JPH09282987A - Touch panel switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide a touch panel switch that can provide a stroke feeling and a click feeling similar to those of other switches mounted on a vehicle even when the display screen of the touch panel is large. A switch plate (7) formed of a light-transmissive material and covering a switch screen of a screen display means (3) to provide a touch surface (6) for a switch operation can swing both ends by a swing support mechanism (15). Elastically supported by
Below the swinging ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7, click feeling generating means 17 having different operating forces is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel switch suitable for application to a vehicle-mounted switch or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, touch panel switches have come to be used as operation switches for automobiles. Figure 7
Shows a conventional resistive touch panel switch 100. This touch panel switch 100 is actually 60
The glass substrate 10 disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5530
1 and the sheet 102 are made of transparent conductive films, respectively, to form the electrode 10
3, 104 are formed, and a transparent conductive paint film is applied on the electrodes 103, 104. And sheet 10
When the arbitrary position of 2 is pressed, the electrodes 103, 1 at the pressed position
04 are in contact with each other, and the switch corresponding to the electrodes 103 and 104 operates. As a mechanism of the touch panel switch, in addition to the resistance film method, a photoelectric matrix method, a capacitance detection method, a load detection method, an acoustic method, etc. have been developed.

[0003]

By the way, a large number of various push switches are used as operation switches in the interior of an automobile, and the push switches have a feeling of stroke and a feeling of click (click) when pressed. You can feel it. However, when the push switch that allows the operator to confirm the operation feeling and the touch panel switch 100 as shown in FIG. 7 are used in a mixed manner, not only a feeling of strangeness may occur in the operation but also an erroneous operation may occur. There is. The cause is touch panel switch 1
Since 00 does not have a feeling of operation directly felt by a finger, the feeling of operation is compensated by visually recognizing the electronic sound or the color change of the screen sensed by the ear.

Therefore, the touch panel switch 110 shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed. The touch panel switch 110 is disclosed in JP-A-3-230428, and the display unit 11 is provided on the printed wiring board 111.
2 is attached, the push switch 113 is attached to the center of the display unit 112, and the cover 114 arranged above the display unit 112 is pressed to remove the free end 116 of the frame plate 115 whose one side is supported by the printed wiring board 111. Push switch 1 tilted from fulcrum 117
13 is pressed. In addition, 118 is a pressure sensor and 119 is a case. In such a configuration,
When the cover 114 is pressed, the stroke feeling is secured by the pressing operation of the free end 116 associated therewith, and at the same time, the push switch 1 is pressed by the free end 116.
The click feeling can be secured by the operation of 13,
It is possible to give the touch panel switch the same feel as existing push switches.

However, this touch panel switch 110
Then, since the free end 116 of the frame plate 115 is inclined only in one direction from the fulcrum 117, it is effective for a small and rectangular screen. However, for example, a screen having a size of 5 inches or more has a short side dimension of 70 mm or more. Therefore, there is a possibility that the stroke of the cover 114 is insufficient when the end of the screen is pressed and a click feeling is not generated, or the push switch 113 does not operate normally. In addition, there is a problem that the operating force greatly varies depending on the touch position. Therefore, it has been proposed to increase the number of push switches to be used so that a large difference in operating force and stroke does not occur depending on the touch position, but if the number of push switches is increased unnecessarily, it may be the same or slightly depending on the touch position. There is a possibility that a new problem may occur that a double click occurs in which a plurality of push switches operate due to the time difference.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation. Even if the display screen of the touch panel is large, it is possible to secure an appropriate stroke feeling and click feeling, and at the same time, the inconvenience of double-clicking occurs. To provide a touch panel switch with excellent operability that does not invite it, and when applied to an in-vehicle switch, the purpose is to prevent the occurrence of erroneous operation due to the difference in the feeling of operation with other in-vehicle switches. And

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a tatter panel switch according to the present invention comprises a screen display means for displaying a switch screen and a switch screen of the screen display means formed of a light-transmissive material. A switch plate that covers the top and provides a touch surface for operating the switch, and a makeup that covers the switch plate to provide an appearance and has a switch operating opening that exposes the touch surface of the switch plate. A panel, a swing support mechanism that allows both ends of the switch plate to swing, and one of the swing ends elastically supports one of the swing ends to perform a predetermined pressing operation, and two swing plates of the switch plate. Each of them is arranged below the moving end, and when the pressing amount of the swinging end due to the pressing of the touch surface reaches a certain amount, the response operation of the switch is shown. A pair of click feeling generating means for generating a click feeling and a touch position detecting means for detecting a touch position on the switch plate are provided, and the swing support mechanism is arranged in a direction away from the click feeling generating means. The urging force of the elastic member urging the swing end of the switch plate and the reaction force acting on the swing end from the click feeling generating means when the swing end of the switch plate is pressed down, The swing end of the switch plate is elastically supported so that it can be pushed down, and the touch position for switch operation is placed at the balance position where both swing ends of the switch plate are similarly pushed down by the pressing force during touch operation. The urging force acting from the swing support mechanism to each swing end of the switch plate is set so as not to occur.

Alternatively, a tatter panel switch according to the present invention for attaining the above object comprises a screen display means for displaying a switch screen and a switch screen of the screen display means formed of a light-transmitting material. A switch plate that provides a touch surface for operating the switch, and an outer appearance that is covered on the switch plate,
A decorative panel having a switch operation opening for exposing the touch surface of the switch plate, and swinging both ends of the switch plate so that one of the swing ends performs a predetermined pressing operation by a touch operation. A rocking support mechanism elastically supporting the switch plate and two rocking ends of the switch plate are provided below the switch plate, and when the pressing amount of the rocking end by the pressing of the touch surface reaches a certain amount, the switch response operation is performed. A pair of click feeling generating means for generating a feeling of moderation, and a touch position detecting means for detecting a touch position on the switch plate, and the swing support mechanism includes a switch plate and a screen display means. The switch screen is placed under the switch plate so as to be interposed between the switch screen and one end of the switch plate and the hinge. The other end of the link plate of the combined light-transmissive material is rotatably supported at a fixed position near one of the click feeling generating means, and one end of the link plate hinged to the other click feeling generating means. When placed, it is configured to regulate the movement of the switch plate in the touch surface direction,
Each swing of the switch plate is moved from the swing support mechanism so that the touch position for the switch operation does not overlap with the balance position where both swing ends of the switch plate are similarly pushed down by the pressing force during the touch operation. The urging force acting on the end is set.

In each of the above touch panel switches, the pair of click feeling generating means having different operation forces are used so that the swing support mechanism acts on each swing end of the switch plate. The power may be different so that the touch position for the switch operation does not overlap the balance position.

Further, in each of the above touch panel switches, the touch position detecting means is arranged in a grid pattern on the touch surface of the switch plate by the light emitting and receiving elements arranged at positions opposite to each other at the opening edge portion of the switch operation opening. A configuration in which a light ray network is formed and a touch position is detected by a light beam interrupted during a touch operation, and a detection position by the touch position detection means at the time of operation of the click feeling generation means is output as a switch signal. Good.

According to the above configuration of the present invention, both ends of the switch plate are elastically supported by the swing support mechanism so as to be swingable, and both swing ends of the switch plate are similarly held by the pressing force during the touch operation. Since the urging force that acts on each swing end of the switch plate from the swing support mechanism is set so that the touch position for operating the switch does not overlap the balance position that is pushed down, the touch surface of the switch plate is pressed. Then, one swing end of the switch plate corresponding to the pressed position is pushed down, whereby a stroke feeling at the time of touch operation can be given. Then, when the pressing amount of the swing end of the switch plate reaches a certain amount, the click feeling generating means provided below the swing end operates to generate a click feeling indicating a switch response to the touch operation. .

Although a click feeling generating means is provided under each swing end of the switch plate, as described above, the balance position on the switch plate should not overlap the touch position for operating the switch. In addition, since the urging force acting on each swing end of the switch plate from the swing support mechanism is set, both swing ends of the switch plate are similarly pushed down as long as the designated position on the switch screen is touched. This phenomenon does not occur, and the inconvenience that the two click feeling generating means operate almost at the same time does not occur.

Further, the balance position on the switch plate can be set to an arbitrary position by adjusting the ratio of the urging forces acting on the respective swing ends from the swing support mechanism.
By setting the magnitude of the urging force that acts on each swing end from the swing support mechanism to an appropriate value, the switch can be operated with almost the same operating force and stroke in any touch area divided into two at the balance position. It becomes possible to operate, and it is possible to prevent a large difference in operating force and stroke depending on the touch position.

Further, the swing support mechanism is arranged under the switch plate so as to be interposed between the switch plate and the switch screen of the screen display means, and one end has one click feeling generating means. A switch plate is rotatably supported at a fixed position in the vicinity thereof, and the other end of the switch plate is mounted on the other click feeling generating means and hinged to one swing end of the switch plate by a link plate made of a light transmissive material. When it is configured to regulate the movement of the touch surface in the touch surface direction, the movement of the switch plate can be regulated with a small number of parts.

Further, by using the pair of click feeling generating means having different operation forces, the biasing force acting from the swing support mechanism to each swing end of the switch plate is made different, and the balance position is adjusted. When it is configured to avoid overlapping touch positions for switch operation, it is possible to change the division position (balance position) of the touch area by a simple operation of changing the click feeling generating means to be used. Will be possible.

Further, the touch position detecting means forms a light beam network in a grid pattern on the touch surface of the switch plate by the light emitting and receiving elements arranged at positions opposite to each other at the opening edge of the switch operating opening, In addition to the configuration that detects the touch position by the light beam that is blocked during the touch operation,
If the detected position by the touch position detecting means when the click feeling generating means is operated is output as a switch signal, the switch output is performed unless the click feeling generating means is surely pressed until the click feeling generating means operates. Disappears.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a touch panel switch according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a touch panel switch according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the touch panel switch, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining the effect | action of a touch panel switch.

The touch panel switch 1 is a rectangular plate LCD which is a screen display means for displaying a switch screen.
(Liquid crystal display) 3 and a switch plate 7 formed of a light transmissive material and covering a surface (switch screen) 4 of the LCD 3 to provide a touch surface 6 for operating a switch.
And a decorative panel 11 having a switch operation opening 9 which covers the switch plate 7 to provide an appearance and exposes the touch surface 6 of the switch plate 7.
And both ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 can be swung, and either one of the swing ends 7 can be touched.
The rocking support mechanism 15 for elastically supporting a and 7b so as to perform a predetermined pressing operation and the two rocking ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 are provided below the touching surface 6, respectively. A pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18 for generating a click feeling indicating a response operation of the switch when the pressing amount of the swing ends 7a and 7b reaches a certain amount, and a touch position for detecting a touch position on the switch plate 7. And a detection means 19.

Here, the LCD 3 is attached to a printed wiring board 21 on which a control circuit of the LCD 3 and the like are mounted. The swing support mechanism 15 includes four resilient members 41 to 41 that bias the swing ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 in the direction away from the click feeling generating units 17 and 18.
The urging force of the switch plate 44 and the swing ends 7a, 7 of the switch plate 7.
The swinging ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 are elastically supported so as to be able to be pushed down by the reaction force acting on the swinging ends 7a and 7b from the click feeling generating means 17 and 18 when pushing down the b. In the case of this embodiment, four elastic members 41 to 4 are used.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a compression coil spring having the same strength, and is attached to the pillar 46 standing upright at the four corners of the frame 45 so as to hit the four corners of the switch plate 7.

The frame 45 is a rectangular frame plate that surrounds the periphery of the LCD 3, and is mounted on the printed wiring board 21 as shown in FIG. The tips of the columns 46 standing upright at the four corners of the frame 45 are inserted into the support holes 7c provided at the four corners of the switch plate 7, and the retaining rings 47 are attached to the tips of the columns 46, whereby the switch plate 7 is swingably supported. The column 46 functions as a guide when the switch plate 7 is pressed, and plays a role of restricting the movement of the switch plate 7 in the touch surface direction.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, both swing ends 7a, 7 of the switch plate 7 are pressed by the pressing force at the time of touch operation.
In order to prevent the touch position for the switch operation from overlapping the balance position where b is similarly pushed down, the swing support mechanisms 15 to the swing ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 respectively.
The biasing force acting on is set. Specifically, by using the pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18 having different operation forces, the rocking support mechanism 15 acts on the rocking ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7. Different powers are used to prevent the touch position for switch operation from overlapping the balance position.

In this example, the urging force acting from the oscillating support mechanism 15 to the oscillating ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 is set to a ratio of Fx: Fy (where Fx <Fy), and therefore the balance is The position is a position where the switch plate 7 is divided into the inverse ratios of these urging forces, and the touch surface 6 on the switch plate 7 operates the click feeling generating means 17 on the swing end 7a side by the touch operation. The touch area x and the second touch area y for activating the click feeling generating means 18 on the swing end 7b side by the touch operation are divided into two parts.

As shown in FIG. 2, a gap 25 for swinging the switch plate 7 is provided between the switch plate 7 assembled on the LCD 3 via the swing support mechanism 15 and the surface 4 of the LCD 3. Has been secured.

The pair of click feeling generating means 17, 18 are
In the case of this embodiment, a push switch installed on the printed wiring board 21 generates a click sensation by pressing a predetermined amount, and opens and closes a predetermined electric circuit on the printed wiring board 21 to provide a constant electric power. Output a signal. The installation positions of the click feeling generating means 17 and 18 are LC
It is set at the upper center of the upper side of D3 and the lower center of the lower side.

The touch position detecting means 19 is of a so-called photoelectric matrix type in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switch operating opening 9
The light emitting element 28 and the light receiving element 29 arranged at the positions opposite to each other at the opening edge of the switch plate 7 form a light beam network 31 in a grid pattern on the touch surface 6 of the switch plate 7, and as shown in FIG. The light beam is blocked by the fingers 33 to detect the touch position.
In the case of this embodiment, the light emitting element 28 is an infrared light emitting element and the light receiving element 29 is an infrared light receiving element, but it is also conceivable to use a light emitting and receiving element for visible light.

Since the position of the switch plate 7 is deeper than the position of the infrared ray grid by the touch position detecting means 19, when the finger 33 or the like touches the switch plate 7, the infrared ray grid is already cut off and the touch is made. The position can be detected. However, in this embodiment, the touch position is not output immediately when the infrared grid is cut off, but as shown in FIG. 3, one of the swing ends of the switch plate 7 is pressed by the pressing force of the touch operation. The touch position is output as a switch signal after waiting for the operation of either one of the click feeling generating means to be activated.

In the touch panel switch 1 described above, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 3, when the first touch area x of the switch plate 7 is pressed, the switch plate 7 is pressed.
When one swing end 7a is pushed down and the second touch area y is pushed, the other swing end 7 of the switch plate 7 is pushed.
b is pushed down. By pushing down these swing ends, it is possible to give a feeling of stroke at the time of touch operation. Then, when the pressing amount of the swing ends 7a, 7b of the switch plate 7 reaches a certain amount, the click feeling generating means 17, 18 arranged below the swing ends actuate, and the switch response to the touch operation. Generates a click feeling. Therefore, when the switch is operated, it is possible to obtain a stroke feeling and a click feeling like other switches mounted on the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to a difference in feeling at the time of operation.

Under the respective swing ends 7a, 7b of the switch plate 7, click feeling generating means 17, 18 are provided.
Equipped with the switch plate 7 as described above.
Since the urging forces Fx and Fy acting on each swing end of the switch plate 7 from the swing support mechanism 15 are set so that the touch position for operating the switch does not overlap the upper balance position, the switch screen is displayed. As long as the designated position of 4 is touched, both swing ends 7a, 7 of the switch plate 7 are
Similarly, the phenomenon of b being pushed down does not occur, and the inconvenience of double click in which the two click feeling generating means 17 and 18 operate at substantially the same time does not occur.

Further, the balance position on the switch plate 7 can be set to an arbitrary position by adjusting the ratio Fx, Fy of the urging forces acting on each swing end from the swing support mechanism 15, and From the swing support mechanism 15 to each swing end 7a,
By setting the magnitudes of the biasing forces Fx and Fy acting on 7b to appropriate values, the switch is operated with substantially the same operating force and stroke in any of the touch areas x and y divided into two at the balance position. It is possible to prevent a large difference in the operating force and stroke depending on the touch position and avoid the occurrence of erroneous operation or erroneous operation. At the same time, for example, the display screen of the touch panel exceeds 5 inches. Even with a large screen, it is possible to secure a proper stroke feeling and click feeling.

Further, the pair of click feeling generating means 1
By using those having different operation forces as 7 and 18, the urging forces Fx and Fy acting from the swing support mechanism 15 to the swing ends of the switch plate 7 are made different so that the switch is operated to the balance position. Since the touch position for avoiding the overlap is configured to be overlapped, it is possible to change the division position (balance position) of the touch area by a simple operation of changing the click feeling generating means 17 and 18 to be used. It is easy to deal with the design change of the switch screen 4.

Further, since the touch position detection signal from the touch position detecting means 19 is output after the operation of the click feeling generating means 17, the switch plate 7 is surely pressed until the click feeling generating means 17, 18 are operated. Unless the switch output is not performed, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the switch operates by just touching the touch surface 6 by mistake, and a highly reliable switch can be configured with a relatively simple configuration. It becomes possible to do.

4 to 6 show another embodiment of the touch panel switch according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the touch panel switch, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6 and 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the touch panel switch.

The touch panel switch 50 includes a swing support mechanism 15 that swingably supports both ends of the switch plate 7 and elastically supports one of the swing ends to perform a predetermined pressing operation by a touch operation. The structure is improved, and other configurations (printed wiring board 21, click feeling generating means 17 and 18, decorative panel 11, touch position detecting means 19 and the like) are the same as those of the previous embodiment. Therefore, description of the same configurations will be omitted by assigning the same numbers.

The swing support mechanism 15 in this embodiment
The frame 51 has a frame plate shape surrounding the LCD 3 and is attached to the printed wiring board 21, and four resilient members 41 to 41 that are erected at four corners of the frame 51.
44 and a link plate 52 made of a light-transmissive material, and arranged below the two oscillating ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 and the urging force of the four elastic members 41 to 44. The swinging ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 are elastically supported so as to be able to be pressed by the reaction force acting on the swinging ends 7a and 7b from the pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18.

Here, the link plate 52 is arranged under the switch plate 7 so as to be interposed between the switch plate 7 and the switch screen 4 of the LCD 3, and one end of the link plate 52 is mounted on the frame 51. The rotation support portion 55 is rotatably supported at a fixed position near one click feeling generating means 18, and the other end is hinged to the swing end 7a of the switch plate 7 mounted on the other click feeling generating means 17. A plate member hinged via 53 serves as a guide for restricting the movement of the switch plate 7 in the direction of the touch surface 6. The rotation support portion 55 on the frame 51 is a bearing portion that rotatably supports the protruding shafts 54 that are provided on both sides of one end of the link plate 52.
The protruding shaft 54 is fitted and supported by the rotation support portion 55 by slightly bending one end of the link plate 52 and inserting it between the pair of rotation support portions 55 on the frame 51.

Also in this embodiment, as in the case of the previous embodiment, by using the pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18 having different operation forces, the swing support mechanism 15 is switched to the switch plate. Each swinging end 7a of 7,
The biasing forces Fx and Fy acting on 7b are made different from each other to prevent the touch position for switch operation from overlapping the balance position.

Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, the balance position on the switch plate 7 is a position that divides the switch plate 7 into the inverse ratio of these urging forces, and the touch surface 6 on the switch plate 7 is touched. A first touch area x for operating the click feeling generating means 17 on the swinging end 7a side and a second touch area y for operating the click feeling generating means 18 on the swinging end 7b side by touch operation.
It will be divided into two parts.

Also in this embodiment, a push switch is used for the pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18, and the touch position detecting means 19 is arranged in the switch operation opening 9 of the decorative panel 11. 6 is of a photoelectric type matrix system using the infrared light emitting / receiving elements 28 and 29 described above. When the infrared grid is cut off by the touch position detecting means 19, the touch position is not directly output, but FIG. As shown, the touch position is output as a switch signal after waiting for one of the swing ends of the switch plate 7 to be pushed down by the pressing force of the touch operation and the click feeling generating means of one of them is activated. This point is common to the previous embodiment.

Also in the case of the touch panel switch 50 described above, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the second touch area y of the switch plate 7 is pressed, one side of the switch plate 7 swings. When the end 7b is pushed down and the first touch area x of the switch plate 7 is pushed, the other swinging end 7a of the switch plate 7 is pushed down. By pushing down these swing ends, it is possible to give a feeling of stroke at the time of touch operation.
Further, when the pressing amount of the swing ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 reaches a certain amount, the click feeling generating means 17 and 18 arranged below the swing ends actuate, and the switch response to the touch operation. Generates a click feeling. Then, after the operation of either of the pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18 is activated, the touch position detection signal from the touch position detecting means 19 is output.

Therefore, as in the previous embodiment, even if the display screen of the touch panel is large, it is possible to secure an appropriate stroke feeling and click feeling, and at the same time, there is no inconvenience such as double clicking. It is possible to ensure excellent operability, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of erroneous operation due to the difference in the feeling of operation with other switches mounted on the vehicle.

Further, in the touch panel switch 50, the transparent link plate 52 connecting the one swing end 7a of the switch plate 7 and the frame 51,
In order to restrict the movement of the switch plate 7 in the direction of the touch surface 6, compared with the case of the previous embodiment in which four guide columns 46 are erected on the swing support mechanism 15, the number of parts is smaller and the switch plate 7 is smaller. It is possible to reliably regulate the movement of No. 7, and to simplify the device configuration and reduce the number of assembling steps.

In the case of this embodiment, if the operating force of the pair of click feeling generating means 17, 18 is sufficiently strong to support the switch plate 7, the frame 51
It is also possible to further reduce the number of parts by omitting the four elastic members 41 to 44 installed upright. This is because the connection structure by the link plate 52 has an effect of preventing the switch plate 7 from twisting in the width direction of the plate when the switch plate 7 is pushed down.

The touch position detecting means used in the present invention is not limited to the photoelectric matrix type shown in each of the above embodiments. For example, it is possible to adopt a resistance film method, a capacitance detection method, or the like.

Even if the balance position on the switch plate 7 is in the center between the swing ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7, if the touch position of the switch screen does not overlap the balance position, The swing support mechanism 15
To the swinging ends 7a and 7b of the switch plate 7 may be the same, and therefore, a pair of click feeling generating means 17 and 18 may use push switches having the same operating force.

[0045]

According to the touch panel switch of the present invention, both ends of the switch plate are elastically supported by the rocking support mechanism so as to be rockable, and both rocking ends of the switch plate are pressed by a pressing force during a touch operation. Similarly, the urging force acting on each swing end of the switch plate from the swing support mechanism is set so that the touch position for operating the switch does not overlap the balance position that is pushed down. When is pressed, one swing end of the switch plate corresponding to the pressed position is pressed down, thereby giving a feeling of stroke during touch operation. Then, when the pressing amount of the swing end of the switch plate reaches a certain amount, the click feeling generating means provided below the swing end operates,
A click sensation indicating a switch response to a touch operation is generated. Therefore, when the switch is operated, it is possible to obtain a stroke feeling and a click feeling like other switches mounted on the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to a difference in feeling at the time of operation. A click feeling generating means is provided under each swing end of the switch plate, but as described above, the touch position for switch operation does not overlap the balance position on the switch plate. Since the urging force that acts on each swing end of the switch plate from the swing support mechanism is set, both swing ends of the switch plate will also be pushed down as long as you touch the indicated position on the switch screen. It does not occur, and the inconvenience of double-clicking in which the two click feeling generating means operate almost simultaneously does not occur. Further, the balance position on the switch plate can be set to an arbitrary position by adjusting the ratio of the urging force acting on each swing end from the swing support mechanism. By setting the magnitude of the biasing force acting on the edge to an appropriate value, in any touch area divided into two at the balance position,
It is possible to operate the switch with almost the same operating force and stroke, prevent a large difference in operating force and stroke depending on the touch position, and avoid erroneous operation or malfunction. For example, even if the display screen of the touch panel becomes a large screen exceeding 5 inches, it becomes possible to secure a proper stroke feeling and click feeling. Further, the swing support mechanism is disposed so as to be superposed below the switch plate so as to be interposed between the switch plate and the switch screen of the screen display means, and one end thereof has a fixed position near one click feeling generating means. Is rotatably supported on the switch plate, and the other end of the switch plate is hinged to the swing end of the switch plate on the other click feeling generating means. In the case where the movement is restricted, the movement of the switch plate can be restricted with a small number of parts, which makes it possible to simplify the device structure and reduce the number of assembling steps. Also, by using the pair of click feeling generating means having different operation forces, the biasing force acting on each swing end of the switch plate from the swing support mechanism is made different, and the switch is operated to the balance position. When it is configured to prevent the touch positions from overlapping, it is possible to change the division position (balance position) of the touch area by a simple operation of changing the click feeling generating means to be used. It is easy to deal with design changes of the switch screen. Further, the touch position detecting means forms a light beam network in a grid pattern on the touch surface of the switch plate by the light projecting / receiving elements arranged at the positions opposite to each other at the opening edge portion of the switch operation opening, and at the time of touch operation. When the touch position is detected by the light beam that is interrupted, and the detection position by the touch position detecting means during the operation of the click feeling generating means is output as a switch signal, the click feeling generating means is Unless it is pressed down firmly until it operates, the switch output is not made, and it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the switch operates by just touching the touch surface accidentally, and the reliability is comparatively simple. It becomes possible to configure a high switch.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the touch panel switch.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a touch panel switch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the touch panel switch.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional touch panel switch.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of another conventional touch panel switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Touch panel switch 3 LCD (screen display means) 6 Touch surface 7 Switch plate 9 Switch operation opening 11 Decorative panel 15 Swing support mechanism 17, 18 Click feeling generating means (push switch) 19 Touch position detecting means 21 Printed wiring board 28 Light emitting element 29 Light receiving element 31 Ray network 41 to 44 Elastic member 45 Frame 46 Strut 50 Touch panel switch 51 Frame 52 Link plate 53 Hinge 54 Projection shaft 55 Rotation support part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A screen display means for displaying a switch screen, a switch plate formed of a light-transmissive material and covering the switch screen of the screen display means to provide a touch surface for operating the switch, and the switch plate. A decorative panel that covers the plate to provide an appearance and has a switch operation opening that exposes the touch surface of the switch plate, and both ends of the switch plate can be rocked and can be operated by a touch operation. A swing support mechanism that elastically supports one swing end so as to perform a predetermined pressing operation, and a swing support mechanism that is provided below each of the two swing ends of the switch plate and that is configured to push the touch surface. A pair of click feeling generating means for generating a feeling of moderation indicating the response operation of the switch when the pressing amount reaches a certain amount; Touch position detecting means for detecting a switch position, and the swing support mechanism biases the swing end of the switch plate in a direction away from the click feeling generating means. And the reaction force acting on the swing end of the switch plate from the click feeling generating means when the swing end of the switch plate is pushed down, the swing end of the switch plate is elastically supported so as to be pushed down. In order to prevent the touch position for switch operation from overlapping the balance position where both swing ends of the switch plate are similarly pushed down by the pressing force at the time of touch operation, the swing support mechanism swings each swing of the switch plate. A touch panel switch characterized in that a biasing force acting on a moving end is set. 2. A screen display means for displaying a switch screen, a switch plate formed of a light transmissive material and covering the switch screen of the screen display means to provide a touch surface for operating the switch, and the switch. A decorative panel that covers the plate to provide an appearance and has a switch operation opening that exposes the touch surface of the switch plate, and both ends of the switch plate can be rocked and can be operated by a touch operation. A swing support mechanism that elastically supports one swing end so as to perform a predetermined pressing operation, and a swing support mechanism that is provided below each of the two swing ends of the switch plate and that is configured to push the touch surface. A pair of click feeling generating means for generating a feeling of moderation indicating the response operation of the switch when the pressing amount reaches a certain amount; Touch position detecting means for detecting a touch position, and the swing support mechanism is superposed below the switch plate so as to be interposed between the switch plate and the switch screen of the screen display means. The link plate made of a light-transmissive material, one end of which is hinged to one swing end of the switch plate, is rotatably supported at a fixed position near one click feeling generating means, and One end of the link plate, which is hinged, is placed on the other click feeling generating means to restrict movement of the switch plate in the touch surface direction, and both of the switch plates are pressed by a pressing force during a touch operation. In order to prevent the touch position for operating the switch from overlapping the balance position where the swing end is pushed down in the same manner, the swing support mechanism moves the touch plate The touch panel switch, wherein the biasing force acting on the oscillating end is set. 3. A pair of click feeling generating means having different operating forces are used to make different the biasing forces acting on the respective swing ends of the switch plate from the swing support mechanism to balance. The touch panel switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the touch position for switch operation is prevented from overlapping the position. 4. The touch position detecting means forms a light beam network in a grid pattern on a touch surface of the switch plate by light emitting and receiving elements arranged at positions opposite to each other at an opening edge portion of the switch operation opening. 2. The touch position is detected by a light beam interrupted during a touch operation, and the position detected by the touch position detecting means when the click feeling generating means is activated is output as a switch signal. 4. The touch panel switch according to any one of 3 to 3.