JP7450564B2 - input device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to input devices.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, input devices mounted on vehicles and the like have been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-172844 describes a board, a touch operation surface that can be pressed against the board, a press detection section mounted on the board that detects a press on the touch operation surface, and a board and a touch operation surface. A touchpad is disclosed, comprising: an elastic section disposed between the touch pad and the elastic section disposed between the touch pad and the elastic section.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-172844

A touch pad such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2015-172844 is required to be capable of detecting small pressing strokes. In order to achieve this, it is conceivable to use an optical sensor as an element that detects the press on the operating section. In this case, it is desirable that disturbance light to the optical sensor be blocked. On the other hand, the substrate on which the optical sensor is mounted is usually required to be waterproof.

For this reason, when an optical sensor is used as an element for detecting a press on the operating section, at least a member that waterproofs the board and a member that blocks external light from reaching the optical sensor are required, which increases the number of parts.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device that can simultaneously shield an optical sensor from ambient light and waterproof a board while avoiding an increase in the number of parts.

An input device according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a fixed substrate, an operating section that can be pressed in a pressing direction toward the fixed substrate, and an optical device that is mounted on the fixed substrate and that can detect a press on the operating section. a sensor; and a waterproof member that covers the surface of the fixed substrate; the operation unit includes a reflection unit that reflects light emitted from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor; and the waterproof member , a light shielding portion surrounding the optical sensor and contacting a portion of the operating portion around the reflecting portion.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an input device that can simultaneously shield an optical sensor from disturbance light and waterproof a board while avoiding an increase in the number of parts.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. It is an enlarged view of a light shielding part. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing part in the input device. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an operating section in the input device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an elastic member in the input device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the relationship between a fixed part, an operating part, and an elastic member.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings referred to below, the same numbers are attached to the same or corresponding members.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. This input device 1 is preferably mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the input device 1 includes a fixing section 100, an operating section 200, and a neutral return member 300.

The fixed part 100 is attached to the steering wheel so as not to be displaced relative to the steering wheel. The fixing section 100 includes a cover 110, a fixing substrate 120, an optical sensor 130, a waterproof member 140, and a body 150.

Cover 110 is fixed to the steering wheel.

Fixed substrate 120 is fixed to cover 110.

Optical sensor 130 is mounted on fixed substrate 120. The optical sensor 130 can detect a press on the operating section 200. Specifically, the optical sensor 130 detects a press on the operating unit 200 by receiving reflected light emitted from the optical sensor 130 . Other elements 132 are also mounted on the fixed substrate 120.

The waterproof member 140 covers the fixed substrate 120. Waterproof member 140 is made of rubber. The waterproof member 140 has a light shielding part 144.

The light shielding section 144 shields the optical sensor 130 from light from its surroundings. The light shielding part 144 has a shape that surrounds the optical sensor 130. The light shielding part 144 opens upward (in the opposite direction to the fixed substrate 120 side). However, the light shielding part 144 does not have to be open upward. An inner circumferential surface 144S of the light shielding part 144 is formed in black. In this embodiment, the entire waterproof member 140 is formed in black. Details of the light shielding section 144 will be described later.

The body 150 is placed on the waterproof member 140. The body 150 is fixed to the cover 110 with the edge 141 (see FIG. 2) of the waterproof member 140 sandwiched therebetween.

The operating portion 200 can be pressed in a pressing direction toward the fixed portion 100 (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). The operation unit 200 includes a reflection unit 213 that reflects light emitted from the optical sensor 130 toward the optical sensor 130. The operation unit 200 includes a movable base 210, a movable substrate 220, an LED 230, a panel 240, a separator 250, a detection sensor 260, and a vibration actuator 270.

The movable base 210 is attached to the fixed part 100 so as to be movable relative to the fixed part 100 in a direction parallel to the pressing direction. In this embodiment, the movable base 210 is fixed to the body 150. The movable base 210 has a flat portion 212 and a reinforcing portion 214.

The flat portion 212 is formed flat. The flat portion 212 has the reflective portion 213 . The reflecting portion 213 is configured of a portion of the flat portion 212 that faces the optical sensor 130 .

The reinforcing portion 214 reinforces the flat portion 212. The reinforcing portion 214 has a function of increasing the rigidity of the flat portion 212. The reinforcing portion 214 has a shape that protrudes from the back surface of the flat portion 212 toward the fixed substrate 120. The reinforcing portion 214 is formed into a square tube shape. The reinforcing section 214 is provided around the reflecting section 213. The reinforcing part 214 has a shape that surrounds the light shielding part 144.

Movable substrate 220 is fixed to movable base 210. An LED 230 and an electrostatic IC 232 are mounted on the movable substrate 220.

Panel 240 is fixed to movable base 210. Panel 240 is a member operated by an operator. As shown in FIG. 1, an operated section 242 that is operated by an operator is formed on the surface of the panel 240.

Separator 250 is fixed on movable substrate 220. Separator 250 is a member that guides the light emitted from LED 230 only to operated section 242 . In other words, the separator 250 has a function as a light shielding member that prevents the light emitted from the LED 230 from reaching a portion of the panel 240 that is different from the operated portion 242.

Detection sensor 260 is arranged on the back surface of panel 240. Detection sensor 260 can detect operation of panel 240 in a direction different from the pressing direction. In this embodiment, the detection sensor 260 is configured with an electrostatic sensor sheet that can detect an operation of tracing the surface of the panel 240 along a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction. As shown in FIG. 2, one end 261 of the detection sensor 260 is connected to the back surface of the movable substrate 220.

The vibration actuator 270 is fixed onto the flat portion 212 of the movable base 210 with adhesive or the like. The vibration actuator 270 feeds back vibration to the panel 240 when the panel 240 is pressed against the fixed part 100 (when the optical sensor 130 detects the pressing of the operating part 200). Note that the vibration actuator 270 may be omitted.

The neutral return member 300 applies a biasing force to the operating section 200 to return the operating section 200 to the neutral position. The neutral return member 300 includes a first elastic member 310 and a second elastic member 320.

The first elastic member 310 is made of a plate spring. The first elastic member 310 is fixed to the body 150 and the movable base 210 by a fastening member B such as a screw. The first elastic member 310 connects the fixed part 100 and the operating part 200 so that the operating part 200 can move relative to the fixed part 100 in a direction parallel to the pressing direction.

The second elastic member 320 is made of rubber. The second elastic member 320 is arranged between the four corners of the body 150 and the four corners of the movable base 210. The second elastic member 320 has a function of applying a biasing force to the operation unit 200, a function of damping the vibration of the panel 240 caused by the vibration of the vibration actuator 270, and a function of suppressing the tilt of the panel 240 caused by pressing. It has .

Here, the light shielding part 144 of the waterproof member 140 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The light blocking portion 144 is in contact with a portion of the movable base 210 around the reflecting portion 213 . The light shielding part 144 has an encircling part 145 and a pressing part 146.

The surrounding portion 145 surrounds the optical sensor 130 . The surrounding portion 145 has a shape that stands up from the fixed substrate 120. As shown in FIG. 4, the surrounding portion 145 is formed into a square tube shape. The upper part of the surrounding part 145 overlaps with the reinforcing part 214 in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction.

The pressure contact portion 146 is connected to the upper end of the surrounding portion 145 . The pressure contact portion 146 is in pressure contact with the movable base 210. In other words, the pressure contact portion 146 urges the movable base 210 in the opposite direction to the pressing direction. The biasing force of the pressure contact portion 146 is smaller than the biasing force of the first elastic member 310 and the biasing force of the second elastic member 320. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure contact portion 146 has an inward projecting portion 146a and a protruding portion 146b.

The inward projecting portion 146 a has a shape extending from the upper end of the surrounding portion 145 toward the inside of the surrounding portion 145 . The inward projecting portion 146a is formed in an annular shape. The thickness of the inward projecting portion 146a is formed to be the same as or smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion 145.

The protruding portion 146b has a shape that protrudes toward the reflecting portion 213 from the inner edge of the inward protruding portion 146a. The protrusion 146b has an annular shape. In this embodiment, the protrusion 146b is formed in an annular shape as shown in FIG. The protruding portion 146b is in contact with a portion of the flat portion 212 around the reflective portion 213.

As described above, in the input device 1 of this embodiment, the waterproof member 140 that covers the surface of the fixed board 120 has the light shielding part 144. In other words, the waterproof member 140 has the waterproof function of the fixed board 120. Since it has both the function of shielding the external light to the optical sensor 130 and the function of shielding the external light to the optical sensor 130, it is possible to achieve both the shielding of external light to the optical sensor 130 and the waterproofing of the fixed substrate 120 while avoiding an increase in the number of parts. .

Note that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments described above, and further includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

For example, the pressure contact portion 146 may further include a closing portion (not shown) that closes the opening formed by the protruding portion 146b.

The exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following aspects.

An input device according to one embodiment includes: a fixed substrate; an operating section that can be pressed in a pressing direction toward the fixed substrate; an optical sensor that is mounted on the fixed substrate and can detect a press on the operating section; a waterproof member that covers the surface of the fixed substrate, the operation section has a reflection section that reflects light emitted from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor, and the waterproof member covers the optical sensor. and a light shielding portion that surrounds the periphery of the operating portion and contacts a portion of the operating portion around the reflecting portion.

In this input device, the waterproof member that covers the surface of the fixed board has a light shielding part. In other words, the waterproof member has both the waterproof function of the fixed board and the function of blocking external light from reaching the optical sensor. , it becomes possible to simultaneously shield the optical sensor from disturbance light and waterproof the fixed substrate while avoiding an increase in the number of parts.

Further, it is preferable that the light shielding part has an enclosing part surrounding the optical sensor, and a press-contact part connected to an upper end of the enclosing part and coming into pressure contact with the operating part.

In this way, light shielding of the optical sensor and suppression of water intrusion through the gap between the light shielding part and the operating part can be effectively achieved.

The input device further includes a neutral return member that biases the operating portion in a direction opposite to the pressing direction, and the biasing force of the operating portion due to the pressure contact portion is equal to the biasing force of the operating portion due to the neutral return member. Preferably smaller than the force.

In this aspect, the influence of the biasing force of the operating part due to the pressure contact part on the pressing force of the operating part is relatively small, so it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water through the gap between the light shielding part and the operating part, and to reduce the pressing force caused by the optical sensor. Both of the following are achieved: suppression of deterioration in detection accuracy;

Further, the pressure contact portion includes an inward protruding portion having a shape extending from an upper end of the enclosing portion toward the inner side of the enclosing portion, and an inward protruding portion extending from an inner edge of the inward extending portion toward the reflecting portion. It is preferable to have a protruding part that protrudes from above and comes into contact with the operating part.

In this way, the inward projecting portion is bent in the same direction in response to the displacement of the operating portion in a direction parallel to the pressing direction, so that the biasing force on the operating portion due to the pressure contact portion is effectively reduced.

Further, it is preferable that the thickness of the inward projecting portion is the same as or smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion.

In this way, the above effect can be obtained more reliably.

Further, it is preferable that the inner circumferential surface of the light shielding part or the entire light shielding part be formed in black.

In this way, the incidence of disturbance light on the photoelectric sensor is suppressed.

Further, it is preferable that the operation section includes a detection sensor capable of detecting an operation in a direction different from the pressing direction.

1 input device, 100 fixed part, 110 cover, 120 fixed substrate, 130 optical sensor, 140 waterproof member, 144 light shielding part, 145 surrounding part, 146 pressure contact part, 146a inward projecting part, 146b projecting part, 150 body, 200 Operating section, 210 movable base, 212 flat section, 213 reflecting section, 214 reinforcing section, 220 movable substrate, 230 LED, 232 electrostatic IC, 240 panel, 242 operated section, 250 separator, 260 detection sensor, 270 vibration actuator, 300 neutral return member, 310 first elastic member, 320 second elastic member.

Claims (7)

a fixed board;
an operating section that can be pressed in a pressing direction toward the fixed substrate;
an optical sensor mounted on the fixed substrate and capable of detecting a press on the operating section;
a waterproof member covering the surface of the fixed substrate,
The operation unit includes a reflection unit that reflects light emitted from the optical sensor toward the optical sensor,
In the input device, the waterproof member includes a light shielding portion that surrounds the optical sensor and contacts a portion of the operating portion around the reflecting portion. The light shielding part is
an enclosing part surrounding the optical sensor;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a press-contact part connected to an upper end of the surrounding part and press-contacted to the operation part. further comprising a neutral return member that biases the operating section in a direction opposite to the pressing direction,
3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein a biasing force applied to the operating unit by the pressure contact portion is smaller than a biasing force applied to the operating unit due to the neutral return member. The pressure contact part is
an inward projecting portion having a shape extending from an upper end of the surrounding portion toward the inside of the surrounding portion;
4. The input device according to claim 3, further comprising a protrusion that protrudes from an inner edge of the inward projecting part toward the reflective part and comes into contact with the operating part. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the inward projecting portion is the same as or smaller than the thickness of the surrounding portion. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the light shielding section or the entire light shielding section is formed in black. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operation section includes a detection sensor capable of detecting an operation in a direction different from the pressing direction.

Images