OPERATION INPUT DEVICE

• US 20200133401A1
• Filed: 04/05/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: MEGA, Susumu, NOMURA, Hidetaka, HATANO, Kazuma, HOSHINO, Akiko, HAYASHI, Seiji
• Granted Patent: US 11,112,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1434 Touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/212 displaying on manual operation elements, e.g. on a knob
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7073 characterised by springs, e.g. Euler springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/032 Conductive polymer; Rubber
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/012 Two keys simultaneous considerations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/967 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard H03K17/969, H03K17/972, H03K17/98 take precedence

Abstract

An operation input device includes an operation input unit that is configured to receive a tracing operation performed in a one-dimensional direction. The operation input unit includes a plurality of mechanical switches that are arranged side by side in an operation direction and each include an operation surface subjected to the tracing operation, the operation surface defining a curved surface along the operation direction.

Claims

1. An operation input device, comprising an operation input unit that is configured to receive a tracing operation performed in a one-dimensional direction,

wherein the operation input unit comprises a plurality of mechanical switches that are arranged side by side in an operation direction and each comprise an operation surface subjected to the tracing operation, the operation surface defining a curved surface along the operation direction.

2. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein a setting value to be input is increased when the tracing operation as the operation direction in a first direction is input to the operation input unit, and

wherein the setting value to be input is decreased when the tracing operation as the operation direction in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, is input thereto.

3. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical switches comprise an operation button to be depressed via the operation surface during the tracing operation, a contact arranged under the operation button, and an elastic member applying a repulsive force to the operation button when actuating the contact by depressing the operation button.

4. The operation device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of mechanical switches are configured such that the respective operation buttons protruding from a surface of a housing have different protruding lengths so as to correspond to the magnitude of the setting value to be input.

5. The operation input device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of mechanical switches are configured such that the protruding length gradually increases in the first direction.

6. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mechanical switches are configured such that the respective operation surfaces have different widths in the operation direction so as to correspond to the magnitude of the setting value to be input.

7. The operation input device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of mechanical switches are configured such that the width gradually increases in the first direction.

8. The operation input device claim 1, wherein the plurality of mechanical switches are configured such that operating loads required to depress the operation surfaces are different so as to correspond to the magnitude of the setting value to be input.

9. The operation input device according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of mechanical switches are configured such that the operating load gradually increases in the first direction.

10. The operation input device claim 1, comprising a control unit that obtains a direction and traced amount of the tracing operation based on a plurality of ON signals output from the plurality of mechanical switches and controls an electronic device to be operated according to the obtained direction and traced amount of the tracing operation.

11. The operation input device claim 1, wherein the operation surfaces of the plurality of mechanical switches are flat in the middle and curved at both ends.

12. The operation input device claim 3, wherein the operation buttons of the plurality of mechanical switches have a shape tapered toward both ends.

13. The operation input device claim 3, wherein the operation buttons of the plurality of mechanical switches are each configured that an upper portion is thin and a line defined by an apex of the upper portion is curved.