Input devices

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is to provide an input device that can easily distinguish between two types of operations with different operation methods. The input device includes: a rigid plate; a strain generator made of resin, fixed to the plate and having a long dimension; a key top, mounted on the strain generator; and a strain sensor, mounted on the strain generator, wherein the thickness of the thin plate portion provided at both ends of the long dimension is thinner than the thickness of the thick plate portion provided at the center of the long dimension, the strain sensor is mounted on the thin plate portion, and the strain generator is fixed to the plate at the thick plate portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the past, there was a rod-type coordinate input device comprising: an operating component; a strain sensor for detecting a tilt operation of the operating component; and a press sensor for detecting a press operation of the operating component. The rod-type coordinate input device is characterized in that it can perform the tilt operation and the press operation simultaneously (for example, refer to patent document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-084972

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-097905

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-116709

[0008] Furthermore, in conventional stick-type coordinate input devices, a plunger shaft used for a pressing operation is also used for a tilting operation. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between two types of operations, namely, a pressing operation and a tilting operation, which have different operation methods. Summary of the invention

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can easily distinguish between two types of operations having different operation methods.

[0010] An input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plate made of a rigid body; a strain generating body (Japanese: a strain generating body) made of resin, which is fixed to the above plate and has a long dimension direction; a key top, which is placed on the above strain generating body; and a strain sensor, which is mounted on the above strain generating body, wherein the thickness of the thin plate portion arranged at the two end portions in the above long dimension direction is thinner than the thickness of the thick plate portion arranged in the central portion in the above long dimension direction, the above strain sensor is mounted on the above thin plate portion, and the above strain generating body is fixed to the above plate at the above thick plate portion.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] An input device capable of easily distinguishing between two types of operations having different operation methods can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an electronic device 10 including an input device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an input device 100 .

[0015] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing a part of the input device 100 .

[0016] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing a part of the input device 100 .

[0017] Figure 5 To express Figure 2 A-A section view of the structure.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an input device 100M according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an input device 100M according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an input device 100M according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing an input device 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing a state where the key top 240 and the pressing portion 150 are removed.

[0023] Fig.11 A diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the input device 200.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 100 Input Devices

[0026] 110 Metal Plate

[0027] 120FPC

[0028] 125A Strain Sensing Element

[0029] 125B Push Button Switch

[0030] 130, 130M, 230 strain generator

[0031] 130A, 130MA, 230A thick plate department

[0032] 130B, 130MB, 230B thin plate

[0033] 231A, 232B protrusions

[0034] 140, 140M, 240 key top

[0035] 242B, 242C contact part

[0036] 150 Pressing part DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of an input device to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0038] <Implementation Method 1>

[0039] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an electronic device 10 including an input device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The XYZ coordinate system is defined below for explanation. In addition, in the following, the top view refers to the view on the XY plane, and for the convenience of explanation, the -Z direction side is referred to as the lower side or lower, and the +Z direction side is referred to as the upper side or upper, but this does not represent a general up-down relationship.

[0040] The electronic device 10 is a smartphone, a game console, etc., and has a housing 11. The electronic device 10 is a thin electronic device with a small thickness in the Y direction, and an opening 11A is provided on the side of the housing 11. The key tops 140 and the pressing portion 150 of the input device 100 are exposed from the opening 11A.

[0041] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an input device 100. Figure 2 Also use Figures 3 to 5 to explain. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a state in which some components of the input device 100 are removed. Figure 5 To express Figure 2 A-A section view of the structure.

[0042] The input device 100 includes a metal plate 110, a spacer 115, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuitboard: flexible substrate) 120, a strain detection element 125A, a push button switch 125B, a strain generating body 130, a key top 140, and a pressing portion 150. The strain detection element 125A and the push button switch 125B are not shown in the figure. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In Figure 4As shown in . The input device 100 is a device capable of performing an operation of pressing the +X direction side or the -X direction side of the key top 140, and capable of performing an operation of pressing the pressing portion 150 in the -Z direction. The pressing portion 150 is surrounded by the key top 140, so the portion that the user contacts to operate the key top 140 and the portion that the user contacts to operate the pressing portion 150 are very close, but the operation of the key top 140 and the operation of the pressing portion 150 are two types of operations with different operation locations and different operation methods. In addition, as an example, the displacement caused by the pressing operation of the key top 140 is a small displacement to the extent that it cannot be distinguished by the naked eye, and the displacement caused by the pressing operation of the pressing portion 150 is a small displacement, but it is a degree that can be confirmed by the naked eye.

[0043] The metal plate 110 is an example of a plate, and is made of a metal such as aluminum. Therefore, the rigidity of the metal plate 110 is higher than that of the FPC 120. The metal plate 110 has a base 110A and an assembly portion 110B. The base 110A is a flat plate-shaped portion parallel to the XY plane, and is a rectangular portion having a long dimension in the X direction when viewed from above. The base 110A has two through holes 111A, and the two through holes 111A are respectively provided on both sides of the central portion separated by the X direction. The through hole 111A is provided to fix the strain generating body 130 to the metal plate 110.

[0044] The mounting portion 110B is used to mount the metal plate 110 on an electronic device 10 such as a smartphone or a game controller (see Figure 1 ) has a through hole 111B. The metal plate 110 is assembled to the housing 11 of the electronic device 10 by inserting a screw through the through hole 111B. The assembly portion 110B is bent from the end edge of the base 110A on the -Y direction side toward the -Z direction. In addition, such a metal plate 110 can be made by stamping a sheet metal.

[0045] The spacer 115 is a thin plate-shaped member having a long dimension in the X direction, and is made of resin as an example. The length of the spacer 115 in the X direction is equal to the length of the thick plate portion 130A of the strain generating body 130 in the X direction, and the spacer 115 is arranged in a state where the position of the thick plate portion 130A in the X direction is aligned with the position of the thick plate portion 130A in the X direction when sandwiched between the base 110A of the metal plate 110 and the base 120A of the FPC 120. The spacer 115 has through holes 115A on both sides of the center portion in the X direction. The position and opening size of the through hole 115A match the through hole 111A of the base 110A of the metal plate 110. The spacer 115 insulates the wiring and the like provided on the lower surface of the FPC 120 from the metal plate 110.

[0046] The FPC 120 is a flexible substrate having a base portion 120A and a wiring portion 120B, and is, for example, a thin film substrate made of polyimide. Both ends of the base portion 120A are located inside the through hole 131B of the thin plate portion 130B of the strain generating body 130 in the X direction.

[0047] Two strain detection elements 125A are mounted on the lower surface of the base portion 120A, and a push button switch 125B is mounted on the upper surface of the base portion 120A. The two strain detection elements 125A are mounted on the lower surface of the base portion 120A at positions overlapping the thin plate portion 130B of the strain generating body 130. The portion of the base portion 120A where the two strain detection elements 125A are mounted is the portion of the base portion 120A that is not sandwiched between the base portion 110A and the thick plate portion 130A. Therefore, it can be deformed in accordance with the deformation of the thin plate portion 130B in the Z direction.

[0048] The upper surface of the base portion 120A is bonded to the lower surface of the strain generating body 130 by an adhesive. It is sufficient that the upper surface of the base portion 120A is bonded to the lower surface of the thin plate portion 130B of the strain generating body 130 at least in the portion where the two strain detection elements 125A are located. Here, as an example, the entire upper surface of the base portion 120A is bonded to the lower surface of the strain generating body 130. This is to make it easier for the strain (Japanese: 歪み) (deformation) generated in the thin plate portion 130B of the strain generating body 130 to be transmitted to the strain detection element 125A mounted on the lower surface of the base portion 120A of the FPC 120 when an operation of pressing the +X direction side or the -X direction side of the key top 140 downward is performed.

[0049] The central portion of the base portion 120A in the X direction is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the base portion 110A of the metal plate 110 and the thick plate portion 130A of the strain generating body 130 with a spacer 115 interposed therebetween and disposed on the upper surface of the base portion 110A of the metal plate 110. The base portion 120A has two through holes 121A. The two through holes 121A are provided in the X direction and are provided at positions corresponding to the through holes 115A of the spacer 115. The opening size of the through hole 121A is equal to the opening size of the through hole 115A. The two through holes 121A are located inside the two strain detection elements 125A in the X direction.

[0050] On the lower surface of the FPC 120, there are provided wirings constituting a half-bridge circuit formed by connecting the two strain detection elements 125A in series and a wiring connected to the push button switch 125B via a via, and these wirings are connected to the terminals 121B at the ends of the wiring portion 120B. As an example, the wiring is made by printing silver paste on the lower surface of the FPC 120. This is to make the wiring itself flexible. However, the wiring is not limited to the wiring formed by printing silver paste on the FPC 120. In addition, Figures 2 to 4 3 shows a state where the wiring portion 120B is bent in the −Z direction relative to the base portion 120A.

[0051] As an example, the strain detection element 125A is a resistive strain sensor composed of a laminate of a stretchable conductive layer realized by nanocarbon. The two strain detection elements 125A are respectively provided at positions overlapping with the two thin plate portions 130B provided on both sides of the thick plate portion 130A in the X direction of the strain generating body 130. In addition, the strain detection element 125A is not limited to such a configuration, and other configurations may also be used.

[0052] The push button switch 125B is an example of a push sensing sensor. The push button switch 125B is mounted on the upper surface of the central portion of the base 120A in the X direction. The push button switch 125B is located between the two through holes 121A in the X direction. If a touch switch of the following structure is used as the push button switch 125B, a click feeling can be obtained. The push button switch 125B has a structure obtained by covering a metal dome portion 125B1 and two metal sheets 125B2 arranged under the dome portion 125B1 with a cover. If the dome portion 125B1 is pressed downward by the pressing portion 150, it is deformed and contacts the metal sheet 125B2, thereby the push button switch 125B is turned on. The conduction (opening) of the push button switch 125B is achieved by the conduction of the two metal sheets 125B2. The dome portion 125B1 is an example of a first metal sheet, and the metal sheet 125B2 is an example of a second metal sheet. In addition, the push button switch 125B is not limited to a touch switch having such a structure, and any switch can be used as long as it is turned on by being pressed.

[0053] The strain generating body 130 has a thick plate portion 130A and a thin plate portion 130B, and is made of thermoplastic resin as an example. The strain generating body 130 is an object that generates strain in shape due to external force. Generating strain in the shape of an object means that the object is deformed. The strain generating body 130 is a plate-shaped component having a long dimension in the X direction, and the thick plate portion 130A located in the center of the long dimension is thicker than the two thin plate portions 130B located at the two ends of the long dimension. In addition, the lower surface of the thick plate portion 130A and the lower surface of the thin plate portion 130B are flush and flat, and the upper surface of the thick plate portion 130A is located above the upper surface of the thin plate portion 130B. The reason why the strain generating body 130 has the thick plate portion 130A and the thin plate portion 130B having different thicknesses is that when the +X direction side or the -X direction side of the key top 140 is pressed downward, the thin plate portion 130B located at the two end sides is easier to deform than the thick plate portion 130A at the center side. By providing the thin plate portion 130B having a thin thickness at the two end sides in the longitudinal direction of the strain generating body 130 in this way, the deformation can be concentrated on the thin plate portion 130B, and the number of parts can be reduced by implementing it with one strain generating body 130. In addition, by setting the lower surface of the strain generating body 130 as a flat surface, the manufacturing of the strain generating body 130 becomes easy.

[0054] The thick plate portion 130A has a length in the X direction equal to the length in the X direction of the spacer 115, and is aligned with the position of the spacer 115 in the X direction. A through hole 131A is provided in the center of the thick plate portion 130A in the X direction, and a recess 133A recessed in the upward direction is provided in the center of the lower surface side. The through hole 131A is provided for inserting the plunger portion 153 of the pressing portion 150, and the recess 133A is provided for accommodating the push button switch 125B. The thick plate portion 130A has a sufficient thickness, so that even if the key top 140 is operated, the thick plate portion 130A will not be deformed. By configuring the push button switch 125B in the portion where the thick plate portion 130A is located, there is no need to provide a rigid body for isolating the push button switch 125B from the deformation of the thin plate portion 130B, and the number of parts can be reduced. This is also beneficial for thinning in the Y direction.

[0055] Furthermore, two legs 132A extending downward from the lower surface (lower end) of the thick plate portion 130A are provided on both sides of the concave portion 133A on the lower surface side of the thick plate portion 130A in the X direction. The legs 132A are inserted through the through hole 111A of the base portion 110A, the through hole 115A of the spacer 115, and the through hole 121A of the FPC 120 in a state where the spacer 115 and the FPC 120 are sandwiched between the lower surface of the thick plate portion 130A of the strain generating body 130 and the upper surface of the base portion 110A of the metal plate 110 and in close contact with each other, and are deformed by heating and melting on the lower surface side of the base portion 110A, and then cooled and solidified, whereby the legs 132A are riveted (fixed) to the metal plate 110. By deforming the lower end of the leg portion 132A to be larger than the opening size of the through hole 111A, the spacer 115 and the FPC 120 can be fixed between the lower surface of the thick plate portion 130A of the strain generating body 130 and the upper surface of the base portion 110A of the metal plate 110 .

[0056] The thin plate portion 130B is continuously provided on both sides of the thick plate portion 130A in the X direction, and is a portion thinner than the thick plate portion 130A. A through hole 131B is provided in each thin plate portion 130B that penetrates in the thickness direction. The screw 135 inserted into the through hole 131B from the bottom is fixed to the key top 140, whereby the thin plate portion 130B is fixed to the convex portions 142 on both ends of the key top 140 in the long dimension direction. The thin plate portion 130B is thinner than the thick plate portion 130A, and is therefore easier to deform in the Z direction than the thick plate portion 130A. The strain detection element 125A is mounted on the lower surface of the portion bonded to the lower surface of the thin plate portion 130B in the base 120A of the FPC 120, and therefore, if the thin plate portion 130B is deformed in the Z direction, the resistance value of the strain detection element 125A changes.

[0057] The key top 140 is a resin component having a base 141, a convex portion 142, a screw hole 143, and a protrusion 144. As an example, the key top 140 is an electronic device 10 (see Figure 1 ) is the part that the user directly touches and operates with his hands.

[0058] The base 141 is a rectangular parallelepiped member having a rectangular upper surface (top surface) 141A and four side surfaces 141B connected to the four sides of the upper surface 141A in a plan view, and has a through hole 141C penetrating in the Z direction at the center portion in the X direction and the Y direction. The pressing portion 150 is accommodated inside the through hole 141C.

[0059] The projections 142 project downward from the lower ends of the base 141 in the X direction. The projections 142 at the two ends in the X direction project most downward at the lower end of the key top 140 , and the portion between the two projections 142 is located above the projections 142 .

[0060] The screw hole 143 extends from the lower surface side of the convex portion 142 toward the upper side and reaches the inside of the base portion 141. The screw 135 inserted into the through hole 131B of the strain generating body 130 is screwed and fastened in the screw hole 143.

[0061] The protrusion 144 is a cylindrical member protruding downward from the lower side of the base 141, and is provided on the inner side of the convex portion 142 and on the outer side of the through hole 141C in the X direction. The position of the protrusion 144 in the X direction is a position overlapping the thin plate portion 130B on the outer side of the thick plate portion 130A in relation to the strain generating body 130. The lower end of the protrusion 144 does not contact the thin plate portion 130B, but is spaced from the upper surface of the thin plate portion 130B. The protrusion 144 is inserted through the through hole 152A of the guide arm 152 of the pressing portion 150, and guides the pressing portion 150 in the vertical direction when the pressing portion 150 moves in the vertical direction relative to the key top 140.

[0062] The pressing portion 150 includes a base 151, a guide arm 152, and a plunger portion 153. The base 151 is an oblong columnar component when viewed from above, and the guide arms 152 extend from the lower ends of the base 151 on both sides of the X direction in the ±X directions. The guide arms 152 are arms that are roughly S-shaped when viewed from above, and have a through hole 152A at the top. The through hole 152A penetrates along the Z direction at the top end of the guide arm 152. In addition, the plunger portion 153 protrudes downward from the center of the lower surface of the base 151. The plunger portion 153 is inserted into the through hole 131A of the strain generating body 130, and when the pressing portion 150 is not pressed downward, the lower end of the plunger portion 153 abuts against the upper surface of the push button switch 125B. If the pressing portion 150 is pressed by the electronic instrument 10 (refer to Figure 1 ) presses downward, the plunger 153 presses the push button switch 125B. As a result, the dome portion 125B1 is pressed and contacts the metal sheet 125B2, and the push button switch 125B is turned on. If the user releases the pressing portion 150, the dome portion 125B1 returns to its original shape, and the pressing portion 150 returns to the position before being pressed.

[0063] In the input device 100 as described above, when the upper surface of the key top 140 on the +X direction side relative to the pressing portion 150 is pressed, the thin plate portion 130B on the +X direction side of the strain generating body 130 is pressed downward by the lower end 142A on the +X direction side of the key top 140. At this time, the thick plate portion 130A is hardly deformed, so the top end of the +X direction side of the thin plate portion 130B on the +X direction side is pressed downward with the thick plate portion 130A as a fulcrum, thereby deforming in a bent manner. The strain detection element 125A is provided on the lower surface of the FPC 120, and the FPC 120 is provided on the lower surface of the strain generating body 130, so when the thin plate portion 130B on the +X direction side is pressed downward, the strain detection element 125A on the +X direction side is deformed in a way that it contracts in the X direction. As a result, the resistance value of the strain detection element 125A on the +X direction side decreases, and the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detection elements 125A of the half-bridge circuit changes. Therefore, it is possible to sense that the upper surface of the key top 140 on the +X direction side relative to the pressing portion 150 is pressed based on the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detection elements 125A.

[0064] In addition, when the upper surface of the key top 140 on the +X direction side relative to the pressing portion 150 is pressed, the following action may occur on the -X direction side of the input device 100. The lower end 142A on the -X direction side of the key top 140 pulls the thin plate portion 130B on the -X direction side of the strain generating body 130 upward, and thereby the strain detecting element 125A on the -X direction side may be deformed in a manner of being stretched in the X direction, thereby changing the resistance value. Such a change in the resistance value of the strain detecting element 125A on the -X direction side may occur when the rigidity of the key top 140 is relatively high and / or the rigidity of the strain generating body 130 is relatively low and is easy to deform in the Z direction. If the strain detecting element 125A on the -X direction side is stretched in the X direction, the resistance value increases. Therefore, in contrast to the change in the resistance value of the strain detecting element 125A on the +X direction side, the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detecting elements 125A of the half-bridge circuit changes in the same direction and the absolute value becomes larger. Therefore, similar to the case where the above-described action does not occur on the −X direction side of the input device 100 , it is possible to sense that the upper surface of the key top 140 on the +X direction side of the pressing portion 150 is pressed based on the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detection elements 125A.

[0065] In addition, if the upper surface of the key top 140 on the -X direction side than the pressing portion 150 is pressed, a movement in the X direction that is opposite to the positive and negative movement when the upper surface of the key top 140 on the +X direction side than the pressing portion 150 is pressed occurs. Therefore, it is possible to sense that the upper surface of the key top 140 on the -X direction side than the pressing portion 150 is pressed based on the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detection elements 125A.

[0066] Furthermore, if the pressing portion 150 is pressed, the lower end of the plunger portion 153 directly presses the push button switch 125B, and at this time, no force is applied to the key top 140, and the resistance values ​​of the two strain detection elements 125A do not change, so the pressing operation can be reliably sensed based on the output of the push button switch 125B. Furthermore, even if the pressing portion 150 is pressed obliquely with respect to the Z direction, the pressing operation can be reliably detected based on the output of the push button switch 125B.

[0067] Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 100 that can easily distinguish between two types of operations with different operation methods. In addition, when an operation of pressing the +X direction side or the -X direction side of the key top 140 in a downward direction and an operation of pressing the pressing portion 150 are simultaneously performed, it is possible to reliably sense that both operations have been performed. In addition, since the strain generating body 130 is configured to generate a displacement in the Z direction in the X direction (long dimension direction), the width in the Y direction (short dimension direction) can be narrowed, and since the assembly portion 110B of the metal plate 110 is bent relative to the base 110A, an input device 100 with a very thin width in the Y direction can be provided. Such an input device 100 is suitable for thin electronic instruments 10 (see Figure 1 ) is installed on the side with a narrow width.

[0068] In addition, the above describes the method of using the push button switch 125B, but it is also possible to use a strain detection element to detect the pressing operation instead of the push button switch 125B. In this case, the stroke for the operation of the pressing portion 150 can be made shorter. In addition, the above describes the method of mounting the strain detection element 125A and the push button switch 125B on the FPC 120, but the input device 100 may not include the FPC 120 but instead mount the strain detection element 125A and the push button switch 125B on the strain generating body 130.

[0069] In addition, you can also use Figures 6 to 8 The composition shown. Figures 6 to 8 1 is a diagram showing an input device 100M of a modified example of the first embodiment. The input device 100M includes a metal plate 110, a spacer 115, an FPC 120, a strain detection element 125A, a push button switch 125B, a strain generating body 130M, a key top 140M, a pressing portion 150, and a spring 160. Figures 1 to 5 The same components of the input device 100 are given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. Figures 6 to 8 In the embodiment, the strain sensing element 125A and the push button switch 125B are omitted. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8The key top 140M is shown in perspective in FIG. Figure 6-7 , a state is shown in which the screw 113 is inserted into one of two through holes 111B formed along the X direction in the attachment portion 110B of the metal plate 110 .

[0070] The input device 100M has a configuration in which the strain generating body 130 and the key top 140 of the input device 100 are replaced with a strain generating body 130M and a key top 140M, and a spring 160 is added.

[0071] The strain generating body 130M includes a thick plate portion 130MA and a thin plate portion 130MB. The thick plate portion 130MA includes a through hole 131A and a leg portion 132A (not shown and used in the same manner). Figure 5 ), shaft portion 133MA. The thick plate portion 130MA has a structure in which the shaft portion 133MA is added to the thick plate portion 130A. The shaft portion 133MA is a cylindrical shaft portion that protrudes in the ±Y directions from the side surface on the ±Y direction side at the center of the thick plate portion 130MA in the X direction.

[0072] The thin plate portion 130MB has a convex portion 131MB instead of the through hole 131B of the thin plate portion 130B. The convex portion 131MB is a portion protruding from the upper surface of the end portion of the thin plate portion 130MB in the X direction, and is provided for the spring 160 to be nested. The lower end of the spring 160 is fixed to the convex portion 131MB in the nested state.

[0073] The key top 140M has a base 141M instead of the base 141, and has a leg 143M instead of not having the screw hole 143. Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the base 141M is constructed to be able to hold the upper end of the spring 160 on the lower surface side. In addition, the leg portion 143M is a wall-like portion extending downward from the central portion in the X direction of the side surface 141B on the ±Y direction side of the key top 140M, and has an axial hole 143MA that penetrates along the Y direction. The axial hole 143MA is circular when observed in the XZ plane, and the center coincides with the center of the length of the key top 140M in the X direction. The position of the axial hole 143MA in the Z direction is set so that if the shaft portion 133MA of the strain generating body 130M is inserted into the axial hole 143MA in a state where the pressing portion 150 is inserted into the through hole 141C of the key top 140M, the lower end of the plunger portion 153 abuts against the push button switch 125B (refer to Figure 5 )’s upper end position.

[0074] When the pressing portion 150 is inserted into the through hole 141C of the key top 140M, the two springs 160 are inserted between the lower surface side of the base 141M and the convex portion 131MB of the strain generating body 130M, and the shaft portion 133MA of the strain generating body 130M is inserted into the shaft hole 143MA of the key top 140M, the Figure 7 The input device 100M is assembled as shown. In this state, the two springs 160 are in a state of being contracted from their natural length. The two springs 160 have the same structure and therefore have the same elastic coefficients. They are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the long dimension direction of the key top 140M. Therefore, when the key top 140M is not operated, the key top 140M is held by the two springs 160 relative to the strain generating body 130M, thereby maintaining balance.

[0075] If the key top 140M is pressed closer to the -X direction side than the pressing portion 150, Figure 8 The key top 140M shown rotates around the shaft portion 133MA inserted into the shaft hole 143MA as the rotation center. The rotation of the key top 140M is restricted by the lower end of the protrusion 142 abutting against the upper surface of the strain generating body 130M. At this time, the thin plate portion 130MB on the -X direction side is pressed downward by the lower end of the protrusion 142 of the key top 140M, so the resistance value of the strain detection element 125A on the -X direction side changes. Therefore, it is possible to sense that the -X direction side of the key top 140M is pressed. In addition, if the key top 140M is further pressed downward in a state where the lower end of the protrusion 142 is in contact with the upper surface of the thin plate portion 130MB of the strain generating body 130M, the resistance value of the strain detection element 125A changes further, so the operation of the key top 140M can also be sensed. In addition, it is also possible to sense that the +X direction side of the key top 140M is pressed. In addition, the pressing operation of the pressing portion 150 is similar to Figures 1 to 5 The input devices 100 shown are identical.

[0076] Therefore, based on the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detection elements 125A and the output of the push button switch 125B, the operation of pressing the +X direction side or -X direction side of the key top 140M downward and the operation of pressing the pressing portion 150 can be reliably sensed respectively. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 100M that can easily distinguish between two types of operations with different operation methods. In addition, when two types of operations are performed simultaneously, it is possible to reliably sense that the two types of operations have been performed. In addition, if the key top 140M is pressed on the -X direction side or +X direction side closer to the pressing portion 150, the key top 140M rotates with the shaft portion 133MA as the rotation center, and thus, it is possible to provide an operational feel obtained by rotation.

[0077] <Implementation Method 2>

[0078] Fig. 9 2 is a diagram showing an input device 200 according to a second embodiment. The input device 200 includes a metal plate 110, an FPC 220, a strain detection element 125A, a push button switch 125B, a strain generating body 230, a key top 240, and a pressing portion 150. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the input device 100 according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. Fig. 9 Also use Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 Provide explanation. Fig.10 This is a diagram showing a state where the key top 240 and the pressing portion 150 are removed. Fig.11 A diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the input device 200. Fig.11 (A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining the action when the upper surface of the key top 240 in the -X direction is pressed. Fig.11 (C) means Fig. 9 A diagram illustrating the operation of the pressing portion 150 when the pressing operation is performed, as viewed along the BB line of FIG.

[0079] The input device 200 of the second embodiment differs from the input device 100 of the first embodiment in that the spacer 115 is omitted and the FPC 120, the strain generating body 130, and the key top 140 are replaced with the FPC 220, the strain generating body 230, and the key top 240. The FPC 220 has a base 220A and a wiring portion 220B, and both the strain detection element 125A and the push button switch 125B are mounted on the upper surface of the base 220A. The FPC 220 is arranged on the upper surface of the strain generating body 230, which is different from the FPC 120 of the first embodiment.

[0080] The strain generating body 230 has a thick plate portion 230A and a thin plate portion 230B, and is made of a thermoplastic resin as an example. Figure 5 ) is placed on the upper surface of the base 110A of the metal plate 110.

[0081] The thick plate portion 230A is thicker than the thin plate portion 230B and is located in the middle of the two thin plate portions 230B in the X direction. The upper surfaces of the thick plate portion 230A and the thin plate portion 230B are flat, and the base 220A of the FPC 220 is bonded. The upper surfaces of the thick plate portion 230A and the thin plate portion 230B are made flat in order to achieve good close contact with the FPC 220. The lower surface of the thick plate portion 230A of the strain generating body 230 is located below the lower surface of the thin plate portion 230B. In addition, by making the upper surfaces of the thick plate portion 230A and the thin plate portion 230B flat, the manufacturing of the strain generating body 230 becomes easy.

[0082] The thick plate portion 230A has a protrusion 231A (see Fig. 9 , Fig.10 ) and leg 232A (refer to Fig.11 ), but does not have the through hole 131A as the thick plate portion 130A of the first embodiment (see Figure 5 The reason why the through hole 131A is not provided is to allow the push button switch 125B to be arranged on the upper surface of the FPC 220, and the FPC 22 is arranged on the strain generating body 230.

[0083] The protrusion 231A protrudes from the side surface on the ±Y direction side of the center in the X direction (the long dimension direction of the strain generating body 230) in the ±Y direction (the short dimension direction of the strain generating body 230). The leg portion 232A extends downward from the lower surface of the thick plate portion 230A, similar to the leg portion 132A of the first embodiment.

[0084] The thin plate portion 230B has an engagement hole 231B and a protrusion 232B at the end portion in the X direction (see Fig.10 ). The engaging hole 231B is a through hole that is rectangular in shape when viewed from above and is formed at the center of the Y direction at the end of the thin plate portion 230B on the ±X direction side. The engaging hole 231B is used to engage the key top 240 with the strain generating body 230. The protrusion 232B protrudes outward from the side surfaces on both sides of the ±Y direction side at the end of the thin plate portion 230B on the +X direction side and the end of the thin plate portion 230B on the -X direction side. The portion of the thick plate portion 230A other than the protrusion 231A and the portion of the thin plate portion 230B other than the protrusion 232B are equal in width in the Y direction, and the protrusion 231A and the protrusion 232B are equal in length protruding in the ±Y direction.

[0085] The key top 240 is a resin component having a base 241, an engaging portion 242A, a contact portion 242B, a contact portion 242C, and a protrusion 244. As an example, the key top 240 is an electronic device 10 (see Figure 1 ) is the part that the user directly touches and operates with his hands.

[0086] The base 241 is a rectangular parallelepiped member having an upper surface (top surface) 241A that is rectangular in plan view and four side surfaces 241B connected to the four sides of the upper surface 241A, and has a through hole 241C that penetrates in the Z direction at the center of the X and Y directions. The pressing portion 150 is accommodated inside the through hole 241C.

[0087] The engaging portion 242A is a portion extending downward from the center of the width in the Y direction of the side surface 241B located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base 241. The engaging portion 242A has a claw portion 242A1 protruding from the lower end to the outside in the longitudinal direction. When the key top 240 is assembled to the strain generating body 230, the engaging portion 242A is inserted into the engaging hole 231B of the strain generating body 230, and the claw portion 242A1 is engaged with the lower side of the engaging hole 231B.

[0088] The contact portions 242B are provided at the lower ends of the four corners of the base 241 and protrude downward from the side surface 241B. The distances from the upper surface 241A to the lower ends of the four contact portions 242B of the base 241 are equal, and when the key top 240 is assembled to the strain generating body 230 and the claw portion 242A1 is engaged with the lower side of the engagement hole 231B, the lower ends of the four contact portions 242B abut against the upper surface of the protrusion 232B of the strain generating body 230. The contact portions 242B are portions extending downward from the lower ends of the side surfaces 241B at both ends of the longitudinal direction in the Y direction, and can be considered as a part of the side surface 241B.

[0089] The contact portion 242C protrudes downward from the lower end of the center of the side surface 241B along the longitudinal direction of the base 241, and when the key top 240 is mounted on the strain generating body 230 and the claw portion 242A1 is engaged with the lower side of the engagement hole 231B, the lower ends of the two contact portions 242C abut against the upper surface of the protrusion 231A of the strain generating body 230. The distance from the upper surface 241A to the lower ends of the two contact portions 242C of the base 241 is equal, and the distance from the upper surface 241A to the lower ends of the four contact portions 242B of the base 241 is equal. The contact portion 242C is a portion extending downward from the lower end of the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the side surface 241B extending along the longitudinal direction, and can be considered as a part of the side surface 241B.

[0090] The protrusion 244 is similar to the protrusion 144 of the key top 140 in the first embodiment and is inserted into the through hole 152A of the guide arm 152 of the pressing portion 150 to guide the pressing portion 150 in the vertical direction when the pressing portion 150 moves in the vertical direction relative to the key top 240 .

[0091] When the key top 240 is mounted on the strain generating body 230 and the claw portion 242A1 is engaged with the lower side of the engagement hole 231B, the lower ends of the four contact portions 242B abut against the upper surface of the protrusion 232B of the strain generating body 230, and the lower ends of the two contact portions 242C abut against the upper surface of the protrusion 231A of the strain generating body 230. The width of the portion of the thick plate portion 230A and the thin plate portion 230B of the strain generating body 230 other than the protrusion 231A and the protrusion 232B in the Y direction is narrower than the width of the key top 240 in the Y direction. By limiting the positions where the strain generating body 230 contacts the key top 240 and the load generated by the operation is applied to the protrusion 232B and the contact portion 242B (four positions) and the protrusion 231A and the contact portion 242C (two positions), the load applied to the key top 140 can be accurately transmitted to the strain generating body 230 so that the strain generating body 230 can be reliably deformed. In addition, by making the height direction lengths of the four contact portions 242B and the two contact portions 242C from the upper surface 241A the same, it is unnecessary to adjust the height direction, and high dimensional accuracy can be obtained. In addition, the integrity of the strain generating body 230 and the key top 240 can be further improved. In addition, by limiting the contact position between the strain generating body 230 and the key top 240, assembly and processing become easy.

[0092] In the input device 200 having the above configuration, Fig.11 As shown by arrows (1) in (A) and (B), when the upper surface 241A of the key top 240 on the -X direction side relative to the pressing portion 150 is pressed downward, Fig.11 As shown by arrow (2) in (B), the protrusion 232B at the end of the thin plate portion 230B on the -X direction side is pressed downward by the contact portion 242B of the key top 240. Therefore, the strain detection element 125A on the -X direction side is stretched in the X direction so that the resistance value increases. In addition, at this time, the resistance value of the strain detection element 125A on the +X direction side does not change, or even if it changes, it shrinks in the X direction so that the resistance value decreases. Therefore, the potential at the midpoint of the two strain detection elements 125A of the half-bridge circuit changes, and it can be sensed that the upper surface of the key top 240 that is closer to the -X direction side than the pressing portion 150 is pressed.

[0093] In addition, if Fig.11When the pressing portion 150 is pressed as indicated by arrow (3) in (C), the lower end of the plunger portion 153 directly presses the push button switch 125B. At this time, no force is applied to the key top 240, and the resistance values ​​of the two strain detection elements 125A do not change. Therefore, the pressing operation can be reliably sensed based on the output of the push button switch 125B. In addition, even if the center of the long dimension direction of the key top 240 is pressed downward at the same time when the pressing portion 150 is pressed, the contact portion 242B abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion 232B as indicated by arrow (4), and the lower end of the contact portion 242C abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion 231A, thereby the key top 240 is evenly supported in the X direction relative to the strain generating body 230, and no strain is generated in the two thin plate portions 230B. In addition, even if the pressing portion 150 is pressed obliquely with respect to the Z direction, the pressing operation can be reliably detected based on the output of the push button switch 125B.

[0094] Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 200 that can easily distinguish between two types of operations with different operation methods. In addition, when the operation of pressing the +X direction side or -X direction side of the key top 140 in the downward direction is performed simultaneously with the pressing portion 150, it is possible to reliably sense that the two types of operations have been performed. In addition, since the strain generating body 230 is configured to generate displacement in the Z direction in the X direction (long dimension direction), the width in the Y direction (short dimension direction) can be narrowed, and since the assembly portion 110B of the metal plate 110 is bent relative to the base 110A, it is possible to provide an input device 200 with a very thin width in the Y direction. Such an input device 200 is suitable for thin electronic instruments 10 (see Figure 1 ) is installed on the side with a narrow width.

[0095] In the above description, the strain generating body 230 has the protrusion 231A and the key top 240 has the contact portion 242C that contacts the protrusion 231A. However, the input device 200 may be configured such that the strain generating body 230 does not have the protrusion 231A and the key top 240 does not have the contact portion 242C.

[0096] As mentioned above, the input device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising: a plate made of metal; A strain generating body made of resin, fixed to the plate and having a long dimension; A key top, placed on the strain generating body; as well as The strain sensor is mounted on the strain generating body. In the strain generating body, the thickness of the thin plate portions provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction is thinner than the thickness of the thick plate portion provided at the center portion in the longitudinal direction. The strain sensor is mounted on the thin plate portion. The strain generating body is fixed to the plate at the thick plate portion. The strain generating body has a flat lower surface or a flat upper surface, and a flexible substrate on which the strain sensor is mounted is fixed to the flat lower surface or the flat upper surface.

2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: A pressing portion is disposed in a through hole formed in a central portion of the key top in a longitudinal direction, is exposed from a top surface of the key top, and is movable in a vertical direction relative to the key top; and A pressure sensing sensor is provided on the thick plate portion of the strain generating body, and is pressed when the pressing portion is pressed. The longitudinal direction of the key top corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the strain generating body.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein: The strain generating body has a through hole penetrating the thick plate portion in the vertical direction. The input device further comprises the flexible substrate, on which the strain sensor and the pressure sensing sensor are mounted. The pressing portion presses the pressure sensing sensor through the through hole of the strain generating body.

4. The input device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The key top has convex portions which protrude downward from lower ends of both ends of the key top in the longitudinal direction and are in contact with the upper surface of the strain generating body.

5. The input device according to claim 4, wherein: The key top and the strain generating body are fixed to each other at the thin plate portion of the strain generating body by screws.

6. The input device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: A spring is provided between the thin plate portion of the strain generating body and the key top, The key top has a rectangular top surface and four side surfaces connected to four sides of the top surface. Two side surfaces connected to the long sides of the top surface among the four side surfaces have legs extending downward from lower ends of the center portions of the long sides, and are fixed by the legs to be rotatable relative to the strain generating body.

7. The input device according to claim 2, wherein: The input device further comprises the flexible substrate, on which the strain sensor and the pressure sensing sensor are mounted.

8. The input device according to claim 7, wherein: The key top has a rectangular top surface and four side surfaces connected to the four sides of the top surface, and the contact portions of the side surfaces contacting the strain generating body are equidistant from the top surface. The portion of the strain generating body other than the contact portion with the contact portions at four corners of the key top has a width in the short dimension direction narrower than that of the key top.

9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein: The strain generating body has a protrusion that protrudes from the center of the thick plate portion in the longitudinal direction in the width direction and contacts the side surface of the key top.

10. The input device according to claim 9, wherein: The strain generating body has the four contact portions and the two protrusions, and the two protrusions are arranged one on each side in the width direction.

11. The input device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The pressure sensing sensor is a pressure button switch having a dome-shaped first metal sheet and a second metal sheet disposed under the first metal sheet. The first metal sheet is deformed when pressed by the pressing portion and is electrically connected to the second metal sheet.

12. The input device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The pressure sensing sensor is a strain sensor.

13. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The plate includes a base portion to which the strain generating body is fixed, and a fixing portion which is bent downward relative to the base portion and fixed to the electronic device.

14. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The plate has a plurality of holes at a portion in contact with the thick plate portion of the strain generating body. The strain generating body is made of a thermoplastic resin and has a plurality of legs protruding downward from the lower surface of the thick plate portion. The strain generating body is fixed to the plate by deforming the leg portions in a state where the leg portions are respectively inserted into the hole portions.

Images