-receiving surface may be referred to as the pressure-receiving surface 21a.
- the moving electrode 4 is an electrode that moves (displaces) integrally with the operating body 2 .
- the moving electrode 4 is made of a conductive elastic member (eg, conductive elastomer or conductive rubber).
- the front surface of the moving electrode 4 is fixed to the rear surface of the operating body 2 (the rear surface of the substrate portion 21) via the front adhesive sheet 3. As shown in FIG.
- the moving electrode 4 has a substrate portion 41 , a first connection portion 42 , a second connection portion 43 , a flexible portion 44 and a flat portion 45 .
- the substrate portion 41 has a polygonal (for example, regular octagonal) plate shape similar to the external shape of the operating body 2 .
- the substrate portion 41 has an opening portion 41a in the center.
- the opening 41a penetrates through the substrate portion 41 in the thickness direction.
- the opening 41a is a portion where the projection 22 of the operating body 2 is arranged.
- a first connection portion 42, a second connection portion 43, and a flexible portion 44 are provided in order from the inside on the rear surface of the substrate portion 41 on the outer peripheral side of the opening portion 41a.
- the first connection portion 42 is a portion of the sensor substrate 7 that comes into contact with a reference electrode 713 described later.
- the second connection portion 43 is a portion of the sensor substrate 7 that comes into contact with a switch electrode 714, which will be described later.
- the flexible portion 44 is a portion that supports the moving electrode 4 and is a portion that is fixed to the sensor substrate 7 .
- the flexible portion 44 supports the operating body 2 by supporting the moving electrode 4 .
- a rear end face of the flexible portion 44 is fixed to the sensor substrate 7 (more specifically, a first substrate 711 of the sensor portion 71 described later).
- a region between the first connection portion 42 and the second connection portion 43 on the rear surface of the substrate portion 41 is a region facing a fixed electrode 712 (described later) of the sensor substrate 7 and constitutes a smooth flat portion 45 .
- the front adhesive sheet 3 is a double-sided adhesive sheet for fixing the moving electrodes 4 to the operating body 2 .
- the front adhesive sheet 3 is, for example, an annular sheet.
- the front adhesive sheet 3 is arranged between the front surface of the substrate portion 41 of the moving electrode 4 and the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 of the operating body 2 . As a result, the front surface adhesive sheet 3 fixes the front surface of the moving electrode 4 (the front surface of the substrate portion 41) to the rear surface of the operation body 2 (the rear surface of the substrate portion 21).
- the rear adhesive sheet 5 is a double-sided adhesive sheet for fixing the rear end surface of the flexible portion 44 of the moving electrode 4 to the sensor substrate 7 .
- the rear adhesive sheet 5 is, for example, an annular sheet.
- the rear surface adhesive sheet 5 is arranged between the rear end surface of the flexible portion 44 and the front surface of the sensor substrate 7 . As a result, the rear end surface 44 a of the flexible portion 44 is fixed to the front surface of the sensor substrate 7 by the rear surface adhesive sheet 5 .
- the insulating film 6 is an insulating member for preventing a short circuit between the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 and the moving electrode 4, which will be described later.
- the insulating film 6 is, for example, an annular sheet. The insulating film 6 is adhered onto a fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7, which will be described later.
- the sensor substrate 7 is, for example, FPC (Flexible printed circuits).
- the sensor substrate 7 has a sensor portion 71, a control portion 72, and a connecting portion 73 (see FIG. 4).
- the sensor section 71 and the control section 72 are connected to each other by a connecting section 73 .
- the sensor substrate 7 is bent at the connecting portion 73 so that the sensor portion 71 overlaps the front side of the control portion 72 .
- the sensor section 71 is arranged on the front surface of the holder 8 and the control section 72 is arranged on the rear surface of the holder 8 .
- the sensor section 71 includes a first substrate 711 (substrate), a fixed electrode 712 , a reference electrode 713 and a switch electrode 714 .
- the first substrate 711 is, for example, a polygonal substrate similar to the external shape of the operating body 2 .
- the first substrate 711 has an opening 711a in which the projection 22 of the operating body 2 is arranged.
- a fixed electrode 712 , a reference electrode 713 and a switch electrode 714 are provided on the front surface of the first substrate 711 .
- the control unit 72 includes a second substrate 721, a plurality of (for example, three) light emitting units 722, and a control circuit 723 (see FIG. 5).
- the second substrate 721 is, for example, a polygonal substrate similar to the external shape of the operating body 2 .
- Three light-emitting portions 722 are provided on the front surface of the second substrate 721 .
- the three light-emitting portions 722 are arranged at positions corresponding to the three incident portions (one incident portion 22c and two incident portions 24c) of the operating body 2.
- a control circuit 723 (for example, a control IC) is arranged on the rear surface of the second substrate 721 .
- the control circuit 723 detects the tilting direction and the type of operation of the operating body 2 from the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712, and outputs the detection results to an external device.
- the control circuit 723 adjusts the tilting direction ⁇ of the operating body 2 to the capacitances (C(Y+), C(Y ⁇ ), C(X+ ), C(X-)) based on Equation 1.
- Equation 1 a plane viewed from above in a direction orthogonal to the first substrate 711 of the sensor section 71 (that is, a normal direction to the surface (mounting surface) of the first substrate 711) is assumed, and on that plane , XY coordinates with the center of the fixed electrode 712 as the origin.
- the four split electrodes 10 are respectively arranged on the + side of the X axis, the - side of the X axis, the + side of the Y axis, and the - side of the Y axis (see FIG. 6).
- ⁇ in Equation 1 is a direction angle around the origin of the XY coordinates.
- the directional angle is an angle representing a radial direction from the origin of the XY coordinates, and indicates a direction (tilting direction) in which the operating body 2 tilts. That is, the tilt direction ⁇ is defined as a direction angle around the origin of the XY coordinates. That is, in the input device 1, by pressing the operating body 2 with an operating force and tilting the operating body 2 in the pressing direction, the direction indicated by the directional angle specified by the tilting is defined as the tilting direction.
- control circuit 723 detects the potential (voltage) of the switch electrode 714 and outputs the detection result to the outside. In addition, the control circuit 723 controls lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting unit 722 according to control from the outside.
- the holder 8 is a housing that accommodates the internal components of the input device 1 (the operating body 2, the front adhesive sheet 3, the moving electrodes 4, the rear adhesive sheet 5, the insulating film 6, and the sensor substrate 7).
- the holder 8 has, for example, a rectangular flat plate shape.
- a first housing recess 81 is provided on the front surface of the holder 8 .
- the operating body 2, the moving electrode 4, the insulating film 6, and the sensor portion 71 of the sensor substrate 7 are accommodated in the first accommodating recess 81 (see FIG. 8A).
- a second housing recess 82 is provided on the rear surface of the holder 8 .
- the control unit 72 of the sensor substrate 7 is accommodated in the second accommodation recess 82 (see FIG. 8A).
- a concave portion 83 that fits with the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is provided on the bottom surface of the first accommodating concave portion 81 .
- a bottom surface 83 a of the recess 83 is flat and parallel to the bottom surface of the first housing recess 81 .
- the bottom surface 83a of the concave portion 83 is provided with a through hole 84 through which the light from the central light emitting portion 722a of the second substrate 721 of the control portion 72 passes.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sensor substrate 7 viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 6 , the sensor substrate 7 has a sensor section 71 and a control section 72 , and the sensor section 71 is arranged on the front side of the control section 72 .
- An opening 711 a is provided in the center of the first substrate 711 of the sensor section 71 .
- a fixed electrode 712, a reference electrode 713, and a switch electrode 714 are provided on the front surface of the first substrate 711 of the sensor section 71 on the outer peripheral side of the opening 711a.
- the fixed electrode 712 is provided annularly (for example, in a circular shape) on the front surface of the first substrate 711 in a region on the outer peripheral side of the opening 711a.
- the fixed electrode 712 has a plurality of (for example, four) segmented electrodes 10 arranged in a ring (for example, circularly).
- Each segmented electrode 10 has an arcuate shape obtained by dividing the fixed electrode 712 into four equal parts at intervals of 90° in the circumferential direction. More specifically, each segmented electrode 10 has a driving electrode 11 and a receiving electrode 12 .
- the driving electrode 11 constitutes the inner peripheral side of the fixed electrode 712
- the receiving electrode 12 constitutes the outer peripheral side of the fixed electrode 712 .
- the driving electrode 11 is an annular (for example circular) electrode commonly used among the plurality of split electrodes 10 .
- the drive electrode 11 has a plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes 11a and first connecting portions 11b.
- the first connecting portion 11b has an annular (for example, circular) band shape.
- the plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes 11 a are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the first connecting portion 11 b and protrude outward from the fixed electrode 712 in the first connecting portion 11 b.
- the receiving electrode 12 is an arc-shaped electrode that is individually used for each split electrode 10 .
- the receiving electrode 12 has a plurality of second comb-teeth electrodes 12a and second connecting portions 12b.
- the second connecting portion 12b has an arc shape.
- the plurality of second comb-tooth electrodes 12 a are arranged at equal intervals along the arc direction of the second connecting portion 12 b and protrude toward the inside of the fixed electrode 712 in the second connecting portion 12 b.
- the plurality of second comb-teeth electrodes 12a mesh with the plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes 11a.
- Each receiving electrode 12 is arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the drive electrode 11 on the outer peripheral side of the drive electrode 11 .
- the capacitance of each split electrode 10 is the amount of charge per unit voltage stored between the drive electrode 11 and the reception electrode 12 .
- the capacitance of each segmented electrode 10 varies individually depending on the relative placement of the segmented electrode 10 and the moving electrode 4 .
- the tilting direction of the moving electrode 4 that is, the tilting direction of the operating body
- ⁇ can be detected from the balance of the electrostatic capacitance of each segmented electrode 10 using Equation 1 above.
- the reference electrode 713 is formed in an annular (annular) shape inside the fixed electrode 712 on the front surface of the first substrate 711 .
- the switch electrode 714 is formed in an annular shape (annular shape) outside the fixed electrode 712 on the front surface of the first substrate 711 .
- a reference electrode 713 and a switch electrode 714 are arranged concentrically with the fixed electrode 712 .
- the reference electrode 713 and the switch electrode 714 are each annular (annular).
- the fixed electrode 712 , the reference electrode 713 and the switch electrode 714 are concentric with the center of the pressure receiving surface 21 a of the operating body 2 when viewed from above in a direction orthogonal to the first substrate 711 .
- a light emitting portion 722a (722) is arranged in the center of the front surface of the second substrate 721 of the control portion 72, and a light emitting portion 722b is arranged at each of the two corners of the front surface of the second substrate 721. .
- the two corners are arranged on the front surface of the second substrate 721 on a diagonal line passing through the center.
- the central light emitting portion 722a is exposed forward from the opening 711a of the first substrate 711 of the sensor portion 71, and emits light (illumination light) to the incident portion 22c of the operation body 2 arranged in front of the light emitting portion 722a.
- the light-emitting portions 722b at the two corners are arranged outside the first substrate 711 of the sensor portion 71 and are exposed to the front side of the first substrate 711 of the sensor portion 71.
- Light (illumination light) is made incident on the incident portion 24c of the operating body 2 arranged in the .
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the manipulating body 2 and moving electrode 4 as seen from the rear side (back side).
- the rear surface of the operation body 2 (that is, the rear surface of the substrate portion 21) is provided with the convex portion 22 and the rear surface ribs 23 described above.
- the protrusion 24 described above is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear rib 23 .
- the moving electrode 4 is attached to the flat portion between the convex portion 22 and the rear rib 23 on the rear surface of the operating body 2 with a front adhesive sheet.
- An opening 41a is provided in the center of the rear surface of the moving electrode 4 (that is, the rear surface of the substrate portion 41).
- the projection 22 of the operating body 2 is arranged in the opening 41a.
- a first connection portion 42 , a second connection portion 43 , a flexible portion 44 and a flat portion 45 are provided on the rear surface of the moving electrode 4 .
- the flat portion 45 is a region facing the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the planar portion 45 is an annular smooth planar surface formed on the rear surface of the moving electrode 4 on the outer peripheral side of the opening 41a.
- the first connection portion 42 is a portion that contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7 and is provided in an annular shape along the inner peripheral edge of the flat portion 45 .
- the first connection portion 42 protrudes rearward of the substrate portion 41 (on the first substrate 711 side of the sensor substrate 7).
- the second connection portion 43 is a portion that contacts the switch electrode 714 of the sensor substrate 7 and is provided in an annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the flat portion 45 .
- the second connection portion 43 protrudes rearward from the substrate portion 41 .
- a rear end surface 42a of the first connection portion 42 protrudes rearward from a rear end surface 43a of the second connection portion 43 (see FIG. 8B).
- the flexible portion 44 is a portion that supports the moving electrode 4 and is a portion that is fixed to the sensor substrate 7 .
- the flexible portion 44 is provided in a polygonal (e.g. regular octagonal) annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the substrate portion 41 and protrudes rearward from the substrate portion 41 .
- a rear surface adhesive sheet 5 is adhered to the rear end surface of the flexible portion 44 for fixing to the sensor substrate 7 .
- the first connecting portion 42, the second connecting portion 43 and the flexible portion 44 are flexible.
- the first connection portion 42 and the second connection portion 43 are operated in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 (that is, a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the first substrate 711 of the sensor substrate 7). It is concentric with the center of the pressure receiving surface 21 a of the body 2 .
- the rear end surface 42a and the rear end surface 43a of the second connection portion 43 are parallel to each other.
- the flexible portion 44 maintains the posture of the operating body 2 so that the flat portion 45 is parallel to the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 when the operating body 2 is not operated. Further, the flexible portion 44 is configured such that a space S1 is secured between the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 of the operation body 2 and the bottom surface 83a of the recess 83 of the holder 8 when the operation body 2 is not operated. It supports the operating body 2 (see FIG. 8B). Further, the flexible portion 44 urges the operating body 2 so that the plane portion 45 returns to a state parallel to the fixed electrode 712 when the operating body 2 is operated.
- FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectional views showing the standby state of the input device 1.
- FIG. The standby state of the input device 1 is a state in which the operating body 2 of the input device 1 is not operated by the operator (that is, a state in which the operation button 520 of the built-in device 500 is not operated by the operator).
- the flexible portion 44 of the moving electrode 4 is arranged so that the flat portion 45 of the moving electrode 4 is parallel to the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the posture of the operation body 2 is maintained at .
- the first connection portion 42 is not in contact with the reference electrode 713 and the second connection portion 43 is not in contact with the switch electrode 714 .
- the rear end surface 42a of the first connection portion 42 protrudes rearward (toward the sensor substrate 7) from the rear end surface 43a of the second connection portion 43.
- a space S1 is provided between the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 of the operating body 2 and the bottom surface 83a of the recess 83 of the holder 8. As shown in FIG.
- FIG. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing the center push state of the input device 1.
- FIG. The central push state of the input device 1 means that, as shown in FIG. 9A, the operation force F1 acts on the center of the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operation body 2 of the input device 1, and the operation body 2 moves in the direction of action of the operation force F1. It is in a displaced state. That is, the central push state of the input device 1 refers to a state in which the operating body 2 is pressed without being tilted by the operator's pushing operation from the standby state of the input device 1 (that is, the operating body 2 is moved to the first substrate of the sensor substrate 7). 71 (the operation body 2 is moved in the vertical direction)).
- the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 is tilted with respect to the acting direction of the operating force F1 by the operator's pushing operation. Without doing so, the operating body 2 is pushed into the holder 8 . Then, the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 comes into contact with the bottom surface 83a of the concave portion 83 of the holder 8 (for example, surface contact). In this state, the rear end surface 42a of the first connection portion 42 protrudes further rearward than the rear end surface 43a of the second connection portion 43. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the first connection portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7 , but the second connection portion 43 of the moving electrode 4 does not contact the switch electrode 714 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the contact of the first connection portion 42 with the reference electrode 713 changes the potential of the moving electrode 4 from floating to the reference potential.
- the moving electrode 4 attracts the charge of the fixed electrode 712 .
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 changes.
- the control circuit 723 detects this change.
- the control circuit 723 can detect the operation performed on the operating body 2 based on the detection result (that is, the capacitance of each of the four split electrodes 10 of the fixed electrode 712). For example, it is possible to detect that the operation force F1 has acted on the operation body 2, the tilting direction and amount of the operation body 2, the type of operation, and the like.
- tilted state 10A and 10B are sectional views showing the tilted state of the input device 1.
- FIG. 10A The tilted state of the input device 1 means that, as shown in FIG. 10A, the operation force F1 acts on a point on the outer peripheral edge of the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operation body 2 of the input device 1, and the operation body 2 is moved to the position where the operation force F1 is applied. It is in a state of being tilted with respect to the direction. That is, the tilted state of the input device 1 is a state in which the operating body 2 is tilted by the tilting operation of the operator.
- the tilting operation is an operation of pressing the operating body 2 to tilt the operating body 2 in the pressing direction of the operating body 2 (the direction orthogonal to the first substrate 711 of the sensor substrate 7).
- the operation force F1 is moved from the central push state of FIG. 9A from the center P3 of the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operation body 2 to a point P2 on the outer edge, as indicated by arrow Y1.
- one side of the outer shape of the operating body 2 (more specifically, one side of the outer shape of the rear end surface of the rear rib 23) L1 is bent by the operator's tilting operation.
- the operating body 2 tilts in the acting direction of the operating force F1 until it contacts the sensor portion 71 (substrate) of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the operating body 2 tilts with the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 as a tilting fulcrum. More specifically, the operating body 2 tilts with one point on the contour line 22b of the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 as a tilting fulcrum.
- the moving electrode 4 tilts integrally with the operating body 2 . 10A and 10B
- the space between the moving electrode 4 and the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 becomes smaller on the pushed side (the left side in FIG. 10A).
- the distance between the moving electrode 4 and the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 increases on the opposite side of the moving electrode 4 to the pressed side (the right side in FIG. 10A).
- the first connecting portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 is in contact with the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7
- the second connecting portion 43 is in contact with the switch of the sensor substrate 7 .
- Contact electrode 714 see FIG. 10B).
- the switch electrode 714 is connected to the reference electrode 713 via the moving electrode 4 .
- the potential of the switch electrode 714 changes to the same potential as the potential of the reference electrode 713 (reference potential).
- the control circuit 723 detects this change.
- the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has tilted to a predetermined tilting amount (that is, a tilting amount that allows stable detection of the tilting direction of the operating body 2).
- the input device 1 when the operating body 2 is pressed, first the first connecting portion 42 comes into contact with the reference electrode 713 and the potential of the moving electrode 4 becomes the reference potential. As a result, the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 (that is, the capacitance between the drive electrode 11 and the reception electrode 12) changes, and the operation of the operating body 2 can be detected.
- the second connection portion 43 contacts the switch electrode 714 and the switch electrode 714 becomes the reference potential via the moving electrode 4 .
- a predetermined amount ie, a tilting amount that allows the tilting direction of the operating body 2 to be stably detected.
- the operation of pressing the operating body 2 toward the center of the pressure receiving surface 21a and the operation of moving the pressing position from the center position of the pressure receiving surface 21a to a point on the outer edge first connect the first connecting portion 42 is brought into contact with the reference electrode 713 , and then the second connection portion 43 is brought into contact with the switch electrode 714 .
- the predetermined tilt axis A1 is the tangent line at the first intersection point P1 of the contour line 22b of the contact surface 22a in plan view. Therefore, the tilting direction ⁇ of the operation body 2 until the outer periphery of the outer shape of the operation body 2 contacts the sensor portion 71 of the sensor substrate 7 is from the first intersection point P1 to the pressing position P2 in the above plan view. It is the direction to go.
- the operation body 2 is tilted as shown in FIG. As shown, it tilts about a predetermined tilt axis A2.
- the predetermined tilting axis A2 is a tangent line parallel to the side L1 of the contour line 22b of the contact surface 22a in plan view.
- the predetermined tilt axis A2 is: It is a tangent line at the second intersection of the contour line 22b of the contact surface 22a in the above plan view. Therefore, the tilting direction ⁇ of the operation body 2 when the entire side L1 contacts the front surface of the sensor portion 71 of the sensor substrate 7 is from the center P3 of the contact surface 22a to the midpoint of the side L1 in the above plan view. It is the direction toward P4.
- the outer shape of the operating body 2 is a regular octagon
- the direction from the center P3 of the contact surface 22a to the midpoint P4 of the side L1 is the perpendicular bisector of the side L1 in the above plan view.
- the operating body 2 can be tilted when one side of the external shape of the operating body 2 contacts the front surface of the sensor section 71 .
- the tilting direction ⁇ is limited to a direction that coincides with the perpendicular bisector of each side of the polygon of the operating body 2 .
- the operator can select the desired tilting direction ⁇ from among the directions that coincide with the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the polygon of the operating body 2 (that is, the directions that are restricted to some extent). Therefore, the operator can tilt the operating body 2 in the desired tilting direction ⁇ without hesitation.
- the external shape of the operating body 2 is a polygon (eg, regular octagon).
- the fixed electrode 712 has a plurality of (for example, four) segmented electrodes 10 arranged in a ring (for example, circularly).
- a bisector L4 that bisects the length W1 in the width direction (arc direction) of each of the plurality of split electrodes 10 in a plan view viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first substrate 711 of the sensor substrate 7 is the operation
- One side of the plurality of sides L1 of the external shape (polygon) of the body 2 is divided into two equal parts.
- the number of split electrodes 10 is half the number of sides (eight) of the external shape of the operating body 2 (for example, a regular octagon).
- the length W1 in the width direction (arc direction) of each divided electrode 10 is the same as each other.
- the four split electrodes 10 are in one-to-one correspondence with the four sides L1a arranged alternately in the circumferential direction among the eight sides L1 of the operating body 2 .
- a bisector L4 that bisects the length W1 of each split electrode 10 in the width direction bisects the corresponding side L1a.
- the relative arrangement of each divided electrode 10 and the operation body 2 is set such that the bisector L4 bisects the corresponding side L1.
- the side L1a is orthogonal to the bisector L4.
- the tilting direction ⁇ of the operating body 2 when the operating body 2 is tilted and the entire corresponding side L1a contacts the front surface of the sensor portion 71 of the sensor substrate 7 coincides with the bisector L4.
- the input device includes a substrate (first substrate 711), a fixed electrode 712, a reference electrode 713, a switch electrode 714, an operation body 2, and a moving electrode 4.
- a fixed electrode 712 , a reference electrode 713 and a switch electrode 714 are provided on the substrate 711 .
- the operation body 2 is arranged to face the substrate 711, and can be vertically moved and tilted with respect to the substrate 711 by being pushed.
- the moving electrode 4 is provided on the operating body 2 and is movable together with the operating body 2 .
- the moving electrode 4 has a first connection portion 42 and a second connection portion 43 .
- the first connection portion 42 faces the reference electrode 713 .
- the second connection portion 43 faces the switch electrode 714 .
- the moving electrode 4 When the operating body 2 is not pushed, the moving electrode 4 does not come into contact with the fixed electrode 712, the reference electrode 713, and the switch electrode 714, and when the operating body 2 is pushed, the first connection portion 42 contacts the reference electrode. , and then the second connection portion 43 contacts the switch electrode 714 .
- the operating body 2 when the operating body 2 is pushed, first the first connecting portion 42 comes into contact with the reference electrode 713 and the moving electrode 4 becomes the reference potential. As a result, the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 changes, and the operation of the operating body 2 can be detected.
- the second connecting portion 43 contacts the switch electrode 714 and the switch electrode 714 becomes the reference potential via the moving electrode 4 .
- the switch electrode 714 By setting the switch electrode 714 to the reference potential in this way, it is detected that the operating body 2 has tilted by a predetermined amount. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the operation is detected in a range where the amount of tilting of the operating body 2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of tilting.
- the outer shape of the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is circular (see FIG. 5).
- the outer shape of the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is a polygon (for example, a regular octagon) that is the same shape as the outer shape of the operating body 2 (eg, a regular octagon).
- a regular octagon a regular octagon
- the outer shape of the regular octagon of the contact surface 22a of the protrusion 22 of the operating body 2 is concentric with the outer shape of the operating body 2, and the directions match. That is, each side M1 of the regular octagon of the outer shape of the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is parallel to each side L1 of the outer shape of the operating body 2, respectively.
- the operating body 2 when the operating body 2 is tilted, the operating body 2 tilts with one of the plurality of sides L1 of the outer shape of the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 as the tilting axis.
- the tilting direction ⁇ of the operating body 2 is changed from a range in which the amount of tilting of the operating body 2 is small to The direction of the perpendicular bisector of each side M1 of the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 can be restricted.
- the bisector L4 (see FIG. 12) of the length W1 in the width direction of each split electrode 10 is defined by bisect one side of In other words, each segmented electrode 10 and the convex portion 22 are arranged in such a manner.
- the tilting direction of the operating body 2 coincides with a bisector that bisects one side of the plurality of sides M1.
- the operating body 2 has a rear surface rib 23 that is polygonal (for example, a regular octagon) in plan view.
- a rear surface rib 23 is provided along the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface of the substrate portion 21 of the operation body 2 (that is, the surface facing the holder 8). It has a plurality of (for example, eight) protrusions 27 .
- a plurality of convex portions 27 are provided at positions (near each vertex) corresponding to each vertex of the outer shape (regular octagon) of the operating body 2 .
- the plurality of protrusions 27 are hemispherical, for example.
- the bisector L4 (see FIG. 12) of the length W1 in the width direction of each split electrode 10 is a line segment connecting two adjacent protrusions 27 out of the plurality of protrusions 27. Divide equally. That is, each split electrode 10 and a plurality of convex portions 27 are arranged in such a manner.
- the tilting direction of the operating body 2 coincides with a bisector that bisects a line segment connecting two adjacent convex portions 27 among the plurality of convex portions 27 .
- the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is flat.
- the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 has a convex curved shape (for example, a gentle hemispherical shape).
- the bottom surface 83a of the recessed portion 83 of the holder 8 is flat as in the case of the first embodiment.
- the diameter of the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 is larger than the diameter of the convex portion 22 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 5), but the diameter of the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 is is not particularly limited.
- the first connecting portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 is not in contact with the reference electrode 713, and the second connecting portion 43 is not in contact with switch electrode 714 .
- the flat portion 45 of the moving electrode 4 is parallel to the fixed electrode 712 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- a space S1 is provided between the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 of the operating body 2 and the bottom surface 83a of the recess 83 of the holder 8. As shown in FIG.
- the pressing position P5 of the operating force F1 moves from the center P3 of the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 to the outer edge side, whereby the operating body 2 tilts.
- the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 of the operating body 2 contacts the bottom surface 83a of the recess 83 of the holder 8 at one contact point P6.
- the operating body 2 tilts with the contact point P6 as a tilting fulcrum.
- the tilting fulcrum is also described as the tilting fulcrum P6.
- the operating body 2 is tilted with a straight line perpendicular to the imaginary line at the contact point P6 as a tilting axis in the above plan view.
- the contact point P6 is arranged, for example, at a position that overlaps the pressing position P5 in plan view.
- the first connection portion 42 contacts the reference electrode 713 and the second connection portion 43 contacts the switch on the side to which the pressing position P5 of the operating body 2 has moved. contact with electrode 714;
- the pressing position P5 of the operation force F1 moves further to the outer edge side than in the tilted state 1 of the input device 1, thereby further tilting the operating body 2. Also at this time, the contact surface 22a of the projection 22 of the operating body 2 contacts the bottom surface 83a of the recess 83 of the holder 8 at one contact point P6.
- the tilting fulcrum P6 when the pressing position P5 moves on the pressure receiving surface 21a, the tilting fulcrum P6 also moves on the contact surface (convex curved surface) 22a along with this movement. At this time, the tilting fulcrum P6 moves in the same direction as the moving direction of the pressing position P5.
- the pressing position P5 moves (slides) on the diameter (X-axis) of the pressure receiving surface 21a.
- the distance between the fixed electrode 712 on the X+ side and the X- side and the moving electrode 4 changes continuously.
- the movement of the pressed position P5 can be continuously detected. .
- the contact surface 22a of the convex portion 22 (abutting portion) is a convex curved surface
- the tilting fulcrum P6 moves when the pressing position P5 moves, and the operating body 2 moves smoothly along with this movement. Vary the slope.
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 smoothly changes as the pressing position P5 moves.
- an operation for example, a slide operation
- the pressing position moves linearly on the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2
- Modification 4 In this modified example, the types of operations that can be input to the embedded device 500 (input device 1) are illustrated.
- At least one of flicking, rotating, swiping, and sliding operations can be input.
- the flick operation is an operation of pressing the center of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 and moving the pressed position from the center toward a certain position on the outer edge.
- the flick operation is an operation of pressing the center of the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 and moving the pressed position from the center toward a certain position on the outer edge.
- the center of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 is touched (lightly pressed).
- the first connection portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the potential of the moving electrode 4 changes from floating to the reference potential.
- the moving electrode 4 attracts the charge of the fixed electrode 712 .
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 changes. Based on this change in capacitance, the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has been pressed, and outputs the detection result to an external device (for example, a display device).
- the display device displays an input prediction screen G1 (see FIG. 17B).
- the input prediction screen G1 is, for example, a screen displaying icons "a" to "h” arranged in a circle.
- the operator moves (slides) the finger on the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 in a direction corresponding to a desired icon (for example, icon "b") on the input prediction screen G1. Due to this finger movement, the operation button 520 and the operating body 2 are tilted together, and after the first connecting portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7, the second connecting portion of the moving electrode 4 is tilted. 43 contacts the switch electrode 714 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has tilted to a predetermined tilting amount (that is, a tilting amount in which the tilting direction of the operating body 2 can be stably detected).
- the flick operation is performed by the operator operating the operation button 520 while looking at the display screen (input prediction screen) of the display device to select a desired icon, and displaying the selection result on the display screen of the display device. It is available when
- the rotation operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the outer edge of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 to circularly move the pressed position along the outer edge.
- the rotating operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the outer edge of the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 and moving the pressed position circularly along the outer edge.
- the outer edge of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 is touched (lightly pressed).
- the first connection portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the potential of the moving electrode 4 changes from floating to the reference potential.
- the moving electrode 4 attracts the charge of the fixed electrode 712 .
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 changes.
- the control circuit 723 detects this change. Based on the detection result, the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has been pressed.
- the operating button 520 (operating body 2 ) is tilted, and the second connecting portion 43 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the switch electrode 714 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the potential of the switch electrode 714 changes to the reference potential.
- the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has tilted to a predetermined tilting amount (that is, a tilting amount in which the tilting direction of the operating body 2 can be stably detected).
- the external shape of the operation body 2 is a polygon (for example, a regular octagon), as described above, when the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 is rotated, the operation button 520 and the operation body 2 is restricted to eight directions. Therefore, when the operation button 520 is used as an incremental encoder, it can be used as 8 pulses/1 rotation. Such a rotation operation can be used for scrolling the list displayed on the display device or adjusting the volume.
- swipe operation As indicated by an arrow Y5 in FIG. 19, a swipe operation is performed by pressing an arbitrary position on the outer edge of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520, passing through the center of the pressed position, and reaching a position on the outer edge on the opposite side in a straight line. This is an operation to move to In other words, the swipe operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the outer edge of the pressure-receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 and linearly moving the pressed position through the center to a position on the opposite outer edge. .
- the outer edge of the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 is touched (lightly pressed).
- the first connection portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the potential of the moving electrode 4 changes from floating to the reference potential.
- the moving electrode 4 attracts the charge of the fixed electrode 712 .
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 changes.
- the control circuit 723 detects this change. Based on the detection result, the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has been pressed.
- the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has tilted to a predetermined tilting amount (that is, a tilting amount in which the tilting direction of the operating body 2 can be stably detected).
- the control circuit 723 controls the capacitance (C(Y+), C(Y-), C(X+), C(X-)) of the divided electrodes 10 in the four directions (X+, X-, Y+, Y-). ).
- the control circuit 723 detects this finger movement as a series of operations, detects that this series of operations is a swipe operation, and detects the movement direction. This swipe operation can be used for screen switching or the like.
- the slide operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 to linearly move the pressed position.
- the slide operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 and linearly moving the pressed position.
- the operation surface 523 of the operation button 520 is touched (lightly pressed).
- the first connection portion 42 of the moving electrode 4 contacts the reference electrode 713 of the sensor substrate 7 .
- the potential of the moving electrode 4 changes from floating to the reference potential.
- the moving electrode 4 attracts the charge of the fixed electrode 712 .
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode 712 changes.
- the control circuit 723 detects this change. Based on the detection result, the control circuit 723 detects that the operating body 2 has been pressed.
- the tilting fulcrum P6 is the contact point between the contact surface (convex curved surface) 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 and the bottom surface 83a of the concave portion 83 of the holder 8. . Therefore, when the pressing position P5 on the pressure receiving surface 21a of the operating body 2 is moved, the tilting fulcrum P6 is also moved. For example, when the pressing position P5 is moved (slid) on the diameter (X-axis) of the pressure receiving surface 21a, the distance between the fixed electrodes 712 on the X+ side and the X- side and the moving electrode 4 continuously changes.
- the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 when the operating body 2 is operated, the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is in contact with the holder 8 (more specifically, the bottom surface 83a of the concave portion 83).
- the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 may be structured to contact the first substrate 711 of the sensor portion 71 .
- the convex portion 22 is provided on the surface of the operating body 2 facing the first substrate 711 . That is, it is sufficient that the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 contacts the holder 8 or the first substrate 711 when the operating body 2 is operated.
- the operating body 2 is provided with a convex portion 22 as a contact portion, and the holder 8 is provided with a concave portion 83 that fits into the convex portion 22 (first modification).
- the operation body 2 may be provided with the concave portion 83 as a contact portion, and the holder 8 may be provided with the convex portion 22 .
- the top surface (contact surface) 22a of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 is a flat surface, but the top surface 22a of the convex portion 22 includes ridges forming a circular or polygonal shape in plan view. It may be a curved surface (second modification).
- the ridgeline is circular, the operating body 2 tilts with the tangent line at one point on the circle as the tilting axis in plan view, and the ridgeline is tilted.
- the operating body 2 tilts with one side of the polygon as the tilt axis.
- a plurality of protrusions may be further provided on the top surface 22a (for example, the outer edge of the top surface 22a) of the convex portion 22 of the operating body 2 (third modification).
- the plurality of protrusions are arranged in a ring (circular shape) with intervals (equally spaced) from each other.
- the tip surfaces of the plurality of protrusions are at the same height from the top surface 22a of the protrusion 22.
- FIG. when the operating body 2 is tilted (tilting operation), the operating body 2 tilts about a line segment connecting the tips of two adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions as a tilting axis.
- Each of the plurality of protrusions may be semispherical.
- the top surface 22a of the projection 22 (for example, the outer edge of the top surface 22a) is undulated (raised or lowered) at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. ).
- the raised portion functions as the protrusion.
- the operating body 30 is supported by the flexible portion 44 of the moving electrode 32 in the first embodiment, the operating body 30 is supported by the spring 35 instead of the flexible portion 44 in this embodiment.
- the reference electrode 713 is provided inside the fixed electrode 712 in the first embodiment, the reference electrode 713 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the switch electrode 714 in the present embodiment.
- FIGS. A first holder 37 and a second holder 38 are provided.
- the operation body 30 is a part through which an operator's operation is input.
- the operating body 30 is, for example, a polygonal (for example, a regular octagon) flat plate.
- the operation body 30 has a substrate portion 301 , a recessed portion 302 , a contact portion 303 , an operation portion 304 , a plane portion 305 and a flange portion 306 .
- the substrate portion 301 is in the shape of a polygonal (for example, regular octagon) flat plate.
- a concave portion 302 and a contact portion 303 are provided concentrically at the center of the rear surface of the substrate portion 301 . constitutes a smooth plane portion 305 (see FIG. 25).
- An operation unit 304 is provided in the center of the front surface of the substrate unit 301 .
- a peripheral edge portion of the substrate portion 301 constitutes a flange portion 306 protruding toward the outer peripheral side of the operating portion 304 .
- the recessed part 302 is the part where the ball 36 is arranged.
- the inner surface of the recess 302 is, for example, hemispherical.
- the concave portion 302 is provided at the center of the rear surface of the substrate portion 301 .
- the contact portion 303 is a portion that contacts the stepped portion 373 of the first holder 37 .
- the abutting portion 303 is provided around the recessed portion 302 on the rear surface of the substrate portion 301, and has, for example, an annular convex shape in plan view.
- a top surface (contact surface) 303 a of the contact portion 303 is a surface that contacts a top surface (contact surface) 373 a of the stepped portion 373 of the first holder 37 and is parallel to the plane portion 305 .
- the operation unit 304 is a part that receives the operation of the operator.
- the operation unit 304 is provided in a circular convex shape in a plan view at the center of the front surface of the substrate unit 301 .
- the operating portion 304 is concentric with the center of the recess 302 .
- a front surface of the operation unit 304 is a pressure receiving surface 304a that receives an operation force from an operator.
- the moving electrode 32 is an electrode that moves (displaces) integrally with the operating body 30 .
- the moving electrode 32 is formed in a plate shape from a metal having spring properties.
- the front surface of the moving electrode 32 is fixed to the rear surface of the substrate portion 301 of the operating body 30 via the adhesive sheet 31 .
- the moving electrode 32 has a body portion 321 , a first connection portion 322 , a second connection portion 323 and a plane portion 324 .
- the body portion 321 is a portion facing the fixed electrode 342 of the sensor substrate 34, and has, for example, an annular plate shape having an opening 32a in the center.
- the first connection portion 322 is a portion that contacts the reference electrode 343 of the sensor substrate 34 .
- the second connection portion 323 is a portion that contacts the switch electrode 344 of the sensor substrate 34 .
- a region of the body portion 321 facing the fixed electrode 342 constitutes a plane portion 324 having a smooth plane.
- the adhesive sheet 31 is a double-sided adhesive sheet for fixing the moving electrode 32 to the operating body 30 .
- the adhesive sheet 31 is, for example, an annular sheet.
- the adhesive sheet 31 is arranged between the front surface of the body portion 321 of the moving electrode 32 and the rear surface of the substrate portion 301 of the operating body 30 . Thereby, the front surface of the moving electrode 32 (the front surface of the main body portion 321) is fixed to the rear surface of the operation body 30 (the rear surface of the substrate portion 301) by the adhesive sheet 31.
- the insulating film 33 is an insulating member for preventing a short circuit between a fixed electrode 342 of the sensor substrate 34 and the moving electrode 32, which will be described later.
- the insulating film 33 is, for example, an annular sheet.
- the insulating film 33 is pasted on a fixed electrode 342 (described later) of the sensor substrate 34 .
- the sensor substrate 34 is, for example, FPC.
- the sensor substrate 34 includes a substrate 341 , fixed electrodes 342 , reference electrodes 343 and switch electrodes 344 .
- the substrate 341 has a substrate body 3411 and a lead portion 3412 .
- the substrate main body 3411 has, for example, an annular plate shape.
- the substrate body 3411 has an opening 341a in which the contact portion 303 is arranged.
- a fixed electrode 342 , a reference electrode 343 and a switch electrode 344 are provided on the front surface of the substrate body 3411 .
- the lead-out portion 3412 is a substrate for leading a wiring electrode (for example, a wiring electrode from the reference electrode 343) to the outside from the substrate body.
- the ball 36 and spring 35 are housed in the ball housing portion 372 of the first holder 37 .
- the spring 35 is arranged between the ball 36 and the bottom of the ball housing portion 372 and biases the ball 36 forward (that is, toward the operating body 30). Thereby, the spring 35 urges the operating body 30 so that the plane portion 324 of the moving electrode 32 is parallel to the fixed electrode 342 .
- the ball housing portion 372 allows the ball 36 to move in the front-rear direction (in the direction of the column axis of the first holder 37), but prohibits it from moving in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.
- the ball 36 is urged forward by the spring 35 to fit into the recess 302 of the operating body 30 .
- the operating body 30 is urged forward by the ball 36 urged by the spring 35 .
- the above fitting prohibits the operating body 30 from moving (sliding) in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction with respect to the first holder 37 .
- the first holder 37 is a housing that accommodates the internal components of the input device 1 (the operating body 30, the adhesive sheet 31, the moving electrodes 32, the insulating film 33, the sensor substrate 34, the springs 35, and the balls 36).
- the first holder 37 has, for example, a polygonal (for example, regular octagonal) columnar shape and is made of resin.
- the first holder 37 has a holder main body 370 , an accommodation recess 371 , a ball accommodation portion 372 and a stepped portion 373 .
- the holder main body 370 is, for example, a polygonal (for example, regular octagonal) columnar shape.
- a housing recess 371 is provided on the front surface of the holder body 370 .
- a plurality of screw holes 370a into which the screws N1 are screwed are provided on the outer edge of the front surface of the holder main body 370. As shown in FIG.
- the accommodation recess 371 is a portion that accommodates the above-described internal components of the input device 1 and is provided on the front surface of the holder main body 370 .
- a cutout portion 375 from which the drawer portion 3412 of the sensor substrate 34 is drawn out is provided in the peripheral wall of the holder main body 370 (the portion surrounding the accommodation recessed portion 371).
- the inner shape of the housing recess 371 is substantially the same shape and size as the outer shape of the operating body 30 (for example, a regular octagon). Therefore, the accommodation recess 371 can accommodate the operating body 30 in a non-rotatable and swingable manner.
- the ball storage portion 372 is a portion that stores the ball 36 and the spring 35.
- the ball storage portion 372 is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the storage recess 371 in the shape of a cylindrical hole with a bottom.
- the stepped portion 373 is a portion that contacts the contact portion 303 of the operating body 30 .
- the stepped portion 373 is provided around the ball accommodating portion 372 on the bottom surface of the accommodating recessed portion 371, and has, for example, an annular convex shape in a plan view.
- a top surface (contact surface) 373 a of the stepped portion 373 is a surface that contacts the top surface (contact surface) 303 a of the contact portion 303 of the operating body 30 .
- a region on the outer peripheral side of the stepped portion 373 on the bottom surface of the housing recess 371 constitutes a smooth flat portion 374 for attaching the sensor substrate 34 .
- the flat portion 374 is parallel to the contact surface 303a of the stepped portion 373 .
- the second holder 38 is a member that covers the flange portion 306 of the operating body 30 inside the housing recess 371 of the first holder 37 .
- the second holder 38 is, for example, a polygonal flat plate and is made of metal.
- the second holder 38 has an opening 38a in the center through which the operating portion 304 of the operating body 30 is exposed.
- the second holder 38 is attached to the outer periphery of the front opening of the first holder 37 with screws N2. By covering the flange portion 306 of the operating body 30 with the second holder 38 , the operating body 30 urged by the spring 35 is prevented from coming off from the first holder 37 .
- the second holder 38 is circumferentially provided with a plurality of screw holes 38b through which the screws N1 pass.
- FIG. 23 is a plan view of the sensor substrate 34 as seen from the front side. As shown in FIG. 23, a substrate 341 of the sensor substrate 34 is provided with an opening 341a. is provided.
- the fixed electrode 342 is provided annularly (for example, in a circular shape) on the front surface of the substrate 341 in the outer peripheral region of the opening 341a.
- the fixed electrode 342 is configured similarly to the fixed electrode 712 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the fixed electrode 342 has a plurality (eg, four) of segmented electrodes 10 , each segmented electrode 10 having a circular common driving electrode 11 and an arc-shaped individual receiving electrode 12 .
- the drive electrode 11 has a plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes 11a and first connecting portions 11b.
- the receiving electrode 12 has a plurality of second comb-teeth electrodes 12a and second connecting portions 12b. The plurality of second comb-teeth electrodes 12a mesh with the plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes 11a.
- the switch electrode 344 is formed annularly (circularly) outside the fixed electrode 342 on the front surface of the substrate 341 .
- the reference electrode 343 is annularly (circularly) formed outside the switch electrode 344 on the front surface of the substrate 341 .
- the reference electrode 343 and switch electrode 344 are arranged concentrically with the fixed electrode 342 .
- a wiring electrode 343 a of the reference electrode 343 is led out to a lead part 3412 of the substrate 341 .
- FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the operating body 30 and the moving electrode 32 as seen from the rear side.
- the operating body 30 is, for example, a polygonal (for example, a regular octagon) plate.
- a concave portion 302 is provided in the center of the rear surface of the operating body 30 (that is, the rear surface of the substrate portion 301).
- An outer peripheral edge of the operating body 30 constitutes a flange portion 306 .
- the moving electrode 32 is attached to the rear surface of the substrate portion 301 of the operating body 30 with an adhesive sheet 31 .
- the moving electrode 32 has a body portion 321 , a first connection portion 322 and a second connection portion 323 .
- the body portion 321 is a portion facing the fixed electrode 342 of the sensor substrate 34, and has, for example, an annular plate shape having an opening 32a in the center.
- a concave portion 302 of the operation body 30 is arranged in the opening portion 32a.
- the first connection portion 322 is a portion that contacts the reference electrode 343 of the sensor substrate 34 .
- the first connection portion 322 has a plurality of (for example, eight) brush portions 50 .
- the plurality of brush portions 50 are provided side by side in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the main body portion 321 and protrude from the outer periphery of the main body portion 321 along the circumferential direction.
- the brush portion 50 has a support piece portion 51 and a projection portion 52 .
- the support piece portion 51 has an elastically flexible flat plate shape and protrudes in the circumferential direction from the outer periphery of the main body portion 321 .
- the projecting portion 52 is a portion that contacts the reference electrode 343 and is provided at the tip portion of the supporting piece portion 51 .
- the second connection portion 323 is a portion that contacts the switch electrode 344 of the sensor substrate 34 .
- the second connection portion 323 has a plurality of (for example, eight) protrusions 53 .
- the plurality of protrusions 53 are provided side by side on the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface of the body portion 321 .
- a tip surface 52 a of the projection 52 of the first connection portion 322 protrudes rearward from a tip surface 53 a of the protrusion 53 of the second connection portion 323 .
- FIG. 25 in the standby state of the input device 1 , the ball 36 is moved forward by the biasing force of the spring 35 . Until then, the operating body 30 is moved forward. In this state, in the moving electrode 32 , the first connection portion 322 is not in contact with the reference electrode 343 and the second connection portion 323 is not in contact with the switch electrode 344 . Also, the moving electrodes 32 are parallel to the fixed electrodes 342 of the sensor substrate 34 . A space S1 is provided between the contact surface 303a of the contact portion 303 of the operating body 30 and the contact surface 373a of the stepped portion 373 of the first holder 37. As shown in FIG.
- the operating body 30 is operated to tilt from the standby state of the input device 1 . That is, when one point (pressing position P8) on the outer edge of the pressure receiving surface 304a of the operating body 30 is pressed with the operating force F1, the operating body 30 is tilted. This state is referred to as tilted state 1 .
- the pressing side of the operating body 30 sinks into the first holder 37 due to the operating force F1, and the flange portion 306 on the side opposite to the pressing side of the operating body 30 contacts the second holder 38 at the contact point P9. do. That is, the operating body 30 tilts with the contact point P9 as a tilting fulcrum.
- the tilting fulcrum may be referred to as a tilting fulcrum P9.
- the external shape of the flange portion 306 is a polygon (regular octagon), so that the flange portion 306 has a plurality of (e.g., eight) sides of the external shape.
- the entire one side L1 is in contact with the second holder 38 . Therefore, the operating body 30 tilts with the one side L1 in contact with the second holder 38 as a tilting axis.
- the tilting of the operating body 30 causes the first connection portion 322 to come into contact with the reference electrode 343 of the sensor substrate 34 on the pressing side of the moving electrode 32, but the second connection portion 323 do not contact the switch electrode 344 of the sensor substrate 34 .
- the operating body 30 is further pushed at the same pressing position P8.
- This state is referred to as tilted state 2 . That is, in the tilted state 2, one point (pressing position P8) on the outer edge of the pressure receiving surface 304a of the operating body 30 is pressed with an operating force F2 stronger than the operating force F1, so that the contact point P9 is used as a tilting fulcrum.
- Body 30 is further tilted.
- the first connection portion 322 contacts the reference electrode 343 of the sensor substrate 34 and the second connection portion 323 contacts the switch electrode 344 at the same time.
- the first connection portion 322 contacts the reference electrode 343 of the sensor substrate 34 , but the second connection portion 323 does not contact the switch electrode 344 of the sensor substrate 34 .
- Such a push operation can be used as a push operation at the start of a flick operation.
- Embodiment 2 (2-5) Modifications Embodiment 2 can be implemented in combination with Embodiment 1 and its modifications.
- the input device (1) of the first aspect includes a substrate (711), a fixed electrode (712), a reference electrode (713), a switch electrode (714), an operating body (2), and a moving electrode (4). , a holder (8).
- a fixed electrode (712), a reference electrode (713) and a switch electrode (714) are provided on the substrate (711).
- the operation body (2) is arranged to face the substrate (711), and can be vertically moved and tilted with respect to the substrate (711) by being pushed.
- the moving electrode (4) is provided on the operating body (2) and is movable together with the operating body (2).
- the mobile electrode (4) has a first connection (42) and a second connection (43). The first connecting portion (42) faces the reference electrode (713).
- the second connection part (43) faces the switch electrode (714).
- a substrate (711) is placed in the holder (8).
- the moving electrode (4) does not contact the fixed electrode (712), the reference electrode (713) and the switch electrode (714).
- the first connection portion (42) contacts the reference electrode (713), and then the second connection portion (43) contacts the switch electrode (714).
- the operating body (2) when the operating body (2) is pushed, first the first connecting portion (42) comes into contact with the reference electrode (713) and the moving electrode (4) changes to the reference potential. This changes the capacitance of the fixed electrode (712), making it possible to detect the operation performed on the operating body (2).
- the second connection part (43) contacts the switch electrode (714), and the switch electrode (714) changes to the reference potential via the moving electrode (4). .
- the switch electrode (714) By setting the switch electrode (714) to the reference potential in this manner, it is detected that the operating body (2) has tilted by a predetermined tilt amount. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the operation is detected in a range where the tilting amount of the operating body (2) is equal to or greater than the predetermined tilting amount.
- the operation body (2) is provided on the surface of the operation body (2) facing the substrate (711) or the holder (8). It has a part (22). When the operation body (2) is tilted, the operation body (2) tilts with the contact portion (22) in contact with the holder (8) or the substrate (711) as the tilting fulcrum.
- the operation body (2) when the operation body (2) is tilted, the operation body (2) is tilted about the contact part (22) in contact with the holder (8) or the substrate (711) as a fulcrum.
- the tilting motion of the body (2) can be stabilized.
- the fixed electrode (712) includes a plurality of divided electrodes (10) arranged in a ring.
- the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2) is the direction around the center of the fixed electrode (712) specified by tilting the operating body (2) by the tilting operation.
- the reference electrode (713) and the switch electrode (714) are each ring concentric with the fixed electrode (712).
- the timing at which the moving electrode (4) contacts the reference electrode (713) and the switch electrode (714) can be stabilized regardless of the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2).
- each of the plurality of divided electrodes (10) has an annular driving electrode (11) and a receiving electrode (12).
- the drive electrode (11) is commonly used among the plurality of split electrodes (10) and has a plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes (11a).
- the receiving electrode (12) has a plurality of second comb-teeth electrodes (12a) that mesh with the plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes (11a).
- Receiving electrodes (12) of each of the plurality of segmented electrodes (10) are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the driving electrodes (11).
- each of the plurality of divided electrodes (10) has a plurality of drive electrodes (11) having a plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes (11a) and a plurality of second electrodes (11a) meshing with the plurality of first comb-teeth electrodes (11a). It is composed of a receiving electrode (12) having a comb-teeth electrode (12a). This makes it difficult to be affected by noise when detecting the capacitance between the moving electrode (4) and the fixed electrode (712) (that is, the plurality of split electrodes (10)). Also, by controlling the driving electrodes (11), the divided electrodes (10) used for detecting the operation can be selected. For example, all the divided electrodes (10) are used when detecting the tilt direction ( ⁇ ). Also, when detecting a slide operation, only two split electrodes (10) on the slide movement line are used, so that the detection speed when detecting the operation can be increased.
- the first connection part (42) is closer to the substrate (711) than the second connection part (43). protrudes to
- the first connection portion (42) is easily brought into contact with the reference electrode (713) first, and then the second connection portion (43) is brought into contact with the reference electrode (713).
- a switch electrode (714) may be contacted.
- the contact surface (22a) of the contact portion (22) faces the contact surface (22a)
- a space (S1) is secured between the substrate (711) and the holder (8).
- the operating body (2) when the operation body (2) is pushed, the contact surface (22a) of the contact part (22) and the substrate (711) or holder (8) facing this contact surface (22a) By shortening the space (S1) between, the operating body (2) can be displaced toward the substrate (711).
- the center of the pressure receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) when the center of the pressure receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) is pressed, the operating body (2) can be displaced toward the substrate (711).
- the contact surface (22a) of the contact part (22) is flat, and the first connection part (42) of the moving electrode (11) is: The contact surface (22a) of the contact portion (22) of the operating body (2) and the substrate (711) facing the contact surface (22a) or the holder (8) are in surface contact.
- the first connection (42) is in contact with the reference electrode (713) and the second connection (43) is not in contact with the switch electrode (714).
- the operation body (2) when performing a flick operation, if the center of the operation surface (523) of the operation button (520) is touched (lightly pressed), the operation body (2) will move in the direction perpendicular to the substrate (711).
- the contact surface (22a) which is the flat surface of the contact part (22) of the operating body (2), is in surface contact with the substrate (711) or the holder (8), and the movable electrode (11) and the fixed electrode (712) are brought into surface contact. ) are parallel to each other and the posture of the operating body (2) is maintained.
- the first connecting portion (42) is bent and comes into contact with the reference electrode (713), the moving electrode (4) becomes the reference potential, and the touch of the operation button (520) is caused by the capacitance of the fixed electrode (712). Operation status can be detected.
- flicking starts, that is, the pressing position pressed by the operating force on the pressure receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) is moved from the center toward a certain position on the outer edge, and the operating body (2) is moved. It is possible to stabilize the state of the center touch (the state of the input prediction screen G1 in the flick operation) before tilting the .
- the contact portion (22) has a contact surface (22a) with a circular outer shape.
- the contact surface (22a) contacts the holder (8) or the substrate (711), and when the operating body (2) is tilted, the operating body (2) is tilted. Tilting around a predetermined tilting axis (A1).
- the predetermined tilt axis (A1) is the tangent line at the intersection (P1) of the contour line (22b) of the contact surface (22a) in plan view.
- the contact surface (22a) of the contact portion (22) comes into surface contact with the substrate (711) or the holder (8). This makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the operating body (2) when the operating body (2) is pushed.
- the predetermined tilting axis (A1) when tilting the operating body (2) is the tangent line at the intersection (P1) of the contour line (22b) of the contact surface (22a) of the contact portion (22). . Therefore, when the operating body (2) is pushed, the operating body (2) can be tilted toward the pressed position (P2).
- the contact part (22) has a contact surface (22a) whose external shape is a polygon having a plurality of sides (M1).
- the operating body (2) tilts with one of the plurality of sides (M1) of the contact surface (22a) as a tilting axis.
- the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2) is set to the plurality of sides (M1) of the contact surface (22a) of the contact portion (22). can be restricted to the direction perpendicular to one side of
- the fixed electrode (712) includes a plurality of split electrodes (10) arranged in a ring.
- a bisector (L4) that bisects the length (W1) in the width direction of each of the plurality of split electrodes (10) in a plan view seen from a direction orthogonal to the substrate (711) is the abutment portion.
- One side of the plurality of sides (M1) of the external shape (22) is bisected.
- the detection when detecting the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2), the detection can be stabilized.
- the contact portion (22) has a contact surface (22a) that is a convex curved surface.
- the operating body (2) tilts with the contact point (P6) between the convex curved surface of the contact portion (22) and the substrate (711) or the holder (8) as a tilting fulcrum.
- the tilting fulcrum (P6) moves on the convex curved surface (22a).
- the contact surface (22a) of the contact portion (22) is a convex curved surface
- the tilting fulcrum (P6) moves. 2
- the capacitance of the fixed electrode (712) changes smoothly as the pressing position (P5) moves.
- the moving electrode (4) is made of a conductive elastic body.
- the moving electrode (4) has a flat portion (45), a first connecting portion (42), a second connecting portion (43) and a flexible portion (44).
- the flat portion (45) faces the fixed electrode (712).
- the first connecting portion (42) faces the reference electrode (713).
- the second connection part (43) faces the switch electrode (714).
- the flexible portion (44) contacts the substrate (711).
- the flexible part (44) maintains the posture of the operating body (2) so that the plane part (45) is parallel to the fixed electrode (712) when the operating body (2) is not operated.
- the flexible part (44) urges the operating body (2) so that the plane part (45) returns to a state parallel to the fixed electrode (712).
- the switch electrode (714) in the moving electrode (4) and the contact means can be formed in a single piece. As a result, the size of the input device (1) can be reduced.
- the input device (1) of the fourteenth aspect in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, further comprises a spring (35) that biases the operating body (2).
- the moving electrodes (32) are made of a conductive elastic material.
- the moving electrode (32) has a planar portion (324), a first connection portion (322) and a second connection portion (323).
- the flat portion (324) faces the fixed electrode (342).
- the first connecting portion (42) faces the reference electrode (343).
- the second connection (43) faces the switch electrode (344).
- a spring (35) urges the operation body (30) so that the flat portion (324) is parallel to the fixed electrode (342).
- the contact means for the moving electrode (32) with the reference electrode (343) and the contact means for the moving electrode (32) with the switch electrode (344) can be formed in a single part. As a result, the size of the input device (1) can be reduced.
- the outer shape of the operating body (2) is a polygon having a plurality of sides (L1).
- the operating body (2) is tilted, one of the plurality of sides (L1) of the external shape of the operating body (2) contacts the substrate (711) or the holder (8).
- the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2) when the operating body (2) is tilted can be restricted to the direction orthogonal to the one side.
- the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2) is limited to the direction orthogonal to each side (L1) of the polygon of the outer shape of the operating body (2). It becomes easier to accurately select the desired tilting direction ( ⁇ ) without looking at (2).
- the fixed electrode (712) includes a plurality of split electrodes (10) arranged in a ring.
- a bisector (L4) that bisects the length (W1) in the width direction of each of the plurality of split electrodes (10) in a plan view seen from a direction orthogonal to the substrate (711) is the operating body ( 2)
- One side of the plurality of sides (L1) of the external shape is divided into two equal parts.
- the detection when detecting the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2), the detection can be stabilized.
- the operation body (2) is connected to the substrate (711) or the holder (8) in the operation body (2). It has a plurality of projections (27) provided along the periphery of the facing surface. When the operation body (2) is operated to tilt, two adjacent protrusions (27) out of the plurality of protrusions (27) come into contact with the holder (8) or the substrate (711).
- the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2) when the operating body (2) is tilted is set in the direction orthogonal to the line segment connecting the two adjacent convex portions (27).
- the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2) is limited to the direction orthogonal to the line segment connecting two adjacent convex portions (27) among the plurality of convex portions (27). Therefore, it becomes easier to accurately select the desired tilting direction ( ⁇ ) without looking at the operating body (2).
- the fixed electrode (712) includes a plurality of split electrodes (10) arranged in a ring.
- a virtual line that bisects the length (W1) in the width direction of each of the plurality of split electrodes (10) in a plan view seen from a direction perpendicular to the substrate (711) corresponds to the width of the plurality of protrusions (27).
- a line segment connecting two adjacent protrusions (27) is bisected.
- the detection when detecting the tilting direction ( ⁇ ) of the operating body (2), the detection can be stabilized.
- the operation body (2) performs at least one of flick operation, rotation operation, swipe operation and slide operation. accept the operation.
- the flick operation is an operation of pressing the central portion of the pressure receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) to move the pressed position from the central portion toward a point on the outer edge.
- the rotation operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the outer edge of the pressure receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) and moving the pressed position from the arbitrary position along the outer edge in a circular shape.
- a swipe operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the outer edge of the pressure-receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) and linearly moving the pressed position to a point on the outer edge opposite to the arbitrary position.
- the slide operation is an operation of pressing an arbitrary position on the pressure receiving surface (21a) of the operating body (2) to linearly move the pressed position through the center of the pressure receiving surface (21a).
- the operation body (2) can accept at least one of flick operation, rotation operation, swipe operation, and slide operation.
- the embedded device (500) of the twentieth aspect comprises the input device (1) of any one of the first to nineteenth aspects, a rubber sheet (510), an operation button (520), and a base (530). and a cover panel (540).
- a rubber sheet (510) is arranged on the front side of the operation body (2; 30) of the input device (1).
- the operation button (520) is arranged on the front side of the rubber sheet (510).
- the base (530) has a housing recess (533) capable of housing the input device (1), the rubber sheet (510) and the operation button (520).
- the cover panel (540) has an opening (541) that exposes the operation button (520), and the input device (1), the rubber sheet (510) and the operation button (520) are accommodated in the accommodation recess (533). attached to the front surface of the base (530).
Landscapes
- Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
Abstract
Description
本実施形態に係る入力装置及び組込装置について、図面を参照して詳細に説明する。本実施形態で説明する構成は、本開示の一例にすぎない。本開示は、本実施形態に限定されず、本開示に係る技術的思想を逸脱しない範囲であれば、設計等に応じて種々の変更が可能である。
図1~図3を参照して、本実施形態に係る組込装置500について説明する。
図4~図12を参照して、入力装置1について詳しく説明する。
図4及び図5に示すように、入力装置1は、操作体2、前面接着シート3、移動電極4、後面接着シート5、絶縁フィルム6、センサ基板7、及びホルダ8を備えている。移動電極4、後面接着シート5、絶縁フィルム6、及びセンサ基板7は、上述の検出装置14を構成する。
操作体2は、操作ボタン520を介して操作者の操作が入力される部分である。操作体2は、センサ基板7の後述のセンサ部71の第1基板711と対向して配置され、押操作されることで第1基板711に対して垂直方向移動可能かつ傾倒可能である。操作体2は、例えば多角形(より詳細には正多角形、具体的には正8角形)の平板状である。操作体2は、例えば、無色透明の樹脂で形成されている。
移動電極4は、操作体2と一体となって移動(変位)する電極である。移動電極4は、導電性を有する弾性部材(例えば導電エラストマ又は導電ゴム)で形成されている。移動電極4の前面は、前面接着シート3を介して操作体2の後面(基板部21の後面)に固定される。
前面接着シート3は、移動電極4を操作体2に固定するための両面接着シートである。前面接着シート3は、例えば円環形のシート状である。前面接着シート3は、移動電極4の基板部41の前面と操作体2の基板部21の後面との間に配置される。これにより、前面接着シート3によって、移動電極4の前面(基板部41の前面)は操作体2の後面(基板部21の後面)に固定される。
センサ基板7は、例えばFPC(Flexible printed circuits)である。センサ基板7は、センサ部71と、制御部72と、連結部73とを有する(図4参照)。センサ部71及び制御部72は、連結部73によって互いに連結されている。センサ基板7は、センサ部71が制御部72の前側に重なるように、連結部73で折り曲げられている。センサ部71はホルダ8の前面に配置され、制御部72はホルダ8の後面に配置される。
なお、式1では、センサ部71の第1基板711に直交する方向(すなわち第1基板711の表面(実装面)の法線方向)からの平面視で見た平面を想定し、その平面において、固定電極712の中心を原点とするXY座標を想定している。このとき、4つの分割電極10はそれぞれ、X軸の+側、X軸の-側、Y軸の+側、及びY軸の-側に配置される(図6参照)。これら4つの分割電極10がそれぞれ、上記の4方向(X+,X-,Y+,Y-)の分割電極10である。また、式1のθは、XY座標の原点回りの方向角である。なお、方向角とは、XY座標の原点から放射状に向かう方向を表す角度であり、操作体2が傾倒する方向(傾倒方向)を示す。すなわち、傾倒方向θは、XY座標の原点回りの方向角として定義されている。すなわち、この入力装置1では、操作体2を操作力で押圧して押圧方向に対して操作体2を傾倒させることで、その傾倒で特定される方向角が表す方向を傾倒方向と定義している。
ホルダ8は、入力装置1の内部部品(操作体2、前面接着シート3、移動電極4、後面接着シート5、絶縁フィルム6、及びセンサ基板7)を収容する筐体である。ホルダ8は、例えば矩形平板状である。ホルダ8の前面には、第1収容凹部81が設けられている。第1収容凹部81には、操作体2、移動電極4、絶縁フィルム6、及びセンサ基板7のセンサ部71が収容される(図8A参照)。また、ホルダ8の後面には、第2収容凹部82が設けられている。第2収容凹部82には、センサ基板7の制御部72が収容される(図8A参照)。第1収容凹部81の底面には、操作体2の凸部22と嵌り合う凹部83が設けられている。凹部83の底面83aは平面で第1収容凹部81の底面と平行である。また、凹部83の底面83aには、制御部72の第2基板721の中央の発光部722aからの光が通過する貫通孔84が設けられている。
図6は、センサ基板7を前側から見た平面図である。図6に示すように、センサ基板7は、センサ部71及び制御部72を有し、センサ部71が制御部72の前側に重って配置されている。
図7は、操作体2及び移動電極4の組付状態を後側(裏側)から見た斜視図である。
(入力装置の待機状態)
図8A及び図8Bは、入力装置1の待機状態を示す断面図である。入力装置1の待機状態とは、入力装置1の操作体2が操作者によって操作されていない状態(すなわち組込装置500の操作ボタン520が操作者によって操作されていない状態)である。図8A及び図8Bに示すように、入力装置1の待機状態では、移動電極4の可撓部44は、移動電極4の平面部45がセンサ基板7の固定電極712に対して平行になるように操作体2の姿勢を維持する。この状態では、移動電極4において、第1接続部42は、基準電極713と接触しておらず、第2接続部43は、スイッチ電極714と接触していない。なお、第1接続部42の後端面42aは、第2接続部43の後端面43aよりも後方(センサ基板7側)に突出している。また、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aとホルダ8の凹部83の底面83aとの間には間隔S1が確保されている。
図9A及び図9Bは、入力装置1の中央プッシュ状態を示す断面図である。入力装置1の中央プッシュ状態とは、図9Aに示すように、入力装置1の操作体2の受圧面21aの中央に操作力F1が作用して、操作体2が操作力F1の作用方向に変位した状態である。すなわち、入力装置1の中央プッシュ状態とは、入力装置1の待機状態から、操作者の押操作によって操作体2を傾倒させずに押下した状態(すなわち操作体2をセンサ基板7の第1基板71に直交する方向に押し込んだ状態(操作体2が垂直方向移動した状態))である。
図10A及び図10Bは、入力装置1の傾倒状態を示す断面図である。入力装置1の傾倒状態とは、図10Aに示すように、入力装置1の操作体2の受圧面21aの外周縁の一点に操作力F1が作用して、操作体2が操作力F1の作用方向に対して傾倒した状態である。すなわち、入力装置1の傾倒状態とは、操作者の傾倒操作によって操作体2が傾倒した状態である。なお、傾倒操作とは、操作体2を押下することで操作体2を、操作体2の押下方向(センサ基板7の第1基板711に直交する方向)に対して傾倒させる操作である。図10Aの例では、矢印Y1のように、図9Aの中央プッシュ状態から操作力F1を操作体2の受圧面21aの中心P3から外縁の一点P2に移動させた場合を例示する。
図10A及び図10Bに示す傾倒状態のように、操作体2が傾倒操作されると、センサ基板7の第1基板711に直交する方向D1からの平面視で、操作体2の外周辺がセンサ部71に接触するまでは、操作体2は、図11に示すように、所定の傾倒軸A1の周りに傾倒する。上記の平面視で、操作体2において、押操作された押圧位置(操作力F1が作用する作用点)P2と操作体2の受圧面21aの中心P3とを結ぶ仮想線L2と、接触面22aの輪郭線22bとが交差する点を第1交点P1とする。このとき、所定の傾倒軸A1は、上記の平面視で、接触面22aの輪郭線22bにおける第1交点P1での接線である。したがって、操作体2の外形形状の外周辺がセンサ基板7のセンサ部71に接触するまでの間の操作体2の傾倒方向θは、上記の平面視で、第1交点P1から押圧位置P2に向かう方向である。
図12に示すように、入力装置1では、操作体2の外形形状は複数(例えば8つ)の辺を有する多角形(例えば正8角形)である。固定電極712は、環状(例えば円状)に並んだ複数(例えば4つ)の分割電極10を有する。センサ基板7の第1基板711に直交する方向から見た平面視で、複数の分割電極10の各々の幅方向(円弧方向)の長さW1を2等分する2等分線L4は、操作体2の外形形状(多角形)の複数の辺L1のうちの一辺を2等分する。
本実施形態に係る入力装置は、基板(第1基板711)と、固定電極712、基準電極713及びスイッチ電極714と、操作体2と、移動電極4と、を備えている。固定電極712、基準電極713及びスイッチ電極714は、基板711に設けられている。操作体2は、基板711と対向して配置され、押操作されることで基板711に対して垂直方向移動可能かつ傾倒可能である。移動電極4は、操作体2に設けられて操作体2と一体で移動可能である。移動電極4は、第1接続部42と、第2接続部43と、を有する。第1接続部42は、基準電極713と対向する。第2接続部43は、スイッチ電極714と対向する。操作体2が押操作されないときは、移動電極4は、固定電極712、基準電極713及びスイッチ電極714と接触せず、操作体2が押操作されたときは、第1接続部42が基準電極と接触し、その後、さらに第2接続部43がスイッチ電極714と接触する。
実施形態1の変形例について説明する。以下の説明では、実施形態1と同じ構成要素には同じ符号を付して説明を省略し、実施形態1と異なる部分を中心に説明する。なお、実施形態1及び後述の変形例を組み合わせて実施してもよい。
実施形態1では、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aの外形形状は円形である(図5参照)。これに対し、本変形例では、図13に示すように、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aの外形形状は、操作体2の外形形状(例えば正8角形)と同形の多角形(例えば正8角形)である。より詳細には、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aの外形形状の正8角形は、操作体2の外形形状の正8角形と同心状であり、かつ向きが一致している。すなわち、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aの外形形状の正8角形の各辺M1はそれぞれ、操作体2の外形形状の正8角形の各辺L1と平行である。
実施形態1では、操作体2は、平面視多角形(例えば正8角形)の後面リブ23を有する。これに対し、本変形例では、図14に示すように、後面リブ23の代わりに、操作体2の基板部21の後面(すなわちホルダ8との対向面)の外周縁に沿って設けられた複数(例えば8つ)の凸部27を有する。複数の凸部27は、操作体2の外形形状(正8角形)の各頂点に対応する位置(各頂点の近傍)に設けられている。複数の凸部27は、例えば半球体状である。
実施形態1では、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aは、平面である。これに対し、本変形例では、図15に示すように、操作体2の凸部22の接触面22aは、凸曲面状(例えば緩やかな半球面状)である。本変形例では、ホルダ8の凹部83の底面83aは、実施形態1の場合と同様に平面である。なお、図15の例では、凸部22の接触面22aの直径は、実施形態1の凸部22の直径(図5参照)よりも大きいが、凸部22の接触面22aの直径の大きさは、特に限定されない。
本変形例では、組込装置500(入力装置1)に入力可能な操作の種類を例示する。
図17Aの矢印Y2,Y3に示すように、フリック操作は、操作ボタン520の操作面523において、中央を押圧して、押圧位置を中央から外縁上の或る位置に向けて移動させる操作である。換言すれば、フリック操作は、操作体2の受圧面21aにおいて、中央を押圧して、押圧位置を中央から外縁上の或る位置に向けて移動させる操作である。
図18の矢印Y4に示すように、回転操作は、操作ボタン520の操作面523において、外縁上の任意の位置を押圧し、押圧位置を外縁に沿って円状に移動させる操作である。換言すれば、回転操作は、操作体2の受圧面21aにおいて、外縁上の任意の位置を押圧し、押圧位置を外縁に沿って円状に移動させる操作である。
図19の矢印Y5に示すように、スワイプ操作は、操作ボタン520の操作面523において、外縁上の任意の位置を押圧し、押圧位置を中心を通って反対側の外縁上の位置に直線状に移動させる操作である。換言すれば、スワイプ操作は、操作体2の受圧面21aにおいて、外縁上の任意の位置を押圧し、押圧位置を中心を通って反対側の外縁上の位置に直線状に移動させる操作である。
図20の矢印Y6に示すように、スライド操作は、操作ボタン520の操作面523において、任意の位置を押圧して、押圧位置を直線状に移動させる操作である。換言すれば、スライド操作は、操作体2の受圧面21aにおいて、任意の位置を押圧して、押圧位置を直線状に移動させる操作である。
本実施形態では、操作体2が操作されたとき、操作体2の凸部22はホルダ8(より詳細には凹部83の底面83a)と接触する構造であるが、操作体2が操作されたとき、操作体2の凸部22は、センサ部71の第1基板711と接触する構造であってもよい。この場合、凸部22は、操作体2における第1基板711との対向面に設けられる。すなわち、操作体2が操作されたとき、操作体2の凸部22は、ホルダ8又は第1基板711に接触する構造であればよい。
本実施形態では、操作体2には、当接部として凸部22が設けられており、ホルダ8には、凸部22と嵌り合う凹部83が設けられている(1つ目の変形例)。ただし、操作体2に、当接部として凹部83が設けられ、ホルダ8に凸部22が設けられてもよい。
図21~図28を参照して、本実施形態に係る入力装置1について説明する。
図21及び図22に示すように、入力装置1は、操作体30、接着シート31、移動電極32、絶縁フィルム33、センサ基板34、バネ35、球36、第1ホルダ37、及び第2ホルダ38を備えている。
操作体30は、操作者の操作が入力される部分である。操作体30は、例えば多角形(例えば正8角形)の平板状である。
移動電極32は、操作体30と一体となって移動(変位)する電極である。移動電極32は、バネ性を有する金属で板状に形成されている。移動電極32の前面は、接着シート31を介して操作体30の基板部301の後面に固定される。移動電極32は、本体部321と、第1接続部322と、第2接続部323と、平面部324とを有する。本体部321は、センサ基板34の固定電極342と対向する部分であり、例えば、中央に開口部32aを有する円環形の板状である。第1接続部322は、センサ基板34の基準電極343と接触する部分である。第2接続部323は、センサ基板34のスイッチ電極344と接触する部分である。本体部321における固定電極342と対向する領域は、平滑な平面を有する平面部324を構成している。
接着シート31は、移動電極32を操作体30に固定するための両面接着シートである。接着シート31は、例えば円環形のシート状である。接着シート31は、移動電極32の本体部321の前面と操作体30の基板部301の後面との間に配置される。これにより、接着シート31によって、移動電極32の前面(本体部321の前面)は、操作体30の後面(基板部301の後面)に固定される。
センサ基板34は、例えばFPCである。センサ基板34は、基板341と、固定電極342と、基準電極343と、スイッチ電極344とを備えている。基板341は、基板本体3411と、引出部3412とを有する。基板本体3411は、例えば円環板状である。基板本体3411は、当接部303が配置する開口部341aを有する。基板本体3411の前面には、固定電極342と、基準電極343と、スイッチ電極344とが設けられている。引出部3412は、基板本体から外部に配線電極(例えば基準電極343からの配線電極)を引き出すための基板である。
球36及びバネ35は、第1ホルダ37の球収納部372内に収納される。バネ35は、球36と球収納部372の底との間に配置されて、球36を前側(すなわち操作体30側)に付勢する。これにより、バネ35は、移動電極32の平面部324が固定電極342に対して平行になるように操作体30を付勢する。球36は、球収納部372によって、前後方向(第1ホルダ37の柱軸方向)への移動が許容され、前後方向に直交する方向への移動が禁止される。球36は、バネ35によって前方に付勢されることで、操作体30の凹部302に嵌合する。この嵌合によって、操作体30は、バネ35に付勢された球36によって前側に付勢される。また、上記の嵌合によって、操作体30は、第1ホルダ37に対して、前後方向に直交する方向に移動すること(スライドすること)が禁止される。
第1ホルダ37は、入力装置1の内部部品(操作体30、接着シート31、移動電極32、絶縁フィルム33、センサ基板34、バネ35、及び球36)を収容する筐体である。
図23は、センサ基板34を前側から見た平面図である。図23に示すように、センサ基板34の基板341には、開口部341aが設けられており、センサ基板34の前面(基板341の前面)には、固定電極342、基準電極343及びスイッチ電極344が設けられている。
図24は、操作体30及び移動電極32の組付状態を後側から見た斜視図である。
図25~図28を参照して、操作体30を傾倒操作したときの入力装置1の動作を説明する。図25に示すように、入力装置1の待機状態では、バネ35の付勢力によって球36が前側に移動されており、この球36によって、操作体30のフランジ部306が第2ホルダ38に接触するまで、操作体30が前側に移動されている。この状態では、移動電極32において、第1接続部322は、基準電極343と接触しておらず、第2接続部323は、スイッチ電極344と接触していない。また、移動電極32は、センサ基板34の固定電極342に対して平行である。また、操作体30の当接部303の接触面303aと第1ホルダ37の段差部373の接触面373aとの間には間隔S1が確保されている。
実施形態2は、実施形態1及びその変形例と組み合わせて実施可能である。
上記の実施形態及び変形例から本開示は下記の態様を取り得る。
2,30 操作体
4,32 移動電極
8 ホルダ
10 分割電極
11 駆動電極
11a 第1櫛歯電極
12 受信電極
12a 第2櫛歯電極
21a,304a 受圧面
22 凸部(当接部)
22a 接触面
22b 輪郭線
27 凸部
35 バネ
42,322 第1接続部
43,323 第2接続部
44 可撓部
45,324 平面部
342,712 固定電極
343,713 基準電極
344,714 スイッチ電極
434 基準電極
500 組込装置
510 ラバーシート
520 操作ボタン
530 ベース
533 収容凹部
540 カバーパネル
541 開口部
711 基板
A1 傾倒軸
L1 辺
L2 仮想線
L4 2等分線
M1 辺
P1 交点
P2 押圧位置
P3 中心
P5 押圧位置
P6 接触点(傾倒支点)
S1 間隔
θ 傾倒方向
Claims (20)
- 基板と、
前記基板に設けられた固定電極、基準電極及びスイッチ電極と、
前記基板と対向して配置され、押操作されることで前記基板に対して垂直方向移動可能かつ傾倒可能な操作体と、
前記操作体に設けられて前記操作体と一体で移動可能な移動電極と、
前記基板が配置されるホルダと、を備え、
前記移動電極は、前記基準電極と対向する第1接続部と、前記スイッチ電極と対向する第2接続部とを有し、
前記操作体が押操作されないときは、前記移動電極は、前記固定電極、前記基準電極及び前記スイッチ電極と接触せず、前記操作体が押操作されたときは、前記第1接続部が前記基準電極と接触し、その後、さらに前記第2接続部が前記スイッチ電極と接触する
入力装置。 - 前記操作体は、前記操作体における前記基板又は前記ホルダとの対向面に設けられた当接部を有し、
前記操作体が傾倒操作されたとき、前記ホルダ又は前記基板に接触した前記当接部を傾倒支点として前記操作体が傾倒する
請求項1に記載の入力装置。 - 前記固定電極は、環状に並んだ複数の分割電極を含む、
請求項1又は2に記載の入力装置。 - 前記基準電極及び前記スイッチ電極はそれぞれ、前記固定電極と同心状の環状である、
請求項3に記載の入力装置。 - 前記複数の分割電極はそれぞれ、
前記複数の分割電極の間で共通で用いられ、複数の第1櫛歯電極を有する環状の駆動電極と、
前記複数の第1櫛歯電極と噛み合う複数の第2櫛歯電極を有する受信電極と、を有し、
前記複数の分割電極の各々の前記受信電極は、前記駆動電極の周方向に並んで配置されている
請求項3又は4に記載の入力装置。 - 前記第1接続部は、前記第2接続部よりも前記基板の側に突出している
請求項1~5のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置。 - 前記操作体が操作されないとき、前記当接部の接触面と、前記接触面と対向する前記基板又は前記ホルダとの間には、間隔が確保されている
請求項2に記載の入力装置。 - 前記当接部の前記接触面は平面であり、前記移動電極の前記第1接続部は、弾性的に可撓可能であり、前記操作体の前記当接部の前記接触面と、前記接触面と対向する前記基板又は前記ホルダとが面接触したときは、前記第1接続部は前記基準電極と接触しており、前記第2接続部は前記スイッチ電極と接触していない
請求項7に記載の入力装置。 - 前記当接部は、外形形状が円形である接触面を有し、
前記操作体が押操作されたとき、前記接触面が前記ホルダ又は前記基板と接触し、さらに前記操作体が傾倒操作されると、前記操作体は所定の傾倒軸の回りに傾倒し、
前記基板に直交する方向からの平面視で、前記操作体において、押操作された押圧位置と前記操作体の受圧面の中心とを結ぶ仮想線と前記接触面の輪郭線とが交差する点を交点とすると、前記所定の傾倒軸は、前記平面視で、前記接触面の前記輪郭線における前記交点での接線である
請求項2に記載の入力装置。 - 前記当接部は、外形形状が複数の辺を有する多角形である接触面を有し、
前記操作体が傾倒操作されたとき、前記操作体は、前記接触面の前記複数の辺のうちの一辺を傾倒軸として傾倒する
請求項2に記載の入力装置。 - 前記固定電極は、環状に並んだ複数の分割電極を含み、
前記基板に直交する方向から見た平面視で、前記複数の分割電極の各々の幅方向の長さを2等分する2等分線は、前記当接部の前記外形形状の前記複数の辺のうちの一辺を2等分する
請求項10に記載の入力装置。 - 前記当接部は、凸曲面である接触面を有し、
前記操作体が押圧されたとき、前記操作体は、前記当接部の前記凸曲面と前記基板又は前記ホルダとの接触点を傾倒支点として傾倒し、
前記操作体が押圧されたときの押圧位置が前記操作体上を移動するのに伴って、前記傾倒支点が前記凸曲面上を移動する
請求項2に記載の入力装置。 - 前記移動電極は、導電性を有する弾性体で形成されており、
前記移動電極は、
前記固定電極と対向する平面部と、
前記基準電極と対向する前記第1接続部と、
前記スイッチ電極と対向する前記第2接続部と、
前記基板と接触する可撓部と、
を有し、
前記可撓部は、前記操作体が操作されないときは、前記平面部が前記固定電極に対して平行になるように前記操作体の姿勢を維持し、前記操作体が操作されたときは、前記平面部が前記固定電極に対して平行な状態に戻るように前記操作体を付勢する、
請求項1~12のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置。 - 前記操作体を付勢するバネを更に備え、
前記移動電極は、導電性を有する弾性体で形成されており、
前記移動電極は、
前記固定電極と対向する平面部と、
前記基準電極と対向する前記第1接続部と、
前記スイッチ電極と対向する前記第2接続部と、を有し、
前記バネは、前記平面部が前記固定電極に対して平行になるように前記操作体を付勢する、
請求項1~12のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置。 - 前記操作体の外形形状は、複数の辺を有する多角形であり、
前記操作体が傾倒操作されたとき、前記操作体の前記外形形状の複数の辺のうちの一辺が前記基板又は前記ホルダに接触する
請求項1~14のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置。 - 前記固定電極は、環状に並んだ複数の分割電極を含み、
前記基板に直交する方向から見た平面視で、前記複数の分割電極の各々の幅方向の長さを2等分する2等分線は、前記操作体の前記外形形状の前記複数の辺のうちの一辺を2等分する
請求項15に記載の入力装置。 - 前記操作体は、前記操作体における前記基板又は前記ホルダとの対向面の周縁に沿って設けられた複数の凸部を有し、
前記操作体が傾倒操作されたとき、前記複数の凸部のうちの隣り合う2つの凸部が前記ホルダ又は前記基板に接触する
請求項1~14のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置。 - 前記固定電極は、環状に並んだ複数の分割電極を含み、
前記基板に直交する方向から見た平面視で、前記複数の分割電極の各々の幅方向の長さを2等分する仮想線は、前記複数の凸部のうちの隣り合う2つの凸部を結ぶ線分を2等分する
請求項17に記載の入力装置。 - 前記操作体は、フリック操作、回転操作、スワイプ操作及びスライド操作のうちの少なくとも1つの操作を受け付け、
前記フリック操作は、前記操作体の受圧面において、中央部を押圧して、押圧位置を前記中央部から外縁上の一点に向けて移動させる操作であり、
前記回転操作は、前記操作体の前記受圧面において、外縁上の任意の位置を押圧し、押圧位置を前記任意の位置から前記外縁に沿って円状に移動させる操作であり、
前記スワイプ操作は、前記操作体の前記受圧面において、外縁上の任意の位置を押圧し、押圧位置を前記任意の位置とは反対側の外縁上の一点まで直線状に移動させる操作であり、
前記スライド操作は、前記操作体の前記受圧面において、任意の位置を押圧して、押圧位置を、前記受圧面の中心を通って直線状に移動させる操作である
請求項1~18のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置。 - 請求項1~19のいずれか1項に記載の入力装置と、
前記入力装置の操作体の前側に配置されるラバーシートと、
前記ラバーシートの前側に配置される操作ボタンと、
前記入力装置、前記ラバーシート及び前記操作ボタンを収容可能な収容凹部を有するベースと、
前記操作ボタンを露出する開口部を有し、前記収容凹部に前記入力装置、前記ラバーシート及び前記操作ボタンが収容された状態で、前記ベースの前面に取り付けられるカバーパネルと、を備える、
組込装置。
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JP2004020210A (ja) * | 2002-06-12 | 2004-01-22 | Nitta Ind Corp | 静電容量式センサ |
JP2007149534A (ja) * | 2005-11-29 | 2007-06-14 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | 荷重検知センサ、着座装置およびヘッドレスト |
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JP2004020210A (ja) * | 2002-06-12 | 2004-01-22 | Nitta Ind Corp | 静電容量式センサ |
JP2007149534A (ja) * | 2005-11-29 | 2007-06-14 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | 荷重検知センサ、着座装置およびヘッドレスト |
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