JP2010225508A - Detection mechanism for input device and multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detection mechanism for an input device capable of simple assembling. <P>SOLUTION: The detection mechanism 400b has an oscillating arm 410b wherein one end is connected to a rotary shaft 330b and the other end is oscillated in response to rotation of the rotary shaft 330b, an oscillating arm 420b wherein one end is connected to the other end of the oscillating arm 410b and a movable section 423b is oscillated in response to oscillation of the other end, a support 430b for supporting an intermediate section of an oscillating arm 429b, and a photointerrupter 440b for detecting oscillation of the movable section 423b. A recessed section 412b is arranged on the other end of the oscillating arm 410b, a projected section 421b fitted into the recessed section 412b is arranged on one end of the oscillating arm 420b, a shaft-supporting projected section 422b is arranged in an intermediate section of the oscillating arm 420b, and a shaft-supporting recessed section 432b fitted by the shaft-supporting projected section 422b is arranged on an upper end of the support 430b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device in which an operation input is made according to the tilt of an operation lever, and more particularly to a detection mechanism of the input device that detects the tilt of the operation lever.

  This type of input device is attached to one of an operation lever that can be tilted, a tilting member that passes through the operation lever and swings in response to the tilting of the control lever, and a rotating shaft on both sides of the tilting member. Detection mechanism. The detection mechanism includes a first swing arm having one end portion in the length direction coupled to the rotation shaft and the other end portion in the length direction swinging in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft, and a first swing arm. A second oscillating arm having one end in the length direction coupled to the other end of the moving arm, and a rotary variable resistor coupled to the other end in the length direction of the second oscillating arm; It has.

  A recess is provided at the other end of the first swing arm. One end of the second swing arm is provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the second swing arm and fits into the recess. Further, the other end of the second swing arm is provided with a rectangular parallelepiped projection that protrudes toward the variable resistor and fits into the rotation shaft hole of the variable resistor. The variable resistor has a variable resistance value according to the rotation angle of the protrusion (see FIG. 9 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-115826 A

  However, it is difficult to fit the protrusion of the second swing arm into the rotation shaft hole of the variable resistor and insert the convex portion of the second swing arm into the recess of the first swing arm. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an input device detection mechanism and an input device that can be easily assembled.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the detection mechanism of the first input device of the present invention includes an operation lever that can be tilted, and a tilting member that rotates the rotation shafts on both sides according to the tilt of the operation lever. A first swing arm that is a detection mechanism of an input device and has one end portion in the length direction coupled to one of the rotation shafts, and the other end portion in the length direction swings in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft. And a second swing in which one end in the length direction is connected to the other end of the first swing arm, and the other end in the length direction swings in response to the swing of the other end. An arm, a support that supports an intermediate portion of the second swing arm, and non-contact detection means for detecting swing of the other end of the second swing arm. The other end of the moving arm is provided with a recess opened toward the other end of the arm. The projection portion is provided on the first swing arm side and protruded into the recess portion. The intermediate portion of the second swing arm is provided on the first swing arm side. And a shaft support convex portion protruding toward at least one of the opposite sides is provided, and a shaft support recess that is open upward and into which the shaft support convex portion is fitted is provided at the upper end portion of the column. ing.

  In the case of such a detection mechanism, since the non-contact type is used as the detecting means for detecting the swing of the other end of the second swing arm, the convex portion of the second swing arm is used as the first swing arm. The detection mechanism can be assembled simply by inserting the pivot support protrusion of the second swing arm into the support recess of the support column while inserting it into the recess of the swing arm. Therefore, the assembly of this detection mechanism becomes very simple. And since it is a simple structure which combined only the 1st, 2nd rocking | swiveling arm and the support | pillar, size reduction can be achieved. Further, the other end of the first swing arm swings according to the rotation of the rotary shaft, and the other end of the second swing arm swings according to the swing. For this reason, since the swing angle of the other end of the first swing arm is larger than the tilt angle of the operation lever, the resolution for detecting the tilt of the control lever can be set high.

  The one end portion of the second swing arm is provided with a recess that is opened toward one end side of the arm instead of the convex portion, and not the recess portion at the other end portion of the first swing arm. A convex portion that protrudes toward the second swing arm and fits into the recess of the second swing arm can be provided. Even in this case, while inserting the convex portion of the first swing arm into the concave portion of the second swing arm, the shaft support convex portion of the second swing arm is inserted into the shaft support concave portion of the column. This detection mechanism can be easily assembled just by doing.

  The shaft support convex portion can be provided not at the intermediate portion of the second swing arm but at the upper end portion of the support column. The shaft support recess portion is not the upper end portion of the support column but the second swing arm. It can be provided in the intermediate part. Even in this case, while inserting the convex portion of the second swing arm into the concave portion of the first swing arm, the shaft support convex portion of the column is inserted into the pivot concave portion of the second swing arm. The detection mechanism can be easily assembled only by this.

  It is preferable that the center of the shaft support convex portion and the center of the rotation shaft are set at substantially the same height. In this case, when the convex portion is inserted into the concave portion and the shaft support convex portion is inserted into the shaft support concave portion, the center of the shaft support convex portion and the center of the rotating shaft have substantially the same height. Are arranged substantially horizontally. For this reason, the device height of the input device can be lowered as compared with the case where the first and second swing arms are arranged substantially vertically.

  It is preferable that the non-contact type detection means is a photo interrupter that detects the swing of the other end of the second swing arm.

  When the other end portion of the second swing arm is substantially fan-shaped and a plurality of slits penetrating in the thickness direction are formed at the tip portion in a substantially arc shape, the non-contact type detection means emits light It is possible to provide a transmissive photointerrupter having a means and a two-channel two-phase light-receiving means whose phases are opposed to each other through the slit. Alternatively, the non-contact type detecting means may be a transmissive photo interrupter having a light emitting means and a light receiving means facing each other through the slit.

  In these cases, it is only necessary to insert the other end portion of the second swing arm between the light emitting means and the light receiving means of the non-contact type detecting means, so that the assembly of the detection mechanism is simplified.

  When the tilting member is provided with an attachment portion instead of one of the rotation shafts, the attachment portion is attached to the one end portion of the first swing arm and one rotation of the tilting member is performed. A substantially cylindrical connecting portion that functions as an axis is provided.

  The multi-directional input device of the present invention includes a case, the first tilting member supported on the case toward the X and −X directions on both sides, and the Y and the rotation axes on both sides supported on the case. The second tilting member supported in the Y direction and the main body portion between the rotation shafts of the first and second tilting members pass through each other and can be tilted in a known arbitrary direction from the initial position. Operating lever and the first and second detection mechanisms, and one end portion of the first swing arm of the first and second detection mechanisms in the length direction is first and second. It is connected to one of the rotation shafts of the tilting member.

  When the first tilting member is provided with an attachment portion instead of one of the rotating shafts, the attachment portion is attached to the one end portion of the first swing arm of the first detection mechanism. A substantially cylindrical connecting portion that functions as one rotation shaft of the first tilting member is provided.

  When the case has a plate-like base, it is preferable that the support columns of the first and second detection mechanisms are provided on the base.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the said input device, Comprising: (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. 3A and 3B are schematic views of the input device, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. It is a schematic exploded perspective view of the input device. It is a schematic circuit diagram of the light-receiving means of the detection mechanism of the input device. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the light-receiving part of the detection mechanism of the said input device, and the slit of the movable part of a 2nd rocking | fluctuating arm. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the assembly process of the detection mechanism of the input device, where (a) shows a state before the first swing arm is attached, and (b) shows the first swing arm. It is a figure which shows the state after attachment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the operation lever of the input device is tilted, where (a) is a front view illustrating a state in which the operation lever is tilted in the X direction, and (b) is a tilt of the operation lever in the −X direction. It is a front view which shows the operated state.

  Hereinafter, a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This multidirectional input device includes a case 100, an operation lever 200, first and second tilting members 300a and 300b, first and second detection mechanisms 400a and 400b, and an origin return mechanism 500. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case 100 includes a disk-shaped base 110, a substantially rectangular body 120 provided on the base 110, and a cover 130 that covers the body 120. Yes.

  The base 110 and the body 120 are resin injection molded products. A cylindrical hole 121 is provided at the center of the body 120. An upward convex columnar pedestal 121 a is provided at the center of the bottom of the hole 121. As shown in FIG. 3A, a through hole 121b is provided at the center of the pedestal 121a. A support member 122 that supports the retaining portion 220 of the operation lever 200 is inserted into the through hole 121b.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support member 122 includes a disk-shaped seat portion 122 a provided with a spherical concave surface into which the hemispherical convex portion 223 of the operation lever 200 is fitted, and the seat portion 122 a. And a pair of locking claws 122b projecting from the lower surface of the. The locking claw 122a is inserted into the through-hole 121b and sandwiches the fastener 122c therebetween.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, shaft support portions 123 and 124 that are rectangular plates are provided on two orthogonal outer wall portions of the body 120. Further, a shaft support portion 125 which is a substantially rectangular box is provided on the outer wall portion of the body 120 facing the shaft support portion 123. Upper end portions of the shaft support portions 123 and 124 are provided with substantially U-shaped lower concave portions 123a and 124a. A substantially U-shaped lower concave portion 125 a is also provided on the inner wall portion of the shaft support portion 125. A pair of locking projections 126 are provided at both ends of the corner outer wall of the body 120, respectively.

  The cover 130 is formed by press-molding a metal plate into a substantially rectangular box. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top plate of the cover 130 is provided with a substantially circular opening 131. The operation lever 200 protrudes outside the case 100 through the opening 131. Also, three downward substantially U-shaped upper concave portions 132 are provided at the center of the lower ends of the three sides of the four sides of the cover 130. The two upper recesses 132 are combined with the lower recesses 123a and 125a of the body 120, and rotatably hold the rotation shafts 330b and 320b on both sides of the second tilting member 300b. The remaining upper concave portion 132 is combined with the lower concave portion 124a of the body 120, and rotatably holds a connecting portion 411a of a first swing arm 410a described later of the first detection mechanism 400a. A shaft hole 133 is provided in the center of the lower end of the remaining side of the cover 130. In the shaft hole 133, the rotation shaft 330a of the first tilting member 300a is rotatably fitted.

  On both sides of the upper recess 132 of the cover 130 and on both sides of the shaft hole 133, substantially rectangular locking pieces 134 are respectively extended downward. The locking piece 134 is provided with a locking hole 134a penetrating in the thickness direction. The cover 130 is attached to the body 120 by fitting the locking projection 126 of the body 120 into the locking hole 134a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first tilting member 300 a is a metal plate that is bent in a substantially U shape downward in a sectional view. The first tilting member 300a includes a substantially U-shaped main body portion 310a facing downward in a sectional view, attachment plates 320a (attachment portions) provided at both ends of the main body portion 310a, and a rotation shaft 330a. An elliptical elongated hole 311a extending in the X and −X directions is provided in the central portion of the main body portion 310a. A lever body 210 (described later) of the operation lever 200 passes through the long hole 311a. The mounting plate 320a is a substantially rectangular plate that is bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the end of the main body 310a. The mounting plate 320a is fitted into the fitting recess 411a1 of the connecting portion 411a of the first swing arm 410a of the first detection mechanism 400a, and the upper recess 132 of the cover 130 and the lower side of the body 120 together with the connecting portion 411a. It is rotatably held between the recesses 124a. The rotating shaft 330 a is a substantially cylindrical protrusion whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft hole 133 of the cover 130. The rotation shaft 330 a is fitted into the shaft hole 133 of the cover 130 so as to be rotatable. As described above, the connecting portion 411a and the rotating shaft 330a are supported by the case 100, so that the main body portion 310a can be tilted in the Y and −Y directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second tilting member 300 b is a resin molded product. The second tilting member 300b has a substantially hemispherical main body part 310b and rotating shafts 320b and 330b provided at both ends in the Y and −Y directions of the main body part 310b. An elliptical elongated hole 311b extending in the Y and −Y directions is provided at the upper end of the main body 310b. A lever body 210 (described later) of the operation lever 200 is passed through the long hole 311b. In addition, a support hole 312b communicating with the long hole 311b is provided at the lower end of the main body 310b. As shown in FIG. 3A, the length dimension of the support hole 312b in the Y and −Y directions is longer than the length dimension of the long hole 311b. The inner surfaces of the support holes 312b in the Y and −Y directions are substantially spherical. A retaining portion 220 (described later) of the operation lever 200 is fitted between the inner surface of the support hole 312b so as to be swingable in the Y and −Y directions. Downward substantially U-shaped support recesses 313b are provided at both ends of the main body portion 310b in the X and -X directions. A circular portion of a support convex portion 222 described later of the operation lever 200 is rotatably fitted in the support concave portion 313b.

  The rotating shaft 320b has a small diameter part and a large diameter part provided in the small diameter part. The small diameter portion is rotatably held between the upper concave portion 132 of the cover 130 and the lower concave portion 125a of the body 120. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the large-diameter portion is rotatably held between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion of the shaft support portion 125 of the body 120. The rotating shaft 330b has a substantially cylindrical shaft main body 331b and a protrusion 332b projecting from the tip of the shaft main body 331b. The shaft body 331b is rotatably held between the upper recess 132 of the cover 130 and the lower recess 123a of the body 120. In other words, the small diameter portion of the rotation shaft 320b and the shaft portion main body 331b of the rotation shaft 330b are supported by the case 100, so that the main body portion 310b can tilt in the X and −X directions. The protrusion 332b has a generally bowl shape when viewed from the front, and fits into the connection hole 411b of the second swing arm 410b of the second detection mechanism 400b.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation lever 200 includes a substantially prismatic lever body 210 and a retaining portion 220 attached to the lower end of the lever body 210. As shown in FIG. 3, the retaining portion 220 is provided with a substantially rectangular fitting hole 221 into which the lower end of the lever main body 210 is fitted. Further, both end portions in the X and −X directions of the retaining portion 220 are cut to form flat surfaces. On this flat surface, a pair of fulcrum protrusions 222 in the shape of a front rear circular ridge are provided. The circular portion of the fulcrum convex portion 222 is rotatably fitted in the support concave portion 313b of the second tilting member 300b.

  In addition, the outer surfaces in the Y and −Y directions of the retaining portion 220 have a substantially spherical shape corresponding to the inner surfaces in the Y and −Y directions of the support holes 312b of the second tilting member 300b. As a result, in a state where the retaining portion 220 is fitted in the support hole 312b, the retaining portion 220 can swing in the Y and −Y directions and prevents the operation lever 200 from coming off upward. In addition, a hemispherical convex portion 223 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the retaining portion 220. The hemispherical convex portion 223 is inserted into a ring 520 (to be described later) of the origin returning mechanism 500, and is fitted into the concave portion of the seat portion 122a of the support member 122. Further, the peripheral portion of the hemispherical convex portion 223 on the lower surface of the retaining portion 220 is a flat surface 224. The flat surface 224 is urged by the coil spring 510 through the ring 520 of the origin return mechanism 500 and is held in a substantially parallel (ie, horizontal) state with respect to the base 110. As a result, the lever main body 210 stands substantially perpendicular to the base 110. This state is the initial position of the operation lever 200.

  The lever body 210 protrudes outside the case 100 through the long holes 311a and 311b of the first and second tilting members 300a and 300b and the opening 131 of the cover 130, and can be tilted in an arbitrary direction around the initial position. It has become. When the lever main body 210 is tilted in the Y and −Y directions, the fulcrum convex portion 222 functions as a fulcrum, whereas when the lever main body 210 is tilted in the X and −X directions, the fulcrum convex portion 222 is the main body of the second tilting member 300b. By pushing up the part 310b, the rotating shafts 320b and 330b function as fulcrums. When the lever main body 210 is tilted in the direction including both the Y, −Y direction and the X and −X directions, both the fulcrum convex portion 222 and the rotation shafts 320b and 330b described above function as fulcrums.

  The origin returning mechanism 500 includes a coil spring 510 and a ring 520 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The coil spring 510 is disposed around the pedestal 121 a of the hole 121 of the body 120. The ring 520 is biased by the coil spring 510 and contacts the flat surface 224 of the operation lever 200. As described above, the ring 520 is pressed against the flat surface 224 of the operation lever 200 by the coil spring 510, so that the operation lever 200 is elastically held at the initial position where the operation lever 200 stands substantially vertically.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first detection mechanism 400 a includes a first swing arm 410 a that is a long plate-like body and a second swing that is a long plate-like body. It has an arm 420a, a column 430a, and a photo interrupter 440a (non-contact type detection means). A columnar connecting portion 411a is provided at one end of the first swing arm 410a in the length direction. The connecting portion 411a is provided with a substantially rectangular fitting recess 411a1 into which the mounting plate 320a of the first tilting member 300a is fitted. The connecting portion 411a is rotatably held between the upper concave portion 132 of the cover 130 and the lower concave portion 124a of the body 120. That is, the connecting portion 411a functions as one rotating shaft of the first swing arm 410a. When the mounting plate 320a of the first tilting member 300a tilts, the connecting portion 411a rotates and the other end portion in the length direction of the first swing arm 410a swings in the vertical direction. A laterally U-shaped recess 412a is provided at the other end of the first swing arm 410a. The recess 412a is opened toward the other end side in the length direction of the first swing arm 410a.

  A columnar convex portion 421a that protrudes toward the first swing arm 410a is provided at one end of the second swing arm 420a in the length direction. The convex portion 421a is rotatably fitted in the concave portion 412a of the first swing arm 410a. A pair of cylindrical support projections 422a that are convex toward the first swing arm 410a side and the opposite side are provided at an intermediate portion of the second swing arm 420a. The shaft support convex portion 422a is rotatably held in a shaft support recess 432a (described later) of the column 430a. For this reason, when the other end portion of the first swing arm 410a swings up and down, the second swing arm 420a performs a seesaw motion with the shaft support convex portion 422a as a fulcrum. Connection of the center of the shaft support protrusion 422a held by the shaft support recess 432a of the column 430a and the first swing arm 410a held between the upper recess 132 of the cover 130 and the lower recess 124a of the body 120. The center of the part 411a is set to be substantially the same height. Accordingly, the first and second swing arms 410a and 420a are disposed substantially horizontally. A substantially fan-shaped movable portion 423a is provided at the other end in the length direction of the second swing arm 420a. A plurality of slits 423a1 are provided in a substantially arc shape at the tip of the movable portion 423a.

  The support column 430 a is a prismatic body provided on the base 110. A pair of support plates 431a is provided at the upper end of the column 430a. A substantially U-shaped shaft support recess 432a is provided at the upper end of the support plate 431a. The shaft support recess 432a holds the second shaft support protrusion 422a rotatably.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the photo interrupter 440a includes a substantially U-shaped box 442a in plan view, a light emitting diode (light emitting means) (not shown) provided at one end of the box 442a, A so-called two-channel two-phase photodiode 441a (light receiving means) is disposed at the other end so as to face the light emitting diode. The box 442a is hollowly supported on the base 110 by a support member (not shown). In this state, the distal end portion of the movable portion 423a of the second swing arm 420a is inserted between both distal end portions of the box 442a.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the photodiode 441a has a total of four light receiving portions 441a1 to 441a4. The light receiving unit 441a1 and the light receiving unit 441a3 are connected as a first set, and the light receiving unit 441a2 and the light receiving unit 441a4 are connected as a second set. These light receiving portions 441a1 to 441a4 generate a photocurrent proportional to the amount of light received.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the pitch interval between the light receiving portions 441a1 to 441a4 and the pitch interval between the slits 423a1 of the movable portion 423a are the two remaining when the two light receiving portions 441a1 and 441a2 adjacent to one slit 423a1 are inserted. The two light receiving portions 441a3 and 441a4 are set so as to enter the shadow of the slit 423a1 (between the slits 423a1). That is, the light receiving unit 441a1 and the light receiving unit 441a3 have a phase difference of 180 °, and the light receiving unit 441a2 and the light receiving unit 441a4 have a phase difference of 180 °. The photocurrents of the light receiving units 441a1 to 441a4 are amplified by the amplifier circuit unit, converted into current-voltage, and input to the comparator. This comparator constitutes a push-pull circuit that takes the difference between input signals whose phases are inverted by 180 °. Therefore, the output signal of the photodiode 441a has a phase of 90 between the first signal output from the first set of the light receiving units 441a1 and 441a3 and the second signal output from the second set of the light receiving units 441a2 and 441a4. Two signals shifted by ° are output. For this reason, the swinging direction of the movable portion 423a can be determined.

  The second detection mechanism 400b is different from the first detection arm 400b in that a connection hole 411b is provided instead of the connection part 411a at one end in the length direction of the first swing arm 410b. It is the same as the detection mechanism 400a. Therefore, only differences will be described, and description of overlapping parts will be omitted.

  The connection hole 411b is a substantially bowl-shaped through-hole in front view corresponding to the protrusion 332b of the second tilting member 300b. The protruding portion 332b of the second tilting member 300b is fitted into the connecting hole 411b. The other end of the first swing arm 410b in the length direction swings according to the rotation of the protrusion 332b. The rotation axis of the first tilting member 300b held between the center of the shaft support convex portion 422b held by the shaft support concave portion 432b of the support post 430b and the upper recess portion 132 of the cover 130 and the lower side recess portion 123a of the body 120. The center of 330b is set to be the same height. Accordingly, the first and second swing arms 410b and 420b are disposed substantially horizontally.

  Hereinafter, the assembly procedure of the multidirectional input device described above will be described. First, the pair of locking claws 122 a of the support member 122 are inserted into the through holes 121 b of the base portion 121 a of the body 120. Then, the fastener 122c is locked between the locking claws 122a. Thereafter, the coil spring 510 is disposed around the pedestal 121 a of the hole 121 of the body 120. Thereafter, the ring 520 is placed on the coil spring 510.

  On the other hand, the lower end portion of the lever main body 210 is fitted into the fitting hole portion 221 of the retaining portion 220. Thereafter, the upper end portion of the lever main body 210 is inserted into the support hole 312b and the long hole 311a of the main body portion 310b of the second tilting member 300b. Then, the circular portion of the fulcrum convex portion 222 of the retaining portion 220 is inserted into the supporting concave portion 313b of the second tilting member 300b, and the retaining portion 220 is inserted into the supporting hole 312b. In this state, the flat surface 224 of the retaining part 220 is placed on the ring 520 while the hemispherical convex part 223 of the retaining part 220 is inserted into the ring 520 and the recessed part of the seat part 122 a of the support member 122. At this time, the rotation shafts 320b and 330b of the second tilting member 300b are inserted into the lower recesses 125a and 123a of the body 120.

  Thereafter, the rotation shaft 330 a of the first tilting member 300 a is fitted into the shaft hole 133 of the cover 130. In this state, the cover 130 is placed on the body 120 while the upper end portion of the lever main body 210 is inserted into the elongated hole 311a of the main body portion 310a of the first tilting member 300a and the opening 131 of the cover 130. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the locking projections 126 of the body 120 are fitted into the locking holes 134 a of the locking pieces 134 of the cover 130, respectively. At this time, the upper concave portion 132 of the cover 130 and the lower concave portions 123a, 124a, 125a of the body 120 are combined. As a result, the shaft body 331b of the rotation shaft 330b of the second tilting member 300b is rotatably held between the upper recess 132 and the lower recess 123a, and the first recess between the upper recess 132 and the lower recess 125a. The small diameter portion of the rotation shaft 320b of the second tilting member 300b is rotatably held. At the same time, the mounting plate 320a of the first tilting member 300a protrudes outside the cover 130 from between the upper recess 132 and the lower recess 124a.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 7B, the connecting portion 411a of the first swing arm 410a is inserted between the upper recessed portion 132 and the lower recessed portion 124a, and the first fitting portion 411a1 of the connecting portion 411a is first inserted. The attachment plate 320a of the tilting member 300a is fitted. Thereby, the connecting portion 411a is rotatably held between the upper concave portion 132 and the lower concave portion 124a of the cover 130. On the other hand, the protrusion 332b of the second tilting member 300b is fitted into the connection hole 411b of the first swing arm 410b.

  Thereafter, the boxes 442a and 442b of the photo interrupters 440a and 440b are attached to the support member. As a result, the photo interrupters 440a and 440b are hollowly supported by the support member on the base 110. After that, while inserting the convex portion 421a of the second swing arm 420a into the concave portion 412a of the first swing arm 410a, the pair of pivot support convex portions 422a of the second swing arm 420a is paired with the support column 430a. Is inserted into the shaft support recess 432a. Then, the distal end portion of the movable portion 423a of the second swing arm 420a is inserted between both distal end portions of the box 442a of the photo interrupter 440a. Thereby, the light emitting diode of the photo interrupter 440a and the photodiode 441a are opposed to each other through the slit 423a1 of the movable portion 423a. Similarly, while the convex portion 421b of the second swing arm 420b is inserted into the recess 412b of the first swing arm 410b, the pair of pivot support convex portions 422b of the second swing arm 420b is inserted into the support 430b. It inserts into a pair of axial support recessed part 432b. Then, the distal end portion of the movable portion 423b of the second swing arm 420b is inserted between both distal end portions of the box 442b of the photo interrupter 440b. Thereby, the light emitting diode and the photodiode of the photo interrupter 440b are opposed to each other through the slit 423b1 of the movable portion 423b.

  The multi-directional input device thus assembled is operated as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the operating lever 200 is tilted in the X direction from the initial position, the −X side fulcrum convex portion 222 of the operating lever 200 is the main body portion of the second tilting member 300b. Push 310b up. As a result, the main body 310b tilts in the X direction about the rotation shafts 320b and 330b, and the protrusion 332b of the rotation shaft 330b rotates in the X direction. As a result, the other end of the first swing arm 410b swings downward, and accordingly, the second swing arm 420b performs a seesaw motion with the pivot support 422b as a fulcrum, The movable part 423b of the swing arm 420b swings upward. The swing angle of the movable portion 423b is larger than the tilt angle of the operation lever 200. In the present embodiment, for example, when the tilt angle of the operation lever 200 is 5 °, the swing angle of the movable portion 423b is 14 °, but the swing amount of the movable portion 423b corresponds to the tilt amount of the operation lever 200. Therefore, a pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction (that is, the X direction) and tilt amount of the operation lever 200 is output from the photodiode of the photo interrupter 440b.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the operation lever 200 is tilted in the −X direction from the initial position, the X-side fulcrum convex portion 222 of the operation lever 200 moves the main body portion 310b of the second tilting member 300b. Push up. As a result, the main body 310b tilts in the −X direction about the rotation shafts 320b and 330b, and the protrusion 332b of the rotation shaft 330b rotates in the −X direction. As a result, the other end of the first swing arm 410b swings upward, and accordingly, the second swing arm 420b performs a seesaw motion with the pivot support 422b as a fulcrum, The movable part 423b of the swing arm 420b swings downward. The swing angle of the movable portion 423b is larger than the tilt angle of the operation lever 200. In the present embodiment, for example, when the tilt angle of the operation lever 200 is 5 °, the swing angle of the movable portion 423b is 14 °, but the swing amount of the movable portion 423b corresponds to the tilt amount of the operation lever 200. Therefore, a pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction (that is, the −X direction) and tilt amount of the operation lever 200 is output from the photodiode of the photo interrupter 440b.

  When the operation lever 200 is tilted in the Y direction from the initial position, the lever main body 210 of the operation lever 200 presses the edge on the Y direction side of the elongated hole 311a of the main body portion 310a of the first tilting member 300a. As a result, the main body 310a tilts in the Y direction with the rotation shaft 330a and the connecting portion 411a as a fulcrum, and the connecting portion 411a rotates in the Y direction. As a result, the other end of the first swing arm 410a swings downward, and accordingly, the second swing arm 420a performs a seesaw motion with the pivot support 422a as a fulcrum, The movable part 423a of the swing arm 420a swings upward. The swing angle of the movable portion 423a is larger than the tilt angle of the operation lever 200. In the present embodiment, for example, when the tilt angle of the operation lever 200 is 5 °, the swing angle of the movable portion 423a is 14 °, but the swing amount of the movable portion 423a corresponds to the tilt amount of the operation lever 200. Therefore, a pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction (that is, the Y direction) and tilt amount of the operation lever 200 is output from the photodiode 441a of the photo interrupter 440a.

  When the operation lever 200 is tilted in the −Y direction from the initial position, the lever main body 210 of the operation lever 200 presses the edge on the −Y direction side of the elongated hole 311a of the main body portion 310a of the first tilting member 300a. . As a result, the main body portion 310a tilts in the −Y direction with the rotation shaft 330a and the connecting portion 411a as fulcrums, and the connecting portion 411a rotates in the −Y direction. As a result, the other end of the first swing arm 410a swings upward, and accordingly, the second swing arm 420a performs a seesaw motion with the pivot support 422a as a fulcrum, The movable part 423a of the swing arm 420a swings downward. The swing angle of the movable portion 423a is larger than the tilt angle of the operation lever 200. In the present embodiment, for example, when the tilt angle of the operation lever 200 is 5 °, the swing angle of the movable portion 423a is 14 °, but the swing amount of the movable portion 423a corresponds to the tilt amount of the operation lever 200. Therefore, a pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction (that is, the -Y direction) and tilt amount of the operation lever 200 is output from the photodiode 441a of the photo interrupter 440a.

  When the operation lever 300 is tilted from the initial position between the X direction and the Y direction, each part operates as in the above-described tilting operation in the X direction and the Y direction, and is operated from the photodiodes of the photo interrupters 440a and 440b. A pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the lever 200 is output.

  When the operation lever 300 is tilted between the X direction and the -Y direction, each part operates as in the above-described tilting operation in the X direction and the -Y direction, and the operation levers are operated from the photodiodes of the photo interrupters 440a and 440b. A pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt amount of 200 is output.

  When the operation lever 300 is tilted between the −X direction and the −Y direction, each part operates as in the above-described tilting operation in the −X direction and the −Y direction, and from the photodiodes of the photo interrupters 440a and 440b. A pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt amount of the operation lever 200 is output.

  When the operation lever 300 is tilted between the −X direction and the Y direction, each part operates as in the above-described tilting operation in the −X direction and the Y direction, and the operation levers are operated from the photodiodes of the photo interrupters 440a and 440b. A pulse signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt amount of 200 is output.

  As described above, when the operation lever 200 is tilted, the flat surface 224 of the retaining portion 220 of the operation lever 200 is tilted, and the ring 520 is pushed down. As a result, the coil spring 510 is compressed between the ring 520 and the bottom of the hole 121 of the body 120. Thereafter, when the operation lever 200 is released, the coil spring 510 is restored, and the flat surface 224 of the operation lever 200 is urged through the ring 520. Thereby, the flat surface 224 returns to the horizontal state, and the operation lever 200 returns to the initial position accordingly.

  In the case of such a multidirectional input device, the mounting plate 320a of the first tilting member 300a is fitted into the fitting recess 411a1 of the connecting portion 411a of the first detection mechanism 400a, and the convex of the second swing arm 420a. The part 421a is inserted into the recess 412a of the first swing arm 410a, and the pair of pivot support protrusions 422a of the second swing arm 420a is simply inserted into the pair of pivot support recesses 432a of the column 430a. The distal end portion of the movable portion 423a of the second swing arm 420a is inserted between both distal end portions of the box 442a of the photo interrupter 440a, and the first detection mechanism 400a is assembled. Further, the protrusion 332b of the second tilting member 300b is fitted into the connection hole 411b of the first swing arm 410b of the second detection mechanism 400b, and the convex portion 421b of the second swing arm 420b is set to the first. The second swinging arm 410b is inserted into the recess 412b and the pair of pivot support protrusions 422b of the second swing arm 420b is inserted into the pair of pivot support recesses 432b of the column 430b. The distal end portion of the movable portion 423b of the arm 420b is inserted between both distal end portions of the box 442b of the photo interrupter 440b, and the second detection mechanism 400b is assembled. Thus, since the first and second detection mechanisms 400a and 400b can be easily assembled, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Moreover, the first and second detection mechanisms 400a and 400b have a simple configuration in which the first swing arms 410a and 410b, the second swing arms 420a and 420b, and the columns 430a and 430b are combined. Therefore, also in this respect, the cost can be reduced and the apparatus can be reduced in size. In particular, the center of the rotation shaft 330b of the connecting portion 411a and the second tilting member 300b of the first swing arm 410a is the same as the center of the shaft support protrusions 422a and 422b of the second swing arms 420a and 420b. Accordingly, the first swing arms 410 a and 410 b and the second swing arms 420 a and 420 b are arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the base 110. For this reason, the apparatus can be reduced in size as compared with the case where the first swing arms 410a and 410b and the second swing arms 420a and 420b are arranged in a substantially vertical direction.

  Further, since the swing angle of the movable portions 423a and 423b of the second swing arms 420a and 420b is larger than the tilt angle of the operation lever 200, the tilt of the operation lever 200 is detected. The resolution can be set high.

  In the above embodiment, the input device is a multi-directional input device including the first and second tilting members 300a and 300b, but may be any input device including at least one tilting member.

  About a tilting member, as long as it has a main-body part and the rotating shaft of this both sides, it is possible to change a design arbitrarily. In the above-described embodiment, the first tilting member 300a has the mounting plate 320a. However, instead of the mounting plate 320a, the first tilting member 300a can be configured to have the same rotating shaft as the rotating shaft 330a. In addition, with regard to the connecting means for connecting the rotation shaft of the tilting member and the one end portion in the length direction of the first swing arm, in the above embodiment, the mounting plate 320a is fitted into the fitting recess 411a1 of the connecting portion 411a. Although it is assumed that the protrusions 332b are fitted in the connection holes 411b, other connection means can be used. For example, the rotating shaft and one end of the first swing arm may be connected by a screw or a pin.

  In the above embodiment, the recesses 412a and 412b are provided at the other end in the length direction of the first swing arms 410a and 410b, and the recess is formed at one end in the length direction of the second swing arms 420a and 420b. 412a and 412b are provided with convex portions 421a and 421b, but the first swing arm 410a and 410b are provided with a convex portion at the other end in the length direction, and the second swing arm It is possible to provide the recessed part into which the said convex part fits in the one end part of 420a, 420b.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the axial support convex part 422a, 422b is provided in the intermediate part of the 2nd rocking | swiveling arm 420a, 420b, and the axis | shaft in which the axial support convex part 422a, 422b fits in the upper end part of the support | pillar 430a. The support recesses 432a and 432b are provided. However, a support shaft recess is provided in the middle of the second swing arms 420a and 420b, and a support shaft projection is provided in the support column 430a. It is possible. It is sufficient that there is at least one such shaft support convex portion and shaft support concave portion.

  In the above embodiment, the support columns 430a and 430b are provided on the base 110, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the above embodiment, the photo interrupters 440a and 440b detect the swing direction and the swing amount of the other end of the second swing arm 420a and 420b in the length direction. Any means may be used as long as it is a means. For example, an upper photo interrupter that detects the upward swing of the movable portions 423a and 423b of the second swing arms 420a and 420b, and a lower photo interrupter that detects the downward swing of the movable portions 423a and 423b. It can be set as the structure using. In this case, the upper and lower photo interrupters are configured to have one light emitting means and one light receiving means disposed to face the light emitting means via the slits 423a1 and 423b1 of the movable portions 423a and 423b. . Further, when it is not necessary to detect the swinging direction of the movable portion 423a (that is, in the case of an input device in which the operation lever is tilted only in one direction), only one photo interrupter is required. Further, not only the transmissive photointerrupter as described above but also a reflective photointerrupter can be used. In this case, a reflecting plate or the like may be provided in the movable portions 423a and 423b in place of the slits 423a1 and 423b1. Further, a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element can be used instead of the photo interrupter. In this case, a magnetic body is provided in the movable portions 423a and 423b, and the magnetic sensor detects a change in the magnetic field due to the movement of the magnetic body. When the magnetic sensor is used as described above, the movable parts 423a and 423b do not need to be fan-shaped.

  In the above embodiment, the photo interrupters 440a and 400b are hollowly supported on the base 110 by the support member. However, the detection elements such as the photo interrupters 440a and 400b are mounted using other known support means. It is possible to change the design to support the hollow. For example, the boxes 442a and 442b may be extended downward and locked to the base 110, or the detection element may be bonded to the body 120 or the cover 130 with an adhesive or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the material, shape, number, dimensions, etc. constituting each part of the multidirectional input device are just examples, and the design can be arbitrarily changed as long as the same function can be realized. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Case 110 Base 200 Operation lever 300a 1st tilting member 310a Main-body part 320a Attachment plate (attachment part)
330a Rotating shaft 300b Second tilting member 310b Main body portion 320b Rotating shaft 330b Rotating shaft 400a First detection mechanism 410a First swing arm 411a Connecting portion (rotating shaft)
412a Concave portion 420a Second swing arm 421a Convex portion 422a Shaft support convex portion 423a Movable portion (the other end in the length direction)
430a Post 432a Shaft support recess 440a Photo interrupter (non-contact type detection means)
400b Second detection mechanism 410b First swing arm 411b Connection hole 412b Recess 420b Second swing arm 421b Protruding portion 422b Shaft support convex portion 423b Movable portion (the other end in the length direction)
430b Post 432a Shaft support recess 440b Photo interrupter (non-contact type detection means)
500 Origin return mechanism 510 Coil spring 520 Ring

Claims (11)

An operation lever that can be tilted,
In the detection mechanism of the input device including a tilting member that rotates the rotation shafts on both sides according to the tilt of the operation lever,
A first swing arm having one end in the length direction coupled to one of the rotation shafts and the other end in the length direction swinging in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft;
A second oscillating arm having one end portion in the length direction coupled to the other end portion of the first oscillating arm and the other end portion in the length direction oscillating in accordance with the oscillation of the other end portion; ,
A column supporting the middle part of the second swing arm;
Non-contact detection means for detecting the swing of the other end of the second swing arm;
The other end of the first swing arm is provided with a recess opened toward the other end of the arm,
The one end of the second swing arm is provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the first swing arm and fits into the concave portion.
The intermediate portion of the second swing arm is provided with a shaft support convex portion protruding toward at least one of the first swing arm side and the opposite side,
A detection mechanism for an input device, wherein an upper end portion of the support column is provided with a shaft support recess that is open upward and into which the shaft support protrusion is fitted. The detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 1,
The one end portion of the second swing arm is provided with a concave portion that is opened toward one end side of the arm instead of the convex portion,
The other end portion of the first swing arm is not provided with the concave portion but is provided with a convex portion that protrudes toward the second swing arm and fits into the recess of the second swing arm. A detection mechanism for an input device. In the detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 1 or 2,
The shaft support convex part is provided not at the intermediate part of the second swing arm but at the upper end part of the support column,
A detection mechanism for an input device, wherein the shaft support recess is provided not in the upper end portion of the column but in the intermediate portion of the second swing arm. In the detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
A detection mechanism for an input device, characterized in that the center of the shaft support convex part and the center of the rotation shaft are set at substantially the same height. In the detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
The detection mechanism of an input device, wherein the non-contact type detection means is a photo interrupter that detects the swing of the other end of the second swing arm. In the detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 5,
The other end portion of the second swing arm is substantially fan-shaped, and a plurality of slits penetrating in the thickness direction are formed in a substantially arc shape at the tip portion,
The detection mechanism for an input device, wherein the non-contact type detection means includes a light emitting means and a two-channel two-phase light receiving means shifted in phase opposite to each other via the slit. In the detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 5,
The other end portion of the second swing arm is substantially fan-shaped, and a plurality of slits penetrating in the thickness direction are formed in a substantially arc shape at the tip portion,
The non-contact type detecting means includes a light emitting means and a light receiving means facing each other through the slit. In the detection mechanism of the input device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
The tilting member is provided with a mounting portion instead of one of the rotating shafts,
Detection of an input device, wherein the one end portion of the first swing arm is provided with a substantially cylindrical connecting portion to which the attachment portion is attached and which functions as one rotating shaft of the tilting member. mechanism. Case and
A first tilting member in which rotation shafts on both sides are supported in this case in the X and -X directions;
A second tilting member having rotational axes on both sides supported by the case in the Y and -Y directions;
An operation lever that passes through the main body between the rotation axes of the first and second tilting members and can be tilted in a known arbitrary direction from the initial position;
Comprising the first and second detection mechanisms according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8,
One end of the first swing arm of the first and second detection mechanisms in the length direction is connected to one of the rotation shafts of the first and second tilting members. apparatus. The multi-directional input device according to claim 9 or 10,
The first tilting member is provided with a mounting portion instead of one of the rotating shafts,
The one end portion of the first swing arm of the first detection mechanism is provided with a substantially columnar connecting portion to which the mounting portion is attached and which functions as one rotating shaft of the first tilting member. An input device characterized by that. The multi-directional input device according to claim 9 or 10,
The case has a plate-like base,
Multi-directional multi-directional characterized in that the support columns of the first and second detection mechanisms are provided on the base.

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