GB2367348A

GB2367348A - Multidirectional input apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2367348A
Application number: GB0121929A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kisaburo Takahashi; Jun Yashiro
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-26
Filing date: 2001-09-12
Publication date: 2002-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-12
Also published as: JP2002099337A; GB0121929D0; JP3813806B2; GB2367348B

Abstract

A multidirectional input apparatus in which play, and thus noise, caused by a gap between a moving member and a holder is eliminated to provide smooth operation, comprises a first and second slotted moving members 10, 20, each being pivotable about a respective one of two orthogonal axes, a holder constituted by two holding portions 31, 32 located between the first and second moving members, a joystick 40 secured to the holder, and a coil spring 50 which urges the two holding portions apart in a direction axially of the joystick. As described, manual movement of the joystick balances the output of four speakers in a concert hall, and the balanced position, sensed by resistors 80, 81, can be stored in memory for subsequent automatic setting via motors 85. The apparatus is touch-sensitive so that changing from automatic to manual mode can be effected by the operator contacting the joystick which is metallic and abuts the end of a conductive wire (46, Fig.5).

Description

MULTIDIRECTIONAL INPUT APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A multidirectional input apparatus of the present invention is a joy stick applied to an operating portion of a controller for game or a balance volume for stereo for adjusting a sound field in a concert hall, and the present invention relates to a multidirectional input apparatus for easily moving an operating shaft to a previously set position, or enabling to feed back a load to an operating shaft or enabling remote control thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art An explanation will be given of a conventional multidirectional input apparatus in reference to drawings.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a holder is interposed in a cooperatively moving member in a conventional multidirectional input apparatus.

The conventional multidirectional input apparatus is constituted by mainly containing a cooperatively moving member 100, a holder 110 comprising a spherical body interposed in the cooperatively moving member 100 and an operating shaft 120 in a cabinet held in the cooperatively moving member 100, not illustrated.

The cooperatively moving member 100 is constituted of a first cooperatively moving member 101 and a second cooperatively moving member 102 orthogonal to each other and attached to and contained by a cabinet, not illustrated, the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 are formed with curves 101a and 102a curved in a semicircular shape and the curves 101a and 102a are respectively formed with long grooves 103 and 104.

Further, the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 are respectively provided with fixing holes 105 and 106 at both ends thereof and the fixing holes 105 and 106 are inserted with pins, not illustrated, to thereby fix the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 to the cabinet, not illustrated.

Further, the first and second cooperatively moving member 101 and 102 fixed in this way are made pivotable respectively with the fixing holes 105 and 106 as axes.

The holder 110 is incorporated between the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 attached in this way.

The holder 110 is constituted of a spherical body and is incorporated between the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 in a state in which an upper face portion thereof is brought into contact with the curve 101a of the first cooperatively moving member 101 and a lower face portion thereof is brought into contact with the curve 102a of the second cooperatively moving member 102. At this occasion, one end of a through hole 111 of the holder 110 overlaps the long groove 103 of the first cooperatively moving member 101 and the other end of the through hole 111 overlaps the long groove 104 of the second cooperatively moving member 102.

The operating shaft 120 is constituted of an operating portion 121 an end of which is formed substantially in a shape of a frustum of a circular cone and a shaft 122 in a shape of a slender rod. Further, the shaft 122 is insert-molded to pass through a center of the holder 110 and the operating shaft 120 is unmovably held by the holder 110. Further, an upper end of the shaft 122 passes through the long groove 103 of the first cooperatively moving member 101 and screwed with the operating portion 121 and a lower end thereof reaches the long groove 104 of the second cooperatively moving member 102.

The conventional multidirectional input apparatus is constituted as described above and when an operator inclines the operating shaft 120, in cooperation with the operation, the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 are pivoted to slide on an outer peripheral face of the holder 110. Further, amounts of pivoting the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 are detected by variable resistors, not illustrated, arranged piece by piece to the respective cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 and voltage values in accordance with directions of inclination and amounts of inclination of the operating shaft 120 are outputted to outside.

However, according to the conventional multidirectional input apparatus, the holder 110 is constituted of the spherical body, the holder 110 is constituted to be interposed by the curves 101a and 102a of a pair of the first and second cooperatively moving member 101 and 102 and accordingly, there poses a problem that even when accuracy of the curves 101a and 102a and the outer peripheral face of the holder 110 is increased, the accuracy is limited, a dimensional gap is generated between the both members and play is generated in the axis line direction of the operating shaft 120.

Further, when the dimensional gap is generated, there is a concern that the amounts of pivoting the first and second cooperatively moving members 101 and 102 are difficult to detect pertinently, noise is emitted by operating the operating shaft 120 and the operating shaft 120 is not operated smoothly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been created in view of the problem and it is an object thereof to provide a multidirectional input apparatus eliminating play caused by a dimensional gap between a cooperatively moving member and a holder, carrying out detection pertinently and making operation of an operating shaft smooth.

As first means for resolving the above-described problem according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a multidirectional input apparatus comprising a cabinet having a space formed by side walls opposed to each other; a first cooperatively moving member having a curve formed with a long groove and contained in the space in a state of being pivotably attached to the cabinet for driving a first electric part; a second cooperatively moving member having a curve curved in a direction opposed to a direction of curving the curve of the first cooperatively moving member and formed with a long groove, arranged orthogonally to the first cooperatively moving member and contained in the space in a state of being pivotably attached to the cabinet for driving a second electric part; a holder comprising a first holding portion having a curved face for sliding on the curve of the first cooperatively moving member and a second holding portion having a curved face for sliding on the curve of the second cooperatively moving member and incorporated in the first cooperatively moving member and the second cooperatively moving member; and an operating shaft held by the holder, inclinable along with the holder, penetrating at least one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion and inserted into the long groove of at least one of the first cooperatively moving member and the second cooperatively moving member for pivoting the first and second cooperatively moving members, wherein a gap between the first holding portion and the second holding portion is provided with an elastic member for urging the first holding portion and the second holding portion in directions separating from each other, and wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion are made movable in an axis line direction of the operating shaft from each other by the elastic member.

Further, as second resolving means, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the multidirectional input apparatus wherein one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion is provided with a recess recessed in a direction orthogonal to the axis line direction of the operating shaft and other thereof is provided with a projection capable of being engaged with the recess, and wherein the recess and the projection are snap-coupled, play in the axis line direction of the operating shaft is provided between the recess and the projection and the first or the second holding portion is made movable in the axis line direction.

Further, as third resolving means, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the multidirectional input apparatus wherein the one holding portion is formed with a pair of tongues having the recesses and the other holding portions is interposed by the pair of tongues.

Further, as fourth resolving means, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the multidirectional input apparatus wherein the operating shaft and one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion constitute a single member, or the operating shaft and one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion are combined to be integrated.

Further, as fifth resolving means, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the multidirectional input apparatus wherein by coupling the operating shaft penetrating the first holding portion with the second holding portion, the operating shaft and the second holding portion are integrated by being combined with each other.

Further, as sixth resolving means, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the multidirectional input apparatus wherein the other holding portion coupled with the operating shaft is provided with a projection having a flat face for being brought into fact contact with an inner wall face of the long groove of the cooperatively moving member.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a front view of a multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2A is a sectional view of essential portions taken along a line 2A-2A of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2B is a sectional view of essential portions taken along a line 2B-2B of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of essential portions taken along a line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of essential portions of Fig. 2A; Fig. 6 is a front view of a first cooperatively moving member in the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 7 is a side view of a first holding portion in the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along a line 8-8 with respect to the first holding portion of Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a side view of a second holding portion in the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line 10-10 with respect to the second holding portion of Fig. 4; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line 11-11 with respect to a receiving member of Fig. 4; Fig. 12 is a front view of a support shaft in the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining connection between a conductive wire and an operating shaft; Fig. 14 is an explanatory view of operation of the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a holder is interposed in a cooperatively moving member according to a conventional multidirectional input apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A detailed explanation will be given of a multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention in reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of a multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2A is a sectional view taken along a line 2A-2A of Fig. 1, Fig. 2B is a sectional view taken along a line 2B-2B of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of essential portions taken along a line 3-3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a disassembled perspective view of the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of essential portions of Fig. 2A, Fig. 6 is a front view of a first cooperatively moving member, Fig. 7 is a side view of a first holding portion, Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along a line 8-8 with respect to the first holding portion of Fig. 4, Fig. 9 is a side view of a second holding portion, Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line 10-10 with respect to the second holding portion of Fig.

4, Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line 1111 with respect to a receiving member of Fig. 4, Fig. 12 is a front view of a support shaft, Fig. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining connection between a conductive wire and an operating shaft and Fig. 14 is an explanatory view of operation of the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention.

According to the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention, a receiving member 70 is contained mainly in a space 63 of a cabinet 60, the receiving member 70 is arranged with a first cooperatively moving member 10 and a second cooperatively moving member 20 in a state of being orthogonal to each other and a holder 30 for holding an operating shaft 40 is interposed by the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20.

Further, the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are attached with first and second

variable resistors 80 and 81 constituting first and second electric parts at ends thereof, by operating the operating shaft 40, the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are pivoted to thereby change resistance values of the first and second variable resisters 80 and 81 and voltage values in accordance with directions of inclination and amounts of inclination of the operating shaft 40 are outputted.

The first cooperatively moving member 10 is constituted of zinc die cast an outer face of which is plated, as shown by Figs-4 and 6, constituted of a curve 11 curved to an upper side of Fig. 4, shafts 13 extended from both ends of the curve 11 and fans 14 in directions orthogonal to directions of extending the shafts 13 from the shafts 13 and an arc face of the fan 14 is provided with a plurality of recesses and projections 14a.

Further, the curve 11 is formed with a long groove 12 extended in an axis core direction and an end of the shaft 13 is provided with a section in a D-like shape.

The second cooperatively moving member 20 is formed in a shape basically similar to that of the first cooperatively moving member 10, constituted of a curve 21 curved in a lower direction which is a direction opposed to the curved direction of the curve 11 of the first cooperatively moving member 10, that is, the upward direction of Fig. 4, shafts 23 and fans 24 an arc face of each of which is provided with recess and projections 24a, the curve 21 is formed with a long groove 22 extended in the axis core direction and an end of the shaft 23 is provided with a section in a D-like shape.

Further, the second cooperatively moving member 20 constituting such a mode is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first cooperatively moving member 10.

The holder 30 is incorporated by the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20. The holder 30 is made of synthetic resin such as polyacetal and is constituted of a first holding portion 31 disposed on an upper side of Fig. 4 and a second holding portion 32 engaged with the first holding portion 31 As shown by Figs. 4,7 and 8, the first holding portion 31 is formed substantially in a semispherical shape having a curved face 33 and ends thereof are formed by a shape cut in the up and down direction for space-saving formation. Further, a convex 34 in a cylindrical shape is projected upwardly from a top of the curved face 33 and a through hole 34a is provided at inside thereof.

Further, the first holding portion 31 is formed with a pair of tongues 35 projected downwardly and as shown by Fig. 8, recesses 35a are formed from the respective tongues 35 over in directions of the convex 34 and edge portions 35b are formed at edges of the recesses 35a on the side of the second holding portion 32.

As shown by Figs. 4,9 and 10, the second holding portion 32 is formed substantially in a semispherical shape having a curved face 36 and is provided with flat portions 37b by cutting ends thereof in the up and down direction for space-saving formation. Further, a projected portion 37 is formed to project downwardly from a top of the curved face 36. As shown by Fig. 10, in the projected portion 37, a through hole 38 is formed to connect an inner bottom face of the second holding portion 32 to outside and a groove 38a is formed in a ring-like shape at a surrounding of the though hole 38. Further, by forming the groove 38a, there is provided a projection 38b projected upwardly. Further, the shape of the groove 38a is not limited to the ring-like shape but may be a square shape. Further, the projected portion 37 is provided with a flat face 37a flat in a paper face direction in Figs. 9 and 10.

Further, there are formed a pair of projections 39 projected in directions orthogonal to the up and down direction at an upper edge portion of the flat portion 37b of the second holding portion 32.

The operating shaft 40 having electric conductivity is held in the holding portion 30 constituted by such a mode. The operating shaft 40 comprises a metal material in a shape of a slender rod and is constituted of aluminum according to the embodiment. Further, the operating shaft 40 is provided with an operating portion 41 at one end thereof, the other end thereof is more or less thickened than an intermediate portion thereof and formed with a recess 42 as shown by Fig. 5 and a cylinder 43 is provided at a surrounding of the recess 42.

Further, by coupling the cylinder 43 to the groove 38a of the second holding portion 32 by fitting projection and recess, the other end of the operating shaft 40 is integrally assembled to the second holding portion 32.

Further, the operating shaft 40 and the second holding portion 32 may be constituted by a single part to thereby integrate the both members.

Further, the operating shaft 40 is connected with a conductive wire 44 which is made conductible electrically. The conductive wire 44 is constituted of a cover 45 covered by an insulating substance and a naked wire 46 extended from an end of the cover 45. Further, one end 44a of the conductive wire 44 is connected to the operating shaft 40 when the operating shaft 40 is fitted into the second holding portion 32. That is, as shown by Fig. 13, the one end 44a of the conductive wire 44 is inserted into the through hole 38 of the second holding portion 32 and the projected naked wire 46 is more or less folded to bend. Further, the cylinder 43 is inserted into the groove 38a so that the naked wire 46 is attached into the groove 38a. Then, the naked wire 46 is flexed in a U-like shape along a taper face of a bottom face of the recess 42 of the operating shaft 40 and the flexed end is interposed by a side face 38c of an outer wall face of the projection 38b and a side face 42a of an inner wall face of the recess 42 (of the cylinder 43) and fixed thereby.

Further, the naked wire 46 may be interposed by a bottom face of a recess 72 and a top face of the projection 38b without flexing the naked wire 46. Further, when the cylinder 43 is fitted into the groove 38a, a diameter of the through hole 38 is more ore less reduced by the pressure.

Further, the through hole 38 is arranged with the cover 45 of the conductive wire 44 and accordingly, the cover 45 is fixed firmly.

The second holding portion 32 held with the operating shaft 40 in this way is engaged and integrated with the first holding portion 31 while interposing an elastic member 50. The elastic member 50 is constituted of a torsional coil spring in this embodiment, inserted from one end of the operating shaft 40 and reaches the other end thereof. Further, the operating shaft 40 is inserted into the through hole 34a formed at the convex 34 of the first holding portion 31.

Further, when the first holding portion 31 is lowered to a lower side of Fig. 4, the tongues 35 of the first holding portion 31 are deformed, the edge portions 35b of the recesses 35a ride over the projections 39, recesses 35a formed at the tongues 35 are fitted to the projections 39 provided at the second holding portion 32 and the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are integrated. Further, although the first holding portion 31 is urged to the upper side by the elastic member 50 in this state, the projections 39 are brought into contact with the edge portions 35b and the first holding portion 31 are prevented from being drawn and dropped to thereby integrate the second holding portion 32. Further, as shown by Fig. 3, the flat portions 37b of the second holding portion 32 are interposed by the pair of tongues 35 and therefore, the first and second holding portions 31 and 32 are coupled firmly and irrotationally therebetween. The recesses 35a are fitted to the projections 39 in this way, the recesses 35a are formed to extend in the up and down direction (axis line direction) such that the projections 39 are movable, play is produced between the projections 39 and the recesses 35a in the axis line direction, the elastic member 50 is provided at a clearance between the first holding portion and the second holding portion 32 to urge the both members in directions separating from each other and therefore, by the elastic member 50, the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are made movable to be brought into contact with the respectively contacting cooperatively moving members without play in the axis line direction of the operating shaft 40 by guiding the projections 39 by the recesses 35a.

Further, the second holding portion 32 is mounted to the second cooperatively moving member by inserting the projected portion 37 into the long hole 22 of the second cooperatively moving member 20. At this occasion, the

flat face 37a provided at the projected portion 37 of the second holding portion 32 and an inner wall face provided r at the long groove 22 of the second cooperatively moving member 20 are brought into face contact with each other.

Meanwhile, the first holding portion 31 is mounted with the first cooperatively moving member 10 and the long groove 12 is inserted with the operating shaft 40 penetrating the convex 34. At this occasion, a side face of the convex 34 of the first holding portion 31 and an inner wall face of the long groove of the first cooperatively moving member 10 are brought into line contact with each other.

The receiving member 70 is formed by pressing and folding one sheet of thin plate made of metal comprising iron or aluminum. The receiving member 70 is folded substantially in a box-like shape to provide four faces of side walls 71, as shown by Figs. 4 and 11, each of the side walls 71 is provided with the first cutout portion 72 extended in the up and down direction and two contiguous locations of the first cutout portions 72 are provided with second cutout portions 73 in parallel with each other. Further, a recess 74 in a semicircular shape is provided at an end of the respective first cutout portion 72 and an extension 75 in a semicylindrical shape is formed on an outer side of the recess 74 by burring. An opening 77 formed at an upper face thereof by folding as shown by Fig. 11, is formed in a range of angle of about 60 degrees with a center of inclining the operating shaft 40 as a reference. Further, two faces of the side walls 71 orthogonal to each other, are formed with large holes 76a and small holes 76b are formed at two locations upward and downward from the respective large hole 76a.

Both ends of the first cooperatively moving member

10 and the second cooperatively moving member 20 are respectively held at the first cutout portions 72 formed at the side walls 71 opposed to each other. That is, the shafts 13 at the both ends of the firsc cooperatively moving members 10 are disposed respectively at the recesses 74 provided at the first cutout portions 72 and the fans 14 are disposed on outer sides of the receiving member 70. Further, as shown by Fig. 2A, the shafts 23 of the second cooperatively moving member 20 are similarly disposed at the recesses 74 provided at the first cutout portions 72 and the fans 24 are similarly disposed on the outer side of the receiving member 70. When the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are held in this way, the operating shaft 40 penetrates the receiving member 70 and is projected to the upper side.

Further, the first variable resistor 80 is provided at an end of one of the shafts 13 in the first cooperatively moving member 10. Further, the end of one of the shafts 13 is formed in a D-like shape and a bearing 80b formed at center of the first variable resistor 80 is also formed in a D-like shape and therefore, pivotal movement of the cooperatively moving member 10 is firmly transmitted to the first variable resistor 80. Further, the second variable resistor 81 is provided similarly at an end of one of the shafts 23 in the second cooperatively moving member 20.

Further, a support shaft 82 is held in the second cutout portion 73 formed at the receiving member 70. The support shaft 82 is constituted of a metal member of brass or the like, as shown by Fig. 12, a shaft 82b is projected from a base portion 82a, the base portion 82a is constituted by providing a thin wall 82d at a clearance between two locations of wings 82c. Further, a groove 82e is formed at an end of the shaft 82b in the peripheral direction. Further, by fitting the thin wall 82d into the second cutout portion 73 and interposing the side wall 71 by the clearance of the wings 82c, the support shaft 82 is held to the receiving member 70 such that the support shaft 82 is not operated to rotate. Further, the groove 82e is formed in the peripheral direction such that restriction is not provided in the integrating direction.

Further, the support shaft 82 is attached with a first gear member 83 comprising synthetic resin of polyester elastomer or the like integrally formed with a first gear 83a having a large number of teeth and a second gear 83b having a small number of teeth and in order to ensure the attachment, an E ring 84 is fixed to the groove 82e of the support shaft 82. The first gear member 83 attached in this way is rotated with the support shaft 82 as a rotating shaft. Further, in reference to Fig. 14, the second gear 83b of the first gear member 83 is brought in mesh with the recesses and projections 14a and 24a formed at the fans 13 and 24 of the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20.

Further, the receiving member 70 is attached with a motor 85. The motor 85 is substantially constituted by a rectangular shape and a rotating shaft 85a is projected from a side face thereof. A lead wire 85b is connected to an opposed side of a side face. Further, the motor 85 is attached by screws 86 by interposing the small holes 76b. When the motor 85 is attached, the rotating shaft 85a penetrates the large hole 76a of the receiving member 70. Further, an end of the rotating shaft 85a is attached with a second gear member 87 comprising synthetic resin of polyacetal or the like having a small number of teeth and in reference to Fig.

14, the second gear member 87 is brought in mesh with the first gear 83a of the first gear member 83. Further, the first gear member 83 and the second gear member 87 are constituted of the above-described synthetic resins and therefore, sound coming with vibration can be restrained, further, the two members are constituted of different materials and therefore, cutting can be reduced.

The receiving member 70 is attached with a printed board 88. The printed board 88 is constituted of a thin plate constituting substantially square shape and a punched portion 88a substantially in a square shape is formed at its center. Further, the printed board 88 is formed with a plurality of through holes 88b penetrating the board in the up and down direction. Further, the through holes 88b are soldered with a leg 78 of the receiving member 70, terminals 80a and 81a of the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, a connector 89 and the lead wire 85b of the motor 85 and the receiving member 70, the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, the connector 89 and the lead wire 85b are fixed to the printed board. Further, the connector 89 is snap-coupled to the printed board 88. Further, all of transmission of electric signals to outside is carried out via the connector 89.

Further, the printed board 88 is formed with a through hole 88c and the through hole 88c is connected with the other end of the conductive wire 44 by soldering.

Further, although the conductive wire 44 is pulled by inclining the operating shaft 40 and the holder 30, a length thereof is sufficiently provided and therefore, there is no concern of disconnecting the conductive wire 44 by pulling the wire.

The receiving member 70 held with the respective members in this way and attached to the printed board 88, is contained in the space 63 of the cabinet 60. The cabinet 60 is made of synthetic resin of ABS or the like and is constituted of an upper case 61 and a lower case 62. The upper case 61 is constituted of a thin plate substantially in a square shape, formed with an opening 61a substantially in a square shape at its center, further, integrally provided with hang-down portions 61b from

centers of three locations of side edges and the respective hand-down portions 61b are penetrated and formed with claw receive portions 61c.

The lower case 62 is constituted by substantially a box-like shape, formed with the space 63 by four locations of side walls 64 and integrally erected and formed with four pieces of first erect walls 65 from its bottom wall. The first erect wall 65 is constituted of a thin plate having a slender rectangular shape and its end is formed in a trapezoidal shape. Further, the second erect wall 66 is provided at a vicinity of contiguous two locations of the first erect walls 65 in the first erect walls 65 in parallel therewith (refer to Fig. 14), the second erect wall 66 is constituted of a thin plate in a slender rectangular shape similar to the first erect wall 65 and the height is substantially equivalent that of the first erect wall 65. Further, the three locations of the side walls 64 are provided with claws 67 projected in skewed lower directions.

Further, the respective members are held and the receiving member 70 attached with the printed board 88 are contained in the space 63 of the lower case 62.

Further, the first and second erect walls 65 and 66 of the lower case 62 are brought into contact with an inner side edge of the punched portion 88a of the printed board 88. Further, the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are held between the first erect walls 65 and the receiving member 70, further, the support shaft 82 is held between the second erect wall 66 and the receiving member 70.

As shown by Fig. 2B, the first cooperatively moving member 10 is supported from below by an end of the first erect wall 65 at two points of one end and the other end interposing the operating shaft 40 in the shaft 13 and is interposed by the first erect wall 65 and the receiving member 70. Further, a distance from bottom faces of legs on both sides of the first cutout portion 72 of the receiving member to an upper face of the recess 74, becomes larger than a numerical value produced by adding thickness of the first erect wall 65 to that of the shafts 13 and 23, undesired side pressure is not applied to the shaft 13 and accordingly, life of the first cooperatively moving member 10 is prolonged. Meanwhile, as shown by Fig. 2A, the second cooperatively moving member 20 is similarly held between the first erect wall 65 and the receiving member 70 at two points interposing the operating shaft 40. A dimension in the height direction is similar to that in the case of the first cooperatively moving member 10. Further, although the respective recess 74 is provided with the extension 75, this is for preventing interposed portions of the shafts 13 and 23 from being damaged by the broken face of the receiving member 70 comprising a metal when the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are pivoted. Further, although according to the embodiment, the first erect wall 65 is disposed at inside of the first cutout portion 72, the first erect wall 65 may be erected to shift to an outer side.

Further, the support shaft 82 fitted to the second cutout portion 73 is supported from below by an end of the second erect wall 66 and is interposed by the second erect wall 66 and the receiving member 70. That is, although the support shaft 82 is fitted in a state of being brought into contact with the second cutout portion 73, in order to hold the support shaft 12 further firmly, the end of the second erect wall 66 is brought into contact therewith. Therefore, there is no concern that the support shaft 82 is moved in the up and down direction in cooperation with rotation of the first gear member 83. Further, although according to the embodiment, the second erect wall 66 is disposed in the second cutout portion 73, the second erect wall 66 may be erected to shift to an outer side.

Further, between the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20, the holder 30 is firmly brought into sliding contact with the curves 11 and 21 of the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 without play. That is, the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are made movable in the axis line direction of the operating shaft 40 by being urged by the elastic member 50 and therefore, as shown by Fig. 5, the first holding portion 31 is urged to the upper side in the drawing and is brought into sliding contact with an inner wall face of the curve 13 of the first cooperatively

moving member 10 and the second holding portion 32 is urged to the lower side of the drawing and is brought into sliding contact with an inner wall face of the curve 23 of the second cooperatively moving member 20. Further, even when a dimensional gap by a dimensional error is caused assumedly in the curves 11 and 21 and the curved faces 33 and 36, the first and second holding portions 31 and 32 are urged upwardly and downwardly by the elastic member 50, in accordance therewith, the first cooperatively moving member 10 is urged to the recess 74 and the second cooperatively moving member 20 is urged to the first erect wall 65 and therefore, the dimensional gap is eliminated and the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are pivoted stably.

The upper case 61 is fixed to the lower case 62 in the state of covering the lower case 62 contained with the receiving member 70 and the like. That is, by interposing the side walls 64 of the lower case 62 by the hang-down portions 61b of the upper case and engaging the claws 67 of the lower case 62 to the claw receive portions 61c of the upper case 61, the upper case 61 is fixed. At this occasion, one end of the operating shaft 40 is projected from the opening 61a of the upper case 61.

Next, an explanation will be given of a method of assembling the multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention. First, one end of the lead wire 85b is soldered to the motor 85 and the motor 85 is attached to the receiving member. 70 by the screws 86. At this occasion, the rotating shaft 85a is attached with the second gear member 87. Next, the receiving member 70 is fixed by an assembling jig such that the first and second cutout portions 72 and 73 are opened upwardly, the support shaft 82 attached with the first gear member 83 is inserted into the second cutout portion 73 and fixed unmovably by press-fitting the support shaft 82 by a jig.

Thereafter, the first cooperatively moving member 10 is integrated to the first cutout portion 72 and a constitution integrated with the holder 30, the elastic member 50, the operating shaft 40 and the conductive wire 44 is mounted to the first cooperatively moving member 10. Further, the second cooperatively moving member 20 is integrated to the first cutout portion 72 and the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81 are engaged with and attached to the shafts 13 and 23 of the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20.

Next, a total of the receiving member 70 integrated with the respective members is moved and fixed to an

assembling jig capable of positioning the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81. Thereafter, the printed board 88 previously snap-coupled with the connector 89 is covered thereon and the conductive wire 44, the lead wire 85b, the terminals 80a and 80b of the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, the connector 89 of the receiving member 70 are soldered.

Further, the receiving member 70 integrated with the printed board 88 is contained in the space 63 of the lower case 62. Further, in containing thereof, the position in the height direction is determined by bringing the legs on the both sides of the first cutout portions 72 of the receiving member 70 into contact with a bottom wall of the lower case 61. Positioning in the horizontal direction is carried out by bringing an inner edge of the punched portion 88a of the printed board 88 into contact with the first erect wall 65. Thereafter, the upper case 61 is attached thereto to urge the receiving member 70.

The multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention is provided with the above-described constitution and an explanation will be given of an operating state thereof in reference to Fig. 14 as follows.

As shown by an arrow mark in Fig. 14, the operating shaft 40 is made inclinable in a range of about 60 degrees, further, inclinable not only in X-direction and Ydirection shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 but also in all directions. The operating shaft 40 is inclinable in all directions in this way because, according to the case of the embodiment, the convex 34 of the first holding portion 31 penetrated with the operating shaft 40 and the long groove 12 of the first cooperatively moving member 10 are brought into line contact. Further, the shape of the convex 34 may be made spherical to thereby bring the both members to point contact. Meanwhile, the projected portion 37 of the second holding portion 32 and the long groove 22 of the second cooperatively moving member 20 are brought into face contact and therefore, when the operating shaft 40 is inclined, there is no concern that the operating shaft 40 per se is rotated centering on a base axis with axis line direction as the base axis and the operating shaft 40 is inclined firmly and smoothly.

Further, the conductive wire is not twisted and therefore, concern of disconnection of the conductive wire is significantly reduced. Further, since the second cooperatively moving member 20 is constituted by diecasting, there is not a concern of widening the long groove 22, rotation of the operating shaft 40 can firmly be prevented and even when the operating shaft 40 is provided with a display portion designating X-and Y-directions, a predetermined direction can always be indicated.

Further, even when the operating shaft 40 is inclined, as shown by Fig. 5, a portion of the conductive wire 44 connected to the one end 44a which is made conductible to the operating shaft 40, is extended in the axis line direction (lower direction in the drawing) and therefore, the conductive wire 44 is inclined similar to the operating shaft 40 and therefore, flexing force or pulling force is not directly exerted repeatedly by operation of inclining the operating shaft 40 and concern of disconnection is significantly reduced. Further, the naked wire 46 is contained in the recess 42 of the operating shaft 40, only the covered portion 45 is exposed to outside and therefore, concern of disconnection is further reduced.

Further, when the operating shaft 40 is inclined in the arrow mark direction of Fig. 14, that is, Xdirection, the holder 30 is similarly inclined and by pressing the projected portion 37 of the second holding portion 32 to the long groove of the second cooperatively moving member 20, the second cooperatively moving member 20 is pivoted and the shaft 23 is rotated. At this occasion, the curved face 33 of the first holding portion 31 slides on the inner wall face of the curve 11 of the first cooperatively moving member 10 by moving the convex 34 in the long groove 12 of the first cooperatively moving member 10. Further, when the shaft 23 of the second cooperatively moving member 20 is rotated, the resistance value of the second variable resistor 81 attached to the end is changed and desired voltage value is outputted from the connector 89.

Further, when the motor 85 is rotated by a signal' from outside, in cooperation therewith, the second gear member 87 is rotated, the first gear member 83 in mesh therewith is rotated and the fan 24 of the second cooperatively moving member 20 is moved in cooperation therewith and the second cooperatively moving member 20 is rotated. As a result, the operating shaft 40 is inclined.

Meanwhile, when the operating shaft 40 is inclined in Y-direction, the first cooperatively moving member 10 is pivoted and a predetermined voltage value is outputted from the first variable resistor 80. The operation in Y-direction is similar to operation in X-direction, the operating shaft 40 is driven similarly by the motor 85 and therefore, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here. Further, when the operating shaft 40 is intended to incline in a skewed direction, the inclined amount is decomposed into components in X-direction and Y-direction, the first and second cooperatively moving members 10 and 20 are pivoted by amounts of the components and the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81 output predetermined voltage values.

The multidirectional input apparatus according to the invention is provided with a function of being driven by the motor 85 in this way and there is use therefor, for example, as follows.

In a concert hall, there are normally provided speakers at right front, left front, right rear and left rear of guest seats and by connecting the plurality of speakers and the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention and inclining the operating shaft 40, rates of sound volumes of the plurality of speakers can be changed. That is, the sound field of the concert hall can be adjusted by increasing the sound volume of the speaker on the side of inclining the operating shaft 40 to thereby balance the speakers.

Further, according to the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention, for example, the operating shaft 40 is manually inclined in rehearsal to thereby produce an optimum sound field, the state is stored in a memory as a voltage value, in acting, the voltage value is called from the memory, the operating shaft 40 is controlled to be driven to incline by the motor 85 until providing the value and a sound field quite similar to that in rehearsal can be provided. Further, the voltage value stored by the memory may be a value changed by music or in the midst of music.

Meanwhile, although there is brought about a case in which the speakers are intended to adjust manually by giving a priority of an atmosphere of the scene in action, since the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention is provided with a touch sensor, even in the midst of driving the operating shaft 40 automatically by the motor 85, the operating shaft 40 can be operated manually. That is, since the operating shaft 40 is made of a metal material, when a hand or a finger of an operator is brought into contact with the operating portion 41, electric charge is transmitted to the conductive wire 44 and touch of the operator is detected by a controller, not illustrated, via the connector 89. Further, an automatic driving state is switched to a manual operating state (manual operation) by the controller. When the automatic driving state is switched to the manual operating state in this way, the motor 85 stops driving and the operator can freely incline the operating shaft 40.

Further, according to the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention, the operating shaft 40 can also be controlled remotely by driving the motor 85 by remote control.

Although the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention is constituted and operated as described above, the invention is not naturally limited to the above-described embodiment and the other end of the operating shaft 40 may be inserted into the long groove 22 of the second cooperatively moving member 20 by penetrating the second holding portion 32. Further, although according to the above-described embodiment, the convex 34 and the projected portion 37 are provided to the holder 30 and are brought into contact with the long grooves 12 and 22, the holder may be constituted of a spherical body and the operating shaft may directly be brought into contact with the long grooves. Further, when it is necessary to incline the operating shaft 40 only in cross directions, there may be constructed a mode in which the convex 34 of the first holding portion 31 is provided with the flat face and is brought into fact contact with the long groove 12 of the first comparatively moving member 10. Further, the operating shaft 40 may integrally be fitted to the through hole 34a of the first holding portion 31 and held by the holder 30.

Further, encoders may be used in place of the rotating type first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, or pivotal movement of the comparatively moving member may be converted into slidable movement to thereby drive a variable resistor of a slid type. Further, when the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention is used in a controller of a machining portion of a machine tool or a controller of game, the multidirectional input apparatus can also be used by feeding back load applied to a machined portion or load or vibration in accordance with a scene of game to the operating shaft by driving a motor to thereby make the movement difficult or apply vibration in operating the apparatus.

According to the multidirectional input apparatus of the invention, there is constructed a constitution including a cabinet having a space, a first cooperatively moving member and a second cooperatively moving member, a holder constituted of a first holding portion and a second holding portion and incorporated in the first cooperatively moving member and the second cooperatively moving member and an operating shaft inclinably held in the holder, in which a gap between the first holding portion and the second holding portion is provided with an elastic member for urging the both members in directions of separating from each other and the first holding portion and the second holding portion are made movable in an axis line direction of the operating shaft from each other by the elastic member and accordingly, there is eliminated a gap between the first and second cooperatively moving members and the holder and accordingly, there is eliminated a dimensional gap between curves of the first and second cooperatively members and a curved face of the holder, operation of inclining the operating shaft is made smooth and the operability is promoted. Further, directions and amounts of inclining the operating shaft are firmly transmitted to the first and second cooperatively moving members and accordingly, pertinent voltage values can be outputted from electric parts and the multidirectional input apparatus having high reliability can be provided. Further, when the dimensional gap is eliminated, there is no concern of emitting noise in operating the operating shaft and therefore, the operability is further promoted.

Further, there is constructed a constitution in which one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion is provided with a recess and the other thereof is provided with a projection capable of being engaged with the recess, and the recess and the projection are snap-coupled, play in the axis line direction of the operating shaft is provided between the recess and the projection and the first or the second holding portion is made movable in the axis line direction and accordingly, by the snap-coupling of the projection and the recess, the first holding portion and the second holding portion can be integrated and accordingly, the multidirectional input apparatus having excellent assembling performance and high mass production performance can be provided.

Further, by the simple constitution of the recess and the projection, it is possible to make the first or the second holding portion movable in the axis line direction.

Further, there is constructed the constitution in which the one holding portion is formed with a pair of tongues having the recesses and the other holding portions is interposed by the pair of tongues and accordingly, two members of the first and second holding portions are not rotated relative to each other, the dimensional gap between the both members can be restrained and therefore, directions and amounts of inclining the operating shaft are firmly transmitted to the first and second cooperatively moving members and a multidirectional input apparatus having reliability can be provided.

Further, there is constructed the constitution in which the operating shaft and one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion constitute a single member, or the operating shaft and one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion are combined to be integrated and therefore, the operating shaft can easily be held and accordingly, mass production performance is promoted. Further, it is not necessary to separately provide a member holding the operating shaft and therefore, an inexpensive multidirectional input apparatus can be provided.

Further, there is constructed the constitution in which by coupling the operating shaft penetrating the first holding portion with the second holding portion, the operating shaft and the second holding portion are integrated by being combined with each other and accordingly, the operating shaft can easily be held and accordingly, mass production performance is promoted. Further, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for holding the operating shaft and therefore, an inexpensive multidirectional input apparatus can be provided.

Further, there is constructed the constitution in which the other holding portion integrated with the operating shaft is provided with the projection and the long groove of the cooperatively moving member on which the holding portions slides and the projection are engaged with each other and accordingly, rotation of the operating shaft can firmly be stopped and accordingly, a multidirectional input apparatus having high reliability can be provided

Claims

1. A multidirectional input apparatus comprising: a cabinet having a space formed by side walls opposed to each other; a first cooperatively moving member having a curve formed with a long groove and contained in the space in a state of being pivotably attached to the cabinet for driving a first electric part; a second cooperatively moving member having a curve curved in a direction opposed to a direction of curving the curve of the first cooperatively moving member and formed with a long groove, arranged orthogonally to the first cooperatively moving member and contained in the space in a state of being pivotably attached to the cabinet for driving a second electric part; a holder comprising a first holding portion having a curved face for sliding on the curve of the first cooperatively moving member and a second holding portion having a curved face for sliding on the curve of the second cooperatively moving member and incorporated in the first cooperatively moving member and the second cooperatively moving member; and an operating shaft held by the holder, inclinable along with the holder, penetrating at least one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion and inserted into the long groove of at least one of the first cooperatively moving member and the second cooperatively moving member for pivoting the first and second cooperatively moving members, wherein a gap between the first holding portion and the second holding portion is provided with an elastic member for urging the first holding portion and the second holding portion in directions separating from each other, and wherein the first holding portion and the second holding portion are made movable in an axis line direction of the operating shaft from each other by the elastic member.

2. The multidirectional input apparatus according to Claim 1: wherein one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion is provided with a recess recessed in a direction orthogonal to the axis line direction of the operating shaft and other thereof is provided with a projection capable of being engaged with the recess; and wherein the recess and the projection are snapcoupled, play in the axis line direction of the operating shaft is provided between the recess and the projection and the first or the second holding portion is made movable in the axis line direction.

3. The multidirectional input apparatus according to Claim 2: wherein the one holding portion is formed with a pair of tongues having the recesses and the other holding portions is interposed by the pair of tongues.

4. The multidirectional input apparatus according to Claim 1: wherein the operating shaft and one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion constitute a single member, or the operating shaft and one of the first holding portion and the second holding portion are combined to be integrated.

5. The multidirectional input apparatus according to Claim 4: wherein by coupling the operating shaft penetrating the first holding portion with the second holding portion, the operating shaft and the second holding portion are integrated by being combined with each other.

6. The multidirectional input apparatus according to Claim 5: wherein the other holding portion coupled with the operating shaft is provided with a projection having a flat face for being brought into fact contact with an inner wall face of the long groove of the cooperatively moving member.

7. The multidirectional input apparatus, as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.