JP2002231105A - Multi-directional operating switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-directional operating switch allowing a certain desired input operation by improving selection operability of the multi-directional operating switch. SOLUTION: This multi-directional operating switch comprises a housing 1 having a storing part and a common fixed contact 3 and a plurality of individual fixed contacts 2 and 4 disposed in the inner bottom part 1b of the storing part, operating members 8 and 10 that are stored in the housing 1 and can be tiltingly operated in the plurality of directions with respect to a neutral position, and a plurality of movable contacts 7 that are faced to the individual fixed contacts 2 and 4 and arranged corresponding to the tilting directions of the operating members 8 and 10. A shape of at least one movable contact 7b of the plurality of movable contacts 7 is different from that of the other movable contact 7a, and operability in the tilting directions of the operating members 8 and 10 corresponding to one movable contact 7b is different from that of the other operating members 8 and 10 corresponding to the other movable contact 7a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a multi-directional operation switch for outputting a switching signal in accordance with a tilting direction of an operating member, and more particularly, to outputting a switching signal by a push operation of an operating member. The present invention relates to a structure of a multidirectional operation switch that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional multidirectional operation switch will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional multidirectional operation switch, FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a conventional multidirectional operation switch housing, and FIG. 12 shows a conventional multidirectional operation switch housing and movable contacts. It is an exploded perspective view.

[0003] As shown in FIGS.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a side wall 20a formed of a synthetic resin material, formed by molding, and surrounding the four sides, an inner bottom portion 20b surrounded by the side wall 20a, and 4 standing upright from the square on the open end side of the side wall 20a. A boss portion 20c, four positioning portions 20d provided near the boss portion 20c, and an inner bottom portion 20b.
Projections 20e projecting inward from the inner bottom portion 20b
And

On the inner bottom portion 20b of the housing 20, a circular center fixed contact 2, a common contact 3 surrounding the center fixed contact 2, and four front, rear, right and left surroundings of the common contact 3 are provided. The peripheral fixed contact 4 is exposed, and the central fixed contact 2, the common contact 3, and the peripheral fixed contact 4 protrude outward from the opposite side wall 20 a of the housing 20 as the terminal 5. At this time, the four projections 20e of the inner bottom portion 20b are erected so as to surround the circular center fixed contact 2.

The central movable contact 60 is made of phosphor bronze or S
Use a highly elastic material such as US and use silver (A
g) The treatment has been performed. Also, this central movable contact 60
Are formed in a generally circular bowl (dome) shape. The central movable contact 60 is placed on the common contact 3 around the central fixed contact 2 and is positioned by the inside of each projection 20e. .

The peripheral movable contact 70 is made of phosphor bronze or S
Use a highly elastic material such as US and use silver (A
g) The treatment has been performed. Also, the peripheral movable contact 70
Is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole, and a double-sided bulging portion 70a is integrally formed at a central portion thereof. The peripheral movable contact 70 is placed on the common contact 3 inside the peripheral fixed contact 4, and is positioned by the inner wall of the housing 20 and the outside of each projection 20 e.

That is, the central movable contact 60 and each peripheral movable contact 70 are individually arranged in the housing 20.

The first operating member 8 is made of a synthetic resin material, is formed by molding, and has a cylindrical portion 8a and a skirt portion 8b which extends obliquely downward from one end of the cylindrical portion 8a.
And four hemispherical projections 8 on the lower surface of the skirt portion 8b.
c are integrally formed at regular intervals of about 90 degrees.
These projections 8c face the bulging portions 70a of the peripheral movable contacts 70.

A guide hole 9 penetrating in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 8a, and four projecting pieces 8d are integrally formed on a lower peripheral edge of the skirt portion 8b.
These protruding pieces 8d extend outward from the middle between two adjacent protrusions 20e, and are positioned on the positioning portion 2 of the housing 20.
0d. The first operation member 8 is swingably supported by the housing 20 by placing each projection 20e on the corresponding peripheral movable contact 70.

The second operating member 10 is made of a synthetic resin material and is formed by molding.
A flange 10a is integrally formed at the lower end of the
The lower surface of Oa faces the upper surface of each projection 20e of the housing 20 at a predetermined interval. This second operating member 1
Reference numeral 0 is inserted from below in the guide hole 9 and protrudes above the first operation member 8, and is prevented from falling off by the flange portion 10a. A pressing projection 10 b is integrally formed at the center of the lower surface of the second operation member 10, and the lower end (tip) of the pressing projection 10 b is in contact with the central movable contact 60.

The lid 11 is made of a metal plate and is formed by pressing, and has a circular central hole 11a at the center thereof.
Mounting holes (not shown) are drilled at each of the four corners,
The periphery of the central hole 11a is formed with a taper that expands downward. The lid 11 is provided with a first hole in the central hole 11a.
In the state where the skirt portion 8b of the operating member 8 is penetrated, the boss portion 20c penetrating through each mounting hole (not shown) is swaged to be attached to the upper opening end of the housing 20.

[0012]

However, in the structure of the conventional multi-directional operation switch described above, the peripheral movable contact 70 disposed in the direction in which the first operation member 8 is tilted.
Are arranged in the same shape, and when the first operating member 8 is tilted and operated in four directions of the cross direction, the first operating member 8 is operated in any direction.
The operating force (spring pressure when the peripheral movable contact 70 is inverted) and the amount of movement (the distance when the peripheral movable contact 70 is inverted) in the tilting direction are the same.

For this reason, for example, when operating the device in a dark place, the operation feeling is set the same in any tilting direction of the operation member, so that a switch in an undesired direction is erroneously selected. There is a problem that misoperation is likely to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, to improve the operability of selecting a multidirectional operation switch, and to provide a multidirectional operation switch capable of reliably performing a desired input operation.

[0015]

According to the present invention, as a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a storage portion is provided, and a common fixed contact and a plurality of individual fixed contacts are provided at an inner bottom portion of the storage portion. Housing and housed in this housing,
An operation member capable of tilting operation in a plurality of directions with respect to the neutral position, and each of the operation members is opposed to the individual fixed contact,
A plurality of movable contacts arranged corresponding to the tilting direction of the operation member, wherein at least one of the plurality of movable contacts has a shape different from that of the other movable contacts, and the one movable contact is formed. The operability of the operating member in the tilting direction corresponding to the movable contact is different from the operability of the other operating member in the tilting direction corresponding to the other movable contact.

As a second means, the operating member includes a first tilting direction tilting to both sides facing the neutral position and a second tilting direction tilting to both sides in a direction orthogonal to the first tilting direction. 2 tilting directions, and a pair of first tilting members arranged corresponding to the first tilting direction of the operating member.
And the shape of a pair of second movable contacts arranged corresponding to the second tilting direction is different from each other.

[0017] As a third means, the operating force of the first movable contact arranged in the first tilting direction and the operation of the second movable contact arranged in the second tilting direction. The first and second movable contacts are formed to have different shapes so as to have different powers.

Further, as a fourth means, the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate having the same shape, and one of the first and second movable contacts is movable. The contact is characterized in that the operating forces of the first and second movable contacts are made different by overlapping a plurality of the dome-shaped metal plates.

As a fifth means, one of the first and second movable contacts is formed by a conical rubber spring, and the other is formed by a dome-shaped metal plate. It is characterized by having done.

As sixth means, an amount of movement of the first movable contact arranged in the first tilting direction to come in contact with and separate from the individual fixed contact, and an arrangement in the second tilting direction are provided. The first and second movable contacts have different shapes so that the amount of movement of the second movable contact to and from the individual fixed contact is different from each other.

As a seventh means, the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and the dome-shaped one of the first and second movable contacts is provided. The height of the bulging portion of the first and second movable contacts is made higher than the height of the dome-shaped bulging portion of the other movable contact.
The moving contact of the movable contact with the individual fixed contact is different from each other.

As an eighth means, the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and the first movable contact and the second movable contact are connected by a connecting portion. It is characterized by being formed by.

As a ninth means, the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and the first movable contact and the second movable contact are all connected by a connecting portion. And is formed integrally with one metal plate.

As a tenth means, the operating member is provided in the housing so as to be able to move up and down, and a third movable contact is provided on an inner bottom surface of the housing portion of the housing so as to correspond to a lowering direction of the operating member. Is provided.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a multi-directional operation switch according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the housing of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 1
It is made of a synthetic resin material, formed into a substantially rectangular shape by molding, and has a side wall 1a surrounding four sides, an inner bottom 1b surrounded by the side wall 1a, and protrudes from the inner bottom 1b to the inside of the inner bottom 1b to face each other. There are provided two projections 1c and projections 1d which protrude outward from a pair of opposed side walls 1a, respectively. At the four corners of the side wall 1a, a flat wall 1e is formed by so-called chamfering.

On the inner bottom 1b of the housing 1, a circular center fixed contact 2, common contacts 3 arranged at four places around the center fixed contact 2, and front, rear, left and right around the center fixed contact 2 are provided. Circular peripheral fixed contacts 4 arranged at four locations
The central fixed contact 2, the common contact 3, and the peripheral fixed contact 4 project outward from the opposing side wall 1 a of the housing 1 as terminals 5. At this time, the two protrusions 1c of the inner bottom 1b are erected so as to surround the circular center fixed contact 2. The central fixed contact 2 is disposed at the center of the inner bottom part 1b, and the peripheral fixed contacts 4 disposed at four front, rear, right and left positions around the central fixed contact 2.
Are disposed at positions facing the flat wall 1 e of the housing 1, that is, at four corners of the housing 1.

The center movable contact 6 is made of phosphor bronze or SU
An elastic metal material such as S is used, and its surface is subjected to silver (Ag) treatment. The central movable contact 6 has a skirt portion that rises at a predetermined angle from the peripheral edge portion to the top portion, and a bulge portion that is formed in a dome shape with the top portion being continuous with the skirt portion and can be inverted. The central movable contact 6 is placed on the common contact 3 around the central fixed contact 2, is electrically connected to the common contact 3, and is positioned by the inside of each projection 1 c. I have. In this state, the central movable contact 6 is disposed so as to face the central fixed contact 2.

The peripheral movable contact 7 is made of phosphor bronze or SU
An elastic metal material such as S is used, and its surface is subjected to silver (Ag) treatment. The peripheral movable contact 7 includes a skirt portion rising from the peripheral portion toward the top at a predetermined angle, and a bulging portion which is formed in a bowl (dome) shape and can be inverted continuously from the skirt portion. Are formed, and the peripheral movable contacts 7 are arranged at the four corners of the housing 1, respectively. In this state,
Each peripheral movable contact 7 is electrically connected to the common contact 3, and is disposed so as to face each peripheral fixed contact 4.

The first operating member 8 constituting one of the operating members is made of a synthetic resin material, is formed by molding, and has a cylindrical portion 8a and a skirt portion which extends obliquely downward from one end of the cylindrical portion 8a. 8b and four hemispherical projections 8c are integrally formed on the lower surface of the skirt portion 8b at regular intervals of about 90 degrees. And these projections 8c
Opposes substantially the dome-shaped top of each peripheral movable contact 7.

A guide hole 9 penetrating in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 8a. The first operation member 8 is swingably supported by the housing 1.

The second operation member 10 constituting one of the operation members is made of a synthetic resin material, is formed by molding, and has a flange 10a integrally formed at the lower end of the second operation member 10; The second operating member 10 is
It is inserted from below in the guide hole 9 and protrudes above the first operation member 8, and is prevented from falling off by a flange 10 a. A pressing projection 10 b is integrally formed at the center of the lower surface of the second operating member 10, and the lower end (tip) of the pressing projection 10 b is in contact with the substantially top of the central movable contact 6.

The lid 11 is made of a metal plate, is formed by press working, has a circular central hole 11a formed in the center thereof, and has a taper that expands downward at the periphery of the central hole 11a. ing. The lid 11 is attached to the upper opening end of the housing 1 by a suitable means such as a snap-in with the skirt portion 8b of the first operation member 8 penetrating the center hole 11a.

Next, the operation of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a tilting operation (operation) of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation (operation) of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG.
0 is tilted in any one of four directions, that is, front, rear, left, and right where the peripheral fixed contacts 4 are arranged. For example, when the second operation member 10 is tilted in the arrow direction toward the peripheral fixed contact 4 located on the left side in FIG. 3, the first operation member 8 is also tilted in the same direction together with the second operation member 10. The protrusion 8c located in the tilting direction presses the peripheral movable contact 7 located therebelow. Then, at the time when the peripheral movable contact 7 is inverted and a click feeling is generated, the peripheral fixed contact 4 located below and the common contact 3 are conducted through the peripheral movable contact 7, so that the switch-on state is established. can get.

The tilt angle at this time is set to the second operation member 10.
Of the housing 1 is restricted by contact with the projection 1c of the housing 1. When the lower surface of the flange 10a contacts the projection 1c, the second operating member 10 does not further tilt. Can be reliably prevented from inadvertently inverting and coming into contact with the center fixed contact 2.

When the pressing force of the second operating member 10 in the tilting direction is released, the first operating member 8 returns to its original position due to the self-returning force of the inverted peripheral movable contact 7, and the first operating member 8 returns to its original position. Since the second operation member 10 returns to the original position together with the operation member 8, the switch member returns to the switch-off state shown in FIG. At this time, the first operating member 8 can return smoothly because the peripheral edge of the central hole 11a of the lid 11 is tapered.

Next, as shown in FIG.
When 0 is pushed in the direction of the arrow, the second operating member 10 descends along the guide hole 9 of the first operating member 8, and the pressing projection 10b presses the central movable contact 6 located therebelow. Then, when the center movable contact 6 is reversed and a click feeling is generated, the central fixed contact 2 and the common contact 3 located below the central movable contact 6 conduct through the central movable contact 6, so that the switch-on state is established. can get.

At this time, the first operation member 8 functions as a guide member for guiding the pressing (push) operation of the second operation member 10. When the pressing force on the second operating member 10 is released, the inverted central movable contact 6 is released.
Due to the self-return force, the second operating member 10 returns to the original position, and returns to the switch-off state shown in FIG.

As described above, the multi-directional operation switch according to the present embodiment has four types of conducting one desired peripheral movable contact 7 to the peripheral fixed contact 4 by changing the tilting direction of the second operation member 10. In addition to the switching described above, the pressing operation (pressing operation) of the second operating member 10 can also perform switching for conducting the central movable contact 6 to the central fixed contact 2, and furthermore, at the time of all these switching operations, the operation feeling ( Click feeling) can be generated.

Accordingly, in addition to a switch for selecting a direction by tilting the operation member, a switch for final operation by pressing down the operation member can be performed by one switch, so that a multidirectional operation switch with good operability is provided. Can be.

Next, the structure of the movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention. In the drawings, the movable contact is partially shown in a side view for easy understanding. As shown in FIG. 5, a movable contact made of a highly elastic metal material such as phosphor bronze or SUS has a central movable contact 6 disposed at the center and a plurality of (movable) contacts on the periphery of the central movable contact 6. And four peripheral edge movable contacts 7 arranged in the cross direction. At this time, the central movable contact 6 and the peripheral movable contact 7 are formed in the same dome shape.

The peripheral movable contact 7 arranged in the cross direction is
A pair of first peripheral edge movable contacts 7a arranged in the first tilting direction of the operating member indicated by arrow X in the drawing, and a pair of first peripheral movable contacts 7a arranged in the second tilting direction of the operating member indicated by arrow Y in the drawing. The first peripheral movable contact 7a and the second peripheral movable contact 7b are shaped such that the operability of the operating member in the respective tilting directions is different. Each is formed differently.

In this case, the first and second peripheral movable contacts 7
a and 7b are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate having the same shape, whereas the first peripheral edge movable contact 7a is one sheet,
The second peripheral movable contact 7b is formed by laminating a plurality (two in this embodiment) of dome-shaped metal plates. By doing so, the first and second peripheral movable contacts 7a,
Since the respective operating forces (spring pressure at the time of reversal of the peripheral movable contact) of each of the operating members 7b can be made different, it is possible to easily identify the operating direction when the operating member is tilted by the difference in the operating force. ing.

Further, since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of peripheral movable contacts having different shapes, the number of parts can be reduced, and the workability of assembling is improved, so that it is possible to cope with lower costs.

Next, FIG. 6 is a second explanatory view for explaining a second embodiment of the movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described explanatory drawings, and the description will be omitted. In the drawings, the movable contact is partially shown in a side view for easy understanding. The difference in the configuration is that, of the peripheral movable contacts 7 arranged in the cross direction, a pair of second peripheral movable contacts 7b arranged in the second tilting direction of the operation member indicated by the arrow Y in the drawing is used. It is formed by a conical rubber spring.

In this case, the first dome-shaped metal plate is used.
And the second peripheral movable contact 7b formed of a conical rubber spring can have different operating forces, and the operating feeling when operating the operating member can be changed. From, further,
The operation direction when the operation member is tilted can be easily identified.

Next, FIG. 7 is a third explanatory view for explaining a third embodiment of the movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described explanatory drawings, and the description will be omitted. In the drawings, the movable contact is partially shown in a side view for easy understanding. The difference in the configuration is that, of the peripheral movable contacts 7 arranged in the cross direction, the pair of second peripheral movable contacts 7b arranged in the second tilt direction of the operation member indicated by the arrow Y in the drawing. The height of the dome-shaped bulge is formed higher than the height of the dome-shaped bulge of the first peripheral movable contact 7a.

In this case, the first and second peripheral movable contacts 7
Although a and 7b are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, the dome-shaped bulge of the second peripheral movable contact 7b is higher than the dome-shaped bulge of the first peripheral movable contact 7a. The first and second sections are formed so that the section height is increased.
Since the moving amounts of the peripheral movable contacts 7a and 7b (distances when the peripheral movable contacts are inverted) can be made different, it is easy to identify the operation direction when the operation member is tilted by the difference in the moving amount. Can be done.

Further, since the same dome-shaped metal plate can be formed only by changing the drawing height of the dome-shaped bulging portion, the processing is easy, and the workability of assembling is also improved, so that the cost can be reduced. It is possible.

FIG. 8 is a fourth explanatory view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described explanatory drawings, and the description will be omitted. In the drawings, the movable contact is partially shown in a side view for easy understanding. The difference in configuration is that the first and second peripheral movable contacts 7 formed of a dome-shaped metal plate and arranged in a cross shape are provided.
One of the first and second peripheral movable contacts of different types a and 7b is connected to each other by a connecting portion 7c to be integrally formed.

In this case, the first and second peripheral movable contacts 7a and 7b of different types formed of a dome-shaped metal plate can be formed by one mold, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the dome-shaped metal plate can be formed. Since the processing of the bulging portion can be performed at the same time, variations in the operating force and the movement amount can be reduced, so that the characteristics are stabilized, and the reliability and the assemblability can be improved.

Next, FIG. 9 is a fifth explanatory view for explaining a fifth embodiment of the movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described explanatory drawings, and the description will be omitted. In the drawings, the movable contact is partially shown in a side view for easy understanding. The difference in configuration is that a central movable contact 6 formed of a dome-shaped metal plate and first and second peripheral movable contacts 7 a and 7 b arranged in a cross shape around the central movable contact 6.
Are connected by connecting portions 6a and 7c, respectively, and all the movable contacts are integrally formed by one metal plate.

At this time, the connecting portion 6a is connected to the central movable contact 6
The connecting portions 7c extend outwardly from opposing positions (positions separated by 180 degrees) of the outer peripheral edge of the connecting portion 6a in a direction crossing the connecting portion 6a from the tip end side of the extending connecting portion 6a. It is extended so as to be branched, and the peripheral edge movable contact 7 is connected to its end.

In this case, since the central movable contact 6 formed of a dome-shaped metal plate and the first and second peripheral movable contacts 7a and 7b of different types can all be formed by a single mold, the parts can be formed. The number of points can be reduced, the operating force and the amount of movement of each movable contact can be easily set, and processing variations including mold maintenance can be reduced.

Further, since each movable contact is formed of a single metal plate, even when the switch is tilted while the switch is tilted, the movable contact opposite to the tilted side floats, It is possible to prevent a poor return due to being caught.

The multidirectional operation switch of the present invention described above
Of the tilting directions of the plurality of operating members, at least the first tilting direction and the second tilting direction are formed so that the shapes of the peripheral movable contacts disposed opposite to the respective directions are different. In addition, since it is possible to easily identify the respective tilting directions around the neutral position of the operating member by the touch of the operator, a reliable input operation can be performed.

Further, by increasing the operating force of the peripheral movable contact arranged in the tilting direction with a low operation frequency or increasing the amount of movement, it is made different from the peripheral movable contact arranged in the other tilting direction. This allows the operator to change the feeling of the input operation in the tilt direction where the operation frequency is low and the input operation in the tilt direction where the operation frequency is high, so that the selection operation by the clear operator's intention is possible. It has become.

Further, it is possible to set the input operation in the tilt direction in which the operation frequency is low, so that the input operation is slightly harder to input than in the other tilt directions, and it is possible to prevent erroneous operation.

In the above-described multidirectional operation switch, four peripheral movable contacts surrounding the central movable contact as movable contacts have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of peripheral movable contacts may be two or more. Needless to say,

[0061]

As described above, the multi-directional operation switch of the present invention has a housing, and a housing in which a common fixed contact and a plurality of individual fixed contacts are provided at the inner bottom of the housing. An operating member housed in the housing and capable of tilting operation in a plurality of directions with respect to a neutral position, and a plurality of movable contacts opposed to the individual fixed contacts and arranged corresponding to the tilting direction of the operating member The movable contact is formed so that at least one of the plurality of movable contacts has a shape different from that of the other movable contact, and the operability of the operating member corresponding to the one movable contact in the tilt direction and the other movable contact Since the operability of the other operating member corresponding to the contact point in the tilting direction is different, it is possible to easily identify the tilting direction of the operating member with the feel of the operator centering on the neutral position. For The ones that can be carried out reliably input operation.

The operating member is tilted in a first tilting direction tilting to both sides opposite to the neutral position and in a second tilting direction tilting to both sides in a direction orthogonal to the first tilting direction. The shape of the pair of first movable contacts arranged corresponding to the first tilt direction of the operating member and the pair of second movable contacts arranged corresponding to the second tilt direction Since the shape is different from each other, it is possible to easily identify the tilting direction in the axial direction intersecting the neutral position of the operating member as a center by the feel of the operator, so that a more reliable An input operation can be performed.

Further, the operating force of the first movable contact arranged in the first tilt direction and the second movable contact arranged in the second tilt direction
Since the first and second movable contacts are formed with different shapes so that the operating force of the movable contact is different, the operating force of each of the first and second movable contacts (the movable contact Since the spring pressure at the time of reversal can be made different, the operation direction when the operation member is tilted can be easily identified by the difference in the operation force.

The first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate having the same shape, and one of the first and second movable contacts is a dome-shaped metal plate. Since the respective operating forces of the first and second movable contacts are made different by overlapping a plurality of sheets, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of movable contacts having different shapes.
The number of parts can be reduced, the workability of assembly can be improved, and low cost can be achieved.

Further, one of the first and second movable contacts is formed by a conical rubber spring, and the other is formed by a dome-shaped metal plate. Since the operating force of the movable contact made of a metal plate and the movable contact made of a conical rubber spring can be made different, and the operation feeling when operating the operation member can be changed, The operation direction when the operation member is tilted can be easily identified.

The amount of movement of the first movable contact arranged in the first tilting direction toward and away from the individual fixed contact and the amount of movement of the second movable contact arranged in the second tilting direction on the individual fixed contact are determined. The first and second moving distances are different from each other.
Since the movable contacts are formed with different shapes, the amount of movement (distance when the movable contacts are inverted) of the first and second movable contacts can be made different.
The operation direction when the operation member is tilted can be easily identified based on the difference in the movement amount.

Further, the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and the height of the dome-shaped bulging portion of one of the first and second movable contacts is set as follows. By forming the first movable contact and the second movable contact to move toward and away from the individual fixed contact differently by forming the other movable contact higher than the dome-shaped bulging portion height, the same dome-shaped metal is formed. Since the plate can be formed simply by changing the drawing height of the dome-shaped bulging portion, the processing is easy, the workability of assembling is improved, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate and the first movable contact and the second movable contact are connected by a connecting portion, the dome-shaped metal contact is formed. Since the first and second movable contacts of different types formed of a metal plate can be formed by one mold, the number of parts can be reduced, and the dome-shaped bulge can be processed at the same time. Since variation in the amount can be suppressed to a small value, characteristics are stabilized, and reliability and assemblability can be improved.

Further, the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and all of the first and second movable contacts are connected by a connecting portion and integrated with one metal plate. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, the operating force and the amount of movement of each movable contact can be easily set, and processing variations including maintenance of the mold can be reduced. In addition, since each movable contact is formed of a single metal plate, even when the switch is tilted while tilted, the movable contact opposite to the tilted side floats, catches and returns. It is possible to prevent a failure.

Further, the operating member is provided in the housing so as to be able to move up and down, and the third movable contact is provided on the inner bottom surface of the housing of the housing so as to correspond to the lowering direction of the operating member. In addition to a switch for selecting a direction by tilting, a switch for determining operation by pressing down an operation member can be performed by one switch, so that a multidirectional operation switch with good operability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a housing of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a tilting operation (operation) of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a push operation (operation) of the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a first movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example.

FIG. 6 shows a second movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example.

FIG. 7 shows the third movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example.

FIG. 8 shows the fourth movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example.

FIG. 9 shows the fifth movable contact of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional multidirectional operation switch.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a housing of a conventional multidirectional operation switch.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing and a movable contact of a conventional multidirectional operation switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 1a Side wall 1b Inner bottom 1e Flat wall 2 Central fixed contact (individual fixed contact) 3 Common contact (common fixed contact) 4 Peripheral fixed contact (individual fixed contact) 5 Terminal 6 Central movable contact (third movable contact) 6a Connecting part 7 Peripheral movable contact 7a First peripheral movable contact 7b Second peripheral movable contact 7c Connecting part 8 First operating member (operating member) 8c Projection 10 Second operating member (operating member) 10a Flange part 10b Pressing Projection 11 Lid 11a Central hole X First tilt direction Y Second tilt direction

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a storage portion, in which a common fixed contact and a plurality of individual fixed contacts are disposed on an inner bottom portion of the storage portion, and a housing stored in the housing and in a plurality of directions with respect to a neutral position. An operation member capable of tilting operation, and a plurality of movable contacts arranged respectively corresponding to the tilting direction of the operation member while being opposed to the individual fixed contacts,
The shape of at least one movable contact of the plurality of movable contacts is formed differently from other movable contacts, and operability in a tilt direction of the operating member corresponding to the one movable contact,
A multidirectional operation switch, wherein the operability in the tilt direction of the other operation member corresponding to the other movable contact is different. 2. The operating member has a first tilting direction tilting to both sides opposed to a neutral position, and a second tilting direction tilting to both sides in a direction orthogonal to the first tilting direction. A pair of first movable contacts arranged to correspond to a first tilting direction of the operating member, and a pair of second movable contacts arranged to correspond to the second tilting direction; 2. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the movable contacts are formed so as to have different shapes. 3. An operating force of the first movable contact arranged in the first tilt direction and an operating force of the second movable contact arranged in the second tilt direction are different from each other. 3. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 2, wherein the first and second movable contacts have different shapes. 4. The first and second movable contacts are formed of the same shaped dome-shaped metal plate, and one of the first and second movable contacts is the dome-shaped metal contact. 4. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 3, wherein the operating force of each of the first and second movable contacts is made different by overlapping a plurality of metal plates. 5. One of the first and second movable contacts is formed of a conical rubber spring, and the other movable contact is formed of a dome-shaped metal plate. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 3. 6. An amount of movement of the first movable contact arranged in the first tilting direction to contact and separate from the individual fixed contact;
The shapes of the first and second movable contacts are made different from each other such that the amount of movement of the second movable contact arranged in the second tilting direction to and away from the individual fixed contact is different from each other. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 2, wherein the switch is formed. 7. The dome-shaped bulging portion height of one of the first and second movable contacts, wherein the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate. Is formed so as to be higher than the height of the dome-shaped bulging portion of the other movable contact, so that the amount of movement of the first and second movable contacts to and away from the individual fixed contact is different from each other. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 6. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and the first movable contact and the second movable contact are connected by a connecting portion. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 7, wherein 9. The first and second movable contacts are formed of a dome-shaped metal plate, and all of the first and second movable contacts are connected by a connection portion to form one metal sheet. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 7, wherein the switch is formed integrally with a plate. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is provided in the housing so as to be able to move up and down, and a third movable contact is provided on an inner bottom surface of the housing portion of the housing so as to correspond to a lowering direction of the operating member. The multidirectional operation switch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: