JP2000305648A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an operating touch and to prolong a service life while making smooth the tilting operation of an operating rod capable of tilting operation for rotating first and second linking members by providing a grease pool part filled with grease at a sliding part between the operating rod and the first or second linking member. SOLUTION: A knob part 4a of an operating rod 4 is inserted through a lit hole 2a on a first linking member 2 and the knob part 4a and a root part 4b are made movable along with the slit hole 2a. At the sliding part between the operating rod 4 and the first linking member 2, the grease pool part can be provided as well. Besides, the operating rod 4 is axially supported by a second linking member 5 at an axial part 4f. Then, the grease part is provided at a gap formed from linear parts on both the side of the oval shape of the axial part 4f and a round hole 5d, and grease is filled in so as not to generate trouble such as backlash in the sliding part between the operating rod 4 and the second linking member 5, and trouble such as creaking is prevented by creeping grease to the grease pool part provided on the operating rod 4 as well.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device, and more particularly to a multi-directional input device capable of operating a plurality of electric components simultaneously by operating an operation axis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional multidirectional input devices are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a first interlocking member 31 formed in an arch shape is disposed inside a box-shaped frame 30 whose periphery is covered with a side plate and whose lower side is open. This first interlocking member 31
The mounting portions 31a are formed at both ends, and the mounting portions 31a at both ends are formed in holes 3 formed in the side plate of the frame 30.
0a, 30c, and the first interlocking member 31 is
It is installed to be rotatable inside. A hole 34 is provided in the end face of the mounting portion 31a, and the rotating shaft 33 of the variable resistor 32, which is a rotary electric component, is engaged with the hole 34. Further, a slit hole 35 is provided in the curved arch-shaped portion in the longitudinal direction.

The first interlocking member 31 has a first
The second interlocking member 40 is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the interlocking member 31. The second interlocking member 40 is made of a metal material such as die casting, and has a sphere 41 at a central portion.
1, the arm portions 42 extend in the horizontal direction from left to right, and a circular attachment portion 42 a is formed at the tip of each arm portion 42 so as to protrude therefrom.
0 of the second interlocking member 40
Are rotatably mounted in the frame 30. A hole 43 is provided in an end face of each of the mounting portions 42a, and the rotating shaft 33 of the variable resistor 32 is press-fitted into the hole 43 and engaged therewith. A long groove 45 is formed in the center of the sphere 41 in the vertical direction. The first and second interlocking members 31 and 40 are disposed such that the slit hole 35 and the long groove 45 are orthogonal to each other.

An operating shaft 36 is inserted into the long groove 45 of the second interlocking member 40. The operation shaft 36 is made of metal or the like, and an oval-shaped support portion 38 is formed at a central portion thereof.
The support portion 38 is integrally formed with a bar-shaped column and protrudes vertically. Then, the operation shaft 36 protruding downward.
A disc-shaped spring receiver 47 formed integrally with the operation shaft 36 is provided near the end 36a of the operation shaft 36. The operation shaft 36
The support portion 38 has a small hole 39 formed therein.
And the holes 44 formed on the side of the second interlocking member 40 are aligned, and the aligned holes 39 and 44 are aligned.
A round pin 46 made of a metal rod or the like is inserted or pressed into the
The operation shaft 36 is tiltably attached to the second interlocking member 40 by crimping both ends.

An operation shaft 36 extending upward from a support portion 38 of the operation shaft 36 is inserted into a long groove 35 of the first interlocking member 31, and the operation shaft 36 extends along the slit hole 35 of the first interlocking member 31. By tilting in the direction of
The interlocking member 40 is rotatable around the mounting portions 42a, 42a as support shafts. A knob 55 is fixedly attached to the upper end of the operation shaft 36 that extends through the slit hole 35 and extends upward. An operating member 37 having a dish-like outer shape made of a resin material or the like is attached to the lower end 36a of the operation shaft 36. A boss 37a is formed at the center of the operating member 37 so as to protrude therefrom.
The end 36a of the operation shaft 36 is inserted into the hole 50 formed through the hole a so that the operating member 37 can move up and down.
A bottom plate 49 is attached to an open portion below the frame 30 so as to close the lid of the opened frame 30 at the bottom, and the bottom of the operating member 37 is elastically contacted with the bottom plate 49. .

The first interlocking member 31 is attached to the mounting portions 31a, 31a by tilting the operation shaft 36 along the long groove 45 of the second interlocking member 40 with the round pin 46 as a fulcrum.
Is rotatable around the support shaft. The second interlocking member 40 is rotatable about the mounting portions 42a, 42a by tilting the operation shaft 36 in a direction such as along the slit hole 35 of the first interlocking member 31. The holes 30 and 43 of the first and second interlocking members 31 and 40 installed in the frame 30 are provided with the frame 30.
The rotary shafts 33 of the variable resistors 32, 32 locked to the side plates are press-fitted so that the first and second interlocking members 31, 40 and the variable resistors 32, 32 operate integrally. Has become.

A substantially conical return spring 48 is provided between the spring receiving portion 47 of the operating shaft 36 and the inner bottom surface of the operating member 37.
Is stretched, and the operating member 37 is
Is elastically contacted with the bottom plate 49 so that the operation shaft 36 can be set in an upright neutral state.

Next, the operation of the conventional multi-directional input device will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 15, the non-operating operation shaft 36 has an upper end projecting upward from a hole 56 in the upper side plate of the frame 30. Thus, the operating member 37 is moved by the return spring 48
The operating shaft 36 is in an upright neutral state, being in a horizontal state and elastically contacting the bottom plate 49. From this state, as shown in FIG. 16, by tilting the operation shaft 36 along the long groove 45 of the second interlocking member 40, for example, rightward in the clockwise direction, the first interlocking member 31 rotates, With this rotation, the variable resistor 32 can be operated to change the resistance value. The operating member 37 is inclined as shown in FIG. 16 by the tilting operation of the operation shaft 36, and a part of the periphery of the inclined operating member 37 slides on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 49. Accordingly, the operating member 37 moves in the direction of the circular spring receiving portion 47, and compresses and returns the return spring 48.

When the operating force applied to the operating shaft 36 is released, the operating member 37 inclined by the elastic force of the return spring 48 slides and moves along the bottom surface of the bottom plate 49, and the operating member 37 is moved. Moves in the horizontal direction with respect to the bottom surface of the temporary lower bottom plate 49, and the operation shaft 36 automatically returns to the upright neutral state shown in FIG. Further, in order to operate the variable resistor 32 engaged with the arm portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40, the operation shaft 36 is connected to the first interlocking member 3
By tilting along the first slit hole 35 and rotating the second interlocking member 40, the resistance value can be changed by operating the variable resistor 32. When the operation shaft 36 is tilted, the support portion 38 of the operation shaft 36 and the second
Between the interlocking member 40 and between the operation shaft 36 and the first interlocking member 3
A sliding operation is performed between the two.

[0010]

However, the conventional multidirectional input device as described above has a problem in that the operation shaft 36 is tilted.
In particular, since the sliding operation is performed between the operation shaft 36 and the second interlocking member 40, the operation shaft 36 and the second interlocking member 40 are rubbed, and the movement of the operation shaft 36 cannot be smoothly performed.
There is a problem in that the operation feeling is poor, or it is shaved due to abrasion and the life cannot be extended.

[0011]

As a first solving means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a frame and first and second rotatably attached to the frame in a state orthogonal to each other are provided.
And the first or second interlocking member held in the first or second interlocking member in a state where the interlocking member is disposed vertically with respect to the first and second interlocking members. A rotating tiltable operation shaft, a bottom plate disposed orthogonal to the axial direction of the operation shaft, and an operating member held by the operation shaft and movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft A biasing member that presses the bottom of the operating member onto the bottom plate, and an electric component that is respectively operated via the first or second interlocking member by a tilting operation of the operation shaft, A grease reservoir filled with grease is provided in a sliding portion between the operation shaft and the first or second interlocking member.

As a second solution, the operating shaft is provided with a shaft protruding in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the second interlocking member holds the shaft. And the grease reservoir is provided in a sliding portion between the shaft portion and the round hole.

As a third solution, the shaft portion is formed in an oval shape, and the grease reservoir is formed by a gap between the oval-shaped shaft portion and a round hole.

As a fourth solution, the grease reservoir formed by a concave portion is formed in the arc-shaped portion of the shaft.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a second interlocking member according to the present invention, and FIGS.
8 is a view for explaining an operation shaft according to the present invention, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line -10, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8, and FIGS. 11 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided with a frame 1 made of an iron plate or the like, and the frame 1 is formed by pressing a side plate 1a bent downward in the drawing.
1b, 1c and 1d, the inside of which is hollow and the lower part is open, and the outer shape is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The upper portion of the frame 1 is closed by an upper plate 1e, and an operation hole 1f is formed in the center of the upper plate 1e. A round hole 1g is formed in each of the three side plates 1a, 1c, and 1d other than the side plate 1b, and a plurality of rotary resistors 3 to be described later are mounted on the side plates 1a and 1c. A square hole (not shown) is provided. A substantially semicircular support portion 1h is formed on the side plate 1b on the side opposite to the side plate 1a at a position where the round hole 1g of the side plate 1a faces, and the support portion 1h is located on the left and right of the support portion 1h in the outward direction from the side plate 1b. The component holding legs 1j and 1j are formed at substantially right angles.

A plurality of mounting terminals 1k for mounting the multidirectional input device of the present invention on a printed board or the like (not shown) are provided below each of the side plates 1c and 1d facing each other.
Are formed to extend downward. Also, the side plates 1a, 1b
Below the tongue, a tongue piece 1 for attaching a bottom plate 8 described later is provided.
m and 1 m are respectively formed.

Inside the cavity of the frame 1, a first interlocking member 2 made of a phosphor bronze plate or the like is provided. The first interlocking member 2 is formed to be curved upward in an arch shape by a press or the like, and a slit hole 2a is formed by punching in the longitudinal direction of the arched portion. Also, both ends of the first interlocking member 2 are bent downward, and a pipe-shaped support portion 2b is formed at the bent one end on the left side in the drawing by drawing or the like, and the support portion 2b is It is inserted into a round hole 1g of 1d and rotatably supported.

The other end of the first interlocking member 2 on the right side in the figure is bent into a substantially U-shape to form a component operating portion 2c. The component operating portion 2c is formed on the side plate 1c of the frame 1. The variable resistor 3 is inserted into a round hole (not shown), protrudes outward from the round hole, and engages with a lateral groove of a slider receiver 3d of the variable resistor 3 described later. The first interlocking member 2 includes:
An arch-shaped portion bridged by the respective round holes of the side plates 1c and 1d of the frame 1 is rotatably installed inside the frame 1. The side plate 1a of the frame 1 and a plurality of square holes (not shown) provided in the side plate 1c adjacent to the side plate 1a are electric components, for example, a variable resistor 3,
3 is attached by snap engagement or the like.

The variable resistor 3 which is a rotary electric component
As shown in FIG. 8, a substrate 3b integrally formed by insert molding or the like is provided inside a case 3a, and a slider receiver 3d to which a slider piece 3c is attached is rotatably snapped to the substrate 3b. An operating portion 3e having an engaging groove formed by combining a vertical groove and a horizontal groove is formed at the center of rotation of the slider receiver 3d. The substantially U-shaped component operating portion 2c of the first interlocking member 2 which protrudes outward from a round hole (not shown) of the side plate 1c of the frame body 1 is attached to the side plate 1c.
When the first interlocking member 2 rotates, the slider receiver 3d of the variable resistor 3 rotates to engage the operating portion 3e of the variable resistor 3 attached to the Is changed.

The knob 4a of the operating shaft 4 is inserted through the slit 2a of the first interlocking member 2, and the knob 4a and the root 4b are movable along the slit 2a. Such an operation shaft 4 is made of a synthetic resin or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a base 4 b of a knob 4 a formed in an oval shape is formed in a circular shape. A cylindrical portion 4c is integrally formed below the circular root portion 4b in the figure. The cylindrical portion 4c is open at the bottom and the periphery thereof is covered with an outer wall. Inside the cylindrical portion 4c, a storage portion 4d for storing a biasing member 7 formed of a substantially circular return spring described later is formed. The operation shaft 4 has flat portions 4e, 4e formed in opposition to a part of the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 4c shown in FIG. 5, and the flat portions 4e, 4e have predetermined diameters and heights. The oval-shaped shaft portions 4f, 4f are formed so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. On the lower surface of the shaft portion 4f, there is provided an inclined portion 4j which is gradually inclined upward from the tip of the shaft portion 4f toward the center of the operation shaft 4.
A grease reservoir 4k formed of a concave portion is provided on the arc-shaped portion that is the upper surface of the shaft portion 4f. Inside the housing 4d, a shaft support 4g is formed integrally with the knob 4a on the same axis as extending downward in the figure, and a lower end 4h of the shaft support 4g is provided with a spring-like cylindrical portion. 4c is projected downward by a predetermined amount. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of protrusions 4m that protrude into the storage portion 4d and extend in the axial direction are provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 4c. A projection 4n for forming a stopper is provided on the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 4c below the shaft portion 4f. The operation shaft 4 supports the shaft portion 4f on the second interlocking member 5 so that the operation shaft 4 can be moved in the directions of arrows AA and B-
It can be tilted in the B direction.

The second interlocking member 5 is made of a synthetic resin material, and is disposed below the first interlocking member 2 in a direction perpendicular to the first interlocking member 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second interlocking member 5 is provided with a support portion 5a having a substantially rectangular outer shape and having a substantially central portion provided with a center hole 5c through which the operation shaft 4 is inserted. The support portion 5a is surrounded by a horizontally long and vertically long side wall 5b, and a substantially rectangular center hole 5c is formed through the inside of the side wall 5b. An operation shaft 4 is provided at a predetermined position on the horizontally long side walls 5b and 5b of the support portion 5a.
The holes 4d, 5d, into which the shaft portions 4f, 4f can be engaged, are penetrated or formed in a concave shape with a predetermined depth. Also, the lower part of the inner surface of the round hole 5d is the inclined part 4 of the shaft part 4f.
It is formed in a tapered portion along j. The side wall 5
In particular, as shown in FIG.
A stopper portion 5e, which is located in the vicinity of and below d and is a concave portion for receiving the protrusion 4n, is provided. Then, the shaft portion 4f of the operation shaft 4 is snapped into the round hole 5d, the operation shaft 4 is held by the second interlocking member 5, and the projection 4n is located in the concave portion, and the stopper portion 5e is formed. To form a stopper. After the assembling, the inner wall of the side wall 5b is replaced with the flat portion 4 which is the outer peripheral portion of the operation shaft 4.
e, and the upper and lower sides of the oval-shaped shaft portion 4f are in contact with the inner surface of the round hole 5d.

As shown in FIG. 3, first and second arm portions 5f, 5g are provided in the horizontal direction from the support portion 5a.
Are respectively formed to extend. The first arm portion 5f extending to one side has a support portion 5 having a predetermined diameter.
h, and a plate-shaped component operation portion 5j having a predetermined width dimension is formed to project from the support portion 5h. Further, a support portion 5k having a predetermined diameter is formed on the second arm portion 5g extending to the other side, and a component having an upper surface formed flat and a lower surface formed semicircular from the support portion 5k. An operation unit 5m is formed to extend.

The second interlocking member 5 includes a first arm member 5
f is inserted into the round hole 1g of the side plate 1a of the frame 1 to be rotatably supported, and the support 5k of the second arm 5g is positioned at the semicircular support 1h of the side plate 1b. The second interlocking member 5 is rotatably supported, and the component operation unit 5m, which is one end, is installed inside the frame 1 so as to be vertically movable. Then, the component operation section 5j of the first arm section 5f engages with the vertical groove of the operation section 3e of the variable resistor 3 attached to the side plate 1a, and the component operation section 5m of the second arm section 5g is described later. An electric component mounted on the bottom plate 8, for example, is located on a stem 9 a of a push button switch 9 or the like.

An operating member 6 which is movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft 4 is provided at a lower end 4h of the operation shaft 4 located inside the frame 1. The operating member 6 is made of a resin material, and has a base 6a having a circular outer shape and a bottom surface curved in a dish shape on a lower side, and a central portion of the base 6a includes:
A cylindrical boss 6b projecting upward is formed, and a shaft hole 6c is formed through the center of the boss 6b.
The boss 6b of the operating member 6 has a protrusion 4m of the operating shaft 4.
And a plurality of concave portions 6d for spline coupling with the base portion 6a, and a concave portion 6e is provided at the center of the lower surface of the base portion 6a.
Further, an arc-shaped surface portion 6f is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the base portion 6a. The operating member 6 includes a shaft support 4 g of the operation shaft 4.
Is inserted into the shaft hole 6c, and the boss 6b is
Is movably fitted to the storage section 4d.
At this time, the projection 4m of the operation shaft 4 is spline-coupled to the concave ridge 6d of the operation member 6, and the operation member 6 rotates together with the operation shaft 4.

An urging member 7 made of a coil spring having a predetermined elastic force is provided in the housing portion 4d of the cylindrical portion 4c of the operation shaft 4. The upper and lower winding ends of the biasing member 7 are connected to the ceiling surface in the storage portion 4d and the boss portion 6c of the operating member 6.
It comes into contact with the upper surface respectively. The urging member 7 is inserted into the shaft support 4g and the knob 4a.
One end on the side is guided by the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 4c, and the other end is guided by the outer wall of the boss 6b, so that the forward, backward, left and right movements of the biasing member are restricted.

A bottom plate 8 for closing the lower portion of the frame 1 is provided below the operating member 6. The bottom plate 8 is made of a resin material and has a substantially rectangular outer shape.
a is partially formed, and a flat inner bottom surface 8b is formed inside the side wall 8a. On the inner bottom surface 8b,
A conical and dish-shaped projection 8e having a tapered portion that gradually rises from the outer periphery toward the center is provided. The bottom of the operating member 6 is elastically contacted with the inner bottom surface 8b by the biasing member 7. Further, from one side wall 8a of the bottom plate 8, a component mounting portion 8c for mounting an electric component such as a push button switch 9 is formed so as to protrude. Side plates 1c and 1d of the frame 1 are provided on side walls 8a adjacent to the side walls 8a on which the component mounting portions 8c are formed.
Guides 8 for positioning the lower end of the
d is formed to protrude.

The push-button switch 9 mounted on the component mounting portion 8c operates by an internal switch circuit (not shown).
A stem 9a that can be turned off / off, a case 9b that seals an internal switch circuit, and a plurality of mounting terminals 9c extending downward from the side surface of the case 9b are formed. In such a push button switch 9, the mounting terminal 9c can be temporarily fixed to the component mounting portion 8c of the bottom plate 8 by snap engagement or the like.

To assemble the multidirectional input device of the present invention as described above, first, the arch-shaped first interlocking member 2 is inserted from the open lower side of the frame 1, and the circular hole (shown in FIG. In addition to this, the component operating section 2c is inserted and the support section 2b is inserted into the round hole 1g of the side plate 1d, and the first interlocking member 2 is installed inside the frame 1. Next, the cylindrical portion 4c of the operation shaft 4 is positioned in the center hole 5c of the second interlocking member 5, and the convex oval-shaped shaft portion 4f is positioned on the side wall 5b. In this state, when the operation shaft 4 is pressed against the center hole 5c with a jig or the like (not shown), the side wall 5b is elastically deformed and pushed outward, and a convex shaft portion 4f is formed in the side wall 5b. Is snap-fitted into the round hole 5d. And the operation shaft 4 is the second
It is supported by the interlocking member 5. Next, grease is injected into the grease reservoir 10 (see FIG. 10), which is a gap formed by the straight portions on both sides of the oval shape of the shaft portion 4f and the round hole 5d. In addition to preventing the occurrence of troubles such as creaking in the sliding portion with the second interlocking member 5, the grease also rotates around the grease storing portion 4 k of the operation shaft 4, and the grease storing portion 4 k is also filled, and And other problems are prevented.

Next, the knob 4a of the operation shaft 4 pivotally supported by the second interlocking member 5 is inserted into the slit hole 2a of the first interlocking member 2, and the knob 4a is moved from the operation hole 1f of the frame body 1. It protrudes outward, and the circular root portion 4b is inserted into the slit hole 2a.
Position. Then, the support portion 5h of the first arm portion 5f of the second interlocking member 5 is inserted into the round hole 1g of the side plate 1a of the frame 1, and the component operation portion 5j at the distal end projects outward from the side plate 1a. The support portion 5k of the two-arm portion 5g is positioned on the support portion 1h of the side plate 1b of the frame 1.

Next, the frame 1 in which the first and second interlocking members 2 and 5 are installed is turned upside down, and the opened lower part is turned upward. Then, the urging member 7 is inserted and stored in the storage portion 4d of the cylindrical portion 4c of the operation shaft 4 which is turned upside down. Next, when the shaft hole 6c of the operating member 6 is inserted into the shaft supporting portion 4g of the operating shaft 4, the boss portion 6b of the operating member 6 is spline-coupled within the cylindrical portion 4c of the operating shaft 4, and is movably fitted. Then, the boss portion 6b of the operating member 6 elastically contacts the urging member 7. A push button switch 9 is attached to the component mounting portion 8c on the inverted frame body 1.
The bottom plate 8 temporarily fixed is placed upside down. Then, the end of the side plate 1c is guided by the guide portions 8d, 8d, and the bottom plate 8c is guided.
Are positioned on the frame 1 and the component holding legs 1j, 1 of the side plate 1b are provided on the upper surface of the case 9b of the push button switch 9.
With j positioned, the push button switch 9 is fixed to the bottom plate 8.

When the plurality of tongue pieces 1m formed on the side plates 1a and 1b of the frame 1 are caulked, the bottom plate 8 is integrated and fixed to the frame 1, and is actuated on the inner bottom surface 8b of the bottom plate 8. When the bottom of the member 6 elastically contacts, the operating shaft 4 is in an upright neutral state as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 12. Next, the operating portion 3e of the variable resistor 3 is engaged with the component operating portion 5j of the second interlocking member 5, which protrudes outward from the round hole 1g of the side plate 1a, and a plurality of portions formed on the side plate 1a are formed. The variable resistor 3 is snap-engaged with a square hole (not shown), and the variable resistor 3 is attached to the side plate 1a.
Lock. Further, the operation section 3e of the variable resistor 3 is engaged with the component operation section 2c of the first interlocking member 2 protruding outward from the side plate 1c, and the variable resistor 3 is locked to the side plate 1c. Thus, the assembly of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is completed. In the assembling operation, the first and second interlocking members 2 and 5 are
After mounting the variable resistor 3 on the frame 1, the electric component comprising the variable resistor 3 was described above, but the variable resistor was attached to the single frame 1 before the first and second interlocking members 2 and 5 were mounted. It is also possible to attach 3.

Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device according to the present invention will be described. First, when no operation force is applied to the knob 4a of the operation shaft 4 and there is no load, as shown in FIGS. Due to the elastic force of the urging member 7, the operating member 6 is elastically contacted with the inner bottom surface 8b of the bottom plate 8, and the dish-shaped bottom surface of the base 6a is in a horizontal state, and the operation shaft 4 is in an upright neutral state. I have.
In this neutral state, the projection 8e of the bottom plate 8 is located in the recess 6e of the operating member 6. The neutral operation shaft 4 is connected to the slit hole 2 of the first interlocking member 2.
8A and FIG. 12, the second interlocking member 5 is moved to the first and second arm portions 5.
f, 5g, the support members 5h, 5k are pivoted around the fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 13, the actuating member 6 slides the bottom surface of the base 6a on the inner bottom surface 8b of the bottom plate 8, and The operating member 6 is tilted while the arcuate surface 6f of the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface contacts the tapered portion of the projection 8e of the bottom plate 8.

The operating member 6 has a boss portion 6b which is opposed to the elastic force of the urging member 7, and has a housing portion 4d of the cylindrical portion 4c of the operating shaft 4.
Is pushed into. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, in the neutral state, in the coupling structure of the operation shaft 4 and the second interlocking member 5, the right and left sides of the operation shaft 4 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the operation shaft 4. Clearance K with play on both sides
1, K2 exists. When the operation shaft 4 is tilted, the clearance K1 on the side on which the operation shaft 4 is tilted is eliminated, and the clearance K2 on the opposite side is increased. When the tilting operation is continued in this state, the arcuate surface 6
f, while riding on the tapered portion of the projection 8e, and
The sliding operation is performed while restricting the movement of the operating member 6. Therefore, even if the operating member 6 is tilted at a predetermined angle, the arc-shaped surface portion 6f does not slip on the bottom plate 8 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 13, and thus tilts while the state of the clearance K2 is maintained. Actions can be taken. When the second interlocking member 5 is rotated, the component operating section 5 of the first arm 5f is rotated.
The slider receiver 3d of the variable resistor 3 with which j is engaged rotates to change the resistance value. When the operating shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of arrow B, the operating shaft 4 hits the end of the slit hole 2a of the first interlocking member 2 and stops the tilting operation. When the operation force applied to the operation shaft 4 is released after the operation of the variable resistor 3 attached to the side plate 1a is completed, the operation member 6 is automatically placed in a horizontal state by the elastic force of the urging member 7. And the operation shaft 4 automatically returns to the upright neutral state.

When the operating shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of the arrow AA shown in FIG. 9 along the center hole 5c of the second interlocking member 5, the first interlocking member 2 is moved to the support portion 2b and the component operation portion 2c. Rotate around the fulcrum. When the first interlocking member 2 rotates,
The slider receiver 3d of the variable resistor 3 attached to the side plate 1c and engaged with the component operation unit 2c rotates, so that the resistance value of the variable resistor 3 changes. The operation of the operating member 6 at this time is the same as when the above-described operation shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of the arrow BB, and thus the description is omitted. When the operation shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of arrow A, the protrusion 4n moves in the recess and abuts against the stopper 5e to form a stopper. The operating shaft 4 can perform a tilting operation in the entire range of 360 degrees, and the operating shaft 4 changes its tilting position in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 1 and rotates while performing the tilting operation. You can do it. At this time, the operating member 6 spline-coupled to the operating shaft 4 rotates together, and the bottom of the base 6a of the operating member 6 has friction between the bottom and the bottom plate 8 due to the elastic pressure of the urging member 7. Bottom plate 8
Rotate to roll without slipping on.

Next, the operation of the push button switch 9, which is an electric component other than the variable resistor 3, will be described. First, the operation shaft 4 is pressed in the lower arrow C direction. Then, in the second interlocking member 5, a pressing load is applied to the round hole 5d, and the second arm 5g moves downward with the support 5h of the first arm 5f as a fulcrum. Then, the component operation section 5 of the second arm section 5g protruding outward from the support section 1h of the side plate 1b.
When m moves up and down, the stem 9a of the push button switch 9 is pressed, and the ON / OFF operation of the push button switch 9 can be performed. The pressing of the operating shaft 4 in the direction of arrow C can be performed not only when the operating shaft 4 is in the neutral state, but also when the resistance of the variable resistor 3 is operated by tilting the operating shaft 4. .

In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion 4f on the operation shaft 4 side is formed in an oval convex shape, and the second interlocking member 5 is formed with a round hole 5d. However, the shaft 4f may be formed in a concave shape and the round hole 5d may be formed in a convex shape. Although both the operating shaft 4 and the second interlocking member 5 are described as being formed of an elastically deformable resin material or the like, either the operating shaft 4 or the second interlocking member 5 can be elastically deformed. It may be formed of a suitable resin material or the like, and the other may be formed of a metal material such as die casting.

Although a plurality of electric components have been described with the variable resistor 3 and the push button switch 9, any other electric component such as an encoder capable of rotating operation or an electric component capable of pushing operation can be used. I don't care. Operation axis 4
Although the cylindrical portion 4c has been described as being open at the bottom and covered with an outer wall, the outer portion other than the outer wall of the portion where the shaft portion 4f is formed may be open. In this case, the shaft portion 4f is more easily elastically deformed, and the workability of snap engagement is improved.

Although the projection 8e of the bottom plate 8 has been described as a conical one, the operation shaft 4 is
A configuration may be such that at least a tapered portion is provided in the direction in which the shafts are pivotally supported. This can prevent a click feeling at the time of the tilting operation due to the clearances K1 and K2 existing in the shaft support direction. Further, the spline connection is performed by the operating member 6.
May be provided between the inner wall of the shaft hole 6c and the outer wall of the shaft support 4g of the operation shaft 4. Further, the grease reservoir 4k and the like may be provided on a sliding portion between the operation shaft 4 and the first or second interlocking members 2 and 5 to prevent blemishes and the like. Further, the stopper portion 5e formed of a concave portion for receiving the protrusion 4n of the operation shaft 4 may be selected and provided at an appropriate position of the second interlocking member 5.

[0040]

According to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, grease-filled grease reservoirs 4k and 10 are provided at sliding portions between the operation shaft 4 and the first or second interlocking members 2 and 5. With this configuration, there is little blemishes at the sliding portion between the operation shaft 4 and the first and second interlocking members 2 and 5, the tilting operation of the operation shaft 4 can be performed smoothly, and the operation feeling is good and the life is long. A direction input device can be provided.

The operating shaft 4 is provided with a shaft portion 4f protruding in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.
Is provided with a round hole 5d for holding the shaft portion 4f, and a grease reservoir 4 is formed in a sliding portion between the shaft portion 4f and the round hole 5d.
Since k and 10 are provided, the sliding between the shaft portion 4f and the round hole 5d can be smoothly performed, and a multidirectional input device with a good operation feeling can be provided.

The shaft portion 4f is formed in an oval shape, and the grease reservoir 1 is formed by a gap between the oval-shaped shaft portion 4f and the round hole 5d.
With the configuration of 0, the configuration of the grease reservoir 10 is simple, the sliding between the shaft portion 4f and the round hole 5d can be made smooth, and a multidirectional input device with a good operation feeling can be provided.

Further, since the grease reservoir 4k formed of a concave portion is formed in the arc-shaped portion of the shaft portion 4f, the grease can be retained for a long time, and the slip between the shaft portion 4f and the round hole 5d can be smoothly performed. It is possible to provide a multi-directional input device with good operation feeling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an operation shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an operation shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a main part taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 8; .

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of a conventional multidirectional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Frame body 1a-1d Side plate 1e Upper plate 1f Operation hole 1g Round hole 1h Support part 1k Mounting terminal 1m Tongue piece 2 First interlocking member 2a Slit hole 2b Support part 2c Parts operation part 3 Variable resistor 3a Case 3b Substrate 3d Slide Moving element receiver 3e Operation part 4 Operation shaft 4a Knob part 4c Tubular part 4d Storage part 4e Flat part 4f Shaft part 4g Shaft supporting part 4h Tip part 4j Inclined part 4k Grease storage part 4m Projection 4n Projection part 5 Second interlocking member 5a Support part 5b Side wall 5c Center hole 5d Round hole 5e Stopper part 5f First arm part 5g Second arm part 5h Support part 5j Parts operation part 5m Parts operation part 6 Operating member 6a Base 6b Boss part 6c Shaft hole 6d Recessed part 6e Concave part 6f Arc-shaped surface part 7 Biasing member 8 Bottom plate 8a Side plate 8b Inner bottom surface 8c Component mounting part 8d Guide part 8e Projection part 9 Push button switch 9a Temu section 10 grease reservoir

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A frame, a first and a second interlocking member rotatably attached to the frame in a state orthogonal to each other,
In a state where the first and second interlocking members are arranged vertically with respect to the first and second interlocking members, the first and second interlocking members are held by the first or second interlocking member,
An operation shaft capable of tilting operation for rotating the first and second interlocking members, a bottom plate arranged in a state orthogonal to an axial direction of the operation shaft, and the operation shaft held by the operation shaft; An actuating member movable in the axial direction of the shaft, an urging member for pressing the bottom of the actuating member onto the bottom plate, and the first or second interlocking member through the tilting operation of the operating shaft. A multi-directional input device comprising: an electric component to be operated; and a grease reservoir filled with grease is provided in a sliding portion between the operation shaft and the first or second interlocking member. 2. The operating shaft is provided with a shaft portion projecting in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the second interlocking member is provided with a round hole for holding the shaft portion, The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the grease reservoir is provided in a sliding portion between the shaft portion and the round hole. 3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft portion is formed in an oval shape, and the grease reservoir is formed by a gap between the oval-shaped shaft portion and a round hole. apparatus. 4. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the grease reservoir formed by a concave portion is formed in an arc-shaped portion of the shaft portion.