JP2014107170A - Rotating operation type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide "a rotating operation type input device" suppressing a manufacturing cost of an operation knob and having excellent operability.SOLUTION: In a rotating operation type input device 1, an operation knob 4 rotationally-operated by fingers and the like of a user is equipped with a base member 5 having a first annular surface 5a and attached to a rotor portion 3a of a rotary encoder 3, a cap member 6 having a second annular surface 6a and attached to the base member 5, and a cylindrical operation knob 7 held between the first annular surface 5a and the second annular surface 6a. The operation knob 7 is made from an integrated molded article adhering an elastic ring 11 to an outer peripheral surface of a supporting ring 10, and formed with a projecting part 11a projecting out from an upper end of the supporting ring 10 on the elastic ring 11. While the projecting part 11a is elastically contacted with the second annular surface 6a, the base member 5, the cap member 6, and the operation knob 7 are integrated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary operation type input device in which a user rotates a control knob to operate a rotary electric component, and particularly relates to an improvement of an operation knob attached to a rotor portion of the rotary electric component. .

  In general, a rotary operation type input device is composed of a rotary electric component such as a rotary encoder and a rotary volume mounted on a circuit board, and an operation knob attached to the rotor portion of the rotary electric component. When the user rotates the operation knob in either the forward or reverse direction, a signal corresponding to the rotation of the rotor connected to the operation knob is output from the rotary electrical component.

  The operation knob is a unit product in which a plurality of members are integrated. Conventionally, the operation knob is fixed to the cylindrical base member, the ring-shaped elastic member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the base member, and the upper opening end of the base member. An operation knob composed of a cap member has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The base member is attached to the rotor portion of the rotary electric component, and the base member is formed with a snap piece and a positioning projection for connection to the rotor portion. The elastic member functions as a non-slip when rotating, and the base member and the elastic member are integrally formed by a two-color molding (double mold) method. The cap member is a decorative part exposed to the outside, and the cap member is formed with a locking claw, a positioning projection, and the like for connection to the base member.

Japanese Patent No. 4556184

  In the above-described conventional rotary operation type input device, since the base member and the elastic member, which are constituent members of the operation knob, are integrally formed by the two-color molding method, the non-slip elastic member is in contact with the operation portion of the base member. There is no deviation, and the user can reliably operate the operation knob manually. However, it is necessary to form a snap piece or a positioning projection as a connecting means for connecting the rotor portion and the cap member to the base member, and the overall shape of the base member is necessarily complicated. As a result, the mold structure for integrally molding the substrate becomes complicated, and the manufacturing cost increases accordingly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary operation type input device that is excellent in operability while suppressing the manufacturing cost of an operation knob.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an operation knob is integrated with the rotor portion of the rotary electric component, and the rotation of the rotor portion by rotating the operation knob causes the rotation to be performed. In the rotary operation type input device in which a corresponding signal is output from the rotary electric component, the operation knob is attached to the base member having a first annular surface attached to the rotor portion, and the base member. A cap member having a second annular surface, and a cylindrical operation knob held between the first annular surface and the second annular surface, the operation knob having an inner circumference made of synthetic resin. A support ring on the side and an elastic ring made of a thermoplastic elastomer integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support ring, and the elastic ring protrudes from the end surface in the axial direction of the support ring, and the protruding portion Was configured to be elastically contacted to at least one of said first annular surface and said second annular surface.

  In the rotary operation type input device configured as described above, an operation knob that is rotated by a user's finger or the like is attached to a base member that is attached to the rotor portion of the rotary electrical component, and the base member. A cap member, and a cylindrical operation knob held between the first annular surface of the base member and the second annular surface of the cap member, and the operation knob is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support ring with an elastic ring. Therefore, the operation knob can be manufactured by using a mold device having a simple structure, and the operation knob having an anti-slip function can be manufactured at low cost. The elastic ring of the operation knob protrudes from the end surface in the axial direction of the support ring, and the base member and the cap member are in a state where the protruding portion is in elastic contact with at least one of the first annular surface and the second annular surface. Since the three parts of the operation knob are integrated, the accumulated tolerance when the parts are combined is absorbed by the protruding portion of the elastic ring, and rattling of the operation knob can be surely prevented.

  In the above configuration, the base member is provided with a holding wall protruding in the axial direction from the first annular surface, and the holding wall prevents the operation knob from rotating relative to the base member, and the holding wall is used as the inner peripheral surface of the support ring. By facing the cap member through the annular space, hanging a locking wall protruding in the axial direction from the second annular surface, inserting the locking wall into the annular space and snap-coupling to the holding wall, It is preferable that the cap member is attached to the base member because the base member, the cap member, and the operation knob can be easily and reliably integrated.

  In the rotary operation type input device of the present invention, an operation knob that is rotated by a user's finger or the like includes a base member that is attached to the rotor portion of the rotary electric component, and a cap member that is attached to the base member. And a cylindrical operation knob held between the first annular surface of the base member and the second annular surface of the cap member, and the operation knob fixed the elastic ring to the outer peripheral surface of the support ring. Since it is made of an integrally molded product, it is possible to manufacture an operation knob having a function of preventing slipping at a low cost, and the elastic ring of the operation knob protrudes from the end surface in the axial direction of the support ring. Since the base member, the cap member, and the operation knob are integrated in a state of being elastically contacted with at least one of the first annular surface and the second annular surface, it is possible to reliably prevent the operation knob from rattling. In That.

1 is a perspective view of a rotary operation type input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of this switch apparatus. It is a front view of the operation knob with which this switch apparatus is equipped. It is a top view of this operation knob. It is a disassembled perspective view of this operation knob. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. FIG. 7 is a detailed view of part B in FIG. 6.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A rotary operation type input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on a cluster panel or the like in a vehicle compartment and used as input means for audio equipment. Is.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary operation type input device 1 is mainly configured by a rotary encoder 3 mounted on a circuit board 2 and a hollow structure operation knob 4 for driving the rotary encoder 3. As will be described later, the operation knob 4 is composed of a unit component in which a base member 5, a cap member 6 and an operation knob 7 are integrated. A pressing operation body 8 is disposed in the hollow portion of the operation knob 4, and the pressing operation body 8 can slide in the axial direction on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide member 9 mounted on the circuit board 2. Is held in. A push switch (not shown) is mounted on the circuit board 2 surrounded by the guide member 9. When the user presses the pressing operation body 8 and moves it downward to the inner bottom side of the guide member 9. The stem of the push switch is pushed in to perform an on / off switching operation.

  The rotary encoder 3 is a position sensor (rotary electrical component) that detects an angle by using a detection method such as a brush type or an optical type, and the rotary encoder 3 has a hollow shaft-like rotor portion 3a that protrudes upward. ing. A plurality of locking step portions 3b and guide grooves 3c are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor portion 3a, and the base member 5 of the operation knob 4 is connected to the rotor portion 3a using the locking step portions 3b and the guide grooves 3c. To be securely connected to the

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the operation knob 4 is composed of three parts: a base member 5 having a first annular surface 5 a, a cap member 6 having a second annular surface 6 a, and a cylindrical operation knob 7. Thus, these three parts are integrated with the operation knob 7 being sandwiched between the first annular surface 5a and the second annular surface 6a, and are handled as one unit product.

  The base member 5 is a cylindrical molded product made of synthetic resin such as PC / ABS alloy resin, and a plurality of positioning protrusions (not shown) and a plurality of snap claws 5b are formed on the lower side of the base member 5. (See FIG. 6). The first annular surface 5a is formed on the upper side of the base member 5, and a plurality of holding walls 5c are erected in the axial direction on the inner peripheral portion of the first annular surface 5a. These holding walls 5c are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and an engagement hole 5d is formed in an upper part of an arbitrary holding wall 5c.

  The cap member 6 is a molded product made of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin, and the wear resistance and corrosion resistance are enhanced by performing plating treatment of chromium or the like on the surface thereof. The cap member 6 has a cylindrical locking wall 6b that is somewhat larger in diameter than the pressing operation body 8 described above, and the second annular surface protrudes radially outward from the upper end of the locking wall 6b. 6a is formed. A plurality of concave grooves 6c extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the locking wall 6b, and a plurality of locking claws 6d and positioning protrusions 6e are provided along the circumferential direction on the lower inner peripheral surface of the locking wall 6b. Are alternately formed. When the cap member 6 is attached to the base member 5, the locking claw 6 d is locked in the engagement hole 5 d of the holding wall 5 c to prevent the cap member 6 from coming off, and each positioning projection 6 e is The cap member 6 is prevented from rotating by fitting between the holding walls 5c.

  The operation knob 7 includes a support ring 10 made of a synthetic resin such as a PC / ABS alloy resin, and an elastic ring 11 made of a thermoplastic elastomer fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the support ring 10. The elastic ring 11 is integrally formed by a two-color molding (double mold) method. A plurality of bulging portions 10 a projecting radially inward are formed on the lower inner peripheral surface of the support ring 10, and a plurality of rib-like protrusions 10 b extending in the axial direction are formed on the upper inner peripheral surface of the support ring 10. Has been. When the operation knob 7 is assembled between the first annular surface 5a and the second annular surface 6a, the bulging portion 10a is fitted between the holding walls 5c of the base member 5 and functions as a detent for the operation knob 7. The rib-like protrusion 10b engages with the concave groove 6c of the locking wall 6b and functions as an insertion guide for the cap member 6.

  The elastic ring 11 is integrated so as to cover the entire outer peripheral surface of the support ring 10, but one end side in the axial direction of the elastic ring 11 protrudes from the support ring 10, and only the protruding portion 11 a is closer to the elastic ring 11. However, the axial length is larger than that of the support ring 10. Specifically, the length between the first annular surface 5a and the second annular surface 6a is L, the length in the axial direction of the support ring 10 is L1, and the length in the axial direction of the elastic ring 11 including the protruding portion 11a. If L2 is L2, the relationship of L1 <L <L2 is set (see FIG. 7). The outer peripheral surface of the elastic ring 11 is formed into a knurled shape, and this knurled shape enhances the effect of preventing the user's fingers from slipping. Further, a part of the inner peripheral surface of the elastic ring 11 enters the bulging portion 10 a of the support ring 10, thereby improving the adhesion between the support ring 10 and the elastic ring 11.

  The assembly process of the operation knob 4 will be described. First, the operation knob 7 is inserted into each holding wall 5c of the base member 5, and the operation knob 7 is moved while fitting the bulging portion 10a of the support ring 10 between the holding walls 5c. Mounted on the first annular surface 5a. At that time, the rib-like protrusions 10b of the support ring 10 are inserted between the holding walls 5c, and each holding wall 5c faces the upper inner peripheral surface of the support ring 10 via an annular space. Next, when the locking wall 6b of the cap member 6 is inserted into the annular space, the concave groove 6c is engaged with the rib-like protrusion 10b, and the cap member 6 is pushed into the annular space in this state, the cap member 6 the second annular surface 6 a abuts against the upper end of the operation knob 7. At this time, only the protruding portion 11a of the elastic ring 11 is in contact with the second annular surface 6a. When the cap member 6 is further pushed into the annular space as it is, the locking claw 6d of the cap member 6 contacts the holding wall 5c. The operation knob 4 that is locked (snap-in) to the engagement hole 5d and that integrates the base member 5, the cap member 6, and the operation knob 7 is obtained.

  And the base member 5 of this operation knob 4 is inserted in the rotor part 3a of the rotary encoder 3 mounted on the circuit board 2, and the positioning protrusion (not shown) of the base member 5 is inserted into the guide groove 3c of the rotor part 3a. If the base member 5 is pushed in and the snap claw 5b is locked to the locking step portion 3b while being engaged, the rotary operation type input device 1 having the operation knob 4 attached to the rotor portion 3a is assembled. In this case, since the protruding portion 11a of the elastic ring 11 is changed from the unloaded state to the compressed state, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation knob 7 places the protruding portion 11a of the elastic ring 11 on the second annular surface 6a. The upper end of the support ring 10 made of synthetic resin is held between the base member 5 and the cap member 6 in the elastic contact state, and is separated from the second annular surface 6a. Therefore, the accumulated tolerance generated when the three parts of the base member 5, the cap member 6, and the operation knob 7 are combined is absorbed by the protruding portion 11a of the elastic ring 11, and the operation can be performed without strictly managing the dimensional accuracy of each part. The rattling of the knob 7 can be reliably prevented.

  In the rotary operation type input device 1 configured as described above, when the user grips the elastic ring 11 of the operation knob 7 with fingers and rotates the operation knob 4 in either the forward or reverse direction, the base member of the operation knob 4 The rotor portion 3a connected to the rotor 5 rotates integrally, and a signal corresponding to the rotation of the rotor portion 3a is output from the rotary encoder 3. At that time, since the elastic ring 11 covering the entire outer peripheral surface of the operation knob 7 functions as a slip stopper, the user can reliably operate the operation knob 4 manually.

  As described above, in the rotary operation type input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation knob 4 that is rotated by a user's finger or the like is attached to the base member 5 that is attached to the rotor portion 3a of the rotary encoder 3. A cap member 6 to be attached to the base member 5, and a cylindrical operation knob 7 held between the first annular surface 5a of the base member 5 and the second annular surface 6a of the cap member 6. Since the operation knob 7 is an integrally molded product in which the elastic ring 11 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the support ring 10, the operation knob 7 can be manufactured by using a simple structure mold device and has a function of preventing slippage. The operation knob 4 that is provided can be manufactured at low cost.

  In addition, the elastic ring 11 on the outer peripheral side protrudes from the upper end of the support ring 10 on the inner peripheral side, and the protruding portion 11a of the elastic ring 11 is in elastic contact with the second annular surface 6a of the cap member 6, Since the base member 5, the cap member 6, and the operation knob 7 are integrated, the accumulated tolerance when the components are combined is absorbed by the protruding portion 11 a of the elastic ring 11, and the operation knob 7 is rattled. Can be reliably prevented. Moreover, the surface of the cap member 6 that is an exterior component is plated with chromium or the like, and the contact between the second annular surface 6a of the cap member 6 and the operation knob 7 is supported by a synthetic resin. Since it becomes the protrusion part 11a of the elastic ring 11 instead of the ring 10, generation | occurrence | production of the noise resulting from the contact of a plating film and a synthetic resin can be eliminated.

  Further, a plurality of holding walls 5c are erected in the axial direction on the inner peripheral portion of the first annular surface 5a of the base member 5, and the bulging portion 10a of the support ring 10 is fitted between these holding walls 5c. Then, the operation knob 7 is prevented from rotating, and each holding wall 5c is opposed to the inner peripheral surface of the support ring 10 through an annular space, and the locking wall 6b of the cap member 6 is inserted into the annular space. Since the locking claw 6d of the cap member 6 is locked (snap-in) to the engagement hole 5d of the holding wall 5c, the base member 5, the cap member 6 and the operation of the operation knob 4 are assembled. The three knobs 7 can be easily and reliably integrated.

  In the above embodiment, when the operation knob 7 including the support ring 10 and the elastic ring 11 is formed in two colors, one end side in the axial direction of the elastic ring 11 is protruded from the support ring 10, and the elastic ring 11 While the protruding portion 11a is elastically contacted with the second annular surface 6a of the cap member 6, the operation member 4 is configured by integrating the base member 5, the cap member 6 and the operation knob 7 together. The protruding portion 11 a of the ring 11 may be elastically contacted with the first annular surface 5 a of the base member 5 instead of the second annular surface 6 a of the cap member 6. Alternatively, when the operation knob 7 is formed, the upper and lower ends in the axial direction of the elastic ring 11 are protruded from the support ring 10, and both protruding portions 11 a of the elastic ring 11 are connected to the first annular surface 5 a of the base member 5 and the cap member 6. Each of the two annular surfaces 6a may be elastically contacted.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the first annular surface 5a is integrally formed with the base member 5 has been described. However, the base member is attached to the rotor portion 3a of the rotary encoder 3, and the upper portion of the base member. It is also possible to form a first annular surface on the decorative ring.

  In the above-described embodiment, the composite operation type rotary operation type input device 1 in which the pressing operation body 8 is disposed in the hollow portion of the operation knob 4 to be rotated is described. However, a cap that is a constituent member of the operation knob 4 You may make it abbreviate | omit the components arrange | positioned in hollow parts, such as the press operation body 8 and the guide member 9, by capping the top surface of the member 6 with a cover.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotary encoder 3 is illustrated as an example of the rotary electric component operated by the operation knob 4. However, instead of the rotary encoder 3, other rotary electric components such as a rotary volume and a rotary switch are used. It is also possible to use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotation operation type input device 2 Circuit board 3 Rotary encoder (rotation type electrical component)
3a Rotor portion 3b Locking step portion 3c Guide groove 4 Operation knob 5 Base member 5a First annular surface 5b Snap claw 5c Holding wall 5d Engaging hole 6 Cap member 6a Second annular surface 6b Locking wall 6c Concave groove 6d Locking Claw 6e Positioning projection 7 Operation knob 10 Support ring 10a Swelling portion 10b Rib projection 11 Elastic ring 11a Projecting

Claims (2)

An operation knob is integrated with the rotor portion of the rotary electric component, and when the operation knob is rotated to rotate the rotor portion, a signal corresponding to the rotation is output from the rotary electric component. In the rotary operation type input device,
The operation knob includes a base member having a first annular surface attached to the rotor portion, a cap member having a second annular surface attached to the base member, the first annular surface, and the second member. A cylindrical operation knob held between the annular surface,
The operation knob has a support ring on the inner peripheral side made of synthetic resin and an elastic ring made of a thermoplastic elastomer integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support ring, and the elastic ring is arranged in the axial direction of the support ring. A rotary operation type input device characterized in that it protrudes from an end face and is elastically contacted with at least one of the first annular surface and the second annular surface.   2. The holding wall according to claim 1, wherein a holding wall protruding in an axial direction from the first annular surface is provided on the base member, and the holding wall prevents rotation of the operation knob relative to the base member, and the holding wall. Is opposed to the inner peripheral surface of the support ring via an annular space, and a locking wall projecting from the second annular surface in the axial direction is suspended from the cap member, and the locking wall is inserted into the annular space. Then, the cap member is attached to the base member by snap coupling to the holding wall, and the rotary operation type input device.