Input device

Abstract

To suppress torque which is applied to push detection means.SOLUTION: An input device comprises: a substrate; a stationary body which is installed on a top face of the substrate; a rotary body which includes a through hole formed in a vertical direction and is rotatably supported by the stationary body with the vertical direction defined as a rotation center in a state where an upper end and a lower end of the through hole are exposed; and an operation member including a drive section which is inserted into the through hole and rotationally drives the rotary body. The stationary body includes a main body part and a leg part which extends downward from the main body part and is grounded on the substrate at a position avoiding the through hole, the drive section penetrates the through hole freely movably in a vertical direction, and push detection means is included which is installed at a lower side of the through hole on the top face of the substrate, pressed and driven by the drive section. A drive plate for torque transmission prevention is provided which includes a stationary plate part which is fixed to the stationary body, a movable plate part disposed at the lower side of the through hole and having a top face which is pressed by the drive section and a bottom face which presses the push detection means, and an elastically deformable plate part which connects the stationary plate part with the movable plate part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for a combined operation switch device that allows rotational operation of a rotating body, in which a space is provided on the bottom surface of the housing for placing a pressing contact portion for detecting operation of a slide member in the push direction.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 below discloses a technology in which, in a composite operation type electrical component that allows the operating body to be rotated and tilted, a push switch for detecting the operation of pushing the operating body is provided near the center of the inner bottom of the lower case, and a receiving plate is further provided to prevent wear on the bowl-shaped rubber of the push switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-325859 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-317392 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, when the slide member rotates while in contact with the pressing contact portion, a rotational force is transmitted to the pressing contact portion, which may cause wear to the pressing contact portion. In particular, if the pressing contact portion is covered with an insulating sheet or the like, the insulating sheet or the like may be worn.

[0006] Furthermore, the technology of Patent Document 2 cannot completely prevent the rotation of the backing plate, and therefore cannot reliably prevent wear of the bowl-shaped rubber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An input device according to one embodiment comprises: a substrate; a fixed body installed on the upper surface of the substrate; a rotating body having a through hole formed in the vertical direction and rotatably supported on the fixed body with the vertical direction as the center of rotation while exposing the upper and lower ends of the through hole; and an operating member inserted into the through hole and having a drive unit that rotates the rotating body; the fixed body having a main body and legs that extend downward from the main body at a position that avoids the through hole and that come into contact with the substrate; the drive unit that passes through the through hole so as to be movable up and down; the input device comprising: a push detection means that is installed on the upper surface of the substrate below the through hole and is pressed and driven by the drive unit; and a rotational force transmission prevention drive plate that has a fixed plate portion fixed to the fixed body; a movable plate portion that is positioned below the through hole and has an upper surface that is pressed by the drive unit and a lower surface that presses the push detection means; and an elastic deformation plate portion that connects the fixed plate portion and the movable plate portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an input device according to an embodiment, the rotational force applied to the push detection means can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a side view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary electric component included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a rotational force transmission prevention drive plate included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary electric component included in an input device according to an embodiment, viewed from the bottom side; [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation of an input device in a smartwatch according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings is the up-down direction, the X-axis direction in the drawings is the left-right direction, and the Y-axis direction in the drawings is the front-rear direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction is the up direction, the positive X-axis direction is the right direction, and the positive Y-axis direction is the front.

[0011] (Configuration of input device 100) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a side view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the input device 100 includes a substrate 160, a rotary electric component 100A, an operation member 190, a push detection means 170, and a drive plate 180 for preventing transmission of rotational force.

[0013] Substrate 160 is a horizontal, flat member made of a resin material. Rotary electric component 100A and push detection means 170 are mounted on top surface 160A of substrate 160. In addition, top surface 160A of substrate 160 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals 161, and rotary electric component 100A and push detection means 170 can be electrically connected to the plurality of connection terminals 161 by soldering.

[0014] Rotary electric component 100A has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rotary electric component 100A has a fixed body 110 and a cover 120 that covers the upper part of fixed body 110. A circular opening 120A is formed in the center of cover 120. A rotating body 130 is rotatably provided inside fixed body 110. A rotating shaft 132 of rotating body 130 protrudes upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) from opening 120A of cover 120. Rotary electric component 100A can detect the rotation of rotating body 130 and output a rotation detection signal that indicates the detection result of the rotation of rotating body 130.

[0015] The operating member 190 is a generally cylindrical member made of resin for receiving rotational and depressing operations from the operator. The operating member 190 is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 132. Specifically, the operating member 190 has a rectangular column-shaped driving unit 192 extending downward from a main body 191. Meanwhile, the rotating shaft 132 has a through-hole 132A that penetrates the rotating shaft 132 in the vertical direction. The operating member 190 is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 132 by inserting the driving unit 192 into the through-hole 132A of the rotating shaft 132. As a result, when the operating member 190 is rotated by the operator, it rotates together with the rotating body 130. The operating member 190 is provided at the upper part of the operating member 190 with an operating unit 190A whose outer circumferential surface is treated with a non-slip coating.

[0016] Furthermore, by inserting the drive unit 192 into the through-hole 132A of the rotation shaft unit 132, the operation member 190 is supported by the rotation shaft unit 132 so as to be movable in the up and down direction (Z-axis direction), and the bottom end face of the drive unit 192 faces the push detection means 170. As a result, when the operator performs a pressing operation on the operation member 190, the operation member 190 moves downward, and the bottom end face of the drive unit 192 can press the push detection means 170.

[0017] The push detection means 170 is disposed on the upper surface 160A of the substrate 160 below the through-hole 132A of the rotation shaft portion 132, and is driven by the drive portion 192 of the operation member 190 when pressed. Specifically, the push detection means 170 includes a dome-shaped metal member 171 made of metal and dome-shaped (upwardly convex), facing the lower end surface 192A of the drive portion 192 of the operation member 190. When the operator presses down on the operation member 190, the dome-shaped metal member 171 is pressed at its top (center) by the lower end surface 192A of the drive portion 192 of the operation member 190, causing it to reverse from a convex shape to a concave shape. As a result, the dome-shaped metal member 171 provides a clicking sensation in response to the operator's pressing operation, and the center of the dome-shaped metal member 171 can be brought into contact with a fixed contact (not shown), switching the push detection means 170 to an ON state.

[0018] Torque transmission preventing drive plate 180 is a flat metal member. It is provided between lower end surface 192A of drive unit 192 of operating member 190 and dome-shaped metal member 171 of push detection means 170, and is fixed to the bottom surface of stationary body 110 of rotary electric component 100A. By being interposed between lower end surface 192A of drive unit 192 of operating member 190 and dome-shaped metal member 171, torque transmission preventing drive plate 180 can suppress torque transmitted from drive unit 192 of operating member 190 to dome-shaped metal member 171.

[0019] (Configuration of the rotary electrical component 100A) 5 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary electric component 100A included in an input device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary electric component 100A includes a fixed body 110, a cover 120, a rotating body 130, a rotary contact member 140, and an elastic component 150.

[0020] Fixed body 110 is a container-like member that has a substantially square shape when viewed from above (strictly speaking, an octagonal shape with each of the four corners cut diagonally) and is open at the top. Fixed body 110 has an annular wall portion 112 on the upper side (positive side of the Z axis) and a main body portion 111 (negative side of the Z axis) on the lower side. Annular wall portion 112 extends upward (positive direction of the Z axis) from main body portion 111 so as to surround the Z axis line that passes through the center of main body portion 111, and forms inside thereof a storage space 110A that is open at the top.

[0021] When viewed from above, the storage space 110A has a generally circular shape. The storage space 110A accommodates a rotating body 130. An upper opening of the storage space 110A is closed by a cover 120. The fixed body 110 is formed by insert molding using, for example, a relatively hard insulating material (for example, hard resin, etc.).

[0022] A bearing hole 111A is formed in the center of the main body 111, which has a circular shape when viewed from above and passes through the main body 111 in the up-down direction (see FIG. 4).

[0023] Claws 110D protruding outward are formed on the side surfaces of each of the four corners of fixed body 110. When cover 120 is attached to fixed body 110, claws 110D fit into openings of hooks 120B of cover 120 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), thereby hooking on hooks 120B and fixing cover 120 to fixed body 110.

[0024] An annular uneven portion 113 is formed on the inner wall surface of the annular wall portion 112 (i.e., the radially inner side of the annular wall portion 112) to provide a clicking sensation when rotating the rotating body 130. The annular uneven portion 113 has a configuration in which cam lobes 113A that are convex toward the inner diameter side and cam grooves 113B that are concave toward the outer diameter side are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0025] The cover 120 is a horizontal, flat, metallic member having a substantially square shape (strictly speaking, an octagonal shape with each of the four corners cut diagonally) when viewed from above. The cover 120 is fixedly attached to the upper surface of the fixed body 110, thereby closing the upper opening of the storage space 110A of the fixed body 110. The cover 120 is formed, for example, by processing a metal plate using a processing method such as press working. When viewed from above, a circular opening 120A is formed in the center of the cover 120, through which the rotation shaft 132 of the rotation body 130 is inserted.

[0026] Furthermore, downwardly hanging hooks 120B are provided at each of the four corners of cover 120. Hooks 120B have rectangular openings into which claws 110D provided on the side surfaces of fixed body 110 fit (see FIGS. 1 to 3). As a result, hooks 120B are hooked onto claws 110D, enabling cover 120 to be fixed to fixed body 110.

[0027] Rotating body 130 is a resin member that can be rotated by an operator. Rotating body 130 is disposed in storage space 110A of fixed body 110, and is supported so as to be rotatable relative to fixed body 110 about the Z-axis passing through main body 111 as the axis of rotation.

[0028] Rotating body 130 has rotating shaft 132 at its center and base 131 around rotating shaft 132. Base 131 is a horizontal, disk-shaped portion that protrudes radially outward from rotating shaft 132. Rotating shaft 132 is a cylindrical portion that extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction) from the center of base 131. An upper portion of rotating shaft 132 penetrates opening 120A of cover 120 and protrudes upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) beyond cover 120, thereby enabling rotation by an operator.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating body 130 is rotatably supported by the fixed body 110 by inserting the lower end of the rotating shaft portion 132 into the bearing hole 111A.

[0030] The rotary contact member 140 is an annular member made of a metal plate. The rotary contact member 140 is fixedly attached to the lower surface of the base 131 of the rotor 130, thereby rotating integrally with the rotor 130. The rotary contact member 140 has a base 141 and three contact spring portions 142. A contact portion 142A that elastically contacts the fixed contact portion 114 is provided at the tip of each of the three contact spring portions 142. The rotary contact member 140 is provided to detect the rotation direction and rotation angle of the rotor 130 by switching the electrical connection state of the three fixed contact portions 114 provided on the inner bottom surface of the storage space 110A of the fixed body 110 via the three contact spring portions 142. The base 141 of the rotary contact member 140 has three openings 143 provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction for fixing the rotary contact member 140 to the lower surface of the base 131 of the rotor 130. In this embodiment, each of the three pins 133 provided on the underside of the base 131 of the rotating body 130 is inserted into each of the three openings 143 of the rotating contact member 140 and crimped, thereby fixing the rotating contact member 140 to the underside of the base 131 of the rotating body 130.

[0031] The elastic element 150 is made of a strip-shaped metal plate whose width direction is the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and has a shape in which the metal plate is bent so as to form a roughly C-shape when viewed from above. The elastic element 150 is attached to the upper surface of the base 131 of the rotating body 130, and thereby rotates integrally with the rotating body 130. The elastic element 150 is elastically deformable toward the annular uneven portion 113 of the fixed body 110. The elastic element 150, together with the annular uneven portion 113 of the fixed body 110, constitutes a moderation means for providing a clicking sensation when the rotating body 130 is rotated.

[0032] (Configuration of the rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180 is a flat metal member, and when viewed from above, has an overall rectangular frame shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and the lateral direction being the left-to-right direction (X-axis direction).

[0034] The rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180 has a fixed plate portion 181, a movable plate portion 182, and an elastic deformation plate portion 183, which are integrally formed from a metal plate.

[0035] The fixed plate portion 181 is a portion that is fixed to the bottom surface of the fixed body 110. In this embodiment, the fixed plate portion 181 is provided at the midpoint of the short side portion on the Y-axis negative side of the rectangular frame formed by the rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180, and has a substantially square shape in plan view. A circular opening 181A is formed in the fixed plate portion 181. The fixed plate portion 181 is fixed to the bottom surface of the fixed body 110 by inserting a cylindrical pin 116 that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the fixed body 110 into the opening 181A and crimping the pin.

[0036] The movable plate portion 182 is a portion that is provided in the center of the rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180 (i.e., the center of the rectangular frame formed by the rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180) and is movable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). As an example, the movable plate portion 182 has a circular shape in a plan view. The movable plate portion 182 is disposed between the through-hole 132A of the rotation shaft portion 132 of the rotating body 130 and the dome-shaped metal member 171 of the push detection means 170. That is, the movable plate portion 182 is disposed below the through-hole 132A, and has an upper surface 182A that is pressed by the drive portion 192 of the operation member 190, and a lower surface 182B that presses the dome-shaped metal member 171 of the push detection means 170.

[0037] The elastic deformation plate portion 183 is a portion that connects the fixed plate portion 181 and the movable plate portion 182. Specifically, the elastic deformation plate portion 183 has a pair of first extending portions 183A that extend from the fixed plate portion 181 in the positive direction of the Y axis (an example of the "first direction"), and a second extending portion 183C that extends from an end of the first extending portion 183A via a folded portion 183B in the negative direction of the Y axis (an example of the "second direction") and has an end connected to the movable plate portion 182.

[0038] When the movable plate portion 182 is pressed by the drive portion 192 of the operating member 190, the elastic deformation plate portion 183 elastically deforms, thereby moving the movable plate portion 182 downward from the initial position shown in FIG.

[0039] Furthermore, when the pressure on the movable plate portion 182 by the drive portion 192 of the operating member 190 is released, the elastic deformation plate portion 183 can return the movable plate portion 182 to the initial position shown in FIG. 6 by its own elastic force.

[0040] In the drive plate 180 for preventing transmission of rotational force configured as described above, when the operating member 190 is pressed down, the upper surface 182A of the movable plate portion 182 is pressed by the drive portion 192 of the operating member 190, causing the movable plate portion 182 to move downward while elastically deforming the elastic deformation plate portion 183, and the lower surface 182B of the movable plate portion 182 can press against the dome-shaped metal member 171 of the push detection means 170.

[0041] At this time, since the movable plate portion 182 is supported by the elastic deformation plate portion 183 so as to be movable only in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), even if a rotational force is applied from the drive portion 192 of the operation member 190, the rotational force can be prevented from being transmitted to the dome-shaped metal member 171 of the push detection means 170. Therefore, according to the input device 100 of one embodiment, wear and tear on the push detection means 170 can be reduced.

[0042] In particular, the movable plate portion 182 is configured to have the first extending portion 183A, the folded portion 183B, and the second extending portion 183C, and therefore can press the dome-shaped metal member 171 of the push detecting means 170 vertically.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the push detection means 170 includes a dome-shaped metal member 171 that is convex upward, and a flexible insulating sheet 172 that is provided on the upper surface of the dome-shaped metal member 171. That is, in the push detection means 170, it is the flexible insulating sheet 172, which is easily worn, that is pressed by the drive unit 192 of the operation member 190. Therefore, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can further enhance the effect of suppressing wear on the push detection means 170 by providing the rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180.

[0044] (Configuration related to installation of rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exterior of a rotary electric component 100A included in an input device 100 according to one embodiment, viewed from the bottom side.

[0045] 7, fixed body 110 has a space 115 below through-hole 132A (negative side of the Z axis) through which the center of rotation of rotating body 130 passes. Fixed body 110 has a right leg 117R on the right side of space 115 (positive side of the X axis) and a left leg 117L on the left side of space 115 (negative side of the X axis). Right leg 117R and left leg 117L extend downward from main body 111 of fixed body 110 at positions that avoid through-hole 132A. A rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180 and push detection means 170 can be disposed in space 115.

[0046] The space 115 has a longitudinal shape with the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) as the longitudinal direction and the left-to-right direction (X-axis direction) as the short side.As a result, as shown in Figure 7, a longitudinal-shaped rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180 can be placed in the space 115 with the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) as the longitudinal direction and the left-to-right direction (X-axis direction) as the short side.

[0047] That is, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the space 115 in which the rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180 is arranged is made elongated, so that the rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180 can be made elongated, and therefore the spring length of the movable plate portion 182 of the rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180 can be made relatively long.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, when the rotational force transmission preventing drive plate 180 is placed in the space 115, a pin 116 protruding downward from the bottom surface of the fixed body 110 (i.e., the ceiling surface of the space 115) is inserted into an opening 181A of the fixed plate portion 181, and the pin 116 is further crimped to fix the drive plate 180 to the bottom surface of the fixed body 110.

[0049] (Installation example of input device 100) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of installation of an input device 100 according to one embodiment on a smartwatch 10. The smartwatch 10 shown in Fig. 8 is a small terminal device that can be worn on the user's wrist. The smartwatch 10 shown in Fig. 8 is equipped with an IC, a touch panel, a display, etc. (all not shown), and is capable of various information processing using the IC, operation input using the touch panel, and display of various information on the display.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 8, the smartwatch 10 has a case 11 configured by laminating together a cover 11A and a cover 11B, both of which are rectangular and thin. As shown in Fig. 8, the smartwatch 10 is provided with an input device 100 according to one embodiment such that an operating unit 190A of an operating member 190 protrudes from the side of the case 11. This enables the operator to perform various inputs to the smartwatch 10 by rotating and pressing the operating unit 190A.

[0051] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0052] For example, rotary electrical component 100A provided with rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 180 (i.e., without operating member 190, push detection means 170, and substrate 160) may be implemented alone as an "input device." [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Smartwatch 11 cases 11A, 11B cover 100 Input Device 100A Rotating Electrical Parts 110 Fixed body 110A Storage space 110D Claw 111 Main body 111A Bearing hole 112 Annular wall 113 Annular uneven part 113A Mount Cam 113B Cam groove 114 Fixed contact section 115 Space 116 pins 117L Left leg 117R Right leg 120 Cover 120A opening 120B hook 130 Rotating Body 131 Base 132 Rotating shaft 132A through hole 133 pins 140 Rotating contact member 141 Base 142 Contact spring part 142A contact part 143 Opening 150 Elastic Parts 160 boards 170 Push detection means 180 Rotational force transmission prevention drive plate 181A opening 181 Fixed plate part 182 Movable plate part 182A Above 182B Below 183 Elastic deformed plate part 183A, Section 1, Extended 183B fold back part 183C, Part 2 190 Operating parts 190A Operations Section 191 Ontology Department 192 Department of Activities

Claims

1. A substrate; a fixed body installed on the upper surface of the substrate; a rotating body having a through hole formed along the vertical direction, the rotating body being rotatably supported on the fixed body with the vertical direction as a rotation center in a state where the upper end and the lower end of the through hole are exposed; an operating member having a drive portion that is inserted into the through hole and that rotates the rotating body; Equipped with the fixed body has a main body and legs extending downward from the main body at positions avoiding the through-hole and grounded on the substrate; the drive portion passes through the through hole so as to be vertically movable, an input device including a push detection means that is installed on an upper surface of the substrate below the through-hole and is pressed and driven by the drive unit, a drive plate for preventing transmission of rotational force, the drive plate having a fixed plate portion fixed to the fixed body, a movable plate portion disposed below the through hole and having an upper surface pressed against the drive portion and a lower surface pressing against the push detection means, and an elastic deformation plate portion connecting the fixed plate portion and the movable plate portion; An input device characterized by:

2. The elastic deformation plate portion is a first extending portion extending from the fixing plate portion in a first direction; a second extending portion that extends from an end of the first extending portion via a folded portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and whose end is connected to the movable plate portion; 2. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The push detection means includes a dome-shaped metal member that is convex upward, and a flexible insulating sheet provided on the upper surface of the dome-shaped metal member.

2. The input device according to claim 1.

4. the fixed body has a left leg and a right leg on the left and right sides of a space through which the rotation center passes, The rotational force transmission preventing drive plate is disposed between the left leg and the right leg with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction.

2. The input device according to claim 1.

5. A fixed body; a rotating body having a through hole formed along the vertical direction, the rotating body being rotatably supported by the fixed body with the vertical direction as the center of rotation in a state where the upper end and the lower end of the through hole are exposed; Equipped with the fixed body has a main body and legs extending downward from the main body at positions avoiding the through-hole, a rotational force transmission preventing drive plate having a fixed plate portion fixed to the fixed body, a movable plate portion disposed below the through hole, and an elastically deformable plate portion connecting the fixed plate portion and the movable plate portion; An input device characterized by:

6. The elastic deformation plate portion is a first extending portion extending from the fixing plate portion in a first direction; a second extending portion that extends from an end of the first extending portion via a folded portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and whose end is connected to the movable plate portion; 6. The input device according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. the fixed body has a left leg and a right leg on the left and right sides of a space through which the rotation center passes, The rotational force transmission preventing drive plate is disposed between the left leg and the right leg, with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction.

7. The input device according to claim 6.

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