JP2002260489A - Multi-directional input unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive multi-directional input unit, in which a plurality of movable contacts are integrally formed, the number of items are few, and an operational member can be guided in desirable directions. SOLUTION: The multi-directional input unit comprises a box-shaped body 1, a fixed contact 6 arranged on a housing 5, and the operational member S retained in the housing 5 of the box-shaped body 1 in a slidable manner. The operational member has a movable contact 20 having at least a pair of first elastic arms 22, each arm extending to opposite direction, provided with a support 22c which can be contacted with a side wall 3 and a contact 22e which can be contacted with or remove from the fixed contact 6, and a slidable operation part 10 for moving the movable contact 20. When the operation part 10 of the operational member S makes multi-directional sliding moves, forcing the contact 22e to contact the fixed contact 6, the first elastic arms 22 deform elastically, so that the operation part 10 is returned to the neutral position by the first elastic arms 22 as the sliding moves are stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device used as an input device for a portable telephone or other electric equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

The configuration of a conventional multidirectional input device will be described with reference to FIG. 16. A housing 70 is formed of a synthetic resin and has a substantially box shape, a bottom wall portion 71 formed of a square flat plate, and a bottom wall portion 71 formed of a square plate. A side wall portion 72 erected from four side edges of the wall portion 71,
Storage section 73 formed by bottom wall section 71 and side wall section 72
And The bottom wall portion 71 has an elongated rectangular concave portion 71a provided near each side edge and a square concave portion 71b provided at a central portion, and the corner portion and the concave portion of the concave portion 71b are provided. The side edges of 71a are in communication.

In one corner of the inner wall of each side wall 72, four connection terminals 72a for a common contact made of a metal piece are buried, and are exposed in the recess 71a. A fixed contact 72b made of one piece is embedded, and the connection terminal 72a and the fixed contact 72b are positioned so as to be adjacent to each other with a corner portion interposed therebetween. In addition, each connection terminal 72a
Although not shown, they are in an electrically conductive state.

[0005] The movable contact 74 is formed by forming an elongated flat metal plate into a U shape.
It is made of a spring member bent in a letter shape, and has a base portion 74a, a folded portion 74b formed by bending at the tip of the base portion 74a, and an arm portion 74c extending linearly from the folded portion 74b. . Such a movable contact 74 is
Each of the bases 74a is disposed in each of the four recesses 71a of the housing 70. When the base 70 is disposed in the recess 71a, the root 74d, which is the end of the base 74a, is connected to the connection terminal 72a and the spacer 71c.
And the contact portion 72a is always in contact with the connection terminal 72a, and the arm portion 74c elastically contacts the central side wall of the recess portion 71a, so that the folded portion 74 faces the fixed contact 72b. .

The movable member 75 is made of a square flat plate, and has a square through hole 75a formed in the center from the front to the back, and a rounded corner 7a.
5b. Such a movable member 75 is accommodated in the recessed portion 71b of the housing 70 with play provided therein,
When the movable member is housed, the corner 75 b is
The movable member 75 contacts the intermediate portion of the arm 74c of the fourth
Is in the neutral position. The operation unit 76 has a columnar shape, is held by a receiving portion of a casing (not shown), and is inserted through the through hole 75a of the movable member 75. Thus, both the operation unit 76 and the movable member 75 Constitute the operation member S.

Next, the operation of the conventional multidirectional input device having such a configuration will be described.
When pressed in the direction, the arm 74c of the movable contact 74 is pressed by the corner 75b and tilts toward the side wall 72. And
When the arm portion 74c is tilted, the folded portion 74b moves toward the side wall portion 72 in conjunction with the arm portion 74c, and comes into contact with the fixed contact 72b. Thus, the folded portion 74b and the fixed contact 72
b comes into contact with the connection terminal 72a via the base 74a.
And the fixed contact 72b are conducted, and an electric signal is output from an output terminal (not shown). Even when the operation member S is pressed in the Y1, X1, and X2 directions, an electric signal is output similarly. In addition, when the operation member S is operated obliquely with respect to the directions of the arrows X1 and X2 and the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2,
The movable contact 74 is pressed by two adjacent corners 75b, and an electric signal is output.

On the other hand, when the pressing force is released after the operating member S is pressed, the arm 74c is returned to the original state by the return force of the movable contact 74, and the corner 75b is moved by the arm 74c. Pushed back, the movable member 74 and the operation unit 7
6 returns to the original state, that is, the neutral position.

[0009]

However, the conventional multidirectional input device requires a plurality of individual movable contacts 74, and these movable contacts 74 must be accommodated in a plurality of recesses 71a, respectively. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts is large, the assemblability and mass productivity are poor, and the cost is high. Further, in order to slide the movable member 75 linearly, the arm portion 74c must be used as a guide. However, since the arm portion 74c can be bent (spring operation), the movable member 75 can be reliably moved straight. As a result, the operability of the operation member S deteriorates as a result.

If the contact between the arm 74c of the movable contact 74 and the corner 75b of the movable member 75 shifts when returning to the neutral position, the movable member 75 rotates, and as a result, the operation member S rotates. As a result, there is a problem that it does not return to the neutral position, or that the output varies and the operability deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a plurality of movable contacts integrated with each other, a small number of parts, a low cost, and a multi-direction capable of guiding movement of an operation member in a desired direction. An object is to provide an input device.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-directional input device, comprising: a housing having a storage portion surrounded by a side wall; A fixed contact, and an operating member slidably held in the housing portion of the housing, wherein the operating member contacts and separates from the fixed contact and a support portion that can contact the side wall portion. A movable contact having at least a pair of first resilient arms extending in opposite directions provided with possible contact portions, and a slidable operating portion for moving the movable contact; The first elastic arm is elastically deformed by the sliding operation in the direction, the contact portion comes into contact with the fixed contact, and the operating portion is neutralized by the first elastic arm with the release of the sliding operation. Returned to position Was Unishi was constructed.

As a second solution, a movable member is housed in the housing of the multidirectional input device of the present invention so as to be slidable, and the movable contact is provided between the first elastic arm and the first elastic arm. A plurality of second elastic arms extending in opposite directions to each other across the operation unit, wherein the movable member guides a sliding operation of the operation member, and the operation guided by the movable member; The configuration is such that the contact portion comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact by a sliding operation of the member.

As a third solution, the first elastic arms of the multi-directional input device of the present invention are arranged in a pair on opposite sides of the operation section in the first direction, and The second elastic arm is disposed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the first direction, the operating section is returned to the neutral position by the first elastic arm, and in the second direction, The operation unit is returned to the neutral position by the second elastic arm.

As a fourth solution, the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention can be slid horizontally in the first direction by the movable member being guided by the side wall. It is configured to be guided and slid horizontally in the second direction by a guide portion formed on the movable member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the guide portion of the movable member of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention comprises an elongated hole extending in the second direction, and the operating portion is inserted through the elongated hole. The movement of the movable member in the first direction is performed together with the operation member.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first elastic arm of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention is configured such that the first elastic arm is capable of engaging with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member. When the operating member is in the neutral position, the supporting portion provided on the first elastic arm abuts on the side wall portion, and the movable member is moved by the first locking piece. Is regulated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention includes a first engaging piece which engages with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member. When the operation member is at the neutral position, the first locking piece engages with the first engagement portion, and the support portion provided on the first elastic arm includes the side wall. And the support portion restricts the movement of the operation member.

As an eighth solution, the first locking piece is formed on a free end side of the first elastic arm,
The first locking piece can be engaged with the first engaging portion, and the support portion is provided near the first locking piece.

Further, as a ninth solution means, the second elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a second locking piece on a free end side, and the second locking piece is the movable piece. It was configured to be locked to the second engaging portion formed on the member.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the first and second engaging portions of the multidirectional input device of the present invention are arranged such that the first and second engaging pieces are engaged with the sliding operation of the operating member. A relief portion formed of a concave portion or a hole is provided which allows movement and movement of the first and second locking pieces due to bending of the first and second elastic arms.

Further, as an eleventh solution means, a movable member is provided, through which the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is inserted and which moves together with the operating member, wherein the first elastic arm sandwiches the operating portion. The first elastic arm is held in a flexed state by the movable member, and the operating member is mounted on the housing in a state where the support portion is close to the side wall portion. It was configured to be stored in the storage section.

As a twelfth solution means, a movable member is provided, through which the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is inserted and which moves together with the operating member, wherein the movable member engages with the first elastic arm. A pair of the first elastic arms are disposed on opposite sides of each other across the operation unit, and when the operation member is stored in the storage unit, the first elastic arm is bent, The support portion is configured to contact the side wall portion.

According to a thirteenth aspect, the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a first direction slidable in the housing and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. And a second movable member that is slidable in the second direction and extends in the first direction. The operation member is configured to slide the second member in the first direction. It is configured to be guided by the first movable member and guided by the second movable member in the sliding operation in the second direction.

According to a fourteenth aspect, the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention slides horizontally in the first direction by the first movable member being guided by the side wall. The second movable member is guided so as to be slidable horizontally in the second direction by being guided by the side wall.

As a fifteenth solving means, a first escape means extending in the second direction is formed in the first movable member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention,
The movable member is formed with a second escape means extending in the first direction, and when the operation member slides in the first direction, the operation member moves within the second escape means. When the operation member moves in the second direction, the operation member moves within the first escape means.

As a sixteenth solution, the first escape means of the first movable member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention comprises a first elongated hole extending in the second direction.
The second escape means of the second movable member is constituted by a second elongated hole extending in the first direction, and the operation portion is inserted through the first and second elongated holes, and The movable member performs the movement in the first direction together with the operating member, and the second movable member performs the movement in the second direction together with the operating member.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the movable contact of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention includes at least one pair of the first elastic arms extending in opposite directions to each other across the operation portion in the first direction. And a pair of first and second elastic arms extending in opposite directions to each other across the operation portion in the second direction and having a support portion and a contact portion. Each of the elastic arms is provided with the support portion, and the support portion can be brought into contact with the side wall portion so that the operation member is returned to the neutral position.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the first elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is configured such that the first elastic arm can be engaged with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member. When the operating member is in the neutral position, the supporting portion provided on the first elastic arm abuts on the side wall portion, and the movable member is moved by the first locking piece. Is regulated.

According to a nineteenth aspect, the second elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided with a second locking member capable of engaging with a second engaging portion formed on the movable member. When the operating member is in the neutral position, the supporting portion provided on the second elastic arm abuts on the side wall portion, and the movable member moves by the second locking piece. Is regulated.

As a twentieth solution, the first elastic arm of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention is characterized in that the first elastic arm engages with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member. When the operation member is at the neutral position, the first locking piece engages with the first engagement portion, and the support portion provided on the first elastic arm includes the side wall. And the support portion restricts the movement of the operation member.

As a twenty-first solution, the second elastic arm of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention is characterized in that the second elastic arm engages with a second engaging portion formed on the movable member. When the operating member is at the neutral position, the second locking piece engages with the second engaging portion, and the supporting portion provided on the second elastic arm is the side wall. And the support portion restricts the movement of the operation member.

As a twenty-second solution means, the first and second locking pieces of the multidirectional input device of the present invention are formed on the free ends of the first and second elastic arms. The second locking piece can be engaged with the first and second engaging portions, and the support portion is provided near the first and second locking pieces.

As a twenty-third solving means, the first and second engaging portions of the multi-directional input device of the present invention are arranged such that the first and second engaging pieces of the first and second engaging pieces are caused by the sliding operation of the operating member. A relief portion formed of a concave portion or a hole is provided which allows movement and movement of the first and second locking pieces due to bending of the first and second elastic arms.

As a twenty-fourth solution, the fixed contact of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided so as to be exposed on the inner surface of the side wall.

As a twenty-fifth solving means, the elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a bent portion bent in a U-shape, and comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact in the vicinity of the bent portion. It was configured to have the contact portion.

As a twenty-sixth solution, a common contact is provided on the side wall of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
The movable member is made of a conductive metal material, is electrically connected to the movable contact, and is provided with a contact piece that contacts the common contact.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings of a first embodiment of a multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a multidirectional input device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing according to the first embodiment of the multi-directional input device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a movable contact according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a movable member according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a film according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a first view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
8 and 9 are operation explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

The structure of the first embodiment of the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. As shown in FIG. , A substantially square bottom wall portion 2 and a pair of first side wall portions standing upright so as to face the bottom wall portion 2 in the X1 and X2 directions (left and right directions in the drawing) which are the first directions. 3, an arrow Y1, which is a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,
It has a pair of second side walls 4 erected so as to face each other in the Y2 direction (vertical direction in the figure).
The second side wall sections 3 and 4 form a storage section 5 formed of a thin rectangular parallelepiped space.

The bottom wall 2 has a concave portion 2a formed in the center. The concave portion 2a has a substantially square shape, and its rounded corners are formed on the first and second side walls 3a. , 4. The first side wall portion 3 has a rectangular projection 3a formed to protrude outward. The projections 3a are arranged in a pair on one surface, and are opposed to each other with the bottom wall portion 2 interposed therebetween. ing. Outside the second side wall 4,
An overhang 4b formed in a hook shape and having a recess 4a is provided. The recess 4a and the overhang 4b are located outside the pair of second side walls 4 in point symmetry with respect to the center of the bottom wall 2. It is in a state to do. In addition, a notch 4 provided in the second side wall 4 has an upper portion (front side) of the recess 4 a.
Through c, it is in communication with the storage section 5. In addition, a step portion 4 which is one step lower is provided on the storage portion 5 side of the overhang portion 4b.
d is provided, and the bottom surface of the notch 4c is continuous with the step 4d.

The fixed contact 6 is made of a substantially L-shaped metal piece, and has a flat contact portion 6a and a terminal portion 6b formed by bending the contact portion 6a from the tip end into an L shape. . The four fixed contacts 6 are insert-molded and provided at substantially the centers of the first and second side walls 3 and 4, respectively, and one surface of the contact part 6a is provided with the first and second side walls 3, 4 And the terminal portion 6b is projected outward. The common contact 7 is made of a substantially T-shaped metal piece, and has an elongated rectangular contact portion 7a and a contact portion 7a.
And a terminal portion 7b projecting at right angles from the terminal portion 7b. In the common contact 7, the contact portion 7a is insert-molded on the overhang portion 4b and the second side wall portion 4 so that the contact portion 7a is exposed in the concave portion 4a, and the terminal portion 7b protrudes outward. It is in a state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operating member S includes an operating section 10 and a movable contact 20 on which the operating section 10 is formed.
The operation unit 10 is formed of a synthetic resin molded product, and has a flat disk-shaped base 11 and a quadrangular column 12 extending perpendicularly from the base 11. Movable contact 2
0 is a substantially swastika-shaped thin metal plate having conductivity,
A square base 21 having a hole 21a in the center, and a pair of first U-shaped members extending from corners of the base 21 to opposite sides of the hole 21a in the first and second directions indicated by arrows X1 and X2. The elastic arm 22 and the arrow Y1, which is the second direction,
A pair of U-shaped second elastic arms 23 are provided so as to extend in opposite directions to each other across the hole 21a in the Y2 direction. The upper and lower resins are connected by the hole 21a, and the movable contact 20 is firmly held by the operation unit 10.

The first elastic arm 22 is connected to a corner of the base 21 and bent in a U-shape to form a bent portion 22a; an arm 22b extending linearly from an end of the bent portion 22a; A support portion 22c formed in a semicircular shape at the tip end of the arm portion 22b, that is, at the free end side, extends in a direction perpendicular to the arm portion 22b near the support portion 22c, and the end portion is vertically folded forward. It has a bent first locking piece 22d and a contact portion 22e provided near the bent portion 22a. A pair of first members having such a configuration
The elastic arm 22 is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the base 21.

The second elastic arm 23 is connected to a corner of the base 21 and bent in a U-shape to form a bent portion 23a; an arm 23b extending linearly from an end of the bent portion 23a; A second locking piece 23c, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the arm 23b and whose end is vertically bent forward, is provided at the tip of the arm 23b, that is, at the free end, It has a contact portion 23e provided in the vicinity. A pair of second elastic arms 23 having such a configuration
Are point-symmetric with respect to the center of the base 21. In the hole 21a formed in the base 21 of the movable contact 20 having such a configuration, the vicinity of the connection portion between the base 11 and the column 12 of the operation unit 10 is molded, and the movable contact 20 and the operation unit 10 are formed. The operation member S is integrally formed.

The operating member S having such a configuration is housed in the housing section 5 of the housing 1 and is in a state where it is resiliently held in the X and Y directions. That is, the base 1 of the operation unit 10
1 is disposed in the recess 2 a of the bottom wall 2, and
Is slidable within the recess 2a.
The column 12 protrudes forward. Thus, by arranging the base 11 in the recess 2a, the overall thickness is reduced. In addition, the movable contact 20 is opposed to the bottom wall 2 in a state where the movable contact 20 is slightly separated from the bottom wall 2, and the first elastic arm 22 has almost no play in a movable member 30 described later. The support portion 22c abuts (resiliently contacts) the side surface of the first side wall portion 3, and the arm portion 22b is in a state parallel to the first side wall portion 3. Further, the second elastic arm 23 is provided with a movable member 3 described later.
0, the arm 23b is in parallel with the second side wall 4.

The movable member 30 is formed of a rectangular metal plate having conductivity, and has a rectangular long hole 31 serving as a guide portion formed at the center portion and a pair of diagonal lines formed on one diagonal line with the long hole 31 interposed therebetween. A first engaging portion 32 which is a rectangular hole formed and a second engaging portion 33 which is a pair of small rectangular holes formed on the other diagonal line. The first engagement portion 32 is provided in the first and second directions, that is, the directions of the arrows X1 and X2, and the arrows Y1 and Y
Arrows Y1 and Y2 extend in two directions.
It is formed of a rectangular hole whose length in the direction is about twice as long as the directions of the arrows X1 and X2, and the escape portion 35 is formed by the opening of the rectangular hole. On the other hand, the second engagement portion 33 has an arrow Y
1, formed by a small rectangular hole provided so as to extend in the Y2 direction, the opening of the small rectangular hole, the second escape portion 3
6 are constituted. Further, a hook-shaped contact piece 3 integrally formed is provided at an end of a lateral side edge of the movable member 30.
4 are arranged point-symmetrically. A guide wall 31a is provided on both side edges in the longitudinal direction of the long hole 31 in a state of being bent forward.

The movable member 30 having such a structure is used for the housing 1.
Is slidably held in the storage section 5. That is, the side edges in the short direction are placed on the step portions 4d provided on the pair of second side wall portions 4 and are held in contact with the inner wall surfaces of the second side wall portions 4, and are held in the short direction. Is smaller than the dimension of the step 4d provided on the second side wall 4, so that the movable member 30
Is slidable in the first direction, that is, in the directions of arrows X1 and X2, guided by the second side wall portion 4.

When the movable member 30 is held in the storage portion 5, the column portion 12 of the operation portion 10 penetrates the long hole 31 and moves in the second direction of the column portion 12, ie, the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. The extended side surface comes into surface contact with the guide wall 31a, and the operation unit 10 is guided by the long hole 31 and can move in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. Also, the support portions 22c of the pair of first elastic arms 22
In a state in which the first elastic portion abuts (elastically contacts) the first side wall portion 3 as described above, the pair of first elastic arms is provided on the inner edge portion of the first engaging portion 32 extending in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. The first locking piece 22d of 22 is locked with almost no backlash. In this state, the distance between the support portion 22c and the first locking piece 22d is constant, and even if the spring force of the pair of first elastic arms 22 is different, the movable member 30
Is located at a neutral position, that is, an intermediate portion in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2, and is slidable until it comes into contact with the first side wall 3 in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2.

Then, the movable member 30 is
Is slid in the direction of arrow X2, as shown in FIG. 8, one of the first elastic arms 22 in the sliding direction is turned on.
(Left side in the figure) is bent with the support portion 22c as a fulcrum, and the contact portion 22e provided near the bent portion 22a is the first contact portion 22e.
Abutting against the contact portion 6a of the fixed contact 6 buried in the side wall portion 3 and the sliding operation as it is, the bent portion 22a is further bent. At this time, the first locking piece 22d of the one first elastic arm 22
Moves in the first escape portion 35 which is an opening of the first engagement portion 32, so that the sliding movement of the movable member 30 is performed smoothly. Further, the other first elastic arm 22 (right side in the figure) slides with the movable member 30 in a state where the first locking piece 22d is locked by the first engagement portion 32, The arm 22b moves in a state parallel to the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. As described above, since the other first elastic arm 22 moves while being locked to the movable member 30, the bent portion 2
2a can be reduced, and the first elastic arm 22
Life can be extended.

Next, when the pressing force is released from the state in which the movable member 30 is slid, the first elastic arm 22 that has been bent returns to return to the contact portion 6a of the fixed contact 6 with the first elastic arm 22. And the contact portion 22e of the first elastic arm 22 is separated. When the guide wall 31a is pressed by the pillar portion 12 of the operating portion 10 with the return of one of the first elastic arms 22 and the movable member 30 attempts to return to the original position, the other first elastic arm 22 is returned. The support portion 22c of the arm 22 is the first
And the first locking piece 22d of one of the first elastic arms 22 is locked to the first engagement portion 32, so that the return of the movable member 30 is regulated, and As described above, the movable member 30 does not return but returns to the neutral position in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2. Further, when the movable member 30 moves to return to the neutral position, the column 12 also moves in conjunction with it, and arrows X1 and X2 are provided between the column 12 and the elongated hole 31.
Since there is no play in the direction, the operation unit 10 returns to the neutral position in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2, and as a result, the operation member S returns to the neutral position. When the movable member 30 is moving in the direction of the arrow X2, the contact piece 34 slides on the contact portion 7a of the common contact 7 and maintains a state of constant contact. In addition, in the sliding operation in the X1 direction,
Since the operation is performed according to the same principle as the operation in the X2 direction, the description is omitted here.

Arrows Y1 and Y2 of the second engagement portion 33
The inner edge of the pair of second elastic arms 23
Are locked, and the pair of second elastic arms 23 slightly repel each other in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. Since the pair of second elastic arms 23 have the same shape so that the spring force is equal, the operation unit 10 is located at a neutral position in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. As a result, the operation member S is located at the neutral position in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. Furthermore, since the operating member S is guided by the long hole 31 serving as the guide portion so as to be movable in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2, the operating member S moves in the short direction of the long hole 31 when moved in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. Is slidable until it comes into contact with the inner edge of the.

When the operation member S is pressed in the direction of the arrow Y2 and slides, as shown in FIG. 9, one of the second elastic arms 23 (the lower part in the figure) in the slide direction is bent and the bending portion is bent. When the contact portion 23e located in the vicinity of the contact portion 23a comes into contact with the contact portion 6a of the fixed contact 6 embedded in the second side wall portion 4 and further slides, the second elastic arm 23 is bent. . At this time, the second locking piece 23c of the one second elastic arm 23 moves in the first escape portion 35 which is the opening of the second engagement portion 33, so that the operation member S slides. Is performed smoothly. Also, the other second elastic arm (upper in the figure)
The operation member S is released from the bent state by the sliding operation, and then the second locking piece 23 is moved in the sliding direction.
c is a second escape portion 36 which is an opening of the second engagement portion 33.
Move in. During the sliding operation in the Y2 direction, the contact piece 34 of the movable member 30 is
Is stationary on the contact portion 7a of FIG.

Next, when the pressing force is released from the state in which the operating member S has been slid, the one bent second elastic arm 23 returns to the contact portion 6 of the fixed contact 6.
a is separated from the contact portion 23e of the second elastic arm 23. Then, with the return of one of the first elastic arms 22, the operation member S attempts to return in the opposite direction (the direction of the arrow Y <b> 1) with the column portion 12 being guided by the long hole 31.
Then, the second locking pieces 2 of the pair of second elastic arms 23
The operation member S is returned to the neutral position by the 3c being locked to the second engagement portion 33 and acting in a direction away from each other (direction of repulsion). The arrow Y of the operation member S
At the time of the operation in the directions Y and Y2, the first locking pieces 22d of the pair of first elastic arms 22 move inside the first escape portion 35 by arrows Y1 and Y2.
By moving in the Y2 direction, the arrow Y of the operation member S
1. The movement in the Y2 direction is performed smoothly. Note that the sliding operation in the Y1 direction is performed according to the same principle as the operation in the Y2 direction, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

The film 37 is made of a flexible insulating film. As shown in FIG. 6, a substantially square ring-shaped base 38 and a square hole 38a formed in the center of the base 38 are formed. And a pair of projecting pieces 39 projecting outward from a pair of outer edges (upper and lower sides in the figure) of the base 38. Such a film 37 is placed on the front surface of the movable member 30 and held in the storage section 5. At this time, the pillar portion 12 of the operation portion 10 penetrates the hole 38a, and the protruding piece portion 39 is positioned at the notch portion 4c of the second side wall portion 4 so as to cover the contact piece 34 from the front. It protrudes into the recess 4a. The film 37 held in this manner is disposed between the film 37 and a cover 40 described later, and functions to smooth the sliding operation of the movable member 30.

The cover 40 is made of a metal flat plate, and as shown in FIG. 7, a square base 41, a substantially square hole 42 formed in the center of the base 41, and a pair of bases 41. An L-shaped mounting leg 43 is provided to extend rearward from an outer edge portion (left and right sides in the drawing). A rectangular snap hole 43a is formed in a wall portion of the mounting leg 43 extending in the front-rear direction. Is provided. Such a mounting leg 43 is one of the bases 41.
A pair is arranged on the side, and each is opposed to each other with the hole 42 interposed therebetween.

The cover 40 having such a configuration is similar to that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting is performed from the front side so as to cover the front of the housing 1 with the base 41, the mounting legs 43 opposed to each other sandwich the first side wall 3, and the projection 3a and the snap hole 43a are snap-connected. Thus, the mounting leg 43 is fixed. Thus, the cover 40 is fixed to the housing 1 and the movable member 30
Is also prevented. When the cover 40 is fixed to the housing 1, the hole 42 faces the concave portion 2 a formed in the bottom wall portion 2, and the column portion 12 of the operation unit 10 projects into the hole 42, and as a result, the operation member S , The hole 42 can be freely moved in multiple directions.

The first embodiment according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the member S is pressed and slid in the direction of the arrow X2, the first elastic arm 22 on the side of the arrow X2 is
2c is a fulcrum, and a contact portion 22e located near the bent portion 22a and near the boundary with the arm portion 22b is indicated by an arrow X.
It contacts the fixed contact 6 located on the two directions. Further, the pair of contact pieces 34 always slide on the contact portion 7 a of the common contact 7.

The movable contact 20 is electrically connected to the movable member 30 by locking any of the first and second locking pieces 22d and 23c with the first and second engaging portions 32 and 33. Since the contact piece 34 is always in contact with the common contact 7, when the bent portion 22 a of the first elastic arm 22 comes into contact with the fixed contact 6, the contacted fixed contact 6 and the pair of common contacts 7 are contacted. Are brought into conduction through the movable contact 20 and the movable member 30. When the operation member S slides in the direction of the arrow X1, the fixed contact 6 and the pair of common contacts 7 in the direction of the arrow X1 also become conductive (ON).

When the pressing force on the operation member S is released, the first elastic arm 22 in the direction of the arrow X2 returns, and the contact portion 22e and the fixed contact 6 are separated and turned off. The operation member S returns to the neutral position together with the movable member 30.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, when the operating member S slides in the direction of the arrow Y2, the boundary between the operating member S and the arm 23b near the bent portion 23a of the second elastic arm 23 on the side of the arrow Y2. As a contact portion 23e located in the vicinity, it comes into contact with the fixed contact 6 located on the arrow Y2 direction side to bend with the contact point as a fulcrum. At this time, the first locking piece 22d of the first elastic arm 22 is
2 and the pair of contact pieces 34 do not move, so that they are always in contact with the contact portion 7 a of the common contact 7. When the contact portion 23e located near the bent portion 23a comes into contact with the fixed contact 6 in this way, the fixed contact 6 and the pair of common contacts 7 contact the movable contact 20.
And the conductive state (ON) via the movable member 30. When the operation member S slides in the direction of the arrow Y1, the fixed contact 6 and the pair of common contacts 7 on the direction of the arrow Y1 also become conductive.

When the pressing force on the operating member S is released, the second elastic arm 23 in the direction of the arrow Y2 returns, and the contact portion 23e and the fixed contact 6 are separated and turned off. , The operating member S returns to the neutral position.

When the operation member S slides in the direction of 45.degree., Which is halfway between the directions of X and arrows Y1 and Y2, the bent portions 22a of the first and second elastic arms 22 and 23,
23a is in contact with two adjacent fixed contacts 6, and one of the locking pieces 22c of the first elastic arm 22 is always locked to the first engagement portion 32. Contact 6
And the common contact 7 are conducted.

Next, a description will be given of a drawing of a second embodiment according to the multidirectional input of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a plan view of a housing according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a movable contact according to a second embodiment, FIG. 14 is a plan view of a first movable member according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. It is a top view of the 2nd movable member concerning a 2nd embodiment of an input device.

The second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the sliding operation of the operating member S is performed by one movable member 30 in the first direction indicated by an arrow X.
In addition to guiding in the X1 and X2 directions, the support portion 22c contacts the first side wall 3 in the X1 and X2 directions.
1, the first movable member 45 and the second movable member 50 are in the first direction as compared with the fact that there is no support portion in contact with the second side wall portion 4 in the Y2 direction. Arrow X
1, X2 direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
In addition to guiding the operation member S in both directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2, the first and second side walls 3 and 4 and the support portions 22c and 23d are in contact with each other in the directions X1 and X2 and Y1 and Y2. I try to touch.

In the configuration of the multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be described using the same numbers and names. Except for the overhang portion 4b and the like, the configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. 12, the first and second side wall portions 3 and 4 include a contact portion 8a and a terminal portion 8b. The L-shaped common contact 8 is directly attached by insert molding, so that the contact portion 8a is exposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second side walls 3, 4, and the terminal portion 8b protrudes outward. ing. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted here. The operation member S is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG.
The first locking piece 22d is bent perpendicularly to the rear side, and the second elastic arm 23 has a support portion 23 at the free end side.
d. In the neutral state of the operation member S, the support portions 22c and 23d of the first and second elastic arms 22 and 23 are always in contact with the exposed contact portion 8a of the common contact 8. Other configurations are first
Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and the description is omitted here.

The first movable member 45 is made of metal,
As shown in FIG. 14, a long hole 46 serving as a first escape means which is formed of a rectangular flat plate and extends in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 in the center portion, and a pair of rectangular holes formed so as to sandwich the long hole 46 is provided. And a certain first engaging portion 47. Such a first movable member 45 is disposed on the rear side of the movable contact 20, that is, placed on the bottom wall 2, and the first locking piece 22 d bent to the rear side of the first elastic arm 22. Are in a state where they can be locked to the first engagement portion 47. Operation unit 1
The zero pillar portion 12 also penetrates the long hole 46 in a state of being in surface contact with the inner edge of the long hole 46 extending in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2.

In this state, the first movable member 45 is
Is slidably held. That is, the lateral edges in the short direction are guided by the pair of second side wall portions 4, and the arrows X1, X2
It is possible to slide in the direction. Then, the first movable member 4
When 5 slides in the direction of arrow X1 or X2,
One of the first elastic arms 22 is bent with the support portion 22c in contact with the common contact 8 as a fulcrum. At this time, the opening of one of the first engagement portions 47 is
The function as the first escape portion 48 that allows the movement of d is the same as in the first embodiment. When the pressing force of the sliding operation is released, the first movable member 45 returns to the neutral position by the return force of the one first elastic arm 22. The detailed description of the operation is the same as the sliding operation of the movable member 30 in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2 in the first embodiment, and thus the detailed description is omitted here.

The second movable member 50 is made of metal,
As shown in FIG. 15, the first movable member 45 has the same form as that of the first movable member 45, and has a long hole 51 as a second escape means extending in the directions of arrows X1 and X2 at the center. And a second engaging portion 52 which is a pair of rectangular holes formed so as to sandwich the same. Such a second movable member 50 is disposed so as to sandwich the movable contact 20 with the first movable member 45, that is, is disposed in front of the movable contact 20, and is bent toward the front of the second elastic arm 23. The second locking piece 23c is in a state where it can be locked to the second engaging portion 52. The column portion 12 of the operation section 10 also penetrates the elongated hole 51 in a state of being in surface contact with the inner edge of the elongated hole 51 extending in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2.

In this state, the second movable member 50 is
Is slidably held. In other words, the lateral edges in the short direction are placed on the steps of the pair of first side walls 3 and guided by the inner wall surfaces of the first side walls 3 so as to be slidable in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. . Then, when the second movable member 50 slides in the direction of the arrow Y1 or Y2, one of the second elastic arms 23 is bent with the support portion 23d in contact with the common contact 8 as a fulcrum. At this time, the opening of the one second engaging portion 52 functions as the second escape portion 53 that allows the movement of the second locking piece 23c, similarly to the first movable member 45. When the pressing force of the sliding operation is released, the second movable member 50 returns to the neutral position by the return force of the one second elastic arm 23. That is, the support portion 23d provided on the second elastic arm 23 on the side opposite to the sliding direction comes into contact with the common contact 8 provided on the second side wall portion 4, and the operation member S is returning to the neutral position. In the second movable member 50
Is restricted by the second locking piece 23c of the second elastic arm 23 on the slide direction side, so that the operation member S is reliably positioned at the neutral position in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. Return.

The first movable member 45 has arrows X1, X
When moving in two directions, the operation unit 10 of the operation member S
The second movable member 50 moves within the elongated hole 51 serving as a second escape means, and the second locking piece 2 of the second elastic arm 23.
3c moves the second escape portion of the second movable member 50 in the arrow Z direction in 53, so that the first movable member 45 is smoothly moved. On the other hand, when the second movable member 50 moves in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2, the operation unit 10 moves in the long hole 46 as the first escape means of the first movable member 45, and the first elastic member is moved. First locking piece 2 of arm 22
2d moves in the first escape portion 48 of the first movable member 45 in the arrow Z direction, so that the second movable member 50 moves smoothly.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Here, the description is omitted.

The second embodiment of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention has the above-described configuration. Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Alternatively, when sliding in the X2 direction, the contact portion 22e located near the bent portion 22a of the first elastic arm 22 comes into contact with the fixed contact 6 arranged on the sliding direction side, and Since the support portion 22c of the one elastic arm 22 is in contact with the common contact 8, the fixed contact 6 and the common contact 8 are conducted through the arm portion 22b. Similarly, in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, the contact portion 23e located near the bent portion 23a of the second elastic arm 23 comes into contact with the fixed contact 6, and the support portion 23d comes into contact with the common contact 8. Thus, the fixed contact 6 and the common contact 8 are conducted through the arm 23b.

When the operation member S slides in the direction of 45 °, which is halfway between the directions of X and arrows Y1 and Y2, the bent portions 22a of the first and second elastic arms 22 and 23,
Contact portions 22e and 23e located near 23a come in contact with two adjacent fixed contacts 6 and support portions 22c and 23
Since d and the common contact 8 are in contact with each other, the two fixed contacts 6 and the two common contacts 8 are electrically connected.

First and second embodiments of the multidirectional input device of the present invention
The embodiment of the present invention operates and operates as described above, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement.
In the second embodiment, the first and second locking pieces 22 are set in advance.
d, 23c to the first and second engaging portions 32, 33, 47, 5
When the movable member 30, 45, 50 and the operation member are integrated and stored, the elastic arm is further bent and stored, so that the first and second support portions 22 c and 23 c are stored. Abuts (elastically contacts) the side wall portions 3 and 4, and the first and second locking pieces 22d and 23c are connected to the first and second engagement portions 32,
33, 47, and 52 are locked with little play, but as a modified example, the elastic member is hardly bent and the operating member S and the movable members 30, 4
The unit in which the units 5 and 50 are integrated may be stored in the storage unit 5. At this time, the support portions 22c and 23c come close to the first and second side wall portions 3 and 4, ie, oppose each other with a slight gap (gap). According to this modification, the arm does not need to be bent at the time of assembling, so that the assembling property is improved. Further, the neutral position can be determined irrespective of the value of the spring pressure on both sides of the first elastic arm 22.

In the first embodiment, the guide portion is constituted by the elongated holes 31. In the second embodiment, the first and second escape means are constituted by the elongated holes 46 and 51. May be constituted by a long groove that is open, that is, a concave portion. Further, guide grooves are provided in the side wall portions 3 and 4 so that the movable members 30, 45,
50 is guided in the horizontal direction to more reliably operate the operating member S.
May slide horizontally. Also, the first engagement portions 32 and 47 and the second engagement portions 33 and 52 have been described as being rectangular holes, but need not necessarily be holes, and may be formed as concave portions that are open at one end and cut out. May be.
In addition, the first and second elastic arms 22 and 23 have been described as having a pair, but may be composed of a plurality of two or more.

In the first embodiment, the conduction between the first elastic arm 22, the fixed contact 6, and the common contact 7 is performed via the movable member 30, but the second embodiment is not limited to this. And eliminate the contact piece, and connect the common contact 7 to the first
The fixed contact 6 and the common contact 7 may be electrically connected via the arm portions 22b and 23b so that the fixed contact 6 and the support portion 22c can be brought into contact with and separated from each other.

In the second embodiment, the first,
Since the second elastic arms 22 and 23 are brought into contact with the common contact 8 and the fixed contact 6 and the common contact 8 are conducted through the arms 22b and 23b, the first and second movable members 45 are provided. , 50 may be made of an insulator because they do not require conductivity. Further, instead of conduction through the arms 22b and 23b, the fixed contact 6 and the common contact 7 are conducted through the first and second movable members 45 and 50 as in the first embodiment. You may do it. At this time, the first and second movable members 45 and 50 are made of metal, and a contact piece is provided so as to always contact the common contact. Further, in the present embodiment, the entire movable member 30 is housed in the housing 2, but this is not always necessary, and a part of the movable member 30 may be housed.

[0078]

The operation member of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention includes:
By the sliding operation of the operation part of the operation member in multiple directions,
Since the first elastic arm is elastically deformed, the contact portion comes into contact with the fixed contact, and the operating portion is returned to the neutral position by the first elastic arm when the sliding operation is released. Can be integrated, and the operating member can be returned to the neutral position by the movable member. Therefore, it is possible to provide a multidirectional input device with a small number of parts, low cost, and good assemblability. .

Further, the movable member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention guides the sliding operation of the operating member, and the contact portion contacts and separates from the fixed contact by the sliding operation of the operating member guided by the movable member. Because the movable member serves as a guide for the sliding operation of the operating member, the operating member can be moved in the guide direction of the movable member,
A highly reliable multidirectional input device with good operability can be provided.

Further, in the multidirectional input device of the present invention, the operation section is returned to the neutral position by the first elastic arm in the first direction, and the operation section is returned to the neutral position by the second elastic arm in the second direction. Since the operation unit can be returned to the neutral position in the first and second directions, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device that operates reliably and has good operability.

The operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is guided so as to be horizontally slidable by the movable member being guided by the side wall in the first direction, and movable in the second direction. Since the guide member is formed so as to be slidable horizontally by a guide portion formed on the member, the operating member is reliably slid in the first and second directions, so that the operability is high and the reliability is high. A direction input device can be provided. Further, a guide in the first and second directions can be provided with a simple configuration.

Further, the guide portion of the movable member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is constituted by a long hole extending in the second direction, and the operation portion is inserted through the long hole, and the movable member is moved in the first direction. Since the movement is performed together with the operation member, the guide portion can be configured by a simple means of forming a long hole in the movable member, so that a multi-directional input device with a small number of parts, low cost, and good mass productivity is provided. can do.

Further, the first elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a first engaging piece engageable with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member, and the operating member is When in the neutral position, the support portion provided on the first elastic arm abuts against the side wall portion and the movement of the movable member is regulated by the first locking piece, so that the movable member moves in the first direction. As a result, the operation member can be reliably returned to the neutral position, and the multi-directional input device with good operability and reliability can be provided.

Further, the first elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a first engaging piece that engages with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member, and the operating member is neutral. When in the position, the first locking piece is engaged with the first engagement portion, and the support portion provided on the first elastic arm is in a state close to the side wall portion, and the operating member is operated by the support portion. The movable member surely returns to the neutral position in the first direction and the operating member also reliably returns to the neutral position, so that the multi-directional input device with good operability and reliability is provided. Can be provided.

The first locking piece of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is formed on the free end side of the first elastic arm.
The first elastic arm has a sufficient spring property because the first elastic arm has a structure in which the first engaging arm is engaged with the first engaging portion and the supporting portion is provided near the first engaging portion. Therefore, a multi-directional input device with good operability can be provided.

Further, the second elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a second locking piece on the free end side, and the second locking piece is a second locking piece formed on the movable member. The second elastic arm can be easily attached to the movable member and the spring characteristic of the second elastic arm can be sufficiently provided, so that mass production and operation can be achieved. It is possible to provide a multidirectional input device having good characteristics.

Further, the first and second engaging portions of the multidirectional input device of the present invention are used to move the first and second locking pieces in accordance with the sliding operation of the operating member and to control the first and second engaging portions. Since the relief member is formed of a recess or a hole that allows the movement of the first and second locking pieces due to the bending of the elastic arm, the operation member can be moved smoothly, so that the operability is improved. A direction input device can be provided.

Further, the movable member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention holds the first elastic arm in a bent state, and the operating member has the housing portion of the housing with the support portion close to the side wall portion. The first elastic arm is held in a state of being bent by the movable member, so that a large return force works even when the movable member is slightly slid from the neutral position. The movable member and the operating member can be returned to the neutral position. Further, at the time of assembling into the housing, since the first elastic arm has been bent in advance, it is not necessary to largely bend, so that the assembling can be simplified. Also,
When the operation member and the movable member are assembled, the first elastic arm does not need to be further bent, so that the incorporation is good and the mass productivity is good. Further, the neutral position is determined by the component size without being affected by the balance of the spring force, so that the operating member can be more reliably returned to the neutral position.

Further, when the operation member is stored in the storage portion of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, the first elastic arm is bent so that the support portion comes into contact with the side wall portion. With this configuration, since the support portion abuts on the side wall portion at the neutral position, the operation member can be held without play. Further, the neutral position is determined by the component size without being affected by the balance of the spring force, so that the operating member can be more reliably returned to the neutral position.

The operation member of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is guided by the first movable member in the sliding operation in the first direction, and is guided by the second movable member in the sliding operation in the second direction. Since the first and second movable members guide the sliding operation of the operating member in the first and second directions, the operation member is guided by the first and second members. It is possible to provide a highly reliable multidirectional input device that can be moved in any direction.

The operation member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is guided so as to be horizontally slidable in the first direction by the first movable member being guided by the side wall portion.
In the second direction, the second movable member is guided by the side wall so as to be horizontally slidably guided, so that the operation member can be reliably moved in the first and second directions with a simple configuration. And a highly reliable multidirectional input device can be provided.

In the multidirectional input device according to the present invention, when the operation member slides in the first direction, the operation member moves in the second escape means, and the operation member moves in the second direction. Since the operation member is configured to move within the first escape means during movement, the operation member can be smoothly moved in the first and second directions, so that a multi-directional input device with good operability is provided. can do.

Further, the first escape means of the multidirectional input device of the present invention comprises a first elongated hole extending in the second direction.
The second escape means is constituted by a second elongated hole extending in the first direction, the operation portion is inserted through the first and second elongated holes, and the first movable member moves in the first direction. The second movable member is configured to perform the movement in the second direction together with the operation member, so that the escape means can be easily configured. Therefore, the number of parts is small, the cost is low, and the mass productivity is good. It is possible to provide a simple multidirectional input device.

Further, each of the pair of first and second elastic arms of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided with a support portion, and this support portion can be brought into contact with the side wall portion so that the operating member is in the neutral position. The first,
The operation member can be reliably returned to the neutral position in the second direction.

When the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is at the neutral position, the support provided on the first elastic arm abuts on the side wall and the first elastic arm contacts the first elastic arm.
Since the movement of the movable member is regulated by the locking piece, the first movable member reliably returns to the neutral position in the first direction, and the operation member also reliably returns to the neutral position. It is possible to provide a multi-directional input device with good performance and reliability.

When the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is at the neutral position, the support provided on the second elastic arm abuts on the side wall and the movable member is moved by the second locking piece. And the second movable member surely returns to the neutral position in the second direction.
Since the operating member also returns to the neutral position without fail, a multi-directional input device with good operability and reliability can be provided.

When the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is at the neutral position, the first engaging piece engages with the first engaging portion, and the support provided on the first elastic arm. Since the portion is in a state of being close to the side wall portion and the movement of the operating member is regulated by the support portion, the first movable member is reliably returned to the neutral position in the first direction, and the operating member is also neutralized. Since the position is reliably returned to the position, a multidirectional input device with good operability and reliability can be provided.

When the operating member of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is at the neutral position, the second engaging piece engages with the second engaging portion, and the support provided on the second elastic arm. The portion is in the state of being close to the side wall portion, and the movement of the operating member is restricted by the support portion, so that the second movable member surely returns to the neutral position in the second direction, and the operating member is also neutral. Since the position is reliably returned to the position, a multi-directional input device with good operability and reliability can be provided.

Further, the first and second locking pieces of the multidirectional input device of the present invention are formed on the free ends of the first and second elastic arms, and the first and second locking pieces are provided. The first and second engaging portions are engaged with each other, and the supporting portions are provided near the first and second locking pieces. Therefore, a sufficient spring is provided for the first and second elastic arms. Therefore, a multi-directional input device with good operability can be provided.

Further, the first and second engaging portions of the multidirectional input device of the present invention are provided for moving the first and second locking pieces in accordance with the sliding operation of the operating member, and for moving the first and second engaging pieces. The first and second locking pieces are allowed to move due to bending of the elastic arm.
Since the movement of the operation member becomes smooth, a multidirectional input device with good operability can be provided.

Further, since the fixed contact of the multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided so as to be exposed on the inner surface of the side wall portion, the fixed contact does not protrude into the storage portion, so that the operation of the movable member can be reduced. It is possible to provide an inexpensive multidirectional input device which can be freely configured, has a simple configuration, and is inexpensive.

Further, the elastic arm of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has a bent portion bent in a U-shape and a contact portion which comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact in the vicinity of the bent portion. With such a configuration, contact between the elastic arm and the fixed contact can be realized.

Further, a common contact is provided on the side wall of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and the movable member is made of a conductive metal material, and is electrically connected to the movable contact. Since the movable member has a function of conducting the common contact and the movable contact, the multi-directional input device can be provided with a reduced number of parts and an inexpensive multidirectional input device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a multidirectional input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a housing according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a movable contact according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a movable member according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a film according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cover according to the first embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a housing according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a movable contact according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a first movable member according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a second movable member according to a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Bottom wall part 3 1st side wall part 4 2nd side wall part 5 accommodation part 6 Fixed contact 7 Common contact 8 Common contact 10 Operation part 11 Base 12 Column part 20 Movable contact 21 Base 22 First elastic arm 22a bent portion 22b arm portion 22c support portion 22d first locking portion 22e contact portion 23 second elastic arm 23a bent portion 23b arm portion 23c second locking piece 23d support portion 23e contact portion 30 movable member 31 long hole (Guide part) 32 First engagement part 33 Second engagement part 34 Contact piece 35 First relief part 36 Second relief part 37 Film 38 Base 39 Projection piece 40 Cover 41 Base 42 Hole 43 Mounting leg 45 first movable member 46 long hole (escape means) 47 first engagement part 48 first escape part 50 second movable member 51 long hole (escape means) 52 second engagement part 53 2 of the relief portion S operation member

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a storage portion surrounded by a side wall portion, a fixed contact arranged in the storage portion, and an operation member slidably held in the storage portion of the housing. A movable contact having at least a pair of first elastic arms extending in opposite directions, the support having a contact portion capable of contacting the side wall portion, and a contact portion capable of contacting and separating with the fixed contact; A slidable operating portion for moving a movable contact, wherein the operation member slides in multiple directions, whereby the first elastic arm is elastically deformed, and the contact portion becomes the fixed contact. And the operation unit is returned to the neutral position by the first elastic arm when the slide operation is released. 2. A housing in which a movable member is housed so as to be slidable, and the movable contact is located on opposite sides of the operation section in a direction orthogonal to the first elastic arm. A plurality of second elastic arms extending, the movable member guides a sliding operation of the operating member, and the contact portion is connected to the fixed contact by a sliding operation of the operating member guided by the movable member. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device and the multi-directional input device are separated from each other. 3. The first elastic arm is arranged in a pair on opposite sides of the operation unit in a first direction, and the second elastic arm is arranged in a first direction orthogonal to the first direction. 2, the operation unit is returned to the neutral position by the first elastic arm in the first direction, and the operation unit is returned to the neutral position by the second elastic arm in the second direction. The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, wherein the multi-directional input device is returned. 4. The operating member is guided by the movable member in the first direction so as to be horizontally slidable by being guided by the side wall portion, and is moved by the movable member in the second direction. 4. The multi-directional input device according to claim 3, wherein the guide unit is slidably guided horizontally by the formed guide unit. 5. The guide section of the movable member is provided in the second
4. The movable member is configured by inserting the operating portion into the elongated hole, and moving the movable member in the first direction is performed together with the operating member.
Or the multidirectional input device according to 4. 6. The first elastic arm has a first locking piece engageable with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member, and when the operation member is at a neutral position. The support portion provided on the first elastic arm abuts on the side wall portion, and the movement of the movable member is regulated by the first locking piece. A multidirectional input device according to claim 1. 7. The first elastic arm has a first engagement piece that engages with a first engagement portion formed on the movable member, and when the operation member is at a neutral position, The first locking piece is engaged with the first engagement portion, and the support portion provided on the first elastic arm is brought into a state close to the side wall portion, and the support portion provides the support portion. The multidirectional input device according to claim 4, wherein the movement of the operation member is regulated. 8. The first locking piece is formed on a free end side of the first elastic arm, and the first locking piece is engageable with the first engagement portion. The said support part is provided in the vicinity of the 1st locking piece, The claim 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.
Or the multidirectional input device according to 7. 9. The second elastic arm has a second end at a free end side.
9. The locking piece according to claim 2, wherein the second locking piece is locked to a second engaging portion formed on the movable member. Multi-directional input device. 10. The first and second engaging portions move the first and second locking pieces in accordance with a sliding operation of the operating member, and flex the first and second elastic arms. 10. The multi-directional input device according to claim 9, further comprising a relief portion formed of a concave portion or a hole that allows the first and second locking pieces to move due to the movement. 11. A movable member through which the operating member is inserted and which moves together with the operating member is provided. A pair of the first elastic arms are disposed on opposite sides of the operating portion with respect to each other. The first elastic arm is held in a bent state, and the operation member is housed in the housing section of the housing with the support section being close to the side wall section. 2. The multidirectional input device according to 1. 12. A movable member through which the operating member is inserted and which moves together with the operating member, wherein the movable member is the first member.
And a pair of the first elastic arms are disposed on opposite sides of the operation unit with respect to each other, and when the operation member is stored in the storage unit, the first elastic arm is The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is bent so that the support portion abuts on the side wall portion. 13. A first movable member slidable in said housing in a first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and slidable in said second direction. And a second movable member extending in the first direction. The operation member is guided by the first movable member in the sliding operation in the first direction, and is moved in the second direction. 2. The slide operation is guided by the second movable member.
A multidirectional input device according to claim 1. 14. The operating member is guided in the first direction so as to be horizontally slidable by the first movable member being guided by the side wall, and the operating member is guided in the second direction. 14. The multidirectional input device according to claim 13, wherein the second movable member is guided by the side wall so as to be slidable horizontally. 15. A first escape means extending in the second direction is formed in the first movable member, and a second escape means extending in the first direction is provided in the second movable member. Means are formed, and when the operating member slides in the first direction, the operating member moves within the second escape means, and when the operating member moves in the second direction, The multi-directional input device according to claim 13, wherein the operating member moves within the first escape unit. 16. The first escape means of the first movable member comprises a first elongated hole extending in the second direction, and the second escape means of the second movable member comprises A second elongated hole extending in a first direction, wherein the operating portion is inserted through the first and second elongated holes,
The movable member according to claim 15, wherein the movable member performs the movement in the first direction together with the operating member, and the second movable member performs the movement in the second direction together with the operating member. Direction input device. 17. The movable contact includes at least a pair of the first elastic arms extending to opposite sides of the operation unit in the first direction with the operation unit interposed therebetween, and the movable contact sandwiches the operation unit in the second direction. It has at least a pair of second elastic arms that extend to opposite sides and have a support part and a contact part, and the support part is provided on each of the pair of first and second elastic arms. The multi-directional input device according to claim 13, wherein the operation member is returned to a neutral position so that a support portion can contact the side wall portion. 18. The first elastic arm has a first engagement piece engageable with a first engagement portion formed on the movable member, and when the operation member is at a neutral position. 18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said support portion provided on said first elastic arm abuts on said side wall portion and restricts movement of said movable member by said first locking piece. The multidirectional input device according to any one of the above. 19. The second elastic arm has a second engagement piece engageable with a second engagement portion formed on the movable member, and when the operation member is at a neutral position. 19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the support portion provided on the second elastic arm abuts on the side wall portion, and the movement of the movable member is regulated by the second locking piece.
A multidirectional input device according to claim 1. 20. The first elastic arm has a first engaging piece that engages with a first engaging portion formed on the movable member, and when the operating member is in a neutral position, The first locking piece is engaged with the first engagement portion, and the support portion provided on the first elastic arm is brought into a state close to the side wall portion, and the support portion provides the support portion. 18. The multi-directional input device according to claim 13, wherein movement of the operation member is regulated. 21. The second elastic arm has a second engaging piece that engages with a second engaging portion formed on the movable member, and when the operating member is at a neutral position, The second locking piece is engaged with the second engaging portion, and the supporting portion provided on the second elastic arm is in a state close to the side wall portion, and the supporting portion is configured to 21. The multidirectional input device according to claim 17, wherein movement of the operation member is regulated. 22. The first and second locking pieces are the first and second locking pieces.
A first elastic arm formed on a free end side of the second elastic arm;
20. The locking piece according to claim 19, wherein said supporting piece is provided in the vicinity of said first and second locking pieces. 22. The multi-directional input device according to any one of to 21. 23. The first and second engaging portions move the first and second locking pieces in accordance with a sliding operation of the operating member, and flex the first and second elastic arms. 20. An escape portion comprising a concave portion or a hole which allows the first and second locking pieces to move due to the movement of the first and second locking pieces.
Or the multidirectional input device according to 21 or 22. 24. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein said fixed contact is provided so as to be exposed on an inner surface of said side wall portion. 25. The elastic arm according to claim 1, wherein the elastic arm has a bent portion bent in a U-shape, and the contact portion which comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact near the bent portion. 25. The multidirectional input device according to any one of 24. 26. A common contact is provided on the side wall portion, and the movable member is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the movable contact, and is provided with a contact piece that contacts the common contact. 26. The method according to claim 2, wherein:
A multidirectional input device according to any one of the above.