JP2005166332A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional input device with reliability of input operation improved and further downsizing realized. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a housing 1 having a storage part 1a; operating members 7, 8 protruded from the housing and capable of making pressing and tilting operations; reversing springs 5, 6 arranged in the storage part 1a and reversing in accordance with the pressing and tilting operations of the operating members 7, 8; and a signal detection means arranged in the storage part 1a and outputting signals in accordance with the reversing of the reversing springs 5, 6. The reversing springs 5, 6 are formed of the first reversing spring 5 reversing in accordance with the pressing operation of the operating member 7, and the second reversing springs 6 reversing in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating member 8, the former 5 having a plurality of jutted piece parts 5c formed extended from its outer periphery edge parts 5b, made thrusted out on top faces of the latter 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device capable of inputting a signal according to a tilting operation and a push operation of an operation member.

  As a structure of a conventional multidirectional input device, a central fixed contact on the inner bottom, a common contact located around the center, and a housing provided with four peripheral fixed contacts, a tilting operation on the housing, and It is known that a stem (operating member) that is supported so as to be able to be pushed and a tact spring that is operated by the operation of the stem and is arranged between the inner bottom portion of the housing and the stem (for example, Patent Document 1).

The structure of a conventional multidirectional input device will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional multidirectional input device, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional multidirectional input device.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 51 denotes a housing formed of synthetic resin. A circular center fixed contact 52, a common contact 53 surrounding the center fixed contact 52, and the common contact 53 are provided on the inner bottom of the housing 51. Peripheral fixed contacts 54 located at four positions on the front, rear, right and left of the periphery of the housing are exposed. The central fixed contact 52, the common contact 53, and the peripheral fixed contacts 54 protrude from both side surfaces of the housing 51 as terminals 55.

  Reference numeral 56 indicates a central tact spring, and reference numeral 57 indicates a peripheral tact spring. The central tact spring 56 is formed in a circular dome shape as a whole, and this central tact spring 56 is placed on the common contact 53 around the central fixed contact 52. On the other hand, the peripheral tact spring 57 is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole, and a double-ended bulged portion 57a is integrally formed at the center thereof. The peripheral tact spring 57 is placed on the common contact 53 inside each peripheral fixed contact 54.

  Reference numeral 58 denotes a first stem formed of a synthetic resin. The first stem 58 has a cylindrical portion 58a and a skirt portion 58b extending obliquely downward from the cylindrical portion 58a. The four protrusions 58 c are integrally formed at an equal interval of about 90 degrees, and these protrusions 58 c are in contact with the bulging portions 57 a of the peripheral tact springs 57. A guide hole 59 penetrating in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the cylindrical portion 58a. The first stem 58 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the housing 51 by placing the protrusions 58 c on the corresponding peripheral tact springs 57.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a second stem formed of a synthetic resin, and a flange portion 60a is integrally formed at the lower end of the second stem 60. The second stem 60 is inserted from below in the guide hole 59 and protrudes upward from the first stem 58, and is prevented from coming off by the flange portion 60a. A pressing protrusion 60 b is integrally formed at the center of the lower surface of the second stem 60, and the lower end of the pressing protrusion 60 b is in contact with the center tact spring 56.

  Reference numeral 61 denotes a lid made of a metal plate, in which a circular central hole 61a is drilled at the center and mounting holes 61b are drilled at four corners. The lid 61 is formed by caulking the bosses 51c of the housing 51 inserted into the mounting holes 61b in a state where the skirt portion 58b of the first stem 58 is passed through the central hole 61a. It is attached to.

  In the multidirectional switch configured as described above, when the second stem 60 is tilted in any one of the four directions of the front, rear, left and right where the peripheral fixed contacts 54 are arranged, the first stem 58 is also the same. Since the protrusion 58c positioned in the tilting direction presses the peripheral tact spring 57 positioned therebelow and the peripheral fixed contact 54 positioned below and the common contact 53 are electrically connected to each other. Is obtained.

  On the other hand, when the second stem 60 is pushed downward, the second stem 60 descends along the guide hole 59 of the first stem 58, and the pressing protrusion 60b presses the central tact spring 56 positioned below the second stem 60. Then, since the central fixed contact 52 and the common contact 53 located below are conducted, a switch-on state is obtained.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-188738

However, in the structure of the conventional multi-directional input device described above, when the stems (operation members) 58 and 60 are tilted while the input device is tilted, the peripheral tact spring 57 disposed on the side opposite to the tilt direction. Has risen from the peripheral fixed contact 54 and the common contact 53, and there is a problem in that the continuity between the peripheral fixed contact 54 and the common contact 53 cannot be obtained during the tilting operation in this direction, resulting in poor contact.
In order to prevent the peripheral tact spring 57 from being lifted up, it is conceivable to provide a spacer or the like that presses the outer periphery of the peripheral tact spring 57. In this case, however, the number of parts is increased by adding parts such as a spacer, and assembly is performed. There is a problem in that it becomes complicated and the cost is increased, and the input device is increased in size and hinders downsizing.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device that solves the above-described problems, can improve the reliability of input operations, and can be miniaturized.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides, as a first solution, a housing having a storage portion, an operation member that protrudes from the housing and can be pressed and tilted from a neutral position, and disposed in the storage portion. And a reversing spring that reverses in response to a pressing and tilting operation of the operating member, and a signal detection means that is disposed in the storage portion and outputs a signal in response to the reversing of the reversing spring. A first reversing spring that reverses in response to a pressing operation of the operating member and a second reversing spring that inverts in response to a tilting operation of the operating member are formed, and the second reversing spring is the first reversing spring. A plurality of projecting pieces extending from the outer peripheral edge of the first reversing spring are formed on the first reversing spring, and the projecting pieces are used as the second reversing spring. Configuration that projects over the top surface It was.

Further, as a second solving means, the operation member or the second reversing spring has a protrusion for concentrating the pressing force to the second reversing spring on a contact surface that abuts when the operation member is tilted. A portion is provided, and the protruding piece portion is arranged so as to protrude at a position where the protruding portion and the protruding piece portion do not overlap.
Further, as a third solving means, an opening for exposing the top of the second reversing spring is formed in the projecting piece, and when the operation member is tilted, the second through the opening. The reversing spring is pressed.

As a fourth solution, the first and second reversing springs are formed of a metal plate having a reversible bulging portion, and the housing housing portion has an outer portion of the second reversing spring. A peripheral contact portion that is always in contact with the peripheral edge portion and a central contact portion that is in contact with and separated from the bulging portions of the first and second reversing springs are formed, and the signal detecting means is formed by the central contact portion and the peripheral contact portion. It was set as the structure which formed.
Further, as a fifth solving means, the outer peripheral edge portion where the protruding piece portion of the first reversing spring extends is arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion of the second reversing spring.
Further, as a sixth solution, the projecting piece of the first reversing spring is brought into contact with the second reversing spring, and the first reversing spring is interposed through the second reversing spring. It was set as the structure connected with the peripheral contact part.

As described above, the multi-directional input device of the present invention includes a housing having a storage portion, an operation member that protrudes from the housing and can be pressed and tilted from a neutral position, and is disposed in the storage portion and presses the operation member. And a reversing spring that reverses in response to the tilting operation and a signal detection means that is disposed in the storage portion and outputs a signal in response to the reversing of the reversing spring, and the reversing spring is reversed in response to the pressing operation of the operating member. A first reversing spring and a second reversing spring that is reversed in response to the tilting operation of the operating member, and a plurality of second reversing springs are provided around the first reversing spring, and the first reversing spring In addition, a plurality of projecting pieces extending from the outer peripheral edge of the first reversing spring are formed, and the projecting pieces are arranged so as to protrude from the upper surface of the second reversing spring. Even if the operating member is tilted in this state, the first counter Since the plurality of projecting pieces extending from the outer peripheral edge of the spring are projected on the upper surface of the second reversing spring that reverses according to the tilting operation of the operating member, they are arranged on the side opposite to the tilting direction. Since the second reversing spring does not float, the reliability of the input operation during the tilting operation can be improved.
Further, since no separate parts such as spacers are required, the cost can be reduced and the input device can be made thinner.

In addition, the operating member or the second reversing spring is provided with a protruding portion for concentrating the pressing force on the second reversing spring on the contact surface that contacts the operating member when the operating member is tilted. Since the projecting piece portion is arranged so as to project at a position where it does not overlap, the second reversing spring can be reliably pressed by the operating member during the tilting operation of the operating member, so that a good operating feeling can be obtained. .
In addition, an opening that exposes the top of the second reversing spring is formed in the projecting piece, and when the operation member is tilted, the second reversing spring is pressed through the opening. The projecting piece can be extended over a wide range of the upper surface of the second reversing spring, and the operating member and the projecting piece do not interfere with each other, so that the floating can be prevented more reliably.

Further, the first and second reversing springs are formed of a metal plate having a reversible bulging portion, and a housing contact portion includes a peripheral contact portion that is always in contact with an outer peripheral edge portion of the second reversing spring. The first and second reversing springs are formed by forming a central contact portion that contacts and separates the bulging portions of the first and second reversing springs, and forming the signal detecting means by the central contact portion and the peripheral contact portion. Thus, the movable contact can also be used, a good click feeling can be obtained, and the configuration can be simplified, so that the input device can be made thinner.
In addition, since the outer peripheral edge portion from which the protruding piece portion of the first reversing spring extends is disposed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the second reversing spring, the first reversing spring is disposed around the first reversing spring. Since the arrangement dimension of the 2 reversing springs in the radial direction can be reduced, the input device can be reduced in the width direction.
In addition, the projecting piece of the first reversing spring is brought into contact with the second reversing spring, and the first reversing spring is brought into conduction with the peripheral contact portion via the second reversing spring. It is not necessary to separately provide a peripheral contact portion for the reversing spring, and the interval between the second reversing springs can be reduced, so that the input device can be reduced in the width direction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a multidirectional input device of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional input device, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a reversing spring is housed in a housing, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the housing, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the reversing spring, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the second embodiment of the apparatus with the reversing spring housed in the housing, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the second embodiment of the housing, and FIG. It is a top view which shows 2nd Example of a spring.

1 to 4, the housing 1 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, is formed in a rectangular box shape with an upper surface opened, and has a storage portion 1 a inside. The housing portion 1a is provided with four substantially circular recessed portions 1b at the four corners on the diagonal line of the housing 1, and these recessed portions 1b are connected to each other at the center to store the housing portion 1a. Is forming. In addition, a step portion 1c having a step at a position one step higher than the hollow portion 1b is provided in the center of the storage portion 1a.
Further, a step portion 1e is provided in an adjacent portion of the four recess portions 1b so as to be substantially equal to or slightly higher than the step portion 1c.

  In the center of the upper surface of the stepped portion 1c, a first central contact portion 2 made of a conductive metal plate is exposed and disposed. In addition, a second central contact portion 3 made of a conductive metal plate is exposed and arranged at the center of each of the recess portions 1b, and the periphery of the second central contact portion 3 is also electrically conductive. A peripheral contact portion 4 made of a conductive metal plate is provided so as to surround the second central contact portion 3. The peripheral contact portions 4 are each formed of an integral metal plate, and are disposed so as to surround the periphery of the first central contact portion 2 at the same time. The first central contact portion 2 and the peripheral contact portion 4 form a first signal detection means, and the second central contact portion 3 and the peripheral contact portion 4 form a second signal detection means. Yes.

  Further, the base portions of the first central contact portion 2 and the second central contact portion 3 are bent and are integrally embedded in the inner bottom portion of the housing 1 by a method such as insert molding, and the other end side is Connection terminals 2a and 3a are provided from the outer surface of the housing 1 to the outside. These connection terminals 2a and 3a are connected to a conductive pattern of a circuit board (not shown) such as an electronic device.

  The base of the peripheral contact portion 4 is also bent and is integrally embedded in the inner bottom portion of the housing 1 by a method such as insert molding, and the other end is led out from the outer surface of the housing 1. Thus, a connection terminal 4a is provided. Similarly, the connection terminal 4a is also connected to a conductive pattern of a circuit board (not shown) such as an electronic device.

  A first reversing spring 5 and a second reversing spring 6 made of a thin metal plate having spring properties are housed in the first housing portion 1a. The second reversing spring 6 is housed in the recess 1b. The second reversing spring 6 has a circular dome-shaped bulged portion 6a and an outer peripheral edge 6b. The peripheral portion 6b is placed on the first peripheral contact portion 4 and is electrically connected, and the bulging portion 6a is disposed in a state of being opposed to and spaced apart from the second central contact portion 3. At this time, the second reversal spring 6 is held by positioning the outer peripheral edge 6b on the circular inner wall of the recess 1b.

  Further, in the storage portion 1 a, a first reversing spring 5 made of a thin metal plate having the same spring property is stored in a state of being superimposed on the upper surface of the second reversing spring 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the first reversing spring 5 has a substantially circular dome-shaped bulged portion 5a and an outer peripheral edge portion 5b. The outer peripheral edge portion 5b includes a plurality of protruding piece portions 5c. However, it is formed so as to extend from a diagonally opposite position. The projecting piece 5c is arranged so as to be overlaid on the upper surface of the second reversing spring 6.

  Further, an opening 5d made of a notch is formed in the projecting piece 5c of the first reversing spring 5. When the first reversing spring 5 is superimposed on the upper surface of the second reversing spring 6, the top of the bulging portion 6a of the second reversing spring 6 is exposed from the opening 5d, which will be described later. When the second operating member 8 is tilted, the second reversing spring 6 can be pressed through the opening 5d.

  In this way, the opening 5d that exposes the top of the bulging portion 6a of the second reversing spring 6 is formed in the projecting piece 5c, and the opening 5d is formed when the second operating member 8 is tilted. Since the second reversing spring 6 is pressed through the projecting piece 5c, the second reversing spring 6 can be extended over a wide area, and the second operating member 8 and the second reversing spring 6 can be extended. Since the projecting piece 5c does not interfere, the floating can be prevented more reliably.

  The first reversing spring 5 is housed in the center of the housing portion 1a so as to be positioned on the upper surface side around the second reversing spring 6 disposed in the recess 1b of the housing portion 1a. It has become. Then, the outer peripheral edge 5b of the first reversing spring 5 is placed so as to overlap the outer peripheral edge 6b of the second reversing spring 6, and the first and second reversing springs 5 and 6 are connected to each other. In addition to being electrically connected, the bulging portion 5a of the first reversing spring 5 is disposed facing the first central contact portion 2 and spaced apart.

At this time, the first reversing spring 5 and the second reversing spring 6 are in a state of being electrically connected via the protruding piece 5c of the outer peripheral edge 5b of the first reversing spring 5, An outer peripheral edge portion 5 b of the first reversing spring 5 is electrically connected to the peripheral contact portion 4 via the second reversing spring 6. Further, a part of the outer peripheral edge portion 5b of the first reversing spring 5 is brought into contact with a protruding wall portion 1d provided between the recess portions 1b of the housing portion 1a of the housing 1, and positioning in the vertical and horizontal directions is made. In this state, it is supported by the step 1e and positioned in the height direction.
As described above, in the case where the first reversal spring 5 is electrically connected to the peripheral contact portion 4 via the second reversal spring 6, the peripheral contact portion 4 is individually arranged on the step portion 1e. The width direction of the housing 1 can be further reduced.

Thus, since the outer peripheral edge part 5b from which the protruding piece part 5c of the first reversing spring 5 extends is arranged on the outer peripheral edge part 6b of the second reversing spring 6, the first Since the radial arrangement size of the second reversing spring 6 disposed around the reversing spring 5 can be reduced, the input device can be reduced in the width direction.
Further, the projecting piece 5 c of the first reversing spring 5 is brought into contact with the second reversing spring 6, and the first reversing spring 5 is brought into conduction with the peripheral contact portion 4 through the second reversing spring 6. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a peripheral contact portion for the first reversing spring 5 and the interval at which the second reversing spring 6 is arranged can be reduced, so that the input device can be reduced in the width direction. Become.

  In addition, the first and second reversing springs 5 and 6 are formed of a conductive metal plate having a reversible bulging portion, and the housing portion 1a includes the second reversing spring. The first and second central contact portions 2 are always in contact with the outer peripheral edge portion 6b of the peripheral contact portion 4, and the bulging portions 5a and 6a of the first and second reversing springs 5 and 6 are in contact with and separated from the peripheral contact portion 4. 3, and the first and second central contact portions 2 and 3 and the peripheral contact portion 4 constitute the first and second signal detecting means. The reversing springs 5 and 6 can also be used as movable contacts, so that a good click feeling can be obtained, the configuration is simplified, and the input device can be made thinner.

  The operation member is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and is formed of a first operation member 7 for pressing operation and a second operation member 8 for tilting operation that holds the first operation member 7 so as to be movable up and down. . The first operating member 7 includes a columnar base portion 7a, a flange portion 7b provided on the distal end side of the base portion 7a, and a pressing projection portion 7c. The second operating member 8 includes a base portion 8a having a hollow portion that holds the base portion 7a of the first operating member 7 so as to be movable up and down, an arm portion 8b extending around the base portion 8a, and the arm portion. And a tilting projection 8c provided on the lower surface of 8b.

  The first operating member 7 is inserted into the hollow portion of the second operating member 8 and is held by the base portion 8a by the flange portion 7b. The first and second operating members 7 and 8 are connected to the housing 1. Are housed so that they can be pressed and tilted. At this time, the pressing projection 7c of the first operating member 7 is in contact with the top surface of the bulging portion 5a of the first reversing spring 5, and the second operating member 8 The tilting protrusion 8c is in contact with the top surface of the bulging portion 6a of the second reversing spring 6 through the opening 5d of the protruding piece 5c of the first reversing spring 5. Yes.

In this way, the first and second operating members 7 and 8 are bulged by the first and second reversing springs 5 and 6 when the first and second operating members 7 and 8 are pressed and tilted. The pressing projection 7c and the tilting projection 8c for concentrating the pressing force on the first and second reversing springs 5 and 6 are provided on the contact surfaces that contact the tops of the portions 5a and 6a. The protrusion 5c of the first reversing spring 5 is provided with an opening 5d so that the protrusion 8c for tilting of the second operating portion 8 and the protrusion 5c do not overlap with each other. 5c is projected and arranged.
For this reason, when the second operating member 8 is tilted, the second reversing spring 6 can be surely pressed by the tilting projections of the second operating member 8, so that a good operation feeling can be obtained. It has become.

  In this case, although not shown, instead of the pressing projection 7c and the tilt projection 8c formed on the first and second operating members 7, 8, the first and second reversing springs 5, 6 may be provided on the top surface of the top of each of the bulges 5a and 6a. In this case as well, the tops of the bulges 5a and 6a of the first and second reversing springs 5 and 6 can be secured. It can be pressed and a good operation feeling can be obtained.

  The cover member 9 is formed in a substantially square shape by punching a metal plate or the like, and an opening 9a is formed at the center thereof, and the first and second operation members 7 and 8 are formed in the opening 9a. Projectingly arranged. The cover member 9 covers the opening of the housing 1a of the housing 1 and restricts the first and second operating members 7 and 8 from popping out.

Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device configured as described above will be described.
First, when the first operation member 7 is tilted in one of the left and right directions from the initial state shown in FIG. 1 (the state in which neither the operation member is pressed nor tilted), the first operation member 7 is moved. The second operating member 8 is tilted to one side, the tilting arm 8b is moved downward, and the top of the bulging portion 6a of the second reversing spring 6 in which the tilting projection 8c is disposed in the tilting direction. To reverse the second reversing spring 6.

  By reversing the second reversing spring 6, the lower surface of the top portion of the bulging portion 6 a comes into contact with the second central contact portion 3 that is disposed so as to face the periphery via the second reversing spring 6. The contact portion 4 and the second central contact portion 3 are electrically connected. At this time, when the second central contact portion 3 and the peripheral contact portion 4 are electrically connected, a predetermined signal is transmitted between the connection terminals 3a and 4a.

  At this time, the second reversing spring 6 disposed on the side opposite to the tilting direction has the tilting projection 8c of the arm portion 8b of the second operating member 8 separated from the top of the bulging portion 6a. Although the second reversing spring 6 is separated, the projecting piece 5c extending from the outer peripheral edge 5b of the first reversing spring 5 abuts on the upper surface of the bulging portion 6a. Therefore, even if the housing 1 is tilted, the second reversing spring 6 does not float from the peripheral contact portion 4 of the storage portion 1a.

  When the tilting operation to the first operating member 7 is released from this state, the second operating member 8 is pushed back upward by the reverse rotation of the second reversing spring 6 by its own spring force and is in an initial state. Return to. At this time, the conduction between the second central contact portion 3 and the peripheral contact portion 4 is also released, and the signal transmission is turned off.

  Next, when the first operation member 7 is pressed downward from the initial state shown in FIG. 1 (the state where neither the operation member is pressed nor tilted), the first operation member 7 performs the second operation. The first pressing protrusion 7c moves downward along the hollow portion of the member 8 and presses the top of the bulging portion 5a of the first reversing spring 5 disposed in the center. The reversal spring 5 is reversed.

  By the reversal of the first reversing spring 5, the top lower surface of the bulging portion 5a comes into contact with the first central contact portion 2 disposed to face the first reversing spring 5 and the second reversing spring 5 and the second reversing spring 5 The first central contact portion 2 and the peripheral contact portion 4 are electrically connected via the reversal spring 6. At this time, the first central contact portion 2 and the peripheral contact portion 4 are electrically connected, whereby a predetermined signal is transmitted between the connection terminals 2a and 4a.

  When the pressing operation to the first operating member 7 is released from this state, the first operating member 7 is pushed back upward by the reverse rotation of the central first reversing spring 5 by its own spring force. Return to the state. At this time, conduction between the first central contact portion 2 and the peripheral contact portion 4 is also released, and signal transmission is turned off.

According to the above-described embodiment, the first reversing spring 5 that reverses the reversing spring according to the pressing operation of the first operating member 7 and the second reversing that reverses according to the tilting operation of the second operating member 8. A plurality of the second reversing springs 6 are provided around the first reversing spring 5, and the first reversing spring 5 extends from the outer peripheral edge 5 b of the first reversing spring 5. Since a plurality of protruding piece portions 5c are formed and these protruding piece portions 5c are arranged so as to protrude from the upper surface of the second reversing spring 6, the second operating member 8 is in a state where the input device is inclined. Of the second reversing spring 6 in which the plurality of protruding pieces 5c extending from the outer peripheral edge 5b of the first reversing spring 5 are reversed in accordance with the tilting operation of the second operating member 8. Since it protrudes from the upper surface, the second reversing spring 6 arranged on the side opposite to the tilting direction is lifted. Since there is no, which is assumed to be able to improve the reliability of the input operation during the tilting operation.
Further, since no separate parts such as spacers are required, the cost can be reduced and the input device can be made thinner.

  In the above embodiment, the first reversing spring 5 is electrically connected to the peripheral contact portion 4 via the second reversing spring 6. However, instead of this, the first reversing spring 5 is connected to the stepped portion 1e. A fixed contact portion that is directly electrically connected to the outer peripheral edge portion 5b of the reversing spring 5 may be provided.

5 to 8 show a second embodiment of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
The difference from the configuration of the embodiment described above is that the configuration of the first reversing spring 5 is partially different.
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same as the component demonstrated in the Example mentioned above, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  That is, the first reversing spring 10 of the present embodiment is similarly formed from a thin metal plate having spring properties, and as shown in FIG. 8, a dome-shaped bulging portion 10a and an outer peripheral edge portion 10b are formed at the center. The outer peripheral edge portion 10b is formed with a plurality of projecting piece portions 10c extending from diagonally opposed positions, and the projecting piece portion 10c is formed of the second reversing spring 6 Although it is the same structure in that it is arranged so as to be overlaid on the upper surface, no opening is formed in the projecting piece 10c.

  The projecting piece 10c is formed slightly shorter than the length of the bulging portion 6a of the second reversing spring 6 to the top of the second reversing spring 6. When the reversing spring 10 is overlaid, the top of the bulging portion 6a of the second reversing spring 6 is exposed. Therefore, when the second operating member 8 is tilted, the second reversing spring 6 can be pressed by the tilting projection 8c. Thus, during the tilting operation of the second operating member 8, the tilting projection 8c of the second operating member 8 and the protruding piece 10c do not interfere with each other, and the second reversing spring 6 can be prevented from being lifted up. It has become.

  The first reversing spring 10 is housed in the center of the housing portion 1a so as to be positioned on the upper surface side around the second reversing spring 6 disposed in the recess 1b of the housing portion 1a. It has become. Then, the outer peripheral edge portion 10b of the first reversing spring 10 is placed so as to overlap the outer peripheral edge portion 6b of the second reversing spring 6, and the first and second reversing springs 10, 6 are connected to each other. While being electrically connected, the bulging portion 10a of the first reversing spring 10 is disposed in a state of being opposed to and spaced apart from the first central contact portion 2.

At this time, the first reversing spring 10 and the second reversing spring 6 are in a state of being electrically connected via the protruding piece 10c of the outer peripheral edge 10b of the first reversing spring 10, An outer peripheral edge portion 10 b of the first reversing spring 10 is electrically connected to the peripheral contact portion 4 through the second reversing spring 6. Further, a part of the outer peripheral edge portion 10b of the first reversing spring 10 comes into contact with the protruding wall portion 1d provided between the recess portions 1b of the housing portion 1a of the housing 1, and positioning in the vertical and horizontal directions is performed. The outer peripheral edge portion 10b is supported by the step portion 1e and is positioned in the height direction.
Since the operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Moreover, you may make it provide the peripheral contact part 4 which contacts the outer-periphery edge part 10b of the 1st inversion spring 10 in the step part 1e separately.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, even when the second operating member 8 is tilted while the input device is tilted, the plurality of protruding piece portions 10c extending from the outer peripheral edge portion 10b of the first reversing spring 10 are provided. However, since it protrudes from the upper surface of the second reversing spring 6 that reverses according to the tilting operation of the second operating member 8, the second reversing spring 6 arranged on the side opposite to the tilting direction may float. Therefore, the reliability of the input operation during the tilting operation can be improved.
In addition, since the shape of the projecting piece 10c of the first reversing spring 10 is simplified, the workability is excellent and low cost is possible.

  In the first and second embodiments, the stepped portion 1d of the housing 1 is positioned without providing the step portion 1e that supports the outer peripheral edge portions 5b, 10b of the first reversing springs 5, 10. May be.

It is sectional drawing which shows the multidirectional input device of this invention. It is a top view which shows the state which accommodated the inversion spring in the housing of this invention. It is a top view which shows the housing of this invention. It is a top view which shows the reversal spring of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Example of the multidirectional input device of this invention. It is a top view which shows 2nd Example of the state which accommodated the inversion spring in the housing of this invention. It is a top view which shows 2nd Example of the housing of this invention. It is a top view which shows 2nd Example of the inversion spring of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional multidirectional input device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the conventional multidirectional input device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Housing 1a: Storage part 1b: Recessed part 1c: Step part 1d: Projection wall part 1e: Step part 2: First center contact part 2a: Connection terminal 3: Second peripheral contact part 3a: Connection terminal 4: Peripheral contact Portion 4a: Connection terminal 5: First reversing spring 5a: Swelling portion 5b: Outer peripheral edge 5c: Projection piece 5d: Opening 6: Second reversing spring 6a: Swelling portion 6b: Outer perimeter 7: 1st operation member 7a: Base part 7b: Eaves part 7c: Protrusion part for pressing 8: 2nd operation member 8a: Base part 8b: Arm part 8c: Protrusion part for tilting 9: Cover member 9a: Opening part 10: 1st Reversing spring 10a: bulging portion 10b: outer peripheral edge portion 10c: protruding piece portion

Claims (6)

  A housing having a storage portion; an operation member protruding from the housing and capable of being pressed and tilted from a neutral position; and a reversing spring disposed in the storage portion and reversed in accordance with the pressing and tilting operation of the operation member. A first reversing spring that is disposed in the storage portion and outputs a signal in response to the reversal of the reversing spring, and the reversing spring is reversed in response to a pressing operation of the operating member; A second reversing spring that is reversed in response to the tilting operation of the operation member is provided, and a plurality of the second reversing springs are provided around the first reversing spring, and the first reversing spring has a A multi-directional input characterized in that a plurality of projecting pieces extending from the outer peripheral edge of the first reversing spring are formed, and the projecting pieces are arranged to protrude from the upper surface of the second reversing spring. apparatus.   The operating member or the second reversing spring is provided with a projecting portion for concentrating the pressing force on the second reversing spring on a contact surface that abuts when the operating member is tilted. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding piece portion is disposed so as to protrude at a position where the protruding piece portion does not overlap.   An opening that exposes the top of the second reversing spring is formed in the projecting piece, and the second reversing spring is pressed through the opening when the operating member is tilted. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2.   The first and second reversing springs are formed of a metal plate having a reversible bulging portion, and the housing contact portion is a peripheral contact portion that is always in contact with the outer peripheral edge portion of the second reversing spring. And a central contact portion that contacts and separates from the bulging portions of the first and second reversing springs, and the signal detection means comprises the central contact portion and the peripheral contact portion. Item 4. The multidirectional input device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   5. The multidirectional input according to claim 4, wherein an outer peripheral edge portion of the first reversing spring from which the projecting piece portion extends is overlapped on an outer peripheral edge portion of the second reversing spring. apparatus. The projecting piece portion of the first reversing spring is brought into contact with the second reversing spring, and the first reversing spring is brought into conduction with the peripheral contact portion via the second reversing spring. 6. The multidirectional input device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that:

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