Input Devices

Abstract

The input device comprises: a base member; an operating member, which is arranged to be movable up and down relative to the base member and is pressed down; a circuit substrate, which is fixed to the base member and arranged on the lower side of the operating member; a push switch, which is arranged on the lower surface of the circuit substrate; and a link mechanism, which has a rotating member, which is held on the base member in a manner that allows rotation around a rotation center axis and is arranged on the lower side of the circuit substrate, and the rotating member is rotated by the pressing operation of the operating member, thereby pushing the push switch upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to input devices. Background Art

[0002] For example, the following patent document 1 discloses a technology in which, in a push switch having a movable contact, the pushing force of a push button is transmitted to the push switch via a rotating member. According to this technology, no matter where the push button is pushed, the push switch can be operated with the same degree of operation load, and thus the same degree of click feeling can be obtained.

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-173015 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a rotating member between the circuit board on which the push switch is mounted and the operating member, and therefore the space between the circuit board and the operating member cannot be effectively utilized.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] An input device in one embodiment comprises: a base member; an operating member, which is configured to be movable up and down relative to the base member and is pressed down; a circuit substrate, which is fixed to the base member and arranged on the lower side of the operating member; a push switch, which is arranged on the lower surface of the circuit substrate; and a link mechanism, which has a rotating member, which is held on the base member in a manner that allows the rotation center axis to rotate and is arranged on the lower side of the circuit substrate, and the rotating member is rotated by the downward operation of the operating member, thereby pushing the push switch upward.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to one embodiment, in an input device that presses down a push switch by a pressing operation of an operating member, it is possible to effectively utilize a space between a circuit board on which the push switch is mounted and the operating member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the external appearance of an input device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is an external perspective view showing the structure of the lower surface side of the push-up member included in the input device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a bottom view of a push-up member included in the input device according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of a link mechanism included in an input device according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a plan view showing the structure of a link mechanism included in the input device according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view based on the XZ plane of the input device according to one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the input device according to one embodiment, taken along an XZ plane.

[0020] Fig. 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the input device according to one embodiment, taken along the YZ plane.

[0021] Fig.10 This is a cross-sectional view based on the XZ plane for explaining the operation of the input device according to one embodiment.

[0022] Fig.11 This is a cross-sectional view based on the XZ plane for explaining the operation of the input device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the following description, as an example, the positive direction of the Z axis in the figure is set to be upward, and the negative direction of the Z axis in the figure is set to be downward for description, but the configuration of the components, the operation direction, etc. are not limited to this. That is, as long as the relative positional relationship between the configured components and the relative operation direction meet the purpose of the present invention, they are not limited to the direction of the Z axis in the figure, and may also involve the X axis, Y axis, or any direction in the figure.

[0024] (Overview of Input Device 100)

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the appearance of the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 1 The input device 100 shown is used as a switch for controlling the operation of electrical components of a vehicle such as an automobile, etc. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the input device 100 may be used in various applications such as home appliances and mobile information terminals.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the input device 100 is a device having a substantially rectangular shape by combining a housing 170 and a cover member 110. The housing 170 and the cover member 110 are examples of a "base member". In the present embodiment, the "base member" is composed of two parts, but is not limited to this. The "base member" may also be formed integrally, or may be a combination of three or more parts. In the input device 100, an opening 110A is formed on the upper surface of the cover member 110, which is rectangular when viewed from above. The operating portion 120A of the operating member 120 is exposed from the opening 110A. Thus, the input device 100 allows the user to press down the operating portion 120A.

[0027] In the input device 100, when the user performs a downward operation on the operation portion 120A, the push switch 152 (see FIG. 1 ) provided inside the housing 170 is turned on. Figure 8 ) is pushed and switched to the on state, and a control signal indicating the on state is output to an external device that is a control target of the input device 100 via various electrical components (for example, cables, connectors, etc.) not shown in the figure.

[0028] In addition, the input device 100 is provided with an electrostatic sensor 130 (see Figure 2 ), whereby, when the user presses down the operating unit 120A, the contact position is detected by the electrostatic sensor 130, and a control signal indicating the contact position is output to an external device that is a control object of the input device 100 via various electrical components (for example, cables, connectors, etc.) not shown in the figure.

[0029] Here, the input device 100 is configured such that the operation portion 120A has a wide operation surface, but the link mechanism 160 (using the Figure 2 Under the action of the push switch 152 that can provide a click operation feeling, the same operation feeling can be obtained no matter which part of the operation surface is pushed. For example, the input device 100 is configured such that a push switch 152 that can provide a click operation feeling is provided at a position below the center of the operation portion 120A, but the same click operation feeling can be obtained when the center of the operation portion 120A is pushed and when the end of the operation portion 120A is pushed.

[0030] (Structure of Input Device 100)

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 2As shown, the input device 100 includes a cover member 110 , an operation member 120 , an electrostatic sensor 130 , a pressing member 140 , a circuit board 150 , a link mechanism 160 , and a housing 170 in this order from the top of the figure.

[0032] The cover member 110 is a cover-shaped member that is mounted on the upper portion of the housing 170 and closes the upper opening of the housing 170. An opening 110A that is rectangular when viewed from above is formed on the upper surface of the cover member 110. The opening 110A is provided to expose the operating portion 120A of the operating member 120 provided on the lower side of the cover member 110 so that the user can perform a downward operation of the operating portion 120A.

[0033] The operating member 120 is a member that is arranged on the lower side of the cover member 110 in the interior of the housing 170 in a manner that can move in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction in the figure) and is provided for the user to complete the pressing operation. The operating member 120 generally has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening at the bottom. An operating portion 120A that is rectangular when viewed from above is provided on the upper surface of the operating member 120. The operating portion 120A is a portion that is exposed from the opening portion 110A of the cover member 110 for the user to complete the pressing operation. An electrostatic sensor 130 and a pressing member 140 are assembled from the lower opening inside the operating member 120 (i.e., the lower side of the operating portion 120A).

[0034] The electrostatic sensor 130 is a thin film-shaped member that is overlapped and provided on the lower side of the operating portion 120A inside the operating member 120. The electrostatic sensor 130 has a plurality of detection electrodes (not shown), and detects the contact position on the operating surface of the operating portion 120A based on the change of the electrostatic capacitance in the plurality of detection electrodes. The electrostatic sensor 130 is connected to the controller 134 provided inside the housing 170 via the FPC 132. Thus, the electrostatic sensor 130 is configured to be able to drive the plurality of detection electrodes according to the controller 134.

[0035] The pressing member 140 is a flat plate-shaped member that is overlapped and provided on the lower side of the electrostatic sensor 130 inside the operating member 120 (i.e., on the lower side of the operating portion 120A). When the pressing operation of the operating member 120 is completed, the pressing member 140 moves downward together with the operating member 120. Thus, the pressing member 140 moves downward through the four pressing portions 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the lower surface of the pressing member 140. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 ) to press down one end of each of the four rotating members 162a, 162b, 162c, and 162d of the link mechanism 160. It should be noted that the four pressing parts and the four rotating members in this embodiment are an example of "multiple pressing parts" and an example of "multiple rotating members".

[0036] The circuit substrate 150 is a relatively hard flat plate-shaped member such as glass epoxy resin. The circuit substrate 150 is arranged horizontally (i.e., parallel to the XY plane) inside the housing 170, and is fixed to the housing 170 with four corners screwed. As the circuit substrate 150, for example, a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) is used. A push switch 152 is installed downward on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 150. The push switch 152 is a so-called metal dome switch. When the operating surface of the push switch 152 is pressed, the top of the metal dome-shaped movable contact member (not shown) arranged inside performs a reverse action, thereby switching to an on state. At this time, in the push switch 152, a click feeling is generated on the operating surface by the reverse action of the movable contact member. The push switch 152 is electrically connected to an external device that is a control object of the input device 100 via various electrical components (e.g., cables, connectors, etc.) that are omitted from the illustration. An LED 154 is installed on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 150. LED 154 is an example of a “light emitting unit” and radiates light toward operation member 120 .

[0037] The link mechanism 160 has rotating members 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d, and an upward push member 164. The rotation center axis 162A, 162B, 162C, 162D of each rotating member 162 is held rotatably by a pair of pillars 174a, 174b, 174c, 174d provided integrally with the housing 170 inside the housing 170. One end of each rotating member 162 (the end on the side away from the downward pressing center point P. Hereinafter, it is indicated as the "outer end") is pressed down and rotated by the pressing portion 142 closest to the point of the downward pressing operation among the four pressing portions 142 provided by the pressing member 140, so that the other end (the end on the side close to the downward pressing center point P. Hereinafter, it is indicated as the "inner end") is pushed up. The other end of each rotating member 162 is initially aligned with the lower end surface 164b (refer to Figure 8 , Fig. 9 Therefore, each rotating member 162 can push up the push-up member 164 by the end of the other side by pressing down one end side.

[0038] The push-up member 164 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction and is disposed opposite to the lower side of the push-type switch 152. The upper end surface 164a (see Figure 8 , Fig. 9) abuts against the operating surface of the push switch 152. The upper end surface 164a only needs to be large enough to push against the operating surface of the push switch 152, and in the present embodiment, it is set to have a radius that is almost the same as the operating surface of the push switch 152. In addition, the lower end surface 164b of the push-up member 164 is enlarged in the radial direction compared to the upper end surface 164a, and has a radius that is large enough to abut against all the protrusions 162a2, 162b2, 162c2, and 162d2 at the inner ends of the upper surfaces of the plurality of rotating members 162. A portion of the upper end surface 164a side of the push-up member 164 will be formed in the through hole 172A of the retaining member 172 and is set to be able to slide in the up-down direction in the through hole 172A. As a result, the rotating member 162 is guided by the through hole 172A to move in the up-down direction. That is, when being pushed up by the rotating members 162 , the push-up member 164 can move upward while maintaining an upright state, and thus can reliably push the operating surface of the push switch 152 .

[0039] The housing 170 is a container-like member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an upper opening. The housing 170 has various components (electrostatic sensor 130 , pressing member 140 , circuit board 150 , and link mechanism 160 ) assembled therein, and the upper opening is closed by the cover member 110 .

[0040] (Structure of the pressing member 140)

[0041] Figure 3 This is an external perspective view showing the structure of the lower surface side of the pressing member 140 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a pressing member 140 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, four columnar pressing parts 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d extending downward are provided on the lower surface of the pressing member 140.

[0042] The pressing portion 142a is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance x1 in the negative direction of the X axis from the pressing center point P of the push switch 152. The pressing portion 142a extends to the lower side of the circuit substrate 150, and the lower end surface 142a1 abuts against the protrusion 162a1 at the outer end of the upper surface of the rotating member 162a to press down.

[0043] The pressing portion 142b is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance y1 in the negative direction of the Y axis from the pressing center point P of the push switch 152. The pressing portion 142b extends to the lower side of the circuit substrate 150, and the lower end surface 142b1 abuts against the protrusion 162b1 at the outer end of the upper surface of the rotating member 162b to press down.

[0044] The pressing portion 142c is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance x1 in the positive direction of the X axis from the pressing center point P of the push switch 152. The pressing portion 142c extends to the lower side of the circuit substrate 150, and the lower end surface 142c1 abuts against the protrusion 162c1 at the outer end of the upper surface of the rotating member 162c to press down.

[0045] The pressing portion 142d is provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance y1 in the positive direction of the Y axis from the pressing center point P of the push switch 152. The pressing portion 142d extends to the lower side of the circuit board 150, and the lower end surface 142d1 abuts against the protrusion 162d1 at the outer end of the upper surface of the rotating member 162d to press down.

[0046] (Structure of Link Mechanism 160)

[0047] Figure 5 It is a partially enlarged view showing the structure of the link mechanism 160 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 6 It is a plan view showing the structure of the link mechanism 160 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0048] like Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the link mechanism 160 includes: an upward push member 164, which is arranged at a position opposite to the push switch 152 (i.e., the downward push center point P); and four rotating members 162a, 162b, 162c, and 162d, which extend from the lower side of the upward push member 164 in different directions from each other and are arranged in a cross shape when viewed from above.

[0049] The rotating member 162a is provided to extend in the negative direction of the X axis from the lower side of the push-up member 164. The rotating central axis 162A of the rotating member 162a is pivotally supported by a pair of pillars 174a vertically erected from the bottom of the housing 170 so that the rotating member 162a can rotate in the vertical direction.

[0050] The rotating member 162b is provided to extend in the negative direction of the Y axis from the lower side of the push-up member 164. The rotating central axis 162B of the rotating member 162b is pivotally supported by a pair of pillars 174b vertically erected from the bottom of the housing 170 so that the rotating member 162b can rotate in the vertical direction.

[0051] The rotating member 162c is provided to extend in the positive direction of the X axis from the lower side of the push-up member 164. The rotating member 162c has its rotation center axis 162C pivotally supported by a pair of support columns 174c vertically erected from the bottom of the housing 170 so that the rotating member 162C can rotate in the vertical direction.

[0052] The rotating member 162d is provided to extend in the negative direction of the Y axis from the lower side of the push-up member 164. The rotating central axis 162D of the rotating member 162d is pivotally supported by a pair of pillars 174d vertically erected from the bottom of the housing 170 so that the rotating member 162d can rotate in the vertical direction.

[0053] The protrusions 162a2, 162b2, 162c2, 162d2 at the inner ends of the respective rotating members 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d come into contact with the lower end surface 164b of the push-up member 164. As a result, the protrusions 162a1, 162b1, 162c1, 162d1 at the outer ends of the respective rotating members 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d are pressed downward, so that the push-up member 164 can be pushed upward by the protrusions 162a2, 162b2, 162c2, 162d2 at the inner ends.

[0054] The holding member 172 is provided together with the push-up member 164 at a position facing the operating surface of the push switch 152 in a plan view (i.e., the depression center point P). The holding member 172 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and each corner is supported by four support walls 176 that are erected from the bottom of the housing 170. The holding member 172 has a pair of hooks 172B (an example of a "holding arm") extending upward, and the pair of hooks 172B penetrate a pair of openings 150A (see FIG. 15A ) formed in the circuit substrate 150 at positions close to the push switch 152. Fig. 9 ) and engage with the upper surface of the circuit board 150, thereby holding the circuit board 150 from the bottom. A through hole 172A is formed in the center of the holding member 172, which passes through the holding member 172 in the up-down direction. The push-up member 164 is provided in the through hole 172A in a manner that it can move in the up-down direction.

[0055] (Structure of the Pressing Rotating Member 162)

[0056] Figure 7 This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment based on the XZ plane. Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment, taken along the XZ plane. Fig. 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment, taken along the YZ plane.

[0057] like Figure 7 to Figure 9 As shown, four columnar pressing parts 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d extending downward are provided on the lower surface of the pressing member 140.

[0058] The lower end surface 142a1 of the pressing portion 142a contacts the protrusion 162a1 formed on the upper surface of the outer end of the rotating member 162a. Thus, when the pressing member 140 is pressed down together with the operation member 120, the pressing portion 142a can press down the outer end of the rotating member 162a.

[0059] The lower end surface 142b1 of the pressing portion 142b contacts the protrusion 162b1 formed on the upper surface of the outer end of the rotating member 162b. Thus, when the pressing member 140 is pressed down together with the operating member 120, the pressing portion 142b can press down the outer end of the rotating member 162b.

[0060] The lower end surface 142c1 of the pressing portion 142c contacts a protrusion 162c1 formed on the upper surface of the outer end of the rotating member 162c. Thus, when the pressing member 140 is pressed down together with the operating member 120, the pressing portion 142c can press down the outer end of the rotating member 162c.

[0061] The lower end surface 142d1 of the pressing portion 142d contacts a protrusion 162d1 formed on the upper surface of the outer end of the rotating member 162d. Thus, when the pressing member 140 is pressed down together with the operation member 120, the pressing portion 142d can press down the outer end of the rotating member 162d.

[0062] (Operation of Input Device 100)

[0063] Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 This is a cross-sectional view based on the XZ plane for explaining the operation of the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig.10 represents the state of the input device 100 before the push operation (i.e., the switch is off), Fig.11 The state after the push operation of the input device 100 (ie, the switch-on state) is shown. Here, an example of a push operation at a point offset from the center of the operation portion 120A of the operation member 120 but at which the push portion 142a is closest will be described.

[0064] First, when the operating portion 120A of the operating member 120 is pressed down from the opening 110A of the cover member 110 (arrow A in the figure), the pressing member 140 is pressed down together with the operating member 120. Here, the four side surfaces of the operating member 120 are respectively provided with guide ribs 122 extending in the up-down direction (see FIG. Figure 2 Each guide rib 122 is formed in a guide groove 178 (see Figure 2) under the action of the guide ribs 122, the pressing member 140 can move in the vertical direction and the horizontal movement is restricted. Therefore, even if a point other than the central part of the operating portion 120A is pressed down, the operating member 120 and the pressing member 140 can move to a predetermined position downward in a plan view. However, since there is a small gap between each guide rib 122 and each guide groove 178, the pressing member 140 can also move downward in a state slightly inclined from the central part to the point where the pressing operation is performed.

[0065] Furthermore, since the pressing member 140 is pressed down in a slightly inclined state, the pressing portion 142a located closest to the point where the pressing operation is performed among the four pressing portions 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d moves ahead of the remaining pressing portions 142b, 142c, and 142d to press down the protrusion 162a1 at the outer end of the rotating member 162a of the connecting rod mechanism 160 (arrow B in the figure).

[0066] Therefore, if Fig.11 As shown, the rotating member 162a rotates around the rotating central axis 162A, and the protrusion 162a2 at the inner end of the rotating member 162a pushes up the push-up member 164 of the link mechanism 160 (arrow C in the figure). At this time, the push-up member 164 is guided by the through hole 172A formed in the holding member 172, and can move upward while maintaining an upright state to press the push switch 152. Therefore, the operating force from the operating part 120A can be efficiently and directly transmitted to the push switch 152 via the link mechanism 160.

[0067] As a result, the upper end surface 164a of the push-up member 164 presses the operating surface of the push switch 152, so that the top of the metal dome-shaped movable contact member provided inside the push switch 152 performs a reverse action, thereby switching the push switch 152 to the on state. At this time, a click feeling is generated on the operating surface of the push switch 152 due to the reverse action of the movable contact member.

[0068] At this time, the operating portion 120A of the operating member 120 is physically directly connected to the operating surface of the push switch 152 via the pressing member 140 and the link mechanism 160 (see the dotted line in the figure). Therefore, the click feeling generated on the operating surface of the push switch 152 is transmitted to the operating portion 120A of the operating member 120 via the link mechanism 160 and the pressing member 140 with almost no attenuation. As a result, the user can directly feel the click feeling generated on the operating surface of the push switch 152.

[0069] In addition, the pressing parts 142b, 142c, and 142d other than the pressing part 142a that pressed down the rotating member 162a before other pressing parts move downward under the action of their own weight (arrow D in the figure), and accordingly abut against the protrusions 162b1, 162c1, and 162d1 at the outer ends of the remaining rotating members 162b, 162c, and 162d without a gap, so that a continuous rotational force is applied by the remaining rotating members 162b, 162c, and 162d. Therefore, when the pushing member 164 is pushed upward by the rotating member 162a first (arrow C in the figure), the protrusions 162b2, 162c2, and 162d2 at the inner ends of the remaining rotating members 162b, 162c, and 162d respectively follow the upward movement of the pushing member 164 and maintain a gapless abutment state (arrow E in the figure), thereby causing the remaining rotating members 162b, 162c, and 162d to rotate. As a result, after the pressing operation, all the rotating members 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d are in a state where they have rotated by almost the same amount from the initial state before the pressing operation, so the lower end surfaces 142a1, 142b1, 142c1, 142d1 of the pressing parts that are in contact with the protrusions 162a1, 162b1, 162c1, 162d1 at the outer ends thereof without a gap are also in a horizontal state with almost the same height in the vertical direction. That is, the pressing member 140 and the operating member 120 integrally provided therewith move from the initial horizontal state to the almost horizontal state, so that even if the user performs a pressing operation on a portion other than the central portion of the operating portion 120A, no tilt occurs, and the pressing operating member 120 can be pressed in an almost horizontal state.

[0070] It should be noted that, in the input device 100 of this embodiment, even when the central portion of the operating portion 120A is pressed down, the operating force of the pressing operation can be directly transmitted to the push switch 152 via one of the four rotating members 162 that is closest to each other when viewed carefully and the push-up member 164 based on the same operating principle, and a click feeling can be directly obtained from the push switch 152. In addition, the pressing operating member 120 can be pressed down in a substantially horizontal state.

[0071] according to Fig.10 as well as Fig.11It is also clear that the input device 100 of this embodiment has a push switch 152 installed on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 150, and the link mechanism 160 is also arranged on the lower side of the circuit substrate 150, so only the LED 154 is installed on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 150. That is, in the input device 100 of this embodiment, the space between the circuit substrate 150 and the operating member 120 becomes vacant and can be effectively used. That is, in this embodiment, since there is no shielding between the circuit substrate 150 and the operating member 120, it can be used as a light guide path for the light irradiated from the LED 154. Alternatively, the light guide member and the reflective member can be freely arranged. It should be noted that the input device 100 of this embodiment is provided with the LED 154 in order to illuminate the back side of the operating member 120, but when this is not necessary, it can be set to a structure obtained by not installing the LED 154 on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 150.

[0072] As described above, the input device 100 of the present embodiment comprises: an operating member 120, which is pressed down; a circuit substrate 150, which is arranged on the lower side of the operating member 120; a push switch 152, which is arranged on the lower surface of the circuit substrate 150; and a connecting rod mechanism 160, which has a rotating member 162, which is rotatably arranged on the lower side of the circuit substrate 150 and rotates in response to the pressing operation, thereby pushing the push switch 152 upward.

[0073] Thus, according to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, a direct push switch operation can be performed using the operation member 120 , and the space between the circuit board 150 and the operation member 120 can be left vacant and effectively utilized.

[0074] In addition, in the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the push switch 152 is a metal dome switch, and the link mechanism 160 includes: an upward push member 164, which is arranged on the lower side of the push switch 152 in a manner that can move up and down; and a rotating member 162, which rotates in response to the downward push operation, thereby pushing the upward push member 164 upward, thereby pushing the push switch 152 upward via the upward push member 164.

[0075] Thus, according to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the click operation feeling generated by the push switch 152 can be directly obtained on the operating member 120. In addition, according to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the operating surface of the push switch 152 can be pushed straight upward by the push-up member 164. That is, according to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, it is not easy to press the operating surface of the push switch 152 at an angle, so it is possible to reduce the change of the operating load of the push switch 152.

[0076] In addition, the input device 100 of this embodiment also has a retaining member 172 for retaining the circuit substrate 150 at a position opposite to the push switch 152. The retaining member 172 has a through hole 172A that passes through in the up-down direction, and the push-up member 164 is configured to be movable in the up-down direction within the through hole 172A.

[0077] Thus, according to the input device 100 of this embodiment, the operating surface of the push switch 152 can be pushed straight upward by the push-up member 164. That is, according to the input device 100 of this embodiment, it is not easy to press the operating surface of the push switch 152 at an angle, so the change of the operating load of the push switch 152 can be made less likely to occur.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the upward movement amount of the push-up member 164 can be restricted by the holding member 172 , thereby preventing the push switch 152 from being damaged due to over-pressing of the push switch 152 .

[0079] In addition, according to the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the hook 172B of the retaining member 172 holds the vicinity of the push switch 152 in the circuit substrate 150 from the upper surface side, thereby making it difficult for the position of the push switch 152 to change due to the bending of the circuit substrate 150, etc., and thus making it difficult for the operating feel of the push switch 152 to change.

[0080] In the input device 100 of the present embodiment, the link mechanism 160 includes a plurality of rotating members 162 extending from the lower side of the push-up member 164 in horizontal directions different from each other (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction).

[0081] Therefore, according to the input device 100 of this embodiment, even when the pressing operation is completed at a position other than the central part of the operating member 120, the push switch 152 can be directly pushed via the rotating member 162 corresponding to the operating position of the operating member 120, and a click feeling can be directly obtained from the push switch 152.

[0082] In addition, the input device 100 of the present embodiment further includes an LED 154, which is provided on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 150 and irradiates light toward the back side of the operating member 120. That is, since the input device 100 of the present embodiment does not have the link mechanism 160 or the like in the irradiation direction of the light emitted from the LED 154, the light emitted from the LED 154 can be efficiently irradiated toward the back side of the operating member 120.

[0083] An embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the patent claims.

[0084] For example, in the present embodiment, the operation member 120 and the pressing member 140 are combined as separate bodies, but they may be integrally formed.

[0085] In the present embodiment, a metal dome switch is used as the push switch 152 , but a push switch of another type such as a rubber dome switch may be used.

[0086] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the input device 100 has the LED 154 mounted in the vacant space between the circuit board 150 and the operation member 120 , but in addition thereto, a mechanism for sensing the pressing operation force of the user may be provided.

[0087] This international application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-248491, filed on December 28, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] Description of reference numerals:

[0089] 100 Input device

[0090] 110 Cover member (base member)

[0091] 120 Operating components

[0092] 130 Electrostatic sensor

[0093] 140 Pressing member

[0094] 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d: lower pressing part

[0095] 150 Circuit board

[0096] 152 Push switch

[0097] 154 LED (light emitting unit)

[0098] 160 Linkage

[0099] 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d Rotating member

[0100] 162A, 162B, 162C, 162D Rotation center axis

[0101] 164 Push-up member

[0102] 170 Shell (base member)

[0103] 172 Retaining member

[0104] 172A Through hole

[0105] 172B Hook (holding arm).

Claims

1. An input device, characterized in that: The input device comprises: Base member; an operating member, which is arranged to be movable up and down relative to the base member and is pressed down; a circuit substrate fixed to the base member and disposed on the lower side of the operating member; A push switch, which is arranged on the lower surface of the circuit substrate; as well as The link mechanism has a rotating member, which is held by the base member in a manner rotatable around a rotation center axis and is arranged on the lower side of the circuit substrate, and the rotating member rotates in response to the downward pressing operation of the operating member, thereby pushing the push switch upward. The connecting rod mechanism comprises: a push-up member disposed on a lower side of the push switch in a manner capable of moving up and down; and The rotating member is rotated by the pressing operation of the operating member, thereby pushing up the push-up member, thereby pushing the push switch upward via the push-up member. The input device further includes a holding member supported by the base member at a lower side of the push switch. The holding member has a through hole in the up-down direction. The push-up member is provided to be movable in the vertical direction within the through hole.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The holding member includes a holding arm that penetrates the circuit board at a position close to the push switch and engages with an upper surface of the circuit board to hold the circuit board.

3. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The link mechanism includes a plurality of the rotating members extending from a lower side of the push-up member in directions different from each other.

4. The input device according to claim 3, characterized in that The input device includes a plurality of pressing portions, which are provided on a lower side of the operation member and press down each of the plurality of rotating members.

5. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The push switch is a metal dome switch and generates a click feeling accompanying a depression operation of the operating member.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The input device further includes a light emitting unit that is provided on an upper surface of the circuit substrate and irradiates light toward a back side of the operation member.

Images