Operating device

Abstract

To provide an operating device that can reduce manufacturing costs. [Solution] The operating device 1 is generally configured to include an operating section 12 made of a first conductive member that receives user input, and an operating support section 14 which is at least partly made of a second conductive member that supports the operating section 12 in an insulated state and is displaced in the operating direction in conjunction with the operating section 12 by user input, and which electrostatically couples with the operating section 12 when the user touches the operating section 12.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional technology, an input device is known that includes an operation knob, an electrode provided inside the operation knob for detecting contact of an operation body, and a control unit connected to the electrode for detecting contact of the operation body with the operation knob from a change in the capacitance of the electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this input device, the electrode and the operation unit are electrically connected via an electric wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a conventional input device, since an electrode is attached to an operation knob with an adhesive tape or an adhesive, or an electric wire is connected to the electrode, the number of parts is large and the manufacturing cost is high.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operating device capable of suppressing manufacturing costs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an operating device including an operation unit made of a first conductive member for receiving a user's operation, and an operation support unit at least partially made of a second conductive member for supporting the operation unit in an insulated state, displacing in an operation direction in conjunction with the operation unit by the user's operation, and performing electrostatic coupling with the operation unit by contact of the user with the operation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, manufacturing costs can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) illustrates an example of the arrangement of the operating device, and Figure 1(b) illustrates an example of the mounting of the operating device. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is an example of a cross-sectional view of the operating device, and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of contact between the shaft and the connecting terminal. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is an enlarged view showing an example of the first part of the operating device, and Figure 3(b) is an enlarged view showing an example of the second part. [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical connection between the shaft and the connection terminal, and Figure 4(b) is an example of a block diagram of the operating device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The operating device according to this embodiment is generally configured to include an operating section made of a first conductive member that receives user input, and an operating support section which is at least partly made of a second conductive member that supports the operating section in an insulated state and is displaced in the operating direction in conjunction with the operating section by user input, and which electrostatically couples with the operating section when the user touches the operating section.

[0011] This operating device detects user operations on the operating unit based on electrostatic coupling between the operating unit and the operating support unit. Compared to cases where electrodes for detecting operations are attached to the operating unit with adhesive tape or glue, or where wires are connected to the electrodes, the number of parts is reduced, and manufacturing costs can be suppressed.

[0012] [Embodiment] (Overview of Operating Device 1) Figure 1(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the operating device according to the embodiment, and Figure 1(b) is a diagram illustrating an example of the mounting of the operating device. Figure 2(a) is an example of a cross-sectional view of the operating device according to the embodiment, taken from the direction of the arrow, when the cross section is cut along line AA in Figure 1(a), and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of contact between the shaft portion and the connection terminal. Figure 3(a) is an enlarged view showing an example of the first part of Figure 2(a) of the operating device according to the embodiment, and Figure 3(b) is an enlarged view showing an example of the second part of Figure 2(a). Figure 4(a) is a diagram illustrating an example of the electrical connection between the shaft portion and the connection terminal of the operating device according to the embodiment, and Figure 4(b) is an example of a block diagram of the operating device. The first portion 320 and the second portion 330 are the parts enclosed by dotted lines in Figure 2(a).

[0013] In the figures relating to the embodiments described below, the proportions and shapes between figures may differ from those of the actual figures. Also, in Figure 4(b), which will be described later, the main signal flow is indicated by arrows. Below, an overview of the operating device 1 will be described.

[0014] As an example, the operating device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 8, as shown in Figure 1(a), and controls the electronic devices 85 of the vehicle 8. The electronic devices 85 include, as an example, a vehicle control device that controls the overall settings of the vehicle and the automatic driving function, an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, a navigation device that displays the current location on a map and provides guidance to the destination, a display device that displays images, a seat device that controls the position and tilt of the seat, and a music and video playback device that plays music and videos. The operating device 1 can also operate, for example, a mobile terminal connected to these electronic devices 85 by wire or wireless.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the operation device 1 is composed of a first conductive member, and includes an operation unit 12 that receives a user's operation, and at least a part of which is composed of a second conductive member, supports the operation unit 12 in an insulated state, and is displaced in the operation direction in conjunction with the operation unit 12 by the user's operation, and an operation support unit 14 that performs electrostatic coupling with the operation unit 12 by contact of the user with the operation unit 12, and is schematically configured.

[0016] The operation device 1 has a housing 10 to which the operation support unit 14 is attached.

[0017] At least one of the operation unit 12 and the operation support unit 14 has an insulating film, and the operation unit 12 and the operation support unit 14 perform electrostatic coupling through this insulating film.

[0018] The operation unit 12 is screwed to the operation support unit 14, and performs electrostatic coupling facing the operation support unit 14 through the insulating film by screwing.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the operation support unit 14 is composed of a second conductive member, has a mounting portion 16 to which the operation unit 12 is attached by screwing, a rod-shaped shaft portion 17 made of a third conductive member and inserted into the mounting portion 16, and an insertion portion 18 inserted into the mounting portion 16 so as to sandwich the inserted shaft portion 17 and integrated with the mounting portion 16. The shaft portion 17 performs electrostatic coupling with the mounting portion 16 by the user's operation.

[0020] In the operation unit 12 of the present embodiment, a first insulating film 11 is formed on the surface. Also, a second insulating film 13 is formed on the surface of the mounting portion 16 of the operation support unit 14.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the operating device 1 includes a connection terminal 20 that contacts the side surface 173 of the shaft portion 17 and is electrically connected to the shaft portion 17, and a first electrostatic coupling 31 between the connection terminal 20 and the user and the operating portion 12, a second electrostatic coupling 32 between the operating portion 12 and the mounting portion 16, a third electrostatic coupling 33 between the mounting portion 16 and the shaft portion 17, and a detection unit 4 that detects a change in capacitance due to the user's contact with the operating portion 12 based on conduction caused by the contact between the shaft portion 17 and the connection terminal 20.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the operating device 1 includes a control unit 7 that determines the user's contact based on the detected change in capacitance.

[0023] The operating device 1 includes a switch unit 2 that is disposed below the shaft portion 17 and switches from the first state to the second state by the interlocking displacement in the push operation direction of the operating portion 12, the mounting portion 16, and the shaft portion 17 due to the push operation received by the operating portion 12.

[0024] The operating device 1 also has a rotation detection unit 6 that detects the rotation operation of the operating portion 12. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the operating device 1 will be described.

[0025] (Configuration of the housing 10) As shown in FIG. 1(b), in the housing 10, the mounting portion 16 and the insertion portion 18 of the operation support portion 14 are exposed. The mounting portion 16 is where the operating portion 12 is mounted.

[0026] (Configuration of the operating portion 12) The operating portion 12 is, for example, made of a conductor such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, and copper, but is not limited thereto. The operating portion 12 in the present embodiment is, for example, formed in a disc shape using aluminum as the first conductive member, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the user can perform a rotation operation of rotating the operating portion 12 in the counterclockwise direction D1 and the clockwise direction D2, and a push operation of pushing the operating portion 12 toward the housing 10.

[0027] The operating section 12 is subjected to surface treatments such as anodizing, chemical conversion treatment, and painting to form an insulating film. In this embodiment, the operating section 12 is, for example, subjected to anodizing treatment to form a first insulating film 11. This first insulating film 11 is an aluminum oxide film, but is not limited to this.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(a), the operating section 12 is provided with a first threaded portion 122 that protrudes from the back surface 121. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(a), the first threaded portion 122 has a cylindrical shape, and a plurality of peaks 122a and valleys 122b are alternately formed on the inner surface 124 of the opening inside the first threaded portion 122.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3(a), the operating section 12 has a first insulating film 11 formed over its entire surface. Therefore, the peaks 122a and valleys 122b have the first insulating film 11 formed on their surfaces. Furthermore, the operating section 12 also has the first insulating film 11 formed on the upper surface 125 of the opening 123 provided inside the first threaded portion 122.

[0030] The operating unit 12 is fastened with screws to allow for easy attachment and removal from the operating support unit 14. Therefore, the user can easily attach their preferred operating unit 12.

[0031] (Configuration of the operating support section 14) As described above, the operating support portion 14 comprises a mounting portion 16, a shaft portion 17, and an insertion portion 18. The mounting portion 16 and the shaft portion 17 are, for example, made of conductive materials such as aluminum, iron, stainless steel, and copper, but are not limited to these. The insertion portion 18 is, for example, formed using an insulating resin material.

[0032] In this embodiment, the mounting portion 16 is formed using aluminum as the second conductive member, for example, but is not limited to this. The mounting portion 16 is also subjected to surface treatments such as anodizing, chemical conversion treatment, and painting to form an insulating film. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 16 is painted over its entire surface, for example, to form a second insulating film 13. This second insulating film 13 is an insulating film made of an insulating resin material such as epoxy resin, for example, but is not limited to this. The first insulating film 11 and the second insulating film 13 are formed as different films by different processing methods, but are not limited to this and may be formed by the same processing method or may be the same film.

[0033] The mounting portion 16 has a cylindrical shape. The mounting portion 16 has a second threaded portion 160 at its upper part. As shown in Figure 3(a), the second threaded portion 160 has a cylindrical shape, and multiple peaks 160a and valleys 160b are alternately formed on the outside of the cylinder. The surfaces of these peaks 160a and valleys 160b are coated with a second insulating film 13.

[0034] When the operating part 12 and the mounting part 16 are fastened together with screws, as shown in Figure 3(a), the peak portion 122a of the operating part 12 fits into the valley portion 160b of the mounting part 16, and the peak portion 160a of the mounting part 16 fits into the valley portion 122b of the operating part 12. As a modified example, the operating part 12 and the mounting part 16 do not necessarily need to have screw threads, but it is preferable to have screw threads due to the strength of the electrostatic coupling.

[0035] In Figure 3(a), the operating part 12 and the mounting part 16 do not come into contact, but the first insulating film 11 and the second insulating film 13 are in partial contact. The first insulating film 11 and the second insulating film 13 are formed in such a way that this contact prevents electrical conductivity between the operating part 12 and the mounting part 16. The first insulating film 11 and the second insulating film 13, along with the air in the gap, act as dielectrics in the second electrostatic coupling 32.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(a), the upper opening surface 125 of the operating section 12 faces the upper surface 161 of the second threaded portion 160 of the mounting section 16.

[0037] In addition to the opening upper surface 125 and upper surface 161 facing each other, the first threaded portion 122 and the second threaded portion 160 of the operating portion 12 and the mounting portion 16 also face each other, so the area of ​​the opposing surfaces is larger compared to the case where there are no threaded portions. Capacitance is proportional to the area. Therefore, the capacitance of the second electrostatic coupling 32 between the operating portion 12 and the mounting portion 16 is larger compared to the case where there are no threaded portions.

[0038] The mounting portion 16 has an insertion hole 163 provided in its lower part 162. After the shaft portion 17 is inserted into this insertion hole 163, an insertion portion 18, which is integrated with the mounting portion 16, is inserted.

[0039] The insertion portion 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape using, for example, an insulating resin material. The insertion portion 18 has a claw portion 182, as shown in Figure 2(a), and fits into a recess 164 of the mounting portion 16, thereby becoming one unit. As a result, the operating portion 12, the mounting portion 16, and the insertion portion 18 are rotatable relative to the shaft portion 17. The gap 183 between the mounting portion 16 and the shaft portion 17 shown in Figure 3(b) is provided for the rotation of the operating portion 12.

[0040] The shaft portion 17 is formed, for example, using iron as a third conductive member. As shown in Figure 2(a), the shaft portion 17 is composed of an upper cylinder 170, a middle cylinder 171, and a lower cylinder 172. The radius of the shaft portion 17 decreases in the order of the upper cylinder 170, the middle cylinder 171, and the lower cylinder 172.

[0041] The upper insertion portion 180 of the insertion portion 18 is inserted into the insertion hole 163 of the mounting portion 16. As shown in Figure 2(a), the shaft insertion hole 181 of the insertion portion 18 has an upper hole corresponding to the middle cylinder 171 of the shaft portion 17 and a lower hole corresponding to the lower cylinder 172 of the shaft portion 17, with the radius of the lower hole being larger than that of the upper hole.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2(c) and 4(a), the shaft portion 17 has a side surface 173 that contacts the connection terminal 20 with the lower cylinder 172. This side surface 173 is not a curved surface of the cylinder, but a long, flat surface. As shown in Figure 4(a), this side surface 173 is formed so that contact with the connection terminal 20 is maintained during the push operation of the operating portion 12.

[0043] The push operation position 34 shown in Figure 4(a) indicates the operating position for the push operation of the operating unit 12. As shown in Figure 4(a), the side surface 173 of the shaft portion 17 maintains contact with the connection terminal 20 even at the push operation position 34. The position of the operating unit 12 when no operation is performed is the initial position 30.

[0044] (Configuration of connection terminal 20) The connector terminal 20 is formed as a leaf spring using a conductive material such as stainless steel or copper. In this embodiment, the connector terminal 20 is formed using copper as an example, but is not limited to this. The connector terminal 20 is gold-plated on its surface.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4(a), the connection terminal 20 comprises a base portion 200, a bent portion 201, a folded portion 202, a contact portion 203, and a substrate mounting portion 204. The connection terminal 20 has a shape like a long, narrow plate folded at the bent portion 201 and the folded portion 202. The connection terminal 20 is formed, for example, by an etching method.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2(a), the connection terminal 20 is attached to the inner surface 251 of the housing portion 250 of the internal housing 25, which will be described later. The folded portion 202 has a contact portion 203 that protrudes toward the shaft portion 17. This contact portion 203 is pressed against the side surface 173 mainly by the elastic force of the folded portion 202. The substrate mounting portion 204 is screwed to the substrate 19 and connected to the wiring of the substrate 19.

[0047] (Configuration of the shaft holding section 22) As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the shaft holding portion 22 comprises a flange 221, a shaft portion 223, and a leaf spring 226. The shaft holding portion 22 is formed using a resin material as an example.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2(b), the shaft holding portion 22 has a slit 220a formed therein, through which the side surface 173 of the shaft portion 17 is exposed. This slit 220a has a vertically elongated shape. The connecting terminal 20 is in contact with the side surface 173 exposed by this slit 220a.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2(c), the flange 221 is provided on the side opposite to the slit 220a of the shaft holding portion 22 and has a plate shape. This flange 221 is inserted into the guide portion 252 of the internal housing 25, which will be described later, and guides the movement of the operating portion 12 in the push operation direction.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2(a), the shaft portion 223 is inserted into a support recess 256 of the internal housing 25. This support recess 256 has an elongated shape so that the shaft holding portion 22 can move during a push operation.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2(a), the leaf spring 226 is attached to the inner surface 220b of the shaft holding portion 22. When the shaft portion 17 is inserted into the shaft holding portion 22, the leaf spring 226 comes into contact with the claw portion 174 of the shaft portion 17 and elastically deforms. After the claw portion 174 overcomes the leaf spring 226 and insertion is complete, the leaf spring 226 returns to its original shape. As a result, the shaft portion 17 is held in place so that it does not come out of the shaft holding portion 22.

[0052] The shaft portion 17 has a switch portion 2 positioned so as to contact the lower surface 175. When a push operation is performed on the operating portion 12, the shaft portion 17 moves together with the operating portion 12, the mounting portion 16, and the insertion portion 18, switching the switch portion 2 from the first state to the second state. When the push operation is completed, the operating portion 12 returns to its initial position 30 before the push operation due to the elastic force of the switch portion 2 and other components.

[0053] (Configuration of the internal enclosure 25) The internal housing 25 is formed, for example, using a resin material. This internal housing 25 houses the shaft holding portion 22 in the housing portion 250.

[0054] The internal housing 25 has a support recess 256 on the inner surface 255 of its upper part 254 that is long in the direction of the push operation. The shaft portion 223 of the shaft holding portion 22 is inserted into this support recess 256, allowing the shaft holding portion 22 to move in the direction of the push operation.

[0055] Furthermore, the tip of the upper part 254 of the internal housing 25 narrows towards the shaft portion 17 compared to the shaft holding portion 22, thereby preventing the shaft holding portion 22 from coming loose.

[0056] (Configuration of switch unit 2) As shown in Figure 2(a), the switch unit 2 is located on the circuit board 19. This switch unit 2 is, for example, a momentary switch that is in a first state before a push operation and switches to a second state after a push operation. In this embodiment, the first state is the off state and the second state is the on state. As shown in Figure 4(b), the switch unit 2 is electrically connected to the control unit 7.

[0057] When the switch unit 2 switches from the off state to the on state, it outputs a switch signal S2 to the control unit 7.

[0058] (Configuration of detection unit 4) The detection unit 4 detects the change in capacitance caused by contact with the operating surface 120 of the operating unit 12. When the user's operating finger 9 comes into contact with the operating surface 120 of the operating unit 12, the electrostatic circuit 3 shown in Figures 2(a) and 4(b) is generated.

[0059] This electrostatic circuit 3 is formed by the operating finger 9 (GND), a first electrostatic coupling 31, a second electrostatic coupling 32, and a third electrostatic coupling 33. The first electrostatic coupling 31 is the electrostatic coupling that occurs between the operating finger 9 and the operating part 12. The second electrostatic coupling 32 is the electrostatic coupling that occurs between the operating part 12 and the mounting part 16. The third electrostatic coupling 33 is the electrostatic coupling between the mounting part 16 and the shaft part 17. Thus, the electrostatic circuit 3 is a circuit that can be formed without connecting the operating part 12 and the mounting part 16, and the mounting part 16 and the shaft part 17 with wires.

[0060] The detected capacitance C is the combined capacitance of the first capacitance C1, the second capacitance C2, and the third capacitance C3 connected in series, and is expressed by the following formula. C = (C1C2C3) / (C1C2 + C2C3 + C1C3)

[0061] The detection unit 4 has an electrostatic threshold 40. The detection unit 4 compares the acquired capacitance C with the electrostatic threshold 40 to determine whether the operating finger 9 has made contact with the operating unit 12. If contact is detected, the detection unit 4 outputs a detection signal S1 to the control unit 7. The detection unit 4 is configured to periodically connect to the grounding circuit to reset the parasitic capacitance.

[0062] (Configuration of rotation detection unit 6) The rotation detection unit 6 is, for example, a rotation sensor such as a rotary encoder. The rotation detection unit 6 is electrically connected to the control unit 7. The rotation detection unit 6 outputs a rotation angle signal S3 to the control unit 7 that corresponds to the rotation angle of the detected operation unit 12.

[0063] (Configuration of the control unit 7) The control unit 7 is a microcomputer composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to a stored program, and semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, the program necessary for the control unit 7 to operate. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area to temporarily store calculation results.

[0064] When the control unit 7 detects that contact has been made with the operation unit 12, i.e., a touch operation to the operation unit 12, based on the detection signal S1 output from the detection unit 4, it determines whether a push operation and a rotation operation have occurred based on the switch signal S2 obtained from the switch unit 2 and the rotation angle signal S3 obtained from the rotation detection unit 6. If an operation is detected, it generates a control signal S4 corresponding to the operation and outputs it to the electronic device 85 to be controlled.

[0065] For example, a user selects an item from multiple images 83 displayed on the monitor 80 and instructs it to execute. In this case, the user rotates the operation unit 12 to select an item from the multiple images 83 and performs a push operation on the operation unit 12 to cause the electronic device 85 to execute the function assigned to the selected item. In Figure 1(a), as an example, the selected image 83 is marked with diagonal lines. When the user performs a push operation in this state, the function assigned to the image 83 with the diagonal lines is executed.

[0066] For example, if a push operation is performed after a rotation operation, the control unit 7 detects contact with the operation unit 12 based on the detection signal S1 obtained from the detection unit 4, and then outputs a control signal S4 corresponding to the rotation operation based on the rotation angle signal S3 obtained from the rotation detection unit 6. The control unit 7 then outputs a control signal S4 corresponding to the push operation based on the switch signal S2 obtained from the switch unit 2. The electronic device 85 executes the function assigned to the selected object based on these acquired control signals S4.

[0067] (Effects of the embodiment) The operating device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce manufacturing costs. Specifically, the operating device 1 has the operating part 12 attached to the mounting part 16 by screw fastening, and is electrically connected to the detection part 4 by electrostatic coupling between the two. Compared to the case where electrodes for detecting contact are attached to the operating part with adhesive or adhesive tape, the number of parts is reduced, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0068] The operating device 1 allows for the electrical connection between the shaft portion 17, which moves by rotation or pushing, and the detection portion 4 via the connection terminal 20. Therefore, compared to the case where the shaft portion and the detection portion are connected by an electric wire, poor conductivity due to wire breakage does not occur.

[0069] The operating device 1, through the first electrostatic coupling 31 to the third electrostatic coupling 33, enables touch, rotation, and push operations on the operating section 12 without requiring electrodes to be placed on the operating section 12.

[0070] Since the operating device 1 accepts operations performed after contact with the operating section 12 is detected, it is possible to suppress false judgments such as when an object collides with the operating section 12 and is mistakenly identified as an operation, compared to cases where this configuration is not adopted.

[0071] Compared to a case where electrodes are placed in the operating section and exposed wires from the housing are connected to the electrodes for assembly, the operating section 12 can be easily attached to the housing 10 by screw fastening, making assembly easier.

[0072] Since the operating unit 12 can be easily replaced, the operating device 1 allows for easier installation of the user's preferred operating unit 12 or an operating unit 12 with superior design compared to a system where the operating unit 12 cannot be replaced. Furthermore, because the operating device 1 allows for easy replacement of the operating unit 12, it can flexibly accommodate changes in design to match the vehicle's grade, compared to a system where the operating unit 12 cannot be replaced.

[0073] Although embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are essential means for solving the problem of the invention. Moreover, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1...Operating device, 2...Switch unit, 3...Electrostatic circuit, 4...Detection unit, 6...Rotation detection unit, 7...Control unit, 10...Housing, 11...First insulating film, 12...Operating unit, 13...Second insulating film, 14...Operating support unit, 16...Mounting unit, 17...Shaft unit, 18...Insertion unit, 20...Connection terminal, 31-33...First electrostatic coupling to third electrostatic coupling, 80...Monitor, 81...Display screen, 83...Image, 122...First screw unit, 160...Second screw unit

Claims

1. It consists of a first conductive member and an operating section that receives user input, An operating support portion, at least a part of which is made of a second conductive member, supports the operating portion in an insulated state, is displaced in the operating direction in conjunction with the operating portion by the user's operation, and electrostatically couples with the operating portion when the user touches the operating portion; An operating device equipped with it.

2. The operating section and the operating support section each have at least one insulating film, and the operating section and the operating support section are electrostatically coupled through the insulating film. The operating device according to claim 1.

3. The operating part is fastened with screws to the operating support part, and the fastening with screws creates an electrostatic coupling with the operating support part via the insulating film. The operating device according to claim 2.

4. The operating support portion comprises a mounting portion made of the second conductive member to which the operating portion is attached by screw fastening, a rod-shaped shaft portion made of the third conductive member that is inserted into the mounting portion, and an insertion portion that is inserted into the mounting portion so as to sandwich the inserted shaft portion and becomes integrated with the mounting portion. The shaft portion is electrostatically coupled to the mounting portion by the user's operation. The operating device according to claim 3.

5. A connection terminal that contacts the side surface of the shaft portion and electrically connects to the shaft portion, A detection unit electrically connected to the connection terminal detects changes in capacitance due to the user's contact with the operation unit, based on a first electrostatic coupling between the user and the operation unit, a second electrostatic coupling between the operation unit and the mounting unit, a third electrostatic coupling between the mounting unit and the shaft unit, and conductivity due to contact between the shaft unit and the connection terminal. Equipped with, The operating device according to claim 4.

6. The device is equipped with a switch located below the shaft portion, which switches from a first state to a second state due to the synchronized displacement of the operating portion, the mounting portion, and the shaft portion in the direction of the push operation, resulting from a push operation received by the operating portion. The operating device according to claim 5.

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