JP2010003424A - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-directional input device used for input operation sections of various electronic devices, which can handle a rotary operation, a pushing-down operation, and a tilting operation with one operation knob and can easily lead a signal and can be formed with fewer assembling man-hours. <P>SOLUTION: A pushing body 51 is arranged from upward by mounting with soldering a rotary operation type encoder 31 capable of performing rotating, pushing-down, and tilting operations against an operational shaft 32 and a plurality of pushing type switches 41 in the vicinity of the encoder 31 on a wiring board 21, an upper case 61 having a function for regulating rotation of the pushing body 51 is combined with the wiring board 21 by arranging the upper case 61 over the pushing body 51, and further, the operation knob 71 is mounted over the upper case 61 so that the operational shaft 32 only works together at the time of the rotating operation and pushing-down operation and the pushing body 51 can additionally work together at the time of the tilting operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device used for an input operation unit of various electronic devices.

  In recent years, multi-functionalization of various electronic devices has progressed, and as an input operation unit arranged to use the device, each input operation can be performed by rotating or pushing one operation knob. In many cases, multi-directional input devices in which one of the operation knobs is tilted to perform input operation in the tilting direction have been used.

  Here, an example of a conventional multidirectional input device will be described with reference to the drawings. 11 is a sectional view of a conventional multidirectional input device, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 13 is a top view thereof.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a rotary operation type encoder with a push-on switch, which includes an incremental encoder element portion and a switch element portion in a space formed by a case member and a cover member. When the operation shaft 2 protruding upward from the center position is rotated, a two-phase pulse signal having a phase difference is obtained from the encoder element portion through the terminal, and when the operation shaft 2 is depressed, the switch element portion is activated. A predetermined terminal shifts to a conductive state.

  The rotary operation type encoder 1 is soldered on an upper substrate 5 formed in a regular hexagonal shape when viewed from above. The upper substrate 5 is supported by a pair of first support shafts 9 so as to be swingable around the first swing axis MM of the frame body 7 surrounding the upper substrate 5.

  In addition, the frame body 7 has a pair of second support shafts 13 and a second swing shaft supported on a swing support portion 11A that is formed to project at a position of the lower substrate 11 that is perpendicular to the first swing axis MM. It is supported so as to be able to swing around the movement axis NN.

  On the lower substrate 11, push-type switches 15 </ b> A to 15 </ b> D are arranged at a pitch of 90 ° centered on the position of the operation shaft 2, and above the operation buttons of each switch. Pressing protrusions 5 </ b> A to 5 </ b> D that protrude from the lower surface of the substrate 5 are in contact with each other. In addition, restricting protrusions 5E to 5H that protrude downward are provided at positions between the pressing protrusions 5A to 5D on the lower surface of the upper substrate 5, respectively.

  The conventional multi-directional input device is configured as described above, and when used, one operation knob 17 is attached to the operation shaft 2 of the rotary operation type encoder 1 to be mounted. Subsequently, the operation in the mounted state will be described.

  When the operation knob 17 is rotated, the operation shaft 2 of the rotary operation type encoder 1 is rotated to operate the encoder element unit, whereby an incremental encoder output is obtained. Further, when the operation knob 17 is pushed down vertically, the operation shaft 2 is moved downward via the operation knob 17 and the switch element portion is activated.

  When the operation knob 17 is tilted in the direction in which the push switches 15A to 15D are arranged, the upper substrate 5 swings in that direction. For example, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 11, when the operation knob 17 is tilted toward the direction in which the pressing switch 15A is arranged, the upper substrate 5 swings so that the pressing projection 5A side is lowered, and is moved downward. The operation button of the pressing switch 15A is pushed in by the pressing protrusion 5A that is lowered, and the state of the pressing switch 15A is switched, and the restricting protrusions 5E and 5H provided adjacent to the pressing protrusion 5A. Comes into contact with the lower substrate 11 and the tilt of the upper substrate 5 stops. When the tilting operation force is removed, the pressing switch 15A self-resets to its original state, and the pressing projection 5A is pushed back by the returning force so that the upper substrate 5 in FIG. 11 is positioned in the horizontal state. It returned to the state.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2004-087290 A

  However, in the conventional multidirectional input device, the rotary operation type encoder 1 is soldered and mounted on the upper substrate 5 which can be swung by tilting the operation knob 17, and the swinging operation is performed. In this case, the pressing switches 15A to 15D that are operated in accordance with the above are assumed to be soldered and mounted on the lower substrate 11, and then both must be combined, resulting in an increase in assembly man-hours. In addition, since the drawing portion of the rotary operation type encoder 1 from the upper substrate 5 has to be led out using, for example, an FPC, there is a problem that it must be used in an arrangement state in which the FPC is not entangled.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and in a multidirectional input device capable of obtaining a predetermined output in accordance with each of a rotation operation, a push-down operation, and a tilt operation with respect to one operation knob, It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-directional input device that can be easily derived, does not cause its own arrangement restriction, and can be configured with fewer assembly steps.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  The present invention has a configuration in which a rotation operation signal is obtained in response to rotation to an operation shaft that is soldered and mounted on a wiring board and capable of tilting, and a switch signal is obtained by pressing down the operation shaft. A rotary operation type electronic component with a switch, a plurality of self-returning type press type switches soldered and mounted on the wiring board around the rotation operation type electronic component, and a substantially hemispherical sphere portion. A cylindrical portion is integrally formed at the upper position, and has a central through hole that penetrates up and down including the hole portion in the cylindrical portion, and further extends from the spherical portion corresponding to each of the push-type switches. With the shape having the pressed portion, the pressing shaft is inserted through the central through hole, and the pressing portion is placed on the operating button of the corresponding pressing switch, Time of the above pressing body A fixing member which is arranged from above the pressing body so as to be able to tilt but can be tilted, and has a lower surface at least partially in contact with the outer surface of the sphere, and a lower projection for coupling Are coupled so as to be able to co-rotate and be able to be pushed down with respect to the operation shaft in the central through hole of the pressing body, and a lower wall portion provided around the lower projection for coupling is formed of the cylindrical portion. The multi-directional input device includes an operation knob arranged to be positioned on the outer peripheral surface side.

  In this configuration, since a single rotary operation type electronic component or a pressure switch is mounted on the wiring board, each signal can be extracted by a conductive pattern on the wiring board, Since each member such as a pressing body and operation knob can be combined sequentially from above, it can be configured as a multi-directional input device, so that the derivation of signals can be done easily, there is no restriction on its own arrangement, and the number of assembly steps is reduced. A multi-directional input device that can be obtained is obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily derive a signal in a multidirectional input device that can obtain a predetermined output in accordance with each of a rotation operation, a push-down operation, and a tilt operation with respect to one operation knob. It is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that a multi-directional input device can be obtained that can be configured with less number of man-hours for assembly and the like without any restrictions on its own arrangement.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pressing body, which is the main part, viewed obliquely from above, FIG. 6 is a perspective view, as viewed from the lower side, of the pressing body, which is the main part, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an upper case, which is the main part, seen obliquely from below, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressing operation state of the multidirectional input device, and FIG. 10 is a tilting operation state of the multidirectional input device. FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a wiring board, and a rotary operation type encoder 31 as a rotary operation type electronic component in the claims is soldered and attached to the center position, and the peripheral position is also shown in FIG. In addition, four self-returning press-type switches 41 (41A to 41D) are soldered and mounted at a pitch of 90 °, centering on the rotary operation type encoder 31, respectively. Note that the push-type switch 41 uses the same single finished product that is turned on when the operation button is pushed down from above. And each conductive pattern connected to each terminal of the rotary operation type encoder 31 and each terminal of the pressing type switch 41 is routed to one side end side of the wiring board 21 and arranged in an aligned manner. One connector 25 is arranged, and each signal can be derived only by fitting the mating connector 27 to the connector 25.

  As the rotary operation type encoder 31, an electronic signal is obtained in which an encoder signal is obtained when the operation shaft 32 protruding upward is rotated, and a switch signal is obtained when the operation shaft 32 is pushed down vertically at the neutral position of the operation shaft 32. As a single unit, a rotary operation type encoder with a switch is used. The rotary operation type encoder 31 is configured to be capable of tilting the operation shaft 32. First, the rotary operation type encoder 31 will be described.

  Reference numeral 33 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is a resin-made first case having a self-returning and pressing-type central switch portion 34 at the center of the inner bottom surface. On the first case 33, an encoder portion 35 is provided. A second case 36 having a fixed contact for use is overlapped. The movable contact for the encoder portion 35 is fixed to the lower surface of the flange portion 37A of the rotating body 37 rotatably arranged on the second case 36. The encoder unit 35 is an incremental type.

  The rotating body 37 has a holding through hole 37B penetrating vertically in the center, and the operation shaft 32 is inserted into the rotating body 37 from below.

  As can be seen from FIG. 1, the operation shaft 32 has a substantially rod-shaped lower part, which is formed in a spherical shape with a spherical shape that increases in size when viewed from the side, and has a horizontal section that is a regular polygon. The lower part of the through-hole 37B is also formed with the same inner wall shape. The lower end of the operation shaft 32 inserted into the holding through hole 37B is placed on and abuts on the pressure transmission member of the central switch portion 34. In this arrangement state, the operating shaft 32 receives an upward biasing force from the dome-shaped movable contact of the central switch portion 34 via the pressing transmission member, and both are formed in a polygonal spherical shape by the biasing force. The lower part of the operation shaft 32 and the inner wall part of the holding through hole 37B are in an engaged state. By providing the component, the rotating body 37 rotates together with the operating shaft 32 and the operating shaft 32 can be pushed down vertically independently of the rotating body 37. Further, if the operation shaft 32 is held on the rotating body 37, the operation shaft 32 can be tilted. On the other hand, the diameter of the upper portion of the holding through-hole 37B constitutes a polygonal spherical portion. The inner wall has a diameter larger than that of a general one extending upward while maintaining the diameter of the squeezed position, whereby the operation shaft 32 is provided on the inner wall of the upper portion of the holding through-hole 37B. The tilting operation until it comes into contact with the part is possible. The shape of the upper part of the holding through-hole 37B is formed such that at least the direction side corresponding to the arrangement position of each pressing switch 41 is escaped, and the operation shaft 32 is required to be tilted on the arrangement direction side. Any angle angle can be obtained.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a bearing member disposed on the second case 36. The upper portion of the rotating body 37 is rotatably held by the inner wall of the cylindrical portion, and an operation shaft is provided in a bearing hole 38A provided in the center of the cylindrical portion. 32 is inserted. Then, the caulking leg portion of the metal cover 39 disposed on the bearing member 38 is clamped on the bottom surface of the first case 33, and the whole is integrally coupled. The diameter of the bearing hole 38A of the bearing member 38 has a large diameter that does not hinder the tilting operation of the operation shaft 32, as in the upper part of the holding through hole 37B of the rotating body 37.

  From the first case 33, the terminal from the central switch portion 34 is bent and extended downward, and from the second case 36, the terminal from the encoder portion 35 is bent and extended downward, and the above-mentioned. As described above, each terminal is soldered to a corresponding conductive pattern on the wiring board 21. Note that the attachment legs of the metal cover 39 are also mechanically attached to the wiring board 21 to ensure attachment strength.

  In the operation of the rotary operation type encoder 31 configured as described above, when the operation shaft 32 is rotated, the operation shaft 32 and the rotating body 37 rotate together so that the movable contact on the lower surface of the flange portion 37A is the encoder portion 35 on the inner bottom surface of the second case 36. Incremental encoder signals are obtained from the corresponding terminals of the second case 36 by sliding on the fixed contact. At this time, a moderation spring 40 is fixed to the bearing member 38 so that a click feeling can be obtained at the same time, and when the rotating body 37 rotates, a dowel portion of the moderation spring 40 is formed on the upper surface of the flange portion 37A. It is configured such that a click feeling can be obtained at the same time by elastically contacting the uneven portion. Providing this click generating means is preferable because it can prevent inadvertent rotation of the rotating body 37 during a push-down operation or tilting operation described later.

  Further, when the operation shaft 32 is pushed down vertically in the neutral state of the operation shaft 32, only the operation shaft 32 moves downward while the engagement state between the operation shaft 32 and the rotating body 37 is released, and the lower end thereof. Then, when a pressing force is applied to the dome-shaped movable contact of the central switch section 34 via the pressure transmission member and the force exceeds a predetermined force, the dome-shaped movable contact has a sense of moderation as shown in FIG. Along with this, it reverses. As a result, the fixed contacts for the central switch part 34 formed on the inner bottom surface of the first case 33 are electrically connected via the dome-shaped movable contacts, and the terminals led out from the first case 33 are electrically connected. The switch is turned on. When the pressing force to the operation shaft 32 is removed, the dome-shaped movable contact self-restores to the original upward convex dome shape, and the operation shaft 32 is pushed back to the original position via the pressure transmission member. While re-engaging with the rotator 37, the fixed contacts return to the electrically switched off state.

  When a force for tilting the operation shaft 32 is applied, the operation shaft 32 is rotated in the holding portion of the holding through hole 37B as shown in FIG. It tilts around the lower end position placed on the pressure transmission member while moving. Although it is considered that a slight operating force is applied to the central switch portion 34 at this time, the operating force of the dome-shaped movable contact is set so that the central switch portion 34 does not operate during the tilting operation. ing. The operation shaft 32 is tilted when the lower end of the operation shaft 32 is a spherical surface having a large diameter with the central position at the lowermost position and is placed on the flat upper surface of the pressure transmission member. Can be made smooth.

  The rotary operation type encoder 31 configured as described above is soldered to the wiring board 21 together with the pressing type switch 41 as described above.

  And the resin-made press body 51 is distribute | arranged above them. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the pressing body 51 is formed by integrally forming a cylindrical portion 53 whose outer peripheral surface is set to be circular when viewed from above at an upper position of a substantially hemispherical spherical portion 52. In addition, a central through hole 55 penetrating up and down including the hole portion of the cylindrical portion 53 is provided, and further extended laterally from the lower position of the spherical portion 52 in correspondence with each of the push-type switches 41. The four pressing portions 54 (54A to 54D) are provided. The pressing body 51 is arranged such that the operation shaft 32 of the rotary operation type encoder 31 is inserted into the central through hole 55, and each pressing portion 54 is placed on the operation button of each pressing type switch 41.

  Further, from above, an upper case 61 made of a resin having a cylindrical shape with a sunk upper portion is disposed, and the upper case 61 is coupled to the wiring board 21 by screws 65. The upper case 61 corresponds to a fixing member in claims.

  In the space formed by the upper case 61 and the wiring substrate 21, the lower part than the rotary operation type encoder 31, each pressing type switch 41, and the spherical portion 52 of the pressing body 51 is housed. On the other hand, the operating shaft 32 of the rotary operation type encoder 31 and the cylindrical portion 53 of the pressing body 51 protrude upward from the top hole 61 </ b> B of the upper case 61.

  In the upper case 61, an inner wall at an intermediate height position corresponding to the outer surface of the spherical body portion 52 of the pressing body 51 is formed in an inclined surface portion 61A in which the lower side extends, and the outer surface of the spherical portion 52 is formed on the inclined surface portion 61A. It is in contact. That is, as the contact state between the two, the contact is made in a circular ring shape at the same height position, and in the contact state, each pressing portion 54 is attached upward from the operation button of each pressing switch 41. In response to the force, the neutral position of the pressing body 51 is maintained by the biasing force. Moreover, the inner wall location corresponding to each pressing part 54 of the upper case 61 is formed in a shape protruding sideways, and each pressing portion is formed by the left and right inner side surfaces 61C (see FIG. 8) of the protruding portion. The position of the portion 54 is restricted, and the inadvertent rotation of the pressing body 51 is restricted. Note that the upper case 61 may be any as long as the inclined surface portion 61 </ b> A that contacts the pressing body 51 is located at a fixed height position and can regulate the rotation of the pressing body 51. In order to obtain the above two functions, the upper case 61 needs to be fixed. However, the upper case 61 may be fixed to a part other than the wiring board 21, and each of the above functions is performed by a separate member. It may be configured. When fixing to the wiring board 21, it is preferable that the upper case 61 is accumulated from below with the screw 65 via the wiring board 21 so that it can be easily configured. However, the upper case is provided with an elastic claw and is snap-coupled. And so on. Further, if a connection part 63 is provided in the upper case 61 and a configuration in which positioning and mounting in the device can be performed with the screw 67 as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting to the device can be easily performed. it can.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes an operation knob having an outer shape formed in a substantially circular shape. A coupling lower protrusion 72 is provided on the lower surface of the center, and a lower wall 73 is provided around the coupling lower protrusion 72.

  The coupling lower protrusion 72 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 53 of the pressing body 51 and coupled to the operation shaft 32. In this state, a predetermined gap is provided between the outer periphery of the coupling lower protrusion 72 and the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 53. On the other hand, the inner wall of the lower wall portion 73 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 53 so as to be movable in the rotational direction and the vertical direction. In other words, the operation knob 71 is arranged so that the cylindrical portion 53 of the pressing body 51 is positioned in the groove between the lower connecting projection 72 and the lower wall portion 73, and the upper end position of the cylindrical portion 53. The gap from the groove to the bottom of the groove is larger than the operation stroke of the central switch portion 34 of the rotary operation type encoder 31.

  Further, the lower end of the lower wall portion 73 is located in the top surface hole portion 61B of the upper case 61, and the outer surface portion of the lower wall portion 73 and the upper case 61 are in a tilting operation state to an operation knob 71 described later. The shape of the top hole 61B of the upper case 61 is also set so that the inner wall of the top hole 61B does not contact.

  As described above, the multidirectional input device is configured. If it is the said structure, the rotation operation type encoder 31 and the press type switch 41 which are each a single-piece | unit as a finished product of an electronic component by soldering attachment will be carried out to the one wiring board 21, and then the press body 51. The case 61 is placed, and then the operation knob 71 is arranged by coupling the lower projection 72 for coupling from the upper side to the operation shaft 32 located in the cylindrical portion 53 protruding from the top hole 61B of the upper case 61. Can be assembled. In other words, each component can be configured to be stacked one after another, so that it is easy to assemble and the number of man-hours can be reduced. Even when the upper case 61 is fixed to the wiring board 21, it is preferable that the upper case 61 is coupled by work in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 1. And what fixed the upper case 61 to the wiring board 21 becomes a completed module form product, Therefore The thing which is excellent also in the handleability is preferable.

  Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device will be described.

  First, when the operation knob 71 is rotated, the operation shaft 32 of the rotary operation type encoder 31 coupled to the coupling lower protrusion 72 rotates integrally. At this time, the pressing body 51 does not rotate together because only the inner wall of the lower wall portion 73 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 53 and is subject to rotation restriction in the upper case 61. The operation knob 71 rotates smoothly while the inner wall of the lower wall portion 73 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 53. In addition, since the press body 51 receives the upward biasing force by each press type switch 41, it does not move carelessly downward.

  Then, the rotating body 37 rotates together with the rotating operation of the operating shaft 32 to operate the encoder unit 35 of the rotary operation type encoder 31, and each conductive pattern soldered to the terminal for the encoder unit 35 and the connector 25 are used. Thus, the signal is obtained. The operation shaft 32 receives an upward biasing force from the dome-shaped movable contact of the central switch portion 34 as described above, and therefore, the operation shaft 32 does not move inadvertently during the rotation operation.

  Next, when the operation knob 71 is pushed downward in the vertical direction, the operation shaft 32 coupled to the coupling lower projection 72 moves downward integrally. Also at this time, since the pressing body 51 is subjected to the rotation restriction at the upper case 61 and the upward biasing force by the respective pressing type switches 41, the operation knob 71 is not inadvertently rotated or moved. The inner wall of the lower wall portion 73 moves integrally with the operation shaft 32 while sliding in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 53.

  Then, as the operation shaft 32 moves downward, a pressing force is applied to the dome-shaped movable contact of the central switch portion 34 via the press transmission member while the engagement between the operation shaft 32 and the rotating body 37 is released. The dome-shaped movable contact is reversed by the force, and the switch is turned on as shown in FIG. At this time, the engaged state between the rotating body 37 and the operation shaft 32 is released, but the moderation spring 40 for generating a click feeling is in elastic contact with the flange portion 37A, so that the rotating body 37 is not moved. Thus, an inadvertent encoder signal is not generated from the encoder unit 35. As can be seen from the figure, the upper end of the cylindrical portion 53 of the pressing body 51 is against the groove bottom surface between the lower projection 72 for coupling of the operation knob 71 and the lower wall portion 73 in the switch ON state. The switch state is stably shifted so that the lower wall 73 does not come into contact with the lower end of the lower wall 73 and does not come into contact with the pressing body 51.

  When the pressing force to the operation knob 71 is removed, the dome-shaped movable contact of the central switch portion 34 self-restores to the original upward convex shape and returns to the switch OFF state, and the operation shaft is connected via the pressure transmission member. 32 and the operation knob 71 coupled thereto are pushed back to their original positions. As a result, the operating shaft 32 is again engaged with the rotating body 37. Even during the returning operation, the rotating body 37 and the pressing body 51 are not inadvertently moved because the restricted state is maintained as described above.

  As described above, when the operation knob 71 is pushed down, only the central switch portion 34 of the rotary operation type encoder 31 is switched on, and the conduction signal is connected to the terminal for the central switch portion 34 in the same manner as the encoder signal. It can be obtained through each soldered conductive pattern and connector 25.

  Next, an operation state when the operation knob 71 is tilted toward the push-type switch 41A arranged at the left position will be described.

  When an operation force for tilting the operation knob 71 to the left is applied, the operation shaft 32 integrated therewith tilts to the left. At this time, the operation shaft 32 is tilted because the lower engaging portion of the holding portion of the holding through hole 37B of the rotating body 37 rotates. At the same time, the pressing body 51 in which the cylindrical portion 53 is in contact with the inner periphery of the lower wall portion 73 of the operation knob 71 is also pressed in the same direction. It rotates in the same direction along 61 inclined surface part 61A.

  As the pressing body 51 rotates to the left, the pressing portion 54A moves downward to the left position, and accordingly, a pressing force is applied to the operation button of the pressing switch 41A. When the force becomes larger than the operating force of the push-type switch 41A, the operation button is pushed, and the push-type switch 41A enters the tilting operation state shown in FIG. The conductive state can be detected via each conductive pattern and the connector 25 to which the terminal of the pressing switch 41A is soldered. The other pressing portions 54B to 54D move slightly during the tilting operation toward the left side, but the switch states of the other pressing type switches 41B to 41D are maintained unchanged. Although the operation shaft 32 is also tilted, the central switch portion 34 is not operated when the operation shaft 32 is tilted, and the rotating body 37 is not inadvertently moved.

  In addition, the thing of the said structure is set as the structure which restricted the rotation of the press body 51 by the upper case 61 as mentioned above. Here, with this configuration, inadvertent rotational movement or the like of the pressing body 51 can be prevented even during the tilting operation, and the pressing portion 54 can be guided by the inner side surface 61C serving as the restriction portion. Therefore, the tilting operation can be performed smoothly.

  When the operation force that tilts the operation knob 71 to the left is removed, the operation button of the push-type switch 41A self-resets, the push-type switch 41A returns to the switch OFF state, and the push portion 54A is pushed back. Further, the biasing force from the dome-shaped movable contact of the central switch portion 34 applied to the operation shaft 32 is added to the force, and the pressing body 51 rotates to the right side, so that the pressing body 51 and the operation shaft 32 shown in FIG. Return to the neutral position non-operation state. Also during the returning operation, the pressing body 51 has the outer surface of the sphere 52 along the inclined surface portion 61A of the upper case 61, and the operating shaft 32 along the holding portion of the holding through hole 37B of the rotating body 37. Since it rotates, the return operation is also stable.

  The operation state in which the operation knob 71 is tilted to the direction in which each of the other press-type switches 41B to 41D is tilted is the same, and the pressing body 51 etc. tilts in that direction, and any of the corresponding press-type switches 41B to 41D. Only the state shifts to the switch ON state, and when the operation force is removed, the neutral state shown in FIG. 1 is restored. Note that, among the push-type switches 41, the operation knob 71 may be tilted in the two adjacent intermediate angle directions so that the two are switched for use. Further, the shape of the cylindrical portion 53 of the pressing body 51 as viewed from above is a shape having a protruding portion to the side at a 90 ° pitch, and the operating portion is guided by guiding the shaft portion including the operating shaft 32 and the like into the protruding portion. It is good also as a structure to limit.

  As described above, the multi-directional input device can perform a rotation operation, a push-down operation, and a tilt operation with respect to one operation knob 71, and each signal obtained in accordance with each operation is transmitted through one connector 25. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the need for an FPC for drawing out as in the prior art, and to prevent the placement of the FPC from being restricted. Furthermore, since the rotary operation type encoder 31 and the pressing type switch 41 are soldered and mounted on the wiring board 21, the pressing bodies 51 and the like are sequentially stacked and combined, so that the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Further, if the upper case 61 is fixed to the wiring board 21, it can be made excellent in handling as a module product.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the multidirectional input device may be configured directly on the wiring board on the device side. That is, the arrangement position of the rotary operation type encoder 31 and the press type switch 41 and the conductive pattern for drawing are formed on the wiring board on the equipment side as described above, and the rotary operation type encoder 31 and the press type switch 41 are provided there. May be arranged in the same manner as described above and soldered, and then the pressing body 51 and the operation knob 71 may be combined from above. In this case, the upper case 61 may be used to regulate the rotation of the pressing body 51, but these may be performed using a housing or an operation panel.

  In the above description, the rotary operation type encoder 31 is used as an example. However, the detailed configuration of the encoder unit 35 and the central switch unit 34 may be other than those described above. Instead of this, a configuration using a rotary operation type electronic component in which a variable resistor or a rotary switch is operated may be used. Further, the push-type switch 41 is not limited to the push-on type, and the number of arrangements and the arrangement pitch may be four and may be other than 90 ° intervals. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which added the spring body etc. which assist the reset operation | movement of the press body 51. Further, the configuration for deriving each signal may be a configuration other than using the connector 25.

  The multi-directional input device according to the present invention is characterized in that a signal can be easily derived, does not cause restrictions on its own arrangement, and can be configured with a small number of assembly steps. This is useful when composing parts.

Sectional drawing of the multidirectional input device by one embodiment of this invention Same perspective view Exploded perspective view Top view of the wiring board which is the main part The perspective view which looked at the press body which is the principal part from diagonally upward The perspective view which looked at the press body which is the principal part from the slanting lower part The perspective view which looked at the upper case which is the principal part from diagonally upward The perspective view which looked at the upper case which is the principal part from the slanting lower part Sectional drawing which shows the push-down operation state of the multidirectional input device Sectional drawing which shows the tilting operation state of the multidirectional input device Sectional view of a conventional multidirectional input device Exploded perspective view Top view

Explanation of symbols

21 Wiring board 25 Connector 27 Mating connector 31 Rotation operation type encoder (Rotation operation type electronic component)
32 Operation shaft 33 First case 34 Central switch portion 35 Encoder portion 36 Second case 37 Rotating body 37A Flange portion 37B Holding through hole 38 Bearing member 38A Bearing hole portion 39 Metal cover 40 Moderation spring 41, 41A to 41D Press type switch 51 Press body 52 Spherical body part 53 Cylindrical part 54, 54A-54D Press part 55 Central through hole 61 Upper case 61A Inclined surface part 61B Top surface hole part 61C Inner side surface 63 Connection part 65, 67 Screw 71 Operation knob 72 Down for coupling Projection 73 Lower wall

Claims (2)

With a switch that is configured so that a rotation operation signal can be obtained according to the rotation to the operation shaft that is soldered to the wiring board and can be tilted, and that the switch signal can be obtained by pushing down the operation shaft. A rotary operation type electronic component, a plurality of self-returning type push-type switches soldered and mounted on the wiring board around the rotation operation type electronic component, and a cylinder at an upper position of a substantially hemispherical sphere portion. A pressing portion that has a central through hole that penetrates up and down including the hole portion in the cylindrical portion, and further extends from the spherical portion corresponding to each pressing switch. The pressing shaft is inserted through the central through hole, and the pressing portions are placed on the operating buttons of the corresponding pressing switches, and the pressing body. Rotation is not regulated However, the fixing member is arranged on the pressing body so that the tilting operation can be performed, and a fixing member in which a part of the lower surface is brought into contact with the outer surface of the spherical body at least, and the lower protrusion for coupling are In the central through hole of the pressing body, the lower wall portion provided around the lower projection for coupling is coupled to the operation shaft so as to be able to rotate together with the operation shaft, and the outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion. Multi-directional input device provided with an operation knob arranged to be located in As rotary operation type electronic components with switches, the lower part of the operation shaft and the holding part of the holding through hole in the rotating body that holds the operating shaft are each in the shape of a polygonal sphere with a regular polygon and a spherical side. Formed and held together so that the rotating body rotates in accordance with the rotational movement of the operating shaft, and the operating shaft can move downward alone, 2. The multi-direction according to claim 1, wherein the upper shape of the through hole for holding the rotating body is formed in a shape in which at least a direction side corresponding to an arrangement position of each push-type switch is escaped in a top view. Input device.

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