Push switch, input device, and push amount detection sensor

Abstract

To enable easy and diverse changes to the operating load related to the pressing operation of the operating member without using an electromagnet. [Solution] The input device comprises a pressable operating member, a first magnet held by the operating member, an elastic member that applies a restorative force to the operating member in response to a press operation, a second magnet provided opposite the first magnet and repelling the first magnet, and a magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, and has a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a push switch, an input device, and a push amount detection sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an electronically adjustable key switch configured to correct the key touch of a key switch by varying the current value applied to an electromagnet and thereby varying the repulsive force between the electromagnet and a permanent magnet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 needs to continuously supply current to the electromagnet while correcting the key touch of the key switch, there is a risk of excessive power consumption...

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An input device according to an embodiment includes an operable operation member, a first magnet held by the operation member, an elastic member that applies a restoring force to the operation member against a push operation, a second magnet provided to face the first magnet and repelling the first magnet, and a magnetic sensor that detects the push amount of the operation member by detecting the magnetism between the first magnet and the second magnet, and has a distance adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the separation distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] ​According to one embodiment of the input device, the operating load related to the pressing operation of the operating member can be easily and variably changed without using an electromagnet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] External perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective cross-sectional view of an input device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a push key included in an input device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] External perspective view of the distance adjustment mechanism provided in a push key according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of control by a control device provided with a push key according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the operating load characteristics of a push key according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the configuration of a push key control system according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction in the drawings will be considered as the vertical direction, the Y-axis direction as the left-right direction, and the X-axis direction as the front-back direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction will be considered upward, the positive Y-axis direction as the rightward direction, and the positive X-axis direction as the forward direction.

[0009] (Overview of input device 10) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an input device 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an input device 10 according to one embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the input device 10 is equipped with a plurality of push keys 100 on the top surface 20A of a case 20 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the example shown in Figure 1, the input device 10 is equipped with six push keys 100 arranged on the top surface 20A of the case 20 in two rows in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and three columns in the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0011] Each of the push keys 100 is an example of a "push switch". Each of the push keys 100 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) and can be pressed downwards. Each of the push keys 100 can be switched from the switch-off state to the switch-on state by pressing it. As shown in Figure 2, the push keys 100 have the same configuration.

[0012] Furthermore, a horizontal, flat plate 14 is attached to the upper surface 20A of the case 20, with four spacers 12 provided at the four corners of the upper surface 20A in between. Each of the multiple push keys 100 is provided by passing through each of the multiple rectangular openings 14A formed in the plate 14.

[0013] Furthermore, the case 20 is configured to be separable into an upper case 21 that constitutes the upper part and a lower case 22 that constitutes the lower part.

[0014] (Configuration of push key 100 and distance adjustment mechanism 160) Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a push key 100 included in an input device 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of a distance adjustment mechanism 160 included in a push key 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the push key 100 includes a housing 110, an operating member 120, a coil spring 130, a magnetic sensor 140, a second magnet 150, and a distance adjustment mechanism 160.

[0015] The housing 110 is a hollow, box-shaped (generally rectangular) resin component. The housing 110 is mounted on the upper surface 20A of the case 20, passing through the opening 14A of the plate 14. The housing 110 is divided into an upper housing 111, which forms the upper part, and a lower housing 112, which forms the lower part, by snap-fit ​​structures provided on both the left and right sides. An upper opening 111A is formed on the upper surface portion of the upper housing 111.

[0016] Inside the housing 110, a cylindrical support portion 113 extending upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the bottom of the lower housing 112 is provided. The support portion 113 supports the lower part of the main body portion 121 of the operation member 120 to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by inserting the lower part of the main body portion 121 of the operation member 120 into the support hole 113A extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (that is, inside the cylinder of the support portion 113) from above (in the positive Z-axis direction). Note that the support hole 113A penetrates the bottom of the lower housing 112.

[0017] The operation member 120 is a member that is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) by an operator. The operation member 120 has a main body portion 121, a cap 122, and a first magnet 123.

[0018] The main body portion 121 is a resin-made and columnar member with the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) as the longitudinal direction. The main body portion 121 is provided inside the housing 110 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper part of the main body portion 121 penetrates the upper opening 111A formed in the upper housing 111 and protrudes above the upper housing 111. A concave portion 121A having a shape recessed upward is formed on the lower surface of the main body portion 121. The concave portion 121A has the same shape as the outer shape of the first magnet 123, and the first magnet 123 is fitted therein.

[0019] An enlarged-diameter portion 121C having a larger diameter than the upper and lower parts is provided at the intermediate portion of the main body portion 121 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). When the main body portion 121 is in the initial position shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface portion of the enlarged-diameter portion 121C abuts against the periphery of the upper opening 111A of the upper housing 111, thereby restricting the movement of the main body portion 121 upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the initial position. Also, the enlarged-diameter portion 121C receives the biasing force from the coil spring 130 by receiving the upper end portion of the coil spring 130 at the lower surface portion of the enlarged-diameter portion 121C.

[0020] The cap 122 is attached to the upper part of the main body 121. The cap 122 is a resin component that has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The upper surface of the cap 122 is an operating surface 122A that receives a press operation from the operator. The upper surface of the cap 122 may be provided with letters, figures, etc. to identify the function of the push key 100. The cap 122 has a hollow structure with an opening on the lower side (negative Z-axis side). In the central part of the inside of the cap 122, a cylindrical fitting part 122B extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is provided hanging down from the upper wall. The cap 122 is attached to the upper part of the main body 121 by fitting the lower part of the fitting part 122B into a groove 121B formed in the upper part of the main body 121, covering the upper and side of the upper part of the main body 121, and becoming movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) integrally with the main body 121.

[0021] The first magnet 123 is a so-called permanent magnet. The first magnet 123 is fitted into a recess 121A formed on the lower surface of the main body 121 such that the upper and lower parts have different magnetic poles.

[0022] The coil spring 130 is an example of an "elastic member." The coil spring 130 is a metal, wound-type member. The coil spring 130 is arranged inside the housing 110 so as to be expandable and contractible in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper and lower parts of the coil spring 130 are supported by the lower part of the main body 121 of the operating member 120 being inserted inside the upper part, and the support part 113 of the housing 110 being inserted inside the lower part. When the operating member 120 is pressed down by the operator, the coil spring 130 is compressed by the large-diameter portion 121C of the main body 121 of the operating member 120, and the resulting repulsive force biases the large-diameter portion 121C of the main body 121 of the operating member 120 upward, thereby returning the main body 121 of the operating member 120 to the initial position shown in Figure 3.

[0023] The magnetic sensor 140 is located below the first magnet 123 (negative Z-axis side) and above the second magnet 150 (positive Z-axis side), which will be described later. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 140 is located on the lower surface of the substrate 16, which is superimposed on the upper surface 20A of the case 20, at a position between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. The magnetic sensor 140 detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member 120 by detecting the magnetic flux density between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. Specifically, as the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 decreases, the magnetic flux density between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 increases. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 140 can detect the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 by detecting the magnetic flux density between them.

[0024] The second magnet 150 is positioned below the first magnet 123 (negative Z-axis side) and opposite the first magnet 123. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, a recess 21A is formed in the upper case 21 at the position below the first magnet 123 (negative Z-axis side), with the recess shape being indented downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the upper surface 20A. A magnet holder 161 is provided inside the recess 21A so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second magnet 150 is held by the magnet holder 161 by being fitted into the holding hole 161A of the magnet holder 161, and is positioned opposite the first magnet 123. The second magnet 150 is positioned such that the magnetic pole on its upper side (positive Z-axis side) is the same polarity as the magnetic pole on its lower side (negative Z-axis side) as the first magnet 123, causing them to repel each other.

[0025] The distance adjustment mechanism 160 adjusts the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the distance adjustment mechanism 160 comprises a magnet holder 161, an adjustment member 162, and a drive device 163.

[0026] The magnet holder 161 holds the second magnet 150. The magnet holder 161 has a cylindrical shape and is installed inside a recess 21A formed in the upper case 21 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0027] A retaining hole 161A is formed in the center of the upper surface of the magnet holder 161, which is recessed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) and has the same shape as the outer shape of the second magnet 150. The magnet holder 161 holds the second magnet 150 by fitting it into the retaining hole 161A.

[0028] A rod-shaped projection 161B extending downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) is provided in the center of the lower surface of the magnet holder 161. The lower end of the projection 161B contacts the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, thereby restricting the downward (negative Z-axis direction) movement of the magnet holder 161.

[0029] The adjustment member 162 is a cylindrical member that adjusts the height position of the magnet holder 161 (i.e., the position in the direction of the pressing operation). The adjustment member 162 is attached to the rotating shaft 163B of the drive device 163 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the rotating shaft 163B together with the rotating shaft 163B. The upper surface of the adjustment member 162 is an annular contact surface 162A against which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the contact surface 162A has a stepped shape in which the height position changes in steps along the circumferential direction. As a result, the contact surface 162A rotates together with the rotating shaft 163B when driven by the drive device 163, so that the height position against which the lower end of the projection 161B abuts can be changed in steps, that is, the height position of the magnet holder 161 can be changed in steps.

[0030] For example, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the contact surface 162A has four height positions within a 180° range, meaning that the height position of the magnet holder 161 can be adjusted in four stages by rotating the contact surface 162A within a 180° range.

[0031] The drive unit 163 has a box-shaped housing 163A and a rotating shaft 163B extending upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the top of the housing 163A. The drive unit 163 also has a drive mechanism inside the housing 163A for rotating the rotating shaft 163B. The drive unit 163 can rotate the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 163B to any desired rotation angle under control from the control device 170 (see Figure 7). For example, a stepping motor can be used as the drive unit 163.

[0032] (An example of control by the control device 170) Figure 5 shows an example of control by a control device 170 provided in a push key 100 according to one embodiment.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 5(a), the control device 170 controls the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162, adjusting the height position of the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, to the highest height position. As a result, in the example shown in Figure 5(a), the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is adjusted to the shortest distance out of four stages. In this case, the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is strongest, and therefore the operating load for pressing the operating member 120 having the first magnet 123 is the highest.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 5(b), the control device 170 controls the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162, adjusting the height position of the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, to the lowest height position. As a result, in the example shown in Figure 5(b), the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is adjusted to the longest distance out of four stages. In this case, the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is at its weakest, and therefore the operating load for pressing the operating member 120 having the first magnet 123 is at its lowest.

[0035] Furthermore, the control device 170 is electrically connected to each of the drive units 163 of the multiple push keys 100 provided in the input device 10, and can individually control the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 of each of the multiple push keys 100.

[0036] (An example of the operating load characteristics of push key 100) Figure 6 shows an example of the operating load characteristics of a push key 100 according to one embodiment. The graph in Figure 6 shows the operating load characteristics when the operating member 120 of the push key 100 is pressed, for each of the following cases: the initial separation distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 is 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, and 3.5 mm. In the graph in Figure 6, the vertical axis represents the operating load [N], and the horizontal axis represents the amount of depression [mm].

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the operating load characteristics of the push key 100 increase as the amount of pressure applied increases, regardless of the initial separation distance s. This is because as the amount of pressure applied increases, the separation distance s decreases, and the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 increases.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the operating load characteristics of the push key 100 increase overall as the initial separation distance s decreases. This is because the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 increases overall as the initial separation distance s decreases.

[0039] (Control system configuration for push key 100) Figure 7 shows the configuration of the control system of a push key 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the control system of the push key 100 includes a magnetic sensor 140, a drive device 163, and a control device 170. For the control device 170, for example, an IC can be used.

[0040] The control device 170 is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor 140 and the drive unit 163. The control device 170 includes a determination unit 171 and an adjustment unit 172.

[0041] The determination unit 171 determines that the switch is on if the amount of pressure applied to the operating member 120 detected by the magnetic sensor 140 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0042] The adjustment unit 172 controls the height position of the contact surface 162A to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, by controlling the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162 through the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 163B of the drive device 163. In this way, the adjustment unit 172 adjusts the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150. In this embodiment, since the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 has four height positions, the adjustment unit 172 can adjust the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 in four stages by controlling the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162 in four stages.

[0043] The adjustment unit 172 increases the separation distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150 at the timing when the determination unit 171 determines that the switch is on. Specifically, at the timing when the determination unit 171 determines that the switch is on, the adjustment unit 172 controls the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 163B of the drive device 163, thereby controlling the rotation angle of the adjustment member 162. This lowers the height position of the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162, to which the lower end of the projection 161B of the magnet holder 161 abuts, thereby increasing the separation distance s.

[0044] As a result, the adjustment unit 172 can rapidly reduce the operating load of the operating member 120 at the moment the determination unit 171 determines that the switch has been turned on. This change in operating load provides a click sensation when the operating member 120 is pressed. Therefore, the operator can tactilely understand that the pressing of the operating member 120 has been determined to be a switch-on operation by the click sensation that occurs in the operating member 120.

[0045] The control device 170 may also perform, for each of the multiple push keys 100 provided by the input device 10, a switch-on determination using the determination unit 171 and an adjustment of the separation distance s using the adjustment unit 172.

[0046] As described above, the push key 100 according to one embodiment includes a pressable operating member 120, a first magnet 123 held by the operating member 120, a coil spring 130 that provides a return force to the operating member 120 in response to a press operation, a second magnet 150 provided opposite to the first magnet 123 and repelling the first magnet 123, and a magnetic sensor 140 that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member 120 by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150, and has a distance adjustment mechanism 160 that can adjust the distance s between the first magnet 123 and the second magnet 150.

[0047] As a result, in one embodiment, the push key 100 can easily and diversely change the operating load related to the pressing operation of the operating member 120 without using an electromagnet by adjusting the distance s between the keys using the distance adjustment mechanism 160.

[0048] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the push key 100, the timing of the switch-on determination by the determination unit 171 (i.e., the amount the operating member 120 is pressed) and the timing of the separation distance s adjustment by the adjustment unit 172 (i.e., the amount the operating member 120 is pressed) can be easily changed by changing the threshold value of the control device 170.

[0049] 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 or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0050] For example, the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 has a stepped shape that allows the height position of the magnet holder 161 to be changed in steps, but is not limited to this. For example, the contact surface 162A of the adjustment member 162 may have a slope shape that allows the height position of the magnet holder 161 to be changed steplessly.

[0051] Furthermore, the adjustment member 162 is not limited to one that can change the height position of the magnet holder 161 by rotating. For example, the adjustment member 162 may be capable of changing the height position of the magnet holder 161 in steps or continuously by moving linearly in the horizontal or vertical direction.

[0052] Furthermore, the input device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2 (i.e., a configuration with six push keys 100). For example, the input device 10 can be applied to keyboards, game controllers, etc., by appropriately changing the number and arrangement of the push keys 100.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a push switch, but may also be implemented as a push amount detection sensor comprising, for example, a pushable operating member, a first magnet held by the operating member, an elastic member that provides a restorative force to the operating member in response to a push operation, a second magnet provided opposite the first magnet and repelling the first magnet, and a magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, and having a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet. In this case as well, the push amount detection sensor can achieve the same effects as a push switch. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 Input devices 12 Spacers 14 plates 14A opening 16 circuit boards 20 cases 20A top 21 Upper case 21A Recess 22 Lower case 100 push keys 110 Housing 111 Upper Housing 111A Top opening 112 Lower Housing 113 Support part 113A Support hole 120 Operating member 121 Main body 121A Recess 121C Large Diameter Section 122 Cap 122A Operation surface 122B Mating part 123 The first magnet 130 Coil Springs 140 Magnetic Sensors 150 The second magnet 160 Distance adjustment mechanism 161 Magnetic Holder 161A Retaining hole 161B Protrusion 162 Adjustment Member 162A Contact surface 163 Drive unit 163A enclosure 163B Rotation axis 170 Control device 171 Judgment Department 172 Adjustment section s Separation distance

Claims

1. A pressable operating member, The first magnet held by the operating member, An elastic member that provides a restorative force to the operating member in response to the pressing operation, A second magnet is provided opposite to the first magnet and repels the first magnet, A magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, Equipped with, The device has a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet. A push switch characterized by the following features.

2. The distance adjustment mechanism is, The system includes an adjustment unit that increases the separation distance when the amount of pressure applied to the operating member detected by the magnetic sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The push switch according to feature 1.

3. The distance adjustment mechanism is, A magnet holder for holding the second magnet, The adjustment member adjusts the distance between the magnet holder by adjusting the position in the direction of the pressing operation. The push switch according to claim 1, characterized by having the following:

4. The adjustment member rotates to adjust the position of the magnet holder in the direction of the pressing operation. The push switch according to feature 3.

5. The adjustment member adjusts the position of the magnet holder in the direction of the pressing operation by moving in a linear fashion. The push switch according to feature 3.

6. The system includes a determination unit that determines that the switch is on if the amount of pressure applied to the operating member detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The push switch according to feature 1.

7. The adjustment unit increases the separation distance at the timing when the determination unit determines that the switch is on. The push switch according to feature 6.

8. The first magnet and the second magnet are arranged facing each other with like poles. The push switch according to feature 1.

9. A plurality of push switches according to any one of claims 1 to 8 are provided. An input device characterized by the following features.

10. A pressable operating member, The first magnet held by the operating member, An elastic member that provides a restorative force to the operating member in response to the pressing operation, A second magnet is provided opposite to the first magnet and repels the first magnet, A magnetic sensor that detects the amount of pressure applied to the operating member by detecting the magnetic field between the first magnet and the second magnet, Equipped with, The device has a distance adjustment mechanism that can adjust the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet. A sensor for detecting the amount of pressure applied, characterized by the above features.

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