Operation knob and display device in which same is used

Abstract

An operation knob attachable onto a touch functional display panel includes an operation unit and a transmitting unit. The transmitting unit transmits, to the touch functional display panel, an operation performed to the operation unit at a position distant from a surface of the touch functional display panel.

1 . An operation knob configured to be attached onto a touch functional display panel, the operation knob comprising:
 an operation unit;   a transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the touch functional display panel, an operation performed to the operation unit at a position distant from a surface of the touch functional display panel; and   a housing supporting the operation unit and the transmitting unit, the housing being configured to be attached to the touch functional display panel, wherein:   the operation unit includes;   a first operation unit is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the surface of the touch functional display panel: and   a second operation unit, which is arranged around the first operation unit, is pushable in a direction of the axis,   the transmitting unit faces the touch functional display panel across the housing, and includes;   a first transmitting unit that transmits, to the touch functional display panel, an operation performed to the first operation unit: and   a second transmitting unit that transmits, to the touch functional display panel, an operation performed to the second operation unit, and   the housing includes;   a base portion is attached on the touch functional display panel:   a first supporting unit supports the first operation unit such that the first transmitting unit is rotatable about the axis in conjunction with rotation of the first operation unit, the first supporting unit standing on the base portion: and   a second supporting unit supports the second operation unit such that the second transmitting unit approaches the surface of the touch functional display panel in conjunction with pushing of the second operation unit, the second supporting unit standing at an inner side with respect to the first supporting unit on the base portion.   
     
     
         2 . The operation knob of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first operation unit includes;   an upper portion, which has a ring shape, is an upper surface of the first operation unit:   an outer wall portion extends downward from an outer edge of the upper portion: and   an inner wall portion extends downward from an inner edge of the upper portion, and   wherein the first transmitting unit is provided on the inner wall portion such that the first transmitting unit faces the touch functional display panel across the housing.   
     
     
         3 . The operation knob of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first supporting unit includes;   a tubular portion stands on an outer edge of the base portion, the tubular portion having an annular shape: and   a plate portion extends inwards from an upper portion of the tubular portion, the plate portion having a ring shape,   wherein the plate portion of the first supporting supports the inner wall portion of the first operation unit.   
     
     
         4 . The operation knob of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first operation unit and the first transmitting unit are made of conductive material and are electrically connected to each other, and   wherein the second operation unit and the second transmitting unit are made of conductive material and are electrically connected to each other.   
     
     
         5 . The operation knob of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein a distance between the first transmitting unit and the second transmitting unit, in a case that the second operation unit is pushed, is shorter than a distance between the first transmitting unit and the second transmitting unit before the second operation is pushed.   
     
     
         6 . The operation knob of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a through-hole is provided in the second operation unit,   the operation knob further comprising a light guiding unit disposed in the through-hole, the light guiding unit being configured to transmit light from the touch functional display panel.   
     
     
         7 . The operation knob of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the second operation unit has an operation surface located opposite to the touch functional display panel,   wherein the light guiding unit includes a first end portion located opposite to the touch functional display panel.   
     
     
         8 . The operation knob of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the first end portion of the light guiding unit is closer to the touch functional display panel than the operation surface of the second operation unit.   
     
     
         9 . The operation knob of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the first end portion of the light guiding unit is more distant from the touch functional display panel than the operation surface of the second operation unit.   
     
     
         10 . The operation knob of  claim 7 , wherein the first end portion of the light guiding unit has a width greater than 0 mm and smaller than or equal to 8.6 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A display device comprising:
 a touch functional display panel; and   the operation knob of  claim 1  attached to the touch functional display panel.