JP2008041317A - Rocking operation type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rocking operation type input device capable of preventing looseness around a vertical shaft of an operation body with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: In this rocking operation type input device having a holder 6 being a component of the operation body supported on a base 5 to be rockable around a rocking supporting point P, restriction grooves 5c extending in the Y-direction through the rocking supporting point P are formed on the upper surface of the base body 5; cylindrical projections 6b sandwiched between both erected wall parts 5d of the restriction grooves 5c are protrusively formed on the bottom surface of the holder 6; when an operation knob 2 is rockingly operated in the X-direction, the cylindrical projections 6b are rotated in the restriction grooves 5c by using a straight line L connecting the rocking supporting point P to the restriction grooves 5c as a rotating axis; and when the operation knob 2 is rockingly operated in the Y-direction, the cylindrical projections 6b are rotated in the restriction grooves 5c around the rocking supporting point P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a swing operation type input device in which input is performed by selectively swinging an operating body in XY directions orthogonal to each other.

  Conventionally, an operating body is supported on the inner bottom surface of a hollow housing so as to be swingable, and a guide mechanism for guiding the operating body in the X and Y directions orthogonal to each other is attached to the housing. 2. Description of the Related Art A swing operation type input device is known in which when a swing operation is selectively performed in a direction and a Y direction, the swing is detected by a detection means such as a switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The guide mechanism includes a lower slider guided in one direction (for example, the X direction) along a guide groove formed on the upper surface of the housing, and another direction (Y) along the guide protrusion formed on the upper surface of the lower slider. The lower slider is slidable only in the X direction, and the upper slider is slidable only in the Y direction. The upper slider and the lower slider are each provided with an opening, and a swingable operating body is inserted into both the openings. A plurality of engaging protrusions are formed on the upper outer wall surface of the operating body, and the operating body is engaged by engaging the engaging protrusions with a plurality of engaging grooves formed on the inner wall surface of the upper slider. The movement in the swing direction is transmitted to the upper slider.

In the swing operation type input device schematically configured as described above, when a pressing force in the in-plane direction is applied to the upper slider in accordance with the swing operation of the operating body, the lower slider is engaged with the upper slider. By sliding in the X direction along the guide groove, the operating body can be smoothly guided in the X direction, and the upper slider slides in the Y direction along the guide protrusion on the upper surface of the lower slider. The operating body can be smoothly guided in the Y direction. That is, the guide mechanism interposed between the operating body and the housing includes a pair of upper and lower sliders that can move in directions orthogonal to each other, and both the sliders are assembled to the housing using guide grooves and guide protrusions. Therefore, the operating body can be smoothly guided in the XY directions during the swinging operation.
JP 2005-346645 A

  By the way, in the above-described conventional swing operation type input device, the guide mechanism is arranged at a position above the housing in the vertical direction away from the swing support point of the operating body, and the upper slider that is a component of the guide mechanism is engaged. By engaging the groove and the engaging projection of the operating body in a concavo-convex manner, the movement of the operating body in the swinging direction is transmitted to the parallel movement of the upper slider. If it is not set smaller than the groove width of the joint groove, the engagement protrusion may not be able to move freely in the engagement groove. In particular, since the guide mechanism is composed of an upper slider and a lower slider that are combined so as to be movable in directions orthogonal to each other, the dimensional error and assembly error of each member including the housing and both sliders are considered. It is necessary to ensure a relatively large clearance along the circumferential direction between the protrusion and the engaging groove. As a result, when the user tries to swing the operating body, there is a problem that the operating body slightly rotates around the vertical axis within the clearance and rattles, degrading the quality of operation feeling. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an oscillating operation type input device that can prevent rattling of the operating body around the vertical axis with a simple configuration. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a swing operation type input device of the present invention includes a base, an operation body supported on the base so as to be swingable around a swing fulcrum, and the operation body. A guide mechanism for guiding in the XY directions orthogonal to each other; and a detecting means for detecting swinging of the operating body in the XY direction; and a bottom surface of the operating body and the base opposite to the bottom surface A restriction groove extending in at least one of the XY directions from the swing fulcrum is formed on one of the upper surfaces, and a protrusion sandwiched between inner walls facing each other of the restriction groove is formed on the other When the operating body is swung in any one of the XY directions, the protrusion rotates around the rocking fulcrum and moves the operating body in the XY direction. When the rocking operation is performed in any other direction, the protrusion directly connects the rocking fulcrum and the restriction groove. It was configured to rotate the regulating groove as a rotational axis.

  In the swing operation type input device configured as described above, when the operating body is swung in any one of the XY directions, the protrusion freely rotates in the restriction groove around the swing fulcrum, When the operating body is swung in any of the X and Y directions, the projection rotates about the straight line connecting the rocking fulcrum and the regulating groove as a rotation axis. Around the backlash can be prevented.

  In the above configuration, for example, a plurality of spherical bodies arranged in a row can be used as the protrusion. However, the protrusion is a cylindrical protrusion extending from the swing fulcrum in at least one of the XY directions, and is regulated. It is preferable that the inner wall surfaces of the groove face each other at an interval substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical protrusion, since the protrusion can be made simple. In this case, the cylindrical protrusion may be formed on the upper surface of the base and the restriction groove may be formed on the bottom surface of the operating body. It is preferable to comprise by a pair of standing wall part protrudingly formed by the upper surface of this.

  In the above configuration, the configuration of the guide mechanism for guiding the operating body in the XY direction is not particularly limited, but the guide mechanism is formed on the inner wall surface of the case extending upward from the base so as to surround the operating body. It consists of a plurality of formed guide grooves and a plurality of guide protrusions that are formed to protrude from the upper outer wall surface of the operating body. When the guide protrusions move in the guide grooves when the operating body is swung, a simple configuration It is preferable that the operating body can be guided in the XY direction using the guide mechanism.

  In the swing operation type input device of the present invention, a protrusion provided on the other side is sandwiched between opposing inner wall surfaces of a regulation groove formed on one side of the bottom surface of the operating body and the upper surface of the base, When the body is swung in any one of the XY directions, the projection freely rotates in the restriction groove around the swing fulcrum, and the operating body is moved in any other direction in the XY direction. When the swinging operation is performed, the protrusion rotates about the straight line connecting the swinging fulcrum and the regulating groove as the rotation axis, so that it is possible to prevent the operation body from swinging around the vertical axis while allowing the operating body to swing.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swing operation type input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the swing operation type input device. 3 is a front view of the swing operation type input device, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an operating body and a base provided in the swing operation type input device.

  The swing operation type input device according to the present embodiment is used as a control unit that centrally controls in-vehicle electrical equipment such as an air conditioner, an acoustic device, a navigation system, etc. A housing 1 attached to a center console or the like and an operation knob 2 protruding from the housing 1 are provided. The housing 1 is composed of a hollow case 3 that opens up and down, a cover 4 that closes the upper opening end of the case 3, and a base body 5 that closes the lower opening end of the case 3. All are molded with synthetic resin.

  A cylindrical holder 6 whose bottom surface is closed is disposed inside the case 3, and a flange 7 having a rectangular shape in plan view is integrally formed at the upper end of the holder 6. A drive body 8 is disposed inside the holder 6, and the holder 6 and the drive body 8 are integrated via a plurality of concave and convex engaging portions (see FIG. 6). The driving body 8 is inserted through the through-hole 4a of the cover 4 and protrudes upward, and the driving body 8 and the operation knob 2 disposed on the cover 4 are connected. That is, the operation knob 2, the drive body 7, and the holder 6 constitute an operation body that is swing-operated by an operator (user). Although not shown, the operation knob 2 can be rotated and pushed in addition to the swinging operation, and the operation body 2 can be rotated and pushed inside the drive body 8. A detection mechanism for detection is housed.

  4 and 7, a swing protrusion 6a is integrally formed at the center of the lower surface of the holder 6, and a support protrusion 5b having a mortar-shaped recess 5a is integrally formed at the center of the upper surface of the base 5. ing. Then, by inserting the swing protrusion 6a into the recess 5a of the support protrusion 5b, the holder 6 is supported on the base body 5 with the engaging portion of the swing protrusion 6a and the recess 5a as a swing fulcrum P. Has been. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of guide grooves 3 a are formed on the four inner wall surfaces of the case 3. When XY orthogonal coordinates with the center of the holder 6 as the origin are set, each guide groove 3 a Extending in the direction or Y direction. On the other hand, a plurality of guide projections 7a are formed on the four outer wall surfaces of the flange portion 7 integrated with the upper end of the holder 6, and each guide projection 7a can move in the corresponding guide groove 3a. Projecting in the direction or Y direction. The guide groove 3a and the guide projection 7a constitute a guide mechanism, and the operation body (the operation knob 2, the drive body 7, and the holder 6) supported so as to be swingable on the base 5 is orthogonal to the guide mechanism. Guided in the XY direction. A pair of drive rods 9 are held on the collar portion 7 of the holder 6, and these drive rods 9 are applied to a cam member (not shown) on the inner bottom surface of the cover 4 by the elastic force of a spring (not shown). By pressing, the holder 6 automatically returns to the neutral position when the operating body is not operated. Further, a swing detection means 10 including a pair of sliders, a photosensor (not shown) and the like is disposed between the collar portion 7 of the holder 6 and the cover 4. The swinging operation of the body in the X direction and the Y direction is detected.

  Returning to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, a pair of restricting grooves 5 c are formed on the upper surface of the base 5 through the support protrusions 5 b at positions opposed to each other by 180 degrees, and these restricting grooves 5 c pass through the swing fulcrum P. It is arranged on a straight line L extending in the Y direction. One restricting groove 5c is constituted by a pair of upstanding wall portions 5d protruding from the upper surface of the base body 5, and the other restricting groove 5c is also constituted by a pair of upstanding wall portions 5d protruding from the upper surface of the base body 5. Has been. In addition, a pair of cylindrical protrusions 6b are formed on the bottom surface of the holder 6 so as to be opposed to each other by 180 degrees via the swinging protrusions 6a. These cylindrical protrusions 6b are inserted into the corresponding regulating grooves 5c. ing. Here, the diameter of the cylindrical protrusion 6b and the groove width of the restricting groove 5c (opposite distance between both standing wall portions 5d) are set to be substantially equal. As shown in FIG. It is in a state of being sandwiched between both standing wall portions 5d of the restriction groove 5c. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a clearance space S is secured between the bottom of the restriction groove 5c and the cylindrical protrusion 6b, and the movement of the cylindrical protrusion 6b in the restriction groove 5c by the clearance space S. Is allowed.

  In the swing operation type input device configured as described above, FIGS. 1 to 5 show a non-operation state in which no external force is applied to the operation knob 2, and the operation knob 2 that is a component of the operation body and The drive body 7 and the holder 6 face the vertical direction. At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the columnar projection 6b formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the holder 6 is sandwiched between both standing wall portions 5d of the restriction groove 5c formed on the upper surface of the base body 5, the columnar projection 6b The movement of the holder 6 around the vertical axis is restricted by the restriction groove 5c, and the operation body including the holder 6 is not rattled around the vertical axis.

  When the operator swings the operation knob 2 in the X direction or the Y direction from such a non-operating state, the holder 6 swings in the same direction with the swing fulcrum P on the base 5 as a fulcrum, and accordingly, the collar portion When the seven guide protrusions 7a move in the corresponding guide grooves 3a of the case 3, the operating body is guided in the X direction or the Y direction. Further, when the drive body 8 moves in the same direction in conjunction with the swing operation of the operation knob 2 in this way, the swing detection means 10 detects the swing operation in the X direction and the Y direction of the operation body. . In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, when the operator swings the operation knob 2 in the X direction, the columnar protrusion 6b rotates within the restriction groove 5c with the straight line L as the rotation axis. It can be swung smoothly in the direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the operator swings the operation knob 2 in the Y direction, the cylindrical protrusion 6b rotates around the swing fulcrum P in the clearance space S of the restriction groove 5c. The operating body can be smoothly swung in the Y direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation body (the operation knob 2 and the drive body 7 and the holder 6) from swinging in the X direction and the Y direction, and to prevent the operation body from rattling around the vertical axis. The quality of operation feeling is significantly improved.

  As described above, the swing operation type input device according to the present embodiment forms the restriction groove 5 c extending in the Y direction through the swing fulcrum P on the upper surface of the base 5, and both the restriction grooves 5 c on the bottom surface of the holder 6. Since the columnar projection 6b sandwiched by the standing wall portion 5d is formed so as to project, the columnar projection 6b rotates a straight line L connecting the oscillation fulcrum P and the regulation groove 5c when the operation knob 2 is operated to swing in the X direction. When the operating knob 2 is swung in the Y direction as a shaft and rotated in the restricting groove 5c, the cylindrical protrusion 6b rotates in the restricting groove 5c around the swinging fulcrum P. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the operation body from swinging around the vertical axis while allowing the operation body to swing in the X direction and the Y direction. Further, a guide mechanism is constituted by a plurality of guide grooves 3 a formed on the inner wall surface of the case 3 integrated with the base body 5 and a plurality of guide protrusions 7 a formed on the outer wall surface of the flange portion 7 of the holder 6. Since the operating body is guided in the X direction and the Y direction by this guide mechanism, the configuration of the guide mechanism can be simplified.

  In the above embodiment, the case where two pairs of the restriction grooves 5c and the columnar protrusions 6b are formed on the straight line L extending in the Y direction through the swing fulcrum P has been described. And two sets of cylindrical protrusions 6b may be formed along the X direction, or may be formed along the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. In the above embodiment, the case where the restriction groove 5c is formed on the upper surface of the base 5 and the columnar protrusion 6b is formed on the bottom surface of the holder 6 has been described. However, the relationship between the restriction groove and the columnar protrusion is reversed. In addition, a cylindrical protrusion may be formed on the upper surface of the base body 5 and a restriction groove may be formed on the bottom surface of the holder 6.

1 is a perspective view of a swing operation type input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of this rocking | fluctuation operation type input device. It is a front view of this rocking | fluctuation operation type input device. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of FIG. It is a perspective view of the operation body and base with which this rocking | fluctuation operation type input device is equipped.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 2 Operation knob 3 Case 3a Guide groove 4 Cover 5 Base 5a Recessed part 5b Support protrusion 5c Restriction groove 5d Standing wall part 6 Holder 6a Oscillation protrusion 6b Cylindrical protrusion 7 Groove 7a Guide protrusion 8 Driver P Oscillation Fulcrum L straight line S clearance space

Claims (4)

A base, an operating body supported on the base so as to be swingable about a swinging fulcrum, a guide mechanism for guiding the operating body in XY directions perpendicular to each other, and an X-axis of the operating body Detecting means for detecting swinging in the Y direction,
A restriction groove extending in at least one direction of the XY direction from the swing fulcrum is formed on one of the bottom surface of the operating body and the top surface of the base opposite to the bottom surface, Forming protrusions sandwiched between the opposing inner wall surfaces of the restriction groove,
When the operating body is swung in any one of the X and Y directions, the protrusion rotates around the rocking fulcrum in the restriction groove, and the operating body is moved in any of the X and Y directions. An oscillating operation type input device characterized in that when the oscillating operation is performed in the other direction, the protrusion rotates within the regulating groove with a straight line connecting the oscillating fulcrum and the regulating groove as a rotation axis.   In Claim 1, The said protrusion consists of a cylindrical protrusion extended in at least one direction of an XY direction from the said rocking | fluctuation fulcrum, and both the inner wall surfaces of the said control groove | channel are the space | interval substantially equal to the diameter of the said cylindrical protrusion. A swing operation type input device characterized by facing each other.   3. The columnar protrusion according to claim 2, wherein the columnar protrusion is formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the operating body, and the restriction groove is formed by a pair of upstanding wall portions formed to protrude from the upper surface of the base. A swing operation type input device. 4. The guide groove according to claim 1, wherein the guide mechanism includes a plurality of guide grooves formed on an inner wall surface of a case extending upward from the base so as to surround the operation body, and the operation. A swing operation type input comprising a plurality of guide projections protruding from an upper outer wall surface of the body, wherein the guide projection moves in the guide groove when the operation body is swung. apparatus.

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