JP2003045290A - Multi-direction input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-direction input device which can surely prevent a wrong operation of a central switch, by regulating an excessive swinging movement of a key-top fitted at a foot part. SOLUTION: The multi-direction input device is provided with a key-top 9, an insulated board 1 with a plurality of peripheral fixed contact points formed, an elastic sheet with a plurality of peripheral movable contact points formed, and a plurality of peripheral switches composed of peripheral fixed contact points and peripheral movable contact points. At about a center part of the periphery between the insulated board 1 and the key-top 9, a central switch S3 is formed operated by pressing of the key-top, and at the elastic sheet 7, a penetrating part 7f is formed between the peripheral movable contact points 8, and at same time, a leg part 9c to be inserted into the penetrating part 7f is formed at the key-top 9. It is so structured that the peripheral switches are operated at time of swinging movement of the key-top 9, and the leg part 9c comes in contact with the insulated board 1 to regulate the swinging of the key-top 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is preferably used for an input device of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, and outputs an electric signal by the rocking motion of the key top, and also presses the key top to generate another electric signal. The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device that outputs a signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A drawing of a conventional multi-directional input device will be described. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional multi-directional input device.
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of the conventional multidirectional input device.

A conventional multi-directional input device will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. The insulating substrate 51 has a thin plate shape.
A central fixed contact 52 is formed on the upper surface, and four peripheral fixed contacts 53 are formed in a cross shape on a concentric circle centered on the central fixed contact 52.

The elastic sheet 54 is made of rubber having elasticity, and has a thin plate-like base portion 54a, a central convex portion 54b integrally protruding with the base portion 54a, and the central convex portion 54.
It has four peripheral protrusions 54c which are arranged in a cross shape on a concentric circle centered on b and project upward. A central movable contact 55 is formed on the lower surface of the central convex portion 54b, and a peripheral movable contact 56 is formed on the lower surface of the peripheral convex portion 54c.

Such an elastic sheet 54 is used as the insulating substrate 5.
1 mounted on the center fixed contact 52 and movable center contact 55
The central switch S1 is composed of the
3 and the peripheral movable contact 56 constitute a peripheral switch S2.

The key top 57 is a substantially cylindrical operation portion 57.
a, a flange portion 57b formed to extend radially from the lower edge portion of the operating portion 57a, and a tubular portion 57c formed to extend downward from the center of the operating portion 57a. Such a key top 57 is arranged on the elastic sheet 54,
The tubular portion 57c is held by being inserted into the central convex portion 54b, and the flange portion 57b is retained by the peripheral convex portion 54c.
And a predetermined gap G (not shown) is maintained to face each other.

The housing 58 is made of a synthetic resin molded product, and has an upper wall portion 58a, a side wall portion 58b, and the upper wall portion 5.
A storage part 58 formed by being surrounded by 8a and a side wall part 58b.
c and a circular opening 58d formed in the upper wall 58a. Such a housing 58 is an insulating substrate 51.
The elastic sheet 54 and a part of the key top 57 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 58c by being attached by means such as caulking.
The operation portion 57a of the key top 57 is exposed from the opening 58d and is projected upward.

Next, the operation of the conventional multi-directional input device will be described. When the key top 57 is swung, the central convex portion 54b is elastically deformed and the peripheral convex portion 54c is pressed by the flange portion 57b. Buckling, the peripheral movable contact 56 and the peripheral fixed contact 53 come into contact with each other, the peripheral switch S2 is turned on, and the azimuth detection signal is output. When the operating force on the key top 57 is released, the peripheral protrusions 54c and the central protrusion 54b elastically return, and the key top 57 returns to the original position.

When the key top 57 is pressed downward, the central convex portion 54b is pressed, the central movable contact 55 and the central fixed contact 52 come into contact, and the central switch S1 is turned off.
The N state is set, and the push switch signal is output. At this time, the flange portion 57b of the key top 57 is also in contact with the peripheral convex portion 54c, but since the gap G between the lower surface of the flange portion 57b and the peripheral convex portion 54c is set appropriately, only the central switch S1 is provided. Is designed to be operated. When the pressing force on the key top 57 is released, the central convex portion 54b elastically returns, and the key top 57 returns to the original position.

[0010]

Although the conventional multi-directional input device has the above-described configuration and operation, by properly setting the gap G, erroneous operation of the switches S1 and S2 is prevented. The multi-directional input device is usually required to be small in size, and there is a limit to prevent erroneous input with the gap G accuracy. If the swinging force applied to the key top 57 is larger than expected, the central convex portion 54b will buckle and the central switch S1 will be operated.

The multi-directional input device of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the leg portions are provided on the key top,
An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device capable of reliably preventing an erroneous operation of a central switch by restricting unnecessary swinging motion of a key top.

[0012]

As a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided with a key top that is swingably held and arranged on the circumference. An insulating substrate having a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts formed therein, and an elastic sheet having a plurality of peripheral movable contacts formed in contact with and separated from the peripheral fixed contacts are provided. While configuring a switch, between the insulating substrate and the key top, in the substantially central portion of the circumference,
A central switch operated by pressing the key top is formed, a penetrating portion is formed between the peripheral movable contacts in the elastic sheet, and a leg inserted into the penetrating portion is formed in the key top. When the key top is rocked, the peripheral switch is operated, and the legs come into contact with the insulating substrate to restrict rocking of the key top.

As a second solving means, an engaging claw is formed on the leg portion of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and the engaging claw inserted into the penetrating portion is provided around the penetrating portion. It is configured to be locked to the elastic sheet.

As a third means for solving the problems, the plurality of peripheral switches of the multi-directional input device of the present invention are provided in a cross shape so as to sandwich the central switch, and the legs are provided between the peripheral switches. It is configured to be provided at four locations at approximately the middle portion in the circumferential direction.

As a fourth solving means, the operating force required to operate the central switch of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is heavier than the operating force required to operate the peripheral switches. It was made into the composition.

As a fifth means for solving the problems, the central switch of the multidirectional input device of the present invention comprises a central fixed contact,
A central movable contact that comes into contact with and separates from the central fixed contact, and an elastic buffer member is disposed between the central movable contact and the key top, and when the key top swings, the buffer is provided. The member is configured to absorb the load in the pressing direction.

As a sixth solving means, the central switch of the multidirectional input device of the present invention comprises a casing, the central fixed contact and the central movable contact housed in the casing, and the casing. Is formed from a single switch component having a stem exposed from the buffer member, and the central switch is mounted and mounted on the insulating substrate,
The stem is pressed by the key top to operate the central switch.

As a seventh means for solving the problems, the multi-directional input device of the present invention is provided with a housing having an upper wall portion provided with an opening and a storage portion partitioned by the upper wall portion, and the key top is provided. Has an operating portion and a flange portion extending in a radial direction from the operating portion, and the key top is stored in the storage portion in a state of being exposed from the opening portion, and when the key top swings, the flange The rocking of the key top is restricted by the contact of the portion with the back surface of the upper wall portion.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings of the multi-directional input device of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the multi-directional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is seen from another angle of the multi-directional input device of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 3 is a top view of an insulating substrate having a central switch attached to the multi-directional input device of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a top view of an elastic sheet of the multi-directional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6, FIG. 7 is a top view of the key top according to the multi-directional input device of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 10 and 11 are operation explanatory views of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

The multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. The insulating substrate 1 is made of a rigid rectangular plate, and four through holes 1a are formed near the center in a cross shape. Have Peripheral fixed contacts 2 are formed on the insulating substrate 1 concentrically, that is, on the circumference. In this embodiment, four peripheral fixed contacts 2 are formed by printing in a cross shape at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. The peripheral fixed contact 2 may be formed in a triangular or octagonal shape.

The central switch S3 is composed of a single switch component, and in this embodiment, a push button switch with a click feeling is used. The central switch S3 includes a housing 3 made of synthetic resin, a central fixed contact 4 which is exposed by insert molding on the bottom wall portion 3a of the housing 3, and a dome-shaped leaf spring. It is composed of a central movable contact 5 which is placed on the central fixed contact 4 and which is capable of coming into contact with and separated from the central fixed contact 4 and outputting an electric signal, and a cylindrical stem 6 made of an elastic material, in this embodiment, made of rubber. ing. Further, the central switch S3 is configured to increase the actuating force by increasing the plate thickness of the central movable contact 5 or decreasing the diameter thereof. Such a central switch S3 has a bottom wall portion 3
A plurality of terminal portions 3b formed in a and conducting to the pair of central fixed contacts 4 are crimped to the insulating substrate 1 to be attached to the insulating substrate 1.

The elastic sheet 7 is made of a rectangular thin rubber sheet, has a thin plate-shaped base portion 7a, a through hole 7b formed in the center, and four places around the through hole 7b, and is integrally formed with the base portion 7a. Is formed in a substantially cylindrical first peripheral convex portion 7c having a skirt-shaped portion (conical portion) that is formed on the base, and is formed in an intermediate portion in the circumferential direction between the first peripheral convex portions 7c. The second peripheral projection 7d has a substantially trapezoidal pyramid shape and is integrally formed with 7a, and the projections 7e are formed at four locations so as to project downward from the outer peripheral edge of the through hole 7b. Further, a peripheral movable contact 8 is formed by printing on the lower surface of the first peripheral convex portion 7c, and a penetrating portion 7f penetrating vertically is formed on the second peripheral convex portion 7d. Although the through portion 7f is formed of a through hole in the present embodiment, it may be formed of a cut portion formed by cutting the elastic sheet 7. In addition to the rubber sheet, the elastic sheet 7 may be made of a material having elasticity such as soft plastic (elastomer).

Such an elastic sheet 7 is placed on the insulating substrate 1 in a state where the projection 7e is inserted into the through hole 1a of the insulating substrate 1 to prevent lateral displacement. Further, when the elastic sheet 7 is placed, the peripheral movable contact 8 and the peripheral fixed contact 2
Face each other to form the peripheral switch S4, and the skirt-shaped portion (conical portion) located on the outer periphery of the first peripheral convex portion 7c buckles, so that the peripheral movable contact 8 and the peripheral fixed contact 2 are separated from each other. It makes contact and outputs an electric signal.
Since the peripheral switch S4 is operated by buckling the first peripheral convex portion 7c, compared with the central switch S3 operated by reversing the metal leaf spring,
The operating force required to be operated is small. Further, the central switch S3 is arranged in the through hole 7b.

The key top 9 is a substantially cylindrical operation portion 9a.
And a flange portion 9b formed to extend in a radial direction from a lower edge portion of the operating portion 9a, and a leg portion 9c formed to project downward from the flange portion 9b, and an end portion of the leg portion 9c. A hook-shaped engaging claw 9d is formed on the. Four leg portions 9c are provided at equal intervals (intervals of 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction. Further, a raised portion 9e is formed at the center of the lower surface of the operation portion 9a.

Such a key top 9 is made up of the elastic sheet 7
The flange portion 9 is retained on the flange portion 9 as shown in FIGS.
b is placed on the first and second peripheral convex portions 7c and 7d, the leg portion 9c is inserted into the penetrating portion 7f of the second peripheral convex portion 7d, and the engaging claw 9d is formed on the penetrating portion. The elastic sheet 7 is locked around the periphery of 7f. In this way, the key claw 9 is securely held by locking the engagement claw 9d. The raised portion 9e of the key top 9 is in contact with the top surface of the stem 6 of the central switch S3.

The housing 10 is made of a synthetic resin molding, and has an upper wall portion 10a, a side wall portion 10b, and the upper wall portion 1b.
0a and the side wall portion 10b surrounded by the storage portion 10
c and a circular opening 10d formed in the upper wall 10a. Such a housing 10 is attached to the insulating substrate 1 by means such as caulking, and the elastic sheet 7, the central switch S3, and a part of the key top 9 are stored in the storage portion 10c, and the key top 9 is operated. Portion 9a is opening 10
It is exposed from d and protrudes upward.

When the operating portion 9a of the key top 9 is oscillated, the key top 9 is tilted with the contact portion between the central switch S3 (stem 6) and the raised portion 9e of the key top 9 as a fulcrum, The flange portion 9b causes the first peripheral convex portion 7c to buckle, the peripheral movable contact 8 and the peripheral fixed contact 2 come into contact with each other, and the peripheral switch S4 is operated to be turned on (see FIG. 11). ). At this time, the flange portion 9b causes the second peripheral convex portion 7d (adjacent to the buckled first peripheral convex portion 7c, that is, the second peripheral convex portion 7d at a position separated by approximately 45 degrees in the circumferential direction). Also buckled, legs 9
c contacts the insulating substrate 1 so that the key top 9 does not tilt more than necessary (see FIG. 10). By doing this, the key top 9 will not tilt more than necessary,
The stem 6 is pressed by the raised portion 9e serving as a fulcrum,
The risk of operating the central switch S3 is reduced.

Even if a load is applied to the stem 6 from the raised portion 9e, the operating force of the central switch S3 is larger than the operating force of the peripheral switch S4, so the peripheral switch S4 is operated. Weighted in degrees,
The central switch S3 is never operated.

Further, since the stem 6 has elasticity, even if a pressing force is applied by the raised portion 9e, the stem 6
Serves as a buffer member to absorb the pressing force, and the central movable contact 5
Since the weight is not directly applied to, the risk of operating the central switch S3 is further reduced.
In addition, when the key top 9 is oscillated, the flange portion 9b in the direction opposite to the inclined direction causes the upper wall portion 1 of the housing 10 to move.
Since the key top 9 abuts on the back surface of the stem 0a, the key top 9 does not tilt more than the abutted state, and the ridge 9e prevents the stem 6
The risk that the central switch S3 is operated by pressing is reduced.

When the key top 9 is rocked,
As shown in FIG. 10, the engaging claw 9d of the leg portion 9c on the side opposite to the tilting direction is pulled upward together with the second peripheral convex portion 7d, so that the leg portion 9c does not come off from the elastic sheet 7. When the central portion of the key top 9 is pressed downward, the raised portion 9e presses the stem 6 to move downward, the central movable contact 5 is reversed, and the central switch S3 is operated to be in the ON state. It is like this. At this time,
Since the central movable contact 5 is composed of a metal leaf spring, the stroke required to turn on the central switch S3 is short, and therefore the risk that the peripheral switch S4 is turned on by mistake is low.

The multi-directional input device of the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration and is used, for example, in the input section of a mobile phone. For example, when the key top 9 is tilted toward the peripheral switch S4, the peripheral switch S4 is used. Is turned on, the two leg portions 9c located on the tilting side come into contact with the insulating substrate 1, and further tilting of the key top 9 is restricted. Then, the electric signal is input to a microcomputer (not shown) so that the tilt direction can be recognized. When the operating force is released, the first and second peripheral convex portions 7c and 7d elastically return, the flange portion 9b is pressed, and the key top 9 returns to the original position.

When the key top 9 is pressed downward, the central movable contact 5 is inverted and the central switch S3 is turned on.
Then, it becomes possible to recognize that the electric signal is input to the microcomputer (not shown) and the central switch is turned on. Further, when the central movable contact 5 is reversed, a click feeling is generated, so that when the operator wants to operate the central switch S3, the operator can recognize that the central switch S3 has been reliably operated. Further, when the pressing force is released, the central movable contact 5 is reversed and the key top 9 is pressed upward to return to the original position.

Further, when the key top 9 is tilted in the direction of the leg 9c, the two peripheral switches S4 sandwiching the leg 9c are turned on by appropriately setting the length of the leg 9c, and the key top 9 is tilted. The leg portions 9c in the direction come into contact with the insulating substrate 1 and further tilting of the key top 9 is restricted. Then, an electric signal may be input to a microcomputer (not shown) so that the tilt direction can be recognized. When the operating force is released, the first and second peripheral convex portions 7c and 7d elastically return, the flange portion 9b is pressed, and the key top 9 returns to the original position.

The multidirectional input device of the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, but needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the stem 6 and the cushioning member are integrated. However, these may be configured separately. Further, although the center switch has been described as an example in which a push button switch with a click feeling is used, a switch that does not generate a click feeling can be substituted. Furthermore, the central switch does not have to be a single switch component,
Similarly to the peripheral switch, a central fixed contact may be formed on an insulating substrate, and a central movable contact made of a metal leaf spring may be mounted thereon with a holding tape or the like. Then, in this case, an elastic sheet having no through hole 7b may be arranged on the central switch to serve as a buffer member.

[0035]

The elastic sheet of the multi-directional input device of the present invention has the penetrating portion formed between the peripheral movable contacts, and the key top has the leg portion to be inserted into the penetrating portion. During dynamic operation, the peripheral switches are operated, and the legs come into contact with the insulating substrate to restrict the swing of the key tops. Therefore, the key tops do not swing more than necessary. The risk of being
A highly reliable multi-directional input device can be provided.

Further, the multi-directional input device of the present invention has the engaging claws formed on the legs, and the engaging claws inserted into the penetrating part are locked to the elastic sheet around the penetrating part. ,
It is possible to prevent the key top from falling off during the swinging operation of the key top, and to provide a highly reliable multidirectional input switch. Further, since the key top can be held only by the elastic sheet, the assembling process and the like can be devised, and the multidirectional input device with high mass productivity can be provided.

Further, the plurality of peripheral switches of the multi-directional input device of the present invention are provided in a cross shape so as to sandwich the central switch, and the leg portions are provided at four positions in a substantially middle portion in the circumferential direction between the peripheral switches. With the above configuration, it is possible to stably regulate the swing of the key top, and thus it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device with good operability.

Further, since the operating force required to operate the central switch of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is made heavier than the operating force required to operate the peripheral switches, the central switch is erroneously operated. Since it is difficult to be operated, a highly reliable multi-directional input device can be provided.

Further, the central switch of the multi-directional input device of the present invention has a central fixed contact and a central movable contact which comes in contact with and separates from the central fixed contact, and an elastic member is provided between the central movable contact and the key top. Since the buffer member having the structure is arranged and the buffer member absorbs the load in the pressing direction when the key top is swung, the central movable contact is less likely to be operated, and the central switch is less likely to be erroneously operated. As a result, it is possible to provide a highly reliable multi-directional input device.

Further, the central switch of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is composed of a single switch component, and the central switch is mounted and mounted on an insulating substrate.
Since the stem is pressed by the key top and the central switch is operated, the stem can be easily attached to the insulating substrate, so that the multi-directional input device having good assembling property and mass productivity can be provided.

Further, the multidirectional input device of the present invention comprises a housing, the key top has an operating portion and a flange portion extending radially from the operating portion, and the key top is exposed from the opening. The key top is stored in the storage part, and when the key top swings, the swing of the key top is restricted by the flange contacting the back surface of the upper wall. Therefore, the risk of erroneous operation of the central switch is reduced, and a highly reliable multi-directional input device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the multi-directional input device of the present invention viewed from another angle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an insulating substrate having a central switch attached thereto according to the multi-directional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an elastic sheet according to the multi-directional input device of the present invention.

5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a key top according to the multi-directional input device of the present invention.

8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multi-directional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram of a conventional multi-directional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Insulation board 1a through hole 2 Peripheral fixed contact 3 housing 3a bottom wall 3b terminal part 4 Central fixed contact 5 Central movable contact 6 Stem (cushioning member) 7 Elastic sheet 7a base 7b through hole 7c First peripheral convex portion 7d Second peripheral convex portion 7e protrusion 7f penetration 8 peripheral movable contacts 9 key tops 9a Operation part 9b Flange part 9c leg 9d engagement claw 9e Raised part 10 housing 10a Upper wall part 10b side wall 10c storage 10d opening S3 central switch S4 peripheral switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A key top that is swingably held, an insulating substrate having a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts arranged on the circumference, and a plurality of peripheral movable contacts that come into contact with and separate from the peripheral fixed contacts. And a plurality of peripheral switches are constituted by the peripheral fixed contact and the peripheral movable contact, and between the insulating substrate and the key top, in a substantially central portion of the circumference. A central switch that is operated by pressing the key top is formed, a penetrating portion is formed between the peripheral movable contacts in the elastic sheet, and the key top is inserted into the penetrating portion. The leg portion is formed, and when the key top swings, the peripheral switch is operated, and the leg portion abuts the insulating substrate to restrict the swing of the key top. Multi-directional input device 2. An engaging claw is formed on the leg portion, and the engaging claw inserted into the penetrating portion is locked to the elastic sheet around the penetrating portion. Item 1
The multidirectional input device described in. 3. A plurality of the peripheral switches are provided in a cross shape so as to sandwich the central switch, and the legs are provided at four positions in an approximately middle portion in the circumferential direction between the peripheral switches. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized. 4. The operating force required to operate the central switch is made heavier than the operating force required to operate the peripheral switch. The multidirectional input device described. 5. The central switch includes a central fixed contact,
A central movable contact that comes into contact with and separates from the central fixed contact, and an elastic buffer member is disposed between the central movable contact and the key top, and when the key top swings, the buffer is provided. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the member absorbs the load in the pressing direction. 6. The central switch is a single unit including a housing, the central fixed contact and the central movable contact housed in the housing, and a stem exposed from the housing and formed of the buffer member. The switch is composed of switch parts, and the central switch is mounted and mounted on the insulating substrate,
The multi-directional input device according to claim 5, wherein the stem is pressed by the key top to operate the central switch. 7. A key top is provided with a housing having an upper wall portion provided with an opening, and a storage portion partitioned by the upper wall portion, wherein the key top has an operating portion and a flange portion extending in a radial direction from the operating portion. The key top is stored in the storage portion in a state of being exposed from the opening, and when the key top swings, the flange portion comes into contact with the back surface of the upper wall portion, 7. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein swinging of the keytop is restricted.