Operation device

Abstract

To improve the appearance while suppressing an increase in a cost.SOLUTION: In an operation device 10, an insertion hole 30D is formed on an outer periphery of a bottom wall of a fitting recess 30B. A fixing piece 40A is provided on an outer periphery of a rear face of a decorative panel 40, and the fixing piece 40A protrudes to the rear side from the decorative panel 40. The fixing piece 40A is inserted into the insertion hole 30D, and a tip end of the fixing piece 40A is fixed by welding to a wall part forming the fitting recess 30B on an operation panel 30. Thus, this structure eliminates the need of using double-sided tape, for example, to adhere the decorative panel 40 to the operation panel 30. Also, it becomes unnecessary to paint the decorative panel 40 to make the double-sided tape invisible. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the appearance of the operation device 10 while suppressing an increase in a cost.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the electronic device (operating device) of Patent Document 1 below, a panel frame is provided on the front side of a substrate, and a panel body is assembled to the panel frame from the front side. A liquid crystal display module is mounted on the surface of the substrate, and an opening is formed in the panel frame to expose the liquid crystal display module. Furthermore, the panel body is made of transparent acrylic resin. This allows the transparent panel body to cover the liquid crystal display module so that it can be seen while enhancing the texture of the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010-073298 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electronic device, the panel body is attached to the panel frame. That is, double-sided tape is interposed between the panel body and the panel frame. Therefore, the double-sided tape can be seen through the panel body, which may detract from the appearance of the electronic device.

[0005] On the other hand, for example, the double-sided tape can be made invisible by applying paint to the area of ​​the panel body where the double-sided tape is attached. However, this has the problem of increasing the cost of the panel body.

[0006] In consideration of the above, the present invention provides an operating device that can improve appearance while suppressing an increase in cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One or more embodiments of the present invention are an operating device comprising an operation panel, an operation unit provided on the operation panel and exposed to the front from the operation panel so as to be operable, and a transparent panel provided on the operation panel, arranged with the front-to-back direction as the thickness direction, and with its front surface exposed from the operation panel, wherein the operation panel has a mating recess that is open to the front, the transparent panel is fitted into the mating recess, an insertion hole is formed on the outer periphery of the bottom wall of the mating recess, and an insertion portion that protrudes to the rear and is inserted into the insertion hole is provided on the outer periphery of the rear surface of the transparent panel, and the tip of the insertion portion is fixed or engaged to the operation panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve appearance while suppressing increases in costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the operating device according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 (cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1). [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1, seen from the rear side of a decorative panel. [Figure 5] 10 is a front view showing an operating device having a panel hole formed in a decorative panel, as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of an insertion piece in the decorative panel shown in FIG. 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes an operating device 10 according to this embodiment with reference to the drawings. The operating device 10 is a device for operating an air conditioning system of a vehicle (automobile) and is provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle. Note that the arrows UP, FR, and RH shown as appropriate in the drawings indicate the upper side, front side, and right side of the operating device 10, respectively. In the following description, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are used, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions of the operating device 10 unless otherwise specified.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the operating device 10 is configured to include a base 12, a substrate 14, an inner cover 20, operating buttons 22-1 to 22-4 as an operating section, an operating panel 30, and a decorative panel 40 as a transparent panel.

[0012] The base 12 constitutes the rear end of the operating device 10. The base 12 is formed in the shape of a generally rectangular box with a relatively shallow bottom, with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction and an open front side.

[0013] The substrate 14 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its thickness direction extending in the front-rear direction and its length direction extending in the left-right direction. The substrate 14 is disposed on the front side of the base 12 and is fastened to the base 12 together with an inner cover 20 (described later). A plurality of switches 16 are provided on the front surface of the substrate 14. A liquid crystal display module 18 serving as a display device is provided on the upper part of the front surface of the substrate 14. The liquid crystal display module 18 includes a display unit 18A and a display holder 18B. The display unit 18A is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its thickness direction extending in the front-rear direction and its length direction extending in the left-right direction. The display holder 18B is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the front-rear direction and its length direction extending in the left-right direction, and the display unit 18A is held at the front end of the display holder 18B.

[0014] The inner cover 20 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with its thickness extending in the front-rear direction and its length extending in the left-right direction. The inner cover 20 is disposed in front of the board 14, and the board 14 is fastened to the inner cover 20 with screws SC, so that the inner cover 20 covers the board 14 from the front. The inner cover 20 is fastened to the base 12. Two button cylinders 20A-20D are formed at both left-right ends of the lower end of the inner cover 20. That is, the inner cover 20 has four button cylinders 20A-20D. The button cylinders 20A-20D are formed in a cylindrical shape with their axial direction extending in the front-rear direction and protrude forward from the inner cover 20. A display cylinder 20E is formed at the top of the inner cover 20 at a position corresponding to the liquid crystal display module 18. The display cylinder 20E is formed in a generally rectangular cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and its longitudinal direction extending in the left-to-right direction, and protrudes forward from the inner cover 20. The liquid crystal display module 18 is inserted into the display cylinder 20E.

[0015] The operation buttons 22-1 to 22-4 are formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom that is open to the rear side. The operation buttons 22-1 to 22-4 are attached to the button cylindrical portions 20A to 20D of the inner cover 20 from the front side and configured to be operable by being pressed rearward.

[0016] The operation panel 30 is made of a resin material. The operation panel 30 is formed in a generally rectangular box shape that is open to the rear and has a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. The base 12 described above is fitted into the operation panel 30 and is fastened and fixed to the operation panel 30.

[0017] The operation panel 30 is exposed from the instrument panel of the vehicle towards the cabin of the vehicle. Button insertion holes 30A are formed at both left and right ends of the lower end of the bottom wall (front wall) of the operation panel 30. The operation buttons 22-1 and 22-2 are inserted into the left button insertion hole 30A, and the operation buttons 22-3 and 22-4 are inserted into the right button insertion hole 30A, and the operation buttons 22-1 to 22-4 are exposed and operable by the button insertion holes 30A.

[0018] An operation knob 32 is provided on both left and right ends of the bottom wall of the operation panel 30. The operation knob 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom that is open to the rear, and protrudes from the operation panel 30 to the front.

[0019] A fitting recess 30B is formed in the upper part of the bottom wall of the operation panel 30. The fitting recess 30B is formed in a generally rectangular recess shape that is open to the front and has a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. The lower corners of the fitting recess 30B are notched in a front view from the front side so as not to interfere with the operation knob 32, and are formed along the circumferential direction of the operation knob 32.

[0020] The fitting recess 30B is positioned so as to overlap the display unit 18A of the liquid crystal display module 18. A display hole 30C is formed through the bottom wall of the fitting recess 30B at a position corresponding to the display unit 18A, and the display hole 30C is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. The display unit 18A is disposed within the display hole 30C and is exposed to the front through the display hole 30C.

[0021] A pair of upper and lower insertion holes 30D are formed in the outer periphery of the bottom wall of the fitting recess 30B in the front-rear direction. The insertion holes 30D are slit-shaped and extend in the left-right direction. In a front view, both longitudinal ends of the lower insertion hole 30D are inclined upward as they extend outward in the left-right direction and are curved along the circumferential direction of the operating knob 32.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 4, the decorative panel 40 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic. The decorative panel 40 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with the thickness direction in the front-rear direction and the length direction in the left-right direction. The outer shape of the decorative panel 40 in a front view generally matches the outer shape of the fitting recess 30B of the operation panel 30. The decorative panel 40 is fitted into the fitting recess 30B and assembled to the operation panel 30. As a result, the display unit 18A of the liquid crystal display module 18 is covered from the front side by the decorative panel 40 and is exposed so as to be visible.

[0023] In the assembled state of the decorative panel 40, the decorative panel 40 is set so as not to protrude forward from the fitting recess 30B. Specifically, the thickness of the decorative panel 40 and the depth of the fitting recess 30B are set so that the front surface of the decorative panel 40 is flush with the opening edge portion 30B1 (see FIG. 3) of the fitting recess 30B.

[0024] The upper and lower ends of the rear surface of the decorative panel 40 each have a plurality of fixing pieces 40A as insertion portions. In this embodiment, six fixing pieces 40A are provided at the upper end of the decorative panel 40, and eight fixing pieces 40A are provided at the lower end of the decorative panel 40. The fixing pieces 40A are formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction extending vertically and are arranged with a predetermined gap in the left-right direction. Note that the fixing pieces 40A arranged at both left-right ends of the lower end of the decorative panel 40 are arranged with the plate thickness direction aligned with the radial direction of the operation knob 32. The fixing pieces 40A are inserted into the insertion holes 30D of the operation panel 30. The tips of the fixing pieces 40A protrude rearward from the insertion holes 30D and are fixed to the wall portion constituting the fitting recess 30B of the operation panel 30 by welding. This secures the decorative panel 40 to the operation panel 30. The fixing piece 40A is disposed above or below the display unit 18A of the liquid crystal display module 18 and spaced apart from the display unit 18A.

[0025] (Action and effect) Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0026] In the operating device 10 configured as described above, the transparent decorative panel 40 is fitted into the fitting recess 30B of the operating panel 30, and the decorative panel 40 visibly covers the display unit 18A of the liquid crystal display module 18. As a result, the upper surface of the operating device 10 is formed by the transparent decorative panel 40, which can enhance the texture of the operating device 10.

[0027] Here, insertion holes 30D are formed on the outer periphery (upper and lower ends) of the bottom wall of the fitting recess 30B. Furthermore, fixing pieces 40A are provided on the outer periphery (upper and lower ends) of the rear surface of the decorative panel 40, and the fixing pieces 40A protrude rearward from the decorative panel 40. The fixing pieces 40A are inserted into the insertion holes 30D, and the tips of the fixing pieces 40A are fixed by welding to the wall portions that form the fitting recess 30B of the operation panel 30. This eliminates the need to attach the decorative panel 40 to the operation panel 30 using double-sided tape, as with the panel described in the background art. It also eliminates the need to paint the decorative panel 40 to make the double-sided tape invisible. This allows the appearance of the operating device 10 to be improved while suppressing cost increases.

[0028] As described above, the fixing piece 40A is formed on the outer periphery of the decorative panel 40, and the decorative panel 40 is fitted into the fitting recess 30B. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the fixing piece 40A is covered by the inner periphery of the fitting recess 30B. This makes it difficult to see the fixing piece 40A when viewed from the front, compared to a configuration in which the fixing piece 40A is provided inside the outer periphery of the decorative panel 40. This also improves the appearance of the operating device 10.

[0029] Furthermore, a plurality of fixing pieces 40A are provided at the upper and lower ends of the decorative panel 40, and are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. This improves the appearance of the decorative panel 40 while maintaining a good fixed state of the decorative panel 40 to the operation panel 30. Moreover, the fixing pieces 40A are arranged at positions spaced apart above or below the display unit 18A of the liquid crystal display module 18. This makes it possible to provide the fixing pieces 40A on the decorative panel 40 while improving the appearance of the area around the display unit 18A.

[0030] As described above, the tip of the fixing piece 40A is fixed by welding to the wall portion that forms the fitting recess 30B of the operation panel 30. This makes it possible to fix the decorative panel 40 to the operation panel 30 with a simple configuration, and to unitize the operation panel 30 and the decorative panel 40.

[0031] In this embodiment, the decorative panel 40 is formed in a plate shape without holes or the like, but holes may be formed in the decorative panel 40 in accordance with the arrangement of the operation buttons 22-1 to 22-4. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , in a structure in which the operation buttons 22-2 and 22-3 are arranged on the outer lateral sides of the display unit 18A of the liquid crystal display module 18, panel holes 40B as substantially rectangular insertion holes for arranging the operation buttons 22-2 and 22-3 may be formed through the decorative panel 40. This allows the operation buttons 22-2 and 22-3 to be arranged within the decorative panel 40 while increasing the size of the decorative panel 40. Therefore, the decorative panel 40 can further enhance the texture of the operating device 10.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing piece 40A is fixed to the operation panel 30 by welding, but the method of fixing the fixing piece 40A to the operation panel 30 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, a locking claw 40C may be provided at the tip of the fixing piece 40A, and the fixing piece 40A may be locked to the operation panel 30 by the locking claw 40C. In this case, since there is no need to weld the fixing piece 40A, the number of steps for assembling the decorative panel 40 can be reduced.

[0033] In addition, although the decorative panel 40 is made of a transparent resin material in this embodiment, the decorative panel 40 may be made of a smoke-colored resin material with low transmittance. In other words, the term "transparent" in the present invention also includes a smoke-colored resin with low transmittance.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Operating device 18 Liquid crystal display module (display device) 22-1 Operation buttons (operation section) 22-2 Operation buttons (operation section) 22-3 Operation buttons (operation section) 22-4 Operation buttons (operation section) 30 Operation Panel 40 Decorative panel (transparent panel) 40A Fixed piece (insertion part) 40B Panel hole (insertion hole) 40C locking claw

Claims

1. An operation panel, an operation unit provided on the operation panel and exposed to the front side from the operation panel so as to be operable; a transparent panel provided on the operation panel, arranged with its thickness in the front-to-rear direction, and having a front surface exposed from the operation panel; Equipped with the operation panel has a mating recess that is open to the front side, and the transparent panel is fitted into the mating recess; An insertion hole is formed on the outer periphery of the bottom wall of the mating recess, An operating device in which an insertion portion that protrudes rearward and is inserted into the insertion hole is provided on the outer periphery of the rear surface of the transparent panel, and the tip of the insertion portion is fixed or engaged with the operating panel.

2. The transparent panel has an insertion hole formed therein, The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the operating portion is disposed within the insertion hole.

3. 2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel is provided with a display device, and the transparent panel covers the display device from the front side so that the display device can be seen.

4. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the insertion portions are formed on the transparent panel.

5. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein a tip of the insertion portion is fixed to the operation panel by welding.

6. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein a locking claw is formed at a tip of the insertion portion, and the locking claw is locked to the operation panel.

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