US 5,977,888 A · Switching device of thin type and display device with switch

Abstract

A touch panel (4) and an operation part (30) are provided on display means (2). A permanent magnet (52) is mounted on a push button (32), and a magnetic metal plate (58) is mounted on a support frame (36). When the push button (32) starts to be pushed down toward the touch panel (4), the push button (32) moves toward the touch panel (4) against magnetic attractive force of the permanent magnet (52) and the magnetic metal plate (58), and an operation forward end part (46) operates a touch switch (4a). Stroke feeling results from this movement. Further, the aforementioned magnetic attractive force abruptly reduces in an initial period of this movement, and an operator of the push button (32) can attain click feeling. Since the stroke feeling and the click feeling are caused in the operation of the push button (32), operability is improved while making the best use of such an advantage that the touch panel (4) is of a thin type.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A switching device for use with an information display, for switching a signal, comprising:

a touch panel having a transparent touch switch for switching said signal by being touched with a substantially zero stroke;
and
an operation part being provided on said touch switch and having at least one operation means for operating said touch switch,
each operation means having
a support frame being provided on said touch switch,
a transparent push button being supported on a reference position on said touch switch by said support frame and operating said touch switch by being pushed from said reference position toward said touch switch, and
return means for applying return force to said push button, said return force being directed from said touch switch toward said reference position;
wherein an item of information displayed on said information display can be viewed through said touch switch and said push button.

5 more elements

A display device with a switch where prescribed items are displayed and operable to switch a signal in response to manual operation, said display device comprising:

display means having a display surface being capable of displaying prescribed items;
a touch panel provided on said display surface and having a light transmittable transparent touch switch for switching said signal by being touched with a substantially zero stroke;
and
an operation part being provided on said touch switch, and having at least one operation means for operating said touch switch,
each operation means having
a support frame being provided on said touch switch,
a light transmittable transparent push button being supported on a reference position on said touch switch by said support frame and operating said touch switch by being pushed from said reference position toward said touch switch, and
return means for applying return force to said push button, said return force being directed from said touch switch, toward said reference position;
wherein an item of information displayed on said display surface can be viewed through said touch switch and said push button.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Switching device of thin type and display device with switch

Life of this patent

Switching device of thin type and display device with switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39