Operation device

• US 8,755,175 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nomura, Hiroo
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Assistant Examiner(s): RATHOD, ABHISHEK M
• Application Number:
  US13/237,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20120008266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.22, 349/58, 349/60
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer

Abstract

Mobile equipment includes an operation panel disposed in an opening of a case. The operation panel includes electrode layers that constitute a position detector. The operation panel and an internal member inside the case are provided with respective electrode layers that are opposite each other and constitute a press detector. An elastic member that supports the operation panel has a fixed portion secured to the case, a support portion configured to support the operation panel, and an elastic repulsive portion. When the operation panel is pressed, the magnitude of a reaction force against the pressing force can be adjusted to an appropriate level primarily by buckling or bending of the elastic repulsive portion.

Claims

1. An operation device comprising:

a case having an opening;

an operation panel disposed in the opening, the operation panel having an operation surface which is an upper surface thereof, the operation panel including a position detector configured to detect a position where the operation surface has been operated, wherein a gap is formed between an inner periphery of the case and an outer edge of the operation panel;

an elastic member disposed along an inner surface of the case so as to block the gap, wherein;

the elastic member includes;

a fixed portion secured to the inner surface of the case;

a support portion configured to support the operation panel; and

an elastic repulsive portion formed between the fixed portion and the support portion, the elastic repulsive portion being and configured to provide a restoring force to the operation panel when the operation panel is pressed toward an inside of the case;

a press detector provided in the case, configured to detect that the operation panel has been pressed toward the inside of the case; and

an internal member provided in the case, wherein the internal member includes a protrusion engaged with a recess of the case, and the fixed portion of the elastic member is held between a part of the case and the internal member.

2. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein

the elastic repulsive portion extends obliquely from the fixed portion toward the operation panel, and the support portion is located under a lower surface of the operation panel.

3. The operation device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an internal member provided in the case below the elastic member, the internal member including a press detecting surface extending along the support portion of the elastic member,

wherein the press detector includes;

an electrode formed on the lower surface of the operation panel; and

at least one counter electrode formed on the press detecting surface.

4. The operation device according to claim 3, wherein the electrode formed on the lower surface of the operational panel and the at least one counter electrode form a capacitor with the support portion of the elastic member interposed therebetween.

5. The operation device according to claim 4, wherein a capacitance of the capacitor changes when the elastic repulsive portion of the member bends as the operational panel is pressed downward.

6. The operation device according to claim 3, wherein the press detecting surface of the internal member also serves as a stopper when the operation panel is pressed downward.

7. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the internal member serves as a stopper when the operation panel is pressed toward the inside of the case.

8. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the press detector is disposed between the operation panel and the internal member.

9. The operation device according to claim 8, wherein the press detector is configured to detect a change in capacitance and includes electrodes opposite each other, the electrodes being disposed separately on the operation panel and the internal member.

10. The operation device according to claim 8, wherein the press detector includes a piezoelectric element.

11. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the press detector includes:

a deforming portion configured to deform when the operation panel is pressed; and

a strain gauge configured to detect the deformation.

12. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic repulsive portion of the elastic member is located along the inner periphery of the case so as to block the gap.

13. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic repulsive portion of the elastic member bends by buckling deformation when the support portion moves downward as the operation panel is pressed.