Input Devices

Abstract

The problem is solved by an input device characterized in that, in a first stroke region where an operation panel is pressed during a touch operation, a first reaction force due to pressing the operation panel is generated by a first elastic portion, and in a second stroke region where a stroke is longer than the first stroke region and includes a stroke for a push operation, a second reaction force due to pressing the operation panel is a resultant force generated by the first elastic portion and a push switch, and before and after a boundary portion between the first stroke region and the second stroke region, a change in the first reaction force relative to the stroke length is smaller than a change in the second reaction force relative to the stroke length.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In recent years, input devices such as touch pads that allow an operator to input information by touching an operation surface have become popular. In such input devices, the following operations can be performed: a touch operation in which an operator's finger moves while in contact with the surface of the touch pad as an input device to input information, and a push operation in which information is input by pressing the touch pad to turn on a switch provided inside the touch pad.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-230620

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-95718

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-114980 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, in the touch pad as described above, both the touch operation and the push operation are performed while the operator's finger is in contact with the surface of the touch pad. Therefore, sometimes the operator cannot recognize whether a touch operation or a push operation is being performed, and mistakenly performs a push operation during a touch operation.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for an input device that can prevent an operator who has a finger in contact with the input device from mistakenly performing a push operation while performing a touch operation.

[0011] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0012] According to one viewpoint of the present embodiment, there is: an operation panel having an electrostatic sensor capable of performing touch operation and push operation; a push button switch that generates a tactile sense of operation for an operator; a transmission member that is disposed between the operation panel and the push button switch; a first elastic portion that supports the transmission member; and an actuator that generates vibrations. The touch operation is an operation in which an operator's finger contacts the surface of the operation panel and moves. If the electrostatic sensor detects lateral movement of the finger during the touch operation, the actuator vibrates and transmits the vibration to the operation panel via the transmission member. The push operation is an operation in which the operation panel is pressed via the transmission member to generate vibrations. The operation of the first elastic portion and the push button switch, in a first stroke area in which the operation panel is pressed when the touch operation is performed, a first reaction force generated by pressing the operation panel is generated by the first elastic portion, and in a second stroke area continuous with the first stroke area in which the push operation is performed, a second reaction force generated by pressing the operation panel is a resultant force generated by the reaction force generated by the first elastic portion and the operational tactile sensation generated by the push button switch, and before and after a boundary portion between the first stroke area and the second stroke area, a change in the first reaction force relative to the stroke length is smaller than a change in the second reaction force relative to the stroke length.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the input device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an operator from mistakenly performing a push operation while performing a touch operation with a finger in contact with the input device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a side view of the input device of this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a perspective view (1) of a slider of the input device according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a perspective view (2) of a slider of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of a housing and an actuator of the input device according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7It is a perspective view of a waterproof rubber sheet of the input device according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of a circuit board of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 9 This is a side view of the input device of this embodiment with the casing removed.

[0024] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view of the input device of this embodiment in a state where the casing is removed.

[0025] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional view of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0026] Fig.12 This is an explanatory diagram of the FS curve of the input device (1).

[0027] Fig.13 This is an explanatory diagram of the FS curve of the input device (2).

[0028] Fig.14 It is an explanatory diagram of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0029] Fig.15 This is an explanatory diagram (1) of the FS curve of the input device according to this embodiment.

[0030] Fig.16 This is an explanatory diagram (2) of the FS curve of the input device according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is a description of the implementation method. It should be noted that, for the same components, the same reference numerals are marked and the description is omitted. In addition, in the present application, the X1-X2 direction, the Y1-Y2 direction, and the Z1-Z2 direction are set as mutually orthogonal directions. In addition, the surface including the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction is recorded as the XY surface, the surface including the Y1-Y2 direction and the Z1-Z2 direction is recorded as the YZ surface, and the surface including the Z1-Z2 direction and the X1-X2 direction is recorded as the ZX surface.

[0032] based on Figures 1 to 3 The input device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the input device of this embodiment, Figure 2 It is an exploded stereogram. Figure 3 It is a side view.

[0033] The input device of this embodiment includes an operation panel 10, an electrostatic sensor 20, a slider 30, a housing 40, a waterproof rubber sheet 50, a circuit board 60, a lower housing 70, a second damper 80, an actuator 90, etc. The actuator 90 is, for example, a solenoid actuator and is installed inside the housing 40.

[0034] The operation panel 10 is a panel that is directly contacted by the operator's fingers. The operator's fingers can perform touch operations of moving along the XY plane parallel to the surface of the operation panel 10 while contacting the operation panel 10, and push operations of pressing in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the operation panel 10, i.e., in the Z2 direction.

[0035] The electrostatic sensor 20 is an electrostatic capacitance sensor, etc., and can detect the position of the operator's finger touching the operation panel 10 or the lateral movement of the finger while touching the surface, when an operation such as a touch operation is performed by the operator's finger touching the operation panel 10.

[0036] The slider 30 as a transmission member can move in the Z1-Z2 direction. For example, when an operation such as a push operation is performed in which the operator's finger presses the operation panel 10 in the Z2 direction, the slider 30 slides in the Z2 direction as the operation panel 10 moves.

[0037] The waterproof rubber sheet 50 is formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and is mounted on the circuit board 60 .

[0038] The electrostatic sensor 20 , the slider 30 , the waterproof rubber sheet 50 , the circuit board 60 , the second damper 80 and the like are housed in the housing 40 .

[0039] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the surface 31 on the Z1 side of the slider 30 is a surface facing the electrostatic sensor 20 , and the first protrusion 32 and the second protrusion 33 are provided on the Z2 side. Figure 4 This is a stereogram viewed from the Z1 side. Figure 5 This is a perspective view viewed from the Z2 side.

[0040] The first protrusions 32 are formed long in the Z1-Z2 direction and are respectively provided at the four corners on the Z2 side of the slider 30, so four first protrusions 32 are provided. The second protrusions are formed long in the Z1-Z2 direction and are provided in a space surrounded by the four first protrusions 32 of the slider 30. In addition, sliding portions 34 that are formed long in the Z1-Z2 direction and protrude outward are provided on the X1 side, the X2 side, the Y1 side, and the Y2 side of the slider 30, respectively.

[0041] like Figure 6As shown, the housing 40 is provided with grooves 41 for the sliding parts 34 of the sliding member 30 to enter corresponding to each sliding part 34, and therefore, four grooves 41 are also provided. A groove extending in the Z1-Z2 direction is formed in the groove 41, and the sliding part 34 of the sliding member 30 enters the groove of the groove 41 of the housing 40. In this state, the sliding member 30 can slide relative to the housing 40 in the Z1-Z2 direction. Four damper support parts 42 for supporting the second damper 80 are provided inside the housing 40, and an actuator 90 for generating vibration is also provided.

[0042] When the finger is moved in a lateral movement while in contact with the surface of the operation panel 10, the actuator 90 vibrates in the Z1-Z2 direction, and the vibration in the Z1-Z2 direction is transmitted to the operation panel 10 via the slider 30, and the operation panel 10 vibrates in the Z1-Z2 direction. The vibration in the Z1-Z2 direction of the operation panel 10 is transmitted to the finger of the operator in contact with the operation panel 10 and is sensed as a tactile sensation, so that the operator can recognize that the lateral movement operation of the finger has been reliably performed.

[0043] like Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the waterproof rubber sheet 50 is provided with a rubber dome 51 on the surface on the Z1 side, and first vibration dampers 52 are provided near the four corners of the surface on the Z1 side. Therefore, the rubber dome 51 and four first vibration dampers 52 are integrally provided on the surface on the Z1 side of one waterproof rubber sheet 50. The first vibration damper 52 is provided at a position corresponding to the first protrusion 32 of the slider 30. In the present application, the first vibration damper 52 is sometimes described as a first elastic portion, and the second vibration damper 80 is sometimes described as a second elastic portion.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the circuit substrate 60, a contact portion 61 is provided at a position corresponding to the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 on the surface on the Z1 side. The waterproof rubber sheet 50 is provided on the circuit substrate 60. The rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 and the contact portion 61 of the circuit substrate 60 form a rubber dome switch. When the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 is pressed toward the circuit substrate 60 side, that is, toward the Z2 side, the conductor portion provided inside the rubber dome 51 contacts the contact portion 61 of the circuit substrate 60 and is turned on.

[0045] When the rubber dome switch is pressed and turned on, a change in the stroke in the Z1-Z2 direction relative to the operation panel 10 occurs, and the reaction force changes from increasing to decreasing in the middle of the operation tactile sensation. The operation tactile sensation accompanied by a large change in the reaction force in the Z1-Z2 direction is transmitted to the operation panel 10 via the slider 30, and is transmitted to the finger of the operator in contact with the operation panel 10, and is sensed as a tactile sensation, so that the operator can recognize that the rubber dome switch is reliably pressed. In the present embodiment, the rubber dome switch is an example of a push button switch, but other push button switches that can produce an operation tactile sensation, such as a metal dome switch, can also be used.

[0046] When the rubber dome 51 is not pressed, the conductor inside the rubber dome 51 is disconnected because it does not contact the contact 61 of the circuit board 60. The circuit board 60 is connected to a harness 62 for connecting to the electrostatic sensor 20 and the like.

[0047] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in the input device of the present embodiment, the four first protrusions 32 of the slider 30 are attached so as to be placed on the first dampers 52 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 . Fig. 9 is a side view of the state after the housing 40 is removed. Fig.10 This is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane parallel to the ZX plane.

[0048] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown, the Z1 side of the support portion 35 of the slider 30 is supported by the second damper 80 mounted on the damper support portion 42 of the housing 40. Specifically, the support metal member 43 is mounted on the damper support portion 42 of the housing 40 by the screw 44, and the second damper 80 is in a state where the Z1 side is sandwiched by the support metal member 43 and the Z2 side is sandwiched by the support portion 35 provided on the slider 30. Specifically, the pin 36 provided on the support portion 35 is inserted into the center of the second damper 80 so that the position of the second damper 80 does not deviate.

[0049] In this way, the slider 30 is supported by the first damper 52 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 on the Z2 side and by the second damper 80 on the Z1 side. That is, the second damper 80 supports the slider 30 on the side opposite to the first damper 52. Therefore, the first damper 52 and the second damper 80 are formed of an elastic body such as rubber, so that the slider 30 is easy to move when it moves in the Z1-Z2 direction.

[0050] (Touch operation, push operation)

[0051] Next, the touch operation and push operation of the input device according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0052] First, as a comparison object with the input device of the present embodiment, a case where the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 contacts the second protrusion 33 of the slider 30 while the operator's finger is not in contact with the operation panel 10 will be described. Fig.12 The relationship between the stroke when the operation panel 10 is pressed in the Z2 direction and the force applied to the operator's finger is shown. Fig.12 12A in the figure indicates the force generated between the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 and the second protrusion 33 of the slider 30 , and 12B indicates the force generated between the first and second dampers 52 and 80 and the slider 30 .

[0053] When the operator's finger presses the operation panel 10 in the Z2 direction between the rubber dome 51 and the second protrusion 33 of the slider 30, the reaction force received by the operator's finger from the operation panel 10 gradually increases in accordance with the stroke of the pressing, and there is a region where the reaction force is reduced in the middle. After such a region where the reaction force becomes weak, if the operator presses further, the reaction force received by the operator's finger from the operation panel 10 gradually increases again in accordance with the stroke of the pressing. And, at the position of the stroke where the reaction force is the largest, the rubber dome switch is turned on. It should be noted that the force generated between the first shock absorber 52 and the second shock absorber 80 and the slider 30 changes linearly with respect to the change in the stroke of the operation panel 10.

[0054] In fact, when the operation panel 10 is pressed in the Z2 direction by the operator's finger, Fig.13 As shown in 13A, it is subjected to the combined reaction force of 12A and 12B. Fig.13 In the FS curve shown in FIG. 13A , the force of the reaction force gradually increases with the stroke of the pressing, so the operator's finger does not notice that the rubber dome switch is in such a state before it is pressed and is about to be turned on. Therefore, when performing a touch operation, the operator may mistakenly perform a push operation and turn on the rubber dome switch.

[0055] In the input device of this embodiment, when the operator's finger is not in contact with the operation panel 10, Fig.14 As shown, a gap 58 is provided between the second protrusion 33 of the sliding member 30 and the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50 .

[0056] This makes it possible to determine whether the operator is performing a touch operation or is about to perform a push operation. Fig.15 The relationship between the stroke when the operation panel 10 is pressed in the Z2 direction and the reaction force received by the operator's finger is shown. Fig.1515A in the figure indicates the reaction force generated by the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50, and 15B indicates the reaction force generated by the first vibration damper 52 and the second vibration damper 80. It should be noted that the reaction force generated by the first vibration damper 52 and the second vibration damper 80 changes linearly with respect to the change of the stroke of the operation panel 10. The reaction force generated by the rubber dome 51 becomes lower in the middle of the stroke. Fig.16 16A shows that when the operator's finger actually presses the operation panel 10 in the Z2 direction, the reaction force received by the operator's finger is a combination of the reaction force shown in 15A and the reaction force shown in 15B.

[0057] When the operator's finger performs a touch operation, the operation panel 10 is slightly pressed in the Z2 direction by the operator's finger. At this time, the stroke area of ​​the operation panel 10 pressed by the touch operation is set as the first stroke area S1, and the reaction force in the first stroke area S1 is set as the first reaction force.

[0058] During the push operation, the operation panel 10 is pressed greatly in the Z2 direction by the operator's finger, the gap 58 provided between the second protrusion 33 and the rubber dome 51 is filled, the rubber dome 51 is pressed, and the rubber dome switch is turned on. At this time, in the state before the rubber dome switch is turned on, the rubber dome 51 is deformed, so the reaction force received by the operator's finger gradually increases in accordance with the stroke of the operator's finger pressing the operation panel 10. In addition, if the operation panel 10 is pressed by the operator's finger, the reaction force is reduced in the middle and becomes weak. After that, if it is pressed further, the reaction force received by the operator's finger from the operation panel 10 gradually increases again in accordance with the stroke of pressing. In addition, the rubber dome switch is turned on at the stroke position where the reaction force is the largest. The stroke region in the state before and after the push operation is performed in this way is referred to as the second stroke region S2, and the reaction force in the second stroke region S2 is referred to as the second reaction force.

[0059] In the present embodiment, in the first stroke region S1, the operator's finger presses the operation panel 10, and the slider 30 slides in the Z2 direction. However, since the second protrusion 33 of the slider 30 is not in contact with the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50, no reaction force is generated by the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50. Therefore, in the touch operation, the force received by the operator's finger is only the reaction force generated by the deformation of the first damper 52 and the second damper 80.

[0060] In the second stroke region S2, the second protrusion 33 of the slider 30 contacts the rubber dome 51 of the waterproof rubber sheet 50, and the operator's finger receives a reaction force of the FS curve 16A which is a combination of 15A and 15B. In the second stroke region S2, the reaction force received by the operator's finger is a resultant force of the reaction force generated by the deformation of the first damper 52 and the second damper 80 and the reaction force generated by the deformation of the rubber dome 51.

[0061] Therefore, before and after the boundary between the first stroke region S1 and the second stroke region S2, the change in the first reaction force relative to the stroke length in the first stroke region S1 is smaller than the change in the second reaction force relative to the stroke length in the second stroke region S2, and the difference is large.

[0062] Therefore, the operator can recognize the boundary between the first stroke area S1 and the second stroke area S2, and can judge whether the operator's finger is performing a touch operation or a push operation. Thus, it is possible to prevent the rubber dome switch from being turned on by mistake when the operator's finger is performing a touch operation. In addition, in this embodiment, in order to avoid the total stroke amount becoming longer, it is preferred that the stroke when performing the operation to turn on the rubber dome switch is short.

[0063] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope described in the claims.

[0064] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the gap 58 is provided between the second protrusion 33 and the rubber dome 51. However, by not providing the gap and setting the contact portion between the second protrusion 33 and the rubber dome 51 to a shape and material that are extremely easy to elastically deform, the reaction force generated by the rubber dome switch can exhibit substantially the same effect as that in the case where the gap 58 is provided. Such a method is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0065] The present international application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-037136, filed on March 4, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0066] Description of reference numerals:

[0067] 10 Operation panel

[0068] 20 Electrostatic sensor

[0069] 30 Slide

[0070] 31 Z1 side surface

[0071] 32 first protrusion

[0072] 33 Second protrusion

[0073] 34 Sliding part

[0074] 40 Shell

[0075] 41 Groove

[0076] 42 Shock absorber support

[0077] 43 Supporting metal parts

[0078] 44 Screws

[0079] 50 Waterproof rubber sheet

[0080] 51 Rubber Dome

[0081] 52 First shock absorber

[0082] 60 Circuit board

[0083] 61 Contact part

[0084] 62 Harness

[0085] 70 Lower shell

[0086] 80 Second shock absorber

[0087] 90 Actuator.

Claims

1. An input device, wherein: The input device has: An operation panel having an electrostatic sensor capable of touch and push operation; Push button switch, which produces a tactile operation feeling for the operator; a transmission member, which is arranged between the operation panel and the button switch; a first elastic portion supporting the transmission member; as well as Actuators, which generate vibrations, The touch operation is an operation in which the operator's finger touches the surface of the operation panel and moves. When the electrostatic sensor detects the lateral movement of the finger during the touch operation, the actuator generates vibrations and transmits the vibrations to the operation panel via the transmission member. The pushing operation is an operation in which the operation panel is pressed to press the first elastic portion and the push switch via the transmission member. In a first stroke region where the operation panel is pressed during the touch operation, a first reaction force generated by pressing the operation panel is generated by the first elastic portion. In the second stroke region continuous with the first stroke region during the pushing operation, the second reaction force generated by pressing the operation panel is a resultant force generated by the reaction force generated by the first elastic portion and the operation tactile sensation generated by the push switch. Before and after a boundary portion between the first stroke region and the second stroke region, a change amount of the first reaction force with respect to the stroke length is smaller than a change amount of the second reaction force with respect to the stroke length.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein: The first reaction force changes linearly with respect to the change of the stroke of the operation panel. The second reaction force changes in a manner such that it changes from increasing to decreasing with respect to the stroke of the operation panel.

3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the operation panel is not pressed, a gap is formed between the transmission member and the push button switch.

4. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The push button switch is a rubber dome switch formed by a contact portion provided on a circuit substrate and a rubber dome provided on a rubber sheet, wherein the rubber sheet is provided on the circuit substrate. The first elastic portion is disposed on the rubber sheet.

5. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The input device includes a second elastic portion supporting the transmission member on a side opposite to a direction of the pushing operation.

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