JP2007048482A - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-directional input device which performs parallel shifting operation, rotational operation, and push-in operation without shifting hands. <P>SOLUTION: The multi-directional input device is provided with: a knob 3 composed of non-rotational part 11 at center and an operation part 13 arranged on a non-rotational part 11 in free relative rotation, capable of performing parallel shifting operation and push-in operation of whole part against a case 5; and a parallel operation part 7 supporting the knob 3 so as to perform parallel shifting operation and push-in operation of whole part and rotational operation of the operation part while receiving restriction of rotation against the case 5. Detection parts 69, 73, 75 corresponding to either of parallel shifting operation and push-in operation of whole part of the knob 3, or rotational operation of the operation part thereof are made to operate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device for an automobile that enables a parallel movement operation, a rotation operation, and a push-in operation.

  FIG. 7 is a main cross-sectional view showing a conventional multidirectional input device. As shown in FIG. 7, in the conventional multi-directional input device, a tilt / push operation knob 203 is attached to the case 201 so as to be tiltable and pushable, and a rotary knob 204 is attached so as to be rotatable. The operation of the corresponding contact or the like is performed by the operation.

  By the tilting operation of the tilting / pushing operation knob 203, the tilting member 205 tilts and the contact operates. By the rotation operation of the rotation knob 204, the rotating body 207 rotates in conjunction with the rotation detection. By the pushing operation of the tilting and pushing knob 203, the pushing member 209 is pushed in the axial direction and the contact is operated.

  However, in the conventional structure, when the tilt operation knob 203 is moved from the tilt operation or push operation to the rotation operation of the rotation knob 204, the knobs 203 and 204 have to be changed.

JP 2005-122294 A JP 2005-122289 A JP 2005-122290 A

  The problem to be solved is that it is necessary to change the knob when moving from the tilting operation and the pushing operation to the rotating operation.

  The present invention includes a non-rotating part at the center and an operating part provided in the non-rotating part so as to be rotatable relative to the case. A knob capable of parallel movement operation and push-in operation of the rotation unit and the entire operation unit and rotation operation of the operation unit, and the entire parallel movement operation and push-in operation of the operation unit while receiving rotation restriction on the case. And a parallel operation unit that supports the rotation operation. The most important feature is that the corresponding detection unit is operated by any one of the entire translation operation, push-in operation, and rotation operation of the operation unit.

  The multi-directional input device according to the present invention comprises a central non-rotating part and an operation part provided so as to be relatively rotatable on the non-rotating part. A knob that can be rotated and a parallel operation part that supports the knob so that the entire parallel movement operation and push-in operation and rotation operation of the operation part can be performed while receiving rotation restriction on the case. Since the corresponding detection unit is operated by any one of the parallel movement operation, push-in operation, and rotation operation of the operation unit, the parallel movement operation, rotation operation, and push-in operation can be performed without changing the knob.

  The purpose of enabling the parallel movement operation, the rotation operation, and the push-in operation to be performed without changing is realized by the parallel operation unit.

[Multi-directional switch structure]
1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional switch, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-directional switch with a knob and an upper case removed, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is VI-VI in FIG. FIG. In the following description, the rotation axis direction of the knob is the knob rotation axis direction, the rotation radius direction is the knob rotation radius direction, and the rotation circumferential direction is the knob circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the multidirectional switch 1 that is the multidirectional input device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a knob 3 protruding from the case 5, and a parallel operation unit 7, a rotor 9, and the like provided inside the case 5. Yes.

  The knob 3 includes a central non-rotating portion 11 and an operation portion 13 provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the non-rotating portion 11, and the entire parallel movement operation and push-in operation with respect to the case 5 and the rotation operation of the operation portion 13 are performed. It is provided as possible.

  The non-rotating portion 11 is formed in a hollow shape, for example, of a translucent material, and forms a character or a figure that indicates an operation method, an operation direction, or the like on the top plate 17 above the hollow portion 15. An engaging flange 19 is provided on the outer periphery of the non-rotating portion 11.

  The operation portion 13 is formed to have a size that allows the grip portion 21 to be gripped by, for example, a palm, a coupling cylinder portion 23 is provided inside, and a rotation engagement portion 25 is provided below. The non-rotating part 11 is fitted to the coupling cylinder part 23 so as to be relatively rotatable, and a stopper 27 is inserted between the non-rotating part 11 and the operation part 13. The stopper 27 is fixed to the inner periphery of the operation portion 13 by press-fitting or bonding, and the flange 19 of the non-rotating portion 11 is sandwiched between the stopper 27 and the coupling cylinder portion 23.

  Accordingly, the knob 3 is configured to be able to perform a parallel movement operation and push-in operation of the entire non-rotating portion 11 and the operation portion 13 and a rotation operation of the operation portion 13, and operate a corresponding detection portion by any operation. Yes.

  The case 5 includes a lower case 29 and an upper case 31, and is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. The lower case 29 is detachably coupled and fixed to the upper case 31 attached to the vehicle side by screws or the like.

  The lower case 29 is provided with a lever guide 32 (FIGS. 5 and 6), a pair of positioning support portions 33 (FIGS. 2 and 4), and a protrusion 34 (FIGS. 2 and 6). The lever guide 32 is provided with a pair of tapered holes 36 and 38 in opposite directions. The protrusion 34 regulates the inclination of the second slider 41 of the parallel operation portion 7 at four positions in the knob circumferential direction together with a positioning engagement portion described later. The upper case 31 is provided with a cylindrical portion 35 at the center and a pair of first slide rails 37 on the inner surface.

  The parallel operation unit 7 supports the knob 3 so as to be able to perform an entire parallel movement operation and a push-in operation while being restricted by the rotation of the case 5, and includes first and second sliders 39 and 41. .

  The first slider 39 has a rectangular outer peripheral shape and a circular inner peripheral shape. A first slide groove 43 is provided on one side surface of the first slider 39, and a second slide rail 45 is provided on the other side surface. The first slide groove 43 is fitted to the first slide rail 37 of the upper case 31, and the first slider 39 is provided so as to be movable in one direction with respect to the upper case 31 of the case 5. Yes.

  The second slider 41 is provided with a second slide groove 47 on one side surface of the outer peripheral portion. The second slide groove 47 is fitted to the second slide rail 45 of the first slider 39, and the second slider 41 can move in a direction perpendicular to the first slider 39 in the one direction. Is provided.

  Between the first and second slide rails 37 and 45 and the first and second slide grooves 43 and 47, a space for fitting a grease reservoir or oil-containing plastic can be provided.

  The second slider 41 is provided with a guide tube 51 at the center, and the non-rotating portion 11 of the knob 3 is inserted and is rotationally engaged so as to be able to be pushed. This engagement can be performed, for example, by engaging a protrusion formed on the non-rotating portion 11 with a slit in the knob rotation axis direction formed on the guide cylinder 51. The engagement of the protrusion with the slit is a snap fit or the like, and the knob 3 is prevented from coming off from the second slider 41.

  The guide tube 51 is provided with a rod support portion 53, and the inner periphery of the rod support portion 53 is a through hole 55. Four push rods 57 arranged at 90 ° are supported on the rod support portion 53. The push rod 57 is provided with a flange 58 and engages with the rod support portion 53. A tip 59 of the push rod 57 is smoothly formed in a hemispherical shape and abuts against the non-rotating portion 11 of the knob 3.

  The second slider 41 is provided with a screwing portion 61 (FIG. 4) and a rotation mode support portion 63 (FIG. 6) on the outer peripheral side of the guide cylinder 51.

  A substrate 65 is fixed to the second slider 41 with screws 67. The screw 67 is fastened at the screwing portion 61.

  On one side surface of the substrate 65, a rubber contact 69 corresponding to the pushing operation is provided as a detection unit. The rubber contacts 69 are provided at, for example, four positions in the circumferential direction with a 90 ° arrangement, and are in contact with the flange 58 side of the push rod 57. When the rubber contact 69 receives a pressing force from the push rod 57, the rubber contact 69 is elastically bent and the contact operates.

  The board 65 is provided with an LED 71 as an illumination tool facing the through hole 55. On the other side of the substrate 65, a rubber contact 73 (FIGS. 5 and 6) corresponding to a parallel movement operation is provided on one side as a detection unit. The rubber contacts 73 are arranged at four locations on the circumference. The substrate 65 is further provided with a photo sensor 75 corresponding to the rotation operation as a detection unit. The photo sensor 75 can be replaced with another rotation detection sensor.

  Accordingly, a single substrate 65 having a detection unit that operates separately by the parallel movement operation, rotation operation, and push-in operation of the knob 3 is provided.

  In addition, another substrate located near the lower part of the operation unit 13 is added to the second slider 41, and a rotation detection sensor such as a photo sensor is provided on this substrate to directly detect the rotation of the operation unit 13. In addition, the rotor 9 can be omitted.

  A spherical holder 77 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is fastened together with the screw 67 on one side of the other side surface of the substrate 65. The spherical holder 77 is provided with a spherical recess 79 and a tapered hole 81. A lever 83 is supported on the spherical holder 77. The lever 83 is also inserted into the tapered holes 36 and 38 of the lever guide 32. The lever 83 is provided with a disk part 85 and a spherical part 87. The convex side of the spherical portion 87 is spherically supported by the spherical concave portion 79 of the spherical holder 77, and the disc portion 85 faces the rubber contact 73. The tip spherical surface 91 of the pin 89 is fitted on the concave side of the spherical portion 87 of the lever 83. The pin 91 is fixed to the substrate 65 by caulking or the like.

  A positioning engagement portion 93 is provided between the second slider 41 and the positioning support portion 33. The positioning engaging portion 93 allows the second slider 41 to move in the knob rotation radius direction relative to the lower case 29 and can be engaged and disengaged against the elastic force.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the positioning engagement portion 93 includes a pin 97 biased by a coil spring 95 and a moderation peak 99 with which the pin 97 engages. The pins 97 biased by the coil springs 95 are respectively accommodated in the accommodation holes 101 provided in the lower case 29 of the case 5 which is one of the case 5 and the second slider 41, and the moderation mountain 99 is Are provided on the second slider 41, and each pin 97 is in elastic contact with the moderation mountain 99. The coil spring 95 and the pin 97 can be provided on the second slider 41, and the moderation peak 99 can be provided on the lower case 29.

  The moderation mountain 99 is formed in a two-stage shape including a spherical positioning mountain 103 at the center and a spherical return mountain 105 around the positioning mountain 103.

  The rotor 9 is sandwiched between the upper case 31 and the second slider 41 and is rotatably supported. The rotor 9 is provided with a rotation receiving portion 107 on one side and a comb-like portion 109 for detecting rotation around the other side. The operation portion 13 of the knob 3 is rotationally engaged with the rotation receiving portion 107 so as to be relatively movable in the knob rotation axis direction. A rotational mode engagement portion 111 is provided between the rotational mode support portion 63 of the rotor 9 and the second slider 41.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rotational mode engagement portion 111 gives rotational moderation to the rotor 9 with respect to the second slider 41. The rotation mode engagement portion 111 includes a ball 115 urged by a coil spring 113 and a moderation mountain 117 with which the ball 115 engages. The balls 115 urged by the coil spring 113 are accommodated in the accommodation holes 119 formed in the rotational mode support portion 63 of the second slider 41 which is one of the rotor 9 and the second slider 41, respectively. The mountain 117 is continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the rotor 9 which is the other side, and each ball 115 is in elastic contact with the moderation mountain 117. The coil spring 113 and the ball 115 may be provided on the rotor 9, and the moderation mountain 117 may be provided on the second slider 41.

[Translation operation]
The grip portion 21 of the knob 3 can be grasped with a palm and operated to translate in any of the eight directions A to H in FIG. By this operation, the non-rotating portion 11 and the operating portion 13 of the knob 3 are moved in parallel and the operating force is transmitted to the second slider 41 via the guide cylinder 51. This operating force is sequentially transmitted from the second slider 41 to the first slider 39 and the upper case 31, and the first slider 39 is guided by the first slide rail 37 and the first slide groove 43 and is then transmitted. The second slider 41 slides in the direction orthogonal to the first slider 39 by the second slide rail 45 and the second slide groove 47 while sliding in the direction. By the operation of both of these sliding operations, the rotation is restricted when the second slider 41 moves in the directions A to H with respect to the upper case 31, and the knob 3 includes the directions A to H by this rotation restriction. Only the translation operation can be performed in the knob rotation radius direction. Further, the rotation mode engagement portion 111 between the rotor 9 and the second slider 41 can be effectively functioned.

  By the parallel movement operation, the second slider 41 and the substrate 65 are moved to the state shown in FIG. 5, for example.

  Due to the movement of the second slider 41 and the substrate 65, the spherical portion 87 of the lever 83 rotates relative to the tip spherical surface 91 of the pin 89, and the lever 83 falls in the moving direction of the substrate 65. The fall of the lever 83 is guided by the tapered holes 36 and 38 of the lever guide 32.

  When the lever 83 falls, the disk portion 85 can smash the rubber contact 73 and operate the contact.

  When the lever 83 falls in the direction of the rubber contact 73, the contact of the rubber contact 73 in that direction is turned ON. When the lever 83 falls in the middle direction between the two rubber contacts 73, the two rubber contacts 73 are simultaneously turned ON. Therefore, the operation in eight directions can be detected by the four rubber contacts 73.

  Instead of the detection by the rubber contact 73, an optical sensor used for the mouse of the personal computer is provided on the substrate 65 or the lower case 29, and the operation in the eight directions is detected by detecting the relative movement between the two. You can also

  When the second slider 41 moves as shown in FIG. 5, the pin 97 biased by the coil spring 95 is disengaged from the positioning peak 103 and moves relative to the return peak 105. During this movement, a reaction force can be applied to the knob 3 to provide a feeling of operation moderation.

  As a result of the movement, the pin 97 is pushed inward of the receiving hole 101 against the urging force of the coil spring 95. Accordingly, when the operating force of the knob 3 is lost, the pin 97 protrudes outward from the receiving hole 101 by the biasing force of the coil spring 95, and the tip of the pin 97 returns from the return mountain 105 to the positioning mountain 103 and is positioned. Therefore, the second slider 41 reliably moves to the neutral position before the parallel movement operation, and the knob 3 automatically returns to the original position before the operation.

[Rotation operation]
When the grip portion 21 of the knob 3 is gripped and operated to rotate the operating portion 13, the operating portion 13 rotates relative to the non-rotating portion 11, and the rotation is transmitted from the rotation engaging portion 25 to the rotor 9 via the rotation receiving portion 107. The Due to this rotation transmission, the rotor 9 is rotated, and the comb teeth 109 are rotated relative to the photo sensor 75. This rotational movement is detected by the photo sensor 75.

  When the knob 3 is rotated, the rotor 9 rotates relative to the second slider 41, so that the ball 115 urged by the coil spring 113 gets over the moderation mountain 117 to obtain a sense of moderation. it can.

[Push-in operation]
When the knob 3 is pushed in, both the non-rotating portion 11 and the operating portion 13 move in the pushing direction, and the non-rotating portion 11 is pushed into the guide tube 51. The pushing force of the knob 3 is transmitted from the end face of the non-rotating portion 11 to the push rod 57, and the rubber contact 69 is crushed. As a result, the rubber contact 69 operates and the contact is turned on, and the pushing operation can be detected.

  When the operator releases his / her hand from the knob 3, the pressing force of the rubber contact 69 is removed, and the knob 3 is pushed up by the elastic restoring force of the rubber contact 69 to return. A return spring for returning the knob 3 can be provided separately. It is also possible to give a feeling of moderation to the rubber contact 69 to give the operator a feeling of moderation when pushing the knob.

[illumination]
When the LED 71 emits light, light passes through the through hole 55 of the second slider 41 and the hollow portion 15 of the knob 3 and reaches the top plate 17 directly. The top plate 17 can be brightly displayed by this light.
[Effect of Example]
The parallel movement operation, rotation operation, and push-in operation of the knob 3 can be performed without changing.

  Since the non-rotating portion 11 of the knob 3 is stopped regardless of the rotating operation of the operating portion 13, the characters and figures indicating the operating method and the operating direction displayed on the top plate 17 of the knob 3 are easily confirmed. be able to.

  A parallel movement operation can be performed without tilting the knob 3. For this reason, it is not necessary to have a structure in which the tilting operation approximates to parallel movement, and the overall size can be further reduced.

  Since the rubber contacts 69 and 73 and the photo sensor 75 are provided on the single substrate 65 as detection units that are individually operated by the parallel movement operation, rotation operation, and push-in operation of the knob 9, the number of parts is small, and assembly parts management is performed. And can be made more compact overall.

  Since the rotor 9 is provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the case 5 and the parallel operation portion 7, and the operation portion 13 of the knob 3 is relatively movable in the knob rotation axis direction and is rotationally engaged, the rotor 9 is provided on the substrate 6. The rotation of the knob 3 can be detected without difficulty by the photo sensor 75, and the unification of the substrate 6 can be easily realized.

(Example 1) which is a perspective view of a multidirectional switch. (Example 1) which is the state of the state which removed the knob and upper case of the multidirectional switch. (Example 1) which is a top view of a multidirectional switch. (Example 1) which is the IV-IV arrow directional cross-sectional view of FIG. (Example 1) which is the VV arrow directional cross-sectional view of FIG. (Example 1) which is VI-VI arrow directional cross-sectional view of FIG. It is principal sectional drawing of a multidirectional switch (conventional example).

Explanation of symbols

1 Multidirectional switch (Multidirectional input device)
3 Knob 5 Case 7 Parallel motion part 9 Rotor 11 Non-rotation part 13 Operation part 15 Hollow part (optical path)
39 First slider 41 Second slider 55 Through-hole (optical path)
65 Substrate 69,73 Rubber contact (detector)
71 LED (lighting fixture)
75 Photo sensor (detector)
93 Positioning engagement portion 95,113 Coil spring 97 Pin 99,117 Moderation mountain 111 Rotation moderation engagement portion 115 Ball

Claims (10)

A knob comprising a central non-rotating portion and an operation portion provided rotatably relative to the non-rotating portion, wherein the non-rotating portion and the entire operation portion can be translated and pushed into the case, and the operation portion can be rotated. ,
A parallel operation part that supports the entire parallel movement operation and push-in operation and rotation operation of the operation part while receiving rotation restriction on the case;
The multi-directional input device, wherein the corresponding detection unit is operated by any one of the entire parallel movement operation, push-in operation, and rotation operation of the operation unit. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1,
A multi-directional input device comprising a single substrate provided with each of the detection units. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2,
A multi-directional input device comprising: a rotor which is provided so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the case and the parallel operation portion, and wherein an operating portion of the knob is relatively movable in the knob rotation axis direction and is rotationally engaged. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2 or 3,
The substrate is provided so as to be able to operate integrally with the parallel movement operation of the knob,
A lighting device is provided on the substrate,
Provide a display part on the non-rotating part of the knob,
Providing an optical path penetrating from the illuminator to the display unit;
The multidirectional input device characterized in that the display unit performs bright light display by illumination of the illumination tool. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The multi-directional input device, wherein the substrate is provided in the parallel operation unit. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The parallel operation unit includes first and second sliders,
The first slider is provided to be movable in one direction with respect to the case, and the second slider is provided to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the first slider.
The non-rotating portion of the knob is capable of being pushed into the second slider and is engaged in the rotational direction. The multi-directional input device according to claim 6,
A multi-directional input characterized in that a positioning engagement portion is provided between the case and the second slider to allow the second slider to move in the knob rotation radial direction against the case against the elastic force. apparatus. The multi-directional input device according to claim 7,
The positioning engagement portion is a ball provided on one of the case and the second slider and urged by a coil spring, and a moderation mountain provided on the other and engaged with the ball. Direction input device. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
A multi-directional input device characterized in that a rotational mode engagement portion is provided between the rotor and the second slider to give a rotational mode to the rotor with respect to the second slider. The multidirectional input device according to claim 9, wherein
The rotational mode engagement portion is a ball provided on one of the rotor and the second slider and biased by a coil spring, and a moderation mountain provided on the other and engaged with the ball. Multi-directional input device.

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