JP2009009798A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional input device capable of easily grabbing an operation volume by a change of action force at tilting operation, and easily enhancing detection accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The multidirectional input device is provided with: a housing composed of a frame body 1 and a bottom plate member 2; an operating member 3 having a lever 3a and capable of performing tilting operation; a pair of driving members 4, 5 driven to rotate by the operating member 3 at the tilting operation with axis directions crossing each other; an action member 6 loaded on the bottom plate member 2 and inserted into the operating member for free engagement; and a pair of rotary variable resistors (rotary detection means) 10, 11 detecting rotating positions of each driving member 4, 5. A first coil spring 8 for biasing both the driving members 4, 5 at all times is assembled between both the driving members 4, 5 and the bottom plate member 2, and a second coil spring 9 in an unloaded state at non-operation is assembled between the operating member 3 and the action member 6, so that the action member 6 is compressed when the lever 3a is tilted exceeding a given angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device that is used in an electronic device such as a game machine and that can obtain a signal corresponding to a tilt direction or a tilt angle by tilting a lever portion of an operation member.

  A conventional example of this type of multidirectional input device will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. The multidirectional input device shown in these drawings includes a frame body 51 and a bottom plate member 52 that form a housing, a lever portion 53a and a columnar shape. An operation member 53 having a portion 53b that can be tilted, a first drive member 54 and a second drive member 55 that are pivotally supported by the frame 51 and orthogonal to each other, and an operation member 53, an operating member 56 that is slidably mounted on the bottom plate member 52, and a coil spring 57 that is interposed between the operating member 53 and the operating member 56 in a resilient contact state. And a rotary variable resistor 58 that detects the rotational position of the first drive member 54 and a rotary variable resistor (not shown) that detects the rotational position of the second drive member 55 (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  The frame 51 is made of a rectangular box-shaped metal plate having an opening 51a at the top and the bottom is opened. By attaching a bottom plate member 52 to the lower end of the frame 51, a hollow housing (housing) is formed. Is formed. The operation member 53 has a lever portion 53a and a columnar portion 53b extending in opposite directions, and the lever portion 53a protrudes upward through the opening 51a of the frame body 51. The columnar portion 53b is inserted into the engagement hole 56a of the operating member 56 in the cavity of the housing so as to be able to advance and retract. When the lever portion 53a is tilted, the operating member 56 is tilted while sliding on the bottom plate member 52, thereby forming a columnar shape. The portion 53b is inserted deeply into the engagement hole 56a. The operation member 53 is formed with a cylindrical portion 53c surrounding the columnar portion 53b, and a coil spring 57 is incorporated in an annular space between the columnar portion 53b and the cylindrical portion 53c.

  The first drive member 54 is formed in an arch shape having a long hole 54a at the center, and the lever portion 53a of the operation member 53 is inserted into the long hole 54a. The first drive member 54 has one end portion in the longitudinal direction pivotally supported by the frame body 51 and the other end portion engaged with a slider receiver 59 of the rotary variable resistor 58. As a direction, the first drive member 54 is rotatable. That is, by tilting the lever portion 53a in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 34, the first drive member 54 is driven and rotated by the lever portion 53a, and the slider receiver 59 is also rotated accordingly. Yes. Since the slider 60 is held by the slider receiver 59 and the slider 60 is in sliding contact with the resistor pattern provided on the substrate 61 in the rotary variable resistor 58, the first drive member When the slider receiver 59 rotates in conjunction with 54, the contact position of the slider 60 with respect to the resistor pattern changes. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first drive member 54 can be detected based on the output resistance value of the rotary variable resistor 58. However, even if the lever portion 53a is tilted along the long hole 54a, the first drive member 54 is not interlocked.

  Since shaft portions (not shown) protrude from both ends of the second drive member 55 in the longitudinal direction and both the shaft portions are pivotally supported by the frame 51, the second drive is performed with the longitudinal direction as the axial direction. The member 55 is rotatable. Further, one shaft portion is engaged with a slider receiver of a rotary variable resistor (not shown), and the configuration of the rotary variable resistor is the same as that of the rotary variable resistor 58 described above. A through hole through which the operation member 53 is inserted in the housing is formed at the center of the second drive member 55, and receiving portions 55a are formed at locations facing each other across the through hole. A support shaft 53d of the operation member 53 is rotatably supported on the receiving portion 55a. Even if the lever portion 53a is tilted in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 34, the second drive member 55 is not interlocked. . Then, by tilting the lever portion 53a in the direction of the arrow AA in FIG. 34, the second drive member 55 is driven and rotated by the support shaft 53d as shown in FIG. The receiver also rotates. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the second drive member 55 can be detected based on the output resistance value of a rotary variable resistor (not shown).

  That is, in this multidirectional input device, when the lever portion 53a of the operation member 53 is tilted, the first drive member 54 and the second drive member 55 are rotationally driven, and the rotational direction and the rotational amount thereof are the rotary variable resistor 58. Therefore, a signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt angle of the lever portion 53a can be obtained. Further, when the operating member 53 and the actuating member 56 are not operated at the neutral position shown in FIG. 34, when the operating force is applied to the lever portion 53a and tilted, for example, as shown in FIG. Since 53b enters deeply into the engagement hole 56a of the operating member 56, the coil spring 57 is compressed to generate an elastic repulsive force. Therefore, when the operating force on the lever portion 53 a is removed, the operating member 53 and the operating member 56 are pushed back to the neutral position shown in FIG. 34 by the elastic repulsive force of the coil spring 57, and the first drive is performed via the operating member 53. The member 54 and the second drive member 55 are pushed back to the neutral position before the rotation, and accordingly, the slider receiver such as the rotary variable resistor 58 is returned to the reference position (the rotation position when not operated). It has become.

  In the above conventional example, when the tilt angle of the lever portion 53a is increased, the coil spring 57 incorporated between the operation member 53 and the operation member 56 is gradually compressed to increase the elastic repulsion force. Since 56 slides on the bottom plate member 52, the operating force required to tilt the lever portion 53a does not change much. However, for example, a controller of a game machine has a structure in which the operating force clearly changes when the lever portion is tilted by a predetermined angle so that the operator can easily grasp the magnitude of the tilt angle of the lever portion. Sometimes requested.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 36, by incorporating two coil springs 62 and 63 between the operating member 53 and the operating member 56, the operating force required for tilting the lever portion 53a is set at a predetermined tilt angle. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 36, between the operating member 53 and the actuating member 56, a first coil spring 62 incorporated in an elastic contact state and a second coil spring incorporated in an unloaded state. 63 are arranged shifted in the vertical direction in the figure. In such a configuration, the lever portion 53a can be tilted by applying an operating force against the biasing force of the first coil spring 62 at the start of the tilting operation. However, the lever portion 53a tilts by a predetermined angle to cause the second coil spring to tilt. When 63 is sandwiched between the operating member 56 and the operating member 53, an operating force that resists the biasing force of the first and second coil springs 62 and 63 is required to further tilt the lever portion 53a. It becomes. That is, the lever 53a is designed such that when the lever 53a is tilted by a predetermined angle, the operating force is clearly changed to make the operation feel different, thereby making it easier for the operator to feel the tilt angle of the lever 53a with fingers. It has become.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-112552 (page 3-6, FIG. 8) JP 2007-59160 A (page 10, FIG. 32)

  As in the conventional example shown in FIG. 36, by incorporating two coil springs 62 and 63 between the operating member 53 and the operating member 56, the operating force can be clearly changed during the tilting operation. Since the operating member 56 needs to slide smoothly on the inner bottom surface (on the bottom plate member 52) of the housing, the elastic repulsive force generated by the coil springs 62 and 63 is increased according to the tilt angle of the lever portion 53a. It is not preferable to change it. Therefore, in this conventional example, the operating force can be clearly changed when the lever portion 53a is tilted by a predetermined angle, but at other tilt angles, the operating force does not change so much. The amount of operation (the tilt angle of the lever portion 53a) cannot be easily grasped.

  In each of the conventional examples described above, when the operation force is removed after the tilting operation, each member is caused by the elastic repulsion force of the coil spring 57 and the coil springs 62 and 63 compressed between the operation member 53 and the operation member 56. Although the automatic return to each neutral position is made, the drive members 54 and 55 that are rotationally driven by the operation member 53 do not necessarily return to their original positions. That is, in this type of multi-directional input device, since a required clearance is required between the operation member and each drive member when not operated, the drive member is moved back to the neutral position after being tilted. Even so, the neutral position of the drive member has a variation corresponding to the clearance. In other words, each drive member has a backlash within a clearance range when not operated. However, if there are variations in the neutral position of the drive member, the rotational position when the rotor portion of the rotation detection means that rotates in conjunction with the drive member (for example, the slider receiver of the rotary variable resistor) is not operated varies. Therefore, highly accurate detection cannot be performed, and an improvement thereof has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the situation of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device in which an operation amount can be easily grasped by a change in operating force during tilting operation and detection accuracy can be easily improved. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the multidirectional input device of the present invention, a housing, an operating member having a lever portion protruding outward from the housing and capable of being tilted, and an axial direction of the housing are mutually connected. The shaft is supported in an orthogonal state, and is slidably mounted on the inner bottom surface of the housing, and a first drive member and a second drive member that are rotationally driven by the operation member during tilting operation, An operating member inserted through the end of the operating member opposite to the lever portion so as to be engageable, and an elastic member incorporated between the operating member and the operating member and in a non-loaded state when not operated A return spring incorporated between the housing and the first and second drive members to constantly elastically urge both drive members, and a pair for individually detecting the rotational positions of the first and second drive members Rotation detecting means, and by tilting the lever portion by a predetermined angle or more against the urging force of the return spring, the elastic member is pinched by the operating member and the operating member to generate an elastic repulsive force. Configured to occur.

  If the return springs that always elastically bias the first and second drive members are incorporated between the drive members and the housing, the lever portion is tilted against the biasing force of the return springs. Therefore, the operating force can be increased according to the tilt angle of the lever portion while smoothly sliding the operating member on the inner bottom surface of the housing. Further, an elastic member that is in a no-load state when not operated is incorporated between the operation member and the operation member, and when the lever portion is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the elastic member is compressed to generate an elastic repulsion force. Therefore, a predetermined tilt angle at which the operating force clearly changes can be easily sensed with fingers. Therefore, this multidirectional input device can easily grasp the operation amount (the tilt angle of the lever portion) by the change in the operating force during the tilt operation.

  In addition, in this multidirectional input device, when the operating force is removed after the tilting operation, the first driving member and the second driving member that are rotationally driven by the operating member are elastically urged by the return spring to return to the neutral position. Therefore, the first and second drive members can be held in a state free from backlash when not operated, that is, in a state where there is no variation in the neutral position. Therefore, the rotor portion of the rotation detecting means that rotates in conjunction with the drive member (for example, the slider receiver of the rotary variable resistor) can be accurately returned to its reference position (rotation position when not operated). And high-precision detection is possible.

  In the above configuration, when the return spring is a coil spring having a diameter larger than that of the operation member, and an annular spring receiving member is interposed between the coil spring and the first and second driving members, the return spring is tilted. Since the elastic repulsion force generated by the coil spring (return spring) during operation does not vary depending on the tilting direction of the lever portion, a good operation feeling can be expected and the assembly workability can be improved. In this case, if an annular groove is provided around the inner bottom surface of the housing, and the end of the coil spring opposite to the spring receiving member is disposed in this groove, the positional deviation of the coil spring can be ensured. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the above configuration, the operation member is provided with a columnar portion protruding in the direction opposite to the lever portion and a cylindrical portion surrounding the columnar portion, and the columnar portion is inserted into the operating member so as to be able to advance and retract. If the engagement hole to be provided is provided, not only can the columnar part be moved forward and backward in the engagement hole according to the tilt angle of the lever part, but the tilting operation can be reliably performed, and the columnar part and the cylindrical part of the operation member A space for accommodating the elastic member can be secured without difficulty. In this case, the elastic member is a coil spring disposed in an annular space between the columnar portion and the cylindrical portion of the operation member, and one end portion of the coil spring is fixed to the operation member or the operation member. When not in operation, the coil spring in an unloaded state can be supported without the risk of rattling, and when the lever part is tilted more than a predetermined angle, the coil spring is securely clamped between the operating member and the actuating member and elastic repulsive force Is preferable because it can be caused.

  According to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, the return spring that always elastically biases the first and second drive members is incorporated between both the drive members and the housing, and is in an unloaded state when not operated. Since the member is incorporated between the operating member and the operating member, the operating force can be increased according to the tilt angle of the lever portion while smoothly sliding the operating member on the inner bottom surface of the housing, When the lever portion is tilted by a predetermined angle or more, the elastic member is compressed to generate an elastic repulsion force, so that it is easy to sense a predetermined tilt angle at which the operating force clearly changes with fingers. Therefore, this multidirectional input device can easily grasp the operation amount (the tilt angle of the lever portion) by the change in the operating force during the tilt operation. Further, when the operating force is removed after the tilting operation, the first driving member and the second driving member that are rotationally driven by the operating member are elastically biased by the return spring and return to the neutral position. 2 The driving member can be held in a state free from play when not operated, and therefore the rotor portion of the rotation detecting means that rotates in conjunction with the driving member can be returned to the reference position with high accuracy, Detection is possible.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure inside the housing of the multidirectional input device. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the rotary variable resistor of the multidirectional input device, FIG. 4 is a plan view when the multidirectional input device is not operated, and FIG. 5 is a line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state immediately before the operation feeling is changed by tilting the lever portion of the multidirectional input device, and FIG. Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the lever portion of the multidirectional input device is tilted in the opposite direction to FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first drive member used in the multidirectional input device, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the first drive member, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a side view of the first drive member viewed from one end in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 15 is a side view of the first drive member viewed from one end in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second drive member used in the multidirectional input device, FIG. 17 is a plan view of the second drive member, and FIG. 18 shows the second drive member from one end in the short direction. FIG. 19 is a side view of the second driving member viewed from one end in the longitudinal direction, FIG. 20 is a side view of the second driving member viewed from the other end in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. FIG. 22 is a plan view of the operation member used in the input device, FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 22, FIG. 24 is a side view of the operation member, and FIG. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a leaf spring used in the multidirectional input device, FIG. 27 is a front view of the leaf spring, and FIG. FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a slider receiver used in the multidirectional input device, FIG. 30 is a front view of the slider receiver, and FIG. 31 is a side view of the slider receiver. 32 is an explanatory view showing a rotational position when the slider receiver is not operated, and FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG.

  The multidirectional input device shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 includes a frame body 1 and a bottom plate member 2 that form a housing, an operation member 3 that has a lever portion 3a and a columnar portion 3b and can be tilted, and a frame body 1. The first drive member 4 and the second drive member 5 that are pivotally supported so that their axial directions are orthogonal to each other, and the columnar portion 3b of the operation member 3 are slidably inserted into the bottom plate member 2. An actuating member 6 that is mounted as possible, a first coil spring 8 that is incorporated between the annular spring receiving member 7 and the bottom plate member 2 and elastically biases the first and second drive members 4 and 5 at all times; The second coil spring 9 which is incorporated between the member 3 and the actuating member 6 and is in an unloaded state when not operated, the rotary variable resistor 10 which detects the rotational position of the first drive member 4, and the second drive member 5 Rotation type variable resistor 11 for detecting the rotation position and pressing through the second drive member 5 Is schematically configured by a work can push button switch 12.

  The frame body 1 is made of a rectangular box-shaped metal plate having an opening 1a in the upper part and the lower part being opened, and by attaching a bottom plate member 2 of a resin molded product to the lower end part of the frame body 1, the inside of the housing is hollow. (Housing) is formed. The stator of the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11 is fixed to the housing. Specifically, the case 20 of the rotary variable resistor 10 is fixed to one side surface of the frame 1, and the case 30 of the rotary variable resistor 11 is fixed to the other side surface. A portion of the bottom plate member 2 covered with the frame 1 is formed with a circular receiving surface 2a serving as an inner bottom surface of the housing and a groove 2b extending in an annular shape along the periphery of the receiving surface 2a. As will be described later, the operating member 6 is slidably mounted on the receiving surface 2a, and the first coil spring 8 is mounted on the groove 2b. In addition, the receiving surface 2a is formed in a substantially flat shape, and a dome-shaped raised portion 2d facing the columnar portion 3b of the operation member 3 when not operated is slightly protruded at the center thereof. . A push button switch 12 is attached to the extended portion 2 c of the bottom plate member 2 that is not covered by the frame body 1.

  The lever portion 3a of the operating member 3 passes through the opening 1a of the frame body 1 and protrudes upward. The columnar portion 3b extending in the direction opposite to the lever portion 3a is inserted into the engagement hole 6a of the operating member 6 so as to advance and retract within the cavity of the housing. The operating member 6 is slidably mounted on the receiving surface 2a of the bottom plate member 2 and is engaged with the columnar portion 3b. When the lever portion 3a is tilted, a ring-shaped slide provided at the lower portion of the operating member 6 is provided. The contact portion 6b is inclined while sliding on the receiving surface 2a, so that the columnar portion 3b is inserted deeply into the engagement hole 6a. The operation member 3 is formed with a cylindrical portion 3c surrounding the columnar portion 3b, and a second coil spring 9 is disposed in an annular space 3d between the columnar portion 3b and the cylindrical portion 3c. One end of the second coil spring 9 is fixed by being press-fitted into the actuating member 6, but the other end is not restrained at least when not operated, and therefore the second coil spring 9 is not used when not operated. The load is maintained (see FIGS. 5 and 6). When the lever portion 3a is tilted by a predetermined angle, the columnar portion 3b is inserted deeply into the engagement hole 6a and the ceiling surface of the annular space 3d comes into contact with the second coil spring 9, so that the lever portion 3a is further tilted. The second coil spring 9 is compressed between the ceiling surface and the actuating member 6 to generate an elastic repulsive force (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Further, the operation member 3 is provided with a pair of support shafts 3e supported by a receiving portion 5d described later of the second drive member 5.

  The first drive member 4 is a resin molded product formed in an arch shape. The first drive member 4 has a long hole 4a at the center and has shafts 4b and 4c projecting at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The lever portion 3a of the operation member 3 is inserted into the long hole 4a. Even if the lever portion 3a is tilted along the long hole 4a, the first drive member 4 is not interlocked. In the first drive member 4, one shaft portion 4 b is pivotally supported in the shaft hole 1 b of the frame body 1, and the other shaft portion 4 c is locked to the slider receiver 21 of the rotary variable resistor 10. Therefore, the first drive member 4 is rotatable with both shaft portions 4b and 4c as the rotation shaft. That is, by tilting the lever portion 3a in the direction of the arrow PP in FIG. 5, the first drive member 4 is driven and rotated by the lever portion 3a, and the slider receiver 21 is also rotated accordingly. Yes. As will be described later, a slider 22 is fixed and held on the slider receiver 21 by caulking, bonding or the like, and a resistor pattern (not shown) provided on the substrate 23 in the rotary variable resistor 10. ), The contact position of the slider 22 with respect to the arc-shaped resistor pattern changes when the slider receiver 21 rotates in conjunction with the first drive member 4. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first drive member 4 can be detected based on the output resistance value of the rotary variable resistor 10.

  The second drive member 5 is a resin molded product, and has a square hole 5a at the center and projecting shafts 5b and 5c at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is formed in an annular shape so that the square hole 5a is short. It has a pair of receiving portions 5d facing each other across the direction. A support shaft 3e of the operation member 3 is rotatably supported on each receiving portion 5d, and the lever portion 3a can be tilted in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6 (arrow P-P direction in FIG. 5). The second drive member 5 is not interlocked. One shaft portion 5b of the second drive member 5 is pivotally supported by a semicircular bearing portion 1c of the frame body 1, and the other shaft portion 5c passes through the shaft hole 1d of the frame body 1 so as to be rotatable. Since it is latched by the slider receiver 31 of the resistor 11, the 2nd drive member 5 can be rotated centering | focusing on both shaft parts 5b and 5c. That is, by tilting the lever portion 3a in the direction of the arrow QQ in FIG. 6, the second drive member 5 is driven and rotated by the lever portion 3a, and the slider receiver 31 is also rotated accordingly. Yes. As will be described later, a slider 32 is secured to the slider receiver 31 by caulking, bonding, or the like, and the slider is formed on the resistor pattern provided on the substrate 33 in the rotary variable resistor 11. Since 32 is in sliding contact, when the slider receiver 31 rotates in conjunction with the second drive member 5, the contact position of the slider 32 with respect to the arc-shaped resistor pattern changes. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the second drive member 5 can be detected based on the output resistance value of the rotary variable resistor 11.

  The annular spring receiving member 7 is disposed to face the groove 2b of the bottom plate member 2, and a first coil spring 8 is interposed between the spring receiving member 7 and the groove 2b in an elastic contact state. The first coil spring 8 has a larger diameter than the operation member 3, and operates as a return spring that pushes the first and second drive members 4, 5 back to the original neutral position after the tilting operation.

  The rotary variable resistor 10 includes a case 20 attached to the frame 1, a substrate 23 having a resistor pattern and a terminal 24 and fixed to the case 20, and a slider 22 that is in sliding contact with the resistor pattern. A slider receiver 21 that can be held and rotated, and a leaf spring 25 that is disposed opposite to the surface of the slider receiver 21 opposite to the substrate 23 and is fixed to the case 20 are provided. Yes. The plate spring 25 made of an elastic metal plate has an arc-shaped elastic piece 25a, and a convex portion 25b is formed at a predetermined position (center position) of the elastic piece 25a. The slider receiver 21 has a non-circular (rectangular) hole, a cylindrical portion 21a that is pivotally supported by the substrate 23, and a concave portion 21b in which the convex portion 25b can be freely engaged and disengaged. The shaft portion 4c of the first drive member 4 (more precisely, the non-circular protrusion on the tip end side of the shaft portion 4c) is locked in the non-circular hole of the cylindrical portion 21a, and the slider receiver 21 and It is designed to rotate integrally.

  The convex portion 25b and the concave portion 21b constitute rotational position correcting means for defining the reference position (rotational position at the time of non-operation) of the slider receiver 21 that rotates via the first drive member 4 with high accuracy. Yes. That is, the convex portion 25b and the concave portion 21b are set so as to be substantially opposed to each other when not operated. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, when both the portions 25b and 21b are substantially opposed, the convex portion 25b is fitted into the concave portion 21b. Thus, the rotational position of the slider receiver 21 relative to the substrate 23 is corrected.

  As with the rotary variable resistor 10 described above, the rotary variable resistor 11 includes a case 30 attached to the frame 1, a substrate 33 having a resistor pattern and a terminal 34 and fixed to the case 30, A case 30 is disposed so as to face a surface of the slider receiver 31 opposite to the substrate 33 side, and a slider receiver 31 that can rotate while holding a slider 32 that is in sliding contact with the resistor pattern. And a leaf spring 35 fixed to the head. The leaf spring 35 made of an elastic metal plate has an arc-shaped elastic piece 35a, and a convex portion 35b is formed at a predetermined position (center position) of the elastic piece 35a. The slider receiver 31 has a non-circular (rectangular) hole, a cylindrical portion 31a that is pivotally supported by the substrate 33, and a concave portion 31b in which the convex portion 35b can be freely engaged and disengaged. The shaft portion 5c of the second drive member 5 (more precisely, the non-circular protrusion on the tip side of the shaft portion 5c) is locked in the non-circular hole of the cylindrical portion 31a, and the slider receiver 31 and It is designed to rotate integrally.

  The convex portion 35b and the concave portion 31b constitute rotational position correcting means for defining the reference position (rotational position at the time of non-operation) of the slider receiver 31 that rotates via the second drive member 5 with high accuracy. Yes. That is, the convex portion 35b and the concave portion 31b are set so as to be substantially opposed to each other when not operated. When both the portions 35b and 31b are substantially opposed, the convex portion 35b is fitted into the concave portion 31b and the slider receiver 31 for the substrate 33 is provided. The rotation position is corrected.

  The push button switch 12 has a stem portion 12a that can be raised and lowered, and is attached to the extending portion 2c of the bottom plate member 2 by snap engagement or the like. A shaft portion 5b of the second drive member 5 is mounted on the stem portion 12a. When the lever portion 3a is pushed as will be described later, the shaft portion 5b pushes the stem portion 12a and pushes the push button switch 12. The contact can be switched.

  Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment will be described. First, when the operating force is not applied to the lever portion 3a, the first coil spring 8 shows the first and second drive members 4 and 5 via the spring receiving member 7 as shown in FIGS. Since both the drive members 4 and 5 are held in the neutral position because they are elastically biased upward, the operation member 3 is held in the standing posture (neutral position) while being regulated by the drive members 4 and 5. Therefore, the operating member 6 on the receiving surface 2a is also held in the standing posture. Further, since the first and second drive members 4 and 5 are held at the neutral positions, the slider receivers 21 and 31 of the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11 connected to the shaft portions 4c and 5c are also provided. Each is held at a reference position (rotational position when not operated). In addition, in this embodiment, the accuracy of the reference position is extremely high by the rotational position correcting means using the leaf springs 25 and 35.

  That is, slight backlash is expected between the shaft portions 4c and 5c of the drive members 4 and 5 and the slider receivers 21 and 31 in consideration of assemblability. Since the reference positions of 21 and 31 may vary, in this embodiment, the convex portions 25b and 35b of the leaf springs 25 and 35 are substantially opposed to the concave portions 21b and 31b of the slider receivers 21 and 31 when not operated. The rotational positions of the slider receivers 21 and 31 can be corrected by automatically fitting these convex portions 25b and 35b into the substantially opposed concave portions 21b and 31b. Specifically, the width w of the recess 21b (31b) shown in FIG. 33 is set to a size that can absorb the variation in the reference position of the slider receiver 21 (31), and the recess 21b (31b) Thus, the convex portion 25b (35b) is formed into a smooth curved shape so that it can be freely engaged and disengaged. Accordingly, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 33, even if the convex portion 25b (35b) and the concave portion 21b (31b) face each other with their centers slightly shifted from each other, the convex portion 25b (35b) that is elastically biased downward in the drawing. ) Slightly rotates the slider receiver 21 (31) and automatically engages with the recess 21b (31b), and shifts to a stable state shown by a solid line in FIG. Therefore, the rotational positions of the slider receivers 21 and 31 with respect to the substrates 23 and 33 can be accurately defined when not operated. In addition, the corner | angular part which the recessed part 21b (31b) into which the convex part 25b (35b) fits becomes a curved guide surface, and this guide surface is guided by the convex part 25b (35b). The rotational position of the slider receiver 21 (31) is corrected more reliably (see FIG. 33).

  Next, the operation when the lever portion 3a standing at the neutral position is tilted in the direction of arrows QQ in FIG. 6 (vertical direction in FIG. 4) will be described. In this tilting operation, when the lever portion 3a is tilted from the neutral position, the first coil spring 8 is gradually compressed, so that the operating force necessary for tilting the lever portion 3a gradually increases, and the lever portion. With the tilt of 3a, the actuating member 6 tilts integrally while sliding on the receiving surface 2a. However, until the lever portion 3a reaches the predetermined tilt angle shown in FIG. 8, the second coil spring 9 in the annular space 3d is kept in an unloaded state, and the operating force is compressed by the first coil spring 8. Since it changes according to the amount, the operation feeling does not change suddenly. When the tilt angle of the lever portion 3a exceeds the predetermined angle, the second coil spring 9 enters a compressed state sandwiched between the ceiling surface of the annular space 3d and the operating member 6 to generate an elastic repulsion force. The operating force changes clearly. That is, if the lever portion 3a is tilted by a predetermined angle or more shown in FIG. 8, the operating force changes according to the compression amount of the first and second coil springs 8 and 9, so that the operation feeling is not until then. Different. Therefore, the operator can feel whether or not the lever portion 3a is tilted by a predetermined angle based on the difference in operation feeling.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the lever portion 3a is tilted greatly, the first coil spring 8 is greatly compressed, so that the operating force increases remarkably, but the operating member 6 slides on the receiving surface 2a. Therefore, the second coil spring 9 is not greatly compressed. Therefore, even after the lever portion 3a is tilted more than a predetermined angle at which the operating force clearly changes, the operating force can be gradually increased according to the tilt angle, and the operating member 6 is received on the receiving surface 2a during the tilting operation. Smooth sliding is possible. When the lever portion 3a is tilted to the vicinity of the tilted end, the sliding contact portion 6b of the actuating member 6 rides on the raised portion 2d of the receiving surface 2a. In this case, the second coil spring 9 It is compressed more than before (before getting on).

  When the lever portion 3a is tilted in the direction of the arrow QQ in FIG. 6, the second drive member 5 driven by the support shaft 3e of the operation member 3 rotates about the shaft portions 5b and 5c. The slider receiver 31 connected to 5c rotates integrally, and the contact position of the slider 32 with respect to the resistor pattern of the board | substrate 33 changes. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the second drive member 5 can be detected based on the output resistance value of the rotary variable resistor 11.

  Further, when the lever portion 3a standing at the neutral position is tilted in the direction of the arrow PP in FIG. 5 (the left-right direction in FIG. 4), the first lever is driven by the lever portion 3a in the long hole 4a. The drive member 4 rotates about the shafts 4b and 4c as the rotation shafts. In this case as well, when the lever 3a is tilted, the first coil spring 8 is gradually compressed and the lever 3a is moved beyond a predetermined angle. Since the second coil spring 9 is compressed when tilted, the operating force is changed in the same manner as in the tilting operation (when the lever 3a is tilted in the direction of arrows QQ in FIG. 6). When the first drive member 4 is rotated by being driven by the lever portion 3a, the slider receiver 21 connected to the shaft portion 4c is rotated integrally, and the slider 22 with respect to the resistor pattern of the substrate 23 is rotated. Since the contact position changes, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first drive member 4 can be detected based on the output resistance value of the rotary variable resistor 10. That is, in this multidirectional input device, when the lever portion 3a is tilted, the first drive member 4 and the second drive member 5 are rotationally driven, and accordingly the slider receivers 21 and 31 of the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11 are driven. Are rotated in conjunction with each other, so that a signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt angle of the lever portion 3a can be obtained.

  Further, in this multidirectional input device, when the operation force is removed after the tilting operation, the first drive member 4 and the second drive member 5 are pushed back to the neutral position by the elastic repulsive force of the compressed first coil spring 8. Driven by these driving members 4 and 5 and the compressed second coil spring 9, the operating member 3 also returns to the neutral position, and returns to the non-operating state shown in FIGS. However, since the second coil spring 9 is restored to the no-load state before the lever portion 3a returns to the standing posture, the second coil spring 9 does not return the operating member 3 to the neutral position. As the driving members 4 and 5 return, the slider receivers 21 and 31 connected to the shafts 4c and 5c are rotated in the opposite direction to those at the time of operation, and the reference position (when not operated) is reached. In order to return to the rotational position, the output resistance values of the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11 return to the level set during non-operation.

  Even when the first drive member 4 and the second drive member 5 return to their neutral positions, the convex portions 25b and 35b of the leaf springs 25 and 35 on the rotary variable resistor 10 and 11 side are the slider receiver 21. , 31 are not necessarily completely opposed to the recesses 21b, 31b. That is, the slider receivers 21 and 31 are slightly moved from the original rotational positions in the return operation after the tilting operation due to the influence of the play or the like existing in the connecting portion between the drive members 4 and 5 and the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11. There is a possibility of shifting. However, in this embodiment, the width w of the recess 21b (31b) shown in FIG. 33 is set to a size that can absorb the variation in the reference position of the slider receiver 21 (31). Since the tip of 25b (35b) is set so as to be surely disposed within the range overlapping with the recess 21b (31b), the protrusions 25b and 35b substantially opposed to the recesses 21b and 31b The rotary positions 21 and 31 are automatically inserted into the recesses 21b and 31b by slightly rotating them, so that the rotational position at which the slider receivers 21 and 31 are restored can always be defined with high accuracy.

  Next, an operation at the time of a push operation for pressing the lever portion 3a will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the lever portion 3a stands in the neutral position, when the operator pushes the lever portion 3a downward in the figure, the lever portion 3a is moved to the receiving portion 5d of the second drive member 5 via the support shaft 3e. Since a pressing load is applied, the second drive member 5 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 with the shaft portion 5c in the shaft hole 1d as a fulcrum. Therefore, the shaft portion 5b of the second driving member 5 can press the stem portion 12a to switch the contact point of the push button switch 12. However, such a push operation can also be performed during a tilting operation in which the lever portion 3a is tilted.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment, the first coil spring 8 that constantly elastically biases the first and second drive members 4, 5 includes the drive members 4, 5, the bottom plate member 2, and the like. Since the second coil spring 9 which is incorporated between the operating member 3 and the operating member 6 is incorporated between the operating member 3 and the operating member 6, the operating member 6 is mounted on the receiving surface 2 a of the bottom plate member 2. The operating force can be increased in accordance with the tilt angle of the lever portion 3a while sliding smoothly, and the second coil spring 9 is compressed and elastically repelled when the lever portion 3a is tilted over a predetermined angle. Since the force is generated, it is easy to sense a predetermined tilt angle at which the operating force clearly changes with fingers. Therefore, this multidirectional input device can easily grasp the operation amount (the tilt angle of the lever portion 3a) by the change in the operating force during the tilt operation. When the operating force is removed after the tilting operation, the first driving member 4 and the second driving member 5 that are rotationally driven by the operating member 3 are elastically biased by the first coil spring 8 and return to the neutral position. The first and second drive members 4 and 5 can be held in a non-playing state when not operated, and therefore the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11 that rotate in conjunction with the drive members 4 and 5 are provided. The slider receivers 21 and 31 can be accurately returned to the reference position (rotation position when not being operated) so that highly accurate detection can be performed.

  Further, in this multi-directional input device, there is a backlash that exists in the connecting portion between the drive members 4 and 5 and the rotary variable resistors 10 and 11, that is, in the connecting portion between the shaft portions 4c and 5c and the slider receivers 21 and 31. Even if the slider receivers 21 and 31 are slightly deviated from their original rotational positions in the return operation after the tilting operation due to the influences of the above, the convex portions 25b and 35b of the leaf springs 25 and 35 and the slider receivers are not operated. 21 and 31 are set so as to be substantially opposed to the concave portions 21b and 31b, and when the convex portions 25b and 35b and the concave portions 21b and 31b are substantially opposed to each other, the state is automatically shifted to the fitted state. , 31 are corrected. Accordingly, the rotational position at which the slider receivers 21 and 31 return after the tilting operation hardly varies, and thus the rotational position of the slider receivers 21 and 31 when not operated can be defined with high accuracy. The device can detect with extremely high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the rotational position correcting means is used in which the convex portions 25b and 35b provided on the leaf springs 25 and 35 are fitted into the concave portions 21b and 31b of the slider receivers 21 and 31, respectively. It is not complicated and the number of parts is reduced. However, rotational position correction means having other structures may be employed, for example, by inserting a convex portion provided in a part of the sliders 22 and 32 into a concave portion provided in a part of the substrates 23 and 33. It is also possible to correct the reference positions of the slider receivers 21 and 31.

  In this embodiment, an annular spring receiving member 7 is interposed between the first coil spring 8 having a larger diameter than the operation member 3 and the first and second drive members 4 and 5. The elastic repulsive force generated by the first coil spring 8 during the tilting operation does not vary depending on the tilting direction of the lever portion 3a, so that a good operation feeling can be expected and the assembling workability is improved. In addition, an annular groove 2b is provided around the receiving surface 2a of the bottom plate member 2 on which the operating member 6 is mounted, and both ends of the first coil spring 8 are held by the groove 2b and the spring receiving member 7. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent displacement of the first coil spring 8.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second coil spring 9 for clearly changing the operating force is incorporated without difficulty using the annular space 3d between the columnar portion 3b and the cylindrical portion 3c of the operation member 3. In addition, since the one end portion of the second coil spring 9 is fixed to the operating member 6 side (may be the operating member 3 side), the second coil spring 9 that is in a no-load state when not operated. Can be supported without the risk of rattling. However, an elastic member such as an elastomer that functions similarly to the second coil spring 9 may be incorporated between the operation member 3 and the operation member 6.

1 is an external view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure in the housing of this multidirectional input device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the rotation type variable resistor of this multidirectional input device. It is a top view at the time of non-operation of this multidirectional input device. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the state immediately before tilting the lever part of this multidirectional input device, and an operation feeling changes. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which inclined the lever part of this multidirectional input device in the reverse direction to FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the DD line | wire of FIG. It is a perspective view of the 1st drive member used for this multidirectional input device. It is a top view of this 1st drive member. It is the side view which looked at this 1st drive member from the transversal direction one end side. It is the side view which looked at this 1st drive member from the longitudinal direction one end side. It is the side view which looked at this 1st drive member from the longitudinal direction other end side. It is a perspective view of the 2nd drive member used for this multidirectional input device. It is a top view of this 2nd drive member. It is the side view which looked at this 2nd drive member from the transversal direction one end side. It is the side view which looked at this 2nd drive member from the longitudinal direction one end side. It is the side view which looked at this 2nd drive member from the longitudinal direction other end side. It is a perspective view of the operation member used for this multidirectional input device. It is a top view of this operation member. It is sectional drawing which follows the EE line | wire of FIG. It is a side view of this operation member. It is a bottom view of the operation member. It is a perspective view of the leaf | plate spring used for this multidirectional input device. It is a front view of this leaf | plate spring. It is a side view of this leaf | plate spring. It is a perspective view of the slider receiver used for this multidirectional input device. It is a front view of this slider receiver. It is a side view of this slider receiver. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rotational position at the time of this non-operation of this slider receiver. It is sectional drawing which follows the FF line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing at the time of the non-operation of the multidirectional input device which concerns on a prior art example. It is sectional drawing at the time of tilting operation of the prior art example shown in FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing of the multidirectional input device which concerns on another prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Frame (housing)
2 Bottom plate member (housing)
2a receiving surface 3 operation member 3a lever portion 3b columnar portion 3c cylindrical portion 3d annular space 4 first drive member 5 second drive member 6 actuating member 6a engagement hole 7 spring receiving member 8 first coil spring (return spring)
9 Second coil spring (elastic member)
10,11 Rotation type variable resistor (rotation detection means)
21, 31 Slider receiver 23, 33 Substrate

Claims (5)

A housing, an operation member that has a lever portion that protrudes outward from the housing and can be tilted, and is supported by the housing in an axial direction orthogonal to each other, and the operation member at the time of tilting operation The first drive member and the second drive member that are rotationally driven by the actuator, and are slidably mounted on the inner bottom surface of the housing, and are engaged with the end portion of the operation member opposite to the lever portion side. An actuating member inserted in a possible manner, an elastic member which is incorporated between the actuating member and the operating member and is not loaded when not operated, and is incorporated between the housing and the first and second driving members. A return spring that constantly elastically biases both drive members, and a pair of rotation detection means that individually detect the rotation positions of the first and second drive members,
The elastic member is sandwiched between the operating member and the actuating member to generate an elastic repulsive force by tilting the lever portion over a predetermined angle against the urging force of the return spring. A multi-directional input device.   2. The return spring according to claim 1, wherein the return spring is a coil spring having a larger diameter than the operation member, and an annular spring receiving member is interposed between the coil spring and the first and second drive members. A multi-directional input device.   The annular groove portion is provided around the inner bottom surface of the housing according to claim 2, and an end portion of the coil spring opposite to the spring receiving member side is disposed in the groove portion. Multidirectional input device.   The operation member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating member is provided with a columnar portion protruding in a direction opposite to the lever portion and a cylindrical portion surrounding the columnar portion. The multi-directional input device is provided with an engagement hole into which the columnar portion is inserted so as to be able to advance and retract.   5. The coil spring according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is disposed in an annular space between the columnar portion and the cylindrical portion, and one end portion of the coil spring is connected to the operation member or the operation member. A multidirectional input device characterized by being fixed.

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