Input device

Abstract

This input device includes: an operation member which moves in a pressing direction as a result of being pressed by an operator; a transmission member which is movably supported so as to move as the operation member moves in the pressing direction; a main switch which is pressed by the transmission member; a sub-switch which is pressed by the transmission member; and a determination unit which determines whether or not the pressing operation has been performed by the operator on the basis of a press state of the main switch and a press state of the sub-switch.

Description

Input device

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology related to an input device, in which when a pressing operation is performed on a touch panel, a transmission member rotates as an operation member moves downward, and the transmission member presses a switch member to turn on the switch member.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7548493

[0004] However, in the input device of Patent Document 1, when a region of the transmission member outside a pair of rotation support portions in the longitudinal direction is pressed, elastic deformation (that is, warpage) occurs downward in the region, so that the pressing force on the region is not completely transmitted to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the transmission member, and there is a risk that the switch member cannot be pressed by the central portion of the transmission member, and the pressing operation on the touch panel cannot be detected.

[0005] An input device according to an embodiment includes: an operation member that moves in a pressing direction when pressed by an operator; a transmission member that is movably supported in accordance with the movement of the operation member in the pressing direction; a main switch pressed by the transmission member; a sub switch pressed by the transmission member; and a determination unit that determines whether or not a pressing operation has been performed by the operator based on the pressed state of the main switch and the pressed state of the sub switch.

[0006] According to the input device of one embodiment, even when a region of the transmission member located outside the pair of rotation support portions is pressed, it can be reliably determined that a pressing operation has been performed by the operator.

[0007] External perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment Plan view of an input device according to one embodiment Exploded perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment Cross-sectional view of an input device according to one embodiment along the A-A section in Figure 2 External perspective view of the transmission member and substrate included in the input device according to one embodiment Figure showing the positional relationship between the slider and the transmission member in the input device according to one embodiment Schematic diagram viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) showing the switch pressing structure by the transmission member in the input device according to one embodiment Schematic diagram viewed from behind (negative X-axis direction) showing the switch pressing structure by the transmission member in the input device according to one embodiment Schematic diagram viewed from behind (negative X-axis direction) showing the switch pressing operation by the transmission member in the input device according to one embodiment Figure showing an example of a determination pattern by the IC included in the input device according to one embodiment

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Outline of Input Device 100) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of an input device 100 according to one embodiment. For convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction will be considered the front-back direction, the Y-axis direction the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction the up-down direction. However, the positive X-axis direction will be considered the front direction, the positive Y-axis direction the right direction, and the positive Z-axis direction the up direction. These indicate the relative positional relationships within the device and do not limit the installation direction or operating direction of the device. Any device with equivalent relative positional relationships within the device, even if installed or operated in a different direction, is included within the scope of the present invention.

[0010] The input device 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is installed inside a vehicle such as an automobile and is used for operating various switches on the vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the input device 100 has a horizontally elongated rectangular operating member 120 at the top of the housing 110, with its longitudinal direction being the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) in a plan view from above, opposite to the pressing direction (positive Z-axis direction). A horizontally elongated rectangular touch panel 121 is also provided on the upper surface of the operating member 120.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the touch panel 121 has multiple press operation areas 124 (124-1 to 124-6) arranged in a row in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and each of the press operation areas 124 is assigned a function to be operated. The user can execute the function corresponding to any of the press operation areas 124 by performing a press operation on that area 124.

[0012] The input device 100 detects, using an electrostatic sensor 121A provided on the touch panel 121, that one of the press operation areas 124 on the touch panel 121 has been selected by the operator's touch operation. Furthermore, when the operator presses on the selected press operation area 124, the entire operating member 120 moves downward (negative Z-axis direction), which is an example of the "pressing direction," together with the slider 130 (130-1 to 130-6) (see Figures 3 and 4). In this embodiment, the combination of the operating member 120 and the slider 130 corresponds to an example of the "operating member." Accordingly, the main switch 151A (see Figures 3 to 5) provided inside the housing 110 is pressed by the slider 130 and turned on, determining that the selection of one of the detected press operation areas 124 has been confirmed by the press operation.

[0013] In this case, the input device 100 can control the function corresponding to the determined pressing operation area 124.

[0014] Subsequently, when the operator releases the pressing operation of the operating member 120, the input device 100 moves upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) due to the direct biasing from the coil spring 125 (see Figure 4), and the slider 130, which is held to move together with the operating member 120, also moves upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) and returns to its initial position.

[0015] (Configuration of the input device 100) Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment along the line A-A in Figure 2.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the input device 100 comprises a housing 110, an operating member 120, six sliders 130 (sliders 130-1 to 130-6), a transmission member 140, a circuit board 150, a rubber sheet 160, and a cover 170.

[0017] <Housing 110> The housing 110 is a container-shaped, resin component with a hollow structure. In a plan view from above (positive Z-axis direction), the housing 110 has a shape in which the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) is an example of the "longitudinal direction" and the front-back direction (X-axis direction) is an example of the "short direction". Inside the housing 110 are six sliders 130, a transmission member 140, a substrate 150, and a rubber sheet 160. An operating member 120 is also arranged on the upper part of the housing 110 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Furthermore, the entire portion corresponding to the bottom surface of the housing 110 is a lower opening 110A. The lower opening 110A is closed by a cover 170. In this embodiment, the combination of the housing 110 and the cover 170 corresponds to an example of a "housing".

[0018] The front portion (positive X-axis side) of the housing 110 is provided with a cylindrical portion 111 that penetrates the housing 110 in the vertical direction. In a plan view from above (positive Z-axis direction), the cylindrical portion 111 has a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction being in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Inside the cylindrical portion 111, six sliders 130-1 to 130-6 are arranged in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and are slidable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0019] The cylindrical section 111 is divided into a first cylindrical section 111-1, a second cylindrical section 111-2, and a third cylindrical section 111-3. The second cylindrical section 111-2 is located in the center in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). A slider 130-3 is located inside the second cylindrical section 111-2. The first cylindrical section 111-1 is located to the left of the second cylindrical section 111-2 (negative Y-axis side). Sliders 130-1 and 130-2 are located inside the first cylindrical section 111-1. The third cylindrical section 111-3 is located to the right of the second cylindrical section 111-2 (positive Y-axis side). Sliders 130-4, 130-5, and 130-6 are located inside the third cylindrical section 111-3.

[0020] The cylindrical portion 111 has a peripheral wall portion 111A that protrudes above the housing portion 112. The peripheral wall portion 111A is inserted into the interior of the operating member 120 from the lower opening 120B of the operating member 120, thereby supporting the operating member 120 so that it can move vertically (in the Z-axis direction).

[0021] Furthermore, the rear side (negative X-axis side) of the housing 110 is provided with a housing section 112 that is elongated in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and has a hollow structure. A transmission member 140 is rotatably arranged inside the housing section 112.

[0022] <Operating Member 120> The operating member 120 is a resin component located at the top of the input device 100 and is used to receive press operations from the operator. The operating member 120 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open bottom. In a plan view from above (positive Z-axis direction), the operating member 120 has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as the longitudinal direction and the front-back direction (X-axis direction) as the short direction. The operating member 120 is supported by the housing 110 via a slider 130 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). A touch panel 121 that receives press operations is provided on the upper surface of the operating member 120.

[0023] The touch panel 121 has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as its longitudinal direction when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction).

[0024] The touch panel 121 is equipped with an electrostatic sensor 121A. The electrostatic sensor 121A detects the contact position of the operator's finger on the touch panel 121 using an electrostatic detection method. The electrostatic sensor 121A is electrically connected to a drive / detection circuit (not shown) provided on the upper surface 150A of the substrate 150 by a pair of FPCs (Flexible printed circuits) 123.

[0025] The touch panel 121 has a plurality of press operation areas 124. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the touch panel 121 has six press operation areas 124-1 to 124-6 arranged in a straight line in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0026] As described above, the operating member 120 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by the peripheral wall portion 111A of the cylindrical portion 111 of the housing 110, which is inserted through the lower opening 120B. As a result, the operating member 120 can move downward (negative Z-axis direction) when a pressing operation is performed on the touch panel 121.

[0027] Furthermore, the operating member 120 is biased upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) by a coil spring 125 (see Figure 4) that is positioned through the slider 130-5. As a result, when the pressing operation on the touch panel 121 is released, the operating member 120 can move upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) and return to its initial position.

[0028] <Slider 130> As shown in Figure 3, the six sliders 130-1 to 130-6 are all resin components arranged in a row in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) inside the cylindrical portion 111 of the housing 110. Each slider 130 has a roughly rectangular cylindrical shape with the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) as the cylindrical direction. Each slider 130 is slidably arranged in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) inside the cylindrical portion 111 of the housing 110.

[0029] The slider 130-1 is positioned below the press operation area 124-1 (see Figure 2) of the touch panel 121. At least the slider 130-1 is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) when a press operation is performed on the press operation area 124-1, in response to the operating force of the press operation.

[0030] The slider 130-2 is positioned below the press operation area 124-2 (see Figure 2) of the touch panel 121. At least the slider 130-2 is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) by the force of the press operation when a press operation is performed on the press operation area 124-2.

[0031] The slider 130-3 is positioned below the press operation area 124-3 (see Figure 2) of the touch panel 121. At least the slider 130-3 is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) by the force of the press operation when a press operation is performed on the press operation area 124-3.

[0032] The slider 130-4 is positioned below the press operation area 124-4 (see Figure 2) of the touch panel 121. At least the slider 130-4 is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) when a press operation is performed on the press operation area 124-4, in response to the operating force of the press operation.

[0033] The slider 130-5 is positioned below the press operation area 124-5 (see Figure 2) of the touch panel 121. At least the slider 130-5 is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) by the force of the press operation when a press operation is performed on the press operation area 124-5.

[0034] The slider 130-6 is positioned below the press operation area 124-6 (see Figure 2) of the touch panel 121. At least the slider 130-6 is pushed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) when a press operation is performed on the press operation area 124-6, in response to the operating force of the press operation.

[0035] Furthermore, the horizontal plate portion 122C (see Figure 4) of the operating member 120 is arranged on top of the upper surface of each of the multiple sliders 130. As a result, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, when each press operation area 124 of the touch panel 121 is pressed down by a press operation, the horizontal plate portion 122C to which the touch panel 121 is fixed is pushed down while bending by a small amount, so that the horizontal plate portion 122C can push down at least the slider 130 at a position corresponding to the press position of the press operation area 124, i.e., the position directly below, or the nearest nearby position, downward (in the negative Z-axis direction).

[0036] To elaborate further, the operating member 120 and the touch panel 121 are molded products made of resin or the like, and are therefore not completely rigid bodies but possess some elasticity. Thus, from a microscopic perspective, in the initial stages of the pressing operation, regardless of the pressing position on the touch panel 121, the slider 130 corresponding to the pressing position moves downward first. Subsequently, as the amount of pressure increases, other sliders 130 adjacent to that slider 130 are also gradually pressed against the horizontal plate portion 122C and move downward.

[0037] <Transmission Member 140> The transmission member 140 is a resin plate-shaped member that extends longitudinally in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and has a constant thickness in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The transmission member 140 is arranged inside the housing portion 112 provided on the rear side (negative X-axis side) of the housing 110. The transmission member 140 has a pair of convex rotating support portions 141 (the other rotating support portion 141 is not shown) on the rear side (negative X-axis side) portion. Each of the left and right rotating support portions 141 of the transmission member 140 is supported by the housing 110. As a result, the transmission member 140 is supported by the housing 110 inside the housing portion 112 so as to be rotatable around the axis of a virtual rotation axis L extending in the Y-axis direction that connects the pair of rotating support portions 141. When one of the sliders 130 moves downward (negative Z-axis direction) due to a pressing operation on the operating member 120, the bottom of the slider 130 pushes down the upper surface (positive Z-axis direction) of the pressed portion 142, causing it to rotate downward. This causes the lower surface (negative Z-axis direction) of the pressing portion 143 to press the main switch 151A mounted on the upper surface 150A of the circuit board 150, thereby turning on the main switch 151A. The structure of the transmission member 140 will be described later.

[0038] <Substrate 150> The substrate 150 is a flat plate-shaped component. When viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) in a plan view, the substrate 150 has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape. The substrate 150 is fixed inside the housing 110 to the upper side of the cover 170 in a horizontal position with respect to the XY plane. The main switch 151A, multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 152, etc. are mounted on the upper surface 150A of the substrate 150 (see Figure 4). For example, a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) is used as the substrate 150.

[0039] <Rubber Sheet 160> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rubber sheet 160 is a sheet-like member that is placed on top of the upper surface 150A of the substrate 150. The rubber sheet 160 is formed using an elastic material (for example, silicone rubber). By covering the entire upper surface 150A of the substrate 150, the rubber sheet 160 can prevent the upper surface 150A of the substrate 150 from being exposed to water even if water penetrates into the inside of the housing 110. The surface of the rubber sheet 160 has an uneven shape corresponding to the shapes of the multiple electronic components mounted on the upper surface 150A of the substrate 150. In addition, the surface of the part of the rubber sheet 160 facing the LED 152 has a high surface roughness, which transmits the light emitted by the LED 152 upward.

[0040] <Cover 170> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover 170 is a resin container-shaped member with an open top that closes the lower opening 110A of the housing 110 and supports the substrate 150 which is placed inside the housing 110. The cover 170 is snap-fit ​​fixed to the housing 110 when it is fitted into the lower opening 110A of the housing 110, by each of the multiple engaging claws 171 formed on the side surface of the cover 170 fitting into each of the multiple engaging holes 113 formed on the side surface of the housing 110 (see Figure 1). A rectangular cylindrical connector portion 172 is provided on the bottom surface of the cover 170. Multiple connector pins 153 which are provided hanging downward from the lower surface of the substrate 150 are arranged inside the connector portion 172. The connector portion 172 electrically connects the multiple connector pins 153 to the external connector when the external connector is fitted into it from below.

[0041] (Configuration related to pressing the main switch 151A) Figure 5 is an external perspective view of the transmission member 140 and the substrate 150 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the slider 130 and the transmission member 140 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of pressed portions 142 protruding forward (in the positive X-axis direction) are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (the Y-axis direction) at the front end of the transmission member 140. Each of the plurality of pressed portions 142 has a flat plate shape generally horizontal with respect to the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 6, when the plurality of sliders 130 are arranged on the front side (X-axis side) of the transmission member 140, the pressed portion 142 whose upper surface (in the positive Z-axis direction) is pressed by the slider 130 is arranged below each of the plurality of sliders 130.

[0043] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pressing portion 143 protruding forward (in the positive X-axis direction) is provided on the front end surface of the transmission member 140. The pressing portion 143 has a flat plate shape generally horizontal with respect to the XY plane. The pressing portion 143 is disposed opposite to the upper side of a main switch 151A (see FIG. 4) mounted on a substrate 150.

[0044] Thereby, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, regardless of which of the plurality of sliders 130 corresponding to the pressed position moves downward due to a pressing operation on the operating member 120, the pressed portion 142 is pressed down by the downwardly moved slider 130, so that the transmission member 140 can be rotated downward about the virtual rotation axis L as the rotation center. Then, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, when the transmission member 140 rotates downward about the virtual rotation axis L as the rotation center, the pressing portion 143 of the transmission member 140 presses the main switch 151A to turn on the main switch 151A.

[0045] In other words, the input device 100 according to one embodiment includes a plurality of sliders 130 and a transmission member 140 arranged in a left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, regardless of which of the plurality of pressing operation areas 124 is pressed, at least one slider 130 closest to the pressed pressing operation area 124 is individually pushed down, and the transmission member 140 is pushed down by that slider 130. Thus, when viewed from the direction of the virtual rotation axis L, the distance from the rotation center of the transmission member 140 to the point of force application can be kept substantially constant in any operation area. By rotating the transmission member 140 with the same operation, one main switch 151A is turned on. Therefore, regardless of the selected pressing operation area, the main switch 151A can be turned on smoothly with the same operating feel.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the transmission member 140 has a columnar hook 144A erected upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) at its left end (negative Y-axis side). The hook 144A engages with the upper end surface of a wall-shaped engaging portion (not shown) formed inside the slider 130-1, and when the transmission member 140 rotates, it is possible to pull the slider 130-1 downward.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the transmission member 140 has a columnar hook 144B erected upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) at its right end (positive Y-axis side). The hook 144B engages with the upper end surface of a wall-shaped engaging portion (not shown) formed inside the slider 130-6, and when the transmission member 140 rotates, it is possible to pull the slider 130-6 downward.

[0048] Accordingly, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, when one end of the operating member 120 is pressed, the slider 130-1 on the one end side is pushed down, and a height difference between the one end side and the other end side of the operating member 120 is about to occur, the hook 144B of the transmission member 140 rotated by being pushed down by the slider 130-1 can pull the slider 130-6 on the other end side downward. With this configuration, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, both the slider 130-1 on the one end side and the slider 130-6 on the other end side can be moved downward, and the operating member 120 can be moved downward while maintaining a horizontal state.

[0049] Conversely, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, when the other end of the operating member 120 is pressed, the slider 130-6 on the other end side is pushed down, and a height difference between the other end side and the one end side of the operating member 120 is about to occur, the hook 144A of the transmission member 140 rotated by being pushed down by the slider 130-6 can pull the slider 130-1 on the one end side downward. With this configuration, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, both the slider 130-1 on the one end side and the slider 130-6 on the other end side can be moved downward, and the operating member 120 can be moved downward while maintaining a horizontal state.

[0050] (Switch pressing structure by transmission member 140) Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the switch pressing structure formed by the transmission member 140 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, as viewed from above (the positive direction of the Z axis). Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the switch pressing structure formed by the transmission member 140 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, as viewed from the rear (the negative direction of the X axis).

[0051] As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the transmission member 140 has a configuration in which a rotating portion 140A and a base portion 140B are continuously provided in the front-rear direction (the X axis direction).

[0052] The rotating portion 140A is provided to extend in the longitudinal direction (the Y axis direction) on the front side (the positive side of the X axis) of the transmission member 140, and is a portion that is pressed downward as the operating member 120 moves downward.

[0053] The base portion 140B is a part provided on the rear side (negative X-axis side) of the transmission member 140, integrally connected with the rotating portion 140A in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and extending in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction).

[0054] Furthermore, the transmission member 140 has a virtual pivot axis L that extends in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) from the base portion 140B, and a pair of pivot support portions 141 that are provided at both ends of the base portion 140B in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) and on the virtual pivot axis L.

[0055] The transmission member 140 is supported by the housing 110 at a pair of pivot support parts 141 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the virtual pivot axis L.

[0056] Here, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the rotating portion 140A has an inner region 140A1 and a pair of outer regions 140A2 that extend outward from both imaginary ends of the inner region 140A1 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). For the sake of explanation, the boundary between the inner region 140A1 and the outer regions 140A2 will be described as the imaginary ends of the inner region 140A1.

[0057] The inner region 140A1 is provided integrally with the base 140B on the front side (positive X-axis side) of the base 140B, and is a portion that has the same width as the base 140B in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). That is, the inner region 140A1 is located between the pair of pivot support portions 141, and the hypothetical ends of the inner region 140A1 (which are not actually ends) are the portions that form the boundary with the outer region 140A2 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction).

[0058] The pair of outer regions 140A2 are portions that extend outward from the imaginary ends of the inner region 140A1 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). In other words, the pair of outer regions 140A2 are portions that include the pair of pivot support portions 141 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the pivot portion 140A, and are located outside the pivot support portions 141.

[0059] Each of the pair of outer regions 140A2 has its inner side in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the rotating portion 140A fixed integrally with the inner region 140A1, and its outer side in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the rotating portion 140A is not supported by any member, that is, it is cantilevered by the end of the inner region 140A1.

[0060] A substrate 150 is provided below the transmission member 140 (negative Z-axis side), spaced apart from the transmission member 140. The upper surface 150A of the substrate 150 is provided with a main switch 151A, a pair of sub-switches 151B, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) 151C (an example of a "determination unit") for determining whether or not a pressing operation has been performed by an operator. The main switch 151A is provided below the inner region 140A1 of the rotating portion 140A of the transmission member 140, near the center in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The pair of sub-switches 151B are provided below the pair of outer regions 140A2 of the rotating portion 140A of the transmission member 140.

[0061] The main switch 151A and the sub-switch 151B are push switches that are OFF when not pressed and ON when pressed. In particular, the main switch 151A is a push switch that produces a click sensation when pressed. The sub-switch 151B is a push switch with a smaller click sensation and operating force than the main switch 151A.

[0062] The IC151C is comprised of a processor, memory, and other components. The processor executes programs stored in the memory to realize the various functions of the IC151C.

[0063] (Pressing operation of the switch by the transmission member 140) Figure 9 is a schematic diagram viewed from the rear (negative X-axis direction) showing the pressing operation of the switch by the transmission member 140 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0064] As described above, each of the pair of outer regions 140A2 of the rotating portion 140A of the transmission member 140 has an inner end in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the transmission member 140 that is integrally fixed to the imaginary end of the inner region 140A1, and an outer end that is a free end that does not come into contact with any mating part. Therefore, when viewed from the rear in the short direction (negative X-axis direction), each of the pair of outer regions 140A2 is a cantilever beam that is cantilevered by the imaginary end of the inner region 140A1.

[0065] Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, when, for example, an operator presses the right (positive Y-axis) end region of the operating member 120, and the right (positive Y-axis) outer region 140A2 is pressed from above by the slider 130 as indicated by arrow F, the inner end of the outer region 140A2 (i.e., the imaginary end of the inner region 140A1) becomes a fulcrum, and the outer end of the outer region 140A2 moves downward (negative Z-axis direction), causing the outer region 140A2 to elastically deform (i.e., bend).

[0066] In this case, if there is no elastic deformation and the surface is flat, the displacement of the stroke of the outer region 140A2 due to the pressing operation applied to the outer region 140A2 will be the same as the displacement of the stroke of the inner region 140A1. However, as shown in Figure 9, when viewed from the rear in the short direction (negative X-axis direction), if the outer region 140A2 elastically deforms downward (negative Z-axis direction), the amount of stroke displacement transmitted to the inner region 140A1 decreases by the amount of this elastic deformation. As a result, the amount of stroke displacement of the inner region 140A1, i.e., the amount of rotation of the inner region 140A1, decreases, and the inner region 140A1 (the central part of the rotating part 140A) may not be able to press sufficiently to turn on the main switch 151A.

[0067] Furthermore, since the transmission member 140 is a resin molded part, it retains warping even at room temperature that occurred during molding at high temperatures. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the right side (positive Y-axis side) of the outer region 140A2 may be lower than the initial state. In this case, depending on the state (amount and shape) of the warping, even if the operator presses the right side (positive Y-axis side) end region of the operating member 120 and the outer region 140A2 is pressed by the slider 130, the displacement of the stroke of the pressing operation used for the rotation of the inner region 140A1 is reduced by the amount of warping of the outer region 140A2. This reduces the amount of rotation of the inner region 140A1, and the inner region 140A1 (the central part of the rotating section 140A) may not be able to press sufficiently enough to turn on the main switch 151A.

[0068] Therefore, if IC151C is configured to determine whether or not an operator has pressed the main switch 151A based solely on its pressed state ("ON" or "OFF"), it will not be able to correctly determine that an operator has pressed the main switch 151A if the main switch 151A is not pressed. Note that, for illustrative purposes, the above explanation uses the example on the right, but similar phenomena can occur if the operator presses the left side (negative Y-axis side) of the outer region 140A2, causing elastic deformation of the left side (negative Y-axis side) of the outer region 140A2, or if the left side (negative Y-axis side) of the outer region 140A2 is already warped as a component.

[0069] Therefore, in one embodiment of the input device 100, a sub-switch 151B is provided on the underside of each of the pair of outer regions 140A2 on the upper surface 150A of the substrate 150. The sub-switch 151B is positioned and positioned at a height such that, because the outer region 140A2 is curved, when the end region of the operating member 120 is pressed, even if the amount of rotation of the inner region 140A1 of the transmission member 140 is small, the sub-switch 151B will contact the outer region 140A2 if the outer region 140A2 moves even a little (there is a stroke displacement). Therefore, even with a small amount of rotation of the transmission member 140, it is pressed by the outer region 140A2 and turns on. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the input device 100, the IC 151C can determine that an operation has been performed by an operator based on the pressing state of the main switch 151A and the pressing state of the sub-switch 151B.

[0070] As a result, in one embodiment of the input device 100, for example as shown in Figure 9, even if the main switch 151A cannot be pressed by the inner region 140A1 of the transmission member 140 due to the elastic deformation of the outer region 140A2 of the transmission member 140 (or the warping of the transmission member 140 itself during manufacturing), the sub-switch 151B can still be pressed by the outer region 140A2 of the transmission member 140. Therefore, the IC 151C can determine that a pressing operation has been performed by an operator when the sub-switch 151B is pressed.

[0071] In particular, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the transmission member 140 is made of resin, and when the outer region 140A2 is pressed, the outer region 140A2 elastically deforms with the portion located at the boundary between the inner region 140A1 and the outer region 140A2 as a fulcrum when viewed from the rear in the short direction (negative X-axis direction), so that even if the amount of rotation of the transmission member 140 is small, the outer region 140A2 presses the sub-switch 151B.

[0072] As a result, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the outer region 140A2 is easily elastically deformed, especially at high temperatures, and even when the outer region 140A2 is pressed and elastically deformed, the sub-switch 151B can still be pressed by the outer region 140A2. Therefore, IC 151C can reliably determine that a pressing operation has been performed by an operator based on the fact that the sub-switch 151B has been pressed.

[0073] In Figure 9, the case where the outer region 140A2 on the right side (positive Y-axis side) of the transmission member 140 is pressed is illustrated. However, even if the outer region 140A2 on the left side (negative Y-axis side) of the transmission member 140 is pressed and elastically deforms, IC 151C can similarly determine that an operation has been performed by an operator by pressing the sub-switch 151B with the outer region 140A2. Incidentally, when the inner region 140A1 of the transmission member 140 is pressed, the main switch 151A is pressed regardless of whether or not the sub-switch 151B is pressed due to deformation, so it can be determined that an operation has been performed by an operator.

[0074] (Example of a determination pattern by IC151C) Figure 10 shows an example of a determination pattern by IC151C provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Note that when the electrostatic sensor 121A turns "ON", it means that the capacitance value of the electrostatic sensor 121A has become greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the operator's touch has been detected.

[0075] As shown in Case "1" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "OFF" when the electrostatic sensor 121A, main switch 151A, and sub-switch 151B are all "OFF".

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in case "2" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "OFF" when the electrostatic sensor 121A and main switch 151A are "OFF" and the sub-switch 151B is "ON".

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in case "3" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "OFF" when the electrostatic sensor 121A and sub-switch 151B are "OFF" and the main switch 151A is "ON".

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in case "4" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "OFF" when the electrostatic sensor 121A is "OFF" and the main switch 151A and sub-switch 151B are "ON".

[0079] In other words, in cases 1 to 4, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "OFF" when the electrostatic sensor 121A is "OFF," regardless of the state of the main switch 151A and the sub-switch 151B.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in case "5" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "OFF" when the electrostatic sensor 121A is "ON" and the main switch 151A and sub-switch 151B are "OFF".

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in case "6" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "ON" when the electrostatic sensor 121A and sub-switch 151B are "ON" and the main switch 151A is "OFF".

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in case "7" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "ON" when the electrostatic sensor 121A and main switch 151A are "ON" and the sub-switch 151B is "OFF".

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in case "8" of Figure 10, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "ON" when the electrostatic sensor 121A, main switch 151A, and sub-switch 151B are all "ON".

[0084] In other words, in cases 5 to 8, IC 151C determines that the operator's pressing operation is "ON" if the electrostatic sensor 121A is "ON" and at least one of the main switch 151A and the sub-switch 151B is "ON".

[0085] As described above, in one embodiment of the input device 100, the operating member 120 has an electrostatic sensor 121A (an example of a "touch detection sensor") that detects the operator's touch, and the IC 151C determines whether or not a pressing operation has been performed by the operator based on the detection state of the operator's touch by the electrostatic sensor 121A, the pressing state of the main switch 151A, and the pressing state of the sub-switch 151B.

[0086] As a result, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can determine more accurately whether or not an operator has performed a pressing operation based solely on the pressing state of the main switch 151A, compared to the conventional method that determines whether or not an operator has performed a pressing operation based solely on the pressing state of the main switch 151A.

[0087] In particular, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, as shown in cases "6" and "8" of Figure 10, when the electrostatic sensor 121A detects the operator's touch and the sub-switch 151B is pressed, the IC 151C determines that a pressing operation has been performed by the operator, regardless of whether the main switch 151A is pressed or not.

[0088] As a result, in one embodiment of the input device 100, even if the main switch 151A is not pressed due to elastic deformation of the outer region 140A2 despite being pressed by an operator in a high-temperature environment (case "6"), IC 151C can determine that an operator has pressed the sub-switch 151B.

[0089] Furthermore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the sub-switch 151B can be set to have a smaller click feel and operating force compared to the main switch 151A.

[0090] As a result, in one embodiment of the input device 100, even when both the main switch 151A and the sub-switch 151B are pressed by the transmission member 140, the influence of the click sensation and operating load generated by the sub-switch 151B on the click sensation and operating load obtained by the main switch 151A can be suppressed.

[0091] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0092] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-048860, filed on 24 March 2025, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0093] 100 Input device 110 Housing 110A Lower opening 111 Cylinder section 111A Peripheral wall section 111-1 First cylinder section 111-2 Second cylinder section 111-3 Third cylinder section 112 Housing section 113 Engagement hole 120 Operating member 120B Lower opening 122C Horizontal plate section 121 Touch panel 121A Electrostatic sensor 123 FPC 124, 124-1 to 124-6 Press operation area 125 Coil spring 130, 130-1 to 130-6 Slider (operating member) 140 Transmission member 140A Rotating section 140A1 Inner area 140A2 Outer area 140B Base section 141 Rotating support section 142 Pressed section 143 Pressing section 144A Hook 144B Hook 150 Circuit board 150A Top surface 151A Main switch 151B Sub switch 152 LED 153 Connector pin 151C IC (Detection unit) 160 Rubber sheet 170 Cover (Housing) 171 Engaging claw 172 Connector part L Virtual pivot axis

Claims

1. An input device comprising: an operating member that moves in the pressing direction when pressed by an operator; a transmission member that is supported to be movable in accordance with the movement of the operating member in the pressing direction; a main switch that is pressed by the transmission member; a sub-switch that is pressed by the transmission member; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the pressing operation has been performed by the operator based on the pressing state of the main switch and the pressing state of the sub-switch.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sub-switch has a smaller click feel and operating force compared to the main switch.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the operating member has a touch detection sensor that detects the operator's touch, and the determination unit determines whether or not the operator has performed the pressing operation based on the touch detection state by the touch detection sensor, the pressing state of the main switch, and the pressing state of the sub-switch.

4. The input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the determination unit determines that the pressing operation has been performed by the operator when the sub-switch is pressed while the touch detection sensor has detected the operator's touch, regardless of whether the main switch is pressed or not.

5. A transmission member comprising: a housing; an operating member movably supported by the housing; a rotating portion extending longitudinally in a plan view from a direction opposite to the pressing direction, which is pressed in the pressing direction as the operating member moves in the pressing direction; a base connected to the rotating portion in the short direction and extending longitudinally; a virtual pivot axis provided on the base extending longitudinally; a pair of rotating support portions provided at both ends of the base in the longitudinal direction and on the virtual pivot axis, the transmission member being rotatably supported by the housing at the pair of rotating support portions around the axis of the virtual pivot axis; and a main switch provided on the side of the pressing direction of the inner region located between the pair of rotating support portions in the longitudinal direction of the rotating portion of the transmission member, which is pressed by the transmission member as the transmission member rotates. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sub-switch provided on the side of the pressing direction of the outer region of the rotating portion of the transmission member, which is located outside the inner region in the longitudinal direction, and which is pressed by the transmission member when the transmission member rotates.

6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein the transmission member is made of resin, and when the outer region is pressed when viewed from the short side, the outer region elastically deforms with the portion located at the boundary between the inner region and the outer region as a fulcrum, so that the outer region presses the sub-switch even if the amount of rotation of the transmission member is small.

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