Touchpad and electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide a touchpad capable of improving operability and to provide an electronic apparatus with the touchpad.SOLUTION: A touchpad is provided with first and a second pivot shafts to rotatably support a housing in a state displaceable in a direction toward a base member between the base member and the housing. The first and second pivot shafts are arranged in a position for straddling a switch between each other in a direction from one edge of a sensor board to the other edge on the opposite side. The touchpad generates a first load because the housing rotates with the second pivot shaft serving as a rotary shaft and the switch is pressed when an area closer to the first pivot shaft than the switch of the sensor board is pressed, and the touchpad generates a second load larger than the first load because the housing rotates with the first pivot shaft serving as a rotary shaft and the switch is pressed when an area closer to the second pivot shaft than the switch is pressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a touchpad and an electronic device equipped with the touchpad. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a notebook PC is equipped with a keyboard and a touchpad that serves as a mouse. The touchpad is a type of pointing device that moves a cursor displayed on a display device by touching it with a fingertip. The touchpad is generally provided on the front side of the top surface of the case, adjacent to the keyboard.

[0003] Regarding an input device equipped with such a touchpad, the present applicant has proposed a configuration that enables touch and press operations in Patent Document 1. In this configuration, a plurality of pseudo button areas are set on the operation surface of the touchpad, and an input operation corresponding to each button area can be performed by touching each button area and pressing the touchpad. This touchpad is equipped with a sensor board that detects contact with a human hand on the upper surface, and a switch that is pressed by pressing down on the sensor board, and pressing the switch provides a clicking sensation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-060306 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The touchpad in Patent Document 1 has a rotation axis along the edge adjacent to the keyboard, and the sensor board rotates around this axis to accept pressing operations. However, with this configuration, although the front side of the sensor board has a moderate range of vertical movement, the back side close to the axis hardly moves up or down, and the user cannot get a good clicking feeling, which can give a sense of discomfort.

[0006] Moreover, the electronic device of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a pointing stick in the approximate center of the keyboard. When a touchpad is provided together with a pointing stick, a button area associated with the pointing stick may be set in a position closer to the keyboard. For example, this button area corresponds to the three buttons of a mouse. Here, the normal area of ​​the touchpad is intended to be operated with the index finger or the like. On the other hand, the above button area is intended to be operated with the thumb in order to operate it simultaneously with the pointing stick, and it may be difficult to operate it with sufficient force.

[0007] In this way, there is a demand for a specific area of ​​the touchpad to have a different function from other areas, for example, when assigning the functions of three mouse buttons, or when assigning a launcher function for a specific application, etc. In such cases, the load of the pressing operation in the specific area has not been taken into consideration in the past, and further improvement in the operational feel is desired.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the conventional technology described above, and has an object to provide a touchpad that can improve operability and an electronic device equipped with the touchpad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A touchpad according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a sensor board capable of recognizing a position of contact by a human hand, a housing to which the sensor board is fixed, a base member supporting the housing in a state in which the housing can be raised and lowered, and a switch that is pressed when the sensor board is pushed to move the housing toward the base member, and between the base member and the housing, first and second pivot shaft portions are provided for rotatably supporting the housing in a state in which the housing can be displaced in a direction toward the base member, and the first and second pivot shaft portions are provided for supporting the sensor board in a state in which the housing can be displaced in a direction toward the base member. When an area of ​​the sensor board on the first pivot shaft side of the switch is pressed, the second pivot shaft becomes a rotation axis and the housing rotates, the switch is pressed, and a first load is generated, and when an area of ​​the sensor board on the second pivot shaft side of the switch is pressed, the first pivot shaft becomes a rotation axis and the housing rotates, the switch is pressed, and a second load larger than the first load is generated.

[0010] An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a housing and a touchpad supported by the housing, the touchpad including a sensor board capable of recognizing a position touched by a human hand, a housing to which the sensor board is fixed, a base member supported by the housing and supporting the housing in a state in which the housing can be raised and lowered, and a switch that is pressed when the sensor board is pressed to move the housing toward the base member, the touchpad having first and second pivot shaft portions provided between the base member and the housing and rotatably supporting the housing in a state in which the housing can be displaced in a direction toward the base member. The first and second pivot shafts are arranged at a position straddling the switch in a direction from one edge of the sensor board toward the opposite edge, and when an area of ​​the sensor board closer to the first pivot shaft than the switch is pressed, the second pivot shaft acts as a rotation axis to rotate the housing and press the switch, generating a first load, and when an area of ​​the sensor board closer to the second pivot shaft than the switch is pressed, the first pivot shaft acts as a rotation axis to rotate the housing and press the switch, generating a second load larger than the first load. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the above-described aspects of the present invention, operability can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device according to an embodiment viewed from above. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the touch pad. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the touch pad. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the touchpad. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the pivot shaft portion 36 installed on the Y2 side of the touch pad and its surroundings, as viewed from the Z1 side. [Figure 5B] 5B is a perspective view of the pivot shaft portion and its surroundings shown in FIG. 5A as viewed from the Z2 side. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a pivot shaft portion provided on the Y1 side of the touch pad and its surroundings, as viewed from the Z1 side. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the pivot shaft portion and its surroundings shown in FIG. 6A as viewed from the Z2 side. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a touch pad. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view showing an operation when a predetermined position is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 7A. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view showing an operation when a predetermined position is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 7A. [Figure 7D] FIG. 7D is a side cross-sectional view showing an operation when a predetermined position is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of the load generated by the touch pad when each position in the Y direction of the sensor board is pressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A touchpad according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments thereof in relation to an electronic device equipped with the touchpad, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment, with the cover 11 open from the housing 12, as viewed from above. In this embodiment, the electronic device is a clamshell-type notebook PC in which the cover 11 and the housing 12 are connected by a hinge 14 so as to be relatively rotatable. The housing 12 is provided with a touchpad 15 according to an embodiment. The electronic device to which the touchpad 15 is applicable is not limited to a notebook PC. The electronic device may be, for example, a standalone keyboard device externally attached to a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a tablet PC, or the like. The touchpad 15 can also be used as a standalone touchpad device externally attached to an electronic device such as a notebook PC.

[0015] The cover 11 is a flat box. The cover 11 is equipped with a display 16. The display 16 is, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display. The cover 11 is connected to the rear end (Y2 end) of the housing 12 by a hinge 14.

[0016] The housing 12 is a flat box. Various electronic components such as a motherboard with a CPU and the like mounted thereon, storage, memory, a battery, etc. are housed inside the housing 12. A touch pad 15 and a keyboard 18 are arranged in the front-rear direction on an upper surface 12a of the housing 12.

[0017] A pointing stick 20 is provided in approximately the center of the keyboard 18. The pointing stick 20 is a type of pointing device that moves a cursor displayed on the display 16 in a tilting direction. The pointing stick 20 is small and cylindrical and is provided in approximately the center of the keyboard 18, for example, between the G key, the H key, and the B key. The pointing stick 20 is moved by tilting it mainly with the index finger or the middle finger. When clicking to specify a point when operating the cursor with the pointing stick 20, the touch pad 15 is pressed mainly with the thumb.

[0018] Next, the touch pad 15 will be described.

[0019] In the following description, the width direction (left-right direction) of the touchpad 15 will be referred to as the X1 and X2 directions, the depth direction (front-back direction) as the Y1 and Y2 directions, and the thickness direction (up-down direction) as the Z1 and Z2 directions, based on the usage state of the touchpad 15 when mounted on the electronic device 10. The X1 and X2 directions are sometimes collectively referred to as the X direction, and the Y1, Y2 directions and the Z1, Z2 directions are sometimes similarly referred to as the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0020] The touchpad 15 is provided in approximately the center of the palm rest area on the Y1 side of the keyboard 18 on the top surface 12a of the housing 12. The touchpad 15 is adjacent to the keyboard 18 in the front and rear. The center of the touchpad 15 in the X direction approximately coincides with the pointing stick 20. The touchpad 15 is a rectangle that is horizontally long in the X direction, and its width in the Y direction occupies approximately the entire width of the palm rest area.

[0021] The touchpad 15 is a pointing device for performing a pointing operation of moving a cursor with a human hand (including a fingertip, a pen tip, etc.). The touchpad 15 is designed so that pressing down on the sensor board 22 on the surface switches an internal switch 30, providing a clicking sensation (see Figs. 7A to 7D). The sensor board 22 can recognize the contact position of the human hand. The touchpad 15 can perform so-called right click and left click processing, etc., depending on the position of the human hand when the sensor board 22 is pressed down. The touchpad 15 can also handle various operations such as tapping, double tapping, two-finger tapping, and pinching through software processing.

[0022] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of touchpad 15. Fig. 3 is a plan view of touchpad 15. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of touchpad 15.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the touch pad 15 includes a sensor board 22, a housing 24, and a base member 26, arranged in this order from the Z1 side to the Z2 side.

[0024] The sensor board 22 is disposed facing the upper surface 12a of the housing 12, and receives and detects input operations by the user. The sensor board 22 has a structure in which a pad plate 22b is laminated on the Z1 side surface of a substrate 22a. The substrate 22a has a sensing function such as a capacitance type, and can detect various input operations on the touchpad 15. The pad plate 22b is, for example, a glass plate, and its surface becomes the operation surface 15a of the touchpad 15. The pad plate 22b is fixed to the surface of the substrate 22a with an adhesive member 28 such as an adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0025] A switch 30 is attached to approximately the center of the Z2 side surface (lower surface 22a1) of the substrate 22a (see also FIG. 7A). It is preferable to use a thin and small switch 30, and in this embodiment, a dome-shaped switch called a metal dome switch is used. Pressing the switch 30 switches between on and off, and provides a moderate clicking sensation. The switch 30 in this embodiment is a normally open type.

[0026] 3, a plurality of regions R1 to R5 are assigned to the operation surface 15a of the sensor board 22. The ranges of the regions R1 to R5 on the operation surface 15a are defined by coordinates, and are not visible. The regions R1 to R5 are assigned to clicks of a general mouse, as described below, and when the sensor board 22 is pressed while touching any of the regions R1 to R5, the assigned process or display is performed.

[0027] The regions R1 to R3 are strip-shaped regions extending in the X direction along the Y2-side edge (edge ​​15b) of the operation surface 15a adjacent to the keyboard 18, and are aligned in the X direction. The regions R1 to R3 are button regions. Functions related to the pointing stick 20 are assigned to the button regions R1 to R3, for example, the functions of three buttons of a mouse are assigned to them. The slightly wide button regions R1 and R2 on the left and right correspond to left click and right click, respectively. The narrow button region R3 in the center corresponds to scrolling, and is used to scroll web pages or documents in any direction. The button regions R1 to R3 are mainly operated with the thumb in combination with the pointing stick 20. The button regions R1 to R3 are clearly indicated by marks 32 consisting of straight lines, dots, etc. printed on the operation surface 15a, and are distinguished from the other regions R4 and R5.

[0028] Area R4 is a strip-shaped area extending in the X direction along the side opposite to button areas R1-R3, i.e., along the Y1 side edge (edge ​​15c) of operation surface 15a. Area R4 is a click area. The left click of a mouse is assigned to click area R4. The right click of a mouse can also be assigned to a predetermined range including the X2 side end of click area R4. The wide area R5 sandwiched between button areas R1-R3 and click area R4 is a click area assigned the same function as area R4.

[0029] 2 to 4, the housing 24 is a plate-like member made of resin. The housing 24 supports the sensor board 22. The Z1 side surface (upper surface 24a) of the housing 24 is fixed to the lower surface 22a1 of the substrate 22a using an adhesive member 34 similar to the adhesive member 28 described above. In this way, the housing 24 and the sensor board 22 are integrated to form a laminate.

[0030] The housing 24 is supported relative to the base member 26 with a predetermined gap in the Y direction so that it can be raised and lowered. More specifically, the housing 24 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base member 26 and displaceable as a whole in the Z direction. Therefore, the sensor board 22 fixed to the housing 24 is also supported so as to be rotatable and displaceable relative to the base member 26. The housing 24 rotates and displaces relative to the base member 26 by a two-axis pivot structure with two pivot shafts 36, 37 aligned in the Y direction. The configuration of the pivot shafts 36, 37 will be described later.

[0031] The housing 24 has a pressing portion 24b at the approximate center overlapping with the switch 30 in the Y direction. The pressing portion 24b includes a circular protrusion protruding in the Z1 direction. The pressing portion 24b is supported on both sides of the plate constituting the housing 24 via the left and right meandering leaf springs 24b1 so as to be elastically displaceable. The pressing portion 24b is disposed at a position slightly lower on the Z2 side than the lower surface 24c of the housing 24 as a whole by the leaf springs 24b1. The Z2 side surface of the leaf springs 24b1 abuts against the Z1 side surface (upper surface 26a) of the base member 26 (see FIG. 7A). As a result, when the sensor board 22 is pressed down and rotated or displaced toward the base member 26, the pressing portion 24b is elastically displaced in the Z1 direction as the housing 24 approaches the base member 26, and presses the switch 30.

[0032] The housing 24 is further provided with notches, protrusions, holes, etc. in various places. For example, a pair of latches 38a formed in a substantially V-shape in a plan view are engaged with substantially L-shaped hooks 38b cut and raised on the upper surface 26a of the base member 26. The latches 38a and the hooks 38b define the upper limit of the movement of the housing 24 from the base member 26 toward the Z1 side, and at the same time prevent it from coming off. For example, the hole 39a communicates with the hole 39b of the base member 26 in the Z direction, and a connector 40 mounted on the lower surface 22a1 of the board 22a is inserted through the hole 39a. The connector 40 is connected to a motherboard or the like in the housing 12 using a predetermined wiring.

[0033] Reference numeral 41 in FIG. 2 denotes a stabilizer interposed between the housing 24 and the base member 26. The stabilizer 41 is, for example, a member formed by bending both ends of a thin stainless steel rod. The stabilizer 41 is a stabilizer that stabilizes the force in the left-right width direction of the sensor board 22 and the housing 24 and suppresses twisting and tilting. Reference numeral 42 in FIG. 2 denotes a reinforcing member fixed to the lower surface 22a1 of the substrate 22a. The reinforcing member 42 is, for example, a thin stainless steel square rod. The reinforcing member 42 suppresses twisting and bending when the sensor board 22 is pressed down.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the base member 26 is a plate-like member made of a metal such as stainless steel. The base member 26 supports the housing 24 on its upper surface 26a side so that the housing 24 can be raised and lowered. The base member 26 also functions as a bracket for attaching the touch pad 15 to the housing 12. The base member 26 has attachment pieces 26b with attachment holes formed on the left and right edges along the Y direction and on the Y2 side edge along the X direction. The attachment pieces 26b are appropriately screwed to the housing 12 using the attachment holes. In addition to the hooks 38b and holes 39b described above, the base member 26 is provided with notches, raised portions, holes, and the like in various locations.

[0035] Next, a configuration for rotating and displacing the housing 24 relative to the base member 26 will be described.

[0036] Fig. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the pivot shaft 36 installed on the Y2 side of the touch pad 15 and its surroundings, as viewed from the Z1 side. Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the pivot shaft 36 and its surroundings shown in Fig. 5A, as viewed from the Z2 side. Fig. 6A is an exploded perspective view of the pivot shaft 37 installed on the Y1 side of the touch pad 15 and its surroundings, as viewed from the Z1 side. Fig. 6B is a perspective view of the pivot shaft 37 and its surroundings shown in Fig. 6A, as viewed from the Z2 side. Fig. 7A is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the touch pad 15.

[0037] 2 to 7A, the touchpad 15 of this embodiment includes two pivot shafts 36, 37 that rotatably support the housing 24 in a state in which the housing 24 is displaceable in a direction toward the base member 26. The pivot shafts 36 are provided in a pair on the left and right sides of both edges of the touchpad 15 in the X direction, thereby forming a rotation shaft extending in the X direction. The pivot shafts 37 are also provided in a pair on the left and right sides of both edges of the touchpad 15 in the X direction, thereby forming a rotation shaft extending in the X direction. The pivot shafts 36, 37 each have a structure that is elongated in the X direction, and may be provided, for example, one each at a position including the center of the touchpad 15 in the X direction.

[0038] The pivot shafts 36, 37 are disposed in a position straddling the switch 30 between them in the Y direction from the edge 15b on the Y2 side toward the edge 15c on the opposite side (Y1 side) of the sensor board 22. With the Y direction as a reference, one pivot shaft 36 is disposed closer to the edge 15b than the switch 30. The other pivot shaft 37 is disposed closer to the edge 15c than the switch 30.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5A, 5B, and 7A, one pivot (first pivot shaft) portion 36 is composed of a shaft 36a and a bearing portion 36b.

[0040] The shaft 36a protrudes outward from the left and right edges of the housing 24 along the Y direction. That is, the shaft 36a of the pivot shaft portion 36 on the X1 side protrudes in the X1 direction, and the shaft 36a of the pivot shaft portion 36 on the X2 side protrudes in the X2 direction. The shaft 36a has, for example, a substantially rectangular cross section. The shaft 36a has a protrusion at its tip that protrudes toward the Y2 side, and the Z1 side surface (upper surface) of this protrusion becomes the contact surface 36a1 with the bearing portion 36b. The corner of the surface opposite the contact surface 36a1 in the Z direction is chamfered. The shaft 36a may have a circular cross section, etc. The contact surface 36a1 may protrude to the Y2 side.

[0041] The bearing portion 36b is formed of a plate piece along the XY directions, which is formed by bending inward the upper ends of vertical walls cut toward the Z1 side from the edges along the Y direction of the base member 26. That is, the bearing portion 36b of the pivot shaft portion 36 on the X1 side is bent so as to face the X2 direction, and the bearing portion 36b of the pivot shaft portion 36 on the X2 side is bent so as to face the X1 direction. The Z2 side surface (lower surface) of the bearing portion 36b becomes a support surface 36b1 for the shaft 36a.

[0042] In the pivot shaft portion 36, the shaft 36a is engaged with the bearing portion 36b from below, and the contact surface 36a1 abuts against the support surface 36b1. This allows the shaft 36a of the pivot shaft portion 36 to be rotatable relative to the bearing portion 36b and displaceable in the Z2 direction. In other words, the housing 24 and the sensor board 22 are supported by the pivot shaft portion 36 to be rotatable relative to the base member 26 and displaceable in the Z2 direction.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2, 6A, 6B, and 7A, the other pivot shaft portion (second pivot shaft portion) 37 is composed of a shaft 37a and a bearing portion 37b.

[0044] The shaft 37a protrudes outward from the left and right edges of the housing 24 along the Y direction. That is, the shaft 37a of the pivot shaft portion 37 on the X1 side protrudes in the X1 direction, and the shaft 37a of the pivot shaft portion 37 on the X2 side protrudes in the X2 direction. The shaft 37a has an R-shape at the corner of the Z1 side surface, and has a semicylindrical shape in cross section. The Z1 side surface (upper surface) of the shaft 37a with such R-shape formed on both ends in the Y direction becomes the contact surface 37a1 with the bearing portion 37b. The shaft 37a may have a circular cross section, etc.

[0045] The bearing portion 37b is formed of a plate piece along the XY directions, which is formed by cutting upright walls having a certain width in the X direction on the edge portion along the Y direction of the base member 26 toward the Z1 side and bending the upper end of the wall in the Y1 direction. In other words, the bearing portions 37b of the pivot shaft portion 37 on the X1 and X2 sides are both bent to face the Y1 direction. The Z2 side surface (lower surface) of the bearing portion 37b becomes the support surface 37b1 for the shaft 37a.

[0046] In such a pivot shaft portion 37, the shaft 37a is engaged with the bearing portion 37b from below, and the contact surface 37a1 abuts against the support surface 37b1. As a result, the pivot shaft portion 37 is supported so that the shaft 37a can rotate with respect to the bearing portion 37b and can be displaced in the Z2 direction. In other words, the housing 24 and the sensor board 22 are supported by the pivot shaft portion 37 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the base member 26 and displaceable in the Z2 direction. The pivot shaft portion 37 may have the same or similar configuration as the pivot shaft portion 36. Conversely, the pivot shaft portion 36 may have the same or similar configuration as the pivot shaft portion 37.

[0047] As described above, the sensor board 22 and the housing 24 can rotate (tilt) about the two pivot shafts 36, 37 arranged to straddle the switch 30 in the Y direction relative to the base member 26 (see Figs. 7B and 7C). Furthermore, the sensor board 22 and the housing 24 can also perform a displacement movement in which they move parallel to the Z direction as a whole without using either of the pivot shafts 36, 37 as a rotation shaft relative to the base member 26 (see Fig. 7C).

[0048] 2 and 7A, the touchpad 15 of this embodiment further includes a pair of two types of elastic members 44, 45 between the housing 24 (or the sensor board 22) and the base member 26. The elastic members 44, 45 are auxiliary parts for adjusting the load applied when pressing in areas R1 to R5, which will be described later, and the number and arrangement of the elastic members 44, 45 can be changed as appropriate. If such load adjustment is not required, one or both of the elastic members 44, 45 may be omitted.

[0049] The elastic member 44 is, for example, a strip-shaped leaf spring extending along the Y direction, and is provided near the left and right edges of the upper surface 26a of the base member 26. The Y1 side end of the elastic member 44 is fixed to the upper surface 26a, and the Y2 side end extending obliquely upward abuts against the lower surface 24c of the housing 24. The elastic member 45 is, for example, a strip-shaped leaf spring extending along the X direction, and is provided so as to be aligned left and right near the Y1 side edge of the upper surface 26a. The end of the elastic member 45 close to the center of the upper surface 26a in the X direction is fixed to the upper surface 26a of the base member 26, and the end extending obliquely upward abuts against the lower surface 24c of the housing 24. As a result, the elastic members 44 and 45 constantly urge the housing 24 toward the Z1 direction that relatively separates the housing 24 from the base member 26 with the desired load. The elastic members 44 and 45 may be biased between the base member 26 and the sensor board 22 through holes formed in the housing 24, for example.

[0050] Next, the operation and effects when the sensor board 22 is pressed will be described.

[0051] Fig. 7B is a side cross-sectional view showing the operation when a predetermined position P1 included in regions R1 to R3 is pressed from the state shown in Fig. 7A (unloaded state). Fig. 7C is a side cross-sectional view showing the operation when a predetermined position P2 included in region R4 is pressed from the state shown in Fig. 7A. Fig. 7D is a side cross-sectional view showing the operation when a predetermined position P3 included in region R5 is pressed from the state shown in Fig. 7A. Fig. 8 is a graph showing an example of the load generated by the touchpad 15 (the reaction force from the touchpad 15 to the hand) when each position in the Y direction of the sensor board 22 is pressed.

[0052] In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the pressing position (mm) in the Y direction of the sensor board 22. In this embodiment, the dimension in the Y direction of the sensor board 22 is, for example, 70 mm. Therefore, the horizontal axis in Fig. 8 indicates the distance from the edge 15b on the Y2 side of the sensor board 22, which is 0 mm, to the edge 15c on the Y1 side, which is 70 mm away. The vertical axis indicates the load generated by the touch pad 15 when the sensor board 22 is pressed at each position shown on the horizontal axis, that is, the operation load (gf) required to turn on the switch 30 at each position.

[0053] D0 to D4 in Fig. 8 correspond to D0 to D4 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7A, and indicate the linear distances of each of the regions R1 to R5 in the Y direction from the edge 15b to the edge 15c. That is, the distances D0 to D1 indicate the Y direction distances of the regions R1 to R3, the distances D1 to D2 indicate the Y direction distances from the region R1 to the switch 30, the distances D2 to D3 indicate the Y direction distances from the switch 30 to the region R4, and the distances D3 to D4 indicate the Y direction distances of the region R4. As shown in Fig. 8, in this embodiment, for example, the Y direction distances D0 to D1 of the regions R1 to R3 are about 15 mm, the Y direction distances D0 to D2 from the edge 15b to the switch 30 are about 40 mm, the Y direction distances D0 to D3 from the edge 15b to the region R4 are about 55 mm, and the Y direction distances D0 to D4 from the edge 15b to the edge 15c are 70 mm.

[0054] In this embodiment, the Y-direction distance Da from the axis of the pivot shaft 36 on the edge 15b (D0) side shown in Fig. 7A to the switch 30 is about 35 mm. The Y-direction distance Db from the axis of the other pivot shaft 37 to the switch 30 is about 20 mm. It goes without saying that the dimensions described above and the dimensions described below are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0055] First, in the unloaded state shown in FIG. 7A, i.e., when the sensor board 22 is not pressed down, the sensor board 22 and the housing 24 are at the highest position in the Z1 direction due to the reaction force from the switch 30 and the biasing force of the elastic members 44, 45.

[0056] In this embodiment, the load required to turn on the switch 30, that is, the load at which the switch 30 consisting of a metal dome switch collapses, is, for example, 180 gf (approximately 1.765 N). The elastic force of the two elastic members 44 in total is, for example, 16 gf (approximately 0.157 N). The elastic force of the two elastic members 45 in total is, for example, 88 gf (approximately 0.863 N). The loads described above and those described below are merely examples, and needless to say, can be changed as appropriate.

[0057] Next, an operation performed when button areas R1 to R3 are pressed from the state shown in FIG. 7A will be described.

[0058] Here, as shown in FIG. 7B, a case will be described where a position P1 at a distance d0 from the edge 15b (D0) is pressed down with a finger F1, for example, a thumb. The position P1 is closer to the pivot shaft 36 (Y2 side) than the switch 30, and is in a position included in the button region R1 to R3 here. In this case, the pivot shaft 37 on the Y1 side serves as a rotation axis to rotate the sensor board 22 and the housing 24, and the switch 30 is pressed. At this time, the shaft 36a of the pivot shaft 36 on the Y2 side moves away from the bearing portion 36b in the Z2 direction, and the edge 15b of the sensor board 22 moves down to the Z2 side. That is, the contact surface 36a1 moves away from the support surface 36b1, and a gap is formed between them. In this embodiment, the distance d0 is, for example, 7 mm. The distance d1 from the axis of the pivot shaft 37, which serves as the rotation axis, to the position P1 is, for example, 50 mm.

[0059] As a result, the touchpad 15 generates a load of, for example, 66 gf (approximately 0.647 N) when position P1 included in the button regions R1 to R3 is pressed. Thus, in the touchpad 15 of this embodiment, when position P1 is pressed, the load required to press the switch 30 is, for example, 66 gf. As shown in Fig. 8, the load generated in the button regions R1 to R3 and respective positions in the vicinity thereof is preferably set to a range of, for example, 50 gf to 120 gf (approximately 0.490 N to 1.177 N), taking into consideration that the pointing stick 20 is operated with the index finger and middle finger while being operated with the thumb.

[0060] Next, the operation performed when the click area R4 is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 7A will be described.

[0061] Here, as shown in FIG. 7C, a case will be described where a position P2 at a distance d10 from the edge 15c (D4) is pressed down with, for example, the index finger F2. The position P2 is closer to the pivot shaft 37 side (Y1 side) than the switch 30, and is in a position included in the click region R4 here. In this case, the pivot shaft 36 on the Y2 side serves as a rotation axis to rotate the sensor board 22 and the housing 24, and the switch 30 is pressed. At this time, the shaft 37a of the pivot shaft 37 on the Y1 side moves away from the bearing portion 37b in the Z2 direction, and the edge 15c of the sensor board 22 moves down to the Z2 side. That is, the contact surface 37a1 moves away from the support surface 37b1, and a gap is formed between them. In this embodiment, the distance d10 is, for example, 5 mm. The distance d11 from the axis of the pivot shaft 36 serving as the rotation axis to the position P2 is, for example, 60 mm.

[0062] As a result, the touchpad 15 generates a load of, for example, 150 gf (approximately 1.471 N) when position P2 included in the click area R4 is pressed. In this manner, in the touchpad 15 of this embodiment, when position P2 is pressed, a load of, for example, 150 gf is required to press the switch 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the load generated in the click area R4 and each position in the vicinity thereof is preferably set to a range of, for example, 140 gf to 190 gf (approximately 1.373 N to 1.863 N) in consideration of operation with an index finger or the like.

[0063] Next, a case where the area directly above switch 30 is pressed from the state shown in FIG. 7A will be described.

[0064] Here, as shown in Fig. 7D, a case will be described in which a position P3 overlapping the center of the switch 30 in the Z direction and included in the region R5 is pressed with, for example, the index finger F2. In this case, neither of the two pivot shafts 36, 37 acts as a rotation shaft, and the sensor board 22 and the housing 24 are displaced approximately parallel to the Z2 direction to press the switch 30. At this time, the shafts 36a, 37a of the pivot shafts 36, 37 move away from the bearings 36b, 37b in the Z2 direction. That is, the contact surfaces 36a1, 37a1 move away from the support surfaces 36b1, 37b1, forming a gap between them.

[0065] As a result, the touchpad 15 generates, for example, a load of 184 gf (approximately 1.084 N) when the position P3 is pressed. In this manner, the touchpad 15 of this embodiment requires a load of 184 gf to press the switch 30 when the position P3 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 8, the load generated at each position in the click region R5 is in the range of, for example, 80 gf to 240 gf (approximately 0.785 N to 2.354 N) because the load at which the switch 30 is crushed and the elastic force of the elastic members 44, 45 are directly received. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the region R5 generates a load larger than the regions R1 to R3 when the pivot shaft 36 side is pressed beyond the peak load (approximately 240 gf) generated between D2 and D3, and generates a load larger than the region R4 when the pivot shaft 37 side is pressed.

[0066] As described above, the touch pad 15 of the present embodiment has two pivot shafts 36, 37 that rotatably support the housing 24 in a state in which the housing 24 can be displaced in the Z direction toward the base member 26. These pivot shafts 36, 37 are disposed in positions that straddle the switch 30 between them in the Y direction from the edge 15b toward the edge 15c of the sensor board 22. When an area on the pivot shaft 36 side of the switch 30 of the sensor board 22, for example, areas R1 to R3, is pressed, the pivot shaft 37 on the opposite side acts as a rotation axis to rotate the housing 24, the switch 30 is pressed, and a first load (for example, 66 gf) is generated. On the other hand, when an area on the pivot shaft 37 side of the switch 30 of the sensor board 22, for example, area R4, is pressed, the pivot shaft 36 on the opposite side acts as a rotation axis to rotate the housing 24, the switch 30 is pressed, and a second load (for example, 150 gf) larger than the first load is generated.

[0067] In this manner, in the touchpad 15 of the present embodiment and the electronic device 10 including the same, the pivot shaft portion acting as the rotation shaft is switched and the generated load is changed depending on the operation position in one direction of the touchpad 15. As a result, the touchpad 15 can reduce the operation load of the pressing operation in the regions R1 to R3 close to the edge 15b, for example, compared to the operation load of the pressing operation in the region R4 close to the edge 15c on the opposite side. As a result, the touchpad 15 can reduce the operation load of the regions R1 to R3 where a light pressing operation is desired to cooperate with the pointing stick 20, for example. On the other hand, an appropriate operation load can be generated in the region R4 on the opposite side, improving operability. Of course, the touchpad 15 may be configured such that the operation load in the regions R1 to R3 on the edge 15b side is larger than the operation load in the region R4 on the edge 15c side depending on the application.

[0068] In particular, the electronic device 10, which is a notebook PC, has the touchpad 15 at a position parallel to the palm rest on which the user touches the palm. Therefore, when operating the keyboard 18, there is a possibility that the area R4 on the front side (Y1 side) of the sensor board 22 may be unintentionally pressed with the palm or the like. In this regard, the touchpad 15 has an appropriately heavy operation load in and around this area R4, thereby making it possible to prevent the occurrence of unintentional erroneous operations as described above. On the other hand, the touchpad 15 has a light operation load in the areas R1 to R3 on the rear side (Y2 side) where there is a low possibility of erroneous operations, so that it can be easily pressed with, for example, the thumb as described above.

[0069] The touchpad 15 is effective even if it is not provided together with the pointing stick 20. In other words, it is effective to assign, for example, a launcher function for a specific application to the areas R1 to R3 on the far side (Y2 side) where there is a low possibility of erroneous operation. In this case, for example, a desired application can be started with a light operating load of the thumb while operating the keyboard 18. Of course, the arrangement direction of the pivot shafts 36, 37 in the touchpad 15 and the direction of load change are not limited to the Y direction, and may be configured according to the installation posture and purpose. For example, the pivot shafts 36, 37 and the load change may be along the X direction.

[0070] In the touch pad 15 of this embodiment, when at least an area overlapping the switch 30 of the sensor board 22 vertically, for example, the position P3 and the area R5 in the vicinity thereof, is pressed, none of the pivot shafts 36, 37 act as a rotation shaft. In this case, the sensor board 22 and the housing 24 are displaced in the Z2 direction toward the base member 26, and the switch 30 is pressed. In this operation, a third load (for example, 184 gf) larger than the first and second loads described above is generated. That is, for example, the area R5 near the center of the sensor board 22 is assumed to be used less frequently for pressing operations than the areas R1 to R4 close to the edges 15b and 15c. Therefore, by making the operation load in the area R5 larger than the operation loads in the other areas R1 to R4, the occurrence of unintended erroneous operations can be further suppressed, and operability is further improved.

[0071] In the touchpad 15 of this embodiment, the distance Da between the switch 30 and the pivot shaft 36 is greater than the distance Db between the switch 30 and the pivot shaft 37 with respect to the Y direction from the edge 15b toward the opposite edge 15c (see FIG. 7A). Then, when pressing the regions R1 to R3 near the pivot shaft 36 where the operation load is desired to be lightened, the distance Da from the region to the switch 30 is large, and a large moment force is obtained by the principle of leverage. On the other hand, when pressing the region R4 near the pivot shaft 37 where the operation load is desired to be moderately heavy, the distance Db from the region to the switch 30 is smaller than Da, and the obtained moment force is smaller than when pressing the regions R1 to R3. In other words, the touchpad 15 can easily change the operation load when pressing each of the regions R1 to R4 by simply adjusting the positional relationship between the pivot shafts 36, 37 and the switch 30. As a result, for example, the elastic force of the elastic members 44, 45 can be reduced to reduce the size of the components, and it is also possible to omit the elastic members 44, 45 themselves.

[0072] In the touch pad 15, the elastic members 44, 45 are disposed in a position that straddles the switch 30 between them in the Y direction and is between the pivot shafts 36, 37. This allows the elastic members 44, 45 to stably apply a load to the sensor board 22 with an elastic force according to the respective pressing operation positions when one of the pivot shafts 36, 37 is switched to act as a rotation shaft. As a result, the touch pad 15 makes it easier to adjust the operation load when each of the pivot shafts 36, 37 acts as a rotation shaft.

[0073] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can of course be freely modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0074] In the above, the pivot shafts 36, 37 are exemplified as being configured such that the shafts 36a, 37a are supported by the plate-shaped bearings 36b, 37b, but the configuration of the pivot shafts 36, 37 is not limited to this. For example, the bearings 36b, 37b may be formed as elongated holes extending in the Z direction, into which the shafts 36a, 37a are inserted so as to be slidable and rotatable. The pivot shafts 36, 37 may also be configured such that the shafts 36a, 37a are provided in the base member 26, and the bearings 36b, 37b are provided in the housing 24. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 Electronic equipment 12. Chassis 15 Touchpad 18 Keyboard 20 Pointing Stick 22 Sensor Board 24 Housing 26 Base material 30 Switch 36,37 Pivot shaft 44,45 Elastic member

Claims

1. A touch pad, A sensor board capable of recognizing a position where a human touches the surface; a housing to which the sensor board is fixed; a base member that supports the housing in a vertically movable state; a switch that is pressed when the sensor board is pushed to move the housing toward the base member; Equipped with a first pivot shaft portion and a second pivot shaft portion are provided between the base member and the housing, the first pivot shaft portion and the second pivot shaft portion are provided to rotatably support the housing in a state in which the housing is displaceable in a direction toward the base member; the first and second pivot shaft portions are disposed at positions straddling the switch between each other in a direction from one edge portion of the sensor board toward the other edge portion on the opposite side, when a region of the sensor board that is closer to the first pivot shaft portion than the switch is pressed, the housing rotates around the second pivot shaft portion as a rotation axis, the switch is pressed, and a first load is generated; When an area of ​​the sensor board that is closer to the second pivot shaft portion than the switch is pressed, the housing rotates around the first pivot shaft portion as a rotation axis, pressing the switch and generating a second load that is larger than the first load. A touchpad characterized by:

2. 2. The touch pad of claim 1, When at least an area of ​​the sensor board that vertically overlaps with the switch is pressed, neither the first nor the second pivot shaft portion acts as a rotation shaft, and the housing is displaced toward the base member, the switch is pressed, and a third load larger than the first and second loads is generated. A touchpad characterized by:

3. 3. The touch pad according to claim 1 or 2, With respect to a direction from the one edge portion toward the other edge portion on the opposite side, a distance between the switch and the first pivot shaft portion is greater than a distance between the switch and the second pivot shaft portion.

1. An electronic device comprising:

4. 4. The touch pad of claim 3, a first elastic member and a second elastic member configured to urge the housing in a direction in which the housing is spaced apart from the base member; The first and second elastic members are disposed between the first and second pivot shaft portions at positions that straddle the switch between them in a direction from one edge portion of the sensor board toward the other edge portion on the opposite side.

1. An electronic device comprising:

5. An electronic device, A housing and a touch pad supported by the housing; Equipped with The touch pad is A sensor board capable of recognizing a position where a human touches the surface; a housing to which the sensor board is fixed; a base member supported by the casing and supporting the housing in a vertically movable state; a switch that is pressed when the sensor board is pushed to move the housing toward the base member; Equipped with the touch pad has first and second pivot shaft portions provided between the base member and the housing, and rotatably supporting the housing in a state in which the housing is displaceable in a direction toward the base member; the first and second pivot shaft portions are disposed at positions straddling the switch between each other in a direction from one edge portion of the sensor board toward the other edge portion on the opposite side, when a region of the sensor board that is closer to the first pivot shaft portion than the switch is pressed, the housing rotates around the second pivot shaft portion as a rotation axis, the switch is pressed, and a first load is generated; When an area of ​​the sensor board that is closer to the second pivot shaft portion than the switch is pressed, the housing rotates around the first pivot shaft portion as a rotation axis, pressing the switch and generating a second load that is larger than the first load.

1. An electronic device comprising:

6. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, With respect to a direction from the one edge portion toward the other edge portion on the opposite side as a reference, the first pivot shaft portion is disposed at a position closer to the one edge portion than the other edge portion, and the second pivot shaft portion is disposed at a position closer to the other edge portion than the one edge portion, moreover, a keyboard supported by the housing and adjacent to the edge of the sensor board; a pointing stick provided on the keyboard for performing a pointing operation by hand; Equipped with A function associated with the pointing stick is assigned to an area located closer to the first pivot shaft portion than the switch.

1. An electronic device comprising:

Images