Input device and assembly method

Abstract

The input device includes: a housing having an opening on one side in a first direction; a panel which is provided so that at least a portion thereof is exposed from the opening, and on which a touch operation to the operation surface and a pressing operation to the other side in the first direction are performed; a holder member that is disposed inside the housing, supports the panel, and reciprocates in a first direction together with the panel in accordance with a pressing operation against the panel; a substrate disposed inside the housing; a sensor unit that is provided on the panel and detects a touch operation; a pressing detection unit that is provided on the substrate and detects a pressing operation; and a connector that is provided on the substrate and to which a signal cable from the sensor unit is connected, the holder member having a temporary holding unit that holds the substrate in a state in which the substrate can move relative to the holder member at least in a first direction, and a second holding unit that holds the substrate in a state in which the substrate can move relative to the holder member in a second direction. The housing has a stopper portion that comes into contact with the substrate held by the temporary holding portion from the other side in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an input device and an assembling method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a structure in which a sensor sheet connected to a touch panel is inserted through a circuit substrate in a touch sensor erroneous detection prevention structure, and the sensor sheet is connected to the back surface of the circuit substrate.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2018 / 105305 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the conventional input device, after the substrate is fixed at a predetermined position in the housing, a signal cable from the sensor unit is connected to a connector provided on the substrate, and thus it is difficult to improve ease of assembly.

[0008] For example, in a conventional input device, an opening for connecting a connector is required in the housing, and a member for closing the opening is also required, so the number of components and the number of working man-hours may increase.

[0009] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0010] An input device according to one embodiment comprises: a shell having an opening on one side in a first direction; a panel arranged in such a manner that at least a portion of the panel is exposed from the opening, for performing touch operations on an operation surface and pressing operations on the other side in the first direction; a retaining frame member arranged inside the shell, supporting the panel and reciprocating together with the panel in the first direction in response to a pressing operation on the panel; a substrate arranged inside the shell; a sensor portion arranged on the panel, detecting a touch operation; a pressing detection portion arranged on the substrate, detecting a pressing operation; and a connector arranged on the substrate, for connecting a signal cable from the sensor portion, wherein the retaining frame member has a temporary retaining portion, which retains the substrate in a state where it can at least move relative to the retaining frame member in the first direction, and the shell has a stop portion, which abuts against the substrate retained by the temporary retaining portion from the other side in the first direction.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the input device according to one embodiment, it is possible to improve the ease of assembling the input device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the input device according to one embodiment, taken along an XZ plane.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing an example of steps of an assembling method of an input device according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3A This is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure of an assembling method of an input device according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3B This is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure of an assembling method of an input device according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3C This is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure of an assembling method of an input device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (Structure of Input Device 100 )

[0020] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment, taken along the XZ plane.

[0021] It should be noted that, in the following description, for convenience, the X-axis direction is set as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction is set as the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is set as the up-down direction (an example of a "first direction"). Among them, the positive direction of the X-axis is set as the right direction, the positive direction of the Y-axis is set as the front direction, and the positive direction of the Z-axis is set as the up direction. They represent the relative positional relationship within the device, and do not limit the setting direction and operation direction of the device. The same relative positional relationship within the device and the different setting directions and operation directions are all included in the technical solution of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 1 The input device 100 shown is a device capable of performing touch operations and press operations on the panel 120. For example, in the input device 100, when any one of the multiple symbols displayed on the operation surface 120A of the panel 120 is selected by a touch operation, the selection of the one symbol can be confirmed by pressing the panel 120.

[0023] like Figure 1As shown, the input device 100 includes a housing 110 , a panel 120 , a holder member 130 , a sensor unit 140 , a signal cable 141 , a substrate 150 , a pressure detection unit 151 , a connector 152 , a light source 153 , and a light guide 160 .

[0024] The housing 110 is a container-shaped member made of resin that accommodates and supports various components. The housing 110 has an opening 111 on the positive side of the Z axis, that is, on the upper side (an example of “one side in the first direction”).

[0025] The panel 120 is a resin-made, substantially flat-plate-shaped member. The panel 120 is provided in such a manner that at least a portion thereof is exposed from the opening 111 of the housing 110. The exposed upper surface of the panel 120 becomes an operation surface 120A, and the panel 120 is a member for performing touch operations from an operator on the operation surface 120A and pressing operations on the negative side of the Z axis, i.e., the lower side (an example of “the other side in the first direction”).

[0026] The frame member 130 is arranged inside the housing 110 on the inner side of the opening 111, and is a member that supports the panel 120 from the lower side (the negative side of the Z axis). The frame member 130 is formed integrally with the panel 120, and reciprocates in the vertical direction (the Z axis direction) together with the panel 120 as the panel 120 is pressed. More specifically, the frame member 130 is supported by a guide mechanism of the housing 110 (not shown), and moves toward the lower side (the negative side of the Z axis) while maintaining a horizontal state along the guide mechanism during the pressing operation. When the pressing operation is completed, it returns to the initial position before the operation due to the reaction force of the pressing detection unit 151 described later, etc. The frame member 130 has a hollow structure, and the sensor unit 140, the signal cable 141, and the light guide 160 can be arranged inside. It should be noted that the guiding mechanism of the shell 110 can be supported in a manner such that the retaining frame member 130 can move linearly in the up and down direction (Z-axis direction) while maintaining a horizontal state as described above, or can be supported in a manner such that the retaining frame member 130 can move in the up and down direction (Z-axis direction) by a rotational movement centered on a pivot shape not shown in the figure.

[0027] The sensor unit 140 is provided on the lower surface of the panel 120 and at a position inside the holding frame member 130, and is a flat member that detects a touch operation performed on the operation surface 120A of the panel 120. In this embodiment, an electrostatic sensor that detects a touch operation by a change in electrostatic capacitance is used as an example of the sensor unit 140. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sensor unit 140 may also be a sensor that detects a touch operation by other means (e.g., pressure-sensitive, etc.).

[0028] The signal cable 141 is a flexible ribbon-shaped wiring member. One end of the signal cable 141 is connected to the sensor unit 140 . The other end of the signal cable 141 is connected to a connector 152 mounted on the substrate 150 . The signal cable 141 transmits a detection signal of a touch operation output from the sensor unit 140 to the substrate 150 .

[0029] The substrate 150 is a resin plate-shaped member arranged inside the housing 110 in a state of extending horizontally (XY plane). The substrate 150 is held at a predetermined height relative to the housing 110 in a horizontal posture by the elastic holding portion 113 and the stopper portion 112 provided on the housing 110 .

[0030] The press detection unit 151 is mounted on the mounting surface 150A on the upper side of the substrate (an example of "a mounting surface on one side of the substrate in the first direction"). The press detection unit 151 detects a press operation performed on the operation surface 120A of the panel 120. In this embodiment, as an example of the press detection unit 151, a load sensor or a button switch is used that detects a press operation by being pressed by the holding frame member 130 that moves downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) together with the panel 120. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the press detection unit 151 may also be a distance sensor or the like.

[0031] The connector 152 is mounted on the mounting surface 150B on the lower side of the substrate (an example of “the mounting surface on the other side of the substrate in the first direction”). The signal cable 141 from the sensor unit 140 is connected to the connector 152 .

[0032] The light source 153 is mounted on the mounting surface 150A on the upper side of the substrate. In the present embodiment, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as an example of the light source 153 .

[0033] The light guide 160 is disposed on the inner side of the retaining frame member 130, and is a transparent resin columnar member held by the retaining frame member 130. The light guide 160 is disposed on the upper side (positive side of the Z axis) of the light source 153, and its lower end face is opposite to the light source 153. Thus, the light guide 160 can allow the light emitted from the light source 153 to enter the interior from the lower end face. In addition, the light guide 160 can allow the light entering from the lower end face to propagate inside and be emitted from the upper end face. The upper end face of the light guide 160 is connected to the panel 120. Thus, the light emitted from the upper end face of the light guide 160 can cause the symbols and the like provided on the operation surface 120A of the panel 120 to emit light.

[0034] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the holder member 130 holds the light guide 160 , and the light source 153 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 150 at a position facing the light guide 160 , so that the components can be arranged with good space efficiency.

[0035] It should be noted that if Figure 1 As shown, in the input device 100, a plurality of components other than the housing 110 (i.e., the panel 120, the holder member 130, the sensor unit 140, the signal cable 141, the substrate 150, the pressure detection unit 151, the connector 152, the light source 153, and the light guide 160) are integrated into one body, thereby generating a unit 100A (see Figure 3A ).

[0036] Here, the holder member 130 has a temporary holding portion 131, which holds the substrate 150 in a state where it can be relatively moved at least in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) relative to the holder member 130. For example, in the present embodiment, the temporary holding portion 131 is provided downward (in the negative direction of the Z-axis) from the lower surface 130A of the bottom plate portion of the holder member 130, has a hook shape having claws 131B at the front ends of a pair of arm portions 131A, and is provided so as to penetrate the through hole 150C of the substrate 150. In addition, the length from the lower surface 130A of the bottom plate portion of the holder member 130 to the claws 131B of the temporary holding portion 131 is greater than the thickness of the substrate 150. Therefore, the substrate 150 can be relatively moved in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) relative to the holder member 130 by the difference. Thus, when the retaining frame member 130 and the substrate 150 are assembled to the shell 110, when the panel 120 is pressed, the retaining frame member 130 is relatively close to the substrate 150 whose position in the up and down directions (Z-axis direction) is limited by the stop portion 112 of the shell 110 described later, and presses the pressing detection portion 151 provided on the substrate 150, so that the pressing operation is reliably detected.

[0037] In addition, the through hole 150C is set to a size that allows the claw 131B to not fall off and to have a gap with respect to the arm 131A, so that the substrate 150 can also move relative to the holder member 130 in the lateral direction (X-axis and Y-axis direction) by the amount of the gap. Thus, when the holder member 130 and the substrate 150 are assembled to the housing 110, the position of the holder member 130 in the lateral direction (X-axis and Y-axis direction) relative to the housing 110 and the position of the substrate 150 in the lateral direction (X-axis and Y-axis direction) relative to the housing 110 can be determined separately by the guide mechanism of the housing 110 (not shown), and the holder member 130 and the substrate 150 are not affected by each other. In the present embodiment, a pair (two) of arm 131A are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and only one arm 131A may be provided on one side, or three or more arm 131A may be provided.

[0038] In addition, the housing 110 has a pair of stopper portions 112 that abut against the mounting surface 150B on the lower side of the substrate 150 held by the temporary holding portion 131 of the holding frame member 130 from the lower side ("the other side in the first direction") . The housing 110 limits the position of the substrate 150 relative to the housing 110 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by the stopper portions 112. Thus, for the input device 100, the position of the press detection portion 151 mounted on the mounting surface 150A on the upper side of the substrate in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is also limited, so that the press detection portion 151 can accurately detect the press operation when pressed by the holding frame member 130. In the present embodiment, there are a pair (two) of stopper portions 112, but this is not limited to this, and the stopper portions 112 may be provided with only one on one side, or may be provided with three or more.

[0039] In addition, the housing 110 includes a pair of elastic retaining portions 113, which are engaged with the substrate 150 from the upper side (one side in the first direction) to retain the substrate 150. In particular, in the present embodiment, the elastic retaining portion 113 is hook-shaped, and includes an arm portion 113A that can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) (an example of a "direction perpendicular to the first direction"), and an engaging portion 113B that is provided at the end of the upper side ("one side in the first direction") of the arm portion 113A and engages with the substrate 150. In the present embodiment, a pair (two) of elastic retaining portions 113 are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and only one elastic retaining portion 113 may be provided on one side, or three or more elastic retaining portions 113 may be provided.

[0040] The engagement portion 113B of the elastic holding portion 113 has a guide surface 113C on the upper side (“one side in the first direction”) that is inclined toward the outside of the housing 110 with respect to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0041] In addition, the locking portion 113B of the elastic retaining portion 113 has a force-applying surface 113D on the lower side ("the other side in the first direction") that is inclined relative to the extending direction (XY plane) of the substrate and abuts against the edge of the mounting surface 150A on the upper side of the substrate ("the surface of the substrate on one side in the first direction").

[0042] (Assembling Method of Input Device 100)

[0043] Hereinafter, a method of assembling the input device 100 according to one embodiment will be described. Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing an example of the steps of the assembling method of the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 3A to Figure 3C This is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure of an assembling method of the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0044] <Step S201: First step>

[0045] First, if Figure 3A As shown, the assembling operator inserts the arm portion 131A and the claw portion 131B of the temporary holding portion 131 into the through hole 150C of the substrate 150 , and holds the substrate 150 on the temporary holding portion 131 of the holder member 130 .

[0046] Here, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, as described above, the temporary holding portion 131 of the frame member 130 can hold the substrate 150 in a state where it can move relative to the frame member 130 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). Furthermore, the temporary holding portion 131 of the frame member 130 can hold the substrate 150 in a state where it can move relative to the frame member 130 in the lateral direction (X-axis and Y-axis directions).

[0047] <Step S202: Second step>

[0048] Next, if Figure 3B As shown, the assembling operator inserts the other end of the signal cable 141 into the connector 152 provided on the mounting surface 150B on the lower side of the substrate 150 to connect the signal cable 141. Thus, the assembly of the unit 100A is completed.

[0049] In this way, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the substrate 150 can be held by the temporary holding portion 131 of the holder member 130, so that the signal cable 141 can be easily connected to the connector 152 in a state where the connector 152 is located outside the housing 110. In addition, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, an opening for connecting the connector 152 is not required in the housing 110, and a member for sealing the opening is not required, so the number of parts and the number of working hours can be reduced.

[0050] In addition, in the input device 100 involved in one embodiment, the connector 152 is arranged on the mounting surface 150B on the lower side of the substrate 150, so that the signal cable 141 can be easily connected to the connector 152, and the installation space for other components on the mounting surface 150A on the upper side of the substrate 150 can be ensured.

[0051] <Step S203: Third step>

[0052] Next, if Figure 3CAs shown, the assembler inserts the entire unit 100A assembled in step S202 from the opening 111 of the housing 110 toward the lower side (an example of "the other side in the first direction"), with the substrate 150 being held on the retaining frame member 130 by the temporary retaining portion 131, and makes the substrate 150 abut against the stopper 112 of the housing 110. At this time, the elastic retaining portion 113 of the housing 110 is elastically deformed outward by the substrate 150 being inserted from the upper side (one side in the first direction), and then recovers and retains the substrate 150. Thus, the assembly of the input device 100 is completed, and the input device 100 becomes Figure 1 The completion status shown.

[0053] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, Figure 1 In the completed state shown, the substrate 150 is fixed, but the frame member 130 can move relative to the substrate 150 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, by performing a pressing operation on the operation surface 120A of the panel 120, the panel 120 and the frame member 130 move downward (Z-axis negative direction) as a whole, and the frame member 130 presses the pressing detection portion 151, thereby detecting the pressing operation.

[0054] Here, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can hold the substrate 150 using the temporary holding portion 131 of the holder member 130 , so the holder member 130 and the substrate 150 can be assembled together simply by inserting the holder member 130 from the opening 111 into the housing 110 .

[0055] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the housing 110 has the stopper 112 that abuts from below the substrate 150 held by the temporary holding portion 131 of the holding frame member 130. Therefore, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can easily arrange the substrate 150 at a predetermined height position by a simple push-in operation from above.

[0056] Therefore, according to the input device 100 according to one embodiment, it is possible to improve the ease of assembling the input device 100 .

[0057] In addition, in the input device 100 involved in one embodiment, the elastic retaining portion 113 of the shell 110 can retain the substrate 150 by being inserted from the upper side through the substrate 150, so that the substrate 150 in abutment with the stop portion 112 can be easily retained, and since a fixing component (screws, etc.) for fixing the substrate 150 is not required, the number of components and working hours can be reduced.

[0058] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the elastic holding portion 113 of the housing 110 has a hook shape having the arm portion 113A and the engaging portion 113B, so the substrate 150 can be easily held by a simple push-in operation from above or by snapping in.

[0059] It should be noted that the elastic retaining portion 113 may have a shape other than a hook (for example, the elastically deformable arm portion 113A has a hole having a shape for embedding a protrusion provided on the substrate 150, etc.) as long as the substrate 150 can be retained by being inserted from the upper side.

[0060] In addition, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the engaging portion 113B of the elastic retaining portion 113 has a guide surface 113C inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) on the upper side. Therefore, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can easily press and expand the elastic retaining portion 113 outward by a simple pressing operation from above so that the edge of the mounting surface 150B on the lower side of the substrate 150 abuts against the guide surface 113C, and the substrate 150 passes over the engaging portion 113B, so that the substrate 150 can be located on the lower side of the engaging portion 113B.

[0061] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the engaging portion 113B of the elastic holding portion 113 has a force-applying surface 113D on the lower side that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and abuts against the substrate 150. Therefore, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can absorb the manufacturing errors of the left-right width and thickness of the substrate 150 through the force-applying surface 113D, and can apply force downward to the edge of the mounting surface 150A on the upper side of the substrate 150, thereby pressing the substrate 150 against the stopper 112. As a result, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can stably hold the substrate 150 at a predetermined height position without causing any shaking.

[0062] In addition, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, since the substrate 150 can be stably held at a predetermined height position, the pressing operation on the operation surface 120A of the panel 120 can be reliably detected by the pressing detection portion 151 provided on the upper surface of the substrate 150. In addition, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, since the force application surface 113D is inclined with respect to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), when disassembling, the substrate 150 can press and expand the elastic holding portion 113 outward by simply pulling the unit 100A upward, so that the substrate 150 can be easily separated from the elastic holding portion 113.

[0063] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0064] This international application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-081740 filed on May 18, 2022, and all the contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] Description of Reference Numerals

[0066] 100: Input device

[0067] 100A: Unit

[0068] 110: Shell

[0069] 111: Opening

[0070] 112: Stopper

[0071] 113: Elastic retaining part

[0072] 113A: Arm

[0073] 113B: snap-fit ​​part

[0074] 113C: Guide surface

[0075] 113D: Force application surface

[0076] 120: Panel

[0077] 120A: Operation surface

[0078] 130: Cage components

[0079] 130A: Bottom surface

[0080] 131: Temporary holding unit

[0081] 131A: Arm

[0082] 131B: Claw

[0083] 140: Sensor unit

[0084] 141: Signal cable

[0085] 150: Substrate

[0086] 150A: Mounting surface on the upper side of the substrate (mounting surface on one side of the substrate in the first direction)

[0087] 150B: Mounting surface on the lower side of the substrate (mounting surface on the other side of the substrate in the first direction)

[0088] 150C: Through hole

[0089] 151: Press detection unit

[0090] 152: Connector

[0091] 153: Light Source

[0092] 160: Light guide.

Claims

1. An input device comprising: A housing having an opening on one side in a first direction; a panel, which is arranged in a manner that at least a portion thereof is exposed from the opening, so as to provide a touch operation on the operation surface and a press operation on the other side in the first direction; a holding frame member disposed inside the housing, supporting the panel and reciprocatingly moving together with the panel in the first direction in response to the pressing operation on the panel; A substrate, which is disposed inside the housing; A sensor unit, which is disposed on the panel and detects the touch operation; A pressing detection unit, which is disposed on the substrate and detects the pressing operation; as well as A connector is provided on the substrate for connecting a signal cable from the sensor unit. The input device is characterized in that The holder member has a temporary holding portion, and the temporary holding portion holds the substrate in a state where the substrate can be relatively moved relative to the holder member at least in the first direction. The housing includes a stopper that comes into contact with the substrate held by the temporary holding portion from the other side in the first direction.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing includes an elastic holding portion that holds the substrate by engaging the substrate from the one side in the first direction.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic retaining portion is hook-shaped and has an arm portion and an engaging portion. The arm portion is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The engaging portion is provided at an end portion of the arm portion on one side in the first direction and engages with the substrate.

4. The input device according to claim 3, characterized in that The engaging portion of the elastic holding portion has a guide surface inclined with respect to the first direction on the one side in the first direction.

5. The input device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The engaging portion of the elastic holding portion has a biasing surface on the other side in the first direction that is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the substrate and abuts against the substrate.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The connector is disposed on a mounting surface of the substrate at the other side in the first direction.

7. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The holding frame member holds a light guide, and a light source is provided on the mounting surface of the substrate on the one side in the first direction at a position opposite to the light guide.

8. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The sensor portion that detects the touch operation is an electrostatic sensor.

9. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The press detection portion that detects the press operation is a load sensor.

10. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The press detection unit that detects the press operation is a distance sensor.

11. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The press detection unit that detects the press operation is a push button switch.

12. An assembling method, which is an assembling method of the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The assembly method comprises: a first step of holding the substrate on the temporary holding portion of the holding frame member; a second step of connecting the signal cable to the connector of the substrate; and A third step is to insert the frame member in a state where the substrate is held by the temporary holding portion from the opening of the housing toward the other side in the first direction, and to make the substrate abut against the stopper portion of the housing.

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