Operation input device and button drive unit

Abstract

To improve workability of the assembling work in an operation input device having a function of applying a reaction force to movement of an operation button.SOLUTION: An input device (100) includes: an operation button (20): a movable member (30) capable of pressing the operation button (20) toward an initial position; and an electric motor (35) for moving the movable member (30). The input device (100) has a holder (40) holding the electric motor (35). This holder (40) supports the operation button (20) and the movable member (30) so as to allow movement of the operation button (20) and the movable member (30).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation input device and a button drive unit to be mounted on the operation input device. [Background technology]

[0002] International Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 150128 discloses an operation input device capable of providing a force sense to a user. In this operation input device, when a user presses a button and the button reaches a predetermined position, a reaction force is applied to the button by driving an electric motor built into the operation input device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An operation input device having a function of providing a force sense to a user has a larger number of parts than an operation input device without such a function, which increases the number of work steps for assembling the parts into the operation input device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] An example of an operation input device proposed in the present disclosure includes an operation button that can move from an initial position in a direction along a first surface when pressed by a user, a movable member that can move in a direction along the first surface and can press the operation button toward the initial position, an electric motor that moves the movable member, and a holder that holds the electric motor and supports the operation button and the movable member so as to allow movement of the operation button and the movable member. This operation input device can improve the workability of assembling the operation input device.

[0005] An example of a button drive unit proposed in the present disclosure includes a main body attached to an exterior of an operation button or integrally formed with the exterior. The operation button can move from an initial position in a direction along a first surface when pressed by a user. The example of the button drive unit includes a movable member that can move in a direction along the first surface and that can press the operation button toward the initial position by contacting the main body, an electric motor that moves the movable member, and a holder that holds the electric motor and supports the main body and the movable member so as to allow movement of the main body and the movable member. This button drive unit can improve the workability of assembling an operation input device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an example of an operation input device proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operation input device. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation input device with the lower cabinet removed, showing two button drive units. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a button drive unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a button drive unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the button drive unit. [Figure 7] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the button drive unit, showing the right holder member, the operation button, the movable member, and the support shaft. [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the button drive unit, showing the left holder member, the support shaft, the movable member, and the intermediate gear. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the button drive unit. [Figure 10A]1 is a side view showing the internal structure of the button drive unit with the right holder member removed, in which the operation button is located in the initial position and the movable member is located in the frontmost position; [Figure 10B] 1 is a side view showing the internal structure of the button drive unit with the right holder member removed, in which the operation button is positioned at the most depressed position and the movable member is positioned at the standby position. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of the button drive unit. [Figure 11B] 11B is an exploded perspective view showing a holder member, a motor bracket, and an electric motor of the button drive unit shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. [Figure 11C] 11B is a perspective view of a motor bracket and an electric motor combined with each other, which are included in the button driving unit shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. [Figure 11D] 11B is a cross-sectional view of an electric motor and a motor bracket included in the button driving unit shown in FIG. 11A. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing yet another example of the button drive unit. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the button drive unit shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 12C] 12B is a side view of the operation button, the movable member, the intermediate gear, and the electric motor of the button drive unit shown in FIG. 12A. [Figure 12D] 12D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIId-XIId in FIG. 12C. [Figure 12E] 12C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIIe-XIIe in FIG. 12B. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of an operation input device proposed in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The operation input device proposed in this disclosure will be described below. In this specification, an operation input device 100 used to operate a game machine will be described as an example of the operation input device proposed in this disclosure (hereinafter, the operation input device will be simply referred to as an input device). Note that this disclosure may also be applied to input devices used to operate information processing devices other than game machines (for example, input devices used to operate simulation devices, input devices used to operate vehicles, ships, or aircraft, etc.).

[0008] In the following description, the directions indicated by X1 and X2 in FIG. 1 are referred to as right and left, respectively, and the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 are referred to as forward and backward, respectively. The directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 are referred to as upward and downward, respectively. In the input device 100, the support shaft 47 (see FIG. 6) is disposed along the left-right direction, and in the following description, the "left-right direction" refers to the direction along the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 47. These directions are used to describe the relative positional relationships of elements (components, members, and parts) of the input device 100, and do not specify the orientation of the input device 100 during use.

[0009] [Overall configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 100 has a plurality of operation members on its top surface. For example, four operation buttons 3a are provided on the right side of the top surface of the input device 100. A cross key 4 having four protrusions 4a is provided on the left side of the top surface of the input device 100. A plate-shaped operation pad 5 is provided between the operation buttons 3a and the cross key 4. The operation pad 5 has, for example, a touch sensor for detecting the position of a user's finger touching the surface of the operation pad 5. The operation pad 5 may also be configured to lower in response to a user's pressing operation. Two joysticks 6R and 6L are provided behind the operation pad 5. The joysticks 6R and 6L can be tilted in the forward / backward direction, the left / right direction, and diagonally relative to those directions. The input device 100 also has a grip portion GR extending rearward from its right side and a left grip portion GL extending rearward from its left side.

[0010] When using the input device 100, the user operates the above-mentioned operation members while holding the grip portions GL and GR with the left and right hands, respectively. The input device 100 is a device used by the user when playing a game, and transmits signals to the game console in response to operations made on the above-mentioned operation members. The number and types of operation members and the shape of the input device are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. For example, the input device 100 may be configured so that the user can hold it in one hand. In this case, the number of joysticks and the number of grips may be one. Furthermore, the input device 100 does not need to have an operation pad 5.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 100 has a cabinet 2 that forms its exterior. The cabinet 2 has, for example, a lower cabinet 2A that forms its lower portion and an upper cabinet 2B that forms its upper portion and is combined with the lower cabinet 2A in the vertical direction. The above-mentioned operation members, such as the operation button 3a, the cross key 4, and the joysticks 6R and 6L, protrude upward from openings formed in the upper cabinet 2B. The operation pad 5 is disposed inside the opening formed in the upper cabinet 2B.

[0012] 2, the input device 100 also has a plurality of operation members on its front surface. Specifically, an operation button 8 and an operation button 20 are provided on the right side of the front surface, and an operation button 8 and an operation button 20 are also provided on the left side of the front surface. The operation button 20 is located below the operation button 8.

[0013] The operation button 20 is allowed to move between an initial position (the position of the operation button 20 shown in FIG. 10A) and a fully depressed position (the position of the operation button 20 shown in FIG. 10B) that is spaced rearward from the initial position, and moves from the initial position toward the fully depressed position in response to a pressing operation by the user. In the input device 100, the operation button 20 is a so-called trigger button, and can move in the forward / backward direction about an axis Ax1 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) located at the top of the operation button 20. When the front surface of the operation button 20 is pressed by the user, the operation button 20 moves rearward about the axis Ax1. In other words, the operation button 20 can move in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the axis Ax1 (this plane corresponds to the "first plane" referred to in the claims). Unlike the input device 100, the operation button 20 may be supported so as to be allowed to move in parallel in the forward / backward direction.

[0014] [Button drive unit] The input device 100 has a button drive unit 10R (see FIGS. 1 and 3) mounted on the right side of the input device 100, and a button drive unit 10L mounted on the left side of the input device 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). In the input device 100, the button drive units 10R and 10L are arranged below the operation members arranged on the top surface of the input device 100. Specifically, the left button drive unit 10L is arranged below the cross key 4 arranged on the left side of the top surface of the input device 100, and the right button drive unit 10R is arranged below the operation button 3a arranged on the right side of the top surface of the input device 100. In the following explanation, when the explanation is common to both button drive units 10R and 10L, the button drive units will be denoted by the symbol "10."

[0015] The number of button drive units 10 is not limited to that of the input device 100. For example, if the operation input device is a rod-shaped device that can be operated with one hand, the number of operation buttons 20 (trigger buttons) and the button drive units 10 having the operation buttons 20 may be one.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 9, the button drive unit 10 has a movable member 30 arranged behind the operation button 20, and an electric motor 35 for moving the movable member 30. The movable member 30 can move in a direction along a plane intersecting the left-right direction (more specifically, a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction). The movable member 30 receives power from the electric motor 35 and pushes the operation button 20 toward its initial position. The button drive unit 10 includes a transmission mechanism M that transmits the power of the electric motor 35 to the movable member 30. The transmission mechanism M has, for example, an intermediate gear 36 arranged between the movable member 30 and the electric motor 35.

[0017] The movable member 30 applies a force to the operation button 20 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the user presses the operation button 20. The input device 100 drives the electric motor 35 to move the movable member 30 in response to a signal (instruction) received from the game console. For example, when the user presses the operation button 20, the movable member 30 restricts the movement of the operation button 20 (i.e., the movable member 30 functions as a stopper for the movement of the operation button 20). This allows the user to feel as if the character operated by the user has touched something hard in the virtual space of the game. In another example, when the user presses the operation button 20, the movable member 30 may apply a reaction force (a force in a direction opposite to the direction in which the user presses the operation button 20) to the operation button 20 in accordance with the amount of movement (depression) of the operation button 20. This allows the user to feel as if the character operated by the user has touched something elastic in the virtual space of the game. In yet another example, when the user presses the operation button 20, the movable member 30 may vibrate the operation button 20 back and forth.

[0018] The electric motor 35 is, for example, a stepping motor or a servo motor. The electric motor 35 may be a geared motor with a built-in reduction gear. A control device (a control device or a game machine included in the input device 100) controls the torque, position, and / or speed of the electric motor 35.

[0019] The button drive unit 10 has a holder 40. The holder 40 holds the electric motor 35. The holder 40 also supports the operation button 20, the transmission mechanism M, and the movable member 30 so as to allow their movement. This structure allows the person assembling the input device 100 to handle the electric motor 35, the operation button 20, the transmission mechanism M, and the movable member 30 as a single component, thereby improving the workability of the assembly.

[0020] In the input device 100, an operation member on which no reaction force from the movable member 30 acts, for example, the operation button 8 (see FIG. 2) disposed above the operation button 20, is held by the cabinet 2. In contrast to this, an operation member on which no reaction force from the movable member 30 acts, such as the operation button 8, may also be supported by the holder 40.

[0021] The holder 40 is fixed to, for example, the cabinet 2 using an engagement portion having, for example, a screw or a claw. The input device 100 may have a frame that is housed in the cabinet 2 and supports the circuit board 13 and operation members (operation buttons 3a and cross key 4) provided on the upper side of the input device 100. The holder 40 may be fixed to the frame using an engagement portion having, for example, a screw or a claw.

[0022] 5 and 6, the holder 40 is composed of a right holder member 40R and a left holder member 40L that are combined in the left-right direction. That is, the holder 40 is composed of the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L that are combined in the direction along the axis Ax1 (left-right direction). An accommodation chamber that accommodates the transmission mechanism M is secured inside the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L. The components of the holder 40 are not limited to the two holder members 40R and 40L, and may be composed of three or four members.

[0023] [Operation button movement and support structure] As shown in Fig. 6, the input device 100 has a support shaft 47 located on an axis Ax1 (see Figs. 10A and 10). The operation button 20 is supported by the holder 40 via the support shaft 47 and can move along an arc Cr (see Fig. 9) centered on the support shaft 47. In the input device 100, the operation button 20 moves in the forward and backward directions centered on the support shaft 47.

[0024] The support shaft 47 is supported by the holder 40. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a cylindrical supported portion 21 is formed on the upper portion of the operation button 20, and the support shaft 47 is inserted into the inside of this supported portion 21. The holder members 40R and 40L each have shaft support portions 41a and 41b (see FIG. 6). The shaft support portions 41a and 41b hold the right and left portions of the support shaft 47, respectively, when the support shaft 47 is inserted into the supported portion 21.

[0025] The shaft supports 41a and 41b are hidden by the operation button 20 in a front view of the operation button 20 (when the operation button 20 is viewed in the direction in which the operation button 20 is pressed). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a recess 20c is formed on the side of the operation button 20, and the shaft supports 41a and 41b are located inside (rear of) this recess 20c. This structure reduces the distance between the left and right shaft supports 41a and 41b, allowing the width of the holder 40 in the left-right direction to be reduced. As a result, the layout of components inside the cabinet 2 can be simplified.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 9 , the operation button 20 includes an exterior portion 20A constituting the exterior of the operation button 20 and a main body portion 20B provided inside the exterior portion 20A. In the input device 100, the exterior portion 20A and the main body portion 20B are integrally molded, for example, from resin. That is, the main body portion 20B and the exterior portion 20A may be formed from resin in a common molding process. Unlike the input device 100, the main body portion 20B may be formed separately from the exterior portion 20A and attached to the exterior portion 20A using an engagement portion having a screw or a claw. In this case, the supported portion 21 may be formed on the main body portion 20B. This allows an assembler of the input device 100 to handle the electric motor 35, the main body portion 20B of the operation button 20, the transmission mechanism M, and the movable member 30 as a single component. Furthermore, the exterior portion 20A alone can be replaced according to user preference.

[0027] 5 and 6, the exterior part 20A has a pressable surface 20a that faces the front of the input device 100 and receives a pressing operation from a user, and a peripheral wall 20b that extends rearward from the outer periphery of the pressable surface 20a. The recess 20c described above is formed in the peripheral wall 20b. The shaft support parts 41a and 41b overlap with the pressable surface 20a when the operation button 20 is viewed from the front.

[0028] The support structure of the operation button 20 is not limited to the example of the input device 100. For example, the support shaft 47 may be formed integrally with the operation button 20. In this case, the support shaft 47 may be a convex portion protruding from the left and right side surfaces (for example, the peripheral wall 20b) of the operation button 20. In another example, the support shaft 47 may be formed integrally with one or both of the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L. That is, a convex portion protruding toward the inside of the holder 40 may be formed on one or both of the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L, and this convex portion may function as the support shaft 47.

[0029] The movement of the operation button 20 is also not limited to the example of the input device 100. The operation button 20 may be supported so as to move linearly in a direction along a plane intersecting the left-right direction, for example, instead of moving along an arc Cr centered on the support axis 47.

[0030] The holder 40 has stoppers 43a and 43b that define the movable range of the operation button 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10A, the stopper 43a is formed, for example, on the right holder member 40R. The stopper 43a abuts against the operation button 20 in its initial position and prevents the operation button 20 from moving beyond the initial position. The stopper 43a protrudes forward from the right holder member 40R and abuts against the upper wall 20d (see FIG. 10A) of the operation button 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10B, the stopper 43b is formed, for example, on both the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L. The stopper 43b abuts against the operation button 20 in its fully depressed position and prevents the operation button 20 from moving beyond the fully depressed position. The stopper 43b abuts, for example, against the edge of the peripheral wall 20b of the operation button 20. The positions of the stoppers 43a and 43b are not limited to those of the input device 100. For example, the stopper 43 a that defines the initial position may be formed on the cabinet 2 instead of the holder 40 .

[0031] 4, the input device 100 has an elastic member 25 (e.g., a spring) that presses the operation button 20 toward its initial position. When the operation button 20 is in its initial position, it receives the elastic force of the elastic member 25 and is pressed against a stopper 43a. The elastic member 25 is also attached to the holder 40. The elastic member 25 is also attached to, for example, the right holder member 40R.

[0032] [Sensor] A sensor 29 (see FIG. 6 ) for detecting a user's pressing operation is disposed on the rear side of the operation button 20. The sensor 29 is capable of detecting, for example, the pressing amount of the operation button 20 (the movement amount of the operation button 20). The sensor 29 includes, for example, a sensor substrate 29a on which a resistor is formed and conductive rubber 29b disposed in front of the resistor. The conductive rubber 29b is pressed by the operation button 20. The contact area between the conductive rubber 29b and the resistor changes depending on the pressing amount, and the resistance value of the resistor changes with the change in contact area. Therefore, the pressing amount of the operation button 20 can be detected based on the resistance value, more specifically, based on the voltage acting on the resistor. As described above, the operation button 20 has an exterior part 20A and a main body part 20B. The main body part 20B is located in front of the sensor 29. When the operation button 20 receives a pressing operation by the user on the pressing surface 20a, the main body part 20B presses the sensor 29. The type of sensor 29 is not limited to that using conductive rubber 29b. Instead of sensor 29, a sensor (ON / OFF switch) that detects ON / OFF of the operation of operation button 20 may be arranged on the rear side of operation button 20.

[0033] The sensor 29 is attached to the holder 40. This allows a worker assembling the input device 100 to handle the electric motor 35, the operation button 20, the transmission mechanism M, the movable member 30, and the sensor 29 as a single component, further improving the workability of assembly. Furthermore, this structure prevents deviation of the relative positions of the sensor 29 and the operation button 20. As shown in FIG. 6 , the holder 40 has a mounting wall 42 that is located behind the operation button 20 and faces forward. The sensor board 29a is attached to the front side of the mounting wall 42. The arrangement and support structure of the sensor 29 are not limited to those of the input device 100.

[0034] An operation button 8 (see FIG. 2) may also be attached to the holder 40. For example, the operation button 8 may be attached to one of the holder members 40R so as to be movable back and forth relative to the other holder member 40R. Operation of the operation button 8 may be detected by a sensor 29. For example, a switch 29d that is pressed by the operation button 8 may be provided on the sensor board 29a.

[0035] One of the two holder members 40R and 40L has a larger width in the left-right direction (the direction along the axis Ax1) than the other holder member. In the input device 100, as shown in FIG. 6, the width of the right holder member 40R in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the left holder member 40L in the left-right direction. The sensor 29 is attached to the right holder member 40R. That is, the mounting wall 42 is formed on the right holder member 40R. Increasing the width of one of the holder members 40R in this way makes it easier to attach the sensor 29 to the holder member 40R.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6, the shaft support portion 41a protrudes forward from the mounting wall 42. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, a clamp portion 42a for fastening the cable 29c extending from the sensor board 29a may be formed at the lower part of the mounting wall 42.

[0037] [Movement of moving parts and support structure] The movable member 30 can move in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. The holder 40 supports the movable member 30 so as to allow movement of the movable member 30. For example, the movable member 30 can move around the axis Ax1 or a straight line parallel to the axis Ax1.

[0038] In the input device 100, both the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 can move around a support shaft 47 (axis line Ax1), and the holder 40 supports the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 via the support shaft 47. As shown in FIG. 6, the movable member 30 has a supported portion 31 located on the axis line Ax1. The supported portion 31 is, for example, annular, and the support shaft 47 is inserted into the supported portion 31. The supported portion 21 of the operation button 20 and the supported portion 31 of the movable member 30 are located between a shaft support portion 41a of the right holder member 40R and a shaft support portion 41b of the left holder member 40L. The shaft support portions 41a and 41b support both ends of the support shaft 47.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 9, the movable member 30 is disposed on the rear side of the operation button 20. The movable member 30 has a protrusion 32 extending toward the operation button 20. An end of the protrusion 32 abuts against the rear side of the operation button 20. A receiving surface 20e (see Fig. 5) is formed on the operation button 20 (more specifically, the main body 20B), and the end of the protrusion 32 abuts against the receiving surface 20e. The receiving surface 20e is spaced apart from the axis Ax1 in the radial direction.

[0040] The structure in which both the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 move about the common support shaft 47 can prevent wear between the operation button 20 and the movable member 30. In other words, when the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 move while the protrusion 32 is pressing against the receiving surface 20e, the relative position between the end of the protrusion 32 and the receiving surface 20e does not change. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wear between the end of the protrusion 32 and the receiving surface 20e due to long-term use of the input device 100.

[0041] The position of the movable member 30 in the left-right direction is offset from the center of the operation button 20 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the position of the movable member 30 is offset, for example, to the left (direction indicated by X2) with respect to the center of the operation button 20. The position of the receiving surface 20e is also offset from the center of the operation button 20. This arrangement of the movable member 30 makes it easier to ensure space directly behind the operation button 20 for arranging other components. The above-mentioned sensor 29, for example, is arranged behind the operation button 20.

[0042] The position of the supported portion 31 of the movable member 30 is also shifted from the center of the operation button 20 in the left-right direction, and the supported portion 31 and the supported portion 21 of the operation button 20 are aligned in the left-right direction, as shown in Fig. 7. The width of the supported portion 21 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the exterior portion 20A of the operation button 20 in the left-right direction.

[0043] The positions of the supported parts 31 and 21 in the left-right direction are between the right side surface of the operation button 20 (the right side surface of the peripheral wall 20b) and the left side surface of the operation button 20 (the left side surface of the peripheral wall 20b). This structure makes it possible to reduce the width of the button drive unit 10 in the left-right direction, i.e., the width of the holder 40 in the left-right direction. As a result, the layout of components inside the cabinet 2 can be simplified. Unlike the example of the input device 100, the positions of some of the supported parts 21 and 31 may extend to the right or left beyond one of the right and left sides of the exterior part 20A.

[0044] Furthermore, the arrangement of the movable member 30 is not limited to the example of the input device 100. For example, the position of the movable member 30 in the left-right direction may coincide with the position of the center of the operation button 20 in the left-right direction.

[0045] The input device 100 has button drive units 10R and 10L on its right and left sides, respectively. The two button drive units 10R and 10L are not symmetrical but have substantially the same structure. Therefore, in both button drive units 10R and 10L, the movable member 30 is offset in the same direction (e.g., leftward) from the center of the operation button 20. This structure allows the two button drive units 10R and 10L to use the same components, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the button drive units 10R and 10L. Note that symbols indicating the type and function of the button may be printed on the exterior portion 20A of the operation button 20. In this case, the symbols may be different between the left and right button drive units 10R and 10L. In other words, the left and right button drive units 10R and 10L may have the same structure with respect to components other than the operation button 20.

[0046] The support structure of the movable member 30 is not limited to the example of the input device 100. For example, the support shaft 47 may be formed integrally with the movable member 30. That is, convex portions that protrude to the right and left from the movable member 30 may be formed, and these convex portions may be used as the support shaft 47. As yet another example, the holder 40 may have a guide that guides the direction in which the movable member 30 moves, and the movable member 30 may be supported by the guide rather than the support shaft 47.

[0047] As yet another example, the movable member 30 may be supported by a support shaft different from the support shaft 47. In this case, the support shaft 47 that supports the operation button 20 and the support shaft that supports the movable member 30 may be arranged in parallel and supported by the holder 40. In this case as well, the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 move in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the axis Ax1.

[0048] The support shaft that supports the movable member 30 is preferably located inside the locus (arc Cr, see FIG. 9) of the operation button 20. In other words, the support shaft 47 and the support shaft that supports the movable member 30 are preferably located on the same side of the arc Cr. With this structure, when the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 move while the protrusion 32 of the movable member 30 presses the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20, the change in the relative positions of the protrusion 32 and the receiving surface 20e can be reduced. This makes it possible to prevent wear thereon.

[0049] As another example, the movable member 30 may be supported so as to move linearly, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction, rather than along an arc. In this case, a guide for guiding the direction of movement of the movable member 30 may be formed on the holder 40. Specifically, it is desirable for the movable member 30 to move in a direction along the locus (arc Cr, see FIG. 9 ) of the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20. This reduces the change in the relative position between the end of the protrusion 32 and the receiving surface 20e when the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 move while the protrusion 32 of the movable member 30 presses the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20, thereby preventing wear thereon. Here, the direction along the locus of the receiving surface 20e refers, for example, to the direction of the tangent to the arc Cr, which is the locus of the receiving surface 20e.

[0050] 8, the movable member 30 has a main body 33 extending from the supported portion 31 in the radial direction of the support shaft 47, and a protrusion 32 extending from the main body 33 toward the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20. The main body 33 is formed with an arc-shaped gear portion 33a that engages with an intermediate gear 36, which will be described later.

[0051] The movable member 30 can move between a front-most position (see FIG. 10A) and a standby position (see FIG. 10B). When the movable member 30 is in the front-most position, it abuts against the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20 in the initial position (see FIG. 10A). When the movable member 30 is in the standby position, it is spaced apart from the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20 in the fully depressed position (see FIG. 10B). By defining the standby position in this way, the movable member 30 can be accelerated by the electric motor 35 and then collided with the operation button 20 when the operation button 20 is in the fully depressed position. As a result, the impact on the operation button 20 can be made larger, and this impact can be provided to the user as a tactile sensation.

[0052] The movable range of the movable member 30 is not limited to the example of the input device 100. For example, when the movable member 30 is in the standby position, it may be in contact with the receiving surface 20e of the operation button 20 in the fully depressed position.

[0053] The holder 40 has stoppers 44a and 44b that define the movable range of the movable member 30. As shown in FIG. 10A, the stopper 44a abuts against the movable member 30 in the forward-most position, preventing the movable member 30 from moving beyond the forward-most position. When the movable member 30 is in the forward-most position, the stopper 44a abuts against, for example, the front end surface 33c of the main body 33 (the front end surface of the gear portion 33a). As shown in FIG. 10B, the stopper 44b (see FIG. 8) abuts against the movable member 30 in the standby position, preventing the movable member 30 from moving beyond the standby position. When the movable member 30 is in the standby position, the stopper 44b abuts against, for example, the upper end 33d of the gear portion 33a of the main body 33 (FIGS. 8 and 10B).

[0054] The holder 40 may be formed with a guide 45a that guides the direction in which the movable member 30 moves. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, an arc-shaped protrusion may be formed as the guide 45a on the inner surface of the left holder member 40L. In this case, a guide groove 33e into which the guide 45a fits may be formed on the side surface of the movable member 30. In the example shown in the figure, a guide 33f that is an arc-shaped protrusion is also formed on the opposite side surface of the movable member 30. A guide groove into which the guide 33f fits may be formed on the inner surface of the right holder member 40R.

[0055] [Electric motor placement] 9, the electric motor 35 is disposed, for example, behind the operation button 20. The electric motor 35 has a rotating shaft 35c to which a gear 35b is attached. The electric motor 35 also has a main body 35a that houses a stator and a rotor. The rotor is rotatable relative to the stator and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft.

[0056] The electric motor 35 is disposed so that the rotation shaft 35c is along a plane that intersects with the axis Ax1 (more specifically, a plane that is perpendicular to the axis Ax1). In other words, the electric motor 35 is disposed so that the rotation shaft 35c is parallel to the plane that is perpendicular to the axis Ax1.

[0057] The rotation shaft 35c and main body 35a of the electric motor 35 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view of the button drive unit 10. This position of the electric motor 35 allows the button drive unit 10 to be mounted using the space inside the grip portions GR and GL (see FIG. 1) of the input device 100. For example, the battery 12 and circuit board 13 are disposed between the left and right button drive units 10R and 10L (see FIG. 3). The above-described arrangement of the electric motor 35 allows the width of the battery 12 to be increased in the left-to-right direction, ensuring the capacity of the battery 12.

[0058] 9, the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 is disposed above an intermediate gear 36, which will be described later. The electric motor 35 is disposed so that the axis Ax2 of the rotation shaft 35c is oblique to the horizontal plane h1 in a side view of the button drive unit 10. That is, the axis Ax2 of the electric motor 35 is oblique to the horizontal plane h1 and extends rearward and downward.

[0059] 9, the main body 35a of the electric motor 35 is located behind the intermediate gear 36. The intermediate gear 36 is located behind the movable member 30. In other words, the movable member 30, the intermediate gear 36, and the main body 35a are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1. This arrangement makes it easy to lay out the components inside the cabinet 2 of the input device 100.

[0060] As described above, the electric motor 35 is held by the holder 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 40 has a motor holder portion 46 that holds the electric motor 35. The motor holder portion 46 covers only a portion of the main body portion 35a of the electric motor 35, with the remainder of the main body portion 35a being exposed from the holder 40 (see FIG. 5). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the motor holder portion 46 covers the outer peripheral surface of the front portion (the half toward the rotating shaft) of the main body portion 35a. The rear portion of the main body portion 35a protrudes rearward from the holder 40, and the outer peripheral surface of the rear portion is exposed from the holder 40. This structure prevents heat from accumulating in the main body portion 35a. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear end surface of the main body portion 35a has a terminal 35e that is exposed from the holder 40.

[0061] The arrangement of the electric motor 35 is not limited to the example of the input device 100. For example, the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 may be located below the intermediate gear 36, and the axis Ax2 may extend rearward and upward. In yet another example, the electric motor 35 may be arranged so that its axis Ax2 is parallel to the support shaft 47.

[0062] [Transmission mechanism] As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission mechanism M has an intermediate gear 36. The intermediate gear 36 has a large-diameter gear portion 36a and a small-diameter gear portion 36b. The large-diameter gear portion 36a has a larger diameter than the small-diameter gear portion 36b. A gear 35b engaged with the large-diameter gear portion 36a is attached to a rotating shaft 35c of the electric motor 35. The gear 35b is a screw gear (worm), and the large-diameter gear portion 36a is a helical gear (worm wheel). A gear portion 33a (rack) is formed on the movable member 30. The small-diameter gear portion 36b of the intermediate gear 36 is engaged with the gear portion 33a.

[0063] The transmission mechanism M is composed of the gear 35b of the electric motor 35, the intermediate gear 36, and the gear portion 33a of the movable member 30, and receives the rotation of the electric motor 35, reduces the speed, and transmits it to the movable member 30. The transmission mechanism M also includes worm gears (gears 35b and 36a), and converts the rotation of the electric motor 35 about an axis Ax2 that extends in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view into rotation of the movable member 30 about an axis Ax1 that extends in the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, because the transmission mechanism M includes the worm gears (gears 35b and 36a), when the operation button 20 is pressed by a user, it is possible to prevent the electric motor 35 from rotating due to the pressing force.

[0064] The transmission mechanism M is also supported by the holder 40. More specifically, the intermediate gear 36 is supported by the holder 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate gear 36 has support shafts 36c and 36d and is rotatable about the support shafts 36c and 36d. The support shafts 36c and 36d extend to the right and left, respectively, and are parallel to the support shaft 47. The holder 40 supports the support shafts 36c and 36d to allow them to rotate. This structure allows the person assembling the input device 100 to handle the electric motor 35, the operation button 20, the transmission mechanism M (intermediate gear 36), and the movable member 30 as a single component, thereby improving assembly workability. As shown in FIG. 9, the support shafts 36c and 36d are located behind the support shaft 47. A horizontal plane h1 passing through the support shafts 36c and 36d intersects with the operation button 20.

[0065] An end (specifically, the left end) of the support shaft 36d is supported by a shaft support portion 48a (see FIG. 8) formed on the left holder member 40L. On the other hand, an opening 40c (see FIG. 6) is formed in the right holder member 40R, into which the end (specifically, the right end) of the support shaft 36c is inserted. A sensor 39 (see FIG. 7) is attached to the right holder member 40R, and the end of the support shaft 36c is held by the sensor 39. Similar to the left holder member 40L, the right holder member 40R may be formed with a shaft support portion that holds the end of the support shaft 36c.

[0066] The holder 40 houses the intermediate gear 36, the main body 33 of the movable member 30, and the gear 35b of the electric motor 35. The gear portions 36a and 36b of the intermediate gear 36, the gear portion 33a of the movable member 30, and the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 are not exposed to the outside of the holder 40. The protruding portion 32 of the movable member 30 protrudes toward the operation button 20 from an opening 40a (see FIG. 4) formed in the holder 40 and having a size corresponding to the thickness of the protruding portion 32. This structure makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering between the small-diameter gear portion 36b and the gear portion 33a of the movable member 30, and between the large-diameter gear portion 36a and the gear 35b of the electric motor 35.

[0067] The structure of the holder 40 is not limited to the example of the input device 100. The holder 40 may support the intermediate gear 36 and the support shaft 47, while exposing a part of the intermediate gear 36 to the outside of the holder 40.

[0068] Furthermore, the structure of the transmission mechanism M is not limited to the example of the input device 100. For example, the transmission mechanism M does not have to have the worm gears (35b-36a). In this case, an intermediate gear 36 may be present between the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 and the gear portion 33a of the movable member 30, or the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 and the gear portion 33a of the movable member 30 may be directly engaged with each other.

[0069] [Sensor] 7, the button drive unit 10 has a sensor 39 for detecting the position of the movable member 30. The sensor 39 is attached to a member located downstream of the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 in the power transmission path of the electric motor 35. In the input device 100, the sensor 39 is attached to the support shaft 36c of the intermediate gear 36. The sensor 39 is, for example, a potentiometer that can detect the rotational position of the support shaft 36c of the intermediate gear 36, or an encoder that can detect the rotation of the support shaft 36c.

[0070] The sensor 39 is also attached to the holder 40. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the sensor 39 is mounted on a board 39a, which is attached to the right side surface of the right holder member 40R. This allows the person assembling the input device 100 to handle the electric motor 35, the operation button 20, the transmission mechanism M, the movable member 30, and the sensor 39 as a single component.

[0071] As described above, the sensor 29 for detecting the operation of the operation button 20 is also attached to the right holder member 40R. The right holder member 40R is also wider in the left-right direction than the left holder member 40L. This structure enables the assembly work to be performed by first attaching the sensors 39 and 29 to the right holder member 40R, and then attaching the operation button 20, electric motor 35, etc. to the right holder member 40R, and then attaching the intermediate gear 36 to the right holder member 40R while aligning the rotational position of the intermediate gear 36 with the sensor 39. Finally, the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L are combined.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 4, a cable 29c extending from a sensor 29 that detects movement of the operation button 20 is connected to a connector 39b mounted on a substrate 39a. The connector 39c is also connected to the substrate 39a. The substrate 39a is provided with a conductor line that electrically connects a terminal of the connector 39c to a terminal of the connector 39b, and a conductor line that electrically connects the sensor 39 to the connector 39c. The detection signals from the sensor 29 and the sensor 39 are input to a control device (not shown) of the input device 100, for example, via a cable (not shown) connected to the connector 39c. This connection structure can improve the efficiency of the cable connection work.

[0073] The position of the sensor 39 is not limited to the example of the button drive unit 10. The button drive unit 10 may have a sensor attached to the movable member 30.

[0074] [summary] As described above, the input device 100 includes the operation button 20 that can move from an initial position in a direction along a plane intersecting the left-right direction (more specifically, a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction) when pressed by the user, the movable member 30 that can move in a direction along this plane and can push the operation button 20 toward its initial position, and the electric motor 35 that moves the movable member 30. The input device 100 also includes a holder 40 that holds the electric motor 35. The holder 40 supports the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 so as to allow the operation button 20 and the movable member 30 to move. The input device 100 can improve the workability of the assembly work of the input device 100.

[0075] The operation button 20 has an exterior part 20A and a main body part 20B, and can move from an initial position in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction when pressed by a user. The button drive unit 10 has the main body part 20B, a movable member 30 that can move in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and that can press the operation button 20 toward its initial position by contacting the main body part 20B, an electric motor 35 that drives the movable member 30, and a holder 40 that holds the electric motor 35. The holder 40 supports the main body part 20B and the movable member 30 so as to allow movement of the operation button 20 and the movable member 30. The button drive unit 10 improves the workability of assembling the input device 100.

[0076] [Variations] The operation input device proposed in this disclosure is not limited to the input device 100 described above, and various modifications may be made.

[0077] For example, the operation button 20 may be provided on the bottom or top surface of the input device 100. In this case, the operation button 20 may move in the up-down direction around an axis, or may move in a direction oblique to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction.

[0078] In addition to the right holder member 40R and the left holder member 40L, the holder 40 may have a motor bracket to which the electric motor 35 is attached. FIGS. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing a button drive unit 210 as an example of a button drive unit having such a structure. The following description will focus on the differences from the button drive unit 10. Items not described about the button drive unit 210 may have the same structure as the button drive unit 10.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 11A , in the button drive unit 210, the holder includes a right holder member 240R and a left holder member 240L, as well as a motor bracket 241 to which the electric motor 35 is attached. The motor bracket 241 is a member formed separately from the holder members 240R and 240L. That is, the motor bracket 241 is formed using a mold separate from the mold used in the molding process of the holder members 240R and 240L. This structure enables a process in which the electric motor 35 is attached to the motor bracket 241 and then the motor bracket 241 is attached to the holder members 240R and 240L. As a result, the installation process of the electric motor 35 can be simplified. The material of the motor bracket 241 may be the same as or different from that of the holder members 240R and 240L.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 11A, the two holder members 240R and 240L are attached to each other in the left-right direction. The motor bracket 241 is attached to one of the holder members (specifically, the right holder member 240R) in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 11B, the motor bracket 241 and the holder member 240R are fixed to each other, for example, by a fastener (screw or bolt) (not shown) inserted in the left-right direction. Meanwhile, the electric motor 35 is attached to the motor bracket 241 in a direction intersecting (more specifically, perpendicular to) the left-right direction. That is, the motor bracket 241 and the electric motor 35 are fixed to each other, for example, by a fastener (specifically, a screw) (not shown) inserted in the direction intersecting (or perpendicular to) the left-right direction.

[0081] In a structure in which the electric motor 35 is directly attached to one of the holder members in a direction intersecting the left-right direction, an opening must be formed in the outer wall of the holder member to allow insertion of a tool for fastening a fastener (specifically, a screw) for attaching the electric motor 35. Referring to FIG. 11B , for example, an opening must be formed in the wall portion 240a facing the electric motor 35 to allow insertion of a tool for fastening the electric motor 35 to the holder member. In contrast, in the button drive unit 210, the portion (motor bracket 241) to which the electric motor 35 is attached in a direction intersecting the left-right direction is a separate member from the holder members 240R and 240L. Therefore, it is not necessary to form such an opening in the holder members 240R and 240L. This increases the strength of the holder 240.

[0082] 11B, the motor bracket 241 has a first wall portion 241A to which the electric motor 35 is attached. The tip surface of the main body portion 35a of the electric motor 35 is attached to the first wall portion 241A, for example, in a direction oblique to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The first wall portion 241A is formed with a plurality of mounting holes 241b (see FIG. 11C) for inserting fasteners.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 11D, a positioning portion 35d that surrounds the rotary shaft 35c is formed on the tip surface of the main body 35a of the electric motor 35. The positioning portion 35d is, for example, a protrusion. An opening 241d into which the positioning portion 35d fits is formed in the first wall portion 241A of the motor bracket 241. The inner diameter of the opening 241d corresponds to the outer diameter of the positioning portion 35d, and the relative position of the electric motor 35 and the motor bracket 241 is determined by the edge of the opening 241d. Because the motor bracket 241 is a member formed separately from the holder members 240R and 240L, for example, when the type of electric motor 35 is changed to one with a different size of positioning portion 35d, only the motor bracket 241 can be replaced, rather than the entire holder.

[0084] 11B, an opening 240e into which a first wall portion 241A of the motor bracket 241 is fitted is formed in the holder member 240R. The first wall portion 241A slides left and right along edges 240f and 240g of the opening 240e to close the opening 240e. The first wall portion 241A corresponds to the size of the opening 240e and reinforces the wall portion of the holder member 240R in which the opening 240e is formed. A groove may be formed in one of the edges 240f and 240g of the opening 240e and the edge of the first wall portion 241A to hook onto the other.

[0085] 11B, the motor bracket 241 is formed with mounting holes 241c into which fasteners (specifically, screws) are inserted for mounting the motor bracket 241 to the holder member 240R in the left-right direction. The mounting holes 241c are formed in a mounting wall 241e extending from the first wall portion 241A. The motor bracket 241 is formed with positioning holes 241g that fix the position of the motor bracket 241 relative to the holder member 240R. A protrusion formed on the holder member 240R fits into the positioning hole 241g, thereby restricting rotation of the motor bracket 241 about the mounting hole 241c. In the example of the button drive unit 210, the motor bracket 241 has a second wall portion 241B that is mounted to the side wall (right side wall) 240h of the holder member 240R. The positioning hole 241g is formed in the second wall portion 241B.

[0086] 11B, the motor bracket 241 is configured to rotatably support the intermediate gear 36. This structure makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the positional accuracy of the electric motor 35, the gear (worm gear) 35b, and the intermediate gear 36. The intermediate gear 36 is supported by an annular support portion 241f formed on the second wall portion 241B. The support shaft 36c of the intermediate gear 36 passes through the inside of this support portion 241f.

[0087] 11A, in the example of button drive unit 210, main body 20B and exterior part 20A of operation button 20 are formed separately. Main body 20B is rotatably supported by support shaft 47, and exterior part 20A is attached to main body 20B. Unlike the example of button drive unit 210, exterior part 20A and main body 20B may be formed integrally.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 11A, the operation button 8 (see Fig. 2) may also be attached to the holder 240. For example, the operation button 8 may be attached to one of the holder members 240R so as to be movable back and forth relative to the holder member 240R.

[0089] The button drive unit 210 may have an elastic member that biases the movable member 30. For example, as shown in Fig. 11A, the button drive unit 210 has a spring 237 (more specifically, a torsion spring) that biases the movable member 30. With this structure, the gear portion 33a of the movable member 30 is always in contact with the small diameter gear portion 36b of the intermediate gear 36, and vibration of the movable member 30 is reliably suppressed.

[0090] In the example described above, the gear portion 33a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 30. Alternatively, a gear may be formed on the movable member so as to surround the small-diameter gear portion of the intermediate gear and engage with the small-diameter gear portion 36b on the inside of the movable member. FIGS. 12A to 12E show button drive unit 310 as an example of a button drive unit having such a structure. The following description will focus on the differences between button drive units 10 / 210 and button drive unit 310. Items not described about button drive unit 310 may have the same structure as button drive units 10 / 210.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12A, the button drive unit 310 has a movable member 330. The movable member 330 can move around the support shaft 47. The movable member 330 has a wall portion 334a that faces the small-diameter gear portion 336b of the intermediate gear 336 in the axial direction (left-right direction), and an outer periphery portion 334b ​​(see FIG. 12D) that protrudes from the wall portion 334a toward the intermediate gear 336 and is positioned radially relative to the small-diameter gear portion 336b. The wall portion 334a and the outer periphery portion 334b ​​cover the small-diameter gear portion 336b. A gear portion 334c (see FIG. 12D) that meshes with the small-diameter gear portion 336b is formed on the inner surface of the outer periphery portion 334b. In other words, the gear portion 334c is a so-called internal gear. The small-diameter gear portion 336b is positioned between the outer periphery portion 334b ​​and the support shaft 47 (center of rotation).

[0092] When the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed and the movable member 330 receives a force from the operation button 320 and rotates around the support shaft 47, a force acts from the movable member 330 on the intermediate gear 336, tending to rotate the intermediate gear 336. This force acts to move the position of the intermediate gear 336. If the position of the intermediate gear 336 changes and the large diameter gear portion 336a of the intermediate gear 336 is pressed against the gear 35b of the electric motor 35, the friction between the large diameter gear portion 336a and the gear 35b becomes excessive, which may hinder the smooth movement of the gear 35b and the intermediate gear 336.

[0093] However, the arrangement of the movable member 330, intermediate gear 336, and electric motor 35 in the example of the button drive unit 310 can prevent such problems from occurring. As shown in FIG. 12C , the small-diameter gear portion 336b of the intermediate gear 336 is located in front of the outer circumferential portion 334b ​​of the movable member 330 (toward the support shaft 47). Therefore, when the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed, a force (e.g., force F1 in FIG. 12C ) acts on the intermediate gear 336 from the movable member 330, tending to move the intermediate gear 336 forward or diagonally forward. Meanwhile, the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 is located behind the center of rotation of the intermediate gear 336. That is, in a side view of the button drive unit 310, the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 is located on the opposite side of the small-diameter gear portion 336b of the intermediate gear 336 across the outer circumferential portion 334b ​​of the movable member 330. Therefore, even if the position of the intermediate gear 336 changes due to the force acting on the intermediate gear 336 from the movable member 330, the large diameter gear portion 336a of the intermediate gear 336 will not be pressed against the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 with excessive force, and smooth rotation of the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 and the intermediate gear 336 can be maintained.

[0094] Furthermore, with the structure in which small-diameter gear portion 336b of intermediate gear 336 is disposed inside outer circumferential portion 334b ​​of movable member 330, the distance between gear portion 334c of movable member 330 and support shaft 47 can be increased compared to the example in which gear portion 33a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of movable member 330. As a result, the torque of movable member 330 increases, and a greater force can be applied to operation button 320.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 12C , the outer circumferential portion 334b ​​of the movable member 330 is located below the small-diameter gear portion 336b. Therefore, when the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed and the movable member 330 rotates around the support shaft 47, a force acts from the movable member 330 on the intermediate gear 36, tending to rotate the intermediate gear 36 counterclockwise. Therefore, the teeth of the large-diameter gear portion 336a, which is engaged with the gear 35b of the electric motor 35, push the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 diagonally backward and upward. The main body 35a of the electric motor 35 is located diagonally backward and upward with respect to the gear 35b. In other words, when the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed, the teeth of the large-diameter gear portion 336a push the gear 35b of the electric motor 35 toward the main body 35a of the electric motor 35.

[0096] A magnetic force inside the electric motor 35 acts on the rotating shaft 35c of the electric motor 35, to which the gear 35b is attached, attracting the rotating shaft 35c toward the main body 35a. When the rotating shaft 35c and gear 35b are pulled forward against this magnetic force (when the rotating shaft 35c is pulled in a direction away from the main body 35a), the rotating shaft 35c may move slightly, generating a slight impact noise. In the button drive unit 310, when the direction in which the gear portion 334c (internal teeth) of the movable member 330 contacts the small-diameter gear portion 336b (direction D1 in FIG. 12C ) is defined as a first direction, the main body 35a of the electric motor 35 is positioned in the first direction relative to the gear portion 35b. Specifically, when the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed, the gear portion 334c (internal teeth) of the movable member 330 contacts the small-diameter gear portion 336b diagonally rearward and upward. The main body 35a of the electric motor 35 is located diagonally rearward and upward relative to the gear portion 35b of the electric motor 35. Therefore, when the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed, the teeth of the large-diameter gear portion 336a push the gear 35b and the rotating shaft 35c of the electric motor 35 toward the main body 35a of the electric motor 35. As a result, the generation of collision noise can be suppressed. Note that when the front surface of the operation button 320 is pressed, the direction in which the gear portion 334c of the movable member 330 comes into contact with the small-diameter gear portion 336b does not necessarily have to coincide with the direction in which the main body 35a of the electric motor 35 is positioned relative to the gear portion 35b of the electric motor 35; they may be inclined relative to each other.

[0097] The shape of the movable member 330 having the gear portion 334c, which is an internal gear, is not limited to the example of the drive unit 310. For example, the movable member 330 may be an arc-shaped member that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter gear portion 336b. In this case, the movable member 330 does not need to have the wall portion 334a located in the axial direction relative to the small diameter gear portion 336b.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 12C , the movable member 330 has a protruding portion 332a that presses the operation button 320. The forward protrusion of the protruding portion 332a is smaller than the protruding portion 32 of the movable member 30 / 230 of the button drive unit 10 / 210 described above. The movable member 330 has a reinforcing wall 332b that extends from the base of the protruding portion 332a toward the supported portion 31. The reinforcing wall 332b protrudes forward beyond the wall portion 334a on which the gear portion 334c that engages with the small-diameter gear portion 336b of the intermediate gear 336 is formed. The presence of such a reinforcing wall 332b makes it possible to shorten the protruding portion 332a, thereby increasing its strength. For example, it is possible to prevent the protruding portion 332a from bending when the protruding portion 332a presses the operation button 320.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 12A, like the button drive unit 210, the button drive unit 310 includes a right holder member 340R and a left holder member 340L, as well as a motor bracket 341 to which the electric motor 35 is attached. The motor bracket 341 is a member formed separately from the holder members 340R and 340L. That is, the motor bracket 341 is formed using a mold separate from the mold used in the molding process of the holder members 340R and 340L. This structure enables a work process in which the electric motor 35 is attached to the motor bracket 341, and then the motor bracket 341 is attached to the holder members 340R and 340L. As a result, the work of attaching the electric motor 35 can be simplified.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 12A, the motor bracket 341 has a cylindrical support portion 341c formed therein, on which the support shaft 336c of the intermediate gear 336 is fitted and which supports the shaft 336c. A plurality of ribs 341d are arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the support portion 341c. These ribs 341d increase the strength of the support portion 341c. The height of the ribs 341d (the distance from the rotation center line Ax4 of the intermediate gear 336 to the top of the ribs 341d) decreases toward the tip (left end) of the support portion 341c (see Fig. 12D).

[0101] 12D, a recess is formed around the support shaft 336c in the intermediate gear 336, and the support portion 341c fits into this recess. The support portion 341c has a portion that is located radially inward relative to the gear portion (more specifically, the large-diameter gear portion 336a).

[0102] Although one end of the intermediate gear 336 is supported by the support portion 341c of the motor bracket 341, the other end of the intermediate gear 336 is covered by the wall portion 334a of the movable member 330 and is not supported by any other portion. According to the above-described structure in which the support portion 341c of the motor bracket 341 is fitted into a recess formed around the support shaft 336c of the intermediate gear 336 to support the support shaft 336c of the intermediate gear 336, it is possible to ensure a sufficient length of the support portion 341c, thereby improving the support stability of the intermediate gear 336.

[0103] In the example of the button drive unit 310, the end (left end) of the support portion 341c extends leftward beyond the position of the large diameter gear portion 336a (the left side surface 336e of the large diameter gear portion 336a). In addition, the support portion 341c intersects with the center Cn of the intermediate gear 336 in the left-right direction.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 12A, the two holder members 340R and 340L are attached to each other in the left-right direction. The motor bracket 341 is attached to one of the holder members (specifically, the right holder member 340R). As shown in FIG. 12B, the button drive unit 310 has a circuit board 39a on which a sensor 39 for detecting the rotational position of the intermediate gear 336 is mounted. The sensor 39 is, for example, an encoder. The circuit board 39a is attached to, for example, the right holder member 340R. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12D, the circuit board 39a is attached to the right side surface of the right holder member 340R, and the end 336d of the support shaft 336c of the intermediate gear 336 is fitted into an opening in the sensor 39. The relative positions of the circuit board 39a and the holder member 340R may be allowed to change. This arrangement reduces mechanical stress between the sensor 39 and the intermediate gear 336.

[0105] 12B, holder member 340R has multiple engagement portions 340a, 340b, and 340c surrounding the edge of substrate 39a. Furthermore, protrusion 340d is formed on the side of holder member 340R, and a hole larger than protrusion 340d is formed in substrate 39a. This structure can prevent mechanical stress from occurring between sensor 39 and end 336d of support shaft 336c of intermediate gear 336.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 12A, operation button 320 has exterior part 320A and main body part 320B. Exterior part 320A and main body part 320B are combined, for example, in the vertical direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 12E, main body part 320B is formed with groove 320a that opens downward. Meanwhile, exterior part 320A is formed to cover main body part 320B, and a protrusion 320b that fits into groove 320a is formed on its inner side. This prevents main body part 320B and exterior part 320A from being separated in the front-to-rear direction.

[0107] 12E, in the example of button drive unit 310, supported portion 321 into which support shaft 47 is inserted is formed on the upper part of main body portion 320B. Operation button 320 can move around support shaft 47. Sensor 29 equipped with conductive rubber 29b for detecting the movement is disposed behind main body portion 320B. Sensor 29 may have switch 29c located behind operation button 8 (see FIG. 2) disposed above operation button 320.

[0108] The supported portion 321 can move rearward from the initial position (the position in FIG. 12E) around the support shaft 47. The button drive unit 310 may have a structure that prevents the operation button 320 from coming off forward when the operation button 320 is pulled forward while in the initial position.

[0109] 12E, in the example of the button drive unit 310, a stopper portion 340e that prevents the operation button 320 from slipping out forward is formed on the right holder member 340R. The operation button 320 is formed with a stoppered portion 320c that catches the stopper portion 340e when the operation button 320 moves forward. More specifically, the stoppered portion 320c is formed at the rear end of the lower edge of the exterior portion 320A and protrudes upward. The stopper portion 340e is located in front of the stoppered portion 320c.

[0110] In this way, since the stopper portion 340e is formed on the holder member 340R, rather than on the cabinet 2 (see FIG. 1) that houses the button drive unit 310, the assembly work of the button drive unit 310 can be made easier.

[0111] Furthermore, the operation input device proposed in the present disclosure may be rod-shaped, and in this case, the number of button drive units 10 included in the operation input device may be one.

[0112] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of such a rod-shaped operation input device. The operation input device 400 shown in the figure is rod-shaped, and a user can hold the operation input device 400 in one hand. The operation input device 400 has a button drive unit 410. The button drive unit 410 has an operation button 420, a movable member 30, an intermediate gear 36, and an electric motor 35. The operation button 420 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cabinet 402 of the operation input device 400 and can move around an axis Ax3 in the radial direction of the operation input device 400. The movable member 30 is located inside the operation button 420. The intermediate gear 36 is located below the movable member 30, and the electric motor 35 is located below the intermediate gear 36. The operation button 420, the movable member 30, the intermediate gear 36, and the electric motor 35 are held by holders (not shown).

[0113] The operation input device 400 has a spherical light emitting section 401 at the top thereof. Also, an operation button 403 is provided on the opposite side to the operation button 420.

[0114] This concludes the description of the button drive units 10, 210, 310, and 410. Note that the structure of each button drive unit 10, 210, 310, and 410 may be combined with the structure of another button drive unit 10, 210, 310, or 410.

Claims

1. an operation button that can move from an initial position in a first direction along a first surface when pressed by a user; a movable member that can move in the first direction along the first surface and that can press the operation button toward the initial position; an electric motor for moving the movable member; an intermediate gear for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the movable member; An operation input device having the electric motor has a motor body and a motor rotation shaft protruding from the motor body, the motor rotation shaft is disposed along the first surface; The operation button, the intermediate gear, and the motor main body are aligned in the first direction along the first surface, and intersect with a horizontal plane passing through the support shaft of the intermediate gear. Operation input device.

2. a gear is attached to the motor rotary shaft, and the motor rotary shaft is engaged with the intermediate gear via the gear; The motor rotation shaft is disposed along the first plane and along a second direction inclined with respect to the first direction. The operation input device according to claim 1 .

3. When viewed from the side of the operation input device, a portion of the motor main body is located on one side of the horizontal plane. The operation input device according to claim 2 .

4. In a side view of the operation input device, the gear of the motor rotation shaft is located on the other side of the horizontal plane. The operation input device according to claim 3 .

5. the operation button is supported so as to rotate about a first axis perpendicular to the first surface, The movable member is also supported to rotate about the first axis. The operation input device according to claim 1 .

6. When viewed from a side of the operation input device, the first axis is positioned above the horizontal plane. The operation input device according to claim 5 .

7. a transmission mechanism including a gear attached to the motor rotary shaft and the intermediate gear, for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the movable member; The transmission mechanism converts rotation of the motor rotary shaft about an axis along the first surface into rotation of the movable member about the first axis. The operation input device according to claim 5 .

8. The position of the movable member in a third direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the first surface, is shifted to one side in the third direction with respect to the center of the operation button in the third direction. The operation input device according to claim 1 .

9. the operation button has a receiving surface with which the movable member comes into contact, The position of the receiving surface in the third direction is shifted to the one side in the third direction with respect to the center of the operation button in the third direction. The operation input device according to claim 8 .

10. a button body portion that is movable from an initial position in a first direction along a first surface when the operation button is pressed by a user, and that is attached to an exterior portion of the operation button or is formed integrally with the exterior portion; a movable member that is movable in the first direction along the first surface and that comes into contact with the button body and is capable of pressing the operation button toward the initial position; an electric motor for moving the movable member; an intermediate gear for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the movable member; A button actuation unit having: the electric motor has a motor body and a motor rotation shaft protruding from the motor body, the motor rotation shaft is disposed along the first surface; The operation button, the intermediate gear, and the motor main body are aligned in the first direction along the first surface, and intersect with a horizontal plane passing through the support shaft of the intermediate gear. Button drive unit.

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