switching device

Abstract

A switch device capable of detecting an operation by a user with high precision is provided. A switch device (1) includes a panel (2) having an operation region (21) for a user to operate, a housing (3) that fixes the panel, and a sensor sheet (4) that includes a base material (41) having electrical insulation and a detection conductive portion (42) provided to the base material and that detects approach or contact of a finger of the user to the operation region, and that is fixed to the housing. The detection conductive portion includes an electrode portion (421) that is capacitively coupled with the finger of the user when operating the operation region, and a wiring portion (422) that is extended from the electrode portion. The sensor sheet includes an electrode sheet portion (43) in which the electrode portion is formed, and a wiring sheet portion (44) in which the wiring portion is formed and that is folded back from the electrode sheet portion. The housing includes a protrusion (322, 341) that protrudes toward a blank portion of the wiring sheet portion in which the wiring portion is not present. The wiring sheet portion is fixed to the protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to switching devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switching device mounted in a vehicle that detects touch operations using electrostatic capacitance. The switching device described in Patent Document 1 includes a sensor sheet having an electrically insulating substrate and a detection conductive portion disposed on the substrate. The detection conductive portion includes an electrode portion capacitively coupled to the user's finger and a wiring portion extending from the electrode portion. The sensor sheet is fixed to the center panel of the vehicle using double-sided adhesive tape.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-41297

[0004] However, in the switching device described in Patent Document 1, the wiring portion of the sensor chip is prone to coupling with nearby conductive capacitors via double-sided tape and the central panel fixed by the double-sided tape, easily generating parasitic capacitance. Therefore, the ratio of parasitic capacitance to the capacitance between the electrode portion and the user's finger becomes higher, potentially reducing the detection accuracy of user-performed operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the foregoing circumstances, and its object is to provide a switching device capable of detecting user-operated operations with high precision.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a switching device comprising: a panel having an operating area for user operation; a housing for fixing the panel; and a sensor plate having an electrically insulating substrate and a detection conductive portion disposed on the substrate for detecting the approach or contact of a user's finger to the operating area, the sensor plate being fixed to the housing, the detection conductive portion having: an electrode portion that forms capacitive coupling with the user's finger when operating the operating area; and a wiring portion extending from the electrode portion; the sensor plate having: an electrode portion having the electrode portion; and a wiring portion having the wiring portion and folding back from the electrode portion; the housing having a protrusion protruding toward a blank portion of the wiring portion where the wiring portion is not present, the wiring portion being fixed to the protrusion.

[0007] According to the present invention, a switching device capable of detecting user-performed operations with high precision can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a front view of the switching device according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow along line II-II.

[0010] Figure 3 The front view of the switch device in the embodiment omits the panel and the first housing.

[0011] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 A magnified view of a local area, and a view of a local area represented by a cross section.

[0012] Figure 5 The bottom view of the switch device in the embodiment omits the panel and the first housing.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a front view of the four light guides and sensor sheets in the implementation method.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the operating area of ​​the switch device in the embodiment when it is pressed.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0016] 1...Switch device; 2...Panel; 21...Operating area; 3...Housing; 322...Protrusion; 341...Protrusion; 4...Sensor piece; 5...Modible component; 7...Displacement detection part; 41...Substrate; 414...Slit; 42...Detection conductive part; 421...Electrode part; 422...Wiring part; 43...Electrode piece part; 44...Wiring piece part; 441...Blank part; 45...Grounding part; F...Finger. Detailed Implementation

[0017] [Implementation Method]

[0018] Reference Figures 1-7 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are shown as preferred specific examples for carrying out the present invention. While various technically preferred aspects are also specifically illustrated, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of the switch device 1 according to this method. The switch device 1 of this method is mounted in vehicles such as automobiles and used to operate specified in-vehicle equipment. In this method, the switch device 1 is assembled on the dashboard of an automobile and is used to operate the air conditioning equipment. However, the application of the switch device 1 is not limited to this; for example, it can also be a switch for operating in-vehicle devices other than air conditioning equipment, such as audio equipment. Furthermore, the switch device 1 is not limited to in-vehicle switches.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, the switch device 1 has a panel 2 positioned in a location visible to the vehicle occupant as a user. The panel 2 has an operation area 21 for operation by the user's fingers. In the operation area 21, markers 22a to 22d indicating the functions performed by the operation are illuminated. In this embodiment, as an example, the switch device 1 has four operation areas 21 for respectively indicating (1) switching on / off of the automatic control function, (2) temperature rise, (3) temperature fall, and (4) switching on / off of the compressor. Furthermore, in the four operation areas 21, marker 22a indicating switching on / off of the automatic control function, marker 22b indicating temperature rise, marker 22c indicating temperature fall, and marker 22d indicating switching on / off of the compressor are illuminated. The number of operation areas 21 is not particularly limited.

[0021] In the switching device 1 of this method, on the one hand, under normal circumstances, the marks 22a to 22d in the operation area 21 are in an off state and cannot be seen. On the other hand, if the sensor 4 described below detects that a user's finger is close to a predetermined range from the panel 2, all marks 22a to 22d are illuminated. Furthermore, if the displacement detection unit 7 described below detects that the operation area 21 has been pressed by a user's finger, the function corresponding to the pressed operation area 21 is implemented.

[0022] Next, a general description of the overall structure of the switching device 1 will be given.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow along line II-II. Figure 3 This is a front view of the switch device 1, omitting the panel and the first housing. Figure 4 It is Figure 3 A magnified view of a local area, and a view of a local area represented by a cross section. Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the switch device 1, omitting the panel and the first housing. Figure 6 This is a front view of the four light guides 51 and the sensor sheet 4. Additionally, in... Figure 6 The image shows the sensor chip 4 unfolded in a planar shape. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the operating area 21 of the switch device 1 when it is pressed. Additionally, Figure 7 It is in the switching device 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows the cross-section as seen from the same location on the cross-section.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the switching device 1 includes a panel 2, a housing 3, a sensor plate 4, a movable component 5, a base plate 6, a displacement detection unit 7, and a light source 8. Figure 1As shown, panel 2 has four operating areas 21. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 3 secures the panel 2 and houses the structural components of the switch device 1 inside.

[0025] The sensor chip 4 is fixed to the housing 3 and is flexible. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the sensor chip 4 includes: a substrate 41 that is electrically insulating; and a detection conductive portion 42 disposed on the substrate 41, which detects the approach or contact of the user's finger with the operating area 21. Additionally, Figure 3 The diagram of the conductive part being tested is omitted. (See example...) Figure 6 As shown, the detection conductive part 42 includes: an electrode part 421 that is capacitively coupled to the user's finger when operated on the operating area 21; and a wiring part 422 that extends from the electrode part 421. Furthermore, the sensor piece 4 includes: an electrode piece part 43 on which the electrode part 421 is formed; and a wiring piece part 44 on which the wiring part 422 is formed and folds back from the electrode piece part 43.

[0026] like Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, the movable member 5 is displaced due to the pressing operation on the operating area 21. The substrate 6 is equipped with a displacement detection unit 7 and a light source 8. The displacement detection unit 7 detects the displacement of the movable member 5 that occurs during the pressing operation. The light source 8 emits light into the operating area 21, causing marks 22a-22d to appear on the operating area 21. In this configuration, four electrode plates 43, four movable members 5, four displacement detection units 7, and four light sources 8 are respectively provided corresponding to the four operating areas 21.

[0027] In this method, the switching device 1 has made efforts in fixing the wiring portion 44 of the sensor chip 4 to the housing 3 using a fixing unit. For example... Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the housing 3 has protrusions 322 and 341 that protrude toward the blank portion 441 where the wiring portion 422 is not present in the wiring piece portion 44, and the wiring piece portion 44 is fixed to the protrusions 322 and 341. As a result, an air layer with a relatively low dielectric constant is formed around the wiring portion 422 in the wiring piece portion 44, suppressing the generation of parasitic capacitance caused by the capacitive coupling between the wiring portion 422 and nearby conductors. Consequently, the ratio of parasitic capacitance to the coupling capacitance between the electrode portion 421 and the user's finger is reduced, improving the detection accuracy of user-performed operations.

[0028] Next, the details of the switching device 1 in this method will be explained.

[0029] Furthermore, in this configuration, the arrangement direction of the panel 2, the electrode plate 43, and the movable member 5 is set to the front-back direction X. The side of the panel 2 that is in the front-back direction X and is relative to the electrode plate 43 is designated as the front, and the side opposite to the front is designated as the rear. In addition, the arrangement direction of the four operating areas 21 is set to the left-right direction Y. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to both the front-back direction X and the left-right direction Y is designated as the up-down direction Z.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, panel 2 is formed by stacking an outer panel 23, a marking panel 24, and a flexible panel 25 in sequence. The outer panel 23 constitutes the outermost surface of panel 2. The outer panel 23 has an operating area 21 on its front surface for the user's fingers to contact during a press operation. The outer panel 23 is made of a material that allows light emitted by the light source 8 to pass through. In addition, the outer panel 23 does not need to be transparent to the light emitted by the light source 8; it only needs to be a material that does not completely block the light emitted by the light source 8.

[0031] A mark-forming panel 24 is disposed on the rear surface of the outer panel 23. The mark-forming panel 24 is formed of a light-shielding material that blocks the light emitted from the light source 8, and has holes 241 in the shapes of marks 22a-22d. Light emitted from the light source 8 passes through the holes 241, allowing the user to see the light in the shapes of marks 22a-22d. Figure 7 As shown, the outer panel 23 and the marking panel 24 are formed to a relatively thin degree so that they can bend when the user presses the operating area 21 with his finger F.

[0032] The elastic panel 25 is disposed on the rear surface of the mark forming panel 24. The elastic panel 25 faces all four movable members 5 from the front. The elastic panel 25 is constructed by forming an elastic material such as rubber into a sheet shape. The elastic panel 25 is formed to be thicker than the outer panel 23 and the mark forming panel 24, thereby facilitating elastic deformation. When the operating area 21 is not operated by the user, the elastic panel 25 undergoes elastic deformation by receiving pressure from the displacement detection unit 7 via the sensor sheet 4 and the movable members 5. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown, the elastic panel 25 also undergoes elastic deformation when the user presses the operation area 21.

[0033] The housing 3 has a first housing 31, a second housing 32, a third housing 33, and a fourth housing 34 fixed together with each other. The first housing 31, together with the panel 2, constitutes the main outer casing of the switch device 1, and the second housing 32, the third housing 33, and the fourth housing 34 are fixed inside it. On the first housing 31, four openings 311 are formed for accommodating the front ends 511 of the light guides 51 (described below) of the four movable members 5. The front portion of the first housing 31, including the four openings 311, is covered by the panel 2.

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, four cylindrical portions 321 are formed on the second housing 32, each accommodating four movable members 5. The cylindrical portions 321 are arranged in the left-right direction Y and open on both sides in the front-back direction X.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the third housing 33 is fixed to the second housing 32 by covering the opening at the rear of the second housing 32. In addition, the third housing 33 fixes the substrate 6.

[0036] The fourth housing 34 is fixed to the second housing 32, and the wiring portion 44 of the sensor piece 4 is clamped and fixed between the fourth housing 34 and the second housing 32. Details of the fixing unit for the wiring portion 44 will be described below.

[0037] Sensor 4 is a capacitive touch sensor, constituting a self-capacitive touch sensor. In this configuration, sensor 4 detects when a user's finger approaches the operating area 21 of the panel 2. Sensor 4 is flexible.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, the sensor chip 4 includes a substrate 41 and a detection conductive part 42 and two grounding parts 45 disposed on the substrate 41.

[0039] The substrate 41 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheet or the like, which has electrical insulation, flexibility, and light transmittance. The substrate 41 has: a base 411 with an elongated dimension in the left-right direction Y; four protruding tabs 412 protruding from the base 411 to the same side; and lead-out portions 413 protruding from the protruding tabs 412 to the opposite side of the four protruding tabs 412. The four protruding tabs 412 are spaced apart in the left-right direction Y. A slit 414 is formed between adjacent protruding tabs 412. The slit 414 penetrates the substrate 41 in the thickness direction and extends from the protruding side of the protruding tab 412 protruding from the base 411. Figure 6 (The upper side) is open.

[0040] The detection conductive portion 42 is light-transmitting and is formed on the surface of the substrate 41. In this embodiment, an example is shown where the detection conductive portion 42 is formed on the side of the substrate 41 opposite to the movable member 5, but it is also possible for the detection conductive portion 42 to be provided on the side of the substrate 41 opposite to the movable member 5. The detection conductive portion 42 is formed, for example, by vapor deposition, printing, etc. For example, the detection conductive portion 42 is made of ITO film, transparent ink, etc. Alternatively, the detection conductive portion 42 may be formed of a non-light-transmitting material, for example, for areas where light does not need to pass through. The detection conductive portion 42 includes: four electrode portions 421, each formed on one of four protruding portions 412; and wiring portions 422, which are electrically connected to the electrode portions 421 and formed on the protruding portions 412, the base portion 411, and the lead-out portion 413.

[0041] The electrode portion 421 is a part that forms capacitive coupling with the finger approaching the operating area 21, and is designed with a large opposing area with the finger. The four electrode portions 421 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction Y.

[0042] The wiring portion 422 is thinner than the electrode portion 421, is formed in a linear shape, and is electrically connected to the electrode portion 421. In this configuration, the wiring portion 422 electrically connects the four electrode portions 421 to each other. That is, in this configuration, although the sensor chip 4 detects that the user's finger has approached one of the four electrode portions 421, it is uncertain which electrode portion 421 it has approached.

[0043] The wiring portion 422 and the grounding portion 45 are formed at a position near the periphery of the sensor piece 4, such that a blank portion 441 without the wiring portion 422 layer and the grounding portion 45 is formed at the wiring portion 44 described below for the sensor piece 4. In this embodiment, the wiring portion 422 has: four first portions 422a, which extend from the four electrode portions 421 in a direction orthogonal to the left and right directions respectively; a second portion 422b, which extends in the left and right direction Y and electrically connects the four first portions 422a to each other; and a third portion 422c, which extends from the second portion 422b toward the lead-out portion 413.

[0044] The first portion 422a is formed at the end of the protruding piece 412 in the left-right direction Y. As an example, the end of the protruding piece 412 in the left-right direction Y can be located in a region other than the central region when the protruding piece 412 is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction Y. Furthermore, the second portion 422b is formed at the end of the base 411 in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction Y. As an example, the end of the base 411 in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction Y can be located in a region other than the central region when the base 411 is divided into three equal parts in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the second portion 422b is formed at the end of the base 411 in a direction orthogonal to the left-right direction Y, near the lead-out portion 413. The third portion 422c is electrically connected to the substrate 6.

[0045] When using the switch device 1 (for example, when the switch device 1 is for vehicle use and the switch device 1 has been configured to be vehicle-mounted), the grounding portion 45 is connected to the ground potential. The grounding portion 45 includes: a first portion 451 formed parallel to the first portion 422a of the wiring portion 422, a second portion 452 formed parallel to the second portion 422b of the wiring portion 422, and a third portion 453 formed parallel to the third portion 422c of the wiring portion 422.

[0046] The first portions 451 of the two grounding portions 45 are respectively formed at both ends of the base 411 in the left-right direction Y. The first portion 451 is formed at the end of the protruding piece 412 in the left-right direction Y, on the side opposite to the first portion 422a. The first portion 451 is formed from the second portion 452 to... Figure 6 The bend is indicated by a single-dotted line up to the position near the bend. Alternatively, the first portion 451 may be omitted. The second portion 452 is formed on the side of the second portion 422b closest to the lead-out portion 413. The third portion 453 is formed from the second portion 452 toward the lead-out portion 413.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the sensor sheet 4 is mounted by bending along the thickness direction, and has four electrode sheets 43 and wiring sheets 44 via the bending portion 46. The bending portion 46 is formed at the position between the four electrode sheets 421 and the base 411, and in particular in this embodiment, it is formed at the position between the electrode sheets 421 and the ground portion 45.

[0048] The four electrode portions 43 are formed to intersect the front-rear direction X and are respectively disposed opposite to the front surfaces of the four movable members 5 (the front surface 513 of the light guide member 51 in this embodiment). The electrode portion 43 is the part on which the electrode portion 421 is formed, and is composed of the part of the protruding portion 412 opposite to the base portion 411. Figure 2In the example shown, the electrode plate portion 43 is parallel to the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction Y, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible that the electrode plate portion 43 is formed in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction Z.

[0049] The electrode portion 43 is held between the movable member 5 and the elastic panel 25, and is in close contact with the front surface 513 of the light guide 51 of the movable member 5 and the rear surface 251 of the elastic panel 25, respectively. The electrode portion 43 is flexible enough to easily adhere to the front surface 513 of the light guide 51. Alternatively, the electrode portion 43 may be temporarily fixed to the front surface 513 of the light guide 51 at a position that does not obstruct the light path from the light source 8 to the operating area 21, for example, using double-sided tape or the like. Light emitted from the light source 8 passes through the light guide 51, the electrode portion 421, and the substrate 41 to reach the panel 2.

[0050] like Figures 3-6 As shown, a slit 414 is formed between adjacent electrode portions 43, thus preventing other electrode portions 43 from being pulled by the movement when an operation area 21 is pressed and the electrode portion 43 corresponding to that operation area 21 moves backward.

[0051] On the other hand, with the slit 414 formed, it is difficult to ensure the area of ​​the electrode portion 421, and a wiring portion 422 connecting to the electrode portions 421 of each electrode piece portion 43 needs to be formed, increasing the area ratio of the wiring portion 422 to the detection electrode layer. Therefore, the ratio of parasitic capacitance to the coupling capacitance between the electrode portion 421 and the human finger tends to increase. Furthermore, in cases where the detection is not of the finger's contact with the operating area 21 but rather of the finger's approach to the operating area 21, as in this embodiment, it is required to detect the finger at a relatively distant position; therefore, a reduction in parasitic capacitance is particularly desirable. Therefore, in this embodiment, efforts are made to reduce parasitic capacitance by optimizing the fixing unit of the wiring piece portion 44 as described below.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, the wiring patch 44 is formed along the front-to-back direction X and the left-to-right direction Y. The wiring patch 44 is the part where the wiring portion 422 and two ground portions 45 are formed, and is composed of the portion of the protruding patch 412 excluding the electrode patch 43, the base 411, and the lead-out portion 413. As mentioned above, the wiring patch 44 is designed such that the blank portion 441 where the wiring portion 422 and the ground portion 45 are not formed is larger. The wiring patch 44 is fixed to the second housing 32 and the fourth housing 34 at the blank portion 441. Moreover, the area of ​​the wiring patch 44 where the wiring portion 422 and the ground portion 45 are present faces the air layer.

[0053] Details regarding the fixing unit that forms a fixed position between the wiring patch 44 and the second housing 32 and the fourth housing 34 will be explained. For example... Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the second housing 32 has a plurality of protrusions 322 protruding toward the blank portion 441. In this embodiment, the protrusions 322 are formed to protrude toward the blank portion 441 of the base 411. Furthermore, the plurality of protrusions 322 are respectively formed in the region where the protruding piece 412 exists and in the region where the slit 414 exists in the left-right direction Y. The opposing surface 322a of the protrusion 322 opposite to the blank portion 441 is formed as a plane parallel to the blank portion 441.

[0054] The fourth housing 34 has a plurality of protrusions 341 formed at positions opposite to the plurality of protrusions 322 of the second housing 32. Furthermore, in this configuration, when viewed from the vertical direction Z, the forming areas of each protrusion 322 and protrusion 341 are identical. Figure 5 In the diagram, protrusions 322 and 341 are represented by a shared dashed line, but their formation areas may differ. The opposing surface 341a of protrusion 341, which is opposite to blank portion 441, is formed as a plane parallel to blank portion 441.

[0055] The wiring piece 44 has only a blank portion 441 that is held by a plurality of protrusions 322 and 341. The plurality of protrusions 322 and 341 hold multiple portions of the base 411 in the left-right direction Y, thereby suppressing localized stress concentration on the sensor piece 4. Furthermore, in this configuration, the plurality of protrusions 322 and 341 do not clamp onto the protruding piece 412, thereby facilitating the bending deformation of the protruding piece 412 during a pressing operation. However, it is also possible for the plurality of protrusions 322 and 341 to partially clamp the protruding piece 412. As described above, the wiring piece 44 is fixed to the second housing 32 and the fourth housing 34.

[0056] In addition, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the grounding portion 45 is formed on the wiring portion 44, but not on the electrode portion 43. This suppresses the increase in coupling capacitance between the electrode portion 421 and the grounding portion 45, and consequently suppresses the decrease in operational detection accuracy caused by the relatively small coupling capacitance between the user's finger and the electrode portion 421.

[0057] like Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, the movable member 5 is configured to move along the front-rear direction X inside the cylindrical portion 321. In this configuration, the movable member 5 includes: a light guide 51 for guiding light emitted from the light source 8; and a surrounding member 52 that surrounds the light guide 51 from the outer periphery.

[0058] The light guide 51 is made of a material that is translucent to light emitted from the light source 8. For example, the light guide 51 is made of translucent resin, glass, or the like. The light guide 51 is designed to guide light incident from the rear surface 512 into the interior to the front surface 513 and then extract it from the front surface. In this embodiment, the front surface 513 and the rear surface 512 of the light guide 51 are planar, but are not limited to this and may also be curved surfaces. In this embodiment, an example is shown where the normal directions of the front surface 513 and the rear surface 512 are the front-rear direction X, but it is also possible that the normal direction of at least one of them is inclined relative to the front-rear direction X.

[0059] The light guide 51 is generally cylindrical in the front-rear direction X, and has a front end portion 511 that expands outward to the periphery. The front end portion 511 is located in front of the surrounding member 52 and the cylindrical portion 321.

[0060] The surrounding member 52 is cylindrical and surrounds the light guide 51 around its entire circumference. The surrounding member 52 spatially separates the sliding portion between the cylindrical portion 321 and the surrounding member 52 from the light guide 51, thereby preventing the lubricating material of the sliding portion from reaching the light guide 51.

[0061] The surrounding member 52 has a rearwardly protruding pressing part 521. The pressing part 521 contacts the button 71 of the displacement detection unit 7, and the button 71 is pressed down when there is a pressing operation on the operating area 21. Furthermore, when the switch device 1 is not operated by the user, the pressing part 521 is elastically pressed towards the panel 2 side by the elastic restoring force of the displacement detection unit 7, thereby pressing the movable member 5 towards the panel 2 side.

[0062] In addition, if there is a low concern, such as when the lubricating material in the sliding part reaches the light guide 51, the surrounding member 52 can be omitted.

[0063] The substrate 6 is, for example, made of a rigid printed circuit board and is positioned such that the front-to-back direction X is the normal direction. In this configuration, the substrate 6 is formed with a long dimension along the left-to-right direction Y and is positioned opposite all of the plurality of light guides 51 from the rear. On the front surface of the substrate 6, four displacement detection units 7 and light sources 8 are mounted corresponding to the four operating areas 21.

[0064] The displacement detection unit 7 is a mechanical switch that toggles the on / off state of contacts by a user pressing it onto the operating area 21. The displacement detection unit 7 has a resilient member that resists the pressing operation, such as a tactile switch. The button 71 of the displacement detection unit 7 contacts the pressing portion 521 of the surrounding member 52. Figure 7As shown, by pressing the operating area 21, the panel 2 and the sensor plate 4 are bent and the movable member 5 moves backward together. At the same time, the button 71 is pressed by the pressing part 521, thereby the displacement detection unit 7 detects the pressing operation.

[0065] Furthermore, in this configuration, the displacement detection unit 7 also functions as an elastic component that elastically presses the movable member 5 towards the panel 2. The displacement detection unit 7 is configured in a preloaded state, where pressure is applied to the internal elastic member even when not operated by the user. Thus, the displacement detection unit 7 presses the movable member 5 towards the panel 2 using the elastic restoring force of the internal elastic member.

[0066] The light source 8 illuminates the panel 2 via the light guide 51 and the sensor sheet 4, causing the marks 22a~22d to light up on the panel 2. The light source 8 emits diffuse light in a forward direction, for example, it is composed of an LED (Light-Emitting Diode).

[0067] Although the illustration is omitted, the switching device 1 also includes a control unit. The control unit includes, for example, a control area including a processor and RAM (Random Access Memory) which serves as the processing area when the processor operates; and a storage area including ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, etc., storing programs for the processor to execute. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to perform its functions, and its implementation method is not limited to using software. For example, at least a portion of the functions of the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as logic circuits.

[0068] The control unit receives detection results from sensor 4 and four displacement detection units 7. Furthermore, when sensor 4 detects a finger approaching an operating area 21, all four light sources 8 are turned on, enabling the visual recognition of four markers 22a-22d. Moreover, when the displacement detection units 7 detect a press operation towards the operating area 21, an instruction signal is sent to the air conditioning unit to perform the corresponding function. Finally, when the finger's approach to the operating area 21 ends, the control unit turns off the light sources 8.

[0069] (The role and effects of the implementation method)

[0070] In the switching device 1 of this embodiment, the housing 3 has protrusions 322 and 341 that protrude toward the blank portion 441 of the wiring piece 44 where there is no wiring piece 422, and the wiring piece 44 is fixed to the protrusions 322 and 341. This suppresses situations where a resin with a relatively high dielectric constant (e.g., a portion of the housing 3) is placed near the wiring piece 44, and consequently suppresses the generation of parasitic capacitance caused by the capacitive coupling between the wiring piece 422 and surrounding conductors. As a result, the ratio of parasitic capacitance to the coupling capacitance between the electrode portion 421 and the user's finger is lower, and the detection accuracy of user-performed operations is improved.

[0071] Furthermore, when the side of the wiring portion 422 where the substrate 41 is formed in the wiring piece 44 is designated as the wiring side, the protrusions 322 and 341 are provided at least on the wiring side of the blank portion 441. In this configuration, the wiring portion 422 is formed on the side of the substrate 41 of the wiring piece 44 near the movable member 5, and the protrusion 322 is formed on the second housing 32 located on the side of the blank portion 441 relative to the movable member 5. In particular, if resin or the like is disposed in contact with the side of the wiring portion 422 of the wiring piece 44, the wiring portion 422 and the nearby conductors are easily capacitively coupled through the resin or the like, and parasitic capacitance is easily increased. Therefore, as in this configuration, by providing the protrusion 322 at least on the wiring side of the blank portion 441, the generation of parasitic capacitance can be further suppressed.

[0072] Furthermore, the wiring portion 44 is held by the protrusions 322 and 341 of the housing 3 formed on both sides of the blank portion 441. Therefore, the generation of parasitic capacitance can be further suppressed.

[0073] Furthermore, the sensor plate 4 includes multiple electrode portions 43 disposed between the panel 2 and each of the multiple movable members 5, and slits 414 are formed between adjacent electrode portions 43. Additionally, the electrode portions 421 of the multiple electrode portions 43 are connected to each other via wiring portions 422. With this structure, it is difficult to ensure the area of ​​the electrode portions 421, and wiring portions 422 connecting to the electrode portions 421 of each electrode portion 43 are required. As the area ratio of the wiring portions 422 to the area of ​​the detection conductive portion 42 increases, the ratio of parasitic capacitance to the coupling capacitance between the electrode portion 421 and the human finger tends to increase. Therefore, it is preferable to use a switching device 1 of this type that can suppress the generation of parasitic capacitance.

[0074] Furthermore, the sensor piece 4 also has a grounding portion 45. Moreover, the grounding portion 45 is formed on the wiring piece portion 44, but not on the electrode piece portion 43. Therefore, the increase in coupling capacitance between the electrode piece 421 and the grounding portion 45 is suppressed, and as a result, the decrease in operation detection accuracy caused by the relatively smaller coupling capacitance between the user's finger and the electrode piece 421 is suppressed.

[0075] As described above, this method provides a switching device capable of detecting user-performed operations with high precision.

[0076] [Variation Example]

[0077] Next, variations that can be taken in the switching device 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0078] In one embodiment, an example is shown in which the blank portion 441 of the wiring sheet portion 44 is clamped by the protrusion 322 of the second housing 32 and the protrusion 341 of the fourth housing 34, but for example, it is also possible that one of the second housing 32 and the fourth housing 34 does not have a protrusion.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown where the blank portion 441 of the wiring patch 44 is fixed by clamping, but the fixing method is not limited to clamping. For example, the blank portion 441 can also be fixed to the housing 3 by adhesive or the like. In this case, for example, the blank portion 441 of the wiring patch 44 can be glued to the protrusion 322 of the second housing 32, omitting the fourth housing 34.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the movable member 5 has a light guide 51, but is not limited to this.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the switch device 1 is configured to use a sensor plate 4 to detect the approach of a finger to the operation area 21, and a displacement detection unit 7 to detect a pressing operation to the operation area 21, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured such that the sensor plate 4 detects the approach of a finger to the operation area 21, thereby illuminating the light source 8, and detects contact (i.e., touch operation) to the operation area 21, thereby sending a predetermined instruction to an air conditioning device, etc., without the displacement detection unit 7. In this case, the sensor plate 4 is configured in a way that can detect which of the four operation areas 21 has been touched. Furthermore, in this case, the movement of the light guide 51 relative to the housing 3 is not required, and for example, the surrounding member 52 can be omitted.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the displacement detection unit 7 is configured using a mechanical switch, but it is not limited to this; any structure capable of detecting the displacement of the movable member 5 associated with the pressing operation towards the operating area 21 is acceptable. For example, the displacement detection unit 7 may also be a sensor that detects the displacement of the movable member 5 using optical methods such as Time of Flight (ToF).

[0083] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all of the feature combinations described in the embodiments are necessary to solve the problems of the invention. Moreover, the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A switching device, characterized in that, have: The panel has an operating area for users to operate; A housing that secures the panel; and A sensor chip has an electrically insulating substrate and a detection conductive portion disposed on the substrate for detecting the approach or contact of a user's finger towards the operating area, and the sensor chip is fixed to the housing. The detection conductive part includes: an electrode part that capacitively couples with the user's finger when the operation area is operated; and a wiring part extending from the electrode part. The sensor sheet includes: an electrode sheet portion on which the electrode portion is formed; and a wiring sheet portion on which the wiring portion is formed and folded back from the electrode sheet portion. The housing has a protrusion that protrudes toward the blank portion of the wiring section where the wiring section does not exist. The wiring piece is fixed to the protrusion.

2. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the side of the wiring portion in which the substrate is formed is designated as the wiring side, The protrusion is provided at least on the wiring side of the blank area.

3. The switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The wiring section is held by the protrusions formed on both sides of the blank area of ​​the housing.

4. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple operating areas are formed on the housing. The switching device also includes: Multiple movable components, which are displaced by being pressed into the respective multiple operating areas; and The displacement detection unit detects the displacement of each of the plurality of movable components. The sensor sheet includes a plurality of electrode portions disposed between the panel and each of the plurality of movable members, and a slit is formed between adjacent electrode portions. The electrode portions of the plurality of electrode plates are connected to each other through the wiring portion.

5. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor chip also has a grounding portion. The grounding portion is formed on the wiring portion but not on the electrode portion.

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