JP2002367489A - Multidirectional input contact mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive structure for a multidirectional contact mechanism enabling multidirectional input selection for sixteen or more directions and selection determination thereof and stabilized in quality. SOLUTION: A multidirectional input key device 14 is o composed that plural fixed contacts 12, 12, etc., are disposed on a board 20 in multiple directions, moving contacts 15 are formed corresponding to the fixed contacts 12, 12, etc., and the fixed contacts 12, 12, etc., are electrically connected together by selectively, bringing the moving contacts 15 into contact with the plural fixed contacts 12, 12, etc. In the key device, the plural fixed contacts 12, 12, etc., are formed into a segment-like shape, the fixed contacts 12, 12, etc., are disposed radially, and a domelike membrane switch 13 is mounted at the center part of the fixed contacts 12, 12, etc.; so that this multidirectional input contact mechanism 11, structured to selectively electrically connect the adjacent fixed contacts 12, 12, etc., by the tilting action of the moving contacts 15 and to electrically connect the membrane switch 13 by the lowering action of the moving contacts 15, is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-directional input contact mechanism, and more particularly to a remote controller or a pointing device configured to selectively bring a plurality of fixed contacts into contact with a movable contact to conduct electricity. The present invention relates to a multidirectional input contact device in which a plurality of fixed contacts are radially arranged on a substrate in a multidirectional manner, and a switch is provided at a central portion of the plurality of fixed contacts. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional multidirectional input contact mechanism of this type, an eight-way input switch used for a small joystick is commercially available.
The eight-way input switch has a configuration in which eight individual switches are mounted on a substrate.

However, since the eight-way input switch connects the board and the switch alone with solder, the number of solder connections increases, and the solder may cause quality problems. Since a large number of lands for soldering are required in the space provided, it has been difficult to configure the input switch as a multi-directional input contact mechanism exceeding eight directions.

Further, since the above-mentioned switch has a structure in which a pressed metal is usually fixed with plastic, manufacturing equipment is expensive and cost is high.

A multi-directional input contact mechanism 1 used as a remote controller or a controller shown in FIG. 4A is also known. In the multi-directional input contact mechanism 1, concave contacts are fitted on a substrate. Are arranged in four directions so as to face each other.

FIG. 4 (b) shows a multi-directional input key device 3 using the multi-directional input contact mechanism 1. The multi-directional input key device 3 corresponds to the different pole contacts 2, 2,. The movable contacts 4, 4,... Are provided above the pole contacts 2, 2,..., And are fixed to the lower portion of the substantially disc-shaped rubber top 5 by carbon printing or insert. In the rubber top 5, a convex portion 6, which is a tilting fulcrum of the rubber top 5, is protruded downward at a lower central portion, and a flexible leg 7 is provided diagonally downward in a lower peripheral portion of the rubber top 5. The foot 8 is disposed at the tip of the flexible leg 7, and the foot 8 is mounted on the substrate 9.

When one end of the upper surface of the rubber top 5 is pressed down, the flexible leg 7 bends, whereby the rubber top 5 tilts around the convex portion 6 and the movable contact 4 , 4,... Contact one of the different-pole contacts 2, 2,.

However, in the multi-directional input contact mechanism 1, it is difficult to construct a multi-directional input contact mechanism exceeding four directions since the different pole contacts 2, 2... is there.

The multi-directional input contact mechanism 1 may take a form in which, for example, after a predetermined input is selected by conduction of the multi-directional input contact mechanism 1, the input selection is further determined. Preferably has an input selection decision key or the like.

Therefore, in the multi-directional contact mechanism, it is possible to select a multi-directional input in 16 or more directions and determine the selection, and to solve the problem in order to make the configuration inexpensive and stable in quality. A problem arises, and the present invention aims to solve this problem.

[0011]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object, and has a plurality of fixed contacts arranged on a substrate in multiple directions and movable in correspondence with the fixed contacts. In a multi-directional input key device configured to provide a contact and selectively contact the movable contact with the plurality of fixed contacts to conduct the plurality of fixed contacts, the plurality of fixed contacts are formed in a segment shape, The plurality of fixed contacts are arranged radially, and a switch is provided at the center of the plurality of fixed contacts, and the movable contacts are selectively made conductive by tilting the movable contacts, and the movable contacts A multidirectional input contact mechanism configured to make the switch conductive by a downward movement, and a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in multiple directions on a substrate, and a movable contact provided in correspondence with the fixed contact, The movable In a multi-directional input key device configured to selectively bring a point into contact with the plurality of fixed contacts to conduct electricity, a plurality of fixed contact portions formed in a slice shape are radially arranged, and The plurality of fixed contacts are constituted by a common fixed contact formed by connecting the fixed contact portions to each other, and a fixed contact piece disposed apart from the fixed contact portion. A switch is provided in a central portion, and the movable contact is tilted to selectively bring the adjacent fixed contact portion and the fixed contact piece into contact with each other to conduct, and the switch is conducted by the downward movement of the movable contact. The configured multi-directional input contact mechanism, and the switch is a multi-directional input contact mechanism that is a Pecomen switch, and
The switch provides a multi-directional input contact mechanism that is a tact switch.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1A, 11
Is a multi-directional input contact mechanism.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a plurality of fixed contacts 12, 12... Provided in a radial direction in 16 directions by pattern printing or carbon printing on a substrate, and lead wires 12a, 12a. Have been.

However, if the fixed contacts 12, 12,... Are arranged such that the inner diameter of the fixed contacts 12, 12... Is 10 mm and the insulable contact distance is 0.5 mm, 10π / 0.5 = 62.8, and multi-directional arrangement up to 62 directions is possible, and therefore, arrangement in 32 directions is also possible.

Further, a PECOMEN switch 13 is provided at the center of the fixed contacts 12, 12,..., And the PECOMEN switch 13 is used as a decision key for determining an input selected by the fixed contacts 12, 12,. It is to be noted that the comment switch 13 can be used not only as a decision key but also for other purposes as appropriate.

In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 14 denotes a multi-directional input key device provided with the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11, and the multi-directional input key device 14 corresponds to the fixed contacts 12, 12,. An annular movable contact 15 is provided above the fixed contacts 12, 12,... By carbon printing or insert.
The movable contact 15 is arranged concentrically with the radiation center where the fixed contacts 12, 12,... Are arranged. Further, a convex portion 17 is provided at a lower central portion of the rubber top 16 so as to protrude downward in correspondence with the pecomen switch 13, and a flexible leg 18 extends downward at a lower peripheral portion of the rubber top 16. The foot 19 is disposed at the tip of the flexible leg 18, and the foot 19 is mounted on the substrate 20.

When one end of the upper surface of the rubber top 16 is depressed, a part of the flexible leg 18 bends, so that the rubber top 16 tilts and the movable contact 1
When a part of 5 comes in contact with any two adjacent fixed contacts 12, 12, the two fixed contacts 12, 12 become conductive and an input is selected.

Next, when the center of the upper surface of the rubber top 16 is pressed down, or when the rubber top 16 is pressed down without being tilted, the flexible leg 18 bends over the entire circumference, whereby the rubber top 16 is bent. The protrusion 17 provided on the button 16 pushes the pedal switch 13 to make it conductive. Thus, the input selection of the fixed contacts 12, 12 is determined by the pedal switch 13.

In the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11, the fixed contacts 12, 12,... Are radially provided by pattern printing or carbon printing, and the fixed contacts 12, 1,.
Since the pecomen switch 13 is provided at the center of 2, the number of solders and lands used in the conventional example can be reduced or made unnecessary, and input selection in 16 or more directions can be made. At the same time, the input selection can be determined, and the quality of the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11 can be stabilized, and the configuration can be made inexpensive.

In FIG. 2A, reference numeral 21 denotes another multi-directional input contact mechanism. The multi-directional input contact mechanism 21 is the same as that of the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11 shown in FIG. Is replaced with a tact switch 22. The tact switch 22 is provided with a key top 22a above a pecomen switch (not shown).

In FIG. 2B, reference numeral 23 denotes a multidirectional input key device provided with the multidirectional input contact mechanism 21. The multidirectional input key device 23 has a rubber top corresponding to the tact switch 22. A projecting portion 25 projecting downward is provided at a lower portion of the projection 24, and a concave portion 25 a for fitting the key top 22 a of the tact switch 22 is formed at a lower end portion of the projecting portion 25.

When one end of the upper surface of the rubber top 24 is depressed, the rubber top 24 is tilted, and a part of the movable contact 15 is arbitrarily set to any two adjacent fixed contacts 12, 12.
When the contact is made, the two fixed contacts 12 and 12 become conductive, and the input is selected.

Next, when the center of the upper surface of the rubber top 24 is depressed, the recess 25a provided in the rubber top 24 depresses the key top 22a of the tact switch 22 to make the tact switch 22 conductive. Thus, the input selection of the fixed contacts 12, 12 is determined by the tact switch 22.

Thus, the multi-directional input contact mechanism 21 can be expected to have the same operation and effect as the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11.

In FIG. 3 (a), reference numeral 26 denotes another multi-directional input contact mechanism.
The fixed contact 1 of the multidirectional input contact mechanism 11 shown in FIG.
Instead of 2, 12,..., A common fixed contact 27 and a fixed contact piece 28,
The common fixed contact 27 has a plurality of segmented contact portions 27a, 27a,... Arranged radially, and the central portions of the contact portions 27a, 27a. Are connected to each other, and the fixed contact pieces 28, 28,... In the form of pieces are arranged between the contact sections 27a, 27a,. The common fixed contact 27 is provided with one lead wire 27b, and the fixed contact pieces 28, 28,.
a, 28a... are provided.

In FIG. 3 (b), reference numeral 29 designates a multi-directional input contact mechanism 26 provided with the multi-directional input contact mechanism 26 in place of the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11 of the multi-directional input key device 14 shown in FIG. 1 (b). It is a direction input key device.

When one end of the upper surface of the rubber top 16 is depressed, the rubber top 16 is tilted, and a part of the movable contact 15 of the rubber top 16 is arbitrarily connected to the adjacent contact portion 27a. When the fixed contact piece 28 comes into contact, the contact portion 27a and the fixed contact piece 28 conduct, and an input is selected.

Next, when the center of the upper surface of the rubber top 16 is depressed, the projection 17 provided on the rubber top 16 pushes the pedal switch 13 to make it conductive. Thus, the input selected by the contact portion 27a and the fixed contact piece 28 is determined by the pedal switch 13.

Thus, the same effect as the multidirectional input contact mechanism 11 can be expected from the multidirectional input contact mechanism 26. However, since the multi-directional input contact mechanism 26 is configured to output 16 directions, the output direction is reduced as compared with the 32-directional output of the multi-directional input contact mechanism 11, but the multi-directional input contact mechanism 26 is common. Lead wire 27b at fixed contact 27
, And the configuration is simplified.

Although not shown, a tact switch can be provided in the multi-directional input contact mechanism 26 instead of the pedal switch 13. Similar effects can be expected.

The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention extends to the modified ones.

[0031]

According to the present invention, as described in detail in the above embodiment, in the multidirectional input key device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of fixed contacts are formed in the shape of a section and the plurality of fixed contacts are formed. The fixed contacts are arranged radially and a switch is provided at the center of the plurality of fixed contacts, so that it is possible to select inputs in more than 16 directions and to determine the selections. Solder and land can be reduced or eliminated, and the quality of the multi-directional input contact mechanism can be stabilized, and the configuration can be reduced in cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the multi-directional input key device, a plurality of fixed contact portions formed in a segment shape are radially arranged, and the fixed contact portions are connected to each other. A plurality of fixed contacts are formed by the common fixed contact thus formed and fixed contact pieces disposed separately from each other between the fixed contact portions, and a switch is provided at a central portion of the plurality of fixed contacts.
The same effect as the effect of the described invention can be expected, and the configuration is simplified because only one lead wire is used for the common fixed contact.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first or second aspect of the invention can be achieved because the switch is a pecomen switch.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is an invention having a very significant effect, such that the same effect as that of the invention according to claim 3 can be achieved because the switch is a tact switch. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a multidirectional input contact mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. (B) The longitudinal section of the multidirectional input key device, showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a multi-directional input contact mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. (B) shows another embodiment of the present invention and is a longitudinal sectional view of a multi-directional input key device.

FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view of a multi-directional input contact mechanism showing still another embodiment of the present invention. (B) A vertical sectional view of a multi-directional input key device, showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a conventional example, showing a multi-directional input contact mechanism. (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of a multidirectional input key device, showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 21, 26 Multidirectional input contact mechanism 12 Fixed contact 13 Pecomen switch 14, 23, 29 Multidirectional input key device 15 Movable contact 20 Substrate 22 Tact switch 27 Common fixed contact 27a Fixed contact portion 28 Fixed contact piece

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of fixed contacts are provided on the substrate in multiple directions, and a movable contact is provided corresponding to the fixed contacts.
In the multi-directional input key device, wherein the movable contact is selectively brought into contact with the plurality of fixed contacts to make the plurality of fixed contacts conductive, the plurality of fixed contacts are formed in a segment shape, and the plurality of fixed contacts are formed. A contact is arranged radially, and a switch is provided at a central portion of the plurality of fixed contacts. The tilting operation of the movable contact selectively causes the adjacent fixed contacts to be conductive, and a downward movement of the movable contact. A multi-directional input contact mechanism, characterized in that the switch is made conductive by the switch. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: arranging a plurality of fixed contacts on the substrate in multiple directions, and providing a movable contact corresponding to the fixed contacts;
In a multidirectional input key device configured to selectively contact the movable contact with the plurality of fixed contacts to conduct, a plurality of fixed contact portions formed in the shape of a section are radially arranged, The plurality of fixed contacts are constituted by a common fixed contact formed by connecting the fixed contact portions to each other, and a fixed contact piece disposed separately from the fixed contact portions. A switch is provided at the center of the contact, and the movable contact is tilted to selectively bring the adjacent fixed contact portion and the fixed contact piece into contact with each other to conduct, and the switch is conducted by the downward movement of the movable contact. A multi-directional input contact mechanism characterized by having such a configuration. 3. The multi-directional input contact mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said switch is a pedal switch. 4. The multi-directional input contact mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said switch is a tact switch.