JP2004071451A

JP2004071451A - Multidirectional switch

Info

Publication number: JP2004071451A
Application number: JP2002231390A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masaji Takeuchi; 竹内　正次; Hisashi Watanabe; 渡邉　久; Jun Sato; 佐藤　順
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-08-08
Filing date: 2002-08-08
Publication date: 2004-03-04

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional switch having a small projection area and advantageous in terms of space in an apparatus using it, in relation to a multidirectional switch used for input operation of a small electronic apparatus. SOLUTION: This multidirectional switch having a small projection area can be provided by electrically connecting four peripheral switches 25A-25D operated in tilting a stick part 36 of an operation body 35 to peripheral fixed contacts 26A-26D by individual moving contacts 31A-31D comprising linear elastic arms 32A-32D along circumferential walls 21A-21D on the four sides of a switch case 21. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、各種の小型電子機器の入力操作用に使用される多方向スイッチに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種の多方向スイッチとしては、特開２００１−３５１４７８号公報に記載されたものが知られており、その内容について、図１９〜図２２を用いて説明する。
【０００３】
図１９は従来の多方向スイッチの正面断面図、図２０は可動接点を収容したスイッチケースの平面図、図２１はスティック部を傾倒操作する場合の正面断面図、図２２はスティック部を押圧操作する場合の正面断面図を示す。
【０００４】
同図において、１は上面開放の四角形のスイッチケースで、その内底面の中央には中央スイッチ用のコモン接点２と中心接点３Ａからなる中央固定接点３が、そして内底面の四隅には、図２０に示すように、周辺スイッチ用の四つの個別固定接点４Ａ〜４Ｄが配設され、それぞれの導出端子が外周に突出している。
【０００５】
また、５は弾性金属薄板からなる可動接点ばねで、図２０に示すように、中央固定接点３および個別固定接点４Ａ〜４Ｄそれぞれに対応する、円形ドーム形状の中央可動接点６および個別可動接点７Ａ〜７Ｄが連結部５Ａに繋がれて形成されている。
【０００６】
そして、スイッチケース１内底面の各固定接点３，４Ａ〜４Ｄに対して各可動接点６，７Ａ〜７Ｄが対向するように、可動接点ばね５がスイッチケース１内に収容され、その上部には円柱部８Ａと下端のスカート部８Ｂからなる駆動体８と、その中央孔８Ｃにより独立して直線移動可能に支持されたスティック部９が載せられて、スカート部８Ｂ下端の四つの半球状突起１０Ａ〜１０Ｄ（半球状突起１０Ｂ，１０Ｄは図示せず）が各個別可動接点７Ａ〜７Ｄの頂部に、スティック部９の下端部９Ａが中央可動接点６の頂部にそれぞれ当接している。
【０００７】
なお、駆動体８はスイッチケース１の上面開口部を覆うカバー１１の中央孔１１Ａにより揺動可能に支持されている。
【０００８】
このような構成の多方向スイッチにおいて、図２１に矢印で示すように、スティック部９をスイッチケース１の四隅の一つに向けて傾倒操作すると駆動体８も揺動して傾き、傾いた側のスカート部８Ｂ下端の半球状突起１０Ａが対応する個別可動接点７Ａを下方に押して弾性反転させ、対向する個別固定接点４Ａに接触させることにより所定の導出端子間が導通し、スティック９に対する傾倒方向への押圧力を除くと、個別可動接点７Ａの弾性復元力によって元の図１９の状態に復帰する。
【０００９】
また、図２２に矢印で示すように、スティック部９を垂直下方に押圧操作するとスティック部９のみが下方へ直線移動し、下端部９Ａが中央可動接点６を下方に押して弾性反転させ、対向する中央固定接点３の中心接点３Ａに接触させることにより所定の導出端子間が導通し、スティック９に対する下方への押圧力を除くと、中央可動接点６の弾性復元力によって元の図１９の状態に復帰するものであった。
【００１０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の多方向スイッチにおいては、中央スイッチおよびこれを囲んで配置される周辺スイッチとしての四つの個別スイッチの何れもが弾性金属薄板製の円形ドーム形状の可動接点６および７Ａ〜７Ｄを使用するものであるから、これを収容するスイッチケース１の投影面積すなわち多方向スイッチとしての投影面積が大きく、近年の小型化された電子機器に使用する場合に不利であるという課題があった。
【００１１】
また、使用する電子機器において操作用のスティック部９を傾倒操作する方向は一般に前後左右であり、これに対し、四角形のスイッチケース１の四隅に個別スイッチを配置した従来の多方向スイッチを電子機器に装着する場合には、四角形のスイッチケース１を電子機器のケースの側面に対して４５°傾けて、つまり上記角度を持たせて装着しなければならないため、電子機器のケース内のスペース面で不利であるという課題もあった。
【００１２】
本発明は、このような従来の課題を解決するものであり、スイッチケースの投影面積が小さく、かつ使用機器に装着する際に機器ケースの側面に対してスイッチケースを角度を持たせて装着する必要がなく、機器ケース内におけるスペース面で有利な多方向スイッチを提供することを目的とする。
【００１３】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明は、以下の構成を有するものである。
【００１４】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、四角形の内底面の中に設けられた中央凹部内に中央スイッチの一組の中央固定接点を、中央凹部周囲の隔壁と四辺の外周壁との間に周辺スイッチの四組の周辺固定接点をそれぞれ配設した上面開放のスイッチケースと、弾性金属薄板からなり外周下面が中央固定接点の側部接点上に載り、頂部下面が中央固定接点の中心接点と所定の間隔をあけて対峙するように配設された円形ドーム形状の中央可動接点と、弾性金属薄板製で、スイッチケースの外周壁に沿う直線状の弾性アームを上方から押されて先端部が各組の接点間を導通させるように、四組の周辺固定接点それぞれの上部に配設された四つの個別可動接点を細巾の桟部で四角形に連結された周辺可動接点と、中央のスティック部およびその下端に配されたスイッチケースの外周壁とは上下動可能に係合する四角形の駆動部を備え、駆動部下面中央に設けた突起が中央可動接点の頂部上に当接状態に配されると共に、周辺可動接点の各個別可動接点の弾性アームの上部それぞれと対峙する四つの突出部を駆動部の各辺の外周下部に有する操作体と、操作体のスティック部を中央孔で傾倒および上下動可能に支持して上方に突出させると共に、駆動部上面の四角形の当接部が下面に当接するように、スイッチケースの上面開口部を覆う板状のカバーから構成される多方向スイッチとしたものであり、操作体のスティック部をスイッチケースの四辺の一つに向けて傾倒操作すると、駆動部上面の四角形の当接部の一辺がカバー下面に当接する位置を支点として駆動部が傾き、傾いた側の突出部が対応する個別可動接点の弾性アームを下方に押して、下部の周辺固定接点の一組を導通させると同時に、駆動部下面中央の突起が中央可動接点中央部を所定量だけ下方に押して弾性変形させ、また、操作体のスティック部を垂直下方に押圧操作すると、駆動部下面中央の突起が中央可動接点中央部を下方に部分弾性反転させて中心接点に接触させ、中央固定接点を導通させることができると共に、周辺スイッチの個別可動接点がスイッチケースの外周壁に沿う直線状の弾性アームによって周辺固定接点を導通させるものであるから、これらを収容するスイッチケースの投影面積が小さく、使用機器に装着する際に機器ケースの側面に対してスイッチケースの方向を傾けて、つまり機器ケースの側面に対して角度を持たせて装着する必要がなく、機器ケース内におけるスペース面で有利な多方向スイッチを実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００１５】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、特に、スイッチケース内に収容された中央可動接点および周辺可動接点と、その上部に配された操作体の駆動部下面中央の突起および四角形の外周下部の突出部との間に、スイッチケースの外周壁の内周に沿う大きさの可撓性絶縁フィルム製の防塵シートを配したものであり、スイッチ接点部を操作体から分離して、スイッチ接点部の防塵性能を高めることができるという作用効果を有する。
【００１６】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、特に、操作体のスティック部をスイッチケースの四辺の一つに向けて傾倒操作する時、周辺固定接点の一組が導通する位置よりも下方まで、駆動部外周の突出部が個別可動接点の湾曲した弾性アームを押し下げるようにしたものであり、個別可動接点の弾性アームの先端部と周辺固定接点との接触点をワイピングさせて、接点間の接触を安定させるという作用効果を有する。
【００１７】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、特に、操作体のスティック部をスイッチケースの四辺の一つに向けて傾倒操作する時、駆動部が傾いて周辺固定接点の一組を導通させると共に、駆動部下面中央の突起が中央可動接点中央部を所定量だけ下方に押して部分弾性反転させて節度感を発生するようにしたものであり、スティック部の傾倒操作時に電気信号の発生を節度感で認識することができるという作用効果を有する。
【００１８】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、特に、四組の周辺固定接点が互いに電気的に独立していると共に、通常状態において、周辺可動接点の四つの個別可動接点が、各周辺固定接点から上方に所定寸法だけ離れた状態にあるものであり、四つの周辺スイッチを、互いに電気的に独立したものとすることができるので、使用上の制約条件が少ないという作用効果を有する。
【００１９】
請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、特に、操作体のスティック部と駆動部が別体で構成され、下端部が中央可動接点の頂部上に当接状態に配されるスティック部が、独立して上下動可能なように駆動部の貫通孔に支持されると共に、駆動部の四つの突出部が個別可動接点の弾性アーム上部に当接状態に配されたものであり、スティック部の押圧操作時にスティック部のみが下方に動いて駆動部が動かないので、周辺スイッチの周辺固定接点が誤接触することがないという作用効果を有する。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図１〜図１８を用いて説明する。
【００２１】
（実施の形態１）
実施の形態１を用いて、本発明の特に請求項１〜４に記載の発明について説明する。
【００２２】
図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態による多方向スイッチの正面断面図、図２は同分解斜視図、図３は同図１のＰ−Ｐ線における断面図である。
【００２３】
同図において、２１は上面開放の四角形のスイッチケースで、その内底面の中央凹部には中央スイッチ２２用の中心接点２３Ａと側部接点２３Ｂからなる中央固定接点２３が、そして中央凹部の隔壁２４と四辺の外周壁２１Ａ〜２１Ｄとの間には後述する周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄ用の四組の周辺固定接点２６Ａ〜２６Ｄがそれぞれ配設され、図４のスイッチケースの平面図に示すように、それぞれの導出端子２９Ａ〜２９Ｆが外周に突出している。
【００２４】
なお、中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａは導出端子２９Ｅに、周辺固定接点２６Ａ〜２６Ｄの第一接点２７Ａ〜２７Ｄはそれぞれ導出端子２９Ａ〜２９Ｄに接続され、中央固定接点２３の側部接点２３Ｂおよび四組の各周辺固定接点２６Ａ〜２６Ｄの第二接点２８Ａ〜２８Ｄはコモン接点として連結され、共通の導出端子２９Ｆに接続されている。
【００２５】
そして、３０は弾性金属薄板から形成された円形ドーム形状の中央可動接点で、外周下端部が中央固定接点２３の側部接点２３Ｂ上に載せられると共に、頂部下面が中心固定接点２３Ａと所定の間隔をあけて対峙して中央スイッチ２２を構成している。
【００２６】
また、３１は、同様に弾性金属薄板から形成された周辺可動接点で、図５の平面図に示すように、それぞれ直線状の弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄと先端部３３Ａ〜３３Ｄからなる四つの個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄが細巾の桟部３１Ｅで四角形のリング状に連結されて構成されている。
【００２７】
以上の中央可動接点３０と周辺可動接点３１を収容したスイッチケース２１の平面図を図６に示す。
【００２８】
なお、同図は、両者の組み合わせ状態が判り易くなるように、周辺可動接点３１を部分的に記載しているものである。同図において、中央可動接点３０が上述のように中央スイッチ２２を構成していると共に、周辺可動接点３１の四つの個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄは、各弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄがスイッチケース２１の四辺の外周壁２１Ａ〜２１Ｄに沿い、その根元部が四つの周辺固定接点２６Ａ〜２６Ｄの各第二接点２８Ａ〜２８Ｄ上に載ると共に、各先端部３３Ａ〜３３Ｄが各第一接点２７Ａ〜２７Ｄと所定の間隔をあけて対峙するように収容（図３も参照）されて、四つの周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄを構成している。
【００２９】
なお、周辺スイッチ２５Ｃ，２５Ｄの図示は同図になされていないが、両者も他の周辺スイッチ２５Ａ，２５Ｂと同様に上記に説明している構成となっている。
【００３０】
以上のように、中央スイッチ２２の中央可動接点３０と周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの周辺可動接点３１を収容したスイッチケース２１の上部には、スイッチ接点部の防塵性能を高めるために、四辺の外周壁２１Ａ〜２１Ｄの内周に沿う大きさの可撓性絶縁フィルム製の防塵シート３４が配されている。
【００３１】
この防塵シート３４の上部には、中央の四角柱状のスティック部３６とその下端に一体形成して配設された四角形の駆動部３７からなる操作体３５が載せられている。
【００３２】
そして、スティック部３６が、スイッチケース２１の開口部を覆う板状のカバー３８の四角形の中央孔３８Ａにより、傾倒および上下動可能に支持されて上方に突出していると共に、駆動部３７の外周はスイッチケース２１の四辺の外周壁２１Ａ〜２１Ｄと平行で、所定の隙間をあけて上下動可能に係合している。
【００３３】
また、駆動部３７下面中央の突起３９が防塵シート３４を介して中央スイッチ２２の中央可動接点３０の頂部に当接状態に配され、四角形の各辺の外周下部に設けられた突出部４０Ａ〜４０Ｄが、防塵シート３４下部の四つの周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの各個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄの弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄと所定の間隔をあけて対峙していると共に、駆動部３７上面の四角形の当接部４１がカバー３８の下面に当接している。
【００３４】
本実施の形態による多方向スイッチは以上のように構成されるものであり、次にその動作について説明する。
【００３５】
まず第一の動作として、図１に示すこの多方向スイッチの通常状態において、操作体３５のスティック部３６に図７の正面断面図に矢印で示す方向に押圧力を加えて、スイッチケース２１の四辺の一つである外周壁２１Ａに向けて傾倒操作すると、操作体３５の駆動部３７上面の四角形の当接部４１がカバー３８下面に当接する右側の辺４１Ａを支点として駆動部３７が傾き、その四角形の左側の辺３７Ａの外周下部の突出部４０Ａが下方に動いて、防塵シート３４を撓ませながら対応する個別可動接点３１Ａの弾性アーム３２Ａを下方に押す。
【００３６】
これにより、図７のＱ−Ｑ線における断面図である図８に示すように、個別可動接点３１Ａの先端部３３Ａが周辺固定接点２６Ａの第一接点２７Ａに押し付けられることによって、周辺固定接点２６Ａの第一接点２７Ａと第二接点２８Ａの間すなわち周辺スイッチ２５Ａが導通し、その信号は導出端子２９Ａと２９Ｆを介して、この多方向スイッチを使用する電子機器の回路に伝達される。
【００３７】
なお、駆動部３７外周下部の突出部４０Ａが個別可動接点３１Ａの弾性アーム３２Ａを下方に押して、その先端部３３Ａを周辺固定接点２６Ａの第一接点２７Ａに接触させる際に、先端部３３Ａが第一接点２７Ａに接触する位置よりも下方まで弾性アーム３２Ａを押し下げることによって、先端部３３Ａと第一接点２７Ａとの接触点はワイピングして、接点間の接触が安定するようになっている。
【００３８】
また、この駆動部３７が傾く時に、中央可動接点３０の頂部に当接した駆動部３７下面中央の突起３９も下方に動いて中央可動接点３０の中央部を弾性変形させるが、中央可動接点３０の中央部を下方に押す量を所定の値に設定しておくことによって、中央可動接点３０は部分弾性反転して節度感を発生する。
【００３９】
すなわち、導出端子２９Ａと２９Ｆの間の電気的導通による電気信号の発生を節度感で認識することができる。
【００４０】
この後、操作体３５のスティック部３６に傾倒方向に加える押圧力を除くと、個別可動接点３１Ａの弾性アーム３２Ａおよび中央可動接点３０がそれぞれの弾性復元力により元の形状に復帰しようとして、防塵シート３４を介して、操作体３５の駆動部３７下面の突出部４０Ａおよび突起３９を押し戻して図１の通常状態に復帰させ、周辺固定接点２６Ａの第一接点２７Ａと第二接点２８Ａの間すなわち周辺スイッチ２５Ａは元のＯＦＦ状態に戻る。
【００４１】
同様にして、操作体３５のスティック部３６をスイッチケース２１の四辺の他の外周壁２１Ｂ〜２１Ｄの一つに向けて傾倒操作すると、傾倒された方向の周辺固定接点２６Ｂ，２６Ｃまたは２６Ｄすなわち周辺スイッチ２５Ｂ，２５Ｃまたは２５Ｄを導通させることができる。
【００４２】
なお、上述の中央可動接点３０が部分弾性反転して節度感を発生する際に、中央可動接点３０の中央部下面が中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａに接触して中央スイッチ２２が導通することも考えられるが、周辺固定接点２６Ａ〜２６Ｄのいずれか一組が導通した後、ある特定の時間差内の中央スイッチ２２の導通はキャンセルするように処理するスイッチング認識手段を、この多方向スイッチを使用する電子機器内に設けることによって、誤動作を防止することができる。
【００４３】
次に第二の動作として、図１に示す通常状態において、操作体３５のスティック部３６に、図９の正面断面図に矢印で示す垂直下方に押圧力を加えて押圧操作すると、操作体３５全体が下方に動き、駆動部３７下面中央の突起３９が防塵シート３４を撓ませながら中央可動接点３０の頂部を押して、その中央部を節度感を伴いながら下方に部分弾性反転させる。
【００４４】
そして、部分弾性反転した中央可動接点３０の中央部下面が、下方の中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａに接触することによって、中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａと側部接点２３Ｂの間すなわち中央スイッチ２２が導通し、その信号は導出端子２９Ｅと２９Ｆを介して、この多方向スイッチを使用する電子機器の回路に伝達される。
【００４５】
なお、部分弾性反転した中央可動接点３０の中央部は、操作体３５の駆動部３７下面の突起３９によって、中心接点２３Ａに当たるまで下方へ押されるので、確実に中心接点に接触する。
【００４６】
また、操作体３５の駆動部３７下面中央の突起３９が中央可動接点３０を中心接点２３Ａに押し付けた状態において、駆動部３７各辺の外周下部に設けられた突出部４０Ａ〜４０Ｄは、防塵シート３４および周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの各個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄの弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄと所定の間隔を保つように寸法設定されている（図９参照）。
【００４７】
更に、駆動部３７下面中央の突起３９が中央可動接点３０を中心接点２３Ａに押し付けた後に操作体３５が傾いて、駆動部３７各辺の外周下部の突出部４０Ａ〜４０Ｄが周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄの弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄを押すことも考えられるが、中央スイッチ２２が導通した後、ある特定の時間差内の周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの導通はキャンセルするように処理するスイッチング認識手段を、この多方向スイッチを使用する電子機器内に設けることによって、誤動作を防止することができる。
【００４８】
そして、操作体３５のスティック部３７に加える垂直下方への押圧力を除くと、中央可動接点３０が自身の弾性復元力によって元の円形ドーム形状に復帰しようとして、防塵シート３４を介して操作体３５を上方へ押し戻して図１の通常状態に復帰させ、中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａと側部接点２３Ｂの間すなわち中央スイッチ２２は元のＯＦＦ状態に戻る。
【００４９】
このように本実施の形態によれば、周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄが、スイッチケース２１の外周壁２１Ａ〜２１Ｄに沿う直線状の弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄにより周辺固定接点２６Ａ〜２６Ｄを導通させるものであるから、これらを収容するスイッチケース２１の投影面積が小さく、また、周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄを導通させるにはスイッチケース２１の対応する各辺に向けて操作体３５のスティック部３６を傾倒操作すれば良いため、使用機器に装着する際に機器ケースの側面に対してスイッチケース２１を傾ける、つまり角度を持たせて装着する必要がなく、機器ケース内におけるスペース面で有利な多方向スイッチを実現できるものである。
【００５０】
（実施の形態２）
実施の形態２を用いて、本発明の特に請求項５記載の発明について説明する。
【００５１】
なお、実施の形態１の構成と同一構成の部分には同一符号を付して、詳細な説明を省略する。
【００５２】
図１０は本発明の第２の実施の形態による多方向スイッチの部分断面の正面図、図１１は分解斜視図であり、同図に示すように、本実施の形態による多方向スイッチは上記の実施の形態１によるものにおいて、周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの構成が異なるものである。
【００５３】
すなわち、スイッチケース４２は、図１２の平面図に示すように、内底面の中央凹部の隔壁と四辺の外周壁４２Ａ〜４２Ｄとの間に配設された、周辺スイッチ４３Ａ〜４３Ｄ用の四組の周辺固定接点４４Ａ〜４４Ｄが互いに電気的に独立しており、各接点と接続された四組の導出端子４５Ａ〜４５Ｄおよび４６Ａ〜４６Ｄもそれぞれ電気的に独立してスイッチケース４２の外周に突出している。
【００５４】
なお、導出端子４５Ｅ，４５Ｆは、中央凹部に配設された中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａと側部接点２３Ｂに接続されていて、この中央固定接点２３の上部に円形ドーム形状の中央可動接点３０が載せられて中央スイッチ２２を構成することは、実施の形態１の場合と同じである。
【００５５】
そして、弾性金属薄板から形成された周辺可動接点４７は、図１１および図１３の平面図に示すように、直線平板状の弾性アームである個別可動接点４７Ａ〜４７Ｄの中央部を支持部４８Ａ〜４８Ｄによって少し持ち上げられて、リング状の四角形状の細巾の桟部４７Ｅに連結されている。
【００５６】
この周辺可動接点４７を中央可動接点３０と共に収容したスイッチケース４２の平面図を図１４に示す。
【００５７】
なお、同図においても実施の形態１で用いた図６と同じで、両者の組み合わせ状態が判り易くなるように、周辺可動接点４７を部分的に記載している。
【００５８】
同図において、中央可動接点３０が上述のように中央スイッチ２２を構成していると共に、周辺可動接点４７の四つの個別可動接点４７Ａ〜４７Ｄがスイッチケース４２の四辺の外周壁４２Ａ〜４２Ｄに沿い、その両端部が四つの周辺固定接点４４Ａ〜４４Ｄの第一接点４９Ａ〜４９Ｄ、第二接点５０Ａ〜５０Ｄの上方にそれぞれ所定寸法だけ離れて対峙するように収容（図１０も参照）されて、四つの周辺スイッチ４３Ａ〜４３Ｄを構成している。
【００５９】
なお、周辺スイッチ４３Ｃ，４３Ｄの図示は同図になされていないが、両者も他の周辺スイッチ４３Ａ，４３Ｂと同様に上記に説明している構成となっている。
【００６０】
これにより、四つの周辺スイッチ４３Ａ〜４３Ｄは互いに絶縁された状態すなわち電気的に独立した状態となっている。
【００６１】
このように中央スイッチ２２の中央可動接点３０と周辺スイッチ４３Ａ〜４３Ｄの周辺可動接点４７を収容したスイッチケース４２の上部に防塵シート３４を配し、その上方に四角柱状のスティック部３６と四角形の駆動部３７からなる操作体３５を載せて、スイッチケース４２の開口部を板状のカバー３８で覆うと共に、カバー３８の四角形の中央孔３８Ａから上方にスティック部３６を突出させることは、実施の形態１の場合と同様である。
【００６２】
そして、以上のように構成される本実施の形態による多方向スイッチの操作体３５のスティック部３６を傾倒操作する場合の部分断面の正面図が図１５である。
【００６３】
すなわち、スティック部３６に押圧力を加えて、スイッチケース４２の四辺の一つである外周壁４２Ａに向けて傾倒操作すると、実施の形態１の場合と同様に駆動部３７が傾き、傾いた側の辺３７Ａの外周下部の突出部４０Ａ（図１１参照）が下方に動いて、防塵シート３４を撓ませながら対応する弾性アームである個別可動接点４７Ａの中央部を下方に押すことによって、支持部４８Ａが曲げられて個別可動接点４７Ａが下方に動く。
【００６４】
そして、直線平板状の個別可動接点４７Ａの両端部が、対峙する周辺固定接点４４Ａの第一接点４９Ａと第二接点５０Ａに接触して両者の間を短絡することによって、周辺スイッチ４３Ａが導通し、その信号は一組の導出端子４５Ａ．４６Ａを介して使用する電子機器の回路に伝達される。
【００６５】
この後、操作体３５のスティック部３６に加える押圧力を除くと、個別可動接点４７Ａが弾性復元力により元の形状に復帰しようとして、操作体３５の駆動部３７下面の突出部４０Ａを押し戻して元の通常状態に戻り、周辺スイッチ４３ＡがＯＦＦ状態に戻ることも実施の形態１の場合と同様である。
【００６６】
そして、このスティック部３６をスイッチケース４２の外周壁４２Ａに向けて傾倒操作する際に、他の周辺スイッチ４３Ｂ〜４３Ｄは周辺スイッチ４３Ａとは絶縁されたまま、すなわち電気的に独立した状態を保っている。
【００６７】
なお、駆動部３７外周下部の突出部４０Ａが個別可動接点４７Ａを下方に押して、その両端部を周辺固定接点４４Ａの第一接点４９Ａと第二接点５０Ａに接触させる際に、個別可動接点４７Ａが両者に接触する位置よりも下方まで押し下げることによって接点部がワイピングすること、および、駆動部３７が傾く時に、中央可動接点３０の中央部を部分弾性反転させて節度感を発生させるようにできることは、実施の形態１の場合と同様である。
【００６８】
そして、操作体３５のスティック部３６を垂直方向に押圧操作する場合の動作は、実施の形態１の場合と同じであるので説明を省略する。
【００６９】
このように本実施の形態によれば、多方向スイッチの四つの周辺スイッチ４３Ａ〜４３Ｄが互いに電気的に独立しているので、使用する電子機器において使用上の制約条件が少ないものとすることができる。
【００７０】
（実施の形態３）
実施の形態３を用いて、本発明の特に請求項６記載の発明について説明する。
【００７１】
なお、実施の形態１の構成と同一構成の部分には同一符号を付して、詳細な説明を省略する。
【００７２】
図１６は本発明の第３の実施の形態による多方向スイッチの正面断面図であり、同図に示すように、本実施の形態による多方向スイッチは上記の実施の形態１によるものにおいて、操作体３５のスティック部３６と駆動部３７を別体のスティック５１と駆動体５３としたものである。
【００７３】
すなわち、スティック５１は四角柱状の棒体で、下端部の球状突起５２が中央スイッチ２２の円形ドーム形状の中央可動接点３０の頂部上に当接状態に配されると共に、駆動体５３中央の四角形の貫通孔５４により独立して上下動可能なように支持され、下端部外周の鍔部５１Ａで上方へ抜けないように止められると共に、上端部がカバー３８から上方に突出している。
【００７４】
また、駆動体５３は、四角形状の外周がスイッチケース２１の四辺の外周壁２１Ａ〜２１Ｄと平行で、所定の間隔をあけて上下動可能に係合し、各辺の外周下部の四つの突出部５５Ａ〜５５Ｄが防塵シート３４を介して周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄの各個別可動接点３１Ａ〜３１Ｄの弾性アーム３２Ａ〜３２Ｄの上部に当接状態に配されると共に、上面の貫通孔５４周囲の四角形の当接部５６がカバー３８の下面に当接している。
【００７５】
その他の部分の構成は、実施の形態１によるものと同じである。
【００７６】
そして、以上のように構成される本実施の形態による多方向スイッチのスティック５１を操作する場合の正面断面図が図１７および図１８である。
【００７７】
まず、図１７に矢印で示すようにスティック５１に押圧力を加えて、スイッチケース２１の四辺の一つである外周壁２１Ａに向けて傾倒操作すると、スティック５１と共に、駆動体５３上面の当接部５６がカバー３８の下面に当接する右側の辺５６Ａを支点として駆動体５３が傾き、その四角形の左側の辺５３Ａの外周下部の突出部５５Ａが下方に動いて、防塵シート３４を撓ませながら対応する個別可動接点３１Ａの弾性アーム３２Ａを下方に押す。
【００７８】
これにより、前出の図８に示したように、個別可動接点３１Ａの先端部３３Ａが周辺固定接点２６Ａの第一接点２７Ａに押し付けられることによって、周辺固定接点２６Ａの第一接点２７Ａと第二接点２８Ａの間すなわち周辺スイッチ２５Ａが導通することは、実施の形態１の場合と同様である。
【００７９】
この後、スティック部５１に加える押圧力を除くと、個別可動接点３１Ａが弾性復元力により元の形状に復帰しようとして、駆動体５３下面の突出部５５Ａを押し戻して元の通常状態に戻ること、および、駆動体５３が傾く時に、中央可動接点３０の中央部を部分弾性反転させて節度感を発生させるようにできることも、実施の形態１の場合と同様である。
【００８０】
次に、図１８に矢印で示すようにスティック５１に垂直下方に押圧力を加えて押圧操作すると、スティック５１のみが下方に動いて、下端部の球状突起５２が防塵シート３４を撓ませながら中央可動接点３０の頂部を押し、その中央部を節度感を伴いながら部分弾性反転させて、中央固定接点２３の中心接点２３Ａと側部接点２３Ｂの間すなわち中央スイッチ２２を導通させる。
【００８１】
この時、駆動体５３は動かず、静止したままである。
【００８２】
そして、スティック５１に加える垂直下方への押圧力を除くと、中央可動接点３０が自身の弾性復元力により円形ドーム形状に復帰しようとして、防塵シート３４を介してスティック５１を上方へ押し戻して元の通常状態に復帰させる。
【００８３】
以上のように本実施の形態によれば、スティック５１の押圧操作時にスティック５１のみが下方に動いて、駆動体５３は動かないので周辺スイッチ２５Ａ〜２５Ｄが誤接触することがないものである。
【００８４】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、周辺スイッチの個別可動接点が、スイッチケースの外周壁に沿う直線状の弾性アームにより周辺固定接点を導通させるものであるから、これらを収容するスイッチケースの投影面積が小さく、使用機器に装着する際に機器ケースの側面に対してスイッチケースを傾ける、つまり角度を持たせて装着する必要がなく、機器ケース内におけるスペース面で有利な多方向スイッチを実現できるという有利な効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態による多方向スイッチの正面断面図
【図２】同分解斜視図
【図３】同図１のＰ−Ｐ線における断面図
【図４】同要部であるスイッチケースの平面図
【図５】同要部である周辺可動接点の平面図
【図６】同要部である可動接点を収容したスイッチケースの平面図
【図７】同スティック部を傾倒操作する場合の正面断面図
【図８】同図７のＱ−Ｑ線における断面図
【図９】同スティック部を押圧操作する場合の正面断面図
【図１０】本発明の第２の実施の形態による多方向スイッチの部分断面の正面図
【図１１】同分解斜視図
【図１２】同要部であるスイッチケースの平面図
【図１３】同要部である周辺可動接点の平面図
【図１４】同要部である可動接点を収容したスイッチケースの平面図
【図１５】同スティック部を傾倒操作する場合の部分断面の正面図
【図１６】本発明の第３の実施の形態による多方向スイッチの正面断面図
【図１７】同スティック部を傾倒操作する場合の正面断面図
【図１８】同スティック部を押圧操作する場合の正面断面図
【図１９】従来の多方向スイッチの正面断面図
【図２０】同要部である可動接点を収容したスイッチケースの平面図
【図２１】同スティック部を傾倒操作する場合の正面断面図
【図２２】同スティック部を押圧操作する場合の正面断面図
【符号の説明】
２１，４２　スイッチケース
２１Ａ〜２１Ｄ，４２Ａ〜４２Ｄ　外周壁
２２　中央スイッチ
２３　中央固定接点
２３Ａ　中心接点
２３Ｂ　側部接点
２４　隔壁
２５Ａ〜２５Ｄ，４３Ａ〜４３Ｄ　周辺スイッチ
２６Ａ〜２６Ｄ，４４Ａ〜４４Ｄ　周辺固定接点
２７Ａ〜２７Ｄ，４９Ａ〜４９Ｄ　第一接点
２８Ａ〜２８Ｄ，５０Ａ〜５０Ｄ　第二接点
２９Ａ〜２９Ｆ，４５Ａ〜４５Ｆ　導出端子
３０　中央可動接点
３１，４７　周辺可動接点
３１Ａ〜３１Ｄ，４７Ａ〜４７Ｄ　個別可動接点
３１Ｅ，４７Ｅ　桟部
３２Ａ〜３２Ｄ　弾性アーム
３３Ａ〜３３Ｄ　先端部
３４　防塵シート
３５　操作体
３６　スティック部
３７　駆動部
３７Ａ，４１Ａ，５６Ａ　辺
３８　カバー
３８Ａ　中央孔
３９　突起
４０Ａ〜４０Ｄ，５５Ａ〜５５Ｄ　突出部
４１，５６　当接部
４８Ａ〜４８Ｄ　支持部
５１　スティック
５１Ａ　鍔部
５２　球状突起
５３　駆動体
５４　貫通孔[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multidirectional switch used for input operation of various small electronic devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional multidirectional switch of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-351478, and its contents will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0003]
19 is a front cross-sectional view of a conventional multi-directional switch, FIG. 20 is a plan view of a switch case accommodating a movable contact, FIG. 21 is a front cross-sectional view in a case where a stick portion is tilted, and FIG. FIG.
[0004]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a square switch case having an open top, a center fixed contact 3 comprising a central switch common contact 2 and a center contact 3A at the center of the inner bottom surface, and four corners on the inner bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 20, four individual fixed contacts 4A to 4D for the peripheral switch are provided, and the respective lead terminals protrude to the outer periphery.
[0005]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a movable contact spring made of an elastic metal thin plate. As shown in FIG. 20, a circular dome-shaped central movable contact 6 and an individual movable contact 7A corresponding to the central fixed contact 3 and the individual fixed contacts 4A to 4D, respectively. To 7D are connected to the connecting portion 5A.
[0006]
The movable contact spring 5 is housed in the switch case 1 such that the movable contacts 6, 7A to 7D face the fixed contacts 3, 4A to 4D on the inner bottom surface of the switch case 1, and the upper part thereof is A driving body 8 composed of a cylindrical portion 8A and a skirt portion 8B at the lower end, and a stick portion 9 supported independently and linearly movable by a central hole 8C thereof are mounted, and four hemispherical projections 10A at the lower end of the skirt portion 8B. 10D to 10D (hemispherical projections 10B and 10D are not shown) are in contact with the tops of the individual movable contacts 7A to 7D, and the lower end 9A of the stick 9 is in contact with the top of the central movable contact 6 respectively.
[0007]
The driving body 8 is swingably supported by a central hole 11A of a cover 11 that covers the opening on the upper surface of the switch case 1.
[0008]
In the multidirectional switch having such a configuration, when the stick portion 9 is tilted toward one of the four corners of the switch case 1 as shown by an arrow in FIG. The semi-spherical projection 10A at the lower end of the skirt portion 8B pushes the corresponding individual movable contact 7A downward to elastically invert and contact the opposed individual fixed contact 4A, thereby conducting between predetermined lead-out terminals and tilting direction with respect to the stick 9. When the pressing force is removed, the individual movable contact 7A returns to the original state of FIG. 19 by the elastic restoring force.
[0009]
Further, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 22, when the stick portion 9 is pressed vertically downward, only the stick portion 9 linearly moves downward, and the lower end portion 9A pushes the central movable contact 6 downward to be elastically inverted and opposed. By bringing the center fixed contact 3 into contact with the center contact 3A, predetermined lead-out terminals are electrically connected to each other. When the downward pressing force on the stick 9 is removed, the original movable state of FIG. It was to return.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional multi-directional switch, each of the central switch and the four individual switches as peripheral switches disposed around the central switch uses the circular dome-shaped movable contacts 6 and 7A to 7D made of an elastic metal thin plate. Therefore, there is a problem that the projected area of the switch case 1 accommodating the switch case 1, that is, the projected area as a multi-directional switch is large, which is disadvantageous when used in a recent miniaturized electronic device.
[0011]
In addition, the tilt direction of the operation stick 9 in the electronic device to be used is generally front, rear, left and right. In contrast, a conventional multidirectional switch in which individual switches are arranged at four corners of a rectangular switch case 1 is replaced with an electronic device. When mounting the electronic device, the square switch case 1 must be mounted at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the side surface of the electronic device case, that is, with the above angle, so that the space in the case of the electronic device is limited. There was also a problem of disadvantage.
[0012]
The present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and has a small projected area of the switch case, and mounts the switch case at an angle with respect to a side surface of the device case when mounting the device case. An object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional switch which is not necessary and is advantageous in space in an equipment case.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
[0014]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a set of center fixed contacts of a center switch is provided in a center recess provided in an inner bottom surface of a square, between a partition wall around the center recess and outer peripheral walls of four sides. A switch case with an open top, each of which is provided with four sets of peripheral fixed contacts of a peripheral switch, and an outer peripheral lower surface which is made of an elastic metal thin plate rests on a side contact of the central fixed contact, and a top lower surface has a central contact of the central fixed contact. The center movable contact in the shape of a circular dome disposed so as to confront with a predetermined interval, and a linear elastic arm made of an elastic thin metal plate along the outer peripheral wall of the switch case are pushed from above and the tip portion is pressed. The four individual movable contacts arranged above each of the four sets of peripheral fixed contacts are connected to each other in such a manner as to conduct between the contact points of each set. Placed on the stick and its lower end The switch case has a rectangular drive unit which is vertically movably engaged with the outer peripheral wall of the switch case, and a projection provided at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit is arranged in contact with the top of the central movable contact, and is movable around the center. An operating body that has four protruding parts facing the upper part of the elastic arm of each individual movable contact at each lower part of the outer periphery of each side of the drive unit, and a stick part of the operating body is supported by a central hole so that it can be tilted and moved up and down A multi-directional switch composed of a plate-shaped cover that covers the upper opening of the switch case so that the rectangular contact portion on the upper surface of the drive unit abuts on the lower surface while projecting upward. When the stick of the operating body is tilted and operated toward one of the four sides of the switch case, the drive unit tilts with the position where one side of the rectangular contact part on the upper surface of the drive unit contacts the lower surface of the cover as a fulcrum, and The protrusion is At the same time, the elastic arm of the corresponding individual movable contact is pushed downward to conduct a set of peripheral fixed contacts at the bottom, and at the same time, the projection at the center of the lower surface of the driving unit pushes the central portion of the central movable contact downward by a predetermined amount to elastically deform, Further, when the stick portion of the operating body is pressed vertically downward, the projection at the center of the lower surface of the driving unit partially inverts the center of the central movable contact downward and makes contact with the center contact, thereby making the center fixed contact conductive. At the same time, since the individual movable contacts of the peripheral switch conduct the peripheral fixed contacts by a linear elastic arm along the outer peripheral wall of the switch case, the projected area of the switch case accommodating them is small, and the peripheral case is mounted on the device to be used. It is not necessary to mount the switch case at an angle to the side of the device case, that is, to tilt the switch case against the side of the device case. There is an operational effect that a multidirectional switch advantageous in space in the equipment case can be realized.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a central movable contact and a peripheral movable contact accommodated in a switch case, and a projection at the center of a lower surface of a driving portion of an operating body disposed above the central movable contact and the peripheral movable contact. A dustproof sheet made of a flexible insulating film having a size along the inner periphery of the outer peripheral wall of the switch case is disposed between the outer peripheral wall of the switch case and the protrusion at the lower part of the outer periphery of the switch case. As a result, there is an operational effect that the dustproof performance of the switch contact portion can be enhanced.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, particularly, when the stick portion of the operating body is tilted toward one of the four sides of the switch case, a position where one set of the peripheral fixed contacts conducts. The projecting portion on the outer periphery of the drive unit pushes down the curved elastic arm of the individual movable contact to below, and the contact point between the distal end of the elastic arm of the individual movable contact and the peripheral fixed contact is wiped. Has the effect of stabilizing the contact between the contacts.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the stick portion of the operating body is tilted toward one of the four sides of the switch case, the driving portion is tilted and one of the peripheral fixed contacts is tilted. In addition to conducting the set, the protrusion at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit pushes the center of the center movable contact downward by a predetermined amount to partially invert the elasticity to generate a sense of moderation. This has the effect of being able to recognize the occurrence of the occurrence with a sense of moderation.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, in particular, four sets of peripheral fixed contacts are electrically independent from each other, and in a normal state, four individual movable contacts of the peripheral movable contacts are provided. The four peripheral switches are electrically separated from each other by a predetermined dimension upward from each peripheral fixed contact, and the four peripheral switches can be electrically independent from each other, so that there is little operational restriction. Having.
[0019]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, in particular, the stick portion and the driving portion of the operating body are formed separately, and the lower end portion is disposed in contact with the top of the central movable contact. The stick part is supported in the through hole of the drive part so as to be able to move up and down independently, and the four protrusions of the drive part are arranged in contact with the upper part of the elastic arm of the individual movable contact. In addition, since only the stick unit moves downward and the drive unit does not move when the stick unit is pressed, the peripheral fixed contacts of the peripheral switch do not make erroneous contact.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0021]
(Embodiment 1)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the first embodiment.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a multidirectional switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line PP of FIG.
[0023]
In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a square switch case having an open top, a central fixed contact 23 comprising a central contact 23A and a side contact 23B for a central switch 22 in a central concave portion on the inner bottom surface, and a partition wall 24 having a central concave portion. And four sets of peripheral fixed contacts 26A to 26D for peripheral switches 25A to 25D, which will be described later, between the outer peripheral walls 21A to 21D of the four sides, respectively, as shown in the plan view of the switch case of FIG. Each lead-out terminal 29A-29F protrudes to the outer periphery.
[0024]
The center contact 23A of the central fixed contact 23 is connected to the lead-out terminal 29E, and the first contacts 27A to 27D of the peripheral fixed contacts 26A to 26D are connected to the lead-out terminals 29A to 29D, respectively. The second contacts 28A to 28D of each of the four sets of peripheral fixed contacts 26A to 26D are connected as common contacts and connected to a common lead-out terminal 29F.
[0025]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a center movable contact in the form of a circular dome formed of an elastic metal thin plate. The lower end of the outer periphery is placed on the side contact 23B of the center fixed contact 23, and the lower surface of the top is at a predetermined distance from the center fixed contact 23A. The central switch 22 is configured to face each other.
[0026]
Reference numeral 31 denotes a peripheral movable contact similarly formed of an elastic metal thin plate, and as shown in the plan view of FIG. 5, four individually movable contacts each having a linear elastic arm 32A to 32D and a tip portion 33A to 33D. The contacts 31A to 31D are connected to each other by a narrow crosspiece 31E in a square ring shape.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the switch case 21 accommodating the central movable contact 30 and the peripheral movable contact 31 described above.
[0028]
In the figure, the peripheral movable contact 31 is partially illustrated so that the combined state of the two can be easily understood. In the figure, the central movable contact 30 constitutes the central switch 22 as described above, and the four individual movable contacts 31A to 31D of the peripheral movable contact 31 are respectively formed by four elastic arms 32A to 32D on the four sides of the switch case 21. Along the outer peripheral walls 21A to 21D, the roots thereof rest on the respective second contacts 28A to 28D of the four peripheral fixed contacts 26A to 26D, and the respective tips 33A to 33D correspond to the respective first contacts 27A to 27D. Are arranged so as to face each other with an interval (see also FIG. 3) to constitute four peripheral switches 25A to 25D.
[0029]
The peripheral switches 25C and 25D are not shown in the figure, but both have the same configuration as the other peripheral switches 25A and 25B.
[0030]
As described above, on the upper part of the switch case 21 accommodating the central movable contact 30 of the central switch 22 and the peripheral movable contacts 31 of the peripheral switches 25A to 25D, four outer peripheral walls are provided in order to enhance the dustproof performance of the switch contact part. A dustproof sheet 34 made of a flexible insulating film having a size along the inner circumference of 21A to 21D is provided.
[0031]
On the upper part of the dust-proof sheet 34, an operation body 35 including a square pillar-shaped stick part 36 at the center and a square drive part 37 integrally formed at the lower end thereof is mounted.
[0032]
The stick portion 36 is tiltably and vertically movably supported by a square central hole 38A of a plate-like cover 38 covering the opening of the switch case 21 and projects upward. It is parallel to the outer peripheral walls 21A to 21D of the four sides of the switch case 21, and engages with a predetermined gap so as to be vertically movable.
[0033]
Also, a projection 39 at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit 37 is disposed in contact with the top of the central movable contact 30 of the central switch 22 via the dustproof sheet 34, and the projections 40A to 40A provided at the lower part of the outer periphery of each side of the square. 40D faces the elastic arms 32A to 32D of the individual movable contacts 31A to 31D of the four peripheral switches 25A to 25D below the dustproof sheet 34 at a predetermined interval, and has a rectangular contact on the upper surface of the drive unit 37. The contact portion 41 is in contact with the lower surface of the cover 38.
[0034]
The multidirectional switch according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.
[0035]
First, as a first operation, in the normal state of the multi-directional switch shown in FIG. 1, a pressing force is applied to the stick portion 36 of the operating body 35 in the direction indicated by the arrow in the front sectional view of FIG. When the tilting operation is performed toward the outer peripheral wall 21 A which is one of the four sides, the driving part 37 tilts with the right side 41 A where the rectangular contact part 41 on the upper surface of the driving part 37 of the operating body 35 contacts the lower surface of the cover 38 as a fulcrum. The protruding portion 40A at the lower part of the outer periphery of the left side 37A of the square moves downward, and presses the elastic arm 32A of the corresponding individual movable contact 31A downward while bending the dustproof sheet 34.
[0036]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. 7, the distal end 33A of the individual movable contact 31A is pressed against the first contact 27A of the peripheral fixed contact 26A, thereby forming the peripheral fixed contact 26A. Between the first contact 27A and the second contact 28A, that is, the peripheral switch 25A conducts, and the signal is transmitted to the circuit of the electronic device using the multidirectional switch through the lead-out terminals 29A and 29F.
[0037]
When the protrusion 40A at the lower part of the outer periphery of the drive unit 37 pushes the elastic arm 32A of the individual movable contact 31A downward to bring the tip 33A into contact with the first contact 27A of the peripheral fixed contact 26A, the tip 33A is moved to the second position. By pushing down the elastic arm 32A below the position where it contacts the one contact 27A, the contact point between the tip 33A and the first contact 27A is wiped, so that the contact between the contacts is stabilized.
[0038]
When the drive unit 37 is tilted, the projection 39 at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit 37 that is in contact with the top of the center movable contact 30 also moves downward to elastically deform the center of the center movable contact 30. The center movable contact 30 is partially elastically inverted to generate a sense of moderation by setting the amount by which the center of the center contact is pressed downward to a predetermined value.
[0039]
That is, generation of an electric signal due to electric conduction between the lead-out terminals 29A and 29F can be recognized with a sense of moderation.
[0040]
After that, when the pressing force applied to the stick portion 36 of the operating body 35 in the tilting direction is removed, the elastic arm 32A of the individual movable contact 31A and the central movable contact 30 try to return to their original shapes by their respective elastic restoring forces, and dust-proofing is performed. The projection 40A and the projection 39 on the lower surface of the drive unit 37 of the operation body 35 are pushed back via the sheet 34 to return to the normal state of FIG. 1, and between the first contact 27A and the second contact 28A of the peripheral fixed contact 26A, that is, The peripheral switch 25A returns to the original OFF state.
[0041]
Similarly, when the stick portion 36 of the operating body 35 is tilted toward one of the other outer peripheral walls 21B to 21D of the four sides of the switch case 21, the peripheral fixed contacts 26B, 26C or 26D in the tilted direction, that is, the peripheral The switch 25B, 25C or 25D can be made conductive.
[0042]
When the central movable contact 30 is partially elastically inverted to generate a sense of moderation, the central lower surface of the central movable contact 30 contacts the central contact 23A of the central fixed contact 23 and the central switch 22 conducts. It is also conceivable that the multi-directional switch uses a switching recognition means for processing so as to cancel conduction of the central switch 22 within a certain time lag after one set of the peripheral fixed contacts 26A to 26D conducts. By providing the electronic device in the electronic device, malfunction can be prevented.
[0043]
Next, as a second operation, in the normal state shown in FIG. 1, when a pressing force is applied to the stick portion 36 of the operating body 35 in a vertical downward direction indicated by an arrow in the front sectional view of FIG. The whole moves downward, and the projection 39 at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit 37 pushes the top of the central movable contact 30 while bending the dust-proof sheet 34, and the central part is partially elastically inverted downward with a sense of moderation.
[0044]
The central lower surface of the central movable contact 30 that has been partially elastically inverted contacts the central contact 23A of the lower central fixed contact 23, so that the central switch 23A between the central fixed contact 23 and the side contact 23B, that is, the central switch. 22 conducts, and the signal is transmitted to the circuit of the electronic device using the multi-directional switch via the output terminals 29E and 29F.
[0045]
The central portion of the central movable contact 30 that has been partially elastically inverted is pushed downward by the projection 39 on the lower surface of the drive portion 37 of the operating body 35 until the central movable contact 30 hits the central contact 23A.
[0046]
When the projection 39 at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit 37 of the operation body 35 presses the central movable contact 30 against the center contact 23A, the protrusions 40A to 40D provided on the lower part of the outer periphery of each side of the drive unit 37 are provided with dustproof sheets. The dimensions are set so as to keep a predetermined distance from the elastic arms 32A to 32D of the individual movable contacts 31A to 31D of the peripheral switch 34 and the peripheral switches 25A to 25D (see FIG. 9).
[0047]
Further, after the projection 39 at the lower center of the drive unit 37 presses the central movable contact 30 against the center contact 23A, the operating body 35 is inclined, and the protrusions 40A to 40D at the lower outer periphery of each side of the drive unit 37 are connected to the peripheral switches 25A to 25D. It is conceivable to press the elastic arms 32A to 32D of the individual movable contacts 31A to 31D. However, after the center switch 22 is turned on, the switching is performed so as to cancel the conduction of the peripheral switches 25A to 25D within a certain time difference. By providing the recognition means in an electronic device using the multi-directional switch, malfunction can be prevented.
[0048]
Then, when the vertically downward pressing force applied to the stick portion 37 of the operating body 35 is removed, the central movable contact 30 attempts to return to the original circular dome shape by its own elastic restoring force, and through the dust-proof sheet 34, 1 is returned upward to return to the normal state of FIG. 1, and the central switch 22 returns to the original OFF state between the central contact 23A and the side contact 23B of the central fixed contact 23.
[0049]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the individual movable contacts 31A to 31D of the peripheral switches 25A to 25D are fixed to the peripheral fixed contacts 26A to 32D by the linear elastic arms 32A to 32D along the outer peripheral walls 21A to 21D of the switch case 21. 26D, the projected area of the switch case 21 accommodating them is small, and in order to conduct the peripheral switches 25A to 25D, the stick of the operating body 35 is directed toward each corresponding side of the switch case 21. Since the switch 36 may be tilted, it is not necessary to tilt the switch case 21 with respect to the side surface of the device case when mounting the device on the device to be used, that is, it is not necessary to mount the switch case 21 at an angle. A simple multi-directional switch can be realized.
[0050]
(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
[0052]
FIG. 10 is a front view of a partial cross section of a multidirectional switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view. As shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the configurations of the peripheral switches 25A to 25D are different.
[0053]
That is, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 12, the switch case 42 includes four sets for the peripheral switches 43A to 43D disposed between the partition wall of the central concave portion on the inner bottom surface and the four outer peripheral walls 42A to 42D. Are fixedly electrically independent from each other, and four sets of lead-out terminals 45A-45D and 46A-46D connected to the respective contacts also electrically independently protrude to the outer periphery of the switch case 42. ing.
[0054]
The lead-out terminals 45E and 45F are connected to the central contact 23A and the side contact 23B of the central fixed contact 23 provided in the central recess, and a circular dome-shaped central movable contact is provided above the central fixed contact 23. The configuration of the central switch 22 with 30 mounted thereon is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0055]
As shown in the plan views of FIGS. 11 and 13, the peripheral movable contact 47 formed from the elastic metal thin plate connects the center of the individual movable contacts 47A to 47D, which are linear flat elastic arms, to the supporting portions 48A to 48A. It is slightly lifted by 48D and is connected to a ring-shaped rectangular crosspiece 47E.
[0056]
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the switch case 42 in which the peripheral movable contact 47 is housed together with the central movable contact 30.
[0057]
It is to be noted that, in the same figure as FIG. 6 used in the first embodiment, the peripheral movable contact 47 is partially illustrated so that the combined state of the two can be easily understood.
[0058]
In the figure, the central movable contact 30 constitutes the central switch 22 as described above, and the four individual movable contacts 47A to 47D of the peripheral movable contact 47 extend along the outer peripheral walls 42A to 42D on the four sides of the switch case 42. The two ends are accommodated above the first contacts 49A-49D and the second contacts 50A-50D of the four peripheral fixed contacts 44A-44D so as to face each other by a predetermined distance (see also FIG. 10). The four peripheral switches 43A to 43D are configured.
[0059]
The peripheral switches 43C and 43D are not shown in the figure, but both have the same configuration as the other peripheral switches 43A and 43B.
[0060]
Thus, the four peripheral switches 43A to 43D are in a state of being insulated from each other, that is, in an electrically independent state.
[0061]
Thus, the dustproof sheet 34 is disposed above the switch case 42 accommodating the central movable contact 30 of the central switch 22 and the peripheral movable contacts 47 of the peripheral switches 43A to 43D. The operation body 35 composed of the drive unit 37 is placed, the opening of the switch case 42 is covered with the plate-shaped cover 38, and the stick portion 36 is projected upward from the square central hole 38A of the cover 38. This is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0062]
FIG. 15 is a front view of a partial cross section when the stick portion 36 of the operation body 35 of the multidirectional switch according to the present embodiment configured as described above is tilted.
[0063]
That is, when a pressing force is applied to the stick portion 36 and the tilting operation is performed toward the outer peripheral wall 42 A which is one of the four sides of the switch case 42, the driving portion 37 tilts and tilts in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The protrusion 40A (see FIG. 11) at the lower part of the outer periphery of the side 37A moves downward, and presses the central part of the individual movable contact 47A, which is a corresponding elastic arm, downward while bending the dust-proof sheet 34, thereby supporting the support part. 48A is bent and the individual movable contact 47A moves downward.
[0064]
Then, the both ends of the individual movable contact 47A in the form of a straight plate contact the first contact 49A and the second contact 50A of the peripheral fixed contact 44A facing each other to short-circuit them, so that the peripheral switch 43A is turned on. , Its signal is supplied to a set of output terminals 45A. The signal is transmitted to the circuit of the electronic device to be used via 46A.
[0065]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the stick portion 36 of the operating body 35 is removed, the individual movable contact 47A pushes back the protrusion 40A on the lower surface of the driving portion 37 of the operating body 35 in an attempt to return to the original shape by the elastic restoring force. Returning to the original normal state and the peripheral switch 43A returning to the OFF state is also the same as in the first embodiment.
[0066]
When the stick portion 36 is tilted toward the outer peripheral wall 42A of the switch case 42, the other peripheral switches 43B to 43D remain insulated from the peripheral switch 43A, that is, maintain an electrically independent state. ing.
[0067]
When the projecting portion 40A at the lower part of the outer periphery of the driving section 37 pushes the individual movable contact 47A downward to contact both ends thereof with the first contact 49A and the second contact 50A of the peripheral fixed contact 44A, the individual movable contact 47A is It is possible that the contact portion is wiped by pushing down to a position lower than the position where both contacts, and that the central portion of the central movable contact 30 can be partially elastically inverted to generate a sense of moderation when the driving portion 37 is inclined. This is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0068]
The operation in the case where the stick portion 36 of the operating tool 35 is pressed in the vertical direction is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.
[0069]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the four peripheral switches 43A to 43D of the multi-directional switch are electrically independent from each other, it is possible to reduce the restrictions on use in the electronic device to be used. it can.
[0070]
(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the third embodiment.
[0071]
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
[0072]
FIG. 16 is a front sectional view of the multi-directional switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. The stick unit 36 and the driving unit 37 of the body 35 are a separate stick 51 and a driving unit 53.
[0073]
That is, the stick 51 is a quadrangular prism-shaped rod, and the spherical projection 52 at the lower end is disposed in contact with the top of the circular dome-shaped central movable contact 30 of the central switch 22, and the square at the center of the driving body 53. The upper end portion protrudes upward from the cover 38 while being supported so as to be independently movable up and down by a through hole 54 of the lower end portion so as not to be pulled out upward by a flange portion 51A on the outer periphery of the lower end portion.
[0074]
The driving body 53 has a rectangular outer periphery parallel to the outer peripheral walls 21A to 21D of the four sides of the switch case 21 and is engaged with the outer periphery of the switch case 21 at a predetermined interval so as to be able to move up and down. The portions 55A to 55D are disposed in contact with the upper portions of the elastic arms 32A to 32D of the individual movable contacts 31A to 31D of the peripheral switches 25A to 25D via the dustproof sheet 34, and have a rectangular shape around the through hole 54 on the upper surface. Is in contact with the lower surface of the cover 38.
[0075]
Other configurations are the same as those according to the first embodiment.
[0076]
FIGS. 17 and 18 are front sectional views when the stick 51 of the multidirectional switch according to the present embodiment configured as described above is operated.
[0077]
First, when a pressing force is applied to the stick 51 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 17 and the tilting operation is performed toward the outer peripheral wall 21 A, which is one of the four sides of the switch case 21, the stick 51 and the upper surface of the driving body 53 are brought into contact with each other. The driving body 53 tilts with the right side 56A at which the portion 56 contacts the lower surface of the cover 38 as a fulcrum, and the protrusion 55A at the lower outer periphery of the left side 53A of the square moves downward to deflect the dustproof sheet 34. The elastic arm 32A of the corresponding individual movable contact 31A is pushed downward.
[0078]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 described above, the distal end 33A of the individual movable contact 31A is pressed against the first contact 27A of the peripheral fixed contact 26A, whereby the first contact 27A and the second contact 27A of the peripheral fixed contact 26A are pressed. Conduction of the contact between the contact 28A, that is, the peripheral switch 25A is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0079]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the stick portion 51 is removed, the individual movable contact 31A pushes back the projection 55A on the lower surface of the driving body 53 to return to the original shape by the elastic restoring force, and returns to the original normal state. Also, when the driving body 53 is inclined, the central portion of the central movable contact 30 can be partially elastically inverted to generate a sense of moderation, as in the first embodiment.
[0080]
Next, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 18, when a pressing force is applied by applying a pressing force vertically downward to the stick 51, only the stick 51 moves downward, and the spherical projection 52 at the lower end portion causes the dustproof sheet 34 to bend while the center is bent. The top of the movable contact 30 is pressed, and the center of the movable contact 30 is partially elastically inverted with a sense of moderation, so that the center switch 23A of the center fixed contact 23 and the side contact 23B, that is, the center switch 22 is conducted.
[0081]
At this time, the driving body 53 does not move and remains stationary.
[0082]
When the vertically downward pressing force applied to the stick 51 is removed, the central movable contact 30 attempts to return to the circular dome shape by its own elastic restoring force, and pushes the stick 51 upward through the dustproof sheet 34 to return to the original position. Return to normal state.
[0083]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the stick 51 is pressed, only the stick 51 moves downward, and the driving body 53 does not move, so that the peripheral switches 25A to 25D do not make erroneous contact.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the individual movable contacts of the peripheral switch conduct the peripheral fixed contacts by the linear elastic arms along the outer peripheral wall of the switch case, the projection of the switch case accommodating them is performed. With a small area, it is not necessary to tilt the switch case with respect to the side of the device case when mounting it on the device to be used, that is, it is not necessary to mount the switch case at an angle, and a multidirectional switch advantageous in space in the device case can be realized. The advantageous effect described above can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a multidirectional switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line PP of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a switch case as the main part.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a peripheral movable contact which is the main part.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a switch case accommodating a movable contact which is a main part of the switch case.
FIG. 7 is a front sectional view when the stick unit is tilted.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line QQ in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a front sectional view when the stick unit is pressed.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a partial cross section of a multidirectional switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a switch case as the main part.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a peripheral movable contact which is the main part.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a switch case accommodating a movable contact which is a main part of the switch case.
FIG. 15 is a front view of a partial cross section when the stick is tilted.
FIG. 16 is a front sectional view of a multi-directional switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a front sectional view when the stick portion is tilted.
FIG. 18 is a front sectional view when the stick portion is pressed.
FIG. 19 is a front sectional view of a conventional multidirectional switch.
FIG. 20 is a plan view of a switch case accommodating a movable contact which is a main part of the same.
FIG. 21 is a front sectional view when the stick portion is tilted.
FIG. 22 is a front sectional view when the stick unit is pressed.
[Explanation of symbols]
21,42 Switch case
21A-21D, 42A-42D Outer wall
22 Central switch
23 Central fixed contact
23A center contact
23B side contact
24 partition
25A-25D, 43A-43D Peripheral switch
26A-26D, 44A-44D Peripheral fixed contact
27A-27D, 49A-49D First contact
28A-28D, 50A-50D Second contact
29A-29F, 45A-45F Derivation terminal
30 Central movable contact
31, 47 Peripheral movable contact
31A-31D, 47A-47D Individual movable contact
31E, 47E pier
32A-32D elastic arm
33A-33D Tip
34 Dustproof sheet
35 Operation body
36 Stick part
37 Drive
37A, 41A, 56A side
38 cover
38A Central hole
39 protrusion
40A-40D, 55A-55D Projection
41,56 contact part
48A to 48D support
51 Stick
51A Flange
52 spherical projection
53 Driver
54 Through hole

Claims

A set of central fixed contacts of a central switch is provided in a central recess provided in the inner bottom surface of the square, and four sets of peripheral fixed contacts of a peripheral switch are provided between the partition wall around the central recess and the outer peripheral wall of the four sides. A switch case having an open top and an elastic metal thin plate disposed on the side contact of the center fixed contact, and a top lower surface facing the center contact of the center fixed contact at a predetermined interval. The center movable contact in the shape of a circular dome arranged as described above, and a linear elastic arm along the outer peripheral wall of the switch case, which is made of an elastic metal thin plate, is pushed from above, and the tip end conducts between the contacts of each set. The four individual movable contacts arranged above each of the four sets of peripheral fixed contacts are arranged on the peripheral movable contact connected in a rectangular shape by a narrow bar, the central stick and the lower end thereof. The above A square drive unit which engages with the outer peripheral wall of the switch case so as to be movable up and down; a projection provided at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit is arranged in contact with the top of the central movable contact; An operating body having four projecting portions facing the respective elastic arm upper portions of the individual movable contacts at the outer peripheral lower portion of each side of the driving portion, and a stick portion of the operating body is tiltably supported by a center hole and is upward. And a plate-shaped cover that covers the upper opening of the switch case so that the rectangular contact portion on the upper surface of the drive unit contacts the lower surface, and the stick of the operating body is connected to the switch case. When the tilting operation is performed toward one of the four sides, the drive unit tilts around a position where one side of the rectangular contact portion on the upper surface of the drive unit contacts the lower surface of the cover as a fulcrum. versus At the same time, the elastic arm of the individual movable contact is pushed downward to conduct a set of the peripheral fixed contacts at the bottom, and at the same time, the projection at the center of the lower surface of the driving section pushes the central part of the central movable contact downward by a predetermined amount to be elastic. When the stick is deformed and pressed vertically downward, the projection at the center of the lower surface of the driving unit partially inverts the center of the central movable contact downward and contacts the center contact, thereby fixing the center. A multi-directional switch that conducts contacts.

An outer peripheral wall of the switch case is provided between a central movable contact and a peripheral movable contact housed in a switch case, and a projection at a center of a lower surface of a drive unit and a projection at a lower part of an outer periphery of a square disposed on an upper part thereof. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, further comprising a dustproof sheet made of a flexible insulating film having a size along an inner circumference of the switch.

When the stick of the operating body is tilted toward one of the four sides of the switch case, the protrusion on the outer periphery of the drive unit has a curved elasticity of the individual movable contact up to a position below the position where one set of peripheral fixed contacts conducts. The multi-directional switch according to claim 1, wherein the arm is pushed down.

When tilting the stick of the operating body toward one of the four sides of the switch case, the drive unit is tilted to conduct a set of peripheral fixed contacts, and the protrusion at the center of the lower surface of the drive unit is the center of the central movable contact. 2. The multi-directional switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is pressed downward by a predetermined amount to cause partial elastic reversal to generate a sense of moderation.

The four sets of peripheral fixed contacts are electrically independent of each other, and in the normal state, the four individual movable contacts of the peripheral movable contacts are separated from the respective peripheral fixed contacts by a predetermined dimension. The multidirectional switch according to 1.

The stick portion of the operating body and the driving portion are formed separately, and the lower end portion of the driving portion is arranged so as to be in contact with the top of the central movable contact so that the stick portion can move up and down independently. 2. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is supported by the through-hole, and the four protruding portions of the driving portion are arranged in contact with upper portions of the elastic arms of the individual movable contacts.