WO2023100563A1 - 操作入力装置 - Google Patents

操作入力装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023100563A1
WO2023100563A1 PCT/JP2022/040379 JP2022040379W WO2023100563A1 WO 2023100563 A1 WO2023100563 A1 WO 2023100563A1 JP 2022040379 W JP2022040379 W JP 2022040379W WO 2023100563 A1 WO2023100563 A1 WO 2023100563A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
input device
operation input
opening
light guide
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2022/040379
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
英明 江頭
武 増谷
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd filed Critical Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority to JP2023564814A priority Critical patent/JP7539589B2/ja
Publication of WO2023100563A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023100563A1/ja
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an operation input device.
  • a detection electrode is formed on one surface side, a flat substrate (wiring substrate) equipped with a light emitting element on the other surface side, and a flat substrate (wiring substrate) arranged on one surface side of the substrate and introduced from the light emitting element
  • An illuminated touch switch device having a light guide plate for radiating light to the outside from an operation panel on the opposite side of a substrate is disclosed.
  • the light guide plate includes a light guide plate main body provided so as to cover the detection electrode, and an extension portion extending from the light guide plate main body to the other surface side of the substrate and guiding light emitted from the light emitting element to the light guide plate main body.
  • the conventional light guide plate guides the light emitted by the light emitter to the operation panel through the extension part and the light guide plate body.
  • the optical path length from the light emitter to the operation panel becomes long, and the light emitted from the operation panel becomes dark, for example, leaving room for improvement in the display quality of the operation panel. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an operation input device capable of suppressing deterioration of the display quality of the operation panel.
  • An operation input device includes an operation panel, a frame arranged on the back surface side of the operation panel, a substrate arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel when viewed from the frame, and light.
  • the operation panel includes a light emitting body that emits light and a light guide that guides light.
  • the operation panel has a panel display part that at least partially transmits light, and the frame corresponds to the panel display part.
  • the substrate has a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening, and the light emitter is opposite the frame when viewed from the substrate. light is emitted toward the light guide, and the light guide is provided at least inside the first opening and inside the second opening. The light emitted from the light emitter is guided by the light guide and emitted toward the panel display section.
  • An operation input device includes an operation panel, a frame arranged on the back side of the operation panel, a substrate arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel when viewed from the frame,
  • the operation panel includes a light emitting body that emits light and a light guide that guides the light, the operation panel has a panel display part that at least partially transmits light, and the frame is attached to the panel display part
  • a first opening is provided at a corresponding position
  • the substrate has a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening
  • the light emitter is located on the frame side when viewed from the substrate. and emits light toward the light guide, the light guide being provided inside the first opening and inside the second opening, and Light emitted from the light emitter is guided by the light guide and emitted toward the panel display section.
  • these general or specific aspects may be realized by a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. and any combination of recording media.
  • the recording medium may be a non-temporary recording medium.
  • the operation input device of the present disclosure can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation input device.
  • 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operation input device according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the operation input device according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of the operation input device.
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the panel display section of the operation input device.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation input device.
  • 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operation input device according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the operation input device according to Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of part of the operation input device according to Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device according to Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of part of an operation input device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of part of an operation input device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of part of an operation input device according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 2.
  • An operation input device includes an operation panel, a frame arranged on the back surface side of the operation panel, a substrate arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel when viewed from the frame, and light.
  • the operation panel includes a light emitting body that emits light and a light guide that guides light.
  • the operation panel has a panel display part that at least partially transmits light, and the frame corresponds to the panel display part.
  • the substrate has a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening, and the light emitter is opposite the frame when viewed from the substrate. light is emitted toward the light guide, and the light guide is provided at least inside the first opening and inside the second opening. The light emitted from the light emitter is guided by the light guide and emitted toward the panel display section.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter is emitted toward the panel display section through the light guides provided inside the first opening and inside the second opening.
  • the optical path length of light can be shortened compared to technology. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light guide includes an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitter is incident, a reflecting surface that reflects part of the light incident on the incident surface, and light incident on the incident surface and the reflecting surface.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can be effectively received by the incident surface, and the light incident on the reflecting surface can be appropriately emitted toward the emitting surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the end portion by positioning the end portion at a position farther from the reference plane of the substrate than the light emitter, the light emitted from the light emitter can be effectively received on the incident surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of light received by the light guide, and to suppress darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can be effectively received by the incident surface.
  • the inclination angle of the incident surface by increasing the inclination angle of the incident surface, the inclination angle of the reflective surface becomes small, so that the light incident on the reflective surface can be appropriately emitted toward the exit surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of reflected light emitted toward the emission surface, and to suppress darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the inner wall surface of the first opening may be in contact with the outer peripheral side surface of the exit surface of the light guide.
  • the frame may hold the light guide on the inner wall surface of the first opening.
  • the posture of the light guide can be maintained correctly, and the light emitted from the light emitter can be appropriately emitted to the panel display section via the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light guide may be composed of one component.
  • the light guide is made up of a combination of multiple parts, the light may be attenuated due to reflection at the interface between the parts.
  • the light guide is composed of one component, it is possible to suppress the attenuation of the light propagating in the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light emitter may be arranged such that the normal to the light emitting surface of the light emitter is parallel to the back surface of the substrate.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can efficiently enter the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the operation input device further has a detection electrode for detecting an operation input from the outside, and the detection electrode may be provided on the surface of the substrate that is on the frame side when viewed from the substrate. good.
  • the user's operation input can be detected using the detection electrodes.
  • the detection electrode may be provided along the outer circumference of the second opening.
  • the user's operation input can be detected.
  • the detection electrode may be formed in a ring shape so as to surround the second opening.
  • At least part of the detection electrode may be provided at a position overlapping the light emitter when the substrate is viewed from above.
  • the outer size of the detection electrode can be reduced, and the detection sensitivity of the detection electrode can be improved.
  • part of the inner wall surface of the second opening is located inside the inner wall surface of the first opening, and at least part of the detection electrode is, when the substrate is viewed in plan, It may be provided at a position overlapping with the light guide.
  • the outer size of the detection electrode can be reduced, and the detection sensitivity of the detection electrode can be improved.
  • the panel display portion is rectangular and has two short sides parallel to each other, and the light emitter is positioned in the direction in which light emitted from the light emitter travels. may be positioned outside one of the two short sides such that the is perpendicular to the two short sides.
  • the panel display can be displayed.
  • the panel display portion has a polygonal shape and has two sides parallel to each other, the two sides being the first side and the first side. and a second side shorter than may be placed in
  • the panel display can be displayed.
  • the panel display portion has a polygonal shape and has two sides parallel to each other, the two sides being the first side and the first side. and a second side that is shorter than the second side, and the luminous body is positioned outside the second side such that the direction in which light emitted from the luminous body travels is perpendicular to the second side.
  • the panel display can be displayed.
  • the panel display portion is L-shaped and has two sides that intersect with each other, and the light emitter has a direction in which light emitted from the light emitter travels. It may be arranged so as to face the area where the two sides intersect.
  • the panel display part can be displayed.
  • An operation input device includes an operation panel, a frame arranged on the back side of the operation panel, a substrate arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel when viewed from the frame,
  • the operation panel includes a light emitting body that emits light and a light guide that guides the light, the operation panel has a panel display part that at least partially transmits light, and the frame is attached to the panel display part
  • a first opening is provided at a corresponding position
  • the substrate has a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening
  • the light emitter is located on the frame side when viewed from the substrate. and emits light toward the light guide, the light guide being provided inside the first opening and inside the second opening, and Light emitted from the light emitter is guided by the light guide and emitted toward the panel display section.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter is emitted toward the panel display section through the light guides provided inside the first opening and inside the second opening.
  • the optical path length of light can be shortened compared to technology. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the operation input device can be made thinner.
  • the light guide includes an incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitter is incident, a reflecting surface that reflects part of the light incident on the incident surface, and light incident on the incident surface and the reflecting surface.
  • the incident surface is located on the opposite side of the luminous body as viewed from the reference surface, the incident surface is inclined so as to approach the luminous body as it approaches the reference surface from the end, and the reflective surface is the end.
  • the emission surface faces the panel display unit, and the inclination angle of the incidence surface with respect to the emission surface is the same as the reflection surface with respect to the emission surface. It may be larger than the inclination angle of the surface.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can be effectively received by the incident surface, and the light incident on the reflecting surface can be appropriately emitted toward the emitting surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can be effectively received on the incident surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of light received by the light guide, and to suppress darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can be effectively received by the incident surface.
  • the inclination angle of the incident surface by increasing the inclination angle of the incident surface, the inclination angle of the reflective surface becomes small, so that the light incident on the reflective surface can be appropriately emitted toward the exit surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of reflected light emitted toward the emission surface, and to suppress darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the inner wall surface of the first opening may be in contact with the outer peripheral side surface of the exit surface of the light guide.
  • the frame may hold the light guide on the inner wall surface of the first opening.
  • the posture of the light guide can be maintained correctly, and the light emitted from the light emitter can be appropriately emitted to the panel display section via the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light guide may be composed of one component.
  • the light guide is made up of a combination of multiple parts, the light may be attenuated due to reflection at the interface between the parts.
  • the light guide is composed of one component, it is possible to suppress the attenuation of the light propagating in the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the light emitter may be arranged such that the normal to the light emitting surface of the light emitter is parallel to the surface of the substrate.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter can efficiently enter the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the darkening of the light emitted from the operation panel. This can prevent the display quality of the operation panel from deteriorating.
  • the operation input device may further have a detection electrode for detecting an operation input from the outside, and the detection electrode may be provided on the surface of the substrate.
  • the user's operation input can be detected using the detection electrodes.
  • the detection electrode may be provided along the outer periphery of the second opening.
  • the user's operation input can be detected.
  • the detection electrode may be formed in a ring shape so as to surround the second opening.
  • part of the inner wall surface of the second opening is located inside the inner wall surface of the first opening, and at least part of the detection electrode is, when the substrate is viewed in plan, It may be provided at a position overlapping with the light guide.
  • the outer size of the detection electrode can be reduced, and the detection sensitivity of the detection electrode can be improved.
  • the frame may have a notch at a position corresponding to the light emitter.
  • the panel display portion is rectangular and has two short sides parallel to each other, and the light emitter is positioned in the direction in which light emitted from the light emitter travels. may be positioned outside one of the two short sides such that the is perpendicular to the two short sides.
  • the panel display can be displayed.
  • the panel display portion has a polygonal shape and has two sides parallel to each other, the two sides being the first side and the first side. and a second side shorter than may be placed in
  • the panel display can be displayed.
  • the panel display portion has a polygonal shape and has two sides parallel to each other, the two sides being the first side and the first side. and a second side that is shorter than the second side, and the luminous body is positioned outside the second side such that the direction in which light emitted from the luminous body travels is perpendicular to the second side.
  • the panel display can be displayed.
  • the panel display portion is L-shaped and has two sides that intersect with each other, and the light emitter has a direction in which light emitted from the light emitter travels. It may be arranged so as to face the area where the two sides intersect.
  • the panel display part can be displayed.
  • each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Moreover, in each figure, the same code
  • the “front surface” is the surface on which the operation panel of the operation input device can be viewed (positive side in the Z-axis direction), and the “back surface” is the opposite direction side (Z (minus side in the axial direction).
  • a direction intersecting with the Z-axis direction is defined as a Y-axis direction.
  • a direction intersecting the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as the X-axis direction.
  • a view of the operation input device from the Z-axis direction is called a plan view, and a cross-section of the operation input device from the Y-axis direction is called a cross-sectional view.
  • Embodiment 1 [1.1 Configuration of operation input device] An operation input device according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the operation input device 1.
  • the operation input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a user interface that receives the operation input of the user using the operation input device 1.
  • the operation input device 1 is, for example, an input device for operating electrical equipment such as an indoor air conditioner, a seat heater, a video device, or an audio device.
  • the operation input device 1 is provided, for example, on an armrest or an armrest on the side of the seat, or on the ceiling of the interior of the vehicle.
  • the operation input device 1 receives an operation input such as a touch input, transmits a signal corresponding to the operation input to the electric device, and causes the electric device to execute a process according to the operation input. Thereby, the user uses the operation input device 1 to operate the electrical equipment provided in the room.
  • the operation input device 1 may operate an electric device by transmitting a signal corresponding to an operation input to, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a vehicle.
  • ECU Electronic Control Unit
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of part A shown in FIG. 1 as an exploded perspective view of part of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the operation input device 1 as seen from line IV-IV shown in FIG.
  • the operation input device 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 includes an operation panel 60, a frame 10, a substrate 20, a light emitter 40, a light guide 50, and a housing 90.
  • the operation input device 1 also includes a detection electrode 30 and a control circuit 80 . 3, illustration of the housing 90 and the design portion 77 is omitted. Also, in the cross-sectional view, hatching of the light guide 50 and the light emitter 40 is omitted.
  • Each configuration of the operation input device 1 will be described below.
  • a housing 90 shown in FIG. 2 is a case having an opening, and has a flat plate-shaped bottom portion 91 and a plurality of side portions 92 erected from the bottom portion 91 .
  • the frame 10 and the board 20 are housed inside the housing 90 .
  • a light guide 50 is attached to the frame 10 .
  • a light emitter 40 and a control circuit 80 are mounted on the substrate 20 (not shown). Further, the substrate 20 is formed with the detection electrodes 30 and wiring patterns (not shown).
  • the operation panel 60 is attached to the housing 90 so as to close the opening of the housing 90 .
  • the operation panel 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a flat member, and has a front surface 60a to which a user's finger approaches when the user performs an operation input, and a rear surface 60b which faces the front surface 60a. ing.
  • the back surface 60 b faces the frame 10 and the light guide 50 .
  • the operation panel 60 has a plurality of panel display sections 70 for displaying various operation contents for operating the electrical equipment.
  • the panel display unit 70 displays operation details by transmitting at least part of the light emitted from the inside of the housing 90 toward the panel display unit 70 .
  • the panel display section 70 has a design section 77 which is a symbol for representing operation contents, such as characters, symbols, and graphics.
  • the panel display section 70 is a mask display in which the symbol itself is translucent, but is not limited to this, and may be a background-excluded display in which an area other than the symbol is translucent.
  • a decorative panel or the like may be further placed on the surface 60a of the operation panel 60.
  • the frame 10 is a plate-shaped member that holds the light guide 50, and is made of a resin material that does not transmit light.
  • the frame 10 has a predetermined thickness greater than that of the operation panel 60 , and is fitted into the housing 90 so that the outer surface of the frame 10 is in contact with the side surface portion 92 of the housing 90 .
  • the frame 10 is arranged parallel to the operation panel 60 on the rear surface 60 b side of the operation panel 60 .
  • the frame 10 is positioned between the operation panel 60 and the substrate 20, which will be described later.
  • the frame 10 has a plurality of first openings 11 corresponding to the plurality of panel display portions 70 on a one-to-one basis.
  • the first opening 11 is, for example, a through hole penetrating the frame 10 .
  • the first opening 11 is provided at a position corresponding to the panel display section 70 .
  • the first opening 11 overlaps the panel display section 70 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the frame 10, that is, when the operation input device 1 is viewed from above.
  • the first opening 11 and the panel display section 70 have the same outer shape.
  • the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 is in contact with the outer peripheral side surface 55 of the light guide 50 so that light does not leak from between the inner wall surface 11w and the light guide 50.
  • the frame 10 holds the light guide 50 with the inner wall surface 11 w of the first opening 11 in contact with the outer peripheral side surface 55 of the light guide 50 .
  • the board 20 is arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel 60 when viewed from the frame 10 .
  • the substrate 20 is in contact with the frame 10 and arranged parallel to the frame 10 on the back surface 10b side of the frame 10 .
  • the substrate 20 is a substrate having circuits such as wiring patterns, and is made of a material that does not transmit light.
  • the substrate 20 is, for example, a flat substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate, but is not limited thereto, and may be a bendable substrate such as a flexible substrate.
  • the substrate 20 has a plurality of second openings 22 corresponding to the plurality of first openings 11 on a one-to-one basis.
  • the second opening 22 is, for example, a through hole penetrating through the substrate 20 .
  • the second opening 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the first opening 11 and the panel display section 70 . At least part of the second opening 22 overlaps the first opening 11 or the panel display section 70 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate 20, that is, when the operation input device 1 is viewed from above.
  • a portion of the inner wall surface 22w of the second opening 22 is located inside the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11. As shown in FIG. Specifically, a portion of the inner wall surface 22 w that faces the reflecting surface 52 of the light guide body 50 described later protrudes inward from the inner wall surface 11 w of the first opening 11 .
  • the substrate 20 is provided with detection electrodes 30 for detecting user's operation input.
  • the detection electrode 30 is electrically connected to a control circuit 80 (see FIG. 5) via a wiring pattern on the substrate 20 and outputs a detected detection signal to the control circuit 80 .
  • the sensing electrode 30 is provided on the surface 20a of the substrate 20, which is on the frame 10 side when viewed from the substrate 20.
  • the sensing electrode 30 senses contact with the panel display section 70 by the user's hand or touch pen, for example.
  • the detection electrode 30 is, for example, a sensor electrode of a capacitance type or the like.
  • contact means not only direct contact of the user's hand with the panel display unit 70, but also indirect contact through an object if the detection electrode 30 can detect the human hand, and user contact. It also includes the state in which the panel display unit 70 is separated from the hand of . In other words, the detection electrodes 30 may also detect a state in which the user's hand or touch pen is in contact with or close to the panel display section 70, for example.
  • the detection electrode 30 is formed along the outer circumference of the second opening 22 .
  • the sensing electrode 30 is annularly formed to surround the second opening 22 .
  • At least part of the detection electrode 30 is provided at a position overlapping the light guide 50 when the substrate 20 is viewed from above.
  • At least part of the detection electrode 30 is provided at a position overlapping the light emitter 40 when the substrate 20 is viewed from above.
  • the light emitter 40 is a light source that emits light to the light guide 50 in order to illuminate the panel display section 70 from the back surface 60 b side through the light guide 50 .
  • one light emitter 40 is provided for one panel display section 70 , it is not limited to this, and a plurality of light emitters 40 may be provided for one panel display section 70 .
  • the light emitter 40 is electrically connected to the control circuit 80 via the wiring pattern on the substrate 20 and emits light when power is supplied via the control circuit 80 .
  • the luminous body 40 has a light-emitting element that is sealed and fixed with a white-based resin, and emits light such as white light, blue light, red light, and green light.
  • the light emitting element is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
  • the light emitter 40 is not limited to an LED, and may be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), a light bulb, or the like.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged on the back surface 20 b side of the substrate 20 , which is the opposite side of the frame 10 when viewed from the substrate 20 . That is, the light emitter 40 is provided on the back surface 20b of the substrate 20 opposite to the front surface 20a of the substrate 20 on which the detection electrode 30 is provided.
  • the light emitter 40 has a flat light emitting surface 41 .
  • the light-emitting body 40 is arranged such that the normal line nL of the light-emitting surface 41 is parallel to the reference plane fb with the back surface 20b of the substrate 20 as a reference.
  • the light emitter 40 is positioned inside the second opening 22. It is arranged outside the wall surface 22w. Specifically, the light emitter 40 is arranged in a direction away from the light guide 50 with the inner wall surface 22w as a reference. In addition, when the operation input device 1 is viewed from above, the light emitter 40 is arranged at a position overlapping with a part of the detection electrode 30 of the substrate 20 .
  • the light emitting surface 41 may be provided at a position flush with the inner wall surface 22w in the direction along the normal line nL of the light emitting surface 41, provided that the light emitting surface 41 is not inside the inner wall surface 22w.
  • the light emitter 40 emits light having a predetermined spread angle toward the light guide 50 with the normal nL of the light emission surface 41 as a reference axis.
  • the light guide 50 is an optical component that guides the light emitted from the light emitter 40 and emits it toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the light guide 50 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.
  • the light guide 50 is configured by one component, not by combining a plurality of components.
  • the light guide 50 extends at least inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22 so as to pass through the first opening 11 of the frame 10 and the second opening 22 of the substrate 20 . is provided.
  • the light guide 50 has an incident surface 51 , a reflective surface 52 and an exit surface 53 .
  • the light guide 50 also has an outer peripheral side surface 55 along the outer edge of the exit surface 53 .
  • the outer peripheral side surface 55 is a surface that contacts the inner wall surface 11 w of the first opening 11 .
  • the outer peripheral side surface 55 may have the function of reflecting the light inside the light guide 50 .
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the entrance surface 51 with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53. Since the output surface 53, the reference surface fb, and the normal nL are parallel to each other, the inclination angle ⁇ 1 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 even when compared with the reference surface fb or the normal nL as a reference.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 is, for example, 70° or more and 90° or less.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 2 is, for example, greater than 0° and 40° or less.
  • the light guide 50 has an end ep connecting the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the end portion ep is a lower end region where the entrance surface 51 and the reflection surface 52 intersect, and is a point when the operation input device 1 is viewed in cross section, but is aligned with the normal line nL when the operation input device 1 is viewed in plan. It is a line segment extending along the vertical direction (Y-axis direction).
  • the end ep is located opposite to the reference plane fb when viewed from the light emitter 40 and is located farther from the reference plane fb than the light emitter 40 is. That is, the end ep is positioned closer to the bottom surface portion 91 of the housing 90 than the light emitter 40 is.
  • the incident surface 51 is a surface on which direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52, and is inclined so as to approach the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fb from the end ep.
  • One end of the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the bottom surface portion 91 of the housing than the light emitter 40 in order to receive more light emitted from the light emitter 40 .
  • the other end of the incident surface 51 is connected to the outer peripheral side surface 55 .
  • the incident surface 51 is in direct contact with the air present in the internal space of the housing 90 .
  • the incident angle of the light entering the incident surface 51 is preferably within the critical angle.
  • the critical angle is a value that depends on the refractive index of the material.
  • the incident surface 51 of the light guide 50 has a planar region and a curved region concave with respect to the light emitted from the light emitter 40 .
  • the concave curved surface region described above can propagate the incident light into the light guide 50 at a wide angle.
  • the reflective surface 52 is a surface that reflects part of the light incident on the entrance surface 51 toward the exit surface 53 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 is positioned further from the light emitter 40 than the incident surface 51 and is inclined away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fb from the end ep.
  • the reflecting surface 52 is inclined so as to move away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the back surface 60 b of the operation panel 60 .
  • One end of the reflective surface 52 is located closer to the bottom surface 91 of the housing than the light emitter 40 in order to reflect more of the light propagating in the light guide 50 .
  • the other end of the reflecting surface 52 is located closer to the operation panel 60 than the light emitter 40 is.
  • the reflective surface 52 is in direct contact with the air present in the internal space of the housing 90 . In order to appropriately reflect light on the reflective surface 52, it is desirable that the incident angle of the light entering the reflective surface 52 exceeds the critical angle.
  • the reflective surface 52 is a mirror surface, and is not subjected to diffusion treatment, reflective material coating treatment, or the like.
  • the reflecting surface 52 of the light guide 50 has a planar region and a curved region. The curved region has convex and concave curved surfaces with respect to light propagating through the light guide 50 toward the reflecting surface 52 .
  • reflected light can be propagated into the light guide 50 at a wide angle, and by forming a concave curved surface, light can be collected, for example, in a region where the amount of light is insufficient on the exit surface 53. be able to.
  • the exit surface 53 is a surface that emits the light that has reached the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 emits the light incident on the entrance surface 51 and refracted to reach the exit surface 53 and the light reflected by the reflection surface 52 and reaching the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 . do.
  • the exit surface 53 is a flat surface and faces the panel display section 70 .
  • the output surface 53 is parallel to the reference surface fb.
  • the incident angle of the light that reaches the exit surface 53 from the entrance surface 51 and the incident angle of the light that reaches the exit surface 53 from the reflection surface 52 are critical. It is desirable to be within an angle.
  • the light guide 50 introduces the light emitted from the light emitter 40 into the light guide 50 and emits the light guided within the light guide 50 toward the operation panel 60 .
  • part of the light L1 that has passed through the incident surface 51 passes through the light guide 50 to reach the exit surface 53 and is emitted from the exit surface 53 to the panel display section 70 .
  • Another part of the light L ⁇ b>2 that has passed through the incident surface 51 passes through the light guide 50 to reach the reflecting surface 52 and is reflected by the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the light L3 reflected by the reflecting surface 52 passes through the light guide 50 and reaches the emission surface 53, and is emitted from the emission surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the panel display unit 70 of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the panel display unit 70 of the operation input device 1.
  • the panel display section 70 shown in FIG. 6 has a trapezoidal shape when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides parallel to each other. The two sides consist of a first side 71 and a second side 72 shorter than the first side.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside the first side 71 of the two sides. Further, the light emitter 40 is arranged so that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the first side 71 .
  • the light guide 50 is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50 has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50 is viewed from above.
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another example of the panel display section 70 of the operation input device 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another example of the panel display section 70 of the operation input device 1.
  • the panel display section 70 shown in (a) of FIG. 7 has a shape in which a rectangular portion and a trapezoidal portion are combined when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides parallel to each other. The two sides consist of a first side 71 and a second side 72 shorter than the first side.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside the first side 71 of the two sides. Further, the light emitter 40 is arranged so that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the first side 71 .
  • the light guide 50 is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50 has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 shown in (b) of FIG. 7 has a shape in which a rectangular portion and a trapezoidal portion are combined when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides parallel to each other. The two sides consist of a first side 71 and a second side 72 shorter than the first side.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside the second side 72 of the two sides. Also, the light emitter 40 is arranged such that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the second side 72 .
  • the light guide 50 is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50 has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 shown in (c) of FIG. 7 is L-shaped when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides 75 that cross each other.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged in a region within an included angle sandwiched between the two sides 75 . Further, the light emitter 40 is arranged so that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is directed to the area where the two sides 75 intersect.
  • the light guide 50 is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50 has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 shown in (d) of FIG. 7 has a rectangular shape when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two long sides 73 parallel to each other and two short sides 74 parallel to each other.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside one short side 74 of the two short sides 74 . Also, the light emitter 40 is arranged such that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the two short sides 74 .
  • the light guide 50 is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50 has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50 is viewed from above.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is guided by the light guide 50 and emitted to the outside through the panel display section 70 .
  • Light is emitted from the panel display section 70 having the design section 77 , so that the user can visually recognize the operation content displayed on the panel display section 70 .
  • the operation input device 1 of the present embodiment includes the operation panel 60, the frame 10 arranged on the rear surface 60b side of the operation panel 60, and the operation panel 60 arranged on the opposite side of the frame 10. It includes a substrate 20, a light emitter 40 that emits light, and a light guide 50 that guides light.
  • the operation panel 60 has a panel display section 70 that at least partially transmits light.
  • the frame 10 has a first opening 11 at a position corresponding to the panel display section 70 .
  • the substrate 20 has a second opening 22 at a position corresponding to the first opening 11 .
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged on the back surface 20 b side of the substrate 20 , which is the opposite side of the frame 10 when viewed from the substrate 20 , and emits light toward the light guide 50 .
  • the light guide 50 is provided at least inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22 . Light emitted from the light emitter 40 is guided by the light guide 50 and emitted toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is transmitted through the light guides 50 provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22 to the panel display section. 70 can be emitted.
  • part of the light emitted from the light emitter 40 passes through the incident surface 51 of the light guide 50 and is directly emitted from the emission surface 53, and the other portion of the light emitted from the light emitter 40 A portion of the light passes through the incident surface 51 and is reflected once by the reflecting surface 52 , and then exits from the exit surface 53 . Therefore, in the operation input device 1, the optical path length can be shortened as compared with the conventional technology, and it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1.
  • the light guide 50A of the operation input device 1 has an incident surface 51, a reflecting surface 52 and an emitting surface 53.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the entrance surface 51 with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • the light guide 50A also has an end ep connecting the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the end portion ep is a lower end region where the entrance surface 51 and the reflection surface 52 intersect, and is a point when the operation input device 1A is viewed in cross section, but is aligned with the normal line nL when the operation input device 1A is viewed from above. It is a line segment extending along the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The end ep is located farther from the reference plane fb than the light emitter 40 is.
  • the incident surface 51 is a surface on which direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the incident surface 51 is a flat surface.
  • the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52, and is inclined so as to approach the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fb from the end ep.
  • the incident surface 51 is inclined so as to approach the inner wall surface 22w of the second opening 22 and the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 as it approaches the back surface 60b of the operation panel 60 .
  • the reflective surface 52 is a surface that reflects part of the light incident on the entrance surface 51 toward the exit surface 53 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 is a flat surface.
  • the reflecting surface 52 is positioned further from the light emitter 40 than the incident surface 51, and is inclined away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fb from the end ep. Moreover, the reflecting surface 52 is inclined so as to move away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the back surface 60 b of the operation panel 60 .
  • the exit surface 53 is a surface that emits the light that has reached the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 is a flat surface and faces the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 emits the light incident on the entrance surface 51 and refracted to reach the exit surface 53 and the light reflected by the reflection surface 52 and reaching the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 . do.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is displayed on the panel through the light guides 50A provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22. It can be emitted toward the portion 70 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1 according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1 according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1.
  • the light guide 50B of the operation input device 1 has an incident surface 51, a reflective surface 52 and an exit surface 53.
  • the incident surface 51 is composed of a first incident surface 51a and a second incident surface 51b. At least a part of the first incident surface 51 a and the second incident surface 51 b is arranged inside the second opening 22 of the substrate 20 .
  • Each of the first incident surface 51a and the second incident surface 51b is a flat surface.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the second entrance surface 51b with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • the inclination angle of the first entrance surface 51a with respect to the exit surface 53 is smaller than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • the end ep is a portion that connects the second incident surface 51 b and the reflecting surface 52 and is located farther from the reference surface fb than the light emitter 40 .
  • the second incident surface 51b is located closer to the bottom surface portion 91 of the housing 90 than the first incident surface 51a and closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52 is.
  • One end of the second incident surface 51b is connected to the end ep, and the other end of the second incident surface 51b is connected to one end of the first incident surface 51a.
  • the second incident surface 51b is inclined from one end toward the other end so as to approach the light emitter 40 .
  • the first incident surface 51a is located closer to the operation panel 60 than the second incident surface 51b and closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52 is. One end of the first incident surface 51a is connected to the other end of the second incident surface 51b, and the other end of the first incident surface 51a is connected to the outer peripheral side surface 55 via the inclined portion.
  • the first incidence surface 51a is inclined from one end toward the other end so as to approach the light emitter 40 .
  • the direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident on the first incident surface 51a and the second incident surface 51b.
  • the light L1 that has passed through the first entrance surface 51a reaches the exit surface 53 through the light guide 50B, and is emitted from the exit surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • the light L1 passing through the first incident surface 51a is reflected on one of the outer peripheral side surfaces 55 of the first incident surface 51a (in the direction along the normal line nL, the reflecting surface 52), compared to the first modification of the first embodiment. ), it is possible to increase the amount of light in a region of the exit surface 53 on the side closer to the light emitter 40 .
  • the light L2 that has passed through the second incident surface 51b reaches the reflecting surface 52 through the light guide 50B and is reflected by the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the light L3 reflected by the reflecting surface 52 passes through the light guide 50B, reaches the exit surface 53, and is emitted from the exit surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is displayed on the panel through the light guides 50B provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22. It can be emitted toward the portion 70 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1 according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 1.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1 according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 1.
  • the light guide 50C of the operation input device 1 has an incident surface 51, a reflecting surface 52 and an emitting surface 53.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the entrance surface 51 with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • This light guide 50C also has an end ep connecting the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52 . The end ep is located farther from the reference plane fb than the light emitter 40 is.
  • the incident surface 51 is a surface on which direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52, and is inclined so as to approach the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fb from the end ep.
  • the incident surface 51 is inclined so as to approach the inner wall surface 22w of the second opening 22 and the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 as it approaches the rear surface 60b side of the operation panel 60 .
  • the incident surface 51 of the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>C has a concave curved surface with respect to the light emitted from the light emitter 40 . By forming the incident surface 51 into a concave curved surface, the incident light can be propagated in the light guide 50C at a wide angle.
  • the reflective surface 52 is a surface that reflects part of the light incident on the entrance surface 51 toward the exit surface 53 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 is positioned further from the light emitter 40 than the incident surface 51 and is inclined away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fb from the end ep. Moreover, the reflecting surface 52 is inclined so as to move away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the back surface 60 b of the operation panel 60 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 of the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>C has a convex curved surface with respect to the light propagating through the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>C toward the reflecting surface 52 . By forming the reflecting surface 52 into a convex curved surface, the reflected light can be propagated in the light guide 50C at a wide angle.
  • the exit surface 53 is a surface that emits the light that has reached the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 emits the light incident on the entrance surface 51 and refracted to reach the exit surface 53 and the light reflected by the reflection surface 52 and reaching the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 . do.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is also displayed on the panel through the light guides 50C provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22. It can be emitted toward the portion 70 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • Embodiment 2 [2.1 Configuration of operation input device] An operation input device 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. In Embodiment 2, an example in which the light emitter 40 is provided on the surface 20a of the substrate 20 will be described.
  • the operation input device 1A is a user interface that receives operation input from the user using the operation input device 1A (see FIG. 1).
  • the operation input device 1A is, for example, an input device for operating electrical equipment such as an indoor air conditioner, a seat heater, a video device, or an audio device.
  • the operation input device 1A is provided, for example, on an armrest or an armrest on the side of the seat, or on the ceiling of the interior of the vehicle.
  • the operation input device 1A receives an operation input such as a touch input, transmits a signal corresponding to the operation input to the electrical device, and causes the electric device to execute a process according to the operation input. Thereby, the user operates the electrical equipment provided in the room using the operation input device 1A.
  • the operation input device 1A may operate an electric device by transmitting a signal corresponding to an operation input to an ECU or the like of a vehicle, for example. In the operation input device 1A, it is important to appropriately display the operation contents for operating the electrical equipment on the operation panel.
  • FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of part of the operation input device 1A.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of part of the operation input device 1A.
  • An operation input device 1A shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 includes an operation panel 60, a frame 10, a substrate 20, a light emitter 40, a light guide 50D, and a housing 90.
  • the operation input device 1A also includes a detection electrode 30 and a control circuit 80 . It should be noted that illustration of the housing 90 is omitted in FIG. 11 . Also, in the cross-sectional view, hatching of the light guide 50D is omitted.
  • Each configuration of the operation input device 1A will be described below.
  • the housing 90 is a case having an opening, and has a flat bottom portion 91 and a plurality of side portions 92 erected from the bottom portion 91 .
  • the frame 10 and the board 20 are housed inside the housing 90 .
  • a light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is attached to the frame 10 .
  • a light emitter 40 and a control circuit 80 are mounted on the substrate 20 . Further, the substrate 20 is formed with the detection electrodes 30 and wiring patterns.
  • the operation panel 60 is attached to the housing 90 so as to close the opening of the housing 90 .
  • the operation panel 60 is a plate-like member, and has a front surface 60a with which a user's finger approaches when the user performs an operation input, and a back surface 60b that faces the front surface 60a.
  • the back surface 60b faces the frame 10 and the light guide 50D.
  • the operation panel 60 has a plurality of panel display sections 70 for displaying various operation contents for operating the electrical equipment.
  • the panel display unit 70 displays operation details by transmitting at least part of the light emitted from the inside of the housing 90 toward the panel display unit 70 .
  • the panel display section 70 has a design section 77 which is a symbol for representing operation contents, such as characters, symbols, and graphics.
  • the panel display section 70 is a symbol-less display in which the symbol itself is translucent, but is not limited to this, and may be a background-less display in which an area other than the symbol is translucent.
  • a decorative panel or the like may be further placed on the surface 60a of the operation panel 60.
  • the frame 10 is a plate-shaped member that holds the light guide 50D, and is made of a resin material that does not transmit light.
  • the frame 10 has a predetermined thickness greater than that of the operation panel 60 , and is fitted into the housing 90 so that the outer surface of the frame 10 is in contact with the side surface portion 92 of the housing 90 .
  • the frame 10 is arranged parallel to the operation panel 60 on the rear surface 60 b side of the operation panel 60 .
  • the frame 10 is positioned between the operation panel 60 and the substrate 20, which will be described later.
  • the frame 10 has a plurality of first openings 11 corresponding to the plurality of panel display portions 70 on a one-to-one basis.
  • the first opening 11 is, for example, a through hole penetrating the frame 10 .
  • the first opening 11 is provided at a position corresponding to the panel display section 70 .
  • the first opening 11 overlaps the panel display section 70 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the frame 10, that is, when the operation input device 1A is viewed from above.
  • the first opening 11 and the panel display section 70 have the same outer shape.
  • the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 is in contact with the outer peripheral side surface 55 of the light guide 50D so that light does not leak from between the inner wall surface 11w and the light guide 50D.
  • the frame 10 holds the light guide 50D with the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 in contact with the outer peripheral side surface 55 of the light guide 50D.
  • the board 20 is arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel 60 when viewed from the frame 10 .
  • the substrate 20 is in contact with the frame 10 and arranged parallel to the frame 10 on the back surface 10b side of the frame 10 .
  • the substrate 20 is a substrate having circuits such as wiring patterns, and is made of a material that does not transmit light.
  • the substrate 20 is, for example, a flat substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate, but is not limited thereto, and may be a bendable substrate such as a flexible substrate.
  • the substrate 20 has a plurality of second openings 22 corresponding to the plurality of first openings 11 on a one-to-one basis.
  • the second opening 22 is, for example, a through hole penetrating through the substrate 20 .
  • the second opening 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the first opening 11 and the panel display section 70 . At least part of the second opening 22 overlaps the first opening 11 or the panel display section 70 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate 20, that is, when the operation input device 1A is viewed from above. .
  • a portion of the inner wall surface 22w of the second opening 22 is located inside the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11.
  • a portion facing the reflecting surface 52 of the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D which will be described later, protrudes inside the inner wall surface 11 w of the first opening 11 .
  • the substrate 20 is provided with detection electrodes 30 for detecting user's operation input.
  • the detection electrode 30 is electrically connected to a control circuit 80 (see FIG. 5) via a wiring pattern on the substrate 20 and outputs a detected detection signal to the control circuit 80 .
  • the sensing electrode 30 is provided on the surface 20a of the substrate 20, which is on the frame 10 side when viewed from the substrate 20.
  • the sensing electrode 30 senses contact with the panel display section 70 by the user's hand or touch pen, for example.
  • the detection electrode 30 is, for example, a sensor electrode of a capacitance type or the like.
  • contact means not only direct contact of the user's hand with the panel display unit 70, but also indirect contact through an object if the detection electrode 30 can detect the human hand, and user contact. It also includes the state in which the panel display unit 70 is separated from the hand of . In other words, the detection electrodes 30 may also detect a state in which the user's hand or touch pen is in contact with or close to the panel display section 70, for example.
  • the detection electrode 30 is formed along the outer circumference of the second opening 22 .
  • the sensing electrode 30 is annularly formed to surround the second opening 22 .
  • At least part of the detection electrode 30 is provided at a position overlapping the light emitter 40 when the substrate 20 is viewed from above.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged on the surface 20 a of the substrate 20 , so the detection electrode 30 is formed so as to avoid the light emitter 40 . Therefore, sensing electrode 30 is formed outside second opening 22 and light emitter 40 so as to surround second opening 22 and light emitter 40 .
  • the frame 10 is provided with the cutouts 14 at positions corresponding to the light emitters 40 .
  • the notch 14 is a space formed outward from the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 on the rear surface 10b side of the frame 10 .
  • the notch 14 is provided so as to cover the light emitter 40 with a gap therebetween.
  • the light emitter 40 is a light source that emits light to the light guide 50D in order to illuminate the panel display section 70 from the back surface 60b side through the light guide 50D. Although one light emitter 40 is provided for one panel display section 70 , it is not limited to this, and a plurality of light emitters 40 may be provided for one panel display section 70 .
  • the light emitter 40 is electrically connected to the control circuit 80 via the wiring pattern on the substrate 20 and emits light when power is supplied via the control circuit 80 .
  • the luminous body 40 has a light-emitting element that is sealed and fixed with a white-based resin, and emits light such as white light, blue light, red light, and green light.
  • the light emitting element is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
  • the light emitter 40 is not limited to an LED, and may be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), a light bulb, or the like.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged on the front surface 20a side of the substrate 20, which is the frame 10 side when viewed from the substrate 20. That is, the light emitter 40 is provided on the same surface as the surface 20a of the substrate 20 on which the detection electrode 30 is provided.
  • the light emitter 40 has a flat light emitting surface 41 .
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged such that the normal line nL of the light emitting surface 41 is parallel to the reference plane fa with the surface 20a of the substrate 20 as a reference.
  • the light emitting body 40 is located inside the second opening 22. It is arranged outside the wall surface 22w. Specifically, the light emitter 40 is arranged in a direction away from the light guide 50D with the inner wall surface 22w as a reference.
  • the light-emitting surface 41 may be provided at a position flush with the inner wall surface 22w in the direction along the normal line nL of the light-emitting surface 41 as long as it is not inside the inner wall surface 22w.
  • the light emitter 40 emits light having a predetermined spread angle with the normal nL of the light emission surface 41 as a reference axis toward the light guide 50D.
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is an optical component that guides the light emitted from the light emitter 40 and emits it toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the light guide 50D is made of, for example, a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.
  • the light guide 50D is configured by one component, not by combining a plurality of components.
  • the light guide 50D extends at least inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22 so as to pass through the first opening 11 of the frame 10 and the second opening 22 of the substrate 20. is provided.
  • the light guide 50D has an incident surface 51, a reflecting surface 52 and an exit surface 53. Moreover, the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D has an outer peripheral side surface 55 along the outer edge of the output surface 53 .
  • the outer peripheral side surface 55 is a surface that contacts the inner wall surface 11 w of the first opening 11 .
  • the outer peripheral side surface 55 may have a function of reflecting the light inside the light guide 50D.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the entrance surface 51 with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53. Since the output surface 53, the reference surface fa, and the normal nL are parallel to each other, the inclination angle ⁇ 1 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 even when compared with the reference surface fa or the normal nL as a reference.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 is, for example, 70° or more and 90° or less.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 2 is, for example, greater than 0° and 40° or less.
  • the light guide 50D has an end ep connecting the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the end ep is a lower end region that connects the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the end ep is a line segment extending along the direction of the normal nL when the operation input device 1A is viewed in cross section, but when the operation input device 1A is viewed in plan, the direction of the normal nL and perpendicular to the normal nL direction (Y-axis direction).
  • the end ep is located on the opposite side of the light emitter 40 when viewed from the reference plane fa. Specifically, the end portion ep is positioned closer to the bottom surface portion 91 of the housing 90 than the light emitter 40 and the rear surface 20b of the substrate 20 are.
  • the incident surface 51 is a surface on which direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52, and is inclined so as to approach the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fa from the end ep. Further, the incident surface 51 is inclined so as to approach the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 as it approaches the back surface 60b of the operation panel 60 .
  • One end of the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the bottom surface portion 91 of the housing than the light emitter 40 in order to receive more light emitted from the light emitter 40 .
  • the other end of the incident surface 51 is connected to the outer peripheral side surface 55 .
  • the incident surface 51 is in direct contact with the air present in the internal space of the housing 90 .
  • the incident angle of the light entering the incident surface 51 is preferably within the critical angle.
  • the critical angle is a value that depends on the refractive index of the material.
  • the incident surface 51 of the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D has a planar region and a curved region that is convex with respect to the light emitted from the light emitter 40 .
  • the convex curved surface area described above can, for example, collect light in an area of the exit surface 53 where the amount of light is insufficient.
  • the reflective surface 52 is a surface that reflects part of the light incident on the entrance surface 51 toward the exit surface 53 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 is positioned further from the light emitter 40 than the incident surface 51 and is inclined away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fa from the end ep.
  • the reflecting surface 52 is inclined so as to move away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the back surface 60 b of the operation panel 60 .
  • One end of the reflective surface 52 is located closer to the bottom surface 91 of the housing than the light emitter 40 in order to reflect more of the light propagating within the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D.
  • the other end of the reflecting surface 52 is located closer to the operation panel 60 than the light emitter 40 is.
  • the reflective surface 52 is in direct contact with the air present in the internal space of the housing 90 . In order to appropriately reflect light on the reflective surface 52, it is desirable that the incident angle of the light entering the reflective surface 52 exceeds the critical angle.
  • the reflective surface 52 is a mirror surface, and is not subjected to diffusion treatment, reflective material coating treatment, or the like.
  • the reflecting surface 52 of the light guide 50D has a planar area and a curved surface area.
  • the curved region has convex and concave curved surfaces with respect to the light propagating through the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D and heading toward the reflecting surface 52 . By forming a convex curved surface, reflected light can be propagated into the light guide body 50D at a wide angle. be able to.
  • the exit surface 53 is a surface that emits the light that has reached the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 emits the light incident on the entrance surface 51 and refracted to reach the exit surface 53 and the light reflected by the reflection surface 52 and reaching the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 . do.
  • the exit surface 53 is a flat surface and faces the panel display section 70 .
  • the output surface 53 is parallel to the reference surface fa.
  • the incident angle of the light that reaches the exit surface 53 from the entrance surface 51 and the incident angle of the light that reaches the exit surface 53 from the reflection surface 52 are critical. It is desirable to be within the angle.
  • the light guide 50D introduces the light emitted from the light emitter 40 into the light guide 50D and emits the light guided within the light guide 50D toward the operation panel 60.
  • part of the light L1 that has passed through the entrance surface 51 reaches the exit surface 53 through the light guide 50D, and is emitted from the exit surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • Another part of the light L2 that has passed through the incident surface 51 reaches the reflecting surface 52 through the light guide 50D and is reflected by the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the light L3 reflected by the reflecting surface 52 reaches the emission surface 53 through the light guide 50D, and is emitted from the emission surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • the panel display section 70 of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the first embodiment.
  • the panel display section 70 of the second embodiment has a trapezoidal shape when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides parallel to each other. The two sides consist of a first side 71 and a second side 72 shorter than the first side.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside the first side 71 of the two sides. Further, the light emitter 40 is arranged so that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the first side 71 .
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50D has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50D is viewed from above.
  • the panel display unit 70 of another example of the second embodiment has a shape in which a rectangular portion and a trapezoidal portion are combined when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above. have.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides parallel to each other. The two sides consist of a first side 71 and a second side 72 shorter than the first side.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside the first side 71 of the two sides. Further, the light emitter 40 is arranged so that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the first side 71 .
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50D has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50D is viewed from above.
  • the panel display unit 70 of another example of the second embodiment has a shape in which a rectangular portion and a trapezoidal portion are combined when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides parallel to each other. The two sides consist of a first side 71 and a second side 72 shorter than the first side.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside the second side 72 of the two sides. Also, the light emitter 40 is arranged such that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the second side 72 .
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50D has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50D is viewed from above.
  • the panel display unit 70 of another example of the second embodiment is L-shaped when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two sides 75 that cross each other.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged in a region within an included angle sandwiched between the two sides 75 . Further, the light emitter 40 is arranged so that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is directed to the area where the two sides 75 intersect.
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50D has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50D is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 of another example of the second embodiment has a rectangular shape when the operation panel 60 is viewed from above.
  • the panel display section 70 has two long sides 73 parallel to each other and two short sides 74 parallel to each other.
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged outside one short side 74 of the two short sides 74 .
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged such that the direction dL in which the light emitted from the light emitter 40 travels is perpendicular to the two short sides 74 .
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is arranged on the back side of the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 of the light guide 50D has the same shape as the panel display section 70 when the light guide 50D is viewed from above.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is guided by the light guide 50D and emitted to the outside through the panel display section 70.
  • Light is emitted from the panel display section 70 having the design section 77 , so that the user can visually recognize the operation content displayed on the panel display section 70 .
  • the operation input device 1A of the present embodiment includes the operation panel 60, the frame 10 arranged on the rear surface 60b side of the operation panel 60, and the operation panel 60 arranged on the opposite side of the frame 10. It includes a substrate 20, a light emitter 40 that emits light, and a light guide 50D that guides light.
  • the operation panel 60 has a panel display section 70 that at least partially transmits light.
  • the frame 10 has a first opening 11 at a position corresponding to the panel display section 70 .
  • the substrate 20 has a second opening 22 at a position corresponding to the first opening 11 .
  • the light emitter 40 is arranged on the surface 20a side of the substrate 20, which is the frame 10 side when viewed from the substrate 20, and emits light toward the light guide 50D.
  • the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D is provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22 . Light emitted from the light emitter 40 is guided by the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>D and emitted toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is transmitted through the light guides 50D provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22 to the panel display section. 70 can be emitted.
  • part of the light emitted from the light emitter 40 passes through the incident surface 51 of the light guide 50D and is directly emitted from the emission surface 53, and the other part of the light emitted from the light emitter 40 A portion of the light passes through the incident surface 51 and is reflected once by the reflecting surface 52 , and then exits from the exit surface 53 . Therefore, in the operation input device 1A, the optical path length can be shortened as compared with the conventional technology, and it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an operation input device 1A according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of an operation input device 1A according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2.
  • the light guide 50E of the operation input device 1A has an incident surface 51, a reflecting surface 52 and an emitting surface 53.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the entrance surface 51 with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • the light guide 50E also has an end ep connecting the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52. As shown in FIG. The end ep is located on the opposite side of the light emitter 40 when viewed from the reference plane fa. Specifically, the end ep is positioned inside the inner wall surface 22 w of the second opening 22 .
  • the incident surface 51 is a surface on which direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the incident surface 51 is a flat surface.
  • the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52, and is inclined so as to approach the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fa from the end ep. Further, the incident surface 51 is inclined so as to approach the inner wall surface 11w of the first opening 11 as it approaches the back surface 60b of the operation panel 60 .
  • the reflective surface 52 is a surface that reflects part of the light incident on the entrance surface 51 toward the exit surface 53 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 is a flat surface.
  • the reflecting surface 52 is positioned further from the light emitter 40 than the incident surface 51, and is inclined away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fa from the end ep. Moreover, the reflecting surface 52 is inclined so as to move away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the back surface 60 b of the operation panel 60 .
  • the exit surface 53 is a surface that emits the light that has reached the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 is a flat surface and faces the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 emits the light incident on the entrance surface 51 and refracted to reach the exit surface 53 and the light reflected by the reflection surface 52 and reaching the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 . do.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is transmitted to the panel via the light guides 50E provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22. It can be emitted toward the display unit 70 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of an operation input device 1A according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of an operation input device 1A according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2.
  • the light guide 50F of the operation input device 1A has an incident surface 51, a reflecting surface 52 and an emitting surface 53.
  • the incident surface 51 is composed of a first incident surface 51a and a second incident surface 51b.
  • the first incident surface 51 a is arranged inside the first opening 11 of the frame 10 .
  • a part of the second incident surface 51 b is arranged inside the second opening 22 of the substrate 20 , and the other part, which is different from the part, is arranged inside the first opening 11 of the frame 10 .
  • Each of the first incident surface 51a and the second incident surface 51b is a flat surface.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the second entrance surface 51b with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • the inclination angle of the first incident surface 51a with respect to the exit surface 53 is also larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • the end ep is a portion that connects the second incident surface 51b and the reflecting surface 52, and is located on the opposite side of the light emitter 40 when viewed from the reference surface fa. Specifically, the end ep is positioned inside the inner wall surface 22 w of the second opening 22 .
  • the second incident surface 51b is located closer to the bottom surface portion 91 of the housing 90 than the first incident surface 51a and closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52 is.
  • One end of the second incident surface 51b is connected to the end ep, and the other end of the second incident surface 51b is connected to one end of the first incident surface 51a.
  • the second incident surface 51b is inclined from one end toward the other end so as to approach the light emitter 40 .
  • the first incident surface 51a is located closer to the operation panel 60 than the second incident surface 51b and closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52 is. One end of the first incident surface 51a is connected to the other end of the second incident surface 51b, and the other end of the first incident surface 51a is connected to the outer peripheral side surface 55 via the inclined portion.
  • the first incident surface 51 a is perpendicular to the normal line nL of the light emitting surface 41 and faces the light emitting surface 41 of the light emitter 40 .
  • the first incident surface 51a and the second incident surface 51b are surfaces on which the direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the light L1 that has passed through the first incident surface 51a passes through the light guide 50F, reaches the exit surface 53, and is emitted from the exit surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • the light L1 passing through the first incident surface 51a is reflected on the other side of the outer peripheral side surface 55 (in the direction along the normal line nL) on the first incident surface 51a, compared to the first modification of the second embodiment. side), the amount of light in the region of the exit surface 53 closer to the light emitter 40 can be reduced or moderated.
  • the light L2 that has passed through the second incident surface 51b reaches the reflecting surface 52 through the light guide 50F and is reflected by the reflecting surface 52. As shown in FIG.
  • the light L3 reflected by the reflecting surface 52 passes through the light guide 50F, reaches the emission surface 53, and is emitted from the emission surface 53 to the panel display section .
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is also displayed on the panel via the light guides 50F provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22. It can be emitted toward the portion 70 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of an operation input device 1A according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 2.
  • FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of an operation input device 1A according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 2.
  • the light guide 50G of the operation input device 1A has an incident surface 51, a reflecting surface 52 and an emitting surface 53.
  • the inclination angle ⁇ 1 of the entrance surface 51 with respect to the exit surface 53 is larger than the inclination angle ⁇ 2 of the reflection surface 52 with respect to the exit surface 53.
  • This light guide 50G also has an end ep connecting the incident surface 51 and the reflecting surface 52 .
  • the end ep is located on the opposite side of the light emitter 40 when viewed from the reference plane fa. Specifically, the end ep is positioned inside the inner wall surface 22 w of the second opening 22 .
  • the incident surface 51 is a surface on which direct light emitted from the light emitter 40 is incident.
  • the incident surface 51 is positioned closer to the light emitter 40 than the reflecting surface 52, and is inclined so as to approach the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fa from the end ep.
  • the incident surface 51 has a convex curved surface with respect to the light emitted from the light emitter 40 .
  • the reflective surface 52 is a surface that reflects part of the light incident on the entrance surface 51 toward the exit surface 53 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 is positioned further from the light emitter 40 than the incident surface 51, and is inclined away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the reference surface fa from the end ep. Moreover, the reflecting surface 52 is inclined so as to move away from the light emitter 40 as it approaches the back surface 60 b of the operation panel 60 .
  • the reflecting surface 52 of the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>G has a convex curved surface with respect to the light that propagates through the light guide 50 ⁇ /b>G and travels toward the reflecting surface 52 . By forming the reflecting surface 52 into a convex curved surface, the reflected light can be propagated in the light guide 50G at a wide angle.
  • the exit surface 53 is a surface that emits the light that has reached the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 .
  • the exit surface 53 emits the light incident on the entrance surface 51 and refracted to reach the exit surface 53 and the light reflected by the reflection surface 52 and reaching the exit surface 53 toward the panel display section 70 . do.
  • the light emitted from the light emitter 40 is displayed on the panel through the light guides 50G provided inside the first opening 11 and inside the second opening 22. It can be emitted toward the portion 70 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the operation panel 60 from becoming dark. As a result, deterioration in the display quality of the operation panel 60 can be suppressed.
  • Embodiments 1 and 2 have been specifically described above, the operation input devices according to one aspect and another aspect of the present disclosure may have the following configurations. .
  • an operation input device includes an operation panel, a frame arranged on the back side of the operation panel, a substrate arranged on the opposite side of the operation panel as viewed from the frame, a light emitter for emitting light, and a light emitter.
  • a light guide body for guiding light the operation panel having a panel display part that at least partially transmits light
  • the frame having a first opening at a position corresponding to the panel display part
  • the substrate has a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening
  • the light emitter is provided on the substrate and emits light toward the light guide
  • the light guide is connected to the first opening. It may be provided inside the opening and inside the second opening to guide the light emitted from the light emitter and emit the light toward the panel display.
  • a touch pad may be employed as the detection electrode.
  • power may be supplied to the control circuit from a battery or the like. may be supplied to the circuit.
  • the operation input device according to the above embodiment may be applied to, for example, an operation input device provided on an armrest, a door inner surface, or the like, which requires thinning of the operation input device.
  • the present disclosure is useful as an operation input device capable of suppressing deterioration of the display quality of the operation panel.

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  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
PCT/JP2022/040379 2021-11-30 2022-10-28 操作入力装置 Ceased WO2023100563A1 (ja)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004095366A (ja) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-25 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd ピアノハンドル式スイッチの表示装置
JP2013065429A (ja) * 2011-09-16 2013-04-11 Nec Casio Mobile Communications Ltd 静電容量式情報入力ユニット、携帯型端末装置、及び静電容量式情報入力ユニットの製造方法
JP2020061352A (ja) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-16 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 入力装置
JP2021072277A (ja) * 2019-10-30 2021-05-06 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 入力装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004095366A (ja) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-25 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd ピアノハンドル式スイッチの表示装置
JP2013065429A (ja) * 2011-09-16 2013-04-11 Nec Casio Mobile Communications Ltd 静電容量式情報入力ユニット、携帯型端末装置、及び静電容量式情報入力ユニットの製造方法
JP2020061352A (ja) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-16 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 入力装置
JP2021072277A (ja) * 2019-10-30 2021-05-06 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 入力装置

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