JP2001022462A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional input device which can make a size in a direction smaller in which a straight line connecting a rotation center of a fitting part extends. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with first and second link members 30 and 35 which are superposed in a crossing state and where hole parts 31a and 36a are dug at a position both holes are superposed each other, a case 1 which freely rotatably disposes these first and second link members 30 and 35, and a lever member 40 which is slantably supported by this case 1 and put through the hole parts 31a and 36a. Then, first and second operation parts 34 and 39 are formed to the first and second link members 30 and 35 respectively, the first operation part 34 integrally rotates with the first link member 30 and the second operation part 39 integrally rotates with the second link member 35 by slanting the lever member 40. The case 1 is provided with a first turning detection means (16) for detecting the turning of the first operation part 34 and a second turning detection means (22) for detecting rotation of the second operation part 39.

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 for operating a lever member which is tiltably supported on a case to extract a detection signal corresponding to the amount of tilt of the lever member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 8 to 10 are for explaining the prior art of this type of multidirectional input device. This multidirectional input device has a circular insertion hole 51a formed in an upper plate portion. A box-shaped frame 51 having an open lower surface, two rotary variable resistors 52 attached to side plates of the frame 51,
The first and the first, which are overlapped and
The second interlocking members 56 and 59, the lever member 62 that penetrates the first and second interlocking members 56 and 59 and protrudes from the insertion hole 51a of the frame 51, and automatically returns the lever member 62 to the initial position. It mainly comprises a return spring 71, a holder member 68 for holding the return spring 71, and a cover plate 72 for covering the open lower surface of the frame 51.

The frame 51 is formed by bending a flat metal plate, and has a pair of locking holes 51b and 51d and a pair of locking holes 51c and 51e formed on the side walls thereof. Rotary variable resistors 52 are attached to the outer wall surfaces of the side walls on which the locking holes 51c and 51d are formed, respectively. As shown in FIG. Shaft 5 held in shaft hole 53a of mounting frame 53
With the rotation of 4, a not-shown slider caulked to the rotating plate 54a slides on the resistance substrate 55 to change the resistance value.

The first interlocking member 56 has an arched base 5.
7 and mounting portions 58 provided at both ends of the base portion 57. The base portion 57 is provided with holes 57a extending in the longitudinal direction, and each mounting portion 58 has a shaft hole 58a.
Are formed. Then, the first interlocking member 56
Is rotatably mounted in the frame 51 by locking the two mounting portions 58 in the pair of locking holes 51c and 51e and supporting the frame 51, and is locked in the locking hole 51c. The shaft 54 of the rotary variable resistor 52 is press-fitted into a shaft hole 58a of the mounting portion 58.

[0005] The second interlocking member 59 has a columnar base 60 having a central portion bulged, and mounting portions 61 provided at both ends of the base 60. A hole 60a extending in the longitudinal direction of the base 60;
And a fitting hole 60b perpendicular to the mounting hole 61b, and a shaft hole 61a is formed in one mounting portion 61. The second interlocking member 59 is overlapped with the first interlocking member 56 in an intersecting manner by locking the two mounting portions 61 in the pair of locking holes 51b and 51d and supporting the frame 51. The frame 57 is rotatably mounted in the frame 51. The holes 57a and 60a are opposed to each other at the overlapping portion thereof, and are rotatably mounted on the shaft hole 61a of the mounting portion 61 locked by the locking hole 51d. The shaft 54 of the variable resistor 52 is press-fitted.

The lever member 62 has a rectangular support portion 63.
And a shaft portion 6 protruding from upper and lower ends of the support portion 63.
4 and a disk-shaped spring receiving portion 65 formed integrally with the shaft portion 64 below the support portion 63, and the support portion 63 is provided with a through hole 63a. The lever member 62 connects the shaft portion 64 to the first and second interlocking members 56,
The second interlocking member 59 is inserted through the holes 57a and 60a of the second interlocking member 59 and the round pin 66 inserted from the insertion hole 60b of the second interlocking member 59 into the through hole 63a.
Are tiltably supported by the frame 51 via the
A knob 67 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft portion 64 protruding from the one insertion hole 51a.

The holder member 68 has a spring receiving portion 69 formed in a cup shape and a cylindrical boss portion 70 erected on the inner bottom surface of the spring receiving portion 69, as shown in FIG. A return spring 71 formed of a conical coil spring is housed in the spring receiving portion 69, and the lower end of the shaft portion 64 of the lever member 62 is inserted into the boss portion 70 and housed in the frame 51. Return spring 7 in the spring receiving portion 65
1 is in a state of contact with the upper end.

The cover plate 72 is formed in a rectangular shape from a metal flat plate, and its mounting piece 72a is appropriately fixed to the lower end of the frame body 51 to close the lower surface of the frame body 51. The spring receiving portion 69 of the holder member 68 is elastically contacted with the lid plate 72 by the elastic force of the return spring 71, and the lever member 62 is vertically attached to the lid plate 72 shown in FIG. The initial position is maintained, and a clearance t is formed between the upper end of the boss 70 of the holder member 68 and the spring receiving portion 65 of the lever member 62.

Next, a method of assembling the multidirectional input device thus constructed will be described. First, the lever member 62 is inserted into the hole 60a of the second interlocking member 59 from the upper end thereof, and the round pin 66 is inserted. Is fitted into the through hole 63a from the fitting hole 60b, and the lever member 62 and the second interlocking member 59 are assembled. Then, the lever member 62 is inserted into the hole 57a of the first interlocking member 56 from the upper end side, 1, second interlocking member 5
6 and 59 are overlapped in an intersecting manner.
And the first and second interlocking members 56 and 59 are unitized. Next, with the lower end of the side wall of the frame 51 slightly pushed outward, the unit is inserted into the frame 51 from the open lower surface, and the upper end of the shaft portion 64 is projected from the insertion hole 51a. The side walls of the body 51 are returned to the inside, and the mounting portions 58 and 61 are adjusted while adjusting the bending angle with respect to the upper plate portion of the side walls.
Are locked in and supported by the locking holes 51b to 51e.
The interlocking members 56 and 59 are mounted on the frame 51.

Next, a knob 67 is fixed to the lever member 62, the two rotary variable resistors 52 are mounted on the side wall of the frame 51, and a return spring 71 is housed in a spring receiving portion 69 of the holder member 68. Then, the shaft portion 64 of the lever member 62 is inserted into the boss portion 70, and the holder member 68 is
Store in one. Thereafter, the mounting plate 72a is appropriately fixed to the lower end of the frame 51, and the cover plate 72 is mounted on the frame 51.

In the conventional multidirectional input device constructed and assembled as described above, when the operator tilts the knob 67, the lever member 62 tilts, and the shaft portion 64 moves freely through the holes 57a and 60a. When the first and second interlocking members 56 and 59 are rotated, the two rotary variable resistors 52
Each shaft 54 rotates. At the same time, the holder member 68 is tilted integrally with the lever member 62, and as shown in FIG. , The holder member 68 approaches the spring receiving portion 65. Then, with the rotation of the shafts 54, the variable resistance value is extracted as a detection signal corresponding to the amount of tilt of the lever member 62 from the terminal 73 derived from the resistance board 55 of each rotary variable resistor 52. The detection signal is input to, for example, a display device (not shown) to control a cursor position on a display (not shown).

When the tilting operation force of the knob 67 is released, the restoring force of the return spring 71 pushes the holder member 68 back to the cover plate 72 side and rises up integrally with the lever member 62, and the lever member 62 returns to the initial position. It returns and returns to the state of FIG.

[0013]

However, in the above-described conventional multidirectional input device, the rotary variable resistor 52 is mounted on the outer wall surface of the side wall of the frame body 51. The direction in which a straight line 59a connecting the centers of rotation of the two mounting portions 61 of the second interlocking member 59 extends, and the mounting portions of the first interlocking member 56 in the same manner. There is a disadvantage that the size of the multi-directional input device increases in the direction in which the straight line connecting the rotation centers of the 58 extends, and the size cannot be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device capable of reducing a dimension in a direction in which a straight line connecting a rotation center of a mounting portion extends. To provide.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a multi-directional input device according to the present invention comprises a base having holes crossed in an intersecting position and overlapping with each other, and a base having two ends formed at both ends of the base. A first and a second interlocking member having a mounting portion provided, and a mounting portion for the first and second interlocking members are supported, and the first and second interlocking members are rotatably mounted. And the first and first cases supported by the case so as to be tiltable.
A lever member inserted into each hole of the second interlocking member, and the base of the first interlocking member intersects a straight line connecting the rotation centers of both mounting portions of the first interlocking member. A second operating member that projects in a direction that intersects a straight line connecting the rotation centers of both mounting portions of the second interlocking member. A first actuating portion that rotates integrally with the first interlocking member, and a second actuation portion that rotates integrally with the second interlocking member by tilting the lever member. And a case for detecting rotation of the first operating portion.
Rotation detecting means, and a second detecting means for detecting the rotation of the second operating portion.
The most main feature is that the rotation detecting means is provided.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the first and the second
The rotation detecting means is provided with a movable member disposed reciprocally in the case, a fixed element fixed to the case, and a signal generating unit provided on the movable member and the fixed element. The movable member of the first rotation detecting means and the movable member of the second rotation detecting means are respectively engaged with the first and second operating portions. The signal generation unit of the first and second rotation detection means generates a detection signal by moving with the rotation of the first and second operation units.

In the above structure, the movable-side element is constituted by a resistor layer formed on the movable member, and the fixed-side element is constituted by a slider slidably contacting the resistor layer. A terminal for outputting the detection signal was formed integrally with the slider.

In the above structure, the case has four upright walls arranged in four directions, and the first and second interlocking members lock the mounting portions on the four upright walls. The first and second rotation detecting means are disposed in a region surrounded by the four upright walls.

Further, in the above configuration, a circular portion is formed at the tip of each of the first and second operating portions, and the movable member is provided with an elongated hole into which the circular portion is fitted.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The multi-directional input device includes first and second interlocking members 30 and 35 having holes 31a and 36a drilled at positions overlapping each other and overlapping each other.
Case 1 that supports both ends of the interlocking members 30 and 35 and that rotatably mounts the first and second interlocking members 30 and 35.
And a lever member 40 supported by the case 1 to be tiltable and inserted through the holes 31a, 36a of the first and second interlocking members 30, 35, and a detection signal corresponding to the amount of tilt of the lever member 40. First and second rotation detecting means 1 for generating
6, 22 and a return spring 28 for automatically returning the lever member 40 to the initial position.
The first and second interlocking members 30 and 35 are configured to rotate by a tilt operation of the lever member 40.

The case 1 is formed by molding an insulating synthetic resin material, and has a square bottom wall 2 and the bottom wall 2.
Four upright walls 3, 4, 5, which are provided on all sides
6 and these upright walls 3 as shown in FIGS.
6 to the bottom wall 2 from the free end side tip.
Surfaces 3a, 4a, 5 that incline inward toward
a, 6a and locking holes 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b extending from below the tapered surfaces 3a to 6a to the bottom wall portion 2, respectively. Further, through holes 7a and 7b are formed in the bottom wall portion 2 to be continuous with the locking holes 5b and 6b, respectively, to form an annular projection 8, and a pair of terminals 9 made of a conductive metal plate. , 10 are mounted by insert molding with one end protruding outwardly.
The other end of 0 is exposed on the bottom wall 2 in the annular projection 8 to form a fixed contact 9a and contact portions 10a and 10b. A dome-shaped click spring 11 made of a conductive metal thin plate as a movable contact is accommodated and held in the annular projection 8 with the flange portion 11a in contact with the contact portions 10a and 10b to constitute a push button switch. ing.

The bottom wall 2 has a guide groove 12 extending along one side thereof so as to partially cut off the fixed end of the upright wall 4, and an upright wall 12 extending along one end of the bottom wall 2. And a guide groove 13 extending so as to partially cut out the fixed end of the guide groove 3, and through holes 12a, 13a are formed in the guide grooves 12, 13.
Are formed continuously with the locking holes 4b, 3b, respectively, and a square-shaped lead-out hole 14 where the guide grooves 12, 13 intersect is formed between the through-holes 12a, 13a.
Drilled so as to leave 2b and 13b. The hooks 15a, 15b are provided at the edges of the guide grooves 12, 13.
Are formed facing the upright walls 3 and 4, respectively.
(The upright wall 5 in FIG. 1 is shown with its free end cut away.)

The first rotation detecting means 16 comprises a movable member 17 made of an insulating synthetic resin and formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and three sliders 18 to 20 as fixed-side elements made of a conductive thin plate.
And a resistance layer 21 as a movable element provided in a zigzag manner on the back surface of the movable member 17.
A signal generation unit is formed by the three sliders 18 to 20 and the resistance layer 21, and as shown in FIG.
The tip is projected into the through-hole 12a and attached to the partition 12b by insert molding. A terminal 19a that is bent and led downward from the lead-out hole 14 is formed integrally with the rear end of the slider 19, and the rear ends of the sliders 18 and 20 are extended. Connecting piece 18
a, 20a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the movable member 17 has an engagement hole 17a, and both sides are locked by the hook portion 15b and the fixed end of the upright wall 4, so that the case 1
, And can reciprocate along the guide groove 12 in a state where the tips of the three sliders 18 to 20 are in sliding contact with the resistance layer 21.

The second rotation detecting means 22 includes a movable member 23 made of an insulating synthetic resin and formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and three sliders 24 to 26 as stationary elements made of a conductive thin plate.
And a resistance layer 27 as a movable element provided in a zigzag shape on the back surface of the movable member 23.
A signal generating unit is formed by the three sliders 24 to 26 and the resistance layer 27, and as shown in FIG.
The tip is projected into the through-hole 13a and attached to the partition 13b by insert molding. Terminals 24a to 26a which are bent and led downward from the lead-out holes 14 are formed integrally with rear ends of the sliders 24 to 26, respectively. At the rear end, a connecting piece 1 extending from the above-described sliders 18 and 20 is provided.
8a and 20a are integrally formed. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the movable member 23 has an engagement hole 23a, and both sides are locked by the hook 15a and the fixed end of the upright wall 3 and held by the case 1, and The three sliders 24 to 26 can reciprocate along the guide grooves 13 with the tips of the three sliders 24 to 26 slidingly contacting the layer 27, respectively.

The sliders 18 to 20 and the sliders 24 to 2
6, connecting pieces 18a and 20a, terminal 19a and terminal 24a
26a and a pair of terminals 9, 10 are punched out of a common conductive thin plate, wound up in a hoop shape in an integrated state, cut into predetermined portions after being insert-molded in the case 1, and cut as described above. Formed into shape.

The return spring 28 is formed of a cylindrical coil spring, and has a circular projection 8 at its lower end as shown in FIG.
Are fitted and attached to the case 1. A ring-shaped spring receiver 29 is provided at the upper end of the return spring 28.
Are supported by fitting an annular wall portion 29a formed along the inner peripheral edge thereof.

The first interlocking member 30 is formed by molding an insulating synthetic resin material. The first interlocking member 30 has a semi-cylindrical base 31 whose central portion is bulged upward, and is provided at both ends of the base 31. Mounting portions 32, 33 are provided, and a bulging portion of the base portion 31 is provided with a hole 31a extending in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 31, and the mounting portions 32, 33 are provided with upright walls 4, 6, respectively. Tapered surfaces 32a and 33a corresponding to the tapered surfaces 4a and 6a are formed. Further, at a position apart from the mounting portion 32 between the mounting portion 32 and the hole portion 31a, an arm-shaped first operating portion 34 is integrally provided on the lower surface of the base 31 so as to hang down. A circular portion 34a is formed at the tip of the first operating portion 34. The first interlocking member 30 makes the lower surface of the base portion 31 abut against the spring receiver 29 and locks the mounting portions 32 and 33 at the upper end portions of the locking holes 4b and 6b so as to oppose the upright wall 4 which is opposed to the upper wall portion. , 6 so as to be rotatably supported by the case 1 and the circular portion 34.
a is the engagement hole 1 of the movable member 17 of the first rotation detecting means 16.
7a.

The second interlocking member 35 is formed by molding an insulating synthetic resin material. The second interlocking member 35 is provided at both ends of a semi-cylindrical base portion 36 whose central portion is bulged upward. At the bulging portion of the base 36, a hole 36a extending in the longitudinal direction of the base 36 and an oval-shaped fitting hole 36b orthogonal to the hole 36a are formed. The mounting portions 37 and 38 have tapered surfaces 37a and 38a corresponding to the tapered surfaces 3a and 5a of the upright walls 3 and 5, respectively. At a position apart from the mounting portion 37 between the mounting portion 37 and the hole 36a, an arm-shaped second operating portion 39 is integrally provided on the lower surface of the base portion 36 so as to hang down. A circular portion 39a is formed at the tip of the second operating portion 39. The second interlocking member 35 makes the lower surface of the base 36 abut against the spring receiver 29 and locks the mounting portions 37 and 38 at the upper end portions of the locking holes 3b and 5b to face the upright wall 3 facing the same. , 5 so as to be rotatably mounted, the first interlocking member 30 is supported by the case 1 in a state of being overlapped with the first interlocking member 30, and the holes 31a and 36a face each other at the overlapping portion. The circular portion 39a is engaged with the engaging hole 23a of the movable member 23 of the second rotation detecting means 22.
Is inserted and engaged.

The lever member 40 is formed by molding an insulating synthetic resin material. The lever member 40 has a cylindrical shaft portion 41 and a pressing portion 4 integrally provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 41.
And a pair of projections 4 on the outer wall surface of the shaft portion 41.
1a is formed. And this lever member 40
The shaft 41 is connected to the first and second interlocking members 30, 35.
Through a pair of projections 41a
Is locked in the fitting hole 36b of the second interlocking member 35 and snapped, so that it is tiltably supported by the case 1 via the second interlocking member 35, and the pressing portion 42 of the case 1 Click spring 11 located in annular projection 8
And the pair of protrusions 41a is located at the upper end of the fitting hole 36b.

Next, a method of assembling the multi-directional input device thus constructed will be described. First, the sliders 18 to 20 and the resistance layer 21 are opposed to each other, and the movable member 17 is connected to the hook portion 1.
5b and the upright wall 4 to be held by the case 1, then the sliders 24 to 26 and the resistance layer 27 are opposed to each other, and the movable member 23 is moved between the hook 15a and the upright wall 3. To be held in the case 1. Next, the click spring 11 is housed and held in the annular projection 8 of the case 1, and then the annular wall 29 a is fitted to the upper end of the return spring 28, and the lower end of the return spring 28 supported by the spring receiver 29 is attached. The return spring 28 is attached to the case 1 by being fitted to the annular projection 28.

Next, the lever member 40 is inserted into the hole 36a of the second interlocking member 35 from the upper end side, and a pair of projections 4 is formed.
The lever member 40 and the second interlocking member 35 are assembled into a unit by engaging the first member 1a in the fitting hole 36b and snapping the unit, and this unit is moved from the free end side of the upright walls 3 and 5 to the second unit. The tapered surface 37a of the interlocking member 35,
38a and the tapered surfaces 3a and 5a of the upright walls 3 and 5 correspond to each other and are inserted between the upright walls 3 and 5, this unit becomes
The tapered surfaces 37a, 38a of the second interlocking member 35 are guided by the tapered surfaces 3a, 5a and inserted while bending the upright walls 3, 5 outward. Inner wall surface below surface 3a and tapered surface 5a of upright wall 5
When the upright walls 3 and 5 pass through the lower inner wall surfaces, respectively, the upright walls 3 and 5 are restored to the original state, and the mounting portions 37 and 38 are fitted into the respective locking holes 3b and 5b of the upright walls 3 and 5 that have elastically returned inward. It is inserted and latched, snapped, and pivotally mounted on the upright walls 3 and 5.

Next, the hole portion 31a of the first interlocking member 30 is inserted into the shaft portion 41 from the upper end side of the lever member 40, and the tapered surfaces 32a, 33a of the first interlocking member 30 and the upright walls 4, 6 are formed. The first tapered surface 4a, 6a
When the interlocking member 30 is inserted between the upright walls 4 and 6 from the free end side, the first interlocking member 30
a and 33a are guided by the tapered surfaces 4a and 6a of the upright walls 4 and 6, and are inserted while bending the upright walls 4 and 6 outward. The mounting portions 32 and 33 are located below the tapered surface 4a of the upright wall 4. When the inner wall surface and the inner wall surface below the tapered surface 6a of the upright wall 6 pass through, respectively, the upright walls 4 and 6 are restored to the original state, and each of the upright walls 4 and 6 is elastically returned inward. Stop hole 4b,
6b, the mounting portions 32, 33 are inserted and latched and snapped, and are superimposed on the second interlocking member 30 in an intersecting manner.
It is erected freely on the upright walls 4 and 6.

The assembly of the multidirectional input device is completed in this manner, but after the assembly, the first and second interlocking members 3
The spring receiver 29 abuts on the lower surfaces of the bases 31 and 36 of the bases 0 and 35, and the mounting parts 32, 33, 37 and 38 are respectively engaged with the locking holes 3b and 3b.
4b, 5b, 6b, the lever member 40
Is located at an initial position where its axis 40a is perpendicular to the bottom wall 2 of the case 1 and the pressing portion 42 abuts against the click spring 11, and the movable members 17 and 23
2, 13, the first and second operating parts 34, 39.
Are inserted into the engagement holes 17a and 23a of the movable members 17 and 23, respectively, and the three sliders 18 are
20 come into contact with the resistance layer 21, and the terminals 24a and 26a
Are the connecting piece 18a, the slider 18, the resistance layer 21, the slider 2
0 and 3 through the connecting piece 20a.
The sliders 24 to 26 come into contact with the resistance layer 27 and
4 a and the terminal 26 a are in a state of conduction through the slider 24, the resistance layer 27 and the slider 26.

The multidirectional input device constructed and assembled as described above is used in a state where a predetermined voltage is applied between the terminals 24a and 26a and between the terminals 9 and 10, and the operator operates the shaft portion 41 of the lever member 40. Is tilted in, for example, the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.
6a, the first and second interlocking members 30, 35 are rotated, and the base 3 of the first and second interlocking members 30, 35 is rotated.
A spring receiver 29 is pressed against the lower surfaces of the return springs 2
8 is compressed, the first operating part 34 rotates integrally with the base 31 of the first interlocking member 30, and the second operating part 39 rotates integrally with the base 36 of the second interlocking member 35. I do. Then, as shown in FIG.
When 1 is tilted from the initial position shown by the solid line to the state shown by the dotted line, the first operating member 34 rotates from the initial position shown by the solid line to the state shown by the dotted line, and the first operating member 34 rotates. The operating member 17 engaged with the circular portion 34a by
The resistance layer 21 is moved along the guide groove 12 from the initial position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dotted line while sliding the resistance layer 21 on the three sliders 18 to 20.

With the movement of the first operating member 34, as shown in FIG. 6, the resistance layer 21 and the three sliders 18 to 20 are provided.
The sliding contact position with the tip of the slider becomes the position P2 moved from the initial position P1, the resistance value (voltage value) between the sliders 18 and 19 changes, and the first rotation detecting means 16 Actuating member 3
4 is detected, and a detection signal (voltage signal) corresponding to the change in the resistance value is transmitted to the three sliders 18 to 20 and the resistance layer 21.
The detection signal is generated by the signal generation unit formed by the above (1) and (2), and this detection signal is taken out from the terminal 19a via the slider 19.

Similarly, the second movement associated with the tilting of the lever member 40
By the rotation of the operating portion 39, the operating member 23 engaged with the circular portion 39a is moved along the guide groove 13 into the three sliders 2.
4 to 26, while sliding the resistance layer 27, the sliding position between the resistance layer 27 and the tips of the three sliders 24 to 26 moved from the initial position S0, as shown in FIG. Position S1
The resistance value (voltage value) between the sliders 24 and 25 changes, and the second rotation detecting means 22 detects the rotation of the second operating member 39, and responds to the change in the resistance value. The detected signal (voltage signal) is generated by the signal generation unit formed of the three sliders 24 to 26 and the resistance layer 27, and the detection signal is extracted from the terminal 25 a via the slider 25. . The detection signals extracted from the terminals 19a and 25a correspond to the amount of tilt of the lever member 40, and are input to, for example, a display device (not shown) to control the cursor position on a display (not shown). Therefore, by tilting the lever member 40, the cursor on the display can be moved in any direction.

When the tilting operation force of the lever member 40 is released, the spring receiver 29 is pushed upward by the restoring force of the return spring 28, and the first and second interlocking members 30, 35 are rotated. The rotation causes the lever member 40 to move into the hole 31.
a and 36a to return to the initial position while floating and returning to the initial position, and the first and second operating portions 34 and 39 rotate in the opposite directions with the movable members 17 and 23 to return to the initial position. Has become.

On the other hand, when the operator presses the shaft portion 41 of the lever member 40 downward, the pair of protrusions 41a is guided by the fitting hole 36b and slides in the direction of the axis 40a, so that the lever member 40 descends. Click spring 1
1 is pressed by the pressing portion 42, and the click spring 11 is inverted to contact the fixed contact 9a. As a result, a click feeling is generated, and the click spring 11 is provided between the fixed contact 9a and the contact portion 10a and between the fixed contact 9a and the contact portion 10b.
And the pushbutton switch is turned on, and a switch-on signal is output from the terminal 9 or the terminal 10.

When the pressing operation force on the lever member 40 is released in this state, the click spring 11 returns to the original dome shape due to its own reversible restoring force. Member 4
0 returns to the initial position, so that the click spring 11 is separated from the fixed contact 9a, and the switch-off state in which conduction between the fixed contact 9a and the contact portion 10a and between the fixed contact 9a and the contact portion 10b is released. State. Therefore, after tilting the lever member 40 to move the cursor to a desired coordinate position or menu position on the display, and pressing the lever member 40, coordinate input or menu selection can be executed.

In this multi-directional input device, however, in the region surrounded by the four upright walls 3 to 6 inside the four upright walls 3 to 6, both the first interlocking members 30 The first operating portion 34 is projected in a direction crossing a straight line 30a connecting the rotation centers of the mounting portions 32 and 33, and the second interlocking member 35
The second operating portion 39 is projected in a direction intersecting with a straight line 35a connecting the centers of rotation of the mounting portions 37, 38 of the first and second mounting portions 37, 38, and the first and second turning portions corresponding to the rotary variable resistor 52 of the prior art are projected. Motion detecting means 16 and 22 are provided, and the first and second operating portions 34 and
Since the rotation of 39 is detected by the first and second rotation detection means 16 and 22, the size of the multidirectional input device can be reduced in the direction in which the straight line 30a extends and the direction in which the straight line 35a extends, and the size is reduced. Can be achieved.

In this multidirectional input device, 4
Attachment portions 32, 3 are provided in the locking holes 3b-6b of the two upright walls 3-6.
The first interlocking member 30 is rotatably supported by the pair of opposing upright walls 4 and 6 and is supported by the case 1 by snapping and locking the members 3, 37 and 38, respectively. Since the second interlocking member 35 is rotatably mounted on the upright walls 3 and 5 and is supported by the case 1, the adjustment work described in the related art can be eliminated, the assembly can be simplified, and Smooth rotation of the second interlocking members 30, 35 can be obtained without adjustment. In the prior art, the frame 51 on which the rotary variable resistor 52 is mounted and the return spring 71
And the cover plate 72 to which the resilience is given, the multi-directional input device requires only one case 1
Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced in addition to the above-mentioned non-adjustment.

In this embodiment, the movable members 17 and 23 formed in a rectangular flat plate are linearly slid along the guide grooves 12 and 13, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Moving member 17, 2
3 is formed in a semi-circular plate shape, and is pivotally supported on the bottom wall portion 2 of the case 1 at the center of the circle. Movement 19 ~
20 and the resistor 27 and the sliders 24 to 26 may be slid. In addition, the signal generating units of the first and second rotation detecting means 16 and 22 are composed of a combination of a plurality of conductive parts such as pulse encoders and sliding pieces that come and go,
Alternatively, it may be configured by a combination of a magnet and a Hall element.

[0044]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

A first and second interlocking member having a base portion having holes crossed in a crosswise manner and overlapping each other, and mounting portions provided at both ends of the base portion;
Each of the mounting portions of the second interlocking member is supported, and the first and second
And a lever member rotatably supported by the case and a lever member supported by the case to be tiltable and inserted through each hole of the first and second interlocking members. A first operating portion is formed at a base of the member so as to protrude in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the centers of rotation of both mounting portions of the first interlocking member. A second operating portion is provided which protrudes in a direction crossing a straight line connecting the centers of rotation of the two interlocking members of the second interlocking member, and the first operating portion is tilted by tilting the lever member. A first interlocking member that turns together with the interlocking member, the second operating portion turns integrally with the second interlocking member, and the case includes a first detecting unit that detects the rotation of the first operating unit. Since the rotation detecting means and the second rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation of the second operating portion are provided, The first and second rotations are performed in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the rotation centers of both mounting portions of the interlocking member and a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the rotation centers of the two mounting portions of the second interlocking member. Motion detection means can be provided,
It is possible to reduce the dimension in the direction in which the straight line connecting the centers of rotation of both mounting portions of the first interlocking member and the direction in which the straight line connecting the centers of rotation of both mounting portions of the second interlocking member extend. It is possible to provide a simple multi-directional input device.

Further, the first and second rotation detecting means include:
A movable member disposed reciprocally in the case, a fixed element fixed to the case, and a movable element provided on the movable member and forming a signal generation unit with the fixed element. The movable member of the first rotation detecting means and the movable member of the second rotation detecting means are engaged with the first and second operating portions, respectively. Since the signal generation unit of the first and second rotation detecting means generates a detection signal by moving with the rotation of the operation unit, the first and second rotation detection units have a simple configuration. Can reliably detect the rotation of the operating part.

Further, the movable element is constituted by a resistor layer formed on the movable member, and the fixed element is constituted by a slider slidably contacting the resistor layer. Since the terminal for outputting the detection signal is formed integrally, the resistance layer can be easily formed by printing to improve productivity, and a component is formed by integrating the slider and the terminal. Points can be reduced.

The case has four upright walls arranged in four directions, and the four upright walls are provided with the first and the first walls.
Since the second interlocking members are each rotatably mounted by locking the mounting portions, and the first and second rotation detecting means are disposed in a region surrounded by the four upright walls. The first and second interlocking members can be easily supported by the case, the assembly can be simplified, and the space occupied by the first and second operating portions in the case can be utilized. The first and second rotation detecting means can be arranged, and the size of the apparatus can be further reduced.

Furthermore, a circular portion is formed at the tip of the first and second operating portions, and the movable member is provided with a long hole into which the circular portion is fitted, so that the movable member can move when it moves. Rattle can be eliminated, and the responsiveness of the first and second rotation detecting means can be improved.

[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 sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a case according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a movable member according to a first detection unit provided in the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a movable member according to a second detection unit provided in the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a conventional multidirectional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Bottom wall part 3 Standing wall 3a Tapered surface 3b Locking hole 4 Standing wall 4a Tapered surface 4b Locking hole 5 Standing wall 5a Tapered surface 5b Locking hole 6 Standing wall 6a Tapered surface 6b Locking hole 7a Through hole 7b Through hole 8 Annular protrusion 9 Terminal 9a Fixed contact 10 Terminal 10a Contact part 10b Contact part 11 Click spring 11a Flange part 12 Guide groove 12a Through hole 12b Partition part 13 Guide groove 13a Through hole 13b Partition part 14 Leading hole 15a Hook part 15b Hook part 16 First rotation detection means 17 Movable member 18 Slider 18a Connection piece 19 Slider 19a Terminal 20 Slider 20a Connection piece 21 Resistance layer 22 Second rotation detection means 23 Movable member 24 Sliding Terminal 24a Terminal 25 Slider 25a Terminal 26 Slider 26a Terminal 27 Resistance layer 28 Return spring 29 Spring receiver 29a Ring Wall 30 first interlocking member 31 base 31a hole 32 mounting portion 32a tapered surface 33 mounting portion 33a tapered surface 34 first operating portion 34a circular portion 35 second interlocking member 36 base 36a hole 36b fitting hole 37 Mounting portion 37a Tapered surface 38 Mounting portion 38a Tapered surface 39 Second operating portion 39a Circular portion 40 Lever member 40a Axis 41 Shaft 41a Projection 42 Pressing portion

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first and second interlocking member having a base portion having holes crossed in a crosswise manner and overlapping each other and mounting portions provided at both ends of the base portion, , Supporting the mounting portions of the second interlocking members, respectively.
A case in which the second interlocking member is rotatably mounted, and a lever member which is tiltably supported by the case and inserted through each hole of the first and second interlocking members; The first interlocking member has a first operating portion protruding in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the rotation centers of both mounting portions of the first interlocking member at the base of the first interlocking member. A second operating portion is provided which protrudes in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the centers of rotation of both mounting portions of the second interlocking member, and by tilting the lever member, the first operating portion is moved by the first operating portion. A second interlocking member that rotates together with the second interlocking member, and the case includes a second detecting unit that detects the rotation of the first operating unit. 1 is provided, and second rotation detecting means for detecting rotation of the second operating portion is provided. Multi-directional input device to. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rotation detecting means are provided on a movable member disposed reciprocally in the case, a fixed element fixed to the case, and the movable member. , A movable-side element forming a signal generation unit with the fixed-side element, wherein the movable member of the first rotation detection unit and the movable member of the second rotation detection unit are the first and second rotation detection units, respectively.
The signal generation unit of the first and second rotation detecting means detects the detection signal by engaging with the second operation unit and moving with the rotation of the first and second operation units. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The movable element is constituted by a resistor layer formed on the movable member, and the fixed element is constituted by a slider slidably contacting the resistor layer. 3. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein a terminal for outputting the detection signal is integrally formed with the input terminal. 4. The case is provided with four cases arranged in four directions.
The first and second upright walls have the first and second upright walls.
Are interlocked with each other so as to be rotatable by locking the mounting portions, and the first and second rotation detecting means are disposed in a region surrounded by the four upright walls. The multidirectional input device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein a circular portion is formed at the tip of each of the first and second operating portions, and the movable member has an elongated hole into which the circular portion is fitted. Multi-directional input device.