JP2011090857A - Multi-direction switch member and electronic device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-direction switch member which allows a user to press the switch member in each of multiple directions individually and allow the user to press the switch member with a feeling of easy and natural continuous operation when the user presses the switch member in each of the directions in order. <P>SOLUTION: The multi-direction switch member 2 includes a rotary operating panel 70 capable of rotating within its plane, a rock member 30 which is disposed on the back of the rotary operating panel 70 and can rock frontward and backward in a plurality of directions within a plane on which the rock member 30 resides when subjected to a press from the rotary operating panel 70, and a printed circuit board 20 which is disposed on the back of the rock member 30 and has a group of contact electrodes that become conductive when coming into contact with contacts 41, 42, 43, 44 formed on the rock member 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional switch member operable in multiple directions and an electronic apparatus having the same.

  Many electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a car navigation device, and a game device include a multidirectional switch member that can be pressed in four directions, up, down, left, and right. Taking a cellular phone as an example, most cellular phones include a multi-directional switch member having a substantially circular or substantially rectangular shape, which is larger than other keys, immediately below the display screen. For example, the incoming call history is displayed when the left arrow key of the multidirectional switch member is pressed, the outgoing call history is displayed when the right arrow key is pressed, the phone book is displayed when the up arrow key is pressed, and the calendar is displayed when the down key is pressed. Can be configured. As such a multi-directional switch member, for example, a switch on a printed circuit board underneath has a swing structure so that a key top operated by an operator can be pressed in four directions, up, down, left, and right. There is known a multi-directional switch member having a mechanism for inputting.

JP 2008-123907 (Abstract, Claim 1)

  In the case where the keys in the upper, lower, left and right directions of the multidirectional switch member are independently pressed, it is only necessary to have a conventional swing structure. However, when the multidirectional switch member is caused to perform another function by sequentially pressing the upper, lower, left, and right keys in the circumferential direction, there are the following problems. For example, when scrolling information on a display screen (for example, a list of search results, image data, a map, etc.) or providing a function for enlarging or reducing specific display information, four directions (up / down / left / right) are used. Since it takes a long time to sequentially press in the direction, it is easy to put a burden on the operator's finger. Further, the operation of sequentially pressing with the finger in the circumferential direction of the multidirectional switch member is merely a single operation, and the operator continuously moves, enlarges, or reduces the display information on the screen. There is also a problem that it tends to cause a sense of incongruity due to a deviation from the function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and can press each direction individually, and when pressing each direction in order, it is easy and continuous for the operator. The purpose is to make it possible to operate with a natural sense of operation.

  One form of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned object is a rotary operation plate capable of rotating in the plane, and a member disposed in the reverse direction of the rotary operation plate, which receives a pressure from the rotary operation plate. A swinging member that can swing in the front and back directions in a plurality of directions within the surface, and a contact electrode group that is disposed in the back direction of the swinging member and can be conducted by contact of a contact provided on the swinging member. A multidirectional switch member comprising a printed circuit board.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a multidirectional switch member provided with a friction reducing member for reducing friction generated during rotation at a portion that comes into contact with another member when the rotary operation plate rotates.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a multidirectional switch member in which the rotary operation plate has an annular shape, and further includes a central key that can be pressed in the direction of the printed circuit board in the hole of the rotary operation plate.

  Further, one aspect of the present invention is a rotary operation plate that can rotate in its plane, and a member that is disposed in the reverse direction of the rotary operation plate. Printed circuit board having a swinging member swingable in the front and back directions in a plurality of directions, and a contact electrode group disposed in the back direction of the swinging member and capable of conducting by contact of a contact provided on the swinging member And an electronic device having a multidirectional switch member.

  According to the present invention, each of the multi-directional directions can be pressed individually, and the operation of pressing each direction in order is easy for the operator and is a natural operation that is continuously performed. Operate with a sense.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a music playback device which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the multidirectional switch member removed from the music playback device shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the multidirectional switch member shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded view in which the main part of the multidirectional switch member is exploded in the front and back direction. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the elastic pressing member of the multidirectional switch member is turned upside down. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the PCB of the multidirectional switch member is face up. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the functions of the multidirectional operation plate and the rotary operation plate arranged on the front side thereof.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the multidirectional switch member and the electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a music playback device will be described as an example of an electronic device. However, the electronic device is not limited to a music playback device, and other types of devices such as mobile phones, portable thin PCs, A car navigation device or a remote controller usable for these devices may be used.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a music playback device which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a music playback device 1 that is an example of an electronic apparatus according to this embodiment includes a multidirectional switch member 2 that can be operated in multiple directions. In this embodiment, the multidirectional switch member 2 can be pressed in a total of eight directions including four directions up and down, left and right, and diagonal directions when viewed from the front. The multi-directional switch member 2 is a substantially circular switch member, and not only can be pressed in eight directions from the center thereof, but also the central portion can be pressed. However, the multidirectional switch member 2 may not be able to be pressed at the center, and may be capable of being pressed only in eight directions from the center. Further, the multi-directional switch member 2 is not limited to eight directions, and may be capable of being pressed in only four directions (up, down, left and right) or in a plurality of directions including one or more oblique directions in the four directions.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the multidirectional switch member removed from the music playback device shown in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the multidirectional switch member shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the multidirectional switch member 2 has a thin cylindrical frame 10 and a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the inner bottom surface of the frame 10 and is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the frame 10. A disk-shaped printed circuit board (PCB) 20, a substantially disk-shaped elastic pressing member 30 that is supported on the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the PCB 20 and arranged in the front direction of the PCB 20, and an elastic pressing A central key 50 disposed at a substantially central portion of the front surface of the member 30; a substantially annular multidirectional operation plate 60 disposed through the central key 50 on the front surface of the elastic pressing member 30; A substantially annular rotary operation plate 70 that is arranged through the central key 50 so as to cover the multidirectional operation plate 60 from the front direction, and the front side surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 and the front side surface thereof are opposed to each other. Rotating operation A substantially ring-shaped friction reducing member 80 disposed between the inner top surface of the plate 70 and the PCB 20, the elastic pressing member 30, the multidirectional operation plate 60 and the rotation operation plate 70 inside the frame 10, A substantially annular frame 90 arranged so as to surround from the side thereof.

  The frame 10 is made of a thin hard resin, and is a thin, substantially cylindrical member whose length in the height direction is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the frame 10 is provided with one or a plurality of through holes (not shown) through which lead wires connected to electrodes and wirings formed on the front surface of the PCB 20 are inserted. Further, the upper end portion of the side surface of the frame 10 is bent outward, so that a frame body 90 to be described later can be easily put into the inside from the opening portion of the frame 10.

  The PCB 20 is preferably a glass epoxy circuit board in which a cloth knitted with glass fibers is impregnated with an epoxy resin. However, as the PCB 20, a circuit substrate in which a cloth knitted with carbon fiber is impregnated with PET resin, a polyimide substrate in which a polyimide film is laminated and bonded, a glass composite substrate, or a ceramic substrate made of alumina or the like may be employed. On the front side surface of the PCB 20, a single metal dome 28 is provided at the approximate center thereof, and a plurality of contact electrode groups (described later) so as to surround the metal dome 28. Metal domes 24, 26, etc. are arranged respectively. Although only two metal domes can be seen on the radially outer side of the contact electrode group in FIG. 3, there are actually four metal domes, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Here, only the metal dome that can be seen in FIG. 3 is indicated by a symbol, and “etc.” is used to include other metal dome. The metal domes 24, 26, 28, etc. have almost the same shape, and are arranged so as to cover a ring-shaped electrode substantially equal in diameter to the ring-shaped electrode and a dot-shaped electrode disposed inside the ring-shaped electrode. (Not shown). The ring-shaped electrode is always electrically connected to the outer periphery of the metal domes 24, 26, 28, etc., while the dot-shaped electrode is a metal when the metal domes 24, 26, 28, etc. are not pressed. It is not electrically connected to both the dome 24, 26, 28 and the like and the ring-shaped electrode. When the metal domes 24, 26, 28, and the like are pushed toward the PCB 20, the tops thereof are dented and are electrically connected to the dot electrodes. As a result, the ring-shaped electrode and the dot-shaped electrode are brought into conduction, and the switch is turned on. Instead of the metal domes 24, 26, 28, etc., other types of mechanical switches such as resin emboss switches (for example, PET domes) and tact switches may be used. In addition, a mechanical switch such as a metal dome 24, 26, 28 or the like can be provided on the elastic pressing member 30 side.

  The elastic pressing member 30 is a member for performing an input operation of a switch composed of an elastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermosetting elastomer, or natural rubber. As a material of the elastic pressing member 30, silicone rubber can be preferably used. The elastic pressing member 30 has substantially the same diameter as the PCB 20 in the back direction, and is composed of members of an annular member 31, a flexible dome 32, and a disk 33 in order from the outside in the radial direction toward the center. This is an integrally molded member. However, the elastic pressing member 30 does not necessarily need to be an integrally formed member of the above members, and may be formed by joining and bonding a plurality of members. The elastic pressing member 30 is an oscillating member that can be oscillated in the front and back directions in a plurality of directions within the surface in response to pressing from the rotary operation plate 70 arranged in the front direction.

  The annular member 31 that forms the outermost portion of the elastic pressing member 30 is a portion that is placed on the outer peripheral portion of the front surface of the PCB 20 in a state where the PCB 20 and the side end surface are substantially aligned. Further, the flexible dome 32 formed inside the annular member 31 is in a state in which the disk 33 formed inside the flexible dome 32 is lifted from the PCB 20 by the pressure applied to the elastic pressing member 30 and the release thereof. It is a flexible member necessary for reversibly performing the state of sinking toward the PCB 20. The circular plate 33 includes a plurality of pressing elements 34, 36 and the like projecting in the back direction on the outer peripheral portion of the back surface, and one press projecting in the back direction in the central portion of the back surface. A child 38 is provided. Although only two pressing elements are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the back surface of the disc 33 in FIG. 3, there are actually four pressing elements as described later with reference to FIG. Here, only the pressing elements visible in FIG. 3 are indicated by reference numerals, and “etc.” is used to include other pressing elements. The pressing elements 34, 36, 38, etc. of the disc 33 are provided at positions facing the metal domes 24, 26, 28, etc., respectively. A pedestal 39 is provided at the center of the front surface of the disc 33. The pedestal 39 is a part for fixing the center key 50.

  A plurality of contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, etc., which are examples of contacts, are provided so as to surround the presser 38 on the rear surface of the disk 33 from the presser 38 in the radial direction of the disk 33. . Although only four are visible in FIG. 3, there are actually eight as shown in FIG. Here, only the contact elastic bodies visible in FIG. 3 are indicated by reference numerals, and “etc.” is used to include other contact elastic bodies. The contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, etc. are substantially hemispherical elastic bodies, one of which has a spherical top. The contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44 and the like are made of a flexible material so that they can be elastically deformed after contact with the contact electrode group formed on the front surface of the PCB 20. Further, a conductive material is dispersed in the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44 and the like in order to impart conductivity. Examples of the conductive material include carbon, metal, and the like, but carbon black that can easily manufacture a material having a small particle size (nano-level particles) and that can be easily handled is more preferable. From the viewpoint of increasing the conductivity and maintaining the elasticity of the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, etc., the mixing amount of the conductive material is 5 to 50% with respect to the total weight of the base material and the conductive material. %, And more preferably 15 to 35% by weight.

  The center key 50 is preferably made of a hard resin. A flange 51 having a diameter larger than that of the upper portion is formed at the bottom of the center key 50. Moreover, the flange part 51 is larger diameter than the base 39 which fixes it.

  The multidirectional operation plate 60 is a substantially annular member, and is a member that transmits the pressure from the rotation operation plate 70 to the elastic pressing member 30. The multidirectional operation plate 60 is preferably made of a hard resin. The hole at substantially the center of the multidirectional operation plate 60 is formed to be sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the center key 50 so that the center key 50 is disposed and a part of the rotation operation plate 70 described later can be inserted. Yes. The outer bottom portion of the multidirectional operation plate 60 includes an outward projecting portion 61 that projects radially outward along the outer periphery thereof. The outward projecting portion 61 is formed to be flush with the bottom surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60. The outward projecting portion 61 projects outward from the bendable dome 32 of the elastic pressing member 30. In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the hole at the approximate center of the multidirectional operation plate 60 is provided with an inward protruding portion 62 that protrudes toward the center of the hole along the inner peripheral surface. The inward projecting portion 62 is formed so as to be flush with the front side surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60. The protruding length of the inward protruding portion 62 is shorter than the protruding length of the outward protruding portion 61.

  The rotary operation plate 70 is a substantially annular key, and is rotated in the plane thereof, and is elastically pressed with the multidirectional operation plate 60 arranged in the reverse direction in an arbitrary orientation during the rotation. An operation plate that can press the member 30 in the direction of the PCB 20. The rotary operation plate 70 is preferably made of hard resin or elastomer. A hole (described later) in the approximate center of the rotary operation plate 70 is formed slightly larger than the outer diameter of the center key 50 and smaller than the approximately central hole of the multidirectional operation plate 60. A recess 71 that is recessed inward is formed along the circumferential direction from the back surface of the rotary operation plate 70. The recess 71 opens to the multi-directional operation plate 60 side, and rotates in the vicinity of the inner top surface while the outer surface is substantially vertical, the inner bottom surface is horizontal, and the inner surface is substantially vertical up to the middle of the inner top surface. The operation plate 70 has a shape recessed toward the inside in the radial direction. For this reason, the claw part 72 which protrudes toward the radial direction outer side of the rotation operation board 70 exists inside the opening surface of the recessed part 71. The recess formed inward of the claw portion 72 of the recess 71 is formed in a size that can be fitted into the inward protruding portion 62 of the multidirectional operation plate 60.

  The surface on the front side of the rotation operation plate 70 includes a ridge portion 73 that continues along the circumferential direction of the rotation operation plate 70 on the way from the radially outer side to the inner side. The radially outer side and the inner side of the rotary operation plate 70 from the ridge portion 73 are inclined toward the multidirectional operation plate 60. Further, a total of five hemispherical bodies 75 are formed in the ridge portion 73 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the spherical top portions facing the front direction. The hemispherical body 75 is provided to make it easier to place a finger when rotating the rotation operation plate 70 and to facilitate the rotation operation. However, the number and shape of the hemispherical bodies 75 are not limited to those described above. Further, the hemispherical body 75 is not necessarily provided on the rotation operation plate 70.

  The friction reducing member 80 is a ring-shaped sheet disposed between the front side surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 and the inner top surface of the recess 71 of the rotary operation plate 70. The friction reducing member 80 is preferably made of a fluorine-based resin, particularly polytetrafluoroethylene. The friction reducing member 80 is preferably fixed to the front surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 by adhesion or the like. As a result, the rotary operation plate 70 that rotates relative to the multidirectional operation plate 60 can rotate so as to slide on the friction reducing member 80. However, the friction reducing member 80 may be fixed to the inner top surface of the recess 71 by adhesion or the like. Further, the friction reducing member 80 can be arranged not only on the front surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 but also on other surfaces that may come into contact with the recess 71 of the rotary operation plate 70.

  Further, the friction reducing member is not limited to the ring-shaped sheet as described above, and any member that can reduce the friction between the rotary operation plate 70 and the multidirectional operation plate 60 is adopted. it can. For example, many small hemispherical dots are formed as friction reducing members on one of the concave portion 71 of the rotary operation plate 70 or the front side surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60, and the inner top surface of the concave portion 71 The friction coefficient may be reduced by reducing the contact area with the surface on the front side of the direction operation plate 60 so that the rotation operation plate 70 can be rotated smoothly. Further, a film made of fluoride is formed as a friction reducing member on at least one of the concave portion 71 of the rotary operation plate 70 or the front side surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 so that the rotary operation plate 70 can be smoothly rotated. May be.

  The frame 90 is preferably made of metal or hard resin. The frame 90 has a front surface 93 on the radially inner side, and a step surface 94 that is on the radially outer side of the front surface 93 and that is one step down on the inner bottom surface side of the frame 10. A hole 95 is formed in the center of the frame 90 so as to penetrate in the front and back direction. The hole 95 is an area for enclosing the PCB 20, the elastic pressing member 30, the multidirectional operation plate 60, and the rotation operation plate 70 from their side surfaces. The hole 95 is formed by changing the diameter in three steps in the front and back direction. The vicinity of the bottom opening of the hole 95 is formed with the largest diameter, and is mainly a region where the PCB 20 and the annular member 31 of the elastic pressing member 30 are arranged. The middle region of the hole 95 is formed to have a small diameter from the vicinity of the above-mentioned bottom opening to the inside of the first step, and mainly the outward projections of the dome 32, the circular plate 33, and the multidirectional operation plate 60 of the elastic pressing member 30. This is an area where 61 is arranged. In particular, the middle region is formed in a sufficient size so that the outward projecting portion 61 does not contact the inner wall of the hole 95 in the front and back direction and the radially outer side. The vicinity of the opening in the front direction of the hole 95 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the middle region by an inward projecting portion 92 that is flush with the front side surface 93 and extends inward in the radial direction. This is an area where 70 is arranged. In addition, a fixing portion 96 is formed outside the frame body 90 so that the frame 10 and the frame body 90 can be fixed. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 96 is a protrusion that can be housed on the frame body 90 side and can protrude outward in the radial direction of the frame body 90, and can pass through a slit (not shown) formed on the side surface of the frame 10. However, the member is not limited to this as long as the member can fix the frame 10 and the frame 90.

  In the music reproducing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, only the front surface 93 constituting the frame body 90 of the multidirectional switch member 2 and the portion inside it are visible. That is, the step surface 94 and the portion outside the step surface 94 are housed inside the case of the music playback device 1. However, the entire surface of the frame 90 may be exposed or housed inside the case of the music playback device 1.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded view in which the main part of the multidirectional switch member is exploded in the front and back direction. In FIG. 4, the frame 10 and the frame 90 are excluded.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the substantially central hole of the multidirectional operation plate 60, an inward projecting portion 62 that is fitted into the recess 71 of the rotary operation plate 70 is formed. As a result, a step is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and the substantially central hole has a large-diameter hole 63 and a small-diameter hole 64 continuous from the elastic pressing member 30 toward the rotary operation plate 70. It has a form. Further, a step is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the substantially central hole of the rotary operation plate 70, and the substantially central hole is formed with a large-diameter hole 76 from the multidirectional operation plate 60 in the front direction, The small-diameter hole 77 is continuous.

  The friction reducing member 80 is fixed to the front surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 by adhesion. A rotary operation plate 70 is attached to the front side surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 to which the friction reducing member 80 is fixed. During this attachment, the inward protruding portion 62 of the multidirectional operation plate 60 contacts the claw portion 72 at the opening of the recess 71 of the rotary operation plate 70, but the length of the contacting portion is short, The inward projecting portion 62 and / or the claw portion 72 is slightly deformed, and the inward projecting portion 62 passes through the claw portion 72 and enters the recess 71. It is preferable to chamfer the upper corner portion of the inward projecting portion 62 and / or the lower corner portion of the claw portion 72 to facilitate fitting of the multidirectional operation plate 60 and the rotation operation plate 70.

  The center key 50 is fixed to the base 39 of the elastic pressing member 30 by adhesion or the like. The PCB 20 is fixed to the annular member 31 of the elastic pressing member 30 by adhesion or the like. In a state where the elastic pressing member 30 is fixed to the PCB 20, the pressing members 34, 36, 38, etc. do not dent the metal domes 24, 26, 28, etc. Further, the back surface of the multidirectional operation plate 60 and the front surface of the disk 33 constituting the elastic pressing member 30 are fixed by adhesion and / or screwing. The flange portion 51 of the center key 50 cannot be inserted into the hole 77 of the rotary operation plate 70, and the center key 50 is pressed from the top surface and released to release the hole 76 and the rear side thereof. It is movable in the area.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the elastic pressing member of the multidirectional switch member is turned upside down.

  One pressing element 38 is provided in the approximate center of the back surface of the elastic pressing member 30. Further, pressers 34, 35, 36, and 37 are provided at equal intervals (center angle: approximately 90 degrees) along the circumferential direction of the disk 33, radially outward from the center and in the vicinity of the dome 32. It has been. The pressing members 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 are fixed separately from the disk 33, but may be integrally formed of the same material as the disk 33. In the region radially inward of the pressing elements 34, 35, 36, 37, the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, are equally spaced along the circumferential direction of the disk 33 (center angle: 45 degrees). 45, 46, 47, 48 are provided. The contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 are fixed separately from the disk 33. Since the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 need to contact the contact electrode group formed on the front surface of the PCB 20, the metal dome 24 that protrudes from the contact electrode group. , 26, 28, and the like, the tip thereof is provided so as to be close to the front surface of the PCB 20.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the PCB of the multidirectional switch member is face up.

  A printed wiring 100 including a plurality of contact electrode groups is formed on the front side surface of the PCB 20. In the printed wiring 100, contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, are located at positions corresponding to the respective contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48. 107 and 108 are formed. The contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 are electrically connected by contact of the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 provided on the elastic pressing member 30. It becomes possible. The contact electrode groups 101, 103, 105, and 107 are all contact electrode groups having the same form, and are substantially one semi-circular comb electrode radially outward from the center of the PCB 20 and a substantially semi-circular electrode radially inward. One comb electrode is arranged in a state where the comb teeth are meshed so as not to contact each other. On the other hand, the contact electrode groups 102, 104, 106, 108 are contact electrode groups having the same form, and are substantially two fan-shaped comb-shaped electrodes on the radially outer side and one generally semicircular electrode on the radially inner side. These comb-teeth electrodes are arranged in a state where the comb-teeth are meshed so as not to contact each other. The contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 are respectively connected to the comb-shaped electrodes and the semi-comb-shaped electrodes on the outer side in the radial direction by wirings 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117 are connected. The contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 are formed by connecting the comb electrodes on the radially inner side to the wiring 120 except between the contact electrode group 103 and the contact electrode group 104. , 121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127. However, between the contact electrode group 103 and the contact electrode group 104, the comb electrodes on the radially inner side may be connected by wiring.

  In addition, here, one electrode body is formed by one comb-tooth electrode arranged on the outer side in the radial direction and one half comb-teeth electrode arranged on both sides thereof. That is, four electrode bodies are formed on the front side surface of the PCB 20. As described above, by forming the four electrode bodies, the operation direction can be determined based on the ratio of the voltages in the respective electrode bodies. As an example, the four electrode bodies are allocated in four directions in the upper, lower, left and right directions within the surface of the PCB 20. Assuming that the voltage ratio of each electrode body becomes 10: 10: 0: 0 when a certain direction of the rotary operation plate 70 is pressed in the direction of the PCB 20, a vector in each direction is calculated based on the voltage ratio. As a result, vectors having the same size are generated in the upward direction and the right direction. Next, as a result of combining these vectors and generating a combined vector in the diagonally right direction, the operation direction can be determined as the diagonally right direction.

  When each contact elastic body 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 is brought into contact with each contact electrode group 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, the pressure at the time of contact The contact area between each contact electrode group 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and each contact elastic body 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 is changed accordingly. To do. As a result, the electric resistance value between the comb electrodes (or between the half comb electrodes and the comb electrodes) becomes small. That is, the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 are combs constituting the contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108. It exhibits a variable resistance function that can change the electrical resistance value between the tooth electrodes (or between each half comb electrode). When the electric resistance value between each comb electrode (or between the half comb electrode and the comb electrode) decreases and the voltage value at that point passes a certain threshold value, the switch is turned on. In this embodiment, the “switch is on” state includes not only a state in which non-contact electrodes are electrically connected to each other but also a detected value (electric resistance value, current value, etc.) generated by the conduction. It can be interpreted in a broad sense so as to encompass a state where a certain threshold value is passed.

  On the front side surface of the PCB 20, radially outside the contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, at positions facing the pressers 34, 35, 36, 37. In this case, one metal dome 24, 25, 26, 27 is disposed. Further, one metal dome 28 is disposed at a position facing the pressing element 38. When the outer peripheral portion of the surface of the rotary operation plate 70 or the center key 50 is pressed toward the PCB 20, the metal domes 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 corresponding to the pressed positions can be recessed. As a result, each central portion of the metal domes 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 is in contact with the dot-like electrode directly below, and is always connected to the metal domes 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. And the dot-shaped electrode are electrically connected, and the switch is turned on. The pressing required for turning on the switch by denting the metal domes 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 is that the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 are used. The metal contacts the contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108 so that the voltage value is larger than the pressure required to turn on the switch after passing a certain threshold value. The material, shape, and the like of the domes 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are determined.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the functions of the multidirectional operation plate and the rotary operation plate arranged on the front side thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the multidirectional operation plate 60 is configured to be swingable in the front and back direction (double arrow Z direction) in the circumferential direction, so when the outer peripheral portion of the multidirectional operation plate 60 is pressed, Any of the metal domes 24, 25, 26, and 27 can be depressed to turn on any of the four switches on the top, bottom, left, and right. On the other hand, the rotation operation plate 70 is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction (arrow R direction), and the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 even if the pressure from the front direction is small. , 48 are in contact with the contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and the switches are turned on. For this reason, the pressure when rotating the rotary operation plate 70 is applied to the contact elastic bodies 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and the contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108 can be continuously turned on in the circumferential direction. In this way, by rotating the rotation operation plate 70 on the front side of the multidirectional operation plate 60, the rotation operation and the pressing operation on the outer peripheral portion can be performed in one multidirectional switch member 2.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications.

  For example, the rotation operation plate does not have a shape in which the center key 50 can be inserted like the rotation operation plate 70 described above, and may have a disk shape without a hole. The rotary operation plate 70 may be disposed directly on the elastic pressing member 30 without providing the multidirectional operation plate 60. In that case, the friction reducing member 80 is preferably fixed to the front surface of the disk 33 of the elastic pressing member 30 or the inner top surface of the recess 71.

  The contacts are not limited to those that are elastically deformed in response to pressing when contacting the contact electrode group 101 or the like, such as the above-described contact elastic body 41 or the like, and may be made of a metal that is difficult to deform. Further, the contact electrode groups 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 need not be composed of comb-like electrodes. For example, the contact electrode group may be configured by bringing a plurality of semicircular shapes or a plurality of fan-shaped electrodes obtained by halving the semicircular shapes into a non-contact state.

  Further, the contact position between each contact elastic body 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and the contact electrode group 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 is the rotational operation plate 70. While moving along the circumferential direction of the CPU, the CPU can determine that the rotation operation is being performed, read out the rotation sound data stored in the memory, and perform a sound generation process. . It is more preferable that the sound generation is performed not in a continuous manner but in a predetermined angle unit. The sound generation processing operation can be performed while the CPU reads the computer program in the memory. Further, in order to generate a rotating sound during a rotating operation and to give the operator's finger a feel of the rotating operation, an uneven portion is formed on a part or the entire periphery of the rotating operation plate 70, and the inner surface of the frame body 90. Protruding portions such as leaf springs may be provided on the side, and when the rotary operation plate 70 is rotated, the concavo-convex portions may be in continuous contact with the protruding portions. Conversely, the uneven portion may be provided on the inner surface side of the frame body 90, and the protruding portion may be provided on the outer periphery of the rotary operation plate 70.

  The present invention can be used for electronic devices, particularly small electronic devices.

1 Music playback device (electronic equipment)
2 Multidirectional switch member 20 PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
30 Elastic pressing member (oscillating member)
41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 Contact elastic body (contact)
50 Center key 60 Multi-directional operation plate 70 Rotation operation plate 80 Friction reducing members 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 Contact electrode group

Claims (4)

A rotary operation plate capable of rotating in the plane;
A member disposed in the reverse direction of the rotary operation plate, and a swinging member capable of swinging in the front and back directions in a plurality of directions within the surface upon receiving a pressure from the rotary operation plate;
A printed circuit board having a contact electrode group disposed in the back direction of the swing member and capable of conducting by contact of a contact provided on the swing member;
A multidirectional switch member comprising:   The multidirectional switch member according to claim 1, further comprising a friction reducing member for reducing friction generated during rotation at a portion that contacts another member when the rotation operation plate rotates. The rotary operation plate is annular,
The multidirectional switch member according to claim 1, further comprising a central key that can be pressed in a direction of the printed circuit board in the hole of the rotary operation plate. A rotary operation plate capable of rotating in the plane;
A member disposed in the reverse direction of the rotary operation plate, and a swinging member capable of swinging in the front and back directions in a plurality of directions within the surface upon receiving a pressure from the rotary operation plate;
A printed circuit board having a contact electrode group disposed in the back direction of the swing member and capable of conducting by contact of a contact provided on the swing member;
An electronic apparatus having a multidirectional switch member.

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