Capacitance change-based input device and detection device

• US 6,508,137 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Katsutoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US09/804,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20010022108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 738/620.43, 738/612.4, 737/24, 737/18, 735/040.9, 735/143.6, 735/040.2, 361/283
• US Class Current: 73/862.043
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane

Abstract

An input device and detection device each have separate electrodes with one electrode for detecting input in a vertical direction and a plurality of electrodes for detecting input in a horizontal direction. An elastic body has a conductive portion opposite to the electrodes with a thin portion opposite to the vertical-detection electrode. A storage depressed portion is formed on the thin portion. A space between the elastic body and the electrodes changes by input. A slider is connected to the elastic body and is movable only in a horizontal direction, a hard pressing body stored in the storage depressed portion of the elastic body, and a key top opposite to the pressing body and vertically movable. When the slider is moved horizontally, the elastic body deforms and the space between the conductive portion of the elastic body and the horizontal-detection electrodes changes, and when the key top is pressed, the thin portion of the elastic body deforms through the pressing body and the space between the thin portion and the vertical-detection electrode changes.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

separate electrodes comprised of an electrode for detecting input in a vertical direction and a plurality of electrodes for detecting input in a horizontal direction and arranged separately on a surface;

an elastic body which faces the separate electrodes with a predetermined space therebetween, at least a portion opposite to the separate electrodes being conductive, a thin portion being provided opposite to the electrode for detecting input in the vertical direction, a storage depressed portion being formed on the thin portion, and the space between the elastic body and the separate electrodes changing by input;

a slider connected to the elastic body and movable only in the horizontal direction;

a hard pressing body stored in the storage depressed portion of the elastic body; and

a key top whose portion opposite to the pressing body is movable in the vertical direction, wherein

horizontal movement of the key top deforms the elastic body via the slider and a space between the conductive portion of the elastic body and the electrodes for detecting input in the horizontal direction changes, and

when the key top is pressed, the thin portion of the elastic body deforms through the pressing body and the space between the thin portion and the electrode for detecting input in the vertical direction changes.

2. The input device of claim 1 which has tension application means of applying tension to the elastic body.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein a connection portion between the elastic body and the slider is covered with the key top.

4. An input device comprising:

separate electrodes comprised of an electrode for detecting input in a vertical direction and a plurality of electrodes for detecting input in a horizontal direction and arranged separately on a surface;

an elastic body which faces the separate electrodes with a predetermined space therebetween, at least a portion opposite to the separate electrodes being conductive, and the space between the elastic body and the electrodes changing by input;

a slider connected to the elastic body and movable only in the horizontal direction; and

a key top whose portion opposite to the electrode for detecting input in the vertical direction is movable at least in the vertical direction through the elastic body, wherein

horizontal movement of the key top deforms the elastic body via the slider and a space between the conductive portion of the elastic body and the electrodes for detecting input in the horizontal direction changes, and

when the key top is pressed, the elastic body deforms and a space between the conductive portion of the elastic body and the electrode for detecting in the vertical direction changes.

5. The input device of claim 4 which has a tension application means of applying tension to the elastic body.

6. The input device of claim 4, wherein a connection portion between the elastic body and the slider is covered with the key top.

7. An input device comprising:

separate electrodes comprised of an electrode for detecting input in a vertical direction and a plurality of electrodes for detecting input in a horizontal direction and arranged separately on a surface;

an elastic body which faces the separate electrodes with a predetermined space therebetween, at least a portion opposite to the separate electrodes being conductive, and the space between the elastic body and the electrodes changing by input;

a slider connected to the elastic body and movable only in the horizontal direction; and

a key top whose portion opposite to the electrode for detecting input in the vertical direction is movable at least in the vertical direction through the elastic body, wherein

horizontal movement of the slider deforms the elastic body via the key top and a space between the conductive portion of the elastic body and the electrodes for detecting input in the horizontal direction changes, and

when the key top is pressed, the elastic body deforms and a space between the conductive portion of the elastic body and the electrode for detecting in the vertical direction changes.