JP6075615B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device.

  In recent years, an increasing number of vehicles are provided with a switch on a steering wheel of a vehicle, and an air conditioner and audio can be set by operating the switch. In addition to the air conditioner switches and audio switches described above, voice input switches and telephone answering switches are also mounted on the steering wheel, and the number of switches mounted on the steering wheel increases. There is a tendency.

  As the above-described switch, a conventional push-type switch or a touch pad (for example, see Patent Document 1) is used. According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a touch pad is provided on the steering wheel, and navigation operation is possible by gesture input on the touch pad.

JP 2009-298285 A

  However, when the number of switches increases as described above, many switches are scattered on the steering wheel, which complicates the operation or causes troublesome operation.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to facilitate the operation of an input device.

  The present invention proposes the following matters in order to solve the above problems. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

(1) The present invention accommodates a plurality of conductive operation knobs (e.g., corresponding to the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 in FIG. 1) and the plurality of operation knobs so that they can be pushed and moved. A storage case (e.g., corresponding to the first resin case 31 and the second resin case 34 in FIG. 2), and the operation knob attached to the storage case and applied with a pressing operation force (for example, Biasing members (for example, the first spring 35 and the second spring 36 in FIG. 2) that return to the position of the first operation knob 11 in FIG. 2 and the position of the second operation knob 21 in FIG. And a circuit board (for example, equivalent to the circuit board 41 in FIG. 2) attached to the housing case, and the circuit board is provided in pairs with the plurality of operation knobs. Opposite to the knobs provided in pairs In this way, a plurality of electrodes (for example, corresponding to the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 61 in FIG. 2) arranged at a predetermined distance, and a static electricity formed between the operation knob and the electrodes. A detection unit (for example, corresponding to the detection unit 421 in FIG. 9) for detecting electric capacity and an operation performed on the plurality of operation knobs are determined according to the capacitance detected by the detection unit. operation determining means (e.g., corresponding to the microcomputer MPU in FIG. 9) possess a, the contact portion between the urging member of the operation knob, an input device, characterized in that consists of non-conductive member Has proposed.

According to the present invention, the plurality of operation knobs having conductivity and the plurality of electrodes provided in pairs with the plurality of operation knobs are provided in the input device, and the operation knobs and electrodes provided in the pairs include: It was assumed that they were arranged at a predetermined distance so as to face each other. For this reason, a capacitance is formed between the operation knob and the electrode provided in the pair, and when the human finger comes into contact with the operation knob or the human finger presses the operation knob, the above-mentioned static electricity is applied. The capacitance changes.
In view of this, the input device is further provided with detection means for detecting the electrostatic capacity and operation determination means for determining an operation performed on the operation knob in accordance with the detected electrostatic capacity. For this reason, since it is possible to determine what operation is performed on the operation knob by the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode, various operations can be performed without increasing the number of switches. Can accept various operations. Therefore, the operation of the input device can be facilitated.

According to the invention, the input device is provided with the biasing member that returns the operation knob to which the pressing operation force is applied to the initial position. For this reason, a restoring force by the urging member can be applied to the finger of the person who is performing the pressing operation, and a feeling of operation can be given to the person. According to the present invention, the portion of the operation knob that comes into contact with the urging member is made of a non-conductive member.
For this reason, even if the urging member has conductivity, it is possible to prevent a capacitance from being formed between the urging member and the operation knob. According to this, it is possible to prevent the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode from being changed by the capacitance formed between the biasing member and the operation knob.
Even when the urging member has conductivity, the potential of the operation knob can be prevented from changing due to the urging member coming into contact with the operation knob. According to this, it is possible to prevent the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode from changing due to the urging member coming into contact with the operation knob.
According to the above, the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode can be accurately detected according to the operation performed on the operation knob. It can prevent misjudgment of operation.

  (2) In the input device according to (1), the operation determination unit includes a contact operation in which a human finger contacts the operation knob, a pressing operation in which a human finger presses the operation knob, There has been proposed an input device characterized by determining at least one of a slide operation in which a human finger slides on an operation knob between a plurality of operation knobs.

Here, as the plurality of operation knobs, there are a first operation knob and a second operation knob. As the plurality of electrodes, a first electrode provided in a pair with the first operation knob, and a second operation knob And a second electrode provided in a pair. Then, when a contact operation is performed on the first operation knob, the capacitance formed between the first operation knob and the first electrode increases. In addition, when a pressing operation is performed on the first operation knob, the distance between the first operation knob and the first electrode is reduced, so that the capacitance formed between them is further increased. To increase. Further, when a slide operation is performed from the first operation knob toward the second operation knob, the combination of the operation knob and the electrode whose capacitance increases with the sliding movement of the human finger is obtained. The combination of the first operation knob and the first electrode changes to the combination of the second operation knob and the second electrode.
That is, the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode is different when the contact operation is performed, when the pressing operation is performed, and when the slide operation is performed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in the input device of (1), the operation determination means determines at least one of a contact operation, a pressing operation, and a slide operation. For this reason, at least any one of the contact operation, the pressing operation, and the slide operation can be determined by the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode.

  (3) In the input device according to (1) or (2), the area of the region where the operation knob and the electrode face each other is equal to the area of the surface of the electrode that faces the operation knob. The input device characterized by the outer peripheral surface of the said operation knob being comprised with an electroconductive member is proposed.

  According to the present invention, in the input device of (1) or (2), the area of the region where the operation knob and the electrode face each other is made equal to the area of the surface of the electrode facing the operation knob. For this reason, the area of the area where the operation knob and the electrode face each other can be secured regardless of the shape of the surface of the operation knob that comes into contact with the human finger, and the capacitance between the operation knob and the electrode can be stabilized. Can be formed.

  According to the present invention, in the input device of (1) or (2), the outer peripheral surface of the operation knob is made of a conductive member. For this reason, even if the inside of the operation knob is made of a non-conductive member, a capacitance can be formed between the operation knob and the electrode, which facilitates the manufacture of the operation knob or the manufacture of the operation knob. Cost can be reduced.

  (5) In the input device according to any one of (1) to (4), the storage case includes a partition plate (for example, equivalent to the partition plate 32 of FIG. 2) that separates the plurality of operation knobs. When the operation knob is in the pushing position (for example, corresponding to the position of the first operation knob 11 in FIG. 7), the upper surface of the partition plate is positioned higher than the upper surface of the operation knob. A feature input device is proposed.

  According to the present invention, in the input device of any one of (1) to (4), the partition plate that separates the plurality of operation knobs is provided, and when the operation knob is in the pushing position, the upper surface of the partition plate is the upper surface of the operation knob. It was decided to be located at a higher position. For this reason, it becomes difficult to simultaneously press down a plurality of operation knobs with one finger due to the height of the partition plate. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a plurality of operation knobs from being pressed simultaneously.

  (6) In the present invention, the input device according to any one of (1) to (5) is provided so as to be in contact with the operation knob, and the operation knob is initially set according to a pressing operation force applied to the operation knob. A moving guide mechanism (for example, which is slid between a position (for example, corresponding to the position of the first operating knob 11 in FIG. 2) and a pushing position (for example, corresponding to the position of the first operating knob 11 in FIG. 7) (for example, , Corresponding to the guide 33 in FIG. 2).

  According to this invention, in the input device of any one of (1) to (5), the movement guide mechanism is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the operation knob, and by this movement guide mechanism, the pressing operation force applied to the operation knob is reduced. Accordingly, the operation knob is slid between the initial position and the pushing position. For this reason, according to the pressing operation force applied to the operation knob, the operation knob can be slid in a balanced manner between the initial position and the pushing position.

  According to the present invention, since the capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode can determine what operation is performed on the operation knob, the number of switches is increased. Various operations can be accepted without any problems. For this reason, operation of an input device can be made easy.

It is a front view of the input device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing of the input device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example in which contact operation or pressing-down operation was performed. It is a figure which shows the example in which contact operation or pressing-down operation was performed. It is a figure which shows the example by which slide operation was performed. It is a figure which shows the example in which contact operation was performed. It is a figure which shows the example by which pressing operation was performed. It is a figure which shows the example by which slide operation was performed. It is a circuit diagram of a control circuit. It is a timing chart of the control circuit at the time of non-contact. It is a timing chart of the control circuit at the time of contact operation. It is a timing chart of the control circuit at the time of pressing operation. It is a front view of the input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing of the input device of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the components in the present embodiment can be appropriately replaced with existing components, and various variations including combinations with other existing components are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

<First Embodiment>
[Configuration of Input Device 1]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The input device 1 is for operating a vehicle-mounted device, and is provided on a steering wheel of a vehicle. The input device 1 includes a first operation knob 11 and a second operation knob 21.

  The position of the steering wheel on which the input device 1 is provided is preferably on the front surface of the steering wheel, but is not limited thereto, and may be on the back surface of the steering wheel, for example. Moreover, it is preferable that the position of the steering wheel provided with the input device 1 is a position that can be operated by the driver while holding the steering wheel.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 1 taken along line AA in FIG. In addition to the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 described above, the input device 1 includes a first resin case 31, a partition plate 32, a guide 33, a second resin case 34, and a first spring 35. , Second spring 36, circuit board 41, first electrode 51, and second electrode 61.

  Each of the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 includes an upper wall that can be touched by the driver, a lower wall that is provided substantially horizontally with a predetermined distance from the upper wall, It is formed in a substantially U-shape comprising a connecting wall that connects the upper wall and the lower wall, and the outer peripheral surface excluding the inside of the concave shape on the side surface is covered with a conductive member. In addition, it is good also as a structure which coat | covered the concave shape inside of the side surface with the electroconductive member.

  The first resin case 31 accommodates the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 so as to be pushed downward in FIG. The first operation knob 11 can contact the upper end of a first spring 35 configured by a coil spring, and the second operation knob 21 includes a second spring 36 configured by a coil spring. The upper end of can be contacted. A second resin case 34 is attached to the lower end of the first spring 35 and the second spring 36.

  The first spring 35 returns the first operation knob 11 applied with the pressing operation force to the initial position shown in FIG. The second spring 36 returns the second operation knob 21 to which the pressing operation force is applied to the initial position shown in FIG. Note that a portion of the first operation knob 11 that contacts the first spring 35 and a portion of the second operation knob 21 that contacts the second spring 36 are covered with a non-conductive member.

  The partition plate 32 is provided in the first resin case 31 and separates the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21. The upper surface of the partition plate 32 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the first operation knob 11 located at the initial position and the upper surface of the second operation knob 21 located at the initial position. Therefore, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7, when the first operation knob 11 is pressed and the first operation knob 11 is positioned at the pushing position, the upper surface of the partition plate 32 is The position is higher than the upper surface of the first operation knob 11. Similarly to the first operation knob 11, when the second operation knob 21 is pushed down with respect to the second operation knob 21 and the second operation knob 21 is located at the pushing position, the partition plate The upper surface of 32 is positioned higher than the upper surface of the second operation knob 21.

  The guide 33 is provided in the first resin case 31. Two grooves are formed in the guide 33 in the vertical direction in FIG. 2. A part of the first operation knob 11 is slidably inserted into one groove, and the second groove is inserted into the second groove. A part of the operation knob 21 is slidably inserted. The first operation knob 11 is formed in a guide according to a pressing operation force applied to the first operation knob 11 and a return force by the first spring 35 applied to the first operation knob 11. It slides between the initial position and the pushing position along one groove. Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the second operation knob 21 has a pressing operation force applied to the second operation knob 21 and a return force by the second spring 36 applied to the second operation knob 21. In accordance with, it slides between the initial position and the pushing position along the other groove formed in the guide.

  The second resin case 34 is attached to the first resin case 31. A circuit board 41, a first spring 35 and a second spring 36 are attached to the second resin case 34.

  The circuit board 41 is provided with a control circuit 42 which will be described later with reference to FIG. 9, and a first electrode 51 and a second electrode 61.

  The first electrode 51 is provided on the circuit board 41 at a position facing the lower wall of the first operation knob 11, and the outer peripheral surface area of the lower wall of the first operation knob 11 is the upper surface of the first electrode 51. That is, the area of the surface of the first electrode 51 facing the lower wall of the first operation knob 11. For this reason, the area of the region where the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 face each other is the area of the upper surface of the first electrode 51, that is, the first electrode 51 below the first operation knob 11. Equal to the area of the surface facing the wall. Similarly to the first electrode 51, the second electrode 61 is provided at a position facing the lower wall of the second operation knob 21 in the circuit board 41, and the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 are provided. Is equal to the area of the upper surface of the second electrode 61, that is, the area of the surface of the second electrode 61 that faces the lower wall of the second operation knob 21.

  Note that the first operation knob 11 slides in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 as described above, but a distance of a predetermined distance or more is constantly secured between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51. The first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 are not in contact with each other. Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the second operation knob 21 slides in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 as described above, but constantly between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61. It is assumed that an interval of a predetermined distance or more is secured and the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 are not in contact with each other. For this reason, electrostatic capacitance is formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 and between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61.

[Contact operation and pressing operation]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the driver performs a contact operation or a pressing operation on the first operation knob 11, and FIG. 4 illustrates a contact operation on the second operation knob 21 by the driver. Or it is a figure which shows the example which is performing pressing operation.

  The contact operation means that the driver touches the first operation knob 11 or the second operation knob 21 with a finger as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example in which a contact operation is performed on the first operation knob 11.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressing operation means that the driver presses the first operation knob 11 or the second operation knob 21 with a finger and the first operation knob 11 or the second operation knob 21. Is to push in. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a pressing operation is performed on the first operation knob 11.

  First, the contact operation will be described in detail below. When a contact operation is performed on the first operation knob 11, a finger contacts the first operation knob 11. Since the human body is grounded to the virtual ground, when the finger contacts the first operation knob 11, a capacitance is formed between the finger and the first operation knob 11. Then, the 1st operation knob 11 and the 1st electrode 51 are electrically connected by capacitive coupling, and the electrostatic capacitance formed between the 1st operation knob 11 and the 1st electrode 51 increases. To do. Similarly to the first operation knob 11, when the contact operation is performed on the second operation knob 21, the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 increases. . By monitoring these changes in capacitance, it is possible to detect that a contact operation has been performed.

  Next, the pressing operation will be described in detail below. When a pressing operation is performed on the first operation knob 11, the first operation knob 11 is pushed in, and the distance between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 is reduced. Then, as shown in the following formula (1), the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 is increased as compared with the contact operation. Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the second operation knob 21 is formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 when a pressing operation is performed as compared with the contact operation. The capacitance increases. By monitoring these changes in capacitance, it is possible to detect that a pressing operation has been performed.

  In Expression (1), C represents a capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51. Ε represents a dielectric constant between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51. S indicates the area of the region where the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 face each other. Further, d indicates the distance between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51.

[Slide operation]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the driver performs a slide operation from the second operation knob 21 toward the first operation knob 11. The slide operation means that the driver's finger continuously contacts the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 within a predetermined time, that is, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the driver slides his / her finger on the operation knob from one of the second operation knobs 21 toward the other. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a slide operation is performed from the second operation knob 21 toward the first operation knob 11.

  The slide operation will be described in detail below. When a slide operation is performed from the second operation knob 21 toward the first operation knob 11, the finger contacts the first operation knob 11 from the state in which the finger is in contact with the second operation knob 21. Transition to the current state. When the finger is in contact with the second operation knob 21, the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 increases as described above, and the first operation is performed. In the state where the finger is in contact with the knob 11, the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 increases as described above. Then, at the timing when the object touched by the finger transitions from the second operation knob 21 to the first operation knob 11, the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 is increased. It decreases, and the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 increases.

  Therefore, the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 are within a predetermined time after the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 decreases. When it is detected that the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the first operation knob 11 is increased, it is determined that the slide operation has been performed. In addition, the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 are within a predetermined time after the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 decreases. When it is detected that the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 is increased, it is determined that a slide operation has been performed. As described above, the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 and the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61. When one of them decreases and the other increases within a predetermined time, a slide operation is performed from one of the first operation knob 11 or the second operation knob 21 toward the other. Can be detected.

[Configuration of Control Circuit 42]
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the control circuit 42 formed on the circuit board 41. The control circuit 42 detects a contact operation, a pressing operation, and a slide operation, and outputs a detection result.

  The control circuit 42 includes resistors R11 and R21, a detection unit 421, and a microcomputer MPU. The detection unit 421 includes integration circuits INT11 and INT21, comparators CMP11 and CMP21, and resistors R12, R13, R22, and R23.

  A microcomputer MPU is connected to the first electrode 51 via a resistor R11, and a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP11 is connected. A DC power supply VCC is connected to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP11 via a resistor R12, and a reference potential source GND is connected via a resistor R13. The microcomputer MPU is connected to the output terminal of the comparator CMP11 via the integration circuit INT11.

  A microcomputer MPU is connected to the second electrode 61 via a resistor R21, and a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP21 is connected. A DC power supply VCC is connected to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP21 through a resistor R22, and a reference potential source GND is connected through a resistor R23. The microcomputer MPU is connected to the output terminal of the comparator CMP21 via the integration circuit INT21.

[Operation of Control Circuit 42]
The control circuit 42 having the above configuration is configured such that the detection unit 421 causes the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51, the second operation knob 21, and the second electrode. And the electrostatic capacitance formed between the first and second electrodes 61. In addition, the control circuit 42 determines an operation performed on the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 by the microcomputer MPU according to the capacitance detected by the detection unit 421.

  Specifically, the microcomputer MPU outputs a square wave (rectangular wave). The square wave is transmitted to the first electrode 51 through the resistor R11 and is transmitted to the second electrode 61 through the resistor R21. However, due to the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 and the capacitance formed between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61. The waveform of the above-described square wave is distorted, and the voltage of the first electrode 51 and the voltage of the second electrode 61 are sawtooth waves whose falling and rising are delayed (in FIG. 10 described later, a triangular wave is used for convenience). )become.

The comparator CMP11 compares the voltage of the first electrode 51 with the value obtained by resistance-dividing the power supply voltage of the DC power supply VCC with the resistors R12 and R13. If the voltage of the first electrode 51 is equal to or higher than the above-described resistance-divided value, an H-level voltage is output. If the voltage of the first electrode 51 is less than the above-described resistance-divided value, the L-level voltage is output. Is output. The integration circuit INT11 integrates the output of the comparator CMP11 in real time from the current one millisecond before to the present, and outputs the integration result to the microcomputer MPU.
Further, the comparator CMP21 and the integration circuit INT21 operate in the same manner as the comparator CMP11 and the integration circuit INT11, respectively.

  The microcomputer MPU detects whether a contact operation, a pressing operation, or a slide operation has been performed based on the output result of the integration circuit INT11 and the output result of the integration circuit INT21.

(Non-contact)
In FIG. 10, when the contact operation, the pressing operation, and the slide operation are not performed on the first operation knob 11 from time t1 to time t9, that is, the driver's finger is not touching the first operation knob 11. 6 is a timing chart of the control circuit 42 in the case. V ₅₁ denotes the voltage of the first electrode _{51, V CMP11} indicates the output voltage of the comparator _{CMP11, V INT11} represents the output voltage of the integration circuit INT11. Time t9 indicates the current time, and time t1 indicates the time one millisecond before the current time.

Voltage _{V 51} of the first electrode 51 changes according to a square wave output from the microcomputer MPU, the time t2 to t3, the time t4 to t5, and time t6 to t7, in the time t8 to t9, It is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vref. Here, the threshold voltage Vref is a voltage applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator CMP11 in FIG. 9, and is obtained by dividing the power supply voltage of the DC power supply VCC by resistors R12 and R13.

Therefore, the output voltage _{V CMP11} of the comparator CMP11 is the time t2 to t3, the time t4 to t5, and time t6 to t7, in the time t8 to t9, H-level voltage VH, and the other periods, L The level voltage becomes VL. Further, the output voltage _{V INT11} the integrating circuit INT11 increases according to the elapsed time, at time t9, the is larger than the threshold voltage V1.

Therefore, the microcomputer MPU determines that the driver's finger is not touching the first operation knob 11 when the output voltage V _INT11 of the integration circuit INT11 is larger than the threshold voltage V1.
Similarly to the first operation knob 11, when the output voltage V _INT21 of the integration circuit _INT21 is larger than the threshold voltage V1, the microcomputer MPU also connects the second operation knob 21 to the driver. It is determined that the finger is not touching.

(During contact operation)
FIG. 11 is a timing chart of the control circuit 42 when a contact operation is performed on the first operation knob 11 at times t11 to t19. Note that time t19 indicates the current time, and time t11 indicates the current time one millisecond before.

Voltage V ₅₁ of the first electrode 51, similarly as the non-contact time shown in FIG. 10, changes according to a square wave output from the microcomputer MPU. However, as a result of the contact operation being performed, the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 is greater than that in the non-contact state shown in FIG. To increase. Therefore, when the maximum value of the voltage V ₅₁ of the first electrode 51 in the non-contact time shown in FIG. 10 and Va, the maximum value of the voltage V ₅₁ of the first electrode 51 at the contact operation, than Va Low Vb.

Therefore, the period during which the output voltage V CMP11 of the comparator _CMP11 is the H level voltage VH is shorter than that in the non-contact state shown in FIG. Therefore, the current output voltage V _INT11 of the integration circuit INT11 is lower than that in the non-contact state shown in FIG. 10, and is larger than the threshold voltage V2 and lower than the threshold voltage V1.

Therefore, the microcomputer MPU determines that the contact operation is performed on the first operation knob 11 when the output voltage V _INT11 of the integration circuit INT11 is larger than the threshold voltage V2 and lower than or equal to the threshold voltage V1. .
Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the microcomputer MPU outputs the second operation knob 21 when the output voltage V _INT21 of the integration circuit INT21 is greater than the threshold voltage V2 and less than or equal to the threshold voltage V1. It is determined that a contact operation is being performed on the operation knob 21.

(When pressing)
FIG. 12 is a timing chart of the control circuit 42 when a pressing operation is performed on the first operation knob 11 at times t21 to t29. Time t29 indicates the current time, and time t21 indicates the current time one millisecond before.

Voltage V ₅₁ of the first electrode 51, as well as the time of contact operation shown in FIG. 11, changes according to a square wave output from the microcomputer MPU. However, as a result of the pressing operation being performed, the distance between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 is smaller than that in the contact operation shown in FIG. The capacitance increases as described above. Therefore, the maximum value of the voltage _{V 51} of the first electrode 51 at the time of contact operation becomes lower than Vb Vc.

For this reason, the period during which the output voltage V CMP11 of the comparator _CMP11 is the H level voltage VH is shorter than that during the contact operation shown in FIG. Therefore, the current output voltage V _INT11 of the integrating circuit INT11 is lower than that in the contact operation shown in FIG. 11, and is the threshold voltage V2.

Therefore, the microcomputer MPU determines that the pressing operation is performed on the first operation knob 11 when the output voltage V _INT11 of the integration circuit INT11 is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage V2.
Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the microcomputer MPU controls the second operation knob 21 when the output voltage V _INT21 of the integration circuit INT21 is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage V2. It is determined that a pressing operation has been performed.

(Slide operation)
The microcomputer MPU starts from the timing at which the output voltage V _INT11 of the integration circuit INT11 transitions from a state where the output voltage V _INT11 is higher than the threshold voltage V2 and lower than or equal to the threshold voltage V1 to a state where the output voltage V _INT11 is higher than the threshold voltage V1. Then, when the output voltage V _INT21 of the integration circuit INT21 transits from a state larger than the threshold voltage V1 to a state larger than the threshold voltage V2 and lower than or equal to the threshold voltage V1 within a predetermined time from the timing as the starting point, It is determined that a slide operation has been performed from the first operation knob 11 toward the second operation knob 21.
Further, the microcomputer MPU starts from a timing when the output voltage V _INT21 of the integration circuit INT21 is changed from a state in which the output voltage V _INT21 is higher than the threshold voltage V2 and lower than or equal to the threshold voltage V1 to a state higher than the threshold voltage V1. Then, when the output voltage V _INT11 of the integration circuit INT11 transitions from a state larger than the threshold voltage V1 to a state larger than the threshold voltage V2 and lower than or equal to the threshold voltage V1 within a predetermined time from the timing as the starting point, It is determined that a slide operation has been performed from the second operation knob 21 toward the first operation knob 11.

  According to the above input device 1, the following effects can be produced.

The input device 1 has a first operation knob 11 and a second operation knob 21 whose outer peripheral surfaces are covered with a conductive member and have conductivity, and are paired with the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21. A first electrode 51 and a second electrode 61 provided on the first electrode 51. The first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 are spaced apart from each other, and the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 are spaced apart from each other. It is arranged with a gap. For this reason, a capacitance is formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 and between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61, and the first operation When the driver's finger comes into contact with the knob 11 or the second operation knob 21 or when the driver's finger presses the first operation knob 11 or the second operation knob 21, their capacitance changes. To do.
Therefore, the input device 1 determines the operation performed on the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 according to the detection unit 421 that detects these capacitances and the detected capacitance. And a microcomputer MPU. For this reason, since what kind of operation was performed with respect to the 1st operation knob 11 or the 2nd operation knob 21 can be judged by an electrostatic capacity, without increasing the number of switches, Contact operation, pressing operation, and slide operation can be accepted. Therefore, the operation of the input device 1 can be facilitated.

  In addition, the input device 1 sets the first operation knob 11 to which the pressing operation force is applied to the initial position and the second operation knob 21 to which the pressing operation force is applied to the initial position. And a second spring 36 to be returned. For this reason, it is possible to give a feeling of operation to the driver by applying a restoring force by the first spring 35 or the second spring 36 to the finger of the driver who is performing the pressing operation.

Here, the circuit board 41 on which the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 61 are provided is provided with a large number of elements and the microcomputer MPU that form the detection unit 421, wiring that electrically connects them, and the like. For this reason, the size of the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 61 is limited in design. Therefore, the area of the upper surface of the first electrode 51 or the second electrode 61 has a predetermined margin with respect to the minimum value necessary for stably forming the electrostatic capacitance or the minimum necessary value. Set to the value taken.
In the input device 1, the area of the region where the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 oppose is the area of the upper surface of the first electrode 51, that is, the first operation knob 11 of the first electrode 51. It is equal to the area of the surface facing the lower wall. According to this, regardless of the shape of the upper surface of the first operation knob 11, that is, the surface of the first operation knob 11 that contacts the driver's finger, the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 As a result, it is possible to secure only the area necessary for stably forming the capacitance. Therefore, a capacitance can be stably formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51. Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the second operation knob 21 is electrostatically connected between the second operation knob 21 and the second electrode 61 regardless of the shape of the upper surface of the second operation knob 21. Capacitance can be formed stably.

Moreover, in the input device 1, the contact part with the 1st spring 35 among the 1st operation knobs 11 is comprised with a nonelectroconductive member.
For this reason, even if the first spring 35 has conductivity, it is possible to prevent a capacitance from being formed between the first spring 35 and the first operation knob 11. . According to this, the electrostatic capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 is the electrostatic capacitance formed between the first spring 35 and the first operation knob 11. It can be prevented from changing depending on the capacity.
Even if the first spring 35 is conductive, the potential of the first operation knob 11 varies due to the first spring 35 coming into contact with the first operation knob 11. Can be prevented. According to this, the electrostatic capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 changes when the first spring 35 contacts the first operation knob 11. Can be prevented.
As described above, the capacitance formed between the first operation knob 11 and the first electrode 51 can be accurately detected according to the operation performed on the first operation knob 11. . Similarly to the first operation knob 11, the second operation knob 21 also has a non-conductive member in contact with the second spring 36, so the second operation knob 21 and the second operation knob 21 The capacitance formed between the electrodes 61 can be accurately detected according to the operation performed on the second operation knob 21. For this reason, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of operations performed on the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21.

  The input device 1 also includes a partition plate 32 that separates the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21. And when the 1st operation knob 11 is located in a pushing position, the upper surface of the partition plate 32 will be located in a position higher than the upper surface of the 1st operation knob 11, and the 2nd operation knob 21 is pushed in. When positioned, the upper surface of the partition plate 32 is positioned higher than the upper surface of the second operation knob 21. For this reason, it is difficult to simultaneously press the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 with one finger due to the height of the partition plate 32. Therefore, it can suppress that the 1st operation knob 11 and the 2nd operation knob 21 are pressed down simultaneously.

  The input device 1 includes a guide 33 provided with a groove, and the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 can slide between the initial position and the push-in position along the groove. For this reason, the first operation knob 11 depends on the pressing operation force applied to the first operation knob 11 and the second operation knob 21 and the return force by the first spring 35 and the second spring 36. And the 2nd operation knob 21 can be smoothly slid with sufficient balance between an initial position and a pushing position.

Second Embodiment
[Configuration of Input Device 1A]
FIG. 13 is a front view of an input device 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 1A taken along line BB in FIG. The input device 1A is different from the input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that a first operation knob 11A is provided instead of the first operation knob 11, and a second The point provided with the second operation knob 21 </ b> A instead of the operation knob 21, the point provided with the resin case 31 </ b> A instead of the first resin case 31 and the second resin case 34, and the first instead of the first spring 35. The point provided with the first spring 35 </ b> A is different from the point provided with the second spring 36 </ b> A instead of the second spring 36. In the input device 1A, the same components as those of the input device 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Each of the first operation knob 11A and the second operation knob 21A includes an upper wall that can be touched by the driver, a lower wall that is provided substantially horizontally with a predetermined distance from the upper wall, It is formed in a substantially U-shape comprising a connecting wall that connects the upper wall and the lower wall, and the outer peripheral surface excluding the inside of the concave shape on the side surface is covered with a conductive member. As shown in FIG. 13, a flange portion is formed to protrude from a part of the upper wall of each of the first operation knob 11A and the second operation knob 21A.

  The resin case 31A accommodates the first operation knob 11A and the second operation knob 21A so that they can be pushed downward in FIG. The upper end of the first spring 35A can be in contact with the flange of the first operation knob 11A, and the upper end of the second spring 36A can be in contact with the flange of the second operation knob 21A. It has become. A resin case 31A is attached to the lower end of the first spring 35A and the second spring 36A.

  The first spring 35A returns the first operation knob 11A to which the pressing operation force is applied to the initial position shown in FIG. The second spring 36A returns the second operation knob 21A, to which the pressing operation force is applied, to the initial position shown in FIG. Note that a portion of the first operating knob 11A that contacts the first spring 35A and a portion of the second operating knob 21A that contacts the second spring 36A are covered with a non-conductive member.

  According to the above input device 1A, in addition to the above-described effects that can be achieved by the input device 1, the following effects can be achieved.

  In the input device 1A, the first spring 35A and the second spring 36A do not contact the circuit board 41. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the circuit board 41 from being stressed by the first spring 35A or the second spring 36A, so that an error in the operation performed on the first operation knob 11 or the second operation knob 21 can be prevented. Judgment can be prevented more accurately.

  The input device 1 </ b> A includes a resin case 31 </ b> A instead of the first resin case 31 and the second resin case 34 included in the input device 1. For this reason, the input device 1 </ b> A can achieve the same effects as the input device 1 with a simple configuration compared to the input device 1.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a design that does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, the first springs 35 and 35A and the second springs 36 and 36A are configured by coil springs, but are not limited thereto, and may be configured by springs such as leaf springs, rubbers, etc. You may comprise with an elastic body.

  Moreover, although the 1st operation knob 11 and 11A and the 2nd operation knob 21 and 21A shall be formed in substantially U shape, it is not restricted to this, The area of the area | region where an operation knob and an electrode oppose Can be secured, and the capacitance formed between them can be stabilized.

1, 1A; input device 11, 11A; first operation knob 21, 21A; second operation knob 31; first resin case 31A; resin case 32; partition plate 33; guide 34; , 35A; first spring 36, 36A; second spring 41; circuit board 51; first electrode 52; second electrode 421; detection unit MPU;

Claims (5)

A plurality of conductive control knobs;
A housing case for housing the plurality of operation knobs so as to be pushed and moved;
An urging member attached to the housing case and returning the operation knob to which an operation force of pressing is applied to an initial position;
A circuit board attached to the housing case,
The circuit board is
A plurality of electrodes provided in pairs with the plurality of operation knobs, a plurality of electrodes disposed at a predetermined distance so as to face those provided in pairs among the plurality of operation knobs;
Detecting means for detecting a capacitance formed between the operation knob and the electrode;
An operation determination unit that determines an operation performed on the plurality of operation knobs according to the capacitance detected by the detection unit;
I have a,
An input device, wherein a portion of the operation knob that contacts the biasing member is formed of a non-conductive member . The operation determination means includes
A contact operation in which a human finger contacts the operation knob;
A pressing operation in which a human finger presses the operation knob;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a slide operation in which a human finger slides on the operation knob between the plurality of operation knobs is determined. The area of the region where the operation knob and the electrode are opposed is equal to the area of the surface of the electrode facing the operation knob,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the operation knob is made of a conductive member. The housing case has a partition plate separating the plurality of operation knobs,
When the operation knob is in the pushed-in position, the upper surface of the partition plate, an input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that located at a position higher than the upper surface of the operating knob. A movement guide mechanism is provided so as to be in contact with the operation knob and slides the operation knob between an initial position and a push-in position in accordance with a pressing operation force applied to the operation knob. Item 5. The input device according to any one of Items 1 to 4 .

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