JP2017045608A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which improves an operation feeling and eliminates backlash.SOLUTION: An input device 100 comprises: a slide member 5 including an operation part 5a on which a pressing operation is performed, and movable in a direction of the pressing operation; a switch part 7 which is pressed by the slide member 5; a housing 20 in which the slide member 5 and the switch part 7 are disposed; and a first magnet 11 and a second magnet 12. The first magnet 12 is fitted to the slide member 5 and the second magnet 12 is fitted to the housing 20 in such a manner that the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are attracted to each other. As a stroke from an initial position of the slide member 5 becomes longer, a distance between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 becomes longer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device having a good operation feeling.

  Conventionally, there exists an input device (push switch) that uses the repulsive force of a magnet. As such a conventional input device, a push switch 900 described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The push switch 900 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the push switch 900, a key top 903 for pressing is attached to one end of the stem 902. The key top 903 resists the biasing force of the biasing means that always biases the stem 2 in the direction of the key top 903. The biasing means is constituted by a magnetic means for biasing the stem 902 in the direction of the key top 903 by a magnetic repulsive force. Note that the stem 902 is movably supported by the housing 901.

  The magnetic means is attached to the opposing surfaces of the first permanent magnet 904 attached to the other end face of the stem 902 and the first permanent magnet 904 of the housing 901, and the magnetic poles thereof generate magnetic repulsion with the first permanent magnet 904. And a second permanent magnet 905 in which is positioned.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to provide an input device with good assemblability that can return the stem 902 to the initial position using the repulsive force between the first permanent magnet 904 and the second permanent magnet 905. .

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-133325

  However, since the input device such as the push switch 900 is a mechanism for returning the slide member (stem 902) using the repulsive force of the magnet, the first permanent magnet 904 and the second permanent magnet 904 are pushed in as the slide member is pushed from the initial position. There was a problem that the repulsive force between the magnets 905 gradually increased and the operation feeling deteriorated. Moreover, since the holding force with respect to the slide member of the housing 901 in the returned position is weak, rattling has occurred.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that has a good operation feel and is free from rattling.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an input device according to the present invention includes a slide member that has an operation unit that is operated to be pressed and is movable in the direction of the press operation, a switch unit that is pressed by the slide member, An input device including a housing in which the slide member and the switch unit are disposed, a first magnet, and a second magnet, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet attract each other. Similarly, the first magnet is attached to the slide member, the second magnet is attached to the housing, and as the stroke from the initial position of the slide member becomes longer, the first magnet and the second magnet It has the feature that the distance between becomes longer.

  In the input device configured in this way, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is the longest at the position after the slide member is pressed most deeply, so the first magnet and the second magnet The suction power between is weakest. As a result, since the original operation feeling of the switch unit can be obtained, the operation feeling is good. In addition, at the initial position before the slide member is pressed, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is the closest, so that the attractive force between the first magnet and the second magnet is the highest. It is getting stronger. As a result, since the position of the slide member is held by the strong suction force, rattling can be eliminated.

  Further, in the above configuration, the first magnet and the second magnet are magnetized so that different polarities in a direction perpendicular to the stroke direction are opposed to each other, and a gap is provided between them. It has the characteristic that it has and is arrange | positioned concentrically.

  Since the input device configured in this way does not need to be provided with a holding portion for holding the slide member at the initial position in the housing, the slide member is returned when the slide member returns from the pressed position to the initial position. And the chassis will not collide. Therefore, no collision sound is generated.

  Further, in the above configuration, the first magnet and the second magnet are both annular in shape.

  The input device configured as described above can improve assemblability.

  In the above configuration, the switch unit has a return force, and the slide member is also in an initial position when the switch unit is in an initial state.

  The input device configured as described above can perform a stable return operation to the initial position of the slide member by the attractive force between the first magnet and the second magnet and the return force of the switch unit. .

  In the input device according to the present invention, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is the longest at the position after the slide member is pressed most deeply. The suction power is the weakest. As a result, since the original operation feeling of the switch unit can be obtained, the operation feeling is good. In addition, at the initial position before the slide member is pressed, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is the closest, so that the attractive force between the first magnet and the second magnet is the highest. It is getting stronger. As a result, since the position of the slide member is held by the strong suction force, rattling can be eliminated.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the input device in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure inside a housing | casing. It is the top view and front view of an input device. It is a perspective view which shows the structure inside an input device. It is a top view at the time of seeing from the downward direction which shows the relationship between a slide member and a housing | casing. It is a top view which shows the relationship between a 1st magnet and a 2nd magnet. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of operation | movement of an input device. It is a graph which shows the stroke vs. suction power characteristic of an input device. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the input device which concerns on a prior art example.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the input device 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The input device 100 is used as an input device in a keyboard of a personal computer, for example. The use of the input device of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. Further, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the X1 side of each drawing is described as the right side, the X2 side as the left side, the Y1 side as the rear side, the Y2 side as the front side, the Z1 side as the upper side, and the Z2 side as the lower side. .

  First, the configuration of the input device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a housing 20, and FIG. FIG. 3B is a front view of the input device 100. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the input device 100. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the relationship between the slide member 5 and the housing 20 when viewed from below. 6 is a plan view showing the relationship between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12. In FIG. 4, in order to show the internal structure of the input device 100, it is represented by a two-dot chain line on the assumption that the housing 20 is transparent.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 (a), 3 (b), and 4, the input device 100 includes a slide member 5, a switch unit 7, a first magnet 11, a second magnet 12, and a housing 20. Configured. The slide member 5 and the switch portion 7 are disposed inside the housing 20, and the slide member 5 has a circular operation portion 5 a that is pressed and is movable in the pressing direction. is there. Moreover, the switch part 7 is arrange | positioned so that the slide member 5 may press.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape by a case portion 23, a top surface portion 21 that closes an upper portion of the case portion 23, and a bottom surface portion 27 that closes a lower portion of the case portion 23. An opening 21a having a circular shape in plan view is formed at the center of the top surface portion 21. Since the diameter of the opening 21a is set larger than the diameter of the operation portion 5a of the slide member 5, the opening 21a The operation part 5a of the slide member 5 protrudes upward.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4, the slide member 5 includes the aforementioned operation portion 5a and a cylindrical portion 5b that extends downward from the lower end portion of the operation portion 5a. And a flange 5d that is circular in plan view and is provided at a substantially central position in the vertical direction of the operation portion 5a. As shown in FIG. 3B, the diameter of the flange portion 5d is set larger than the diameter of the operation portion 5a, and the diameter of the cylindrical portion 5b is set smaller than the diameter of the operation portion 5a. The inside of the cylindrical part 5b is hollow, and a cylindrical central pressing convex part 5c is formed at the center part extending downward from the lower surface of the operation part 5a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a slide guide portion 25 is formed in the case portion 23 of the housing 20. A storage portion 25a having a hollow inside is formed at the center of the slide guide portion 25, and the cylindrical portion 5b of the slide member 5 is stored in the storage portion 25a.

  Further, the first step portion 25c having an annular shape in plan view has a flat surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) formed along the periphery of the storage portion 25a inside the slide guide portion 25. And a planar second annular surface having a flat surface (a surface parallel to the XY plane) formed between the outer periphery of the first step portion 25c and the outer peripheral portion 25e of the slide guide portion 25. It has a step portion 25d. The flat surface of the second step portion 25d is formed on the upper side with a predetermined step with respect to the flat surface of the first step portion 25c, and has a predetermined step from the upper end of the outer peripheral portion 25e. Is formed on the lower side.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, there are four positions on the inner peripheral surface of the storage portion 25a that face each other, that is, the X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 sides of the inner peripheral surface of the storage portion 25a. Each of the guide protrusions 25b extends downward from the surface of the first step portion 25c. Moreover, as shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5, the position of four places where the outer side surface of the cylindrical part 5b of the slide member 5 opposes, ie, the X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 sides of the cylindrical part 5b, is shown. Each of the guide groove portions 5e extends downward from the vicinity of the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 5b.

  The plurality of guide groove portions 5e of the slide member 5 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of guide convex portions 25b of the slide guide portion 25, respectively. Therefore, when the slide member 5 is pressed, the slide member 5 moves along the guide convex portion 25 b of the slide guide portion 25. The slide member 5 can move along the guide convex portion 25b up to the longest stroke.

  The cylindrical portion 5b of the slide member 5 is housed below the opening 21a shown in FIG. 1, but the diameter of the flange portion 5d of the slide member 5 is set larger than the diameter of the opening 21a. The slide member 5 does not slip upward from the top surface portion 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, a substrate 30 is attached in the case portion 23 of the housing 20. A switch unit 7 is mounted at the center of the upper surface of the substrate 30. The switch unit 7 is, for example, a push switch, and includes a switch unit body 7c, a pressing unit 7a located on the upper surface of the switch unit body 7c, and a plurality of terminals 7b provided on the lower side of the switch unit body 7c. Has been. The switch part 7 is attached to the board | substrate 30 by connecting the some terminal 7b to the conductor pattern (not shown) provided in the upper surface of the board | substrate 30 with solder. The plurality of terminals 7b are connected to an external processing circuit (not shown) through a conductor pattern.

  When the switch part 7 is in the initial state, the pressing part 7a protrudes most from the upper surface of the switch part body 7c. On the contrary, in the state where the switch part 7 is pressed most deeply, the protruding amount of the pressing part 7a from the upper surface of the switch part main body 7c is the smallest. Moreover, the switch part 7 has a restoring force, and when the pressing to the switch part 7 is released, the pressing part 7a returns itself to the initial position.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4, a first annular shape is formed on the lower surface of the operation portion 5a of the slide member 5 at a position outside the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 5b. A magnet 11 is attached. The annular second magnet 12 is attached to the flat surface of the second step portion 25d of the slide guide portion 25 shown in FIG. The vertical thickness of the first magnet 11 and the vertical thickness of the second magnet 12 are set to the same thickness. As described above, the cylindrical portion 5b of the slide member 5 is stored in the storage portion 25a of the slide guide portion 25 shown in FIG. The step between the flat surface of the second step portion 25d of the slide guide portion 25 and the outer peripheral portion 25e is set to be equal to the vertical thickness of the second magnet 12, and the first step portion 25c. The step between the flat surface of the second step portion 25d and the flat surface of the second step portion 25d is set somewhat larger than the longest stroke length of the slide member 5. Therefore, when the cylindrical portion 5b of the slide member 5 is stored in the storage portion 25a of the slide guide portion 25, the first magnet 11 is moved to the first step portion of the slide guide portion 25 as shown in FIG. Located above the flat surface of 25c.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the annular first magnet 11 has an N pole 11 a on its inner peripheral side and an S pole 11 b on its outer peripheral side, and also has an annular second The magnet 12 has an N pole 12a on its inner peripheral side and an S pole 12b on its outer peripheral side. The first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are concentrically arranged with a gap G1 between them in an initial state before the input device 100 is pressed. Therefore, the S pole 11b of the first magnet 11 and the N pole 12a of the second magnet 12 are arranged so as to face each other through the gap G1, and the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 attract each other. Become. In other words, the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are magnetized in a direction perpendicular to the stroke direction (Z1-Z2 direction) in which the slide member 5 is operated so as to attract each other.

  In addition, in this embodiment, although the shape of the 1st magnet 11 and the 2nd magnet 12 is made into an annular | circular shape, it is good also considering the shape of the 1st magnet 11 and the 2nd magnet 12 as an annular | circular shape, such as a hexagon.

  Next, the operation of the input device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 7A shows an initial state before the slide member 5 of the input device 100 is pressed. FIG. 7B shows a state after the slide member 5 is pressed. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the stroke (S) vs. suction force (F) characteristics of the input device 100. The position of the lower surface of the first magnet 11 attached to the slide member 5 is defined as the position of the slide member 5.

  In the initial state before the slide member 5 is pressed, the slide member 5 is in the initial position P1 as shown in FIG. At this time, as described above, the S pole 11b of the first magnet 11 and the N pole 12a of the second magnet 12 face each other. Therefore, the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are attracted to each other by the initial attractive force F1 across the gap G1. Accordingly, the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are located on the same plane (XY plane), and the slide member 5 is held in this state.

  When the slide member 5 is in an initial state before the pressing operation, that is, when the stroke is 0, the initial attractive force F1 between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 is the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12. Since the distance between is shortest, it is the largest value as shown in FIG.

  When the slide member 5 is at the initial position P1, the flange portion 5d of the slide member 5 is not in contact with the lower surface of the top surface portion 21 of the housing 20 and is located at a predetermined distance. Further, as described above, the S pole 11b of the first magnet 11 and the N pole 12a of the second magnet 12 are located with a gap G1 therebetween. Therefore, the slide member 5 and the housing 20 are not in contact with each other except where the guide convex portion 25 b of the slide guide portion 25 guides the guide groove portion 5 e of the slide member 5.

  When the slide member 5 is in the initial position P1, the switch unit 7 on the substrate 30 is also in the initial state. When the switch part 7 is in the initial state, the pressing part 7a protrudes the largest from the upper surface of the switch part main body 7c, but when the slide member 5 is in the initial position P1, the upper side of the pressing part 7a of the switch part 7 It is set so that the lower end portion of the central pressing convex portion 5c of the slide member 5 is brought into contact with the end portion.

  Next, in a state where the slide member 5 of the input device 100 is pressed, the slide member 5 moves downward corresponding to the length of the stroke. That is, as the stroke from the initial position P1 of the slide member 5 becomes longer, the distance between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 becomes longer. As a result, the attractive force between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 gradually decreases as shown in FIG.

  When the slide member 5 of the input device 100 is pressed most deeply, the slide member 5 moves to the position P2 after being pressed, as shown in FIG. 7B. At this time, the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are located apart by a distance L1, and are attracted to each other by the attracting force F2 after being pressed.

  At this time, that is, when the stroke becomes the longest stroke (distance L 1), the attractive force F 2 after pressing between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 is between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12. Since the distance between them is the longest, it is the smallest as shown in FIG.

  When the slide member 5 is in the position P2 after being pressed, since the pressing portion 7a of the switch portion 7 on the substrate 30 is pressed most deeply by the central pressing convex portion 5c of the slide member 5, the switch portion 7 performs a switching operation. . The result of the switching operation is output to an external processing circuit (not shown) through a conductor pattern (not shown).

  Thereafter, when the pressure on the slide member 5 is released, the slide member 5 returns to the initial position P1 shown in FIG. When the slide member 5 returns to the initial position P1, an attractive force between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 acts. As described above, the switch unit 7 has a return force. Yes. Therefore, the slide member 5 returns to the initial position P <b> 1 by the attractive force between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 and the return force of the switch unit 7.

  Hereinafter, the effect by having set it as this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the input device 100, since the distance between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 is the longest at the position P2 after the slide member 5 is pressed most deeply, the first magnet 11 and the second magnet The suction force between 12 is the weakest. As a result, since the original operation feeling of the switch unit 7 is obtained, the operation feeling is good. Moreover, since the distance between the 1st magnet 11 and the 2nd magnet 12 is the closest in the initial position P1 before the slide member 5 is pressed, between the 1st magnet 11 and the 2nd magnet 12 The suction force between them is the strongest. As a result, the position of the slide member 5 is held by the strong suction force, so that rattling can be eliminated.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to provide the housing 20 with the holding portion for holding the slide member 5 at the initial position P1, the slide member 5 and the slide member 5 are restored when the slide member 5 returns from the pressed position P2 to the initial position P1. The housing 20 does not collide. Therefore, no collision sound is generated.

  Moreover, since the shape of the 1st magnet 11 and the 2nd magnet 12 is both circular, assembly property can be improved.

  Further, since the switch unit 7 has a return force, the slide member 5 is moved to the initial position P1 by the attractive force between the first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 and the return force of the switch unit 7. A stable return operation can be performed.

  As described above, the input device of the present invention has the longest distance between the first magnet and the second magnet at the position after the slide member is pressed most deeply. The attraction force between the second magnet is the weakest. As a result, since the original operation feeling of the switch unit can be obtained, the operation feeling is good. In addition, at the initial position before the slide member is pressed, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is the closest, so that the attractive force between the first magnet and the second magnet is the highest. It is getting stronger. As a result, since the position of the slide member is held by the strong suction force, rattling can be eliminated.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the means for obtaining a good operation feeling is configured by using a set of magnets (first magnet 11 and second magnet 12). A variety of operational feelings may be provided by setting the combination of polarities to “suction + repulsion” or “suction + suction”.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Slide member 5a Operation part 5b Cylindrical part 5c Center press convex part 5d Eave part 5e Guide groove part 7 Switch part 7a Press part 7b Terminal 7c Switch part main body 11 1st magnet 11a N pole 11b S pole 12 2nd magnet 12a N pole 12b S pole 20 housing 21 top surface portion 21a opening 23 case portion 25 slide guide portion 25a storage portion 25b guide convex portion 25c first step portion 25d second step portion 25e outer peripheral portion 27 bottom surface portion 30 substrate 100 input device F1 initial suction Force F2 Suction force after pressing G1 Gap L1 Distance P1 Initial position P2 Position after pressing

Claims (4)

A slide member that has an operation portion to be pressed and is movable in the direction to be pressed, a switch portion that is pressed by the slide member, and the slide member and the switch portion are disposed inside. An input device comprising a housing, a first magnet, and a second magnet,
Attaching the first magnet to the slide member and attaching the second magnet to the housing so that the first magnet and the second magnet attract each other,
As the stroke from the initial position of the slide member becomes longer, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet becomes longer.
An input device characterized by that. The first magnet and the second magnet are magnetized so that polarities different from each other in a direction perpendicular to the stroke direction are opposed to each other, and are concentrically formed with a gap therebetween. Arranged,
The input device according to claim 1. The shapes of the first magnet and the second magnet are both annular.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is an input device. The switch part has a return force, and the slide member is also in an initial position when the switch part is in an initial state;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is an input device.

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