Input device

Abstract

This input device (1) comprises: a panel (10); a slider (20) that can be displaced in response to a pressing operation on the panel (10); a rotor (30) that engages with the slider (20) so as to be able to rotate relative to the slider (20); a biasing member (40) that biases the rotor (30) toward the slider (20) so as to contact the slider (20); a housing (60) that engages with the rotor (30); and a vibration unit (50) that is fixed to the rotor (30). The rotor (30) has a rotor body portion (31) and a plurality of boss portions (32) that extend from the rotor body portion (31) along directions orthogonal to a predetermined direction, the housing (60) has a plurality of cam portions that respectively engage with the plurality of boss portions (32) and guide the plurality of boss portions (32), and, when the slider (20) is displaced in a predetermined direction, the rotor (30) rotates relative to the slider (20) while the plurality of boss portions (32) are guided by the plurality of cam portions.

Description

Input device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device operated by a pressing operation.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a push switch including a substrate, a switch portion provided on an upper surface of the substrate, an operation member provided above the substrate and configured to actuate the switch portion, two stabilizers provided between the substrate and the operation member and configured to restrict inclination of the operation member, and a pair of columnar holding portions provided on the operation member and configured to rotatably hold the two stabilizers.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-258065

[0004] However, conventional push switches have a structure in which two stabilizers are connected to the operation member so as to be orthogonal to each other, which complicates the structure and causes a problem in assemblability. In addition, due to the complicated structure of conventional push switches, there has been a problem that vibration transmission is inefficient when incorporating a vibration feedback function into the push switch.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that suppresses structural complexity, has excellent assemblability, and enables high-efficiency vibration.

[0006] An input device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a panel having a pressable pressing operation surface; a slider disposed on a side of the panel opposite to the pressing operation surface, the slider being displaceable in a predetermined direction in response to a pressing operation on the panel; a rotor disposed on a side of the slider opposite to the panel side, the rotor being rotatably engaged with the slider with respect to the slider; a biasing member configured to bias the rotor toward the slider so that the rotor abuts against the slider; a housing engaged with the rotor; and a vibration portion fixed to the rotor, wherein the rotor has a rotor main body portion and a plurality of boss portions extending from the rotor main body portion along a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, the housing has a plurality of cam portions engaged with each of the plurality of boss portions and guiding the plurality of boss portions, and when the slider is displaced in the predetermined direction, the rotor rotates relative to the slider while the plurality of boss portions are guided by the plurality of cam portions.

[0007] The input device disclosed herein offers a design that suppresses structural complexity, offers excellent assembly capabilities, and enables highly efficient vibration.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an input device mounted on a vehicle. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an input device mounted on a vehicle. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the input device along line A-A in Figure 1 when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface is released. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the input device when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface is performed. Figure 4A is an enlarged perspective view showing the slider. Figure 4B is an enlarged perspective view showing the rotor. Figure 4C is an enlarged perspective view showing the body. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the boss portion relative to the first cam portion and the second cam portion in accordance with the rotation of the rotor. Figure 6A shows the rotor, slider, first cam portion and second cam portion when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface is released. Figure 6B shows the rotor, slider, first cam portion and second cam portion when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface is performed. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration transmission path when the vibrating part vibrates.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions of components, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, any components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0011] Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Therefore, for example, the scale may not necessarily match in each figure. Also, in each figure, substantially identical components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, expressions such as "plate-like," "X-axis direction," and "approximately parallel" are used. For example, "plate-like," "X-axis direction," and "approximately parallel" mean not only a perfect plate, perfectly aligned with the X-axis direction, and perfectly parallel, but also substantially a plate, substantially aligned with the X-axis direction, and substantially parallel, i.e., including an error of a few percent. Also, "plate-like," "X-axis direction," and "approximately parallel" means a plate, aligned with the X-axis direction, and parallel to the extent that the effects of this disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to other expressions using "like," "direction," and "approximately."

[0013] In the following explanation, the longitudinal direction of a long input device will be referred to as the X-axis direction, the short direction of the input device will be referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis directions will be referred to as the Z-axis direction. The same applies in Figure 2 and subsequent figures.

[0014] (Embodiment) <Configuration> First, the configuration of the input device 1 provided in the vehicle will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the input device 1 mounted on a vehicle. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the input device 1 mounted on a vehicle. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the input device 1 along line A-A in Figure 1 when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface 11 is released. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the input device 1 when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface 11 is performed. Figure 4A is an enlarged perspective view showing the slider 20. Figure 4B is an enlarged perspective view showing the rotor 30. Figure 4C is an enlarged perspective view showing the body 60. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the boss portion 32 relative to the first cam portion 63 and the second cam portion 64 in accordance with the rotation of the rotor 30. Figure 6A shows the rotor 30, slider 20, first cam portion 63 and second cam portion 64 when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface 11 is released. Figure 6B shows the rotor 30, slider 20, first cam portion 63 and second cam portion 64 when the pressing operation on the pressing operation surface 11 is performed. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vibration transmission path when the vibrating part 50 vibrates.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the input device 1 is, for example, a keyboard used to operate a computer, or a push-button switch mounted on a mobile device. The mobile device is an aircraft, a vehicle, a ship, etc. In this embodiment, the input device 1 is mounted on a vehicle. For example, the input device 1 is located on the spokes of the steering wheel, on the center console in the vehicle's cabin, etc.

[0017] The input device 1 can detect pressing and input operations on the pressing surface 11 by an operating object, and can vibrate the pressing surface 11 in response to these detected operations. The pressing surface 11 is a single operating surface. The operating object is, for example, the finger of a user riding in a vehicle, or a stylus operated by the user.

[0018] The input device 1 is flattened in the Z-axis direction and is substantially parallel to the X-Y plane. Although not shown in the illustration, the input device 1 has a polygonal or circular shape in plan view. The shape of the input device 1 may be any other known shape and is not limited to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a rectangular input device 1 in plan view is shown as an example.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the input device 1 comprises a panel 10, a slider 20, a rotor 30, a biasing member 40, a vibrating part 50, a frame 60, a substrate 70, and an electrostatic sensor 80. In the input device 1, the panel 10, electrostatic sensor 80, slider 20, rotor 30, the main body base 61 of the frame 60, the substrate 70, and the vibrating part 50 are arranged in this order, overlapping along the negative Z-axis direction.

[0020] The panel 10 has a pressable operating surface 11. The pressable operating surface 11 may be a plane substantially parallel to the X-Y plane, or it may be a curved surface with curvature. The shape of the pressable operating surface 11 may be, for example, a polygon or a circle in plan view. In this embodiment, the pressable operating surface 11 is rectangular in plan view.

[0021] Panel 10 is attached to the slider 20, covering the electrostatic sensor 80 and the slider 20. By being attached to the slider 20, panel 10 is integrally fixed with the slider 20 so that it is in a position approximately parallel to the X-Y plane.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the slider 20 is displaceable in a predetermined direction relative to the frame 60 in response to a pressing operation on the panel 10. The predetermined direction is the Z-axis direction.

[0023] For example, as shown in Figure 3A, when the panel 10 is pressed in the negative Z-axis direction by a user's pressing operation, the slider 20 can move in the negative Z-axis direction, resulting in the state shown in Figure 3B. When the pressing operation on the panel 10 is released, the slider 20 can move in the positive Z-axis direction due to the biasing force of the switch element 71, returning to the state shown in Figure 3A.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the slider 20 is plate-shaped and substantially parallel to the X-Y plane. The slider 20 is positioned opposite the main body base 61 of the frame 60 and overlapping with the main body base 61. The slider 20 is positioned on one side of the panel 10 (the side in the negative Z-axis direction) and opposite the main body base 61. In other words, the slider 20 is positioned between the main body base 61 and the panel 10.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4A, a pressing projection 21 that protrudes in the negative Z-axis direction is formed on the surface of the slider 20 on the Z-axis negative side.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4A to 4C, the pressing projection 21 is inserted through a central through-hole 35a formed at the rotation center of the rotor 30 and into a central through-hole 65a formed in the central part of the main body base 61. The tip of the pressing projection 21 is positioned to face the switch element 71 on the substrate 70. As a result, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, when the panel 10 is pressed, the pressing projection 21 can press the switch element 71 on the substrate 70.

[0027] Specifically, the pressing projection 21 is inserted into a central through-hole 65a formed in the main body base 61 and is positioned to be in contact with the switch element 71 on the substrate 70. Therefore, when the slider 20 is pressed in the negative Z-axis direction, as shown in Figure 3B, the pressing projection 21 presses against the switch element 71, displacing the switch element 71 into the ON state. Also, when the pressure on the slider 20 in the negative Z-axis direction is released, as shown in Figure 3A, the switch element 71 pushes the pressing projection 21 upward in the positive Z-axis direction, displacing the switch element 71 into the OFF state.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6A, when viewing the slider 20 and rotor 30 along the positive Z-axis direction, the slider 20 is configured to have a larger area than the rotor 30. In other words, the projected area of ​​the slider 20 with respect to the X-Y plane is larger than the projected area of ​​the rotor 30 with respect to the X-Y plane.

[0029] The rotor 30 is located on the opposite side of the slider 20 from the panel 10 side. The rotor 30 is located on the negative Z-axis side of the slider 20 and is positioned in a location corresponding to the central part of the slider 20.

[0030] The rotor 30 rotates and, together with the slider 20, can be displaced in a predetermined direction in response to a pressing operation against the panel 10.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3A and 4B, the rotor 30 has a rotor body portion 31 and a plurality of boss portions 32.

[0032] The rotor body portion 31 is a plate-shaped member positioned between the main body base portion 61 and the slider 20. The rotor body portion 31 is positioned on the Z-axis negative side of the slider 20 so as to be approximately parallel to the X-Y plane.

[0033] Each of the multiple boss portions 32 extends from the rotor body portion 31 in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Each of the multiple boss portions 32 is cylindrical in shape. Each of the multiple boss portions 32 is engaged with a first cam portion 63 and a second cam portion 64 formed on the main body base portion 61, which will be described later, as shown in Figures 4C and 5.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4B, the rotor 30 has four boss portions 32 extending in different directions. Specifically, the four boss portions 32 are arranged in a cross shape with the rotor body portion 31 as the center. The number of boss portions 32 may be three or fewer, or five or more.

[0035] A shaft hole 35 extending in the Z-axis direction is formed at the rotation center of the rotor body 31. A central through hole 35a extending in the Z-axis direction is formed in the shaft hole 35. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, a pressing projection 21 is inserted into the central through hole 35a. The shaft hole 35 is a tubular shaft. A biasing member 40 is attached to the shaft hole 35. The biasing member 40 can bias the rotor 30 toward the slider 20 so that it contacts the slider 20. The biasing member 40 is, for example, a coil spring. One end of the biasing member 40 is attached to the rotor body 31, and the other end of the biasing member 40 is attached to the connecting projection 22 of the slider 20. The connecting projection 22 is formed on the Z-axis negative side of the slider 20. The connecting projection 22 is inserted through a through hole 35b formed in the rotor body 31 adjacent to the shaft hole 35, and is positioned to protrude from the surface of the rotor 30 on the Z-axis negative side.

[0036] The biasing member 40 biases the rotor 30 clockwise when viewed along the negative Z-axis, with the rotor 30's rotation center as its axis. Therefore, although the rotor 30 and the slider 20 are in contact due to the biasing force of the biasing member 40, the rotor 30 is configured to rotate counterclockwise relative to the slider 20 when the pressing operation against the panel 10 is performed, and to rotate clockwise relative to the slider 20 due to the biasing member 40 when the pressing operation is released.

[0037] The rotor 30 and the slider 20 are in contact with each other at their contact surfaces.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3A, 4A, and 4B, a first contact rib 23 is formed on the Z-axis negative side of the slider 20, which contacts the rotor 30. In addition, a second contact rib 34 is formed on the Z-axis positive side of the rotor body 31, which contacts the first contact rib 23 of the slider 20.

[0039] The first contact rib 23 is located on the outer circumference side of the pressing projection 21 and has an arc shape extending along the circumferential direction in which the rotor 30 rotates. The second contact rib 34 is located on the outer circumference side of the shaft hole 35 and has an arc shape extending along the circumferential direction in which the rotor 30 rotates. The first contact rib 23 and the second contact rib 34 may also be circular in shape. The circumferential direction is the direction along the rotational trajectory of the rotating rotor 30.

[0040] In other words, the first contact rib 23 and the second contact rib 34 are positioned opposite each other, and they extend circumferentially in a manner that corresponds to each other. For this reason, the first contact rib 23 and the second contact rib 34 have the same diameter.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first contact rib 23 is a rib that protrudes toward the rotor body portion 31. The first contact rib 23 also has a first contact surface 23a formed on the surface on the Z-axis minus direction side.

[0042] In this embodiment, the second contact rib 34 is a rib that protrudes toward the slider 20. The second contact rib 34 has a second contact surface 34a that is in contact with the first contact surface 23a. The second contact surface 34a is the surface of the second contact rib 34 on the Z-axis positive side.

[0043] Therefore, when the rotor 30 rotates, the second contact surface 34a can slide against the first contact surface 23a. The first contact surface 23a and the second contact surface 34a are in contact with each other regardless of whether or not a pressing operation is performed on the pressing operation surface 11.

[0044] Furthermore, the first abutment surface 23a may be a part of the surface of the slider 20 on the negative Z-axis direction side. That is, the first abutment rib 23 may not be formed on the slider 20, and the first abutment surface 23a may be a simple flat surface against which the second abutment surface 34a of the rotor main body 31 abuts.

[0045] Furthermore, the second abutment surface 34a may be a part of the surface of the rotor main body 31 on the positive Z-axis direction side. That is, the second abutment rib 34 may not be formed on the rotor main body 31, and the second abutment surface 34a may be a simple flat surface against which the first abutment surface 23a of the slider 20 abuts.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a plurality of engaging claws that engage with the slider 20 are formed on the surface of the rotor main body 31 on the positive Z-axis direction side.

[0047] Each of the plurality of engaging claws is engaged in a one-to-one inserted state into a plurality of engaging holes formed in the slider. The rotor 30 is displaced together with the slider 20, and has a function of rotating relative to the slider 20. For this reason, each of the plurality of engaging claws is engaged so as to be slidable relative to the engaging hole.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a vibrating unit 50 is fixed to the rotor 30. Specifically, a connecting portion 37 that extends toward the negative Z-axis direction and passes through the insertion hole 61a of the main base 61 and the insertion hole 72 of the substrate 70 is formed on the surface of the rotor main body 31 on the negative Z-axis direction side. The vibrating unit 50 can be fixed to the rotor 30 by fastening a fastening member 91 such as a bolt or a screw to the connecting portion 37. The fastening member 91 may be included in the constituent elements of the input device 1.

[0049] The connecting portion 37 is formed on the negative Z-axis direction side relative to the second abutment surface 34a and the first abutment surface 23a. Specifically, the connecting portion 37, the first abutment surface 23a, and the second abutment surface 34a are arranged to line up on a straight line parallel to the rotation axis O passing through the rotation center of the rotor 30. The rotation axis O is parallel to the Z-axis direction. Therefore, it can be expected that the vibration of the vibrating unit 50 is efficiently transmitted to the slider 20 via the rotor 30.

[0050] Since the vibrating part 50 is fixed to the rotor 30, it rotates together with the rotor 30. For this reason, gaps are formed between the insertion hole 61a of the main body base 61 and the connecting part 37, and between the insertion hole 72 of the substrate 70 and the connecting part 37. This allows the rotor 30 to rotate.

[0051] The main body 60 is a housing that accommodates the panel 10, electrostatic sensor 80, slider 20, rotor 30, biasing member 40, substrate 70, and vibrating unit 50, and supports the substrate 70. The main body 60 has a shape that corresponds to the input device 1, so it is not shown in the illustration, but it has a polygonal or circular shape in plan view. In this embodiment, since the input device 1 has a rectangular shape in plan view, the main body 60 also has a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0052] The structure 60 has a main body base 61 parallel to the X-Y plane and a main body wall 62 that rises from the outer peripheral edge of the main body base 61 in the Z-axis positive direction and the Z-axis negative direction.

[0053] The main body wall portion 62 supports the circuit board 70 housed in the frame 60. The circuit board 70 is located on the Z-axis negative side of the main body base portion 61 and is fixed to the frame 60 so as to overlap with the main body base portion 61. The circuit board 70 is a circuit board that outputs instructions based on a user's press operation when the switch element 71 receives a press operation from the user. In this embodiment, when the input device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the circuit board 70 outputs instructions to the vehicle's ECU, on-board equipment, etc.

[0054] In this embodiment, the substrate 70 is mounted with a plurality of electronic components and a switch element 71. The plurality of electronic components are, for example, light-emitting elements, transistors, capacitors, etc.

[0055] A control unit, consisting of a processor and the like, is mounted on the circuit board 70. The control unit can control the vibration unit 50 to output vibrations from the vibration unit 50.

[0056] The switch element 71 is a press-type element. The switch element 71 can switch between an ON state, which outputs a signal, and an OFF state, which does not output a signal. Specifically, when the position of the slider 20 is displaced by a pressing operation on the panel 10, the switch element 71 is pressed by the pressing projection 21 of the slider 20, as shown in Figure 3B, and displaced to the ON state, outputting a signal. When the pressure from the pressing projection 21 is released, the switch element 71 displaces to the OFF state, as shown in Figure 3A, and does not output a signal. The switch element 71 is composed of an element that detects pressing, such as a tact switch or a pressure sensor.

[0057] Multiple cam portions are formed on the Z-axis positive side surface of the main body base 61, which engage with each of the multiple boss portions 32 and guide the multiple boss portions 32.

[0058] As shown in Figures 4B, 4C, and 5, the multiple cam portions include a first cam portion 63 and a second cam portion 64 that engage with a boss portion 32 on the rotor 30. The first cam portion 63 and the second cam portion 64 form a one-to-one pair. One boss portion 32 corresponds to one pair of cam portions. Multiple pairs of cam portions, each consisting of a first cam portion 63 and a second cam portion 64, are formed on the main body base portion 61. In this embodiment, four pairs of cam portions are formed on the main body base portion 61. The number of pairs corresponds to the number of boss portions 32, so if there are three or fewer boss portions 32, there may be three or fewer pairs, and if there are five or more boss portions 32, there may be five or more pairs.

[0059] The pair of first cam portions 63 and second cam portions 64 are arranged in this order along the direction away from the central through-hole 65a of the main body base portion 61. In other words, the first cam portion 63 and second cam portion 64 are arranged radially from the central through-hole 65a. In this embodiment, the first cam portion 63 is positioned on the rotation center side of the rotor 30 relative to the second cam portion 64.

[0060] The first cam portion 63 and the second cam portion 64 are guide portions that can guide the boss portion 32 so that the rotor 30 rotates. Specifically, the first cam portion 63 and the second cam portion 64 can guide the boss portion 32 so that the rotor 30 rotates counterclockwise when a pressing operation is performed against the pressing operation surface 11, and can guide the boss portion 32 so that the rotor 30 rotates clockwise when the pressing operation is released from the pressing operation surface 11.

[0061] Therefore, the first cam portion 63 has a first inclined surface 63a formed therein for guiding the boss portion 32 of the rotor 30. In addition, the second cam portion 64 has a second inclined surface 64a formed therein, corresponding to the first inclined surface 63a, for guiding the boss portion 32.

[0062] Specifically, the first cam portion 63 is a protruding piece that extends in the Z-axis direction from the Z-axis-positive side surface of the main body base portion 61. The first cam portion 63 has a triangular shape. A first inclined surface 63a is formed on the Z-axis-positive side end face of the first cam portion 63.

[0063] The second cam portion 64 is a protruding piece that extends in the Z-axis direction from the Z-axis positive side surface of the main body base portion 61. The second cam portion 64 engages with the boss portion 32 of the rotor 30 together with the first cam portion 63. Specifically, a portion of the second cam portion 64 is obliquely cut out to receive the boss portion 32, corresponding to the first inclined surface 63a. In the cut-out portion of the second cam portion 64, a second inclined surface 64a is formed, which is inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the first inclined surface 63a, corresponding to the first inclined surface 63a.

[0064] With this configuration of the first cam portion 63 and the second cam portion 64, the boss portion 32 can be guided so that the rotor 30 rotates. In other words, when the slider 20 is displaced in the Z-axis direction, the multiple boss portions 32 are guided by the multiple cam portions, so that the rotor 30 can rotate relative to the slider 20.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4C and 5, the second cam portion 64 is longer in the positive Z-axis direction than the first cam portion 63. Therefore, the slider 20 has multiple insertion holes 25 so that the second cam portion 64 does not come into contact with the slider 20 when the slider 20 moves in the negative Z-axis direction. The multiple insertion holes 25 are arranged on the outer circumference of the first contact surface 23a when the pressing projection 21 is centered. The multiple insertion holes 25 correspond one-to-one with the multiple second cam portions 64. When the slider 20 moves in the negative Z-axis direction, the second cam portion 64 is inserted into the insertion holes 25, thereby suppressing interference between the second cam portion 64 and the slider 20.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, a cover 69 is fixed to the frame 60 so as to cover the Z-axis negative side of the main body base 61. Specifically, the cover 69 is fixed to the frame 60 by fastening members 92 such as bolts and screws to the main body base 61. The cover 69 fixed to the frame 60 supports the substrate 70 together with the frame 60, sandwiching the substrate 70 and covering the substrate 70 placed on the frame 60.

[0067] The vibrating unit 50 is configured to output vibrations when controlled by the control unit. The vibrating unit 50 is positioned on the Z-axis negative side of the substrate 70 so as to be approximately parallel to the X-Y plane, and is covered by the cover 69.

[0068] The electrostatic sensor 80 is a sensor that can detect the contact position of the operating body on the pressing operating surface 11. The electrostatic sensor 80 is electrically connected to the circuit board 70. Therefore, when the electrostatic sensor 80 detects an operation from the operating body to the pressing operating surface 11, it outputs the detection result to the control unit of the circuit board 70.

[0069] The electrostatic sensor 80 is positioned on the Z-axis positive side of the slider 20 so as to be approximately parallel to the X-Y plane, and is sandwiched between the panel 10 and the slider 20, and held by the panel 10. This allows the electrostatic sensor 80 to detect the operation of the controllable object.

[0070] Furthermore, the electrostatic sensor 80 has a shape that corresponds to the pressing surface 11 of the panel 10. The shape of the pressing surface 11 is, for example, a polygon or a circle in plan view. In this embodiment, since the pressing surface 11 is rectangular in plan view, the electrostatic sensor 80 is also rectangular in plan view.

[0071] Such an input device 1 operates as follows:

[0072] First, as shown in Figure 3B, when a pressing operation is performed on the panel 10, the movable parts, which consist of the panel 10, slider 20, rotor 30, biasing member 40, and vibrating part 50, move in the negative Z-axis direction. As the slider 20 is displaced in the negative Z-axis direction, as shown in Figures 5(b) and 6B, the boss portion 32 of the rotor 30 is guided by the first inclined surface 63a of the first cam portion 63 and the second inclined surface 64a of the second cam portion 64, causing the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the slider 20. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, when viewed along the positive Z-axis direction, the rotor 30 and vibrating part 50 rotate clockwise, which is the opposite direction to the biasing force applied by the biasing member 40 (when viewed along the negative Z-axis direction, the rotor 30 and vibrating part 50 rotate counterclockwise). As the rotor 30 rotates, the second contact surface 34a of the rotor 30 slides against the first contact surface 23a of the slider 20. As a result, the input device 1 enters a first state in which the movable part moves in the negative Z-axis direction and the rotor 30 rotates, as shown in Figures 3B and 6B.

[0073] Furthermore, in the first state, the movement of the slider 20 causes the pressing projection 21 of the slider 20 to press the switch element 71 in the negative Z-axis direction. As a result, the switch element 71 is turned ON.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3A, when the pressing operation against the panel 10 is released, the movable parts, which consist of the panel 10, slider 20, rotor 30, biasing member 40, and vibrating part 50, move in the positive Z-axis direction. When the slider 20 is displaced in the positive Z-axis direction, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 6A, the boss portion 32 of the rotor 30 is guided by the biasing force of the biasing member 40 to the first inclined surface 63a of the first cam portion 63 and the second inclined surface 64a of the second cam portion 64, causing the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the slider 20. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, when viewed along the positive Z-axis direction, the rotor 30 and vibrating part 50 rotate counterclockwise, which is the direction of the biasing force by the biasing member 40 (when viewed along the negative Z-axis direction, the rotor 30 and vibrating part 50 rotate clockwise). As the rotor 30 rotates, the second contact surface 34a of the rotor 30 slides against the first contact surface 23a of the slider 20. As a result, the input device 1 enters a second state, as shown in Figures 3A and 6A, where the movable part moves in the positive Z-axis direction and the rotor 30 rotates.

[0075] Furthermore, in the second state, the movement of the slider 20 causes the pressing projection 21 of the slider 20 to move in the positive Z-axis direction, releasing the pressure on the switch element 71. As a result, the switch element 71 is turned OFF.

[0076] In this type of input device 1, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the frame 60, the circuit board 70, and the cover 69 are fixed together as a single unit. Therefore, the frame 60, the circuit board 70, and the cover 69 constitute the fixed parts in the input device 1.

[0077] Furthermore, in this input device 1, a panel 10 holding an electrostatic sensor 80 is attached to the slider 20. In the input device 1, the rotor 30 and the vibrating part 50 engaged with the slider 20 are integrally fixed by a fastening member 91, and a biasing member 40 is attached to the rotor 30 and the slider 20. Thus, the electrostatic sensor 80, panel 10, slider 20, rotor 30, biasing member 40, and vibrating part 50 constitute the movable parts in the input device 1.

[0078] The fixed part is the part that is fixed to the vehicle. The movable part is the part that moves due to a pressing operation, is a part that moves relative to the fixed part, and is a part that vibrates due to the vibration of the vibrating part 50.

[0079] In this case, as indicated by the dotted hatched arrows in Figure 7, the vibrating part 50 is fixed to the rotor 30 by the fastening member 91. Therefore, when the control unit vibrates the vibrating part 50, the vibration is transmitted to the rotor 30. Since the first contact surface 23a of the slider 20 is in contact with the second contact surface 34a of the rotor 30, the vibration transmitted to the rotor 30 is transmitted from the second contact surface 34a to the slider 20 via the first contact surface 23a. Since the slider 20 and the panel 10 are fixed integrally, the vibration transmitted to the slider 20 is efficiently transmitted to the panel 10. As a result, when the operating body operates the pressing operating surface 11, the pressing operating surface 11 is vibrated, and the vibration is transmitted to the operating body.

[0080] In this embodiment, a vibrating unit 50 is used as an example, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, an exciter may be used instead of the vibrating unit 50. In this case, the input device 1 may detect the operation of the pressing operation surface 11 by the operating body, and may vibrate the pressing operation surface 11 or output sound in response to the detected operation.

[0081] In this case, the control unit may control the exciter to cause it to output at least one of sound and vibration. In other words, the exciter may be configured to output at least one of sound and vibration when controlled by the control unit.

[0082] <Effects and Effects> Next, the effects and effects of the input device 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0083] As described above, the input device 1 of the technology 1 according to this embodiment includes a panel 10 having a pressable pressable surface 11, a slider 20 positioned on the opposite side of the panel 10 from the pressable pressable surface 11 and displaceable in a predetermined direction in response to a press operation on the panel 10, a rotor 30 positioned on the opposite side of the slider 20 from the panel 10 and rotatably engaging with the slider 20, and a biasing member 40 that biases the rotor 30 toward the slider 20 so as to contact the slider 20. The system comprises a body 60 that engages with a rotor 30 and a vibrating part 50 fixed to the rotor 30. The rotor 30 has a rotor body 31 and a plurality of boss portions 32 extending from the rotor body 31 in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction. The body 60 engages with each of the plurality of boss portions 32 and has a plurality of cam portions that guide the plurality of boss portions 32. When the slider 20 is displaced in a predetermined direction, the rotor 30 rotates relative to the slider 20 while the plurality of boss portions 32 are guided by the plurality of cam portions.

[0084] According to this configuration, multiple boss portions 32 on a single rotor 30 are engaged with multiple cam portions. Therefore, compared to the conventional technology, which connects two independent stabilizers to a pair of columnar holding portions, this embodiment simplifies the structure of the input device 1 and makes it easier to assemble.

[0085] Therefore, in this input device 1, structural complexity is suppressed, assembly is easy, and highly efficient vibration is possible.

[0086] Furthermore, the rotor 30, to which the vibrating unit 50 is fixed, is rotatably engaged with the slider 20, which is arranged and integrated with the panel 10. This allows vibrations transmitted to the slider 20 to be efficiently transmitted to the panel 10.

[0087] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 2 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in Technology 1. In this case, the slider 20 has a first contact surface 23a that is in contact with the rotor body 31, and the rotor body 31 has a second contact surface 34a that is located on the slider 20 side of the rotor body 31 and is in contact with the first contact surface 23a.

[0088] According to this configuration, since the rotor 30 is in contact with the slider 20, the vibration of the vibrating part 50 can be transmitted from the rotor 30 to the slider 20. Therefore, when inputting to the input device 1, the user can recognize this vibration.

[0089] Furthermore, when the rotor 30 rotates relative to the slider 20, the second contact surface 34a can slide against the first contact surface 23a, making it easier for the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the slider 20. As a result, the user will not feel any discomfort when operating the pressing operation surface 11.

[0090] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 3 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in Technology 2. In this case, the first contact surface 23a extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor 30 rotates, and the second contact surface 34a extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor 30 rotates and contacts the first contact surface 23a, guiding the rotating rotor 30.

[0091] According to this design, since the first contact surface 23a and the second contact surface 34a are elongated in the circumferential direction, the rotor 30 remains in contact with the slider 20 even when the rotor 30 rotates. As a result, vibrations from the vibrating part 50 are more easily transmitted from the rotor 30 to the slider 20. Consequently, the user can more easily perceive these vibrations.

[0092] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 4 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in Technology 2 or 3. In this case, the slider 20 has a first contact rib 23 that extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor 30 rotates and protrudes toward the rotor body 31, and the first contact rib 23 has a first contact surface 23a.

[0093] According to this, since the first contact rib 23 having the first contact surface 23a is in contact with the second contact surface 34a, vibrations from the vibrating part 50 are more easily transmitted from the rotor 30 to the slider 20. As a result, the user can more easily perceive these vibrations.

[0094] Furthermore, by providing the slider 20 with a dedicated first contact rib 23 that contacts the second contact surface 34a of the rotor 30, the contact area between the slider 20 and the rotor 30 can be minimized. Therefore, the increase in frictional force can be suppressed, making it easier for the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the slider 20. As a result, pressing operations can be easily performed on the pressing operation surface 11.

[0095] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 5 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in any one of Technology 2 to 4. In this case, the rotor body 31 has a second contact rib 34 that extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor 30 rotates and protrudes toward the slider 20, and the second contact rib 34 has a second contact surface 34a.

[0096] According to this, since the second contact rib 34 having a second contact surface 34a is in contact with the first contact surface 23a, vibrations from the vibrating part 50 are more easily transmitted from the rotor 30 to the slider 20. As a result, the user can more easily perceive these vibrations.

[0097] Furthermore, by providing a dedicated second contact rib 34 on the rotor 30 that contacts the first contact surface 23a of the slider 20, the contact area between the slider 20 and the rotor 30 can be made as small as possible. Therefore, the increase in frictional force can be suppressed, making it easier for the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the slider 20. As a result, pressing operations can be easily performed on the pressing operation surface 11.

[0098] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 6 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in any one of Technology 1 to 5. In this case, when the slider 20 and rotor 30 are viewed along a predetermined direction, the slider 20 has a larger area than the rotor 30, and the rotor 30 is positioned in the central part of the slider 20.

[0099] According to this, it is expected that the vibrations of the vibrating part 50 will be uniformly transmitted from the rotor 30 to the slider 20. Therefore, the intensity of the vibration felt by the user can be made the same regardless of where the user presses on the pressing operation surface 11.

[0100] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 7 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in any one of Technology 1 to 6. In this case, each of the multiple cam sections includes a first cam section 63 and a second cam section 64, and the first cam section 63 and the second cam section 64 work together to guide the boss section 32, with the first cam section 63 positioned on the rotation center side of the rotor 30 relative to the second cam section 64.

[0101] According to this, the boss portion 32 can be easily engaged with the first cam portion 63 and the second cam portion 64. Therefore, the rotor 30 can be easily assembled to the body 60.

[0102] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 8 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in Technology 7. In this case, the first cam portion 63 has a first inclined surface 63a that guides the boss portion 32, and the second cam portion 64 has a second inclined surface 64a that guides the boss portion 32, corresponding to the first inclined surface 63a.

[0103] According to this, when the pressing surface 11 is pressed, the boss portion 32 is guided by the cam portion, making it easier for the rotor 30 to rotate relative to the slider 20. As a result, pressing can be easily performed on the pressing surface 11. In particular, by providing multiple boss portions 32 and cam portions, the possibility of the pressing surface 11 tilting due to the pressing operation and the pressing force varying depending on the operating position can be reduced. Therefore, pressing can be performed with a uniform feel no matter where on the pressing surface 11 is pressed, thus improving the quality of the pressing operation.

[0104] Furthermore, the input device 1 of Technology 9 according to this embodiment is the input device 1 described in any one of Technology 2 to 4. In this case, the rotor 30 has a connecting portion 37 for fixing the vibrating portion 50, and the connecting portion 37, the first contact surface 23a, and the second contact surface 34a are arranged to be aligned on a straight line parallel to the rotation axis O which includes the rotation center of the rotor 30.

[0105] According to this, it is expected that the vibrations of the vibrating part 50 will be efficiently transmitted to the slider 20 via the connecting part 37 of the rotor 30.

[0106] (Other modifications, etc.) The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0107] For example, the control unit and other components included in the input device according to the above embodiment are typically implemented as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually integrated into a single chip, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0108] Furthermore, integrated circuit implementation is not limited to LSIs; it may also be achieved using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. Alternatively, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor capable of reconfiguring the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used.

[0109] In the above embodiment, each component may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0110] Furthermore, all figures used above are illustrative to illustrate the present disclosure, and the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the figures exemplified.

[0111] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0112] The input device disclosed herein is useful in an input device mounted on a mobile device.

[0113] 1 Input device 10 Panel 11 Pressing operation surface 20 Slider 23 First contact rib 23a First contact surface 30 Rotor 31 Rotor body 32 Boss 34 Second contact rib 34a Second contact surface 40 Biasing member 50 Vibrating part 60 Frame 63 First cam part (cam section) 63a First inclined surface 64 Second cam part (cam section) 64a Second inclined surface 0 Rotation shaft

Claims

1. An input device comprising: a panel having a pressable surface; a slider disposed on the opposite side of the panel from the pressable surface and displaceable in a predetermined direction in response to a press operation on the panel; a rotor disposed on the opposite side of the slider from the panel and rotatably engages with the slider; a biasing member that biases the rotor toward the slider so as to contact the slider; a body that engages with the rotor; and a vibrating part fixed to the rotor, wherein the rotor has a rotor body and a plurality of bosses extending from the rotor body in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction; the body has a plurality of cams that engage with each of the plurality of bosses and guide the plurality of bosses; and the rotor rotates relative to the slider while the plurality of bosses are guided by the plurality of cams when the slider is displaced in the predetermined direction.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the slider has a first contact surface that contacts the rotor body, and the rotor body has a second contact surface that is positioned on the slider side of the rotor body and contacts the first contact surface.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the first contact surface extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor rotates, and the second contact surface extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor rotates, contacts the first contact surface, and guides the rotating rotor.

4. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the slider has a first contact rib that extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor rotates and protrudes toward the rotor body, and the first contact rib has the first contact surface.

5. The input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rotor body has a second contact rib that extends along the circumferential direction in which the rotor rotates and protrudes toward the slider, and the second contact rib has the second contact surface.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the slider and the rotor are viewed along the predetermined direction, the slider has a larger area than the rotor, and the rotor is positioned in the central part of the slider.

7. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of cam portions includes a first cam portion and a second cam portion, the first cam portion and the second cam portion together guide the boss portion, and the first cam portion is positioned on the rotation center side of the rotor relative to the second cam portion.

8. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the first cam portion has a first inclined surface formed thereon for guiding the boss portion, and the second cam portion has a second inclined surface formed thereon that corresponds to the first inclined surface for guiding the boss portion.

9. The input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the rotor has a connecting portion for fixing the vibrating portion, and the connecting portion, the first contact surface, and the second contact surface are arranged on a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation including the rotation center of the rotor.

Images