ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Abstract

 An electronic device (1) is provided with a rotating operation member (5), and the rotating operation member (5) is supported by a rotating shaft (53). When the rotating operation member (5) is rotated, a switch (7) is pressed by the rotating operation member 5. The switch operation error does not occur even when an external force in the direction to press the rotating operation member (5) is operated. A step may be provided between the outer surface of a front panel (3) as an outer surface member and an operation plane (51) of the rotating operation member (5). The electronic device (1) is, for example, a navigation device or a steering wheel device. The number of components required for the operation error preventing function can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device provided with an operation error preventing function.

Background Art

[0002] As an electronic device in the related art, for example, a vehicle-mounted device such as a navigation system is exemplified. The position to mount the vehicle-mounted device such as a hideaway navigation system is not specified. For example, there is a case in which the vehicle-mounted device is mounted to a trunk room. In such a vehicle-mounted device, it is required to prevent an operation error due to unintended contact with objects such as small articles in the vehicle.

[0003] Therefore, in the electronic device in the related art, a lid 102 is provided on an outer surface member 100 as shown in Fig. 6. A button 104 is covered by the lid 102. When operating the button 104, the lid 102 is opened. Accordingly, the operation error of the button 104 due to the contact with the small articles is prevented. Such a configuration is, for example, disclosed in JP-A-9-265698 (p.2, Fig. 1).

[0004] However, since the electronic device in the related art has the lid and an opening and closing mechanism therefor for preventing the operation error, the number of components is increased. The increased number of components results in cost increase. Furthermore, the configuration may be complicated depending on the structure of the lid.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems that the Invention is to Solve

[0005] The present invention is achieved under the circumstances as mentioned above. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device whereby operation error can be prevented and whereby the number of components can be reduced so that the material cost can be reduced.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electronic device in the present invention includes a rotating operation member, a rotating shaft for supporting the rotating operation member, and a switch for being located at a position where the rotating operation member is capable of pressing, and the switch is pressed by the rotating operation member when the rotating operation member is rotated.

[0007] As described below, any modifications are applicable to the present invention. Therefore, disclosure of the present invention hereinafter is intended to provide part of the modes of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention described here.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] 

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an electronic device in the related art.

Reference Numerals

[0009] 

1

electronic device

3

front panel

5

rotating operation member

7

switch

9

substrate

51

operation plane

53

rotating shaft

55

leg portion

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Detailed description of the present invention will be described below. However, the detailed description below and the attached drawings do not limit the present invention. Instead, the scope of the present invention is limited by the attached claims.

[0011] The electronic device includes a rotating operation member, a rotating shaft for supporting the rotating operation member, and a switch for being located at a position where the rotating operation member is capable of pressing, and the switch is pressed by the rotating operation member when the rotating operation member is rotated. The rotating operation member is typically a rotating tab (rotating knob) or a rotating dial.

[0012] In this configuration, the motion of the operating member of the switching operation is converted into a rotational movement along a circular track, and hence a switch operation error, which is caused by an external force unintentionally applied thereto, can be prevented. Prevention of operation error is realized by the rotational supporting structure of the operating member, and hence the operation error can be prevented with a less number of components, and the material cost can also be reduced.

[0013] The electronic device may have an outer surface member which includes an outer surface of the device, and hence the rotating operation member is located so that a step is formed for retracting the operation plane of the rotating operation member inwardly of the device from the outer surface of the device in the outer surface member.

[0014] In this configuration, the external force can hardly effect directly on the rotating operation member, and the switch operation error can be prevented further reliably.

[0015] The rotating operation member may have a leg portion extending toward the switch at a position deviated from the rotating shaft, so that the distal end of the leg portion presses the switch. In this configuration, even when the switch is apart from the outer surface of the device, the switching operation can be performed adequately.

[0016] A navigation device may include the above-described electronic device. Accordingly, even when the electronic device is installed at an unspecific position such as in the trunk, the operation error caused by the contact with the objects such as the small articles can be prevented.

[0017] A steering wheel device may include the above-described electronic device. Accordingly, the operation error of a button or the like on the steering wheel by being erroneously pressed by a driver can be effectively prevented.

[0018] The electronic device is a device including the switching device or a switching device. As described above, the electronic device realizes the operation error preventing function by the configuration including the rotating operation member, the rotating shaft for supporting the same, and the switch activating by being pressed by the rotating operation member. Accordingly, the number of components for preventing the operation error can be reduced, and hence the material cost can be reduced.

[0019] In reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

First Embodiment

[0020] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the electronic device. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the electronic device. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device when viewed from the back.

[0021]  In Fig. 1, an electronic device 1 includes a front panel 3, a rotating operation member 5, a switch 7 and a substrate 9 on which the switch 7 is mounted. Not shown in the figure, the electronic device 1 has a housing for covering the entire device including the front panel 3. The electronic device 1 further includes various configurations such as a power source. In order to explain the present invention understandably, a configuration shown in Fig. 1 will be mainly described. In the description shown below, a front side of the front panel 3 may be referred to as a front portion or a forward, and a back side of the front panel 3 is referred to as a rear portion or a rearward.

[0022] The front panel 3 is formed of resin, and corresponds to the outer surface member of the electronic device 1. The front panel 3 is provided with a parallelepiped operation member mounting unit 31 projecting from the back surface thereof as shown in the figure. The operation member mounting unit 31 is provided with an operation member storage section 32 for storing the rotating operation member 5.

[0023] In this embodiment, the rotating operation member 5 is a rotating tab (knob). The rotating tab is arranged so as not to project from the front panel 3 (outer surface member). The operation plane of the rotating tab has a cylindrical surface, and is located at a position where the operation plane does not project from the front surface. The rotating operation member 5 can also be referred to as a rotating dial.

[0024] The rotating operation member 5 is formed of resin and is a cylindrical member. The rotating operation member 5 has schematically a shape of a half-cut cylinder. In the rotating operation member 5, an operation plane 51 is an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and is operated with a finger of the operator. The operating member storage section 32 has a shape corresponding to the operation plane 51. Accordingly, the rotating operation member 5 is stored in the operating member storage section 32.

[0025] The rotating operation member 5 has side walls 52 on both sides of the operation plane 51. Rotating shafts 53 project respectively from the two side walls 52. The respective rotating shafts 53 are positioned at the substantially center of the cylindrical shape of the operation plane 51. On the other hand, the front panel 3 has protruding portions 33 on both sides of the operating member storage section 32. The protruding portions 33 each are provided with a bearing 34. The rotating shafts 53 of the rotating operation member 5 are fitted to the bearings 34. Accordingly, the rotating operation member 5 is rotatably supported by the rotating shafts 53. In this supporting structure, the rotating shafts 53 extend in parallel with the outer surface of the front panel 3.

[0026] The protruding portions 33 of the front panel 3 each include a notch 35 extending rearward from the bearing 34. The notch 35 is used at the time of assembly. In other words, at the time of assembly, the rotating operation member 5 is inserted into the operating member storage section 32 from the back side of the front panel 3. At this time, the rotating shafts 53 are pressed against the notches 35 of the rotating operation member 5. The front panel 3 is formed of resin, and is capable of deforming resiliently to some extent. Therefore, the notches 35 are widened by being pressed by the rotating shafts 53. Accordingly, the rotating shafts 53 can pass through the notches 35 and reach the bearings 34.

[0027] The front panel 3 has an operating window 36 on the basilar part of the operating member storage section 32. The operating window 36 is an opening formed through the front panel 3. The operation plane 51 of the rotating operation member 5 is exposed from the operating window 36. The operation plane 52 has a recess 54 at a position corresponding to the operating window 36. The recess 54 is provided so that the operator can hook his/her finger easily.

[0028] The rotating operation member 5 is provided with a leg portion 55 extending toward the inside of the device, as shown in the drawing. The leg portion 55 is provided so as to extend from one end of the operation plane 51. Therefore, the leg portion 55 is at a position deviated from the rotating shaft 53.

[0029] A distal end of the leg portion 55 reaches the switch 7 mounted to the substrate 9. The substrate 9 is provided with a printed circuit relating to the switch 7. The substrate 9 is provided with various electronic parts mounted thereon. The substrate 9 is mounted to the housing of the electronic device 1 (not shown) and is supported thereby.

[0030] The rotating operation member 5 is provided with stoppers 56, 57 at both ends of the operation plane 51. The stoppers 56, 57 are projections provided on the operating plane 51. The stoppers 56, 57 limit the rotating range of the rotating operation member 5 by bumping into the operating member mounting unit 31.

[0031] The stopper 56, one of the stoppers, is provided adjacent to the basilar part of the leg portion 55. The stopper 56 limits the rotating range in the direction in which the leg portion 55 moves apart from the switch 7 (clockwise direction in the figure). In a state in which the rotating operation member 5 is not operated, the rotating operation member 5 is urged clockwise by a spring (not shown), and then the stopper 56 is functioning. The other stopper 57 is provided on the opposite side of the stopper 56. The stopper 57 limits the rotating range in the direction in which the leg portion 55 presses the switch 7 (counterclockwise direction in the figure). In Fig. 1 and others, for easy viewing, the stopper is illustrated at a position slightly apart from the operating member mounting unit.

[0032] Subsequently, the operation at the time of operating the switch in the electronic device 1 in the present embodiment will be described. In the switching operation, the operation plane 51 of the rotating operation member 5 is rotated by the operator. At this time, the operator's finger is hooked on the recess 54 on the operation plane 51, and is moved in the direction along the outer surface of the front panel 3 (in the vertical direction in the figure). In this operation, as shown in Fig. 3, the rotating operation member 5 rotates about the operating shafts 53. The distal end of the leg portion 55 of the rotating operation member 5 also rotates to press the switch 7. At this time, the distal end of the leg portion 55 rotates about the rotating shaft 53, and hence moves obliquely with respect to the switch 7. With the oblique movement, the distal end of the leg portion 55 can press the switch 7. When the operator releases his/her hand from the operation plane 51 of the rotating operation member 5, the rotating operation member 51 is urged by the spring (not shown) and returns to the original position.

[0033] It is assumed that an external force which may cause the switch operation error is applied to the electronic device 1. Such an external force acts generally on the outer surface of the front panel 3 vertically, that is, in the direction to press the rotating operation member 5. However, in this embodiment, the switch operating direction is changed from the uniaxial direction (direction to press the button down) in the related art to the rotating direction. In other words, the operation plane 51 of the rotating operation member 5 is configured to move along the circular track. Then, the operation plane 51 moves along the outer surface in the vicinity of the outer surface of the front panel 3. Therefore, even when an external force in the direction at a right angle to the front panel 3 is applied, the switch is not operated. Accordingly, the operation error can be prevented.

[0034] The electronic device 1 in this embodiment is applied, for example, to a navigation device. The navigation device of a hideaway type is installed at an unspecified position such as in the trunk room or under the seat. Therefore, it is possible that the rolling objects such as small articles roll to contact with the electronic device 1. In such a case, the external force by the contact of the object is applied in the vertical direction to the outer surface of the front panel 3. However, in this embodiment, since the rotating operation member 5 does not rotate with such an external force, the operation error can be prevented effectively.

[0035] The electronic device 1 in this embodiment is applied, for example to a steering wheel device. In the steering wheel device, the driver may press the switch of the steering wheel unintentionally. However, according to this embodiment, the rotating operation member 5 cannot be rotated simply by being pressed by the driver, whereby the operation error can be prevented effectively.

[0036] As described above, since the electronic device 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention includes the configuration in which the switch is pressed by the rotating operation member 5, the switching operation is a rotational movement along the circular track. Therefore, the operation error of the switch caused by the external force applied unintentionally will be prevented. The prevention of the operation error is realized by the rotational supporting structure of the operating member, and hence the operation error can be prevented with a less number of components, and the material cost can also be reduced.

[0037] According to the electronic device 1 in this embodiment, the rotating operation member 5 includes the leg portion 55 at a position deviated from the rotating shaft 53. Accordingly, even when the switch 7 is apart from the outer surface of the device, the switching operation can be performed adequately.

[0038]  The electronic device 1 in this embodiment may be provided in the navigation device. Accordingly, even when it is installed at an unspecified position such as the trunk, the operation error due to the contact of the object such as small articles can be prevented.

[0039] The electronic device 1 in this embodiment may be provided on the steering wheel device. Accordingly, the operation error such that the driver erroneously presses a button or the like on the steering wheel can be prevented effectively.

Second Embodiment

[0040] Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same components as the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is omitted.

[0041] Referring now to Fig. 5, in the electronic device 1 in the embodiment, the rotating operation member 5 is arranged so that the operation plane 51 of the rotating operation member 5 is located rearwardly of an outer surface (front surface) 37 of the front panel 3 as the outer surface member. Accordingly, a step X is formed so that the operation plane 51 is retracted from the outer surface 37.

[0042] In order to form the above-described step X, the second embodiment in Fig. 5 is different in the following points from the first embodiment in Fig. 1. In Fig. 5, the amount of protrusion of the operating member storage section 32 from the front panel 3 is increased. Therefore, the operating member storage section 32 and the bearings 34 are moved inwardly. Accordingly, the length from the outer surface of the front panel 3 to the bearing 34 becomes long. Therefore, the rotating operation member 5 is moved inwardly, thereby generating the step X.

[0043] In this embodiment, with the provision of the step X described above, the external force can hardly effect on the rotating operation member 5. Not only the external force in the direction vertical to the front panel 3, but also the external force in the direction along the outer surface 37 of the front panel 3 can hardly effect thereon. Therefore, since the external force in the direction to rotate the rotating operation member 5 can hardly effect thereon as well, the operation error caused by such an external force can also be prevented.

[0044]  As described above, according to the electronic device 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention, by the provision of the step X between the front panel 3 and the rotating operation member 5, the external force can hardly effect on the rotating operation member 5 directly. Therefore, the switch operation error can be prevented further reliably. In this embodiment, the step structure is formed with the rotational structure of the operating member. The rotational structure of the operating member prevents the operation error caused by the external force in the direction to press the switch downward. In addition, the step structure can prevent the operation error caused by the external force in the direction to rotate the switch. In this manner, the operation error preventing capability can be improved.

[0045] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention which can be considered at the moment have been described thus far, it is understood that various modifications may be applied to these embodiments, and the attached claims includes all these modifications without departing the true spirit of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0046]  As described above, the electronic device according to the present invention is provided with the operation error preventing function using the rotating operation member, whereby the effects such that the number of components can be reduced and the material cost can be reduced are achieved, so that it is effective in the vehicle-mounted device and the like.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a rotating operation member,

a rotating shaft for supporting the rotating operation member, and

a switch for being located at a position where the rotating operation member is capable of pressing, wherein

the switch is pressed by the rotating operation member when the rotating operation member is rotated.

2. The electronic device according to Claim 1, further comprising:

an outer surface member which includes an outer surface of the device, wherein

the rotating operation member is located so that a step is formed for retracting the operation plane of the rotating operation member inwardly of the device from the outer surface of the device in the outer surface member.

3. The electronic device according to Claim 1, wherein the rotating operation member has a leg portion extending toward the switch at a position deviated from the rotating shaft, so that the distal end of the leg portion presses the switch.

4. A navigation device comprising the electronic device according to Claim 1.

5. A steering wheel device comprising the electronic device according to Claim 1.

Drawing