Input Devices

Abstract

An input device comprising: a housing; an operation panel that has operation units for receiving a touch operation and a press operation from an operator, and that is supported so as to be oscillatable with respect to the housing; a substrate that is housed in the housing; an electrostatic detection electrode that detects the touch operation; and a press detection unit for detecting the press operation, wherein the operation units include a first operation unit that receives both of the touch operation and the press operation and a second operation unit that does not receive the press operation and receives only the touch operation, and have an inhibition mechanism for differentiating a motion for moving the operation panel to the substrate side when the first operation unit is pressed and a motion for moving the operation panel to the substrate side when the second operation unit is pressed.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a seesaw switch having a case, a knob having two pressing operation parts and operably engaged with a housing by a fulcrum part provided on a side wall part of the case, and two switches. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-72190 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the switch may be erroneously operated when a portion that does not accept a pressing operation is pressed by mistake. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An input device according to one embodiment includes a housing, an operation panel having an operation unit that accepts touch operations and pressure operations from an operator and is supported so as to be swingable relative to the housing, a substrate housed in the housing, an electrostatic detection electrode that detects touch operations, and a pressure detection unit that detects pressure operations. The operation unit includes a first operation unit that accepts both touch operations and pressure operations, and a second operation unit that does not accept pressure operations but only touch operations, and has a suppression mechanism that differentiates between the action of the operation panel moving toward the substrate when the first operation unit is pressed and the action of the operation panel moving toward the substrate when the second operation unit is pressed. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to an input device according to an embodiment, it is possible to suppress erroneous operation of the pressure detection unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a case included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a case included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an operation panel, a holder, and a first housing included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an operation panel, a holder, and a first housing included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment taken along line II; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment taken along line II-II; [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment taken along line III-III; [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment taken along line IV-IV; [Figure 14] An enlarged view of a part (part P1) of Figure 13 [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment taken along line VV; [Figure 16] An enlarged view of a part (part P2) of Figure 15 [Figure 17]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the pivot shaft, an area E, an area G, an area F, a first press switch, a second press switch, and a protrusion in an input device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Configuration of input device 100) 1 and 2 are external perspective views of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0010] In the following description, for convenience, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction is the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction. However, the positive X-axis direction is the rightward direction, the positive Y-axis direction is the forward direction, and the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction. These indicate the relative positional relationship within the device, and do not limit the installation direction or operation direction of the device. Anything that has the same relative positional relationship within the device, even if the installation direction or operation direction is different, is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0011] An input device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is a device that is mounted, for example, in the cabin of a vehicle such as an automobile, and receives touch and pressing operations from an operator.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the input device 100 includes an operation panel 110, a holder 120, a first housing 130, a substrate 140, a second housing 150, and an electrostatic detection electrode sheet 180. The electrostatic detection electrode sheet 180 is made of a material such as aluminum.

[0013] The operation panel 110 is a resin member that receives touch and pressing operations from an operator. In this embodiment, the operation panel 110 is a box-like member having a hollow structure, and is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with a rectangular opening 111 at the bottom surface. When viewed from above in a plan view, the operation panel 110 has a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The operation panel 110 is supported by the first housing 130 so as to be able to swing. Specifically, the operation panel 110 is supported by the first housing 130 so as to be able to swing around a swing axis AX shown in FIG. 3.

[0014] The upper surface 112 of the operation panel 110 is configured to have a flat portion 112A, a first inclined portion 112B, and a second inclined portion 112C. The flat portion 112A is a central portion in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and is a portion parallel to the XY plane. The first inclined portion 112B is a portion forward of the flat portion 112A (positive side of the Y-axis) and is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front. The second inclined portion 112C is a portion rearward of the flat portion 112A (negative side of the Y-axis) and is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear.

[0015] Upper surface 112 of operation panel 110 is provided with areas A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Areas A, B, D, E, and G accept both touch and pressing operations from the operator. Area F does not accept pressing operations from the operator, but only accepts touch operations.

[0016] For example, on the rear side (Y-axis negative side) of the flat surface portion 112A, an area A and an area B are provided side by side in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). Also, a display unit 113-1 shaped like the alphabet "A" is provided in the area A, and a display unit 113-2 shaped like the alphabet "B" is provided in the area B.

[0017] Moreover, on the left side (negative side of the X-axis) of first inclined portion 112B, area D and area E are provided side by side in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Area E is an example of a "first operation unit" provided on the front side (positive side of the Y-axis) of top surface 112. Moreover, display unit 113-3 shaped like the alphabet "D" is provided in area D, and display unit 113-4 shaped like the alphabet "E" is provided in area E.

[0018] Moreover, an area F is provided on the right side (X-axis positive side) of the first inclined portion 112B. The area F is an example of a "second operation portion." The area F is provided with a display unit 114 in the shape of the alphabet "F."

[0019] Moreover, an area G is provided in the center of the second inclined portion 112C. Area G is an example of a "first operation unit" provided on the rear side (Y-axis negative side) of the upper surface 112. Area G is also provided with a display unit 113-5 in the shape of the alphabet "G."

[0020] Area C is provided in the center of flat surface portion 112A. Area C is provided with display unit 115 shaped like the letter "C." Display unit 115 in area C is simply provided to enhance the design, and is not intended to accept operations from the operator.

[0021] Operation panel 110 is composed of a white resin and a black coating layer, and display sections A to G are formed by removing parts of the black coating layer using a technique such as laser processing. Through holes are provided in holder 120 at locations corresponding to display sections A to G, and when light emitting elements 143-1 to 143-7 are turned on, light from light emitting elements 143-1 to 143-7 is irradiated onto the backs of display sections A to G.

[0022] The holder 120 is a plate-like member made of resin that is disposed and fixed inside the operation panel 110. An upper surface 120A of the holder 120 has a shape that is bent along the upper surface 112 of the operation panel 110. The holder 120 is disposed inside the operation panel 110, overlapping the back side of the upper surface 112 of the operation panel 110. The holder 120 holds the electrostatic detection electrode sheet 180 on its upper surface 120A. The electrostatic detection electrode sheet 180 has a connection portion (not shown) that is connected to the substrate 140, and is electrically connected to the substrate 140. This allows the input device 100 to detect touch operations performed on the areas A to B and areas D to G of the operation panel 110 by the electrostatic detection electrode sheet 180.

[0023] The holder 120 is fixed to the operation panel 110. The holder 120 is supported by the first housing 130 so as to be able to swing. Therefore, the holder 120 and the operation panel are able to swing with respect to the first housing 130. The holder 120 has a pair of bearing holes 122A, a pair of guide ribs 171, a pressing portion 121-1, a pressing portion 121-2, and a protrusion 161-1, which will be described in detail later. The bearing hole 122A is shaped to fit into the locking portion 133 of the first housing 130, and supports the holder 120 and the operation panel so as to be able to swing, and is shaped to define the swing range. The guide rib 171 is shaped to fit into the guide groove 172 of the first housing 130, and is shaped to define the swing range of the holder 120 and the operation panel. The pressing portion 121-1 is shaped to press the first push switch 141. The pressing portion 121-2 is shaped to press the second press switch 142.

[0024] The first housing 130 is a resin member disposed below the holder 120 inside the operation panel 110. The first housing 130 is provided so as to cover the board 140. The first housing 130 supports the operation panel 110 and the holder 120 so as to be able to swing. The first housing 130 is an example of a "housing." The first housing 130 is provided so as to cover the board 140, so that the protrusions 161-1 and 161-2 provided on the holder 120 can be brought into contact with the first housing 130. In other words, the protrusions 161-1 and 161-2 can be prevented from coming into contact with the board 140, so that damage to the board 140 caused by the protrusions 161-1 and 161-2 can be suppressed.

[0025] The substrate 140 is a resin-made, flat-plate-like member. In a plan view from above, the substrate 140 has a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The substrate 140 is provided on the lower side (Z-axis negative side) of the first housing 130, and is disposed at a predetermined height position inside the peripheral wall portion 152 of the second housing 150 in an orientation parallel to the XY plane. A first press switch 141 and a second press switch 142 are mounted on the upper surface 140A of the substrate 140. The first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 detect a pressing operation by an operator on the operation panel 110. The first press switch 141 is an example of "a press detection portion having a greater distance to the first operation portion (area E) out of the two press detection portions". The second press switch 142 is an example of "a press detection portion having a greater distance to the first operation portion (area G) out of the two press detection portions". The first press switch 141 is provided near the front left corner (the corner on the Y-axis positive side and the X-axis negative side) of the upper surface 140A. The first press switch 141 is provided approximately in the center of the rear part (the part on the Y-axis negative side) of the upper surface 140A. Furthermore, light emitting elements 143-1 to 143-7 are mounted on the upper surface 140A of the substrate 140.

[0026] The second housing 150 is a resin member disposed at the bottom of the input device 100. The second housing 150 has a flat portion 151 and a peripheral wall portion 152. The flat portion 151 is a flat portion parallel to the XY plane. The peripheral wall portion 152 is provided so as to protrude upward (Z-axis positive direction) from the upper surface of the flat portion 151, and is a wall-like portion having a rectangular shape when viewed from above (Z-axis positive direction). In the second housing 150, two pedestal portions 153 are provided on the upper surface of the flat portion 151 and inside the peripheral wall portion 152, side by side in the front-rear direction. The pedestal portion 153 has a cylindrical shape and supports the substrate 140 from the lower side (Z-axis negative side) at a predetermined height position. In a state where second housing 150 is joined to the underside of first housing 130 , second housing 150 is fixed to first housing 130 by two fixing screws 154 that penetrate pedestal portion 153 .

[0027] In the input device 100 configured as described above, when any of the areas A, B, and G of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 swing about the swing axis AX so that the right rear corner (the corner on the positive side of the X-axis and the negative side of the Y-axis) of the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 moves toward the substrate 140. This allows the input device 100 to detect that the first press switch 141 is pressed and any of the areas A, B, and G is pressed.

[0028] Furthermore, when either area C or area D of operation panel 110 is pressed, holder 120 and operation panel 110 swing about swing axis AX so that the left front corner (the corner on the negative side of the X-axis and the positive side of the Y-axis) of holder 120 and operation panel 110 moves toward substrate 140. This allows input device 100 to detect that second press switch 142 is pressed and either area C or area D is pressed.

[0029] In addition, the input device 100 has a suppression mechanism 160 described later, which suppresses the swinging of the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 when area F of the operation panel 110 is pressed, and prevents the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 from being pressed.

[0030] In addition, the input device 100 has an inhibiting mechanism 160, which will be described later, so that when the symbol display section 115 of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 are inhibited from swinging, and the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 are not pressed.

[0031] Therefore, when an erroneous operation is performed, the input device 100 can avoid detecting the erroneous operation.

[0032] 3, the area F is provided on the swing axis AX. This makes it difficult for the operation panel 110 and the holder 120 to swing when an erroneous operation of pressing the area F is performed in the input device 100, that is, it is possible to prevent the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 from being pressed erroneously.

[0033] (Configuration of first housing 130) Fig. 6 is a plan view of the first housing 130 included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the appearance of the first housing 130 included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0034] 6 and 7, the first housing 130 has a flat portion 131 parallel to the XY plane, and a wall-like frame portion 132 perpendicular to the XY plane surrounding the flat portion 131. The first housing 130 also has a pair of cylindrical locking portions 133 on the side surface of the frame portion 132, on the oscillation axis AX, protruding in the axial direction of the oscillation axis AX.

[0035] Specifically, in the first housing 130, a pair of support surfaces 132A perpendicular to the oscillation axis AX is formed on a side surface of a right front corner (a corner on the X-axis positive side and the Y-axis positive side) of the frame portion 132 and at a middle position in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) of the left side surface (side surface on the X-axis negative side) of the frame portion 132. Then, in the first housing 130, a pair of cylindrical locking portions 133 protruding toward the axial direction of the oscillation axis AX is provided on each of the pair of support surfaces 132A. The pair of locking portions 133 have a cylindrical shape, are formed at the end portions of the first housing 130, and are shaped to configure the oscillation axis AX.

[0036] The pair of locking portions 133 are fitted into a pair of bearing holes 122A provided in the holder 120, thereby locking the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 so as to be swingable about the axis of the swing axis AX. The pair of locking portions 133 swing about the swing axis AX as the swing center while abutting against surfaces 122Ac and 122Ad, which will be described in detail later, so that the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 are held swingable in a direction (swing direction) around the swing axis AX as the swing center.

[0037] At the same time, each of the locking portions 133 abuts against the surface 122Ac and the surface 122Ad, thereby restricting the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 from rotating in a direction about the Z-axis direction as a central axis. Furthermore, each of the locking portions 133 can move upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) until it abuts against the surface 122Aa, which will be described in detail later. Therefore, if there is no element other than the surface 122Aa that inhibits the movement, the locking portions 133 can move downward (in the negative direction of the Z-axis) until it abuts against the surface 122Ab.

[0038] In addition, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 are supported by two push switches (141, 142) while the upper and lower movement limit positions are defined by the surfaces 122Aa and 122Ab, and are urged upward by the restoring force from the two push switches. In other words, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 are restricted so as not to rotate only in the rotation direction about the Z axis direction as the central axis, and at the same time, are swingable in all other directions. As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment, a protrusion 161-1 is provided near the region F, and the protrusion 161-1 prevents the locking portion 133 provided near the region F from moving downward. Therefore, when the region F is pressed, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 do not swing.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the planar portion 131 of the first housing 130 is formed with two through holes 134-1 and 134-2 each having a circular shape when viewed from above.

[0040] Through hole 134-1 is formed at a position overlapping with pressing portion 121-1 provided on holder 120 and first push switch 141 mounted on substrate 140 in a plan view from above. By pressing portion 121-1 penetrating through hole 134-1, when any of area A, area B, or area G of operation panel 110 is pressed, holder 120 and operation panel 110 can be swung (the right rear corner moves toward substrate 140) and the first push switch 141 can be pressed by pressing portion 121-1 due to the swinging of holder 120 and operation panel 110.

[0041] Through hole 134-2 is formed at a position overlapping with pressing portion 121-2 provided on holder 120 and second press switch 142 mounted on substrate 140 in a plan view from above. By pressing portion 121-2 penetrating through hole 134-2, when either area C or area D of operation panel 110 is pressed, holder 120 and operation panel 110 can be swung (the left front corner moves toward substrate 140) and the second press switch 142 can be pressed by pressing portion 121-2 due to the swinging of holder 120 and operation panel 110.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flat surface portion 131 of the first housing 130 is formed with two contact portions 162-1 and 162-2, each of which has a circular recess when viewed from above.

[0043] Abutment portion 162-1 constitutes suppression mechanism 160, and is formed in an area on the right front side (the area on the X-axis positive side and the Y-axis positive side) of flat portion 131 in a plan view from above, and at a position overlapping with protrusion portion 161-1 provided on holder 120. When area F of operation panel 110 is pressed, protrusion portion 161-1 abuts against abutment portion 162-1, thereby suppressing the swinging of holder 120 and operation panel 110 and preventing first press switch 141 and second press switch 142 from being pressed.

[0044] The contact portion 162-2 is formed in approximately the center of the flat portion 131 in a plan view from above, and at a position overlapping with a protrusion portion 161-2 provided on the holder 120. When the symbol display portion 115 of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the protrusion portion 161-2 abuts against the contact portion 162-2, thereby preventing the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 from swinging, and preventing the first push switch 141 and the second push switch 142 from being pressed.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flat surface portion 131 of the first housing 130 is provided with square cylindrical portions 135-1 to 135-6 and a rectangular opening portion 136.

[0046] Tube portion 135-1 is positioned so as to overlap area A of operation panel 110 and light-emitting element 143-1 mounted on substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes display portion 113-1 in area A to emit light by guiding light emitted from light-emitting element 143-1 to area A.

[0047] The tube portion 135-2 is disposed at a position overlapping with the area B of the operation panel 110 and the light-emitting element 143-2 mounted on the substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes the display unit 113-2 in the area B to emit light by guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting element 143-2 to the area B.

[0048] The tube portion 135-3 is disposed at a position overlapping with the area C of the operation panel 110 and the light-emitting element 143-3 mounted on the substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes the display unit 113-3 in the area C to emit light by guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting element 143-3 to the area C.

[0049] The tube portion 135-4 is disposed at a position overlapping with the area D of the operation panel 110 and the light-emitting element 143-4 mounted on the substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes the display portion 113-4 in the area D to emit light by guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting element 143-4 to the area D.

[0050] The tube portion 135-5 is positioned so as to overlap area G of the operation panel 110 and a light-emitting element 143-5 mounted on the substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes the display unit 113-5 in area G to emit light by guiding light emitted from the light-emitting element 143-5 to area G.

[0051] The tube portion 135-6 is disposed at a position overlapping with the area F of the operation panel 110 and the light-emitting element 143-6 mounted on the substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes the display unit 114 in the area F to emit light by guiding the light emitted from the light-emitting element 143-6 to the area F.

[0052] The opening 136 is provided at a position overlapping with the symbol display section 115 of the operation panel 110, the tubular section 123 of the holder 120, and the light-emitting element 143-7 mounted on the substrate 140 when viewed in a plan view from above, and causes the symbol display section 115 to emit light by guiding light emitted from the light-emitting element 143-7 to the symbol display section 115 via the tubular section 123 of the holder 120.

[0053] The amount of movement of cylinder parts 135-1 to 135-6 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) when operation panel 110 is swung is equal to or greater than the amount of movement of pressing parts 121-1, 121-2 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) when operation panel 110 is swung. As a result, in input device 100, the up-down movement (Z-axis direction) of cylinder parts 135-1 to 135-6 when operation panel 110 is swung does not interfere with the pressing of first pressing switch 141 and second pressing switch 142 by pressing parts 121-1, 121-2.

[0054] (Configuration of holder 120) 8 and 9 are external perspective views of the operation panel 110, the holder 120, and the first housing 130 included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the II cross-sectional line (see Fig. 3) of the input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the II-II cross-sectional line (see Fig. 3) of the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 8, first housing 130 has a pair of locking portions 133. Meanwhile, holder 120 has a pair of bearing portions 122 suspended from the lower surface of holder 120. Each of the pair of bearing portions 122 has a bearing hole 122A near the lower end. Then, as shown in Fig. 9, when first housing 130 is assembled to holder 120, each of the pair of locking portions 133 is fitted into each of the pair of bearing holes 122A.

[0056] Holder 120 is supported in a state in which it is biased upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) by the restoring forces of first push switch 141 and second push switch 142. As shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 16, bearing hole 122A of holder 120 is formed by surfaces 122Aa to 122Ad, and has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the up-down direction.

[0057] Surface 122Aa and surface 122Ab face each other. Surface 122Aa is a surface that defines the limit position when holder 120 transitions downward. Surface 122Ab is a surface that defines the limit position when holder 120 transitions upward. Surface 122Ac and surface 122Ad face each other, and the distance therebetween is set to be approximately the same as the dimension of locking portion 133.

[0058] When first housing 130 is attached to holder 120, holder 120 is urged upward by first push switch 141 and second push switch 142, so that face 122Ab of holder 120 comes into contact with locking portion 133 of first housing 130. For the same reason, face 122Aa is spaced from locking portion 133 by distance D3 or distance D4. As a result, holder 120 and operation panel 110 are not rotated about the Z-axis direction because locking portion 133 is restricted by faces 122Ac and 122Ad, and are provided so as to be swingable in all other directions.

[0059] In other words, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 are supported by the pair of locking parts 133 so as to be swingable around the axis of the swing axis AX, and are supported so as to be able to move in the vertical direction by distances D3 and D4. Therefore, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 can swing around the swing axis AX within a range until they are stopped by a reaction force from the first push switch 141 or the second push switch 142. In this embodiment, the distances D3 and D4 are set to be approximately the same as the operation stroke from when the two push switches (141, 142) are pressed from the neutral state to when they are turned on.

[0060] Furthermore, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 can swing in a direction parallel to the swing axis AX and a plane parallel to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) within a range in which the locking portion 133 is restricted by the surface 122Aa or the surface 122Ab.

[0061] It is preferable that the range over which the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 swing in a direction parallel to the swing axis AX and a plane parallel to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is set smaller than the switch stroke when the second push switch 142 is pressed from the neutral state to turn ON.

[0062] In addition, the range in which holder 120 and operation panel 110 swing in a direction parallel to the swing axis AX and a plane parallel to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is set to be smaller than the range in which holder 120 and operation panel 110 swing around swing axis AX.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, holder 120 is provided with cylindrical projections 161-1 and 161-2 that hang down from the bottom surface of holder 120. As shown in FIG.

[0064] Specifically, the protrusion 161-1 constitutes the suppression mechanism 160, and is provided in a region on the right front side (region on the X-axis positive side and the Y-axis positive side) of the holder 120, and at a position overlapping with the abutment portion 162-1 of the first housing 130 in a plan view from above. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, in a plan view from above, the abutment portion 162-1 is provided at a position overlapping with the swing axis AX, and is provided at a position closer to the region F than the center of the pair of locking portions 133. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, when the first housing 130 is assembled to the holder 120, the lower end surface of the protrusion 161-1 is located slightly above the abutment portion 162-1 of the first housing 130 and spaced apart from it. As a result, when the region F of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the protrusion 161-1 abuts against the abutment portion 162-1, thereby suppressing the swing of the holder 120 and the operation panel 110, and preventing the second press switch 142 from being pressed. As described above, the range in which the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 swing in a direction parallel to the swing axis AX and a plane parallel to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is set smaller than the range in which they swing in other directions, and under this condition, the above-mentioned suppression effect is generated. Therefore, when the region F of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 hardly move. Also, the feeling generated by the abutment of the protrusion 161-1 and the abutment portion 162-1 is fed back to the operator's fingers as a clear sense of resistance. When area E or area G is pressed, protrusion 161-1 does not abut against abutment portion 162-1, and therefore does not inhibit the swinging of holder 120 and operation panel 110. Therefore, the operator can tell from the operating feel that area F is an operation portion that does not support pressing operations.

[0065] Moreover, the protrusion 161-2 constitutes the suppression mechanism 160, and is provided at approximately the center of the holder 120 and at a position overlapping with the abutment portion 162-2 of the first housing 130 in a plan view from above. As shown in Figs. 9 and 11, when the first housing 130 is assembled to the holder 120, the lower end surface of the protrusion 161-2 is positioned slightly above the abutment portion 162-2 of the first housing 130. As a result, when the symbol display portion 115 of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the protrusion 161-2 abuts against the abutment portion 162-2 to suppress the swinging of the holder 120 and the operation panel 110, and prevents the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 from being pressed. When the area E is pressed, the protrusion 161-2 does not come into contact with the contact portion 162-2, and therefore the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 are not prevented from swinging.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, holder 120 is provided with cylindrical pressing portions 121-1 and 121-2 that hang down from the bottom surface of holder 120.

[0067] Specifically, the pressing portion 121-1 is provided at approximately the center in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) of the rear side (Y-axis negative side) of the holder 120 and at a position overlapping with the through-hole 134-1 of the first housing 130 in a plan view from above. As shown in Fig. 9, when the first housing 130 is assembled to the holder 120, the lower end surface of the pressing portion 121-1 is positioned slightly apart from the upper side of the first press switch 141 in a state in which the first press switch 141 penetrates the through-hole 134-1. As a result, when any of the areas A, B, and G of the operation panel 110 is pressed, the pressing portion 121-1 can press the first press switch 141 by the swinging of the holder 120 and the operation panel 110.

[0068] Further, pressing portion 121-2 is provided in the vicinity of the left front corner (the corner on the negative side of the X-axis and the positive side of the Y-axis) of holder 120 and at a position overlapping with through-hole 134-2 of first housing 130 in a plan view from above. As shown in Fig. 9, when first housing 130 is assembled to holder 120, the lower end surface of pressing portion 121-2 is positioned slightly above second press switch 142 that has penetrated through through-hole 134-2, and is thus capable of pressing second press switch 142 by the swinging of holder 120 and operation panel 110 when either area D or area E of operation panel 110 is pressed.

[0069] (Guide mechanism) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment taken along line III-III (see FIG. 4).

[0070] Input device 100 according to one embodiment includes guide mechanism 170. Guide mechanism 170 has a pair of guide ribs 171 suspended from the lower surface of holder 120, and a pair of guide grooves 172 vertically disposed. As shown in Fig. 12, guide mechanism 170 guides the movement of holder 120 and operation panel 110 in the up-down direction (X-axis direction) by engaging pair of guide ribs 171 with pair of guide grooves 172.

[0071] 12, the line L1 connecting the pair of guide ribs 171 is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis AX. As a result, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can guide the pivoting of the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 about the pivot axis AX, and can prevent the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 from tilting in the axial direction of the pivot axis AX.

[0072] (Configuration of Bearing Hole 122A) Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment taken along the IV-IV cross-sectional line (see Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 13, the locking portion 133 of the first housing 130 is fitted into the bearing hole 122A of the holder 120 to lock the holder 120 and the operation panel 110 so as to be swingable around the swing axis AX. The locking portion 133 constitutes a suppression mechanism 160.

[0073] 13, the width of bearing hole 122A is approximately the same as the diameter of locking portion 133, but the vertical width is slightly larger than the diameter of locking portion 133. Therefore, bearing hole 122A can move slightly in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) within bearing hole 122A. As a result, input device 100 according to one embodiment is configured such that holder 120 and operation panel 110 can move slightly in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) relative to first housing 130, to an extent that first press switch 141 and second press switch 142 are not pressed.

[0074] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the oscillation axis AX, area E, area G, area F, the first press switch 141, the second press switch 142, and the protrusion 161-1 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0075] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, in a plan view from above, the oscillation axis AX connecting the two locking portions 133 intersects with a line connecting the area E and the first press switch 141. It also intersects with a line connecting the area G and the second press switch 142. In other words, in a plan view from above, the oscillation axis AX intersects with a line connecting the first operation unit 113 and one of the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 that is farther away from the first operation unit 113.

[0076] When area E of operation panel 110 is pressed, operation panel 110, in a plan view from above, swings about the apex of first press switch 141, which is the farthest from area E among the two press switches (141, 142), as a fulcrum. At that time, second press switch 142 is pressed by holder 120, and a signal related to the detection of the press is generated.

[0077] Furthermore, when area G of operation panel 110 is pressed, operation panel 110, in a plan view from above, swings about the apex of second press switch 142, which is the farthest from area G among the two press switches (141, 142), as a fulcrum. At that time, first press switch 141 is pressed by holder 120, and a signal related to the detection of the press is generated.

[0078] In the example shown in FIG. 17, the oscillation axis AX intersects with a line L2 that connects the area D and the first push switch 141 that is far from the area D.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 17, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the protrusion 161-1 is provided at a position overlapping with the oscillation axis AX in a plan view from above.

[0080] As a result, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can enhance the effect of suppressing the pressing of the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142 when the area F is pressed.

[0081] Also, as shown in FIG. 17, in an input device 100 according to one embodiment, when viewed in a plan view from above, the distance D1 between the first press switch 141, which is the farthest from the first press switch 141 to the region F, and the protrusion 161-1 is greater than the distance D2 between the protrusion 161-1 and the region F, of the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142.

[0082] As a result, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can further enhance the effect of preventing the operation panel 110 from swinging due to pressing on the area F, and the effect of not preventing the operation panel 110 from swinging due to pressing on the area E.

[0083] In other words, when area F is pressed, the operation panel 110, in a planar view from above (positive direction of the Z axis), swings around the apex of the first press switch 141, which is the farthest from area F of the two press switches (141, 142), as a fulcrum; however, the protrusion 161-1 prevents the operation panel 110 from swinging, and the second press switch 142, which is closer to area F, does not detect that area F has been pressed.

[0084] (effect) As described above, the input device 100 according to one embodiment includes a housing, an operation unit that receives touch operations and pressing operations from an operator, and the operation panel 110 is supported so as to be swingable relative to the housing, a substrate 140 housed in the housing, an electrostatic detection electrode that detects touch operations, and a first pressing switch 141 and a second pressing switch 142 that detect pressing operations. The operation unit includes a first operation unit (areas E, G) that receives touch operations and pressing operations, and a second operation unit (area F) that receives only touch operations, and has a suppression mechanism 160 that differentiates between the action of the operation panel 110 moving toward the substrate 140 when the first operation unit (areas E, G) is pressed and the action of the operation panel 110 moving toward the substrate 140 when the second operation unit (area F) is pressed.

[0085] As a result, in the input device 100 according to an embodiment, when the second operation unit (area F) is pressed by mistake, the operation panel 110 moves toward the substrate 140 side in a manner different from that when the first operation unit (areas E, G) is pressed, and the operator can recognize from this difference in operation that the second operation unit (area F) has been pressed by mistake. Therefore, the input device 100 according to an embodiment can suppress erroneous operations of the first press switch 141 and the second press switch 142.

[0086] Furthermore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the suppression mechanism 160 includes a protrusion 161-1 extending from the operation panel 110 toward the housing, and when the second operation unit (area F) is pressed, the protrusion 161-1 abuts against an abutment portion 162-1 of the housing to suppress the swinging of the operation panel 110, and when the first operation unit (areas E, G) is pressed, the suppression mechanism 160 does not suppress the swinging of the operation panel 110.

[0087] As a result, the input device 100 of one embodiment does not hinder the swinging of the operation panel 110 when a normal operation is performed on the first operation unit (areas E, G), and can suppress the swinging of the operation panel 110 when an erroneous operation is performed on the second operation unit (area F).

[0088] 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.

[0089] This international application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-040659, filed on March 15, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 100 Input Device 110 Operation Panel 111 Aperture 112 Top surface 112A Flat part 112B 1st slope 112C 2nd slope 113-1~113-5,114,115 Display section 120 Holder 120A top 121-1, 121-2 Pressing part 122 Bearing section 122A Bearing hole 122Aa surface 122Ab side 122Ac surface 122Ad side 123 Cylinder part 130 1st cabinet 131 Plane section 132 Frame 132A Support surface 133 Locking part 134-1, 134-2 Through hole 135-1~135-6 Cylinder part 136 Opening 140 Substrate 140A top 141 First push switch 142 Second press switch 143-1 to 143-7 Light-emitting element 150 2nd unit 151 Plane section 152 Peripheral wall section 153 Pedestal 160 Deterrent Mechanism 161-1,161-2 Projection 162-1,162-2 Contact part 170 Guide mechanism 171 Guide rib 172 Guide groove 180 Electrostatic detection electrode sheet A,B,C,D,E,F,G area AX Swing Axis D1,D2 distance D3,D4 Distance L1,L2 line

Claims

1. A housing and an operation panel having an operation unit that receives a touch operation and a pressing operation from an operator and is supported to be swingable with respect to the housing; A substrate accommodated in the housing; an electrostatic detection electrode for detecting the touch operation; A pressing detection unit that detects the pressing operation; An input device comprising: The operation unit includes: a first operation unit that accepts both the touch operation and the pressing operation; a second operation unit that does not accept the pressing operation and only accepts the touch operation; Including, The control mechanism includes a control mechanism that does not control the swinging of the operation panel when the first operation unit is pressed, and controls the swinging of the operation panel when the second operation unit is pressed.

1. An input device comprising:

2. The suppression mechanism includes: a protrusion extending from the operation panel toward the housing, and an abutment portion provided on the housing and abutting against the protrusion, or a protrusion extending from the housing toward the operation panel, and an abutment portion provided on the operation panel and abutting against the protrusion, The protrusion is provided so as to not come into contact with the abutment portion when the first operating portion is pressed, and so as to come into contact with the abutment portion when the second operating portion is pressed.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

3. The pressing device includes two pressing detection units, When the first operation unit is pressed, the operation panel swings around one of the two pressure detection units that is farther from the first operation unit as a fulcrum in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and the pressure detection unit that is closer to the first operation unit detects that the first operation unit has been pressed.

3. The input device according to claim 2.

4. a distance between the protrusion and one of the two pressure detection units, which is farther from the second operation unit, in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, is set to be larger than a distance between the protrusion and the second operation unit, When the second operation unit is pressed, the operation panel swings around one of the two pressure detection units that is farther from the second operation unit as a fulcrum in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the substrate. However, the swing is suppressed by the protrusion, and the pressure detection unit that is closer to the second operation unit does not detect that the second operation unit has been pressed.

4. The input device according to claim 3.

5. The suppression mechanism includes: a pair of locking portions that support both ends of a pair of pivot shafts that are provided on the housing and serve as a pivot center, thereby defining only the pivot direction of the operation panel and locking the operation panel so as to allow movement in other directions; In a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the substrate, the pivot axis intersects with a line connecting the first operation unit and one of the two pressure detection units that is farther away from the first operation unit, and The protrusion is provided at a position overlapping the oscillation shaft in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

5. The input device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The second operation portion is provided at a position overlapping with the pivot shaft in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

6. The input device according to claim 5.

7. The housing is provided to cover the board and supports the operation panel in a swingable manner.

5. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the input device is a first input device.

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