Input devices, smartphones, and game controllers

Abstract

The technical problem of the present invention is to provide an input device, a smart phone, and a game controller with high detection accuracy of the operation direction. The input device includes: a rod having a flat plate portion and a protrusion portion, the flat plate portion having a first surface and a second surface, the protrusion portion being provided on the second surface of the flat plate portion; a wiring substrate attached to the first surface of the flat plate portion; a plurality of deformation detection elements installed on the wiring substrate at a position overlapping with the protrusion portion; and a plate having a higher rigidity than the wiring substrate, holding the flat plate portion on both outer sides than the plurality of deformation detection elements.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with Chinese patent application number 202110408516.X and invention name “Input device, smart phone and game controller” filed by the applicant on April 16, 2021. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to an input device, a smart phone and a game controller. Background Art

[0003] In the past, there was a pointing device as follows: two (four in total) strain sensors were arranged in two orthogonal axial directions (X direction and Y direction) from the center of an operating stick, and the four strain sensors formed a bridge circuit, and the operating direction of the operating stick was detected by the output of the bridge circuit (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-044218

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-132313

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-302220 Summary of the invention

[0009] Conventional indicators detect the operation direction by providing a strain sensor in the positive direction and the negative direction of each axial direction. Therefore, the indicator is easily affected by noise and has a technical problem of low detection accuracy.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device, a smartphone, and a game controller that can detect an operation direction with high accuracy.

[0011] An input device of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a rod having a flat plate portion and a protrusion portion, the flat plate portion having a first surface and a second surface, the protrusion portion being arranged on the second surface of the flat plate portion; a wiring substrate attached to the first surface of the flat plate portion; a plurality of deformation detection elements mounted on the wiring substrate at a position overlapping with the protrusion portion; and a plate having higher rigidity than the wiring substrate, holding the flat plate portion on both outer sides than the plurality of deformation detection elements.

[0012] In addition, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a rod having a flat plate portion and a protrusion portion, the flat plate portion having a first surface and a second surface, the protrusion portion being provided on the second surface of the flat plate portion; a wiring substrate attached to the first surface of the flat plate portion; a plurality of deformation detection elements being mounted on the wiring substrate at a position overlapping with the protrusion portion; and a plate having higher rigidity than the wiring substrate, holding the flat plate portion on both outer sides than the plurality of deformation detection elements, the plurality of deformation detection elements being four, two of the plurality of deformation detection elements being mounted on the wiring substrate at a position overlapping with the protrusion portion, and the plurality of deformation detection elements being arranged within the width of the protrusion portion in the width direction of the flat plate portion when viewed from above, each of the four deformation detection elements being rectangular when viewed from above, and the long sides of the rectangle being parallel to the long side direction of the flat plate portion and the length direction of a rectangular region defined by the four deformation detection elements when viewed from above.

[0013] In the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plate has a plurality of caulking pieces for holding the flat plate portion.

[0014] In the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion is in the shape of a quadrangular prism, and both ends of the protrusion extend to the vicinity of both ends of the flat plate portion in the width direction of the flat plate portion.

[0015] In addition, in an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of deformation detection elements constitute a bridge circuit, and when a combined resistance value between two terminals of the bridge circuit is greater than a specified value, a pressing operation of pressing the protrusion in the direction of the wiring substrate is detected.

[0016] In the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the wiring substrate is a flexible substrate bonded to the flat plate portion at least at the positions of the plurality of strain sensing elements.

[0017] Furthermore, in the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plate is made of metal.

[0018] In addition, the smartphone according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with any of the above-mentioned input devices on the side.

[0019] Furthermore, a game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with any of the above-mentioned input devices on a side surface.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] An input device, a smartphone, and a game controller that can provide high-precision detection of an operation direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 2 is a diagram showing an input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the input device 100 .

[0024] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the protrusion 130B and the strain sensing element 125 in a plan view.

[0025] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the input device 100 .

[0026] Figure 5 Graphs showing input voltages and output voltages of the amplifier 181 and the amplifier 184 in response to the operation of the rod 130 .

[0027] Figure 6 Graphs showing input voltages and output voltages of the amplifier 181 and the amplifier 184 in response to the operation of the rod 130 .

[0028] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the resistance value detected by the detection circuit 180 when operations in the +X direction, the −X direction, and the −Z direction are performed.

[0029] Figure 8 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the electronic instrument 10 including the input device 100 .

[0030] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation of the electronic device 10 including the input device 100 .

[0031] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a detection circuit 180A according to a first modified example of the embodiment.

[0032] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a detection circuit 180B according to a second modification example of the embodiment.

[0033] Fig.12 It is a diagram showing an input device 100M according to a third modified example of the embodiment.

[0034] Fig.13 An exploded view of the input device 100M.

[0035] Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] 100, 100M input device

[0037] 110 Metal Plate

[0038] 111A Riveting Plate

[0039] 120, 120M FPC

[0040] 125 deformation detection element

[0041] 130, 130M rod

[0042] 130A, 130AM flat panel

[0043] 130B, 130MB protrusion DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of an input device, a smartphone, and a game controller to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0045] <Implementation Method>

[0046] Figure 1 2 is a diagram showing an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 1 is an exploded view of the input device 100. The input device 100 includes a metal plate 110, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit board) 120, a strain detection element 125, and a rod 130. The input device 100 is a device capable of operating a protrusion 130B of the rod 130 in the +X direction, the -X direction, or the -Z direction.

[0047] In the following, the XYZ coordinate system is defined for explanation. 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 mean a general up-down relationship.

[0048] 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 has rivet pieces 111A at four corners. The four rivet pieces 111A are portions protruding from the end edges of the ±Y direction sides on the end sides of the ±X direction of the base 110A, and are bent in the recessed portions 131A provided on the side and upper surface of the flat plate portion 130A when the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 is overlapped on the base 120A of the FPC 120, thereby fixing the base 120A. In this state, the base 120A of the FPC 120 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the base 110A of the metal plate 110 and the lower surface of the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130.

[0049] Two rivet pieces 111A provided on the +X direction side and two rivet pieces 111A provided on the -X direction side hold the base 120A of the FPC 120 and the flat plate 130A of the rod 130 on both sides outside the four strain sensing elements 125 in the X direction. This is because the base 120A of the FPC 120 and the flat plate 130A of the rod 130 are fixed on the outside of the strain sensing element 125 in the X-axis direction in order to operate the protrusion 130B of the rod 130 in the +X direction, the -X direction, or the -Z direction. In addition, the rivet pieces 111A can firmly fix the base 120A of the FPC 120 and the flat plate 130A of the rod 130 to the base 110A of the metal plate 110, so a plurality of them can be provided.

[0050] The mounting portion 110B is a portion for mounting the metal plate 110 on electronic devices such as smartphones and game controllers. The mounting portion 110B is bent from the end edge of the base 110A on the -Y direction side toward the -Z direction. Such a metal plate 110 can be produced by stamping a sheet metal.

[0051] FPC120 is a flexible substrate having a base 120A and a wiring portion 120B, and is a film substrate made of polyimide as an example. The base 120A is a portion arranged on the upper surface of the base 110A of the metal plate 110 and fixed by the rivet sheet 111A in a state where the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 is overlapped, and four deformation detection elements 125 are mounted on the lower surface. In addition, the upper surface of the base 120A is bonded to the lower surface of the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 by an adhesive. The upper surface of the base 120A can be bonded to the lower surface of the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 at least in the portion where the four deformation detection elements 125 are located, but here, as an example, the entire upper surface of the base 120A is bonded to the lower surface of the flat plate portion 130A. This is for the purpose of transmitting the strain generated in the flat plate portion 130A to the strain sensing element 125 mounted on the lower surface of the base portion 120A of the FPC 120 when the protrusion 130B of the lever 130 is operated to tilt in the X direction.

[0052] The FPC 120 has wiring on the lower surface that connects the four deformation detection elements 125 in the form of a bridge circuit, and the wiring is connected to the terminal 121B at the end of the wiring portion 120B. The terminal 121B is provided on the lower surface of the end of the wiring portion 120B bent into an L shape when viewed from above. 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 also flexible. However, the wiring is not limited to the wiring formed by printing silver paste on the FPC 120.

[0053] As an example, the deformation detection element 125 is a capacitance type deformation sensor composed of a laminate of a stretchable conductive layer realized by nanocarbon, and four deformation detection elements 125 are provided. In addition, the deformation detection element 125 is not limited to such a structure, and other structures can also be used. For the configuration of the four deformation detection elements 125, the following examples are used: Figure 3 This will be described later.

[0054] The rod 130 has a flat portion 130A and a protrusion 130B, and as an example, the rod 130 is made of resin. The flat portion 130A is a rectangular plate-shaped component when viewed from above, and has a long dimension in the X direction. The width of the flat portion 130A in the Y direction is shorter than the length in the X direction. This is because it is assumed that the flat portion 130A is installed on the side of a thin electronic device such as a smartphone or a game controller so that the Y direction corresponds to the thickness direction of the electronic device. The flat portion 130A has a recess 131A provided on the side surface and the upper surface at positions corresponding to the four rivet pieces 111A of the metal plate 110. The lower surface of the flat portion 130A is an example of a first surface, and the upper surface is an example of a second surface.

[0055] The protrusion 130B is a quadrangular prism-shaped portion that protrudes upward from the central portion of the upper surface of the flat plate portion 130A. The widths of the protrusion 130B in the X direction and the Y direction are equal, and as an example, the width is 2 mm. Both ends of the protrusion 130B in the Y direction extend to near both ends of the flat plate portion 130A in the Y direction. Such a protrusion 130B can be pressed in a manner inclined in the +X direction or the -X direction and in the -Z direction, and the pressing operation in a manner inclined in the +X direction or the -X direction and the pressing operation in the -Z direction can be performed simultaneously. Here, use Figure 3 The positional relationship between the protrusion 130B and the strain sensing element 125 will be described.

[0056] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the protrusion 130B and the strain sensing element 125 in a plan view. Figure 3 Only the positional relationship between the protrusion 130B and the four strain sensing elements 125 is shown. The four strain sensing elements 125 are arranged at the +X direction side of the protrusion 130B and at the -X direction side of the protrusion 130B, with two arranged at the position overlapping with the protrusion 130B. The position overlapping with the protrusion 130B refers to the position at Figure 3The portion below the protrusion 130B of the contour is indicated by a square. The position overlapping with the protrusion 130B means that the portions are arranged on both sides of the protrusion 130B in a manner not overlapping with the protrusion 130B. This is because when the protrusion 130B is operated in the ±X direction or the -Z direction, the portion of the flat plate 130A overlapping with the protrusion 130B is less likely to deform than the portion not overlapping with the protrusion 130B.

[0057] Here, the four strain sensing elements 125 are distinguished as +X1, +X2, −X1, and −X2. +X1 and +X2 are two strain sensing elements 125 provided on the +X direction side of the protrusion 130B, and −X1 and −X2 are two strain sensing elements 125 provided on the −X direction side of the protrusion 130B.

[0058] The deformation sensing elements 125 of +X1 and +X2 are arranged along the Y direction at the same position relative to the protrusion 130B in the X direction, and the deformation sensing elements 125 of -X1 and -X2 are arranged along the Y direction at the same position relative to the protrusion 130B in the X direction. In addition, the deformation sensing elements 125 of +X1 and +X2 and the deformation sensing elements 125 of -X1 and -X2 are arranged in the Y direction within the range of the width W of the protrusion 130B. More specifically, the four deformation sensing elements 125 are arranged in a point-symmetric manner with respect to the center of the protrusion 130B within the range of the width W of the protrusion 130B in the Y direction when viewed from above. This is to uniformly detect the deformation generated in the flat plate portion 130A by the operation of the protrusion 130B.

[0059] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the input device 100. The input device 100 further includes a detection circuit 180. As an example, the detection circuit 180 is implemented by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0060] Four deformation sensing elements 125 are connected through FPC 120 (refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 ) wiring as Figure 4 As shown, the bridge circuit is connected in the shape of a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit has a terminal V and a terminal G. The voltage value of the terminal V is V, and the terminal G maintains the ground potential. +X1 and -X1 are connected in series between the terminal V and the terminal G, and +X2 and -X2 are connected in series between the terminal V and the terminal G. The terminal V and the terminal G are two terminals of the bridge circuit. In addition, a power supply Vz is connected to the terminal V via a resistor. The power supply Vz is a DC power supply with a constant output voltage Vz. The terminal V and the midpoint between +X2 and -X2 are connected to the detection circuit 180 via the terminal 121B.

[0061] The detection circuit 180 includes an amplifier (AMP) 181, a D / A (Digital to Analog) converter 182, an A / D (Analog to Digital) converter 183, an amplifier (AMP) 184, a D / A converter 185, and an A / D converter 186. The amplifier 181 is a differential amplifier, and the midpoint of +X2 and -X2 and the output terminal of the D / A converter 182 are connected to the two input terminals. The D / A converter 182 outputs a predetermined voltage to the amplifier 181. The amplifier 181 amplifies the voltage at the midpoint of +X2 and -X2 and outputs it to the A / D converter 183.

[0062] The amplifier 184 is a differential amplifier, and the terminal V and the output terminal of the D / A converter 185 are connected to two input terminals. The D / A converter 185 outputs a predetermined voltage to the amplifier 184. The amplifier 184 amplifies the voltage of the terminal V and outputs it to the A / D converter 185.

[0063] Here, use Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 , changes in input voltages of amplifiers 181 and 184 when lever 130 is operated will be described. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing input voltage and output voltage of amplifier 181 and amplifier 184 in response to the operation of lever 130. The operation of lever 130 refers to operating protrusion 130B in the +X direction, the -X direction, or the -Z direction.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the operation in the +X direction is performed, the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 is deformed in such a way that the lower surfaces of the +X1 and +X2 sides protrude downward, and the lower surfaces of the -X1 and -X2 sides protrude upward. Therefore, +X1 and +X2 are stretched to increase the resistance value, and -X1 and -X2 are shortened to decrease the resistance value. As a result, the voltage at the midpoint of +X2 and -X2 increases compared to the voltage in the state where the rod 130 is not operated, and a pulse-shaped voltage that protrudes upward is obtained. Such a pulse-shaped voltage is amplified by the amplifier 181 and input to the A / D converter 183.

[0065] In addition, if the operation in the -X direction is performed, the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 is deformed in such a way that the lower surface of the +X1 and +X2 sides protrudes upward, and the lower surface of the -X1 and -X2 sides protrudes downward. Therefore, +X1 and +X2 are shortened to reduce the resistance value, and -X1 and -X2 are elongated to increase the resistance value. As a result, the voltage at the midpoint of +X2 and -X2 is reduced compared to the voltage in the state where the rod 130 is not operated, thereby obtaining a pulse-shaped voltage that protrudes downward. Such a pulse-shaped voltage is amplified by the amplifier 181 and input to the A / D converter 183.

[0066] In addition, if Figure 6 When the operation in the -Z direction is performed as shown, the flat plate portion 130A of the rod 130 is pressed the most in the central portion in the X direction provided with the protrusion 130B, so that the lower surface of the +X1 and +X2 sides and the lower surface of the -X1 and -X2 sides are deformed in a manner that they bulge downward. Therefore, +X1 and +X2 and -X1 and -X2 are stretched and the resistance value increases. As a result, the voltage at the midpoint of +X2 and -X2 does not change compared to the state in which the rod 130 is not operated. In addition, at this time, the resistance values ​​of +X1 and +X2 and -X1 and -X2 increase, thereby increasing the voltage of the terminal V, and obtaining a pulse-shaped voltage that bulges upward at the terminal V. Such a pulse-shaped voltage is amplified by the amplifier 184 and input to the A / D converter 186.

[0067] As described above, the operation of the rod 130 in the +X direction and the -X direction is detected based on the output of the A / D converter 183, and the operation of the rod 130 in the -Z direction is detected based on the output of the A / D converter 186. The input device 100 includes four strain detection elements 125 constituting a bridge circuit, and two of the four strain detection elements 125 are arranged on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the protrusion 130B, respectively. The bridge circuit has excellent noise resistance, and therefore, compared with the case where a half-bridge circuit is included instead of a bridge circuit, in which one strain detection element 125 is provided on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the protrusion 130B, and is connected in series, the noise with respect to the change in the resistance value of the strain detection element 125 can be reduced by about 30%. Therefore, by including a bridge circuit composed of four strain detection elements 125, a stable output can be obtained compared with the case where the operation of the rod 130 is detected by a half-bridge circuit, and the operation in the +X direction, the -X direction, and the -Z direction can be detected with high accuracy. In particular, the output during operation in the -Z direction is stable and can be detected with high accuracy. In addition, since the output of the bridge circuit is amplified by amplifiers 181 and 184, a large noise reduction effect can be obtained by a multiple of the amplification factor.

[0068] Figure 71 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the resistance value detected by the detection circuit 180 when operations in the +X direction, -X direction, and -Z direction are performed. Figure 7 (A)~ Figure 7 In (C), the horizontal axis represents the operating force in g (gram), and the vertical axis represents the change in resistance value in count value.

[0069] Figure 7 (A) shows the characteristic obtained by converting the amount of change in the output of the A / D converter 183 when the operation in the −X direction is performed into the amount of change in the resistance value (count value). Figure 7 (B) shows the characteristic obtained by converting the amount of change in the output of the A / D converter 183 into the amount of change in the resistance value (count value) when the operation in the +X direction is performed. Figure 7 (C) shows the characteristic obtained by converting the amount of change in the output of the A / D converter 183 when the operation in the −Z direction is performed into the amount of change in the resistance value (count value).

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown in (A), the output of the A / D converter 183 decreases linearly when the -X direction is operated. This is because the voltage at the midpoint between +X2 and -X2 decreases compared to the voltage when the rod 130 is not operated, thereby obtaining a pulse-shaped voltage that protrudes downward. Figure 7 As shown in (B), the output of the A / D converter 183 increases linearly when the +X direction is operated. This is because the voltage at the midpoint between +X2 and -X2 increases compared to the voltage when the rod 130 is not operated, thereby obtaining a pulse-shaped voltage that protrudes upward.

[0071] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown in (C), it shows the characteristic that the output of the A / D converter 186 increases linearly if an operation in the -Z direction is performed. This is because the voltage of the terminal V increases. In addition, when an operation in the +X direction or the -X direction is performed, the output of the A / D converter 186 hardly changes. Therefore, when the output of the A / D converter 186 is higher than a specified threshold, it is sufficient to detect that an operation in the -Z direction has been performed. The output of the A / D converter 186 represents the voltage value between the two terminals of the bridge circuit after amplification by the amplifier 184. The voltage value between the two terminals of the bridge circuit represents the combined resistance value between the two terminals of the bridge circuit. Therefore, in order to detect that an operation in the -Z direction has been performed, detecting that the output of the A / D converter 186 is higher than a specified threshold is equivalent to detecting that the combined resistance value between the two terminals of the bridge circuit is greater than a specified value.

[0072] Furthermore, when the operation in the -Z direction is performed, if there is no error in the resistance value of the strain detection element 125 of +X1, +X2, -X1, -X2 or a variation in the resistance value, the output of the A / D converter 183 does not change.

[0073] Even if an error or variation in resistance value of the strain sensing element 125 in the −X2 direction occurs, it is almost zero, and the variation in resistance value is significantly smaller than when the operation in the +X direction and the −X direction are performed, so the deformation can be distinguished.

[0074] As described above, the operation direction of the rod 130 is limited to the +X direction, the -X direction and the -Z direction, and the four strain detection elements 125 constituting the bridge circuit are arranged in a narrow space in the Y direction, thereby being able to detect operations in the +X direction, the -X direction and the -Z direction with high accuracy.

[0075] Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 100 , a smartphone, and a game controller that can detect an operation direction with high accuracy.

[0076] In addition, the input device 100 can be installed on the side of a thin electronic device such as a smartphone or a game controller because of its narrow width in the Y direction. A device that detects operation in two axial directions (X direction and Y direction) like a conventional indicator cannot be installed on the side of a thin electronic device because of its wide width in the Y direction. However, the input device 100 limits the operation direction of the rod 130 to the +X direction, the -X direction, and the -Z direction, and arranges the four deformation detection elements 125 in a space with a narrow width in the Y direction, thereby enabling the input device 100 to be installed on the side of a thin electronic device such as a smartphone or a game controller.

[0077] Next, use Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 An operation example of the input device 100 will be described. Figure 8 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the electronic instrument 10 including the input device 100 . Figure 8 In (A) to (D) of FIG. 1 , the upper portion shows the operation direction of the electronic device 10 and the lower portion shows the display of the display 12 . Figure 8 Only the protrusion 130B in the input device 100 is shown in (A) to (D). The electronic device 10 is a thin electronic device such as a smart phone or a game controller. The electronic device 10 has a display 12 on the XZ plane on the -Y direction side. As an example, the thickness of the electronic device 10 in the Y direction is 5 mm. The protrusion 130B protrudes in the +Z direction from a side surface that is roughly parallel to the XY on the +Z direction side of the electronic device 10.

[0078] Figure 8(A) is when the protrusion 130B is not operated (non-operation), and as an example, the target 12A used in the game is displayed on the display 12. Figure 8 As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , if the protrusion 130B is operated in the +X direction, the display of the display 12 is enlarged (zoomed in), and the object 12A is displayed larger. Figure 8 If the protrusion 130B is operated in the -X direction as shown in (C), the display of the display 12 is reduced (zoomed out), and the object 12A is displayed small. Figure 8 When the protrusion 130B is pressed in the -Z direction as shown in (D), the target 12B is displayed superimposed on the object 12A. Since the input device 100 can detect such an operation with high accuracy, the operability of the electronic device 10 is extremely good.

[0079] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation of the electronic device 10 including the input device 100 . Fig. 9 (A) and Figure 8 (A) is similarly when the protrusion 130B is not being operated (non-operation), as an example, the target 12A used in the game is displayed on the display 12. Fig. 9 As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , if the protrusion 130B is operated in the +X direction and pressed in the -Z direction, the display of the display 12 is enlarged, the target 12A is displayed large, and the target 12B is displayed overlapping the target 12A. Fig. 9 As shown in (C), when the protrusion 130B is operated in the -X direction and pressed in the -Z direction, the display of the display 12 is reduced, the object 12A is displayed small, and the object 12B is displayed overlapping the object 12A. Since the input device 100 can detect such a complex operation with high accuracy, the operability of the electronic device 10 becomes very good, and the diversity of the operation method of the electronic device 10 can be expanded.

[0080] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a detection circuit 180A according to a first variation of the embodiment. The detection circuit 180A has Figure 4 The detection circuit 180 shown in the figure has an additional amplifier 181B. Figure 4 The amplifier 181 shown is equivalent to Fig.10 Amplifier 181A is shown.

[0081] The amplifier 181B is a differential amplifier similar to the amplifier 181A, and one of the two input terminals is connected to the midpoint of the strain sensing element 125 of +X1 and -X1, and the other is connected to the output terminal of the D / A converter 182. The output terminal of the amplifier 181B is connected to the input terminal of the A / D converter 183 in the same manner as the output terminal of the amplifier 181A. With such a detection circuit 180A, the outputs of the amplifiers 181A and 181B can be averaged by the A / D converter 183, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of the operation direction.

[0082] Fig.11 FIG. 180B is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a detection circuit 180B according to a second variation of the embodiment. The detection circuit 180A has the following configuration: Figure 4 The detection circuit 180 shown in the figure does not include the D / A converter 182, and one of the two input terminals of the amplifier 181 connected to the D / A converter 182 is connected to the midpoint of the +X1 and -X1 strain detection elements 125. Figure 4 Compared with the detection circuit 180 shown, the input voltage of the amplifier 181 can be doubled, so the amplification factor of the amplifier 181 can be reduced, and the deformation of the waveform caused by amplification can be suppressed.

[0083] Fig.12 It is a diagram showing an input device 100M according to a third modified example of the embodiment. Fig.13 The input device 100M is a disassembled view of the input device 100M. The input device 100M includes a metal plate 110, an FPC 120M, a deformation detection element 125, a tactile switch 125M, a rod 130M, a spacer 140, a stem 150, and a rubber sheet 160. The input device 100M is a device that can integrally operate the rod 130M, the spacer 140, the stem 150, and the rubber sheet 160 in the +X direction or the -X direction, and can operate the stem 150 in the -Z direction relative to the rod 130M and the spacer 140. The pressing of the stem 150 in the -Z direction is performed via the rubber sheet 160. Here, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The same components as those shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] The FPC 120M is a flexible substrate having a base 120MA and a wiring portion 120MB, and is, as an example, a film substrate made of polyimide. The base 120MA has a structure in which a film substrate is folded and overlapped. The base 120MA is folded at the end on the +Y direction side and two film substrates are overlapped. Four deformation detection elements 125 are mounted on the lower surface side of the film substrate on the upper side of the folded portion of the base 120MA. In addition, an opening 121MA is provided in the film substrate on the upper side of the folded portion of the base 120MA. The opening 121MA penetrates the film substrate on the upper side of the folded portion of the base 120MA and is located in the center of the four deformation detection elements 125 when viewed from above. A tactile switch 125M is provided between the film substrate on the upper side and the film substrate on the lower side of the folded portion of the base 120MA. The tactile switch 125M is configured so that the center when viewed from above corresponds to the center of the opening 121MA. Therefore, the tactile switch 125M is exposed from the opening 121MA. The tactile switch 125M is a push button switch.

[0085] The upper surface of the base 120MA is bonded to the lower surface of the flat plate 130MA of the rod 130M by an adhesive. The upper surface of the base 120MA may be bonded to the lower surface of the flat plate 130MA of the rod 130M at least in the portion where the four deformation sensing elements 125 are located, but as an example, the entire upper surface of the base 120MA is bonded to the lower surface of the flat plate 130MA. This is to transmit the deformation generated in the flat plate 130MA to the deformation sensing elements 125 mounted on the lower surface of the base 120MA of the FPC 120M when the protrusion 130MB of the rod 130M is operated to tilt in the X direction.

[0086] The FPC 120M has wiring on the lower surface that connects the four strain sensing elements 125 in the form of a bridge circuit, and the wiring is connected to the terminal 121BM at the end of the wiring portion 120MB. The wiring portion 120MB is obtained by valley-folding the portion of the base 120MA extending in the +X direction and then bending it in the -Y direction. The terminal 121BM on the -Y direction side of the wiring portion 120MB is connected to the bridge circuit of the four strain sensing elements 125 through the wiring.

[0087] The rod 130M includes a flat plate portion 130MA and a protrusion portion 130MB, and is made of resin as an example. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The flat plate portion 130A shown is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and has four recesses 131AM. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The recess 131A shown is identical.

[0088] The protrusion 130MB has a through hole 131MB that penetrates in the Z direction. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The protrusion 130B shown in FIG. 1 is different from the protrusion 130B shown in FIG. The through hole 131MB penetrates the center of the protrusion 130MB in the Z direction when viewed from above. In addition, the arrangement relationship between the protrusion 130MB and the four strain sensing elements 125 is the same as Figure 2 The arrangement relationship between the protrusion 130B shown and the four strain sensing elements 125 is the same.

[0089] The spacer 140 is a rectangular parallelepiped member having dimensions in the X direction and the Y direction that are substantially the same as those of the rod 130M, and includes a concave portion 141 that is concave downward on the upper surface side of the center in the X direction, and a convex portion 142 that protrudes downward on the lower surface side of the center in the X direction. In addition, the spacer 140 includes a through hole 143 that penetrates the center in the X direction in the Z direction, and two hole portions 144. The through hole 143 penetrates from the concave portion 141 to the convex portion 142, and has a circular opening on the upper side and a rectangular opening on the lower side that corresponds to the protrusion 130MB. The two hole portions 144 are provided on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the through hole 143 in the concave portion 141, respectively. Such a spacer 140 is fixed to the rod 130M by inserting the protrusion 130MB into the through hole 143 and fixing it by bonding or the like.

[0090] The stem 150 has a base 151, a plunger 152, and an engaging portion 153. The base 151 has a shape and size corresponding to the recess 141 of the spacer 140, and is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped portion in a plan view. The plunger 152 is a cylindrical portion extending downward from the center of the lower surface of the base 151. The engaging portion 153 is a portion extending downward from the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the plunger 152 on the lower surface of the base 151, and has a claw portion on the side surface of the lower end on the outer side in the X direction.

[0091] Such a stem 150 is assembled to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the spacer 140 by inserting the plunger 152 into the through hole 143 of the spacer 140 and inserting the engaging portion 153 into the hole 144. When the stem 150 is assembled to the spacer 140, the plunger 152 penetrates the through hole 131MB of the protrusion 130MB of the rod 130M and the opening 121MA of the FPC 120M, and the lower end of the plunger 152 abuts against the upper surface of the tactile switch 125M. Therefore, when the stem 150 is pressed in the -Z direction, the tactile switch 125M becomes conductive, and when the stem 150 is completely pressed to the lower end, the tactile switch 125M returns, and the stem 150 is reset to the same position as before being pressed.

[0092] The rubber sheet 160 covers the upper surfaces of the spacer 140 and the stem 150, and is fixed to the upper surface of the spacer 140 by bonding or the like. As an example, the rubber sheet 160 is a transparent resin sheet, and the size of the rubber sheet 160 in the X direction and the Y direction in a plan view is equal to the size of the spacer 140. The rubber sheet 160 is provided to protect the upper surfaces of the spacer 140 and the stem 150.

[0093] In such an input device 100M, if the spacer 140 or the stem 150 is operated in the +X direction or the −X direction via the rubber sheet 160, the bridge circuit including the four strain sensing elements 125 can obtain the same Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The output is equal to the state when the protrusion 130B of the input device 100 shown is operated in the +X direction or the -X direction. In addition, if the stem 150 is pressed in the -Z direction, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 Similarly, when the protrusion 130B is pressed in the input device 100 shown, the output of the terminal V changes. However, the input device 100M does not use the output of the terminal V but detects that the stem 150 has been pressed in the −Z direction based on the output of the tactile switch 125M.

[0094] As described above, the tactile switch 125M can be used to detect an operation in the −Z direction. In this case, an input device 100M can be provided that can detect an operation in the +X direction or the −X direction with high accuracy based on the output of the bridge circuit including the four strain sensing elements 125 .

[0095] As mentioned above, the input device, the smartphone, and the game controller according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising: A rod having a flat plate portion and a protrusion portion, wherein the flat plate portion has a first surface and a second surface, and the protrusion portion is disposed on the second surface of the flat plate portion; A wiring substrate is attached to the first surface of the flat plate portion; A plurality of strain detection elements are mounted on the wiring substrate at positions overlapping the protrusions; as well as The plate has a higher rigidity than the wiring substrate and holds the flat plate portion on both sides of the plurality of strain sensing elements. There are four of the plurality of deformation sensing elements, two of which are mounted on the wiring substrate at positions overlapping the protrusion, and the plurality of deformation sensing elements are arranged within the width of the protrusion in the width direction of the flat plate when viewed from above. Each of the four deformation sensing elements is rectangular in a plan view, and the long side of the rectangle is parallel to the long side direction of the flat plate portion and the length direction of the rectangular area defined by the four deformation sensing elements in a plan view. The wiring substrate is sandwiched between a surface of the plate that is opposite to a surface of the wiring substrate on which the plurality of strain sensing elements are mounted and the first surface of the flat plate portion of the lever.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein: The plate has a plurality of caulking pieces for holding the flat plate portion.

3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The protrusion is in the shape of a quadrangular prism. Both ends of the protrusion extend to vicinity of both ends of the flat plate portion in a width direction of the flat plate portion.

4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein: The above-mentioned multiple deformation detection elements constitute a bridge circuit. When the combined resistance value between the two terminals of the bridge circuit is larger than a predetermined value, it is detected that the protrusion is pushed in the direction of the wiring substrate.

5. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The wiring substrate is a flexible substrate bonded to the flat plate portion at least at the positions of the plurality of strain sensing elements.

6. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plate is made of metal.

7. A smart phone, provided with the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 on the side.

8. A game controller, provided with the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 on the side.

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