JP2006286334A - Multiple direction input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multiple direction input device which prevents the deterioration of the operation feeling of an operation element. <P>SOLUTION: The multiple direction input device includes an operation element 2 which can be operated in a first direction and a second direction which intersect perpendicularly mutually, a drive rod 13 held slidably in the housing hole 11a of a cylindrical projection 11 provided in this operation element 2, a guide member 16 in which an aperture 18 for guiding the outside surface of the cylindrical projection 11, a support 15 in which a cam part 14 consists of a conical recess is formed, a helical spring 12 which turns the drive rod 13 to the inner bottom of the cam part 14 and elastically urges it, and four photo interrupters 22 which are detection means each for detecting the movement of the operating element 2 in the first and second directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device capable of performing a predetermined input by selectively moving an operating body from a neutral position in two directions substantially orthogonal to each other, and in particular, automatic return for automatically returning the operating body to a neutral position. It relates to the mechanism.

  The multidirectional input device supports the operating body so as to be movable in two directions orthogonal to each other with respect to the neutral position, and detects the movement of the operating body using four detection elements such as a push switch and a photo interrupter. Usually, an automatic return mechanism for automatically returning the operating body to the neutral position is provided. As an automatic return mechanism of such a multi-directional input device, conventionally, a driving rod is slidably held via a coil spring at the lower part of the operating body, and the driving rod is pressed into a cross-shaped cam groove in plan view. Thus, there is known a configuration in which the drive rod slides on the inner bottom surface of the cam groove in accordance with the movement of the operating body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of an automatic return mechanism provided in a conventional multidirectional input device, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic return mechanism. The automatic return mechanism has a cylindrical shape having a storage hole 100a having an open bottom surface. A projecting portion 100, a coil spring 101 and a driving rod 102 sequentially inserted into the housing hole 100a, and a support body 104 having a cam groove 103 having a cross shape in plan view are provided.

  The cylindrical projecting portion 100 is provided integrally with an operating body (not shown), and the operating body is swingably supported by a housing or the like. The drive rod 102 is slidably held in the housing hole 100 a of the cylindrical projecting portion 100, and the tip (lower end) of the drive rod 102 receives the elastic force of the coil spring 101 to form the cross-shaped cam groove 103. It is in pressure contact with the inner bottom. The cam groove 103 is deepest at the central portion, and is inclined so as to gradually become shallower away from the central portion and toward the peripheral portion, and when an XY orthogonal coordinate with the center of the cam groove 103 as the origin is set The cam groove 103 includes a first guide groove 103a extending in the X1-X2 direction and a second guide groove 103b extending in the Y1-Y2 direction. That is, the first guide groove 103a and the second guide groove 103b have a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and extend in directions orthogonal to each other with the respective center portions as intersections. Although not shown, a cross-shaped slider having four arms is disposed around the cylindrical projecting portion 100, and a push switch or a photo is provided at the tip of each arm of the slider. Detection elements such as interrupters are arranged to face each other.

  In the multidirectional input device schematically configured as described above, when the operating body is not operated and is in a non-operating state, as shown in FIG. The operating body at the intersection of the guide groove 103a and the second guide groove 103b and including the cylindrical projecting portion 100 is held in a vertical posture. When the operating body is swung in any direction, for example, the X1-X2 direction from this non-operating state, the drive rod 102 slides on the inner bottom surface from the central portion to the peripheral portion while being guided by the first guide groove 103a. As a result, the coil spring 101 is gradually compressed. The same applies when the operating body is swung in the Y1-Y2 direction. In this case, the drive rod 102 slides on the inner bottom surface from the central portion to the peripheral portion while being guided by the second guide groove 103b. Accordingly, the coil spring 101 is gradually compressed. That is, when the operating body is operated in an arbitrary direction from the neutral position, the tip of the drive rod 102 slides from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the inner bottom surface of the cam groove 103, and the drive rod 102 is formed in the cylindrical protruding portion 100. Since the coil spring 101 is compressed by sliding in the storage hole 100a, a slight clearance is secured between the storage hole 100a and the drive rod 102.

Further, when the operating body is selectively operated in any one of the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction in this way, a slider (not shown) is driven in the same direction by the cylindrical projecting portion 100 that moves accordingly. Therefore, one of the four detection elements can be selectively turned on, and the operation direction of the operating body can be recognized based on the on signal. When the operating force on the operating body is removed, the drive rod 102 that has been in contact with the peak portion of the first or second guide groove 103a, 103b receives the repulsive force of the coil spring 101 and slides into the valley portion. Therefore, the tip of the drive rod 102 moves to the center position of the cam groove 103, and the operating body including the cylindrical projecting portion 100 automatically returns to the original vertical posture.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-272593 (page 6-7, FIGS. 4 and 10)

  By the way, in the conventional multidirectional input device described above, by guiding the drive rod 102 held by the cylindrical projecting portion 100 along the first and second guide grooves 103a and 103b of the cam groove 103, Although the operating body can be smoothly operated in the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction, the above-described clearance is secured between the storage hole 100a and the drive rod 102, so that the dimensional error of each member If the axial center of the cylindrical projecting portion 100 and the center of the cam groove 103 are displaced due to an assembly error or the like, as shown in FIG. 15, the drive rod 102 is slightly tilted within the clearance. In this state, the cam groove 103 is pressed. When the drive rod 102 is held in the storage hole 100a in an inclined posture in this way, the drive rod 102 is hooked on the inner wall of the storage hole 100a to generate a so-called “galling”, and the storage hole 100a of the drive rod 102 The free reciprocation within is disturbed. Therefore, when the click protrusion is formed on the inner bottom surface of the cam groove 103, there is a problem that the click feeling greatly fluctuates.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device that prevents deterioration of the operation feeling of the operating body.

  In order to achieve the above object, a multidirectional input device according to the present invention includes an operating body that is movable in a first direction and a second direction that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a cylindrical protrusion provided on the operating body. A drive rod slidably held in the housing hole of the portion, a guide member having a guide hole for guiding the outer surface of the cylindrical projecting portion in the first and second directions, and a mortar shape , A coil spring that elastically biases the drive rod toward the inner bottom surface of the recess, and detection means for detecting movement of the operating body in the first and second directions. It was set as the structure provided with.

  In the multi-directional input device configured as described above, the cylindrical projecting portion provided in the operating body is guided, but the drive rod held in the storage hole of the cylindrical projecting portion is not guided, so the cylindrical projecting portion Even if the axial center of the projecting portion and the center of the concave portion are slightly displaced, the drive rod does not largely tilt in the storage hole. Therefore, when the operating body is operated in the first or second direction, free reciprocation within the storage hole of the drive rod can be ensured, and deterioration of the operation feel of the operating body can be prevented.

  In the above configuration, the concave portion may be an inner bottom surface having no discontinuous portion. However, when the click protrusion is formed on the same circumference centering on the deepest portion of the concave portion, a stable click feeling is obtained. Is preferable.

  The multidirectional input device of the present invention guides the cylindrical projecting portion provided in the operating body by the guide member, but does not guide the drive rod held in the storage hole of the cylindrical projecting portion. Even if the axial center of the cylindrical projecting portion and the center of the concave portion are slightly displaced, the drive rod does not largely tilt in the storage hole. Therefore, when the operating body is operated in the first or second direction, free reciprocation within the storage hole of the drive rod can be ensured, and deterioration of the operation feel of the operating body can be prevented.

  1 is a perspective view of a control unit according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the control unit, and FIG. 3 is taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a composite operation type input device provided in the control unit, and FIG. 6 is a multidirectional input device provided in the control unit. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an automatic return mechanism provided in the multidirectional input device, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the main part of the multidirectional input device, and FIG. 9 is the main part of the multidirectional input device. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part of the multidirectional input device, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the automatic return mechanism, and FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the automatic return mechanism.

  The control unit according to this embodiment centrally controls in-vehicle electrical equipment such as an air conditioner, an acoustic device, a navigation system, etc., and this control unit is a housing attached to a center console or the like in the vehicle. A body 1 and an operation body 2 protruding from the housing 1 are provided. The housing 1 includes a hollow case 3 having an upper and lower opening, an upper cover 4 that closes the upper opening end of the case 3, a lower cover 5 that closes the lower opening end of the case 3, and the like. These are all made of synthetic resin.

  An annular ring body 6 is disposed inside the case 3, and a pair of support shafts 6a and a pair of through holes 6b are alternately formed in the ring body 6 every 90 degrees. Both the support shafts 6a are inserted into shaft holes 3a formed in the opposing upper inner walls of the case 3, and the ring body 6 is rotatably supported by the case 3 with a straight line connecting both shaft holes 3a as a central axis. Yes. A cylindrical holder 7 is inserted into the ring body 6, and a pair of stepped protrusions 7 a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holder 7. A through hole 7b is formed in the holder 7 so as to cross the central axis and both stepped protrusions 7a. Pins 8 are inserted into the through hole 7b and the through holes 6b of the ring body 6. Yes. The pin 8 is prevented from coming off from the ring body 6 by a locking ring 9, and the holder 7 is rotatably supported by the ring body 6 with a straight line connecting both the through holes 6b as a central axis. That is, the holder 7 is supported by the case 3 through the ring body 6 so as to be swingable in directions orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the swinging direction of the holder 7 using both the support shafts 6a of the ring body 6 as fulcrums. The (X1-X2 direction) is referred to as a first direction, and the swinging direction (Y1-Y2 direction) of the holder 7 with the pin 8 as a fulcrum is referred to as a second direction.

  The holder 7 constitutes a part of the components of the operating body 2, and a pair of protrusions 7 d are erected on the upper surface of the holder 7 with a screw hole 7 c interposed therebetween. The connecting body 10 is integrated using the fixing means. In this embodiment, the connecting body 10 is used so that the drive motor or the like can be stored inside the holder 7. However, when such a storage space is not required, the holder 7 and the connecting body 10 are connected. You may comprise with an integrally molded product. A cylindrical tubular projecting portion 11 projects from the center of the lower surface of the connecting body 10, and an accommodation hole 11a extending in the vertical direction is formed in the tubular projecting portion 11 (see FIG. 10). . Four protruding portions 11b as guided portions protrude from the outer wall surface of the cylindrical protruding portion 11, and these protruding portions 11b extend in the first and second directions from the center of each side of the rectangle. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the coil spring 12 and the drive rod 13 are inserted into the storage hole 11 a of the cylindrical projecting portion 11, and the tip (lower end) of the drive rod 13 is the elastic force of the coil spring 12. In response, it is in pressure contact with the inner bottom surface of the cam portion 14. This cam portion 14 is a mortar-shaped concave portion provided on the upper surface of a support 15 made of synthetic resin, and a click projection 14a is formed on the same circumference centering on the deepest portion. The support 15 is press-fitted and fixed in a recess 5 a formed at the center of the inner bottom surface of the lower cover 5, and projections 15 a and screw holes 15 b are formed at four corners of the upper surface of the support 15.

  A synthetic resin guide member 16 is placed on the support 15, and circular holes 16 a are formed at four corners of the guide member 16. Two of the circular holes 16a function as positioning holes that fit into the projections 15a of the support 15, and screws 17 are inserted into the remaining two circular holes 16a and screwed into the screw holes 15b. 16 is joined and integrated on the support 15. An opening 18 is formed in the central portion of the guide member 16. As shown in FIG. 11, the cam portion 14 provided on the upper surface of the support 15 protrudes to the center of the opening 18. The cylindrical projecting portion 11 protruding from the lower surface of the connecting body 10 is located inside the opening 18, and the tip of the drive rod 13 held by the cylindrical projecting portion 11 is pressed against the cam portion 14. Yes. Four notches 18a as guide portions are formed on the inner wall surface of the opening 18, and these notches 18a extend in the first and second directions from the center of each side of the quadrilateral toward the outside. . In the neutral position, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 is located at the center of the opening 18, and each convex portion 11b of the cylindrical projecting portion 11 faces the entrance of each notch portion 18a. However, if the distance between the opposing inner wall surfaces of the opening 18 is L1, and the distance between the tips of the opposing convex portions 11b is L2, L2 is set to a slightly smaller dimension than L1. The relative displacement between the cylindrical projecting portion 11 and the opening 18 is absorbed within a range in which the dimensional difference (L1-L2) is a gap.

  In addition, a pair of first guide protrusions 16b and a pair of second guide protrusions 16c are erected on the outer edge of the guide member 16, and each guide protrusion 16b, 16c is positioned on an extension line of the notch 18a. Yes. The first and second guide protrusions 16b and 16c are formed in a bifurcated shape, and the height dimension of the first guide protrusion 16b is set shorter than that of the second guide protrusion 16c. The first slider 19 is supported by the first guide protrusions 16b to be slidable in the first direction (X1-X2 direction), and the second slider 20 is supported by the second guide protrusions 16c in the second direction (Y1- Y2 direction) is slidably supported. The first slider 19 has a rectangular frame body portion 19a, a pair of arm portions 19b extending outward from the center of opposite long sides of the frame body portion 19a, and the front end portions of both arm portions 19b perpendicular to the plate surface. The frame body 19a has a long hole 19d extending in the second direction. The second slider 20 has a rectangular frame body portion 20a, a pair of arm portions 20b extending outward from the center of opposite long sides of the frame body portion 20a, and the front end portions of both arm portions 20b perpendicular to the plate surface. The frame body portion 20a has a long hole 20d extending in the first direction. The first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are common parts of the same shape formed by using a synthetic resin. However, when used, the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are incorporated in the guide member 16 with the top and bottom reversed. The frame body portion 20a of the second slider 20 is laminated and disposed so as to overlap the frame body portion 19a in a planar manner.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the first slider 19 is arranged in such a direction that the light shielding portion 19c protrudes upward from the plate surface of the arm portion 19b, and the arm portion 19b is formed on the corresponding first guide protrusion 16b. By sandwiching, the first slider 19 is slidably supported by the first guide protrusions 16b on the short side of the guide member 16. On the other hand, the second slider 20 is arranged in the reverse direction in which the light shielding portion 20c protrudes downward from the plate surface of the arm portion 20b, and the arm portion 20b is sandwiched between the corresponding second guide protrusions 16c, whereby the second slider 20 is disposed. Is slidably supported by the second guide protrusions 16c on the long side of the guide member 16. Thus, by arranging the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 having the same shape upside down, the light shielding portions 19c of the first slider 19 and the light shielding portions 20c of the second slider 20 are on the same plane. The long hole 19d formed in the frame body portion 19a of the first slider 19 and the long hole 20d formed in the frame body portion 20a of the second slider 20 are overlapped with each other in a state of being orthogonal to each other. The The cylindrical projecting portion 11 described above is inserted into both the long holes 19d and 20d (see FIG. 8), and the first slider 19 receives an external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11 in the first direction (X1). -X2 direction), the second slider 20 is not moved only by the relative movement of the cylindrical projecting portion 11 in the long hole 20d, and the second slider 20 is not moved by the external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11. Accordingly, when the first slider 19 moves in the second direction (Y1-Y2 direction), the cylindrical projecting portion 11 only moves relative to the long hole 19d and does not move.

  A printed circuit board 21 is fixed on the lower cover 5, and the guide member 16 is exposed from an opening 21 a formed in the center of the printed circuit board 21. Four photo interrupters 22 are mounted on the printed circuit board 21, and each photo interrupter 22 is arranged on X1-X2 and Y1-Y2. The photo interrupter 22 is a light detection element in which a light emitting element 22b and a light receiving element 22c are integrally opposed to each other through a recess 22a. As shown in FIG. 8, the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are the first slider 19 and the second slider 20, respectively. When in the neutral position in the second direction, each of the light shielding portions 19c and 20c enters the dead zone at the entrance of the recess 22a of the photo interrupter 22, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a circular opening 4 a is formed at the center of the upper cover 4, and a plurality of operation keys 23 are arranged around the opening 4 a. Inside the upper cover 4, a plurality of push switches (not shown) are provided corresponding to the respective operation keys 23, and these push switches are operated by pressing operation keys 23. . Further, an annular decorative ring 24 is locked to the opening 4a of the upper cover 4 using a fixing means such as a snap joint. From the decorative ring 24, a base 25 and a lower knob which are components of the operating body 2 are provided. 26, a rotating ring 27, an upper knob 28, a pressing knob 29, and the like protrude.

  The base 25 is placed on the holder 7 described above, and a through hole 25a and a pair of positioning holes 25b are formed in the base 25, and these positioning holes 25b are inserted into both protrusions 7d of the holder 7. Yes. The lower knob 26 is placed on the base 25, and the lower knob 26 is formed with a cylindrical support shaft 26a and a pair of storage holes 26b. Coil springs 30 and drive rods 31 are inserted into the storage holes 26 b, respectively, and these drive rods 31 are pressed against the lower surface of the click plate 32 by receiving the elastic force of the coil springs 30. Concave and convex portions 32a are formed on the lower surface of the click plate 32 along the circumferential direction, and four engaging portions 32b are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the click plate 32 so as to protrude at an interval of 90 degrees. Yes. Each engaging portion 32 b is locked to a notch portion 27 a formed at the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 27, and a code plate 33 is fixed on the click plate 32 using a screw 34. A plurality of light shielding plates 33 a and notches 33 b are alternately formed on the upper surface of the code plate 33 along the circumferential direction, and the circuit board 35 is disposed above the code plate 33.

  A photo interrupter 36 is mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 35, and a pair of push switches 37 are mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 35. This photointerrupter 36 is also a photodetecting element in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element (both not shown) are integrally opposed to each other through a recess, and the light shielding plate 33a and the cutout portion 33b of the code plate 33 are formed by It moves in the recess. The push switch 37 is called a tact switch having a stem 37a, and the stem 37a is urged upward by receiving the elastic force of a built-in tact spring (not shown). A pair of through holes 35b are formed in the circuit board 35 with an engagement hole 35a interposed therebetween, and the engagement hole 35a is inserted into the upper end step portion of the support shaft 26a of the lower knob 26.

  The upper knob 28 is disposed above the circuit board 35, and a recess 28 a is formed on the upper surface of the upper knob 28. A through hole 28b is formed in the center of the inner bottom surface of the recess 28a, and a set screw 38 inserted into the through hole 28b passes through the support shaft 26a of the lower knob 26 and the through hole 25a of the base 25, and It is screwed into the screw hole 7c. As a result, the lower knob 26 is fixed on the holder 7 via the base 25, and the circuit board 35 and the upper knob 28 are fixed to the upper end of the support shaft 26a of the lower knob 26. The rotating ring 27 is held rotatably between the rotating ring 27 and the H.28. In addition, since the click plate 32 and the code plate 33 are locked to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 27, the click plate 32 and the code plate 33 can be integrally rotated in conjunction with the rotation operation of the rotating ring 27. Can do. A pair of escape holes 28c and a pair of guide holes 28d are formed on the inner bottom surface of the recess 28a of the upper knob 28 with the through hole 28b interposed therebetween, and both push switches 37 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 35 are escaped. It protrudes into the recess 28a from the hole 28c. The upper knob 28 is formed with guide pieces 28e extending downward from the outer edges of both guide holes 28d. These guide pieces 28e pass through the through holes 35b of the circuit board 35 and reach the lower knob 26. .

  The pressing knob 29 is disposed in the recess 28a of the upper knob 28 so as to be movable up and down, and a pair of protrusions 29a provided on the lower surface thereof abut against the stem 37a of the push switch 37. In response to the resilient force of the tact switch built in the switch 37, the switch 37 is biased upward. Note that only one of the two push switches 37 is involved in the contact switching operation, and the other push switch 37 is used as elasticity applying means for biasing the pressing knob 29 upward in a balanced manner. A plurality of hooks 29a are formed on the peripheral edge of the lower end of the pressing knob 29, and the pressing knob 29 is prevented from falling off the upper knob 28 by locking the hooks 29a to the outer peripheral edge of the recess 28a. In addition, a pair of guide bars 29 b are suspended from the pressing knob 29, and these guide bars 29 b reach the inside of the guide piece 28 e through the guide holes 28 d of the upper knob 28.

  Next, operations of the multidirectional input device and the composite operation input device provided in the control unit configured as described above will be described.

  First, the operation of the multidirectional input device will be described. FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 show a non-operation state in which an external force is not applied to the operation body 2. The base 25, the lower knob 26, the rotating ring 27, the upper knob 28, etc. are oriented in the vertical direction (Z1-Z2 direction in FIG. 1). In this non-operating state, the lower end of the drive rod 13 receives the elastic force of the coil spring 12 and is in pressure contact with the center of the inner bottom surface (the deepest portion) of the cam portion 14, and as shown in FIG. The cylindrical projecting portion 11 to be held is located at the center of the opening 18 of the guide member 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 is positioned at the longitudinal center of both the long holes 19d and 20d, so that the first slider 19 and the second slider 20 are in the first and second directions. In the neutral position, each of the light shielding portions 19c and 20c enters the dead zone at the entrance of the recess 22a of the photo interrupter 22, respectively. Accordingly, the optical path between the light emitting element 22b and the light receiving element 22c of the photo interrupter 22 is not blocked, and a high level signal is output from all the photo interrupters 22.

  When the operator swings the operating body 2 in the first direction or the second direction from the non-operating state, the holder 7 swings in the same direction with both the support shafts 6a or the pins 8 of the ring body 6 as fulcrums. Therefore, the click generated when the lower end of the drive rod 13 held by the cylindrical projecting portion 11 slides from the center to the outside on the inner bottom surface of the cam portion 14 and the drive rod 13 gets over the click protrusion 14a. The feeling is fed back to the operator via the operation body 2. At that time, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves outward from the center of the opening 18 along the first or second direction, and one convex portion 11b enters the corresponding notch portion 18a to engage with the concave and convex portions. At this point, further movement of the cylindrical protruding portion 11 is restricted.

  That is, for the sake of convenience, the pair in the X1 direction is the pair of the protrusion 11b-1, the notch 18a-1, and the X2 among the pair of the protrusion 11b and the notch 18a facing each other in the first and second directions. A protrusion 11b-2, a notch 18a-2, a pair in the Y1 direction is a protrusion 11b-3, a notch 18a-3, a pair in the Y2 direction is a protrusion 11b-4, and a notch 18a-4. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, in a non-operation state, each convex part 11b-1,2,3,4 is facing the entrance of each notch part 18a-1,2,3,4. When the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves from the neutral position in the X1 direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the inner wall surfaces of the projections 11b-3 and 11b-4 are opposed to each other at the ends of the openings 18 as shown in FIG. The convex portion 11b-1 penetrates into the notch portion 18a-1 while being guided by the tube, and the cylindrical surface is in a position where the outer wall surface of the cylindrical protruding portion 11 located in the X1 direction is in contact with the inner wall surface of the opening 18. Further movement of the protruding portion 11 in the X1 direction is restricted. Therefore, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 is supported at the three positions of the convex portions 11b-1, 11b-3, and 11b-4 with respect to the opening 18 at the moving end position, and the operating body 2 that has moved in the X1 direction is supported. There is no erroneous operation in the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction. Similarly, when the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves in the Y1 direction other than the above, for example, as shown in FIG. 12B, the tips of the convex portion 11b-1 and the convex portion 11b-2 face each other of the opening 18. At a position where the convex portion 11b-3 enters the notch 18a-3 while sliding on the inner wall surface, and the outer wall surface of the cylindrical projecting portion 11 located in the Y1 direction is in contact with the inner wall surface of the opening 18. Further movement of the cylindrical protruding portion 11 in the Y1 direction is restricted. In this case, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 is supported at the three positions of the convex portions 11b-1, 11b-2, and 11b-3 with respect to the opening 18 at the moving end position, and the operating body moved in the Y1 direction. 2 is not erroneously operated in the X1 direction or the X2 direction.

  When the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves in the opening 18 in the first or second direction in conjunction with the swinging operation of the operating body 2 in this way, the first slider 19 or the second slider 20 is accordingly moved. Are slid while being guided by the guide member 16, and one of the photo interrupters 22 is selectively turned on. For example, when the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves in the X1 direction from the neutral position shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 only moves relative to the long hole 20d extending in the first direction (X1-X2 direction). Therefore, the second slider 20 remains stopped without receiving external force (driving force in the moving direction) from the cylindrical projecting portion 11, but the first slider 19 receives external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11. To move in the X1 direction. In this case, the arm portion 19b of the first slider 19 moves in the X1 direction while being guided by the first guide projection 16b of the guide member 16, and accordingly, the light shielding portion 19c is a concave portion 22a of the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the X1 direction. Move in. When the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves to the end position in the X1 direction, the light path between the light emitting element 22b and the light receiving element 22c of the photo interrupter 22 is blocked by the light blocking portion 19c. A low level signal is output. At this time, since the second slider 20 remains stopped without receiving an external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11, signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 positioned in the Y1-Y2 direction and the X2 direction. Remains high. The same applies to the case where the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves in the X2 direction from the neutral position. In this case, the first slider 19 receives the external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11 and moves in the X2 direction. A low level signal is output from the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the direction, and the signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 remain at a high level.

  On the other hand, when the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves in the Y1 direction from the neutral position shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical projecting portion 11 simply moves relative to the long hole 19d extending in the second direction (Y1-Y2 direction). Therefore, the first slider 19 remains stopped without receiving the external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11, but the second slider 20 receives the external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11 and moves in the Y1 direction. . In this case, the arm portion 20b of the second slider 20 moves in the Y1 direction while being guided by the second guide protrusion 16c of the guide member 16, and accordingly, the light shielding portion 20c is a concave portion 22a of the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the Y1 direction. Move in. When the cylindrical protruding portion 11 moves to the end position in the Y1 direction, the light path between the light emitting element 22b and the light receiving element 22c of the photo interrupter 22 is blocked by the light blocking portion 20c. A low level signal is output. At this time, since the first slider 19 remains stopped without receiving external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11, signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 located in the X1-X2 direction and the Y2 direction. Remains high. The same applies to the case where the cylindrical projecting portion 11 moves from the neutral position in the Y2 direction. In this case, the second slider 20 receives the external force from the cylindrical projecting portion 11 and moves in the Y2 direction. A low level signal is output from the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the direction, and the signals output from the remaining three photo interrupters 22 remain at a high level.

  When the operating body 2 is selectively swung in one of the first and second directions orthogonal to each other in this way, only the output signal of the photo interrupter 22 positioned in the operating direction is changed from the high level to the low level. Therefore, the operation direction of the operating tool 2 can be recognized based on the signals output from the four photo interrupters 22. When the swinging operation force with respect to the operating body 2 is removed, the lower end of the drive rod 13 returns to the center of the inner bottom surface of the cam portion 14 due to the elastic force of the coil spring 12, so that the entire operating body 2 including the holder 7 is It becomes a vertical attitude | position, and the cylindrical protrusion part 11 and the 1st and 2nd sliders 19 and 20 return automatically to a neutral position.

  Next, the operation of the composite operation input device will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 25, the lower knob 26, the rotating ring 27, the upper knob 28, the pressing knob 29, and the like that are components of the operating body 2 protrude from the upper cover 4 of the housing 1. When the operator rotates the rotating ring 27 clockwise or counterclockwise, the click plate 32 and the code plate 33 are integrally rotated in conjunction with the rotating ring 27. And since the upper end of the drive rod 31 elastically urged by the coil spring 30 with the rotation of the click plate 32 is disengaged from the concavo-convex portion 32a, the click feeling generated at that time is operated via the operating body 2. Feedback. Further, as the code plate 33 rotates, the light shielding plate 33 a and the notch 33 b rotate in the recess of the photo interrupter 36 mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 35, so that the code plate 33 responds to the rotation from the photo interrupter 36. Pulse signal is output. When the rotating ring 27 is rotated in this way, a signal corresponding to the rotating direction and amount of rotation is output from the photo interrupter 36, and therefore the rotation information of the rotating ring 27 can be recognized based on this signal.

  On the other hand, when the operator presses the pressing knob 29 right below (Z2 direction in FIG. 1), the stems 37a of the push switches 37 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 35 are pushed down by the protrusions 29a of the pressing knob 29. The contact of the push switch 37 is switched from off to on. Further, when the pressing operation force is removed, the pressing knob 29 is raised to the original position by the resilient force of the tact springs built in the push switches 37, and the contact of the push switch 37 is also switched from on to off. . At that time, since the guide bar 29b suspended from the lower surface of the pressing knob 29 moves up and down while being guided by the guide piece 28e of the upper knob 28, the pressing knob 29 can be smoothly pressed without rattling.

  As described above, the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment includes an operating body 2 that can be swung in a first direction and a second direction that are orthogonal to each other, and a cylindrical protrusion provided on the operating body 2. A drive rod 13 slidably held in the storage hole 11a of the portion 11 and an opening (guide hole) 18 for guiding the outer surface of the cylindrical projecting portion 11 in the first and second directions are formed. A guide member 16, a support body 15 provided with a cam portion 14 formed of a mortar-shaped concave portion, a coil spring 12 that elastically biases the drive rod 13 toward the inner bottom surface of the cam portion 14, and the first of the operation body 2. Since four photointerrupters 22 as detection means for detecting movement in the first and second directions are provided, the axial center of the cylindrical projecting portion 11 and the center of the cam portion 14 are slightly at the completion of assembly. Even if it is misaligned, the drive rod 13 may be greatly inclined in the storage hole 11a. It is not, not to cause so-called "galling". Therefore, when the operating body 2 is operated in the first or second direction, the drive rod 13 moves up and down without being caught by the inner wall of the storage hole 11a, so that the drive rod 13 can freely move within the storage hole 11a. Since reciprocal movement can be ensured, it is possible to reliably prevent the operation feeling of the operating body 2 from deteriorating.

  Further, since the click projection 14a is formed on the inner circumference of the cam portion 14 formed of a mortar-like concave portion on the same circumference centering on the deepest portion, the axial core of the cylindrical projecting portion 11 as described above. Even if the center of the cam portion 14 is slightly displaced, a stable click feeling can be generated at a predetermined position regardless of the operation direction of the operation body 2.

  In the above embodiment, the operating body 2 can be swung in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other, and the cylindrical projecting portion 11 is moved in the first direction along with the swinging operation of the operating body 2. Although the case of moving in the first direction and the second direction has been described, the operating body 2 may be slidable in the first direction and the second direction.

  In the above embodiment, the first slider 19 and the second slider that are selectively operated by the cylindrical projecting portion 11 are used as detection means for detecting movement of the operating body 2 in the first and second directions. Although the light detection method of detecting 20 movements by the four photo interrupters 22 is adopted, other detection means such as a push switch or a magnetic detection element can also be used.

It is a perspective view of a control unit concerning the example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of this control unit. It is sectional drawing which follows the III-III line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the composite operation type input device with which this control unit is equipped. It is a disassembled perspective view of the multidirectional input device with which this control unit is equipped. It is sectional drawing of the automatic return mechanism with which this multidirectional input device is equipped. It is a top view which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part of this multidirectional input device. It is a top view of this automatic return mechanism. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of this automatic return mechanism. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the automatic return mechanism of the multidirectional input device which concerns on a prior art example. It is sectional drawing of this automatic return mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the problem of this automatic return mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Operation body 3 Case 4 Upper cover 5 Lower cover 6 Ring body 7 Holder 8 Pin 10 Connection body 11 Cylindrical protrusion part 11a Storage hole 11b Protrusion part 12 Coil spring 13 Drive rod 14 Cam part 14a Click protrusion 15 Support Body 16 Guide member 18 Opening (guide hole)
18a Notch portion 19 First slider 20 First slider 21 Printed circuit board 22 Photo interrupter

Claims (2)

  An operating body movable in a first direction and a second direction substantially orthogonal to each other, a driving rod slidably held in a storage hole of a cylindrical projecting portion provided in the operating body, and the cylinder A guide member provided with a guide hole for guiding the outer surface of the protruding portion in the first and second directions, a support body provided with a mortar-shaped recess, and the drive rod inside the recess. A multi-directional input device comprising: a coil spring that is elastically biased toward a bottom surface; and a detection unit that detects movement of the operating body in the first and second directions. 2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein click protrusions are formed on the same circumference centering on the deepest portion of the recess.

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