Operation apparatus

• US 10,254,872 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2016
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Shibata, Syunsuke, Tachiiri, Motoki, Itoh, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Tanmay K
• Application Number:
  US15/740,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20180188875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 341 20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/00 Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch wherein the operating part is flexible H01H17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/0213 Combined operation of electric switch and variable impedance, e.g. resistor, capacitor H01H9/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96054 Double function: touch detection combined with detection of a movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/9651 the moving element acting on a force, e.g. pressure sensitive element

Abstract

An operation apparatus includes: an operation plate on which an operation surface performed by a pressing operation with an operation body; an assembly member assembled with the operation plate; a first elastic member opposite to the operation surface with respect to the operation plate, and between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable by a pressing force applied by the operation body; a sensor detecting an elastic deformation changing amount of the first elastic member generated by the pressing operation; a pressing determinator determining whether the pressing operation is performed based on a detection value of the sensor; and a second elastic member between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable with the first elastic member by the pressing force. The first and second elastic members are arranged to enable the pressing force applied serially.

Claims

1. An operation apparatus comprising:

an operation plate having an operation surface, which is configured to be performed by a pressing operation with an operation body;

an assembly member that is assembled with the operation plate;

a first elastic member that is arranged to be opposite to the operation surface with respect to the operation plate, and that is sandwiched between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable by a pressing force applied by the operation body;

a sensor that detects an elastic deformation changing amount of the first elastic member generated by the pressing operation;

a pressing determinator that determines whether the pressing operation is performed based on a detection value of the sensor; and

a second elastic member that is arranged between the operation plate and the assembly member, and that is elastically deformable with the first elastic member by the pressing force,

wherein the first elastic member and the second elastic member are arranged to enable the pressing force applied to the first elastic member and the second elastic member serially,

wherein the sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged such that a separation distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is changeable by the pressing force,

wherein the sensor outputs the detection value based on a change in an electrostatic capacitance generated between the first electrode and the second electrode,

wherein the first elastic member is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and

wherein the second elastic member is arranged to be opposite to the first elastic member with respect to the first electrode or the second electrode.

2. The operation apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a vertical elastic coefficient of the first elastic member is smaller than a vertical elastic coefficient of the second elastic member.

3. The operation apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a plurality of operation surfaces are arranged at the operation plate, and

wherein the first electrode is arranged for each of the plurality of operation surfaces,

the operation apparatus further comprising:

a contact determinator that determines whether a contact operation with the operation body is performed on one of the plurality of operation surfaces based on the change in the electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the first electrode.

4. An operation apparatus comprising:

an operation plate having an operation surface, which is configured to be performed by a pressing operation with an operation body;

an assembly member that is assembled with the operation plate;

a first elastic member that is arranged to be opposite to the operation surface with respect to the operation plate, and that is sandwiched between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable by a pressing force applied by the operation body;

a sensor that detects an elastic deformation changing amount of the first elastic member generated by the pressing operation;

a pressing determinator that determines whether the pressing operation is performed based on a detection value of the sensor; and

a second elastic member that is arranged between the operation plate and the assembly member, and that is elastically deformable with the first elastic member by the pressing force,

wherein the first elastic member and the second elastic member are arranged to enable the pressing force applied to the first elastic member and the second elastic member serially,

wherein the sensor includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface, which are movable so as to be in contact with each other through the pressing force,

wherein the sensor outputs a detection signal corresponding to a contact area between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface,

wherein the first elastic member is arranged between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, and

wherein the second elastic member is opposite to the first elastic member with respect to the first conductive surface or the second conductive surface.