JP2011100567A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of generating operation feeling to a rocking operation of an operation lever, and capable of achieving lowering of cost and downsizing of the device. <P>SOLUTION: The input device includes a case 200, an operation lever 100 capable of rocking to first and second rocking directions &alpha;1, &alpha;2, and an operation feeling generation means for giving operation feeling when the operation lever 100 rocks with the predetermined angle or more to the first and second rocking directions &alpha;1, &alpha;2. The operation feeling generation means includes a first and second convex parts 112b, 112c fitted on a case opposition surface of a lever body 110 of the operation lever 100, and a protrusion 221a fitted on an operation lever opposition surface of the case 200, and arranged between the first and second convex parts 112b, 112c with the operation lever 100 positioned at a home position. When the operation lever 100 rocks with a predetermined angle or more to the first and second rocking directions &alpha;1, &alpha;2, the second and the first convex parts 112c, 112b slide on the protrusion 221a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that can be swung in first and second directions at least facing an operation lever.

  In this type of input device, a movable contact portion that swings in the same direction according to the swing of the operation lever in the first and second directions selectively contacts and conducts a plurality of fixed contact portions. Some of them are designed to detect the swing of the operation lever. In such an input device, since the movable contact portion is only selectively brought into contact with the fixed contact portion when the operation lever is swung, it is not possible to obtain an operational feeling of the operation lever swinging operation.

  There are first, second, and third input devices that can solve such problems. In the first input device, when the operating lever is swung by a predetermined angle or more, the protrusion provided on the lower end portion of the operating lever presses one arm portion of the torsion coil spring for generating the operational feeling, thereby operating the operating lever. A feeling of operation is generated in the swinging operation. In the second input device, when the operating lever is swung by a predetermined angle or more, one of a pair of operating feeling generating elastic members provided on the operating lever is supported by both of the bodies that hold the operating lever so as to be swingable. An operation feeling is generated in the swinging operation of the operation lever by elastically contacting one of the pair of convex portions for generating the operation feeling provided on the shoulder. The third input device includes a torsion coil spring for returning to the origin fitted on the swing shaft portion of the operation lever, a fixed portion through which the swing shaft portion passes, and the swing shaft portion connected to the swing shaft portion. And a movable portion that rotates together with the shaft portion. The torsion coil spring includes a first coil portion, a second coil portion that is reversely wound from the first coil portion, a connecting end that connects the first and second coil portions, and first and second first and second coil portions. 2 free ends. When the operation lever is swung, the upper part of the stepped portion of the movable portion rotates according to the swinging of the operation lever to press the first or second free end, and the operation lever is swung by a predetermined angle or more. When the lower part of the step part of the movable part presses the second or first free end, an operation feeling is generated in the swing operation of the operation lever.

JP 2008-152966 A JP 2002-352668 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-28777

  However, since the torsion coil spring for generating operational feeling is indispensable for the first input device, the number of parts increases, and it takes time to incorporate the torsion coil spring. Moreover, since it is necessary to provide the installation space of the said torsion coil spring which is another component in a 1st input device, a 1st input device enlarges. Since the elastic member for generating the operational feeling is indispensable for the second input device, the cost is increased and the size of the device is increased as in the case of the first input device.

  Although the third input device uses a torsion coil spring for returning the origin of the operation lever, the torsion coil spring has two coil portions. That is, since the torsion coil spring for returning to origin has a configuration in which two torsion coil springs are connected, the length of the torsion coil spring for returning to origin is increased, and the installation space is also increased. Therefore, the third input device is also enlarged.

  The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to generate an operational feeling in the swinging operation of the operation lever, and to reduce the cost and size of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an input device according to the present invention includes a case, an operation lever that can be swung or rotated in first and second directions facing at least a predetermined origin position, and a swing of the operation lever. Alternatively, a movement detecting means for detecting rotation and an operation feeling generating means for giving an operation feeling to the operation lever according to the swing or rotation of the operation lever in the first and second directions by a predetermined angle or more. Yes. The operation lever includes a lever main body housed in the case and an operation portion protruding from the case. The operation feeling generating means is provided on the case opposing surface of the lever body or the first and second convex portions provided on the operation lever opposing surface of the case, and on the operation lever opposing surface of the case or the case opposing surface of the lever body. And a protrusion disposed between the first and second convex portions in a state where the operation lever is located at the origin position. When the operation lever is swung or rotated by a predetermined angle or more in the first and second directions, the second and first protrusions slide on the protrusions.

  In the case of such an input device, when the operation lever is swung or rotated by a predetermined angle or more in the first and second directions, the second and first protrusions slide on the protrusions, thereby A feeling of operation is generated in the swinging operation of the operation lever in the first and second directions. The first and second protrusions are provided on the case facing surface of the lever body or the operation lever facing surface of the case, and the protrusions are provided on the operation lever facing surface of the case or the case facing surface of the lever body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts in order to generate a feeling of operation in a swing operation or a rotation operation of the operation lever that exceeds a predetermined angle, and as a result, the cost of the input device can be reduced. Can do. The first and second protrusions are provided on the case-facing surface of the lever body or the operation lever-facing surface of the case, and the protrusions are provided on the operation lever-facing surface of the case or the case-facing surface of the lever body. Therefore, a large installation space is not required. Therefore, the size of the input device can be reduced. Further, the operation feeling generating means is configured such that the second and first protrusions slide on the protrusions when the operation lever swings a predetermined angle or more in the first and second directions. Therefore, the return movement of the operation lever to the origin position is hardly hindered. Further, since the operation feeling generating means has a simple configuration in which the second and first convex portions slide on the protrusion, the timing of operation feeling generation and the movement detection of the operation lever of the movement detecting means are detected. The timing can be easily matched.

  The operation feeling generating means may further include a recess provided between the first and second protrusions of the case opposing surface of the lever main body or the operation lever opposing surface of the case. In this case, the protrusion is inserted into the recess with the operation lever positioned at the origin position. Further, the first and second convex portions can be edge portions on both sides of the concave portion.

  The operation feeling generating means may further include arc-shaped first and second guide portions provided on both sides of the protrusion on the operation lever facing surface of the case or the case facing surface of the lever body. is there. In this case, the first and second convex portions are movably inserted into the first and second guide portions.

  The first and second protrusions preferably have a tapered shape that gradually decreases in a direction in which the cross-sectional shapes approach each other. In this way, when the operation lever returns to the origin from the swing or rotation of a predetermined angle or more in the second and first directions, the load applied to the second and first protrusions from the protrusion can be dispersed. it can. This facilitates the return of the operation lever to the origin position.

  The case can be configured to have a body and a frame attached to the body and made of a metal plate. In this case, it is preferable that the first and second convex portions or protrusions are provided on the operation lever facing surface of the frame.

  When the movement detection means can detect the swing or rotation of the operation lever at the first predetermined angle, the body has a plate portion disposed to face the lever body of the operation lever. Is possible. The movement detecting means is provided on a plurality of first fixed contact portions provided on the plate portion of the body and on the surface of the lever body facing the plate portion, and swings according to the swing or rotation of the operation lever. And a movable contact portion that moves or rotates. The movable contact portion has a pair of first contact portions that selectively come into contact with the first fixed contact portion according to the swing or rotation of the operation lever at a first predetermined angle.

  When the movement detection means can detect the swing or rotation of the first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle of the operation lever, the movement detection means includes a plurality of second movement plates provided on the plate portion of the body. It is possible to further include two fixed contact portions, and the movable contact portion further includes a second contact portion. When the operation lever is swung or rotated by a second predetermined angle, the first contact portion selectively contacts the first fixed contact portion, and the second contact portion is selected as the second fixed contact portion. To come into contact.

  The input device may further include an internal substrate disposed on the plate portion of the body. In this case, the first fixed contact portion, or the first and second fixed contact portions are provided not on the plate portion of the body but on the internal substrate.

  The operation lever can be pressed from the origin position. In this case, the movement detecting means also detects a pressing movement of the operation lever. For example, the movement detection means has first and third fixed contact portions provided on the plate portion of the body. The movable contact portion has first and second contact portions. When the operation lever is swung by a predetermined angle, the first contact portion selectively contacts the first fixed contact portion, and when the operation lever is pushed down, the first contact portion is moved to the first position. The second contact portion is in contact with the third fixed contact portion while selectively contacting the fixed contact portion. Similar to the first and second fixed contact portions, the third fixed contact portion can be provided not on the plate portion but on the internal substrate.

It is the schematic perspective view of the input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a) is the figure seen from front upper right, (b) is the figure seen from back upper left. It is the schematic exploded perspective view seen from the front upper right of the said input device. It is the schematic exploded perspective view seen from the back upper left of the said input device. (A) is a schematic front view of the said input device, (b) is schematic AA sectional drawing in Fig.4 (a). FIG. 2 is a schematic front view through a frame of the input device, where (a) shows a state in which an operation lever is located at an origin position, and (b) shows a state in which the operation lever is operated to swing by a predetermined angle. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a state in which the operation lever is swung to the maximum angle. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between a movable contact portion and a fixed contact portion of a movement detection unit of the input device, where (a) is a diagram showing a state where an operation lever is located at an origin position, and (b) is an operation lever. (C) is a figure which shows the state by which the operation lever was rock | fluctuated to the maximum angle. It is a schematic front view which shows the example which changed the position of the 1st, 2nd press part of the said input device from which the said frame was removed. It is a figure which shows the example by which the fixed contact part of the movement detection means of the said input device was provided in the flexible printed circuit board, Comprising: (a) The schematic front view which shows the state which removed the flame | frame of the said input device, (b) It is a disassembled perspective view of the said input device. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing an example in which the operation lever of the input device can be pressed; FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state before the pressing operation, and FIG. It is. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the movable contact part of a movement detection means of the said input device, and a fixed contact part, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the state before pressing operation, (b) is the state after pressing operation. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The input device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes an operation lever 100, a case 200, a torsion coil spring 300 (biasing means), a movement detecting means 400, and a power receiving terminal 500.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 200 includes a body 210 and a frame 220 attached to the body 210. The body 210 is an injection molded product made of insulating resin. The body 210 has a plate portion 211, a swing shaft portion 212, and a peripheral wall portion 213. The plate part 211 is a substantially semicircular plate-like body. The outer surface of the plate portion 211 is a mounting surface that is mounted on a substrate (not shown). At the center of the inner surface of the plate portion 211, a swing shaft portion 212 that is a teardrop-shaped protrusion is provided. Further, a peripheral wall portion 213 that is a substantially semicircular cylindrical body is erected on the outer peripheral edge portion of the inner surface of the plate portion 211. The peripheral wall portion 213 and the plate portion 211 define an accommodation space for accommodating a later-described lever main body 110 of the operation lever 100. The lever main body 110 of the operation lever 100 is accommodated in this accommodating space, and is disposed to face the plate portion 211. At the top of the peripheral wall 213, a lead-out hole 213a that penetrates the top in the vertical direction is provided. The lead-out hole 213a has a substantially rectangular wide hole 213a1 and a narrow hole 213a2 continuous to the wide hole 213a1. Also, a pair of substantially convex locking recesses 213b are formed on the shoulders on both sides of the top of the peripheral wall 213, and a pair of generally convex locking recesses 213c are formed on the lower end of the shoulder of the peripheral wall 213. Is provided. The locking recesses 213b and 213c have narrow portions 213b1 and 213c1, and wide portions 213b2 and 213c2 continuous with the narrow portions 213b1 and 213c1.

  The frame 220 is a conductive metal plate. The frame 220 includes a cover portion 221, a pair of locking pieces 222 and 223, and a bottom plate 224. The cover part 221 is a substantially semicircular plate that closes the accommodation space. A dome-shaped projection 221a and first and second guide portions 221b and 221c located on both sides of the projection 221a are provided on the top of the operation lever facing surface of the cover portion 221. The first and second guide portions 221b and 221c are circular through-holes that are symmetrical with respect to the protrusion 221a, and extend along first and second swing directions α1 and α2 described later ( (See FIG. 5). A substantially rectangular bottom plate 224 is provided at the lower end of the cover portion 221. The bottom plate 224 is accommodated in a recess (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the body 210. Further, a pair of substantially Y-shaped locking pieces 222 are provided on both shoulder portions of the cover portion 221, and a pair of substantially Y-shaped locking pieces 223 are provided on the lower end portions of the both shoulder portions. The width dimensions of the base end portions of the locking pieces 222 and 223 are slightly smaller than the width dimensions of the narrow portions 213b1 and 213c1 of the locking recesses 213b and 213c. Moreover, the front-end | tip part of the locking pieces 222 and 223 is bifurcated. The base ends of the locking pieces 222 and 223 are fitted into the narrow portions 213b1 and 213c1, and the distal end portions of the locking pieces 222 and 223 are accommodated in the wide portions 213b2 and 213c2, and the narrow portions 213b1 and 213c1. Locked to both edges. In this way, the locking pieces 222 and 223 are locked to the locking recesses 213 b and 213 c of the body 210, so that the frame 220 is attached to the body 210, and the cover portion 221 of the frame 220 is the accommodation space of the body 210. Is blocking.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation lever 100 is an injection molded product made of an insulating resin. The operation lever 100 includes a lever main body 110 and an operation unit 120. The operation unit 120 includes a neck 121 that is continuous with the top of the lever body 110, and an arcuate key top 122 provided on the neck 121. The neck 121 protrudes out of the case 200 from the wide hole 213a1 of the outlet hole 213a of the body 210. The key top 122 is a part operated by the user.

  The lever main body 110 is a ring-shaped part accommodated in the accommodation space. A shaft hole 111 that penetrates the lever body 110 in the thickness direction is provided at the center of the lever body 110. The shaft hole 111 is a substantially O-shaped long hole extending in the vertical direction, and the diameter in the height direction and the width direction is larger than the height dimension and the width dimension of the swinging shaft portion 212 of the body 210. Yes. As shown in FIG. 5, the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210 is inserted into the shaft hole 111. In this way, the operation lever 100 is pivotally supported by the swing shaft portion 212 so as to be swingable in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2 (that is, the first and second directions) facing the origin position. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the position where the operation lever 100 stands substantially perpendicular to the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the body 210 is the origin position of the operation lever 100. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, a substantially semicircular peak portion 112 is provided on the top of the frame facing surface of the lever main body 110. An arc-shaped concave portion 112a and arc-shaped first and second convex portions 112b and 112c located on both sides of the concave portion 112a are provided on the frame facing surface in the center of the peak portion 112. A protrusion 221a of the frame 220 is inserted into the recess 112a in a state where the operation lever 100 is located at the origin position. The first and second convex portions 112b and 112c are arcuate ridges that are symmetrical with respect to the concave portion 112a, and are curved along the first and second swing directions α1 and α2. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c are tapered so as to gradually decrease in the direction approaching each other (that is, the direction approaching the concave portion 112a). The first and second convex portions 112b and 112c are inserted into the first and second guide portions 221b and 221c of the frame 220 so as to be movable in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2. The concave portion 112a, the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c of the operation lever 100, together with the protrusion 221a and the first and second guide portions 221b and 221c of the frame 220, are the first and second swing directions α1 of the operation lever 100. , A first operation feeling generating means for giving an operation feeling to the swinging operation to α2 is configured. Specifically, the operation lever 100 is moved from the predetermined position to the second and first swing directions α2 and α1 by a predetermined angle (in this embodiment, 18 ° from the predetermined position: this is the first predetermined angle in the claims) When swung as described above, the concave portion 112a, the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c of the operating lever 100 are swung in the second and first swing directions α2 and α1, and the first and second The two convex portions 112b and 112c ride on and slide on the projections 221a that are detached from the concave portions 112a. As a result, the frame 220 cover portion 221 is elastically deformed in the direction away from the frame 220 (hereinafter referred to as the counter-operating lever 100 side), and an operational feeling is imparted to the second and first swing directions α2 and α1 of the operating lever 100. It has become. Since the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c are tapered as described above, when the operation lever 100 returns to the origin from the movement in the second and first swing directions α2 and α1, the cover of the frame 220 is covered. The load applied to the second and first convex portions 112c and 112b from the portion 221 is dispersed so that the second and first convex portions 112c and 112b are not easily caught on the protrusion 221a of the cover portion 221. This facilitates the return of the operation lever 100 to the origin position.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, first and second swing arms 112 d and 112 e that are substantially L-shaped downward in a side view are provided at both ends of the peak portion 112 of the lever main body 110. It extends toward the swing directions α1 and α2. Further, a substantially U-shaped protrusion 112f is provided around the shaft hole 111 on the frame facing surface of the lever main body 110. The coil portion 310 of the torsion coil spring 300 is accommodated in the ridge 112f, and the first and second support arms 320 and 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 are locked to the first and second swing arms 112d and 112e. . First and second pressing portions 112g and 112h that are convex upward are provided at both tip portions of the protrusion 112f. The first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h are provided under the first and second support arms 320 and 330 locked to the first and second swing arms 112d and 112e (that is, the first and second portions). They are arranged at an interval in the swinging direction α1, α2 side). The distance between the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h and the first and second support arms 320 and 330 locked to the first and second swing arms 112d and 112e is an operation lever as will be described later. When the 100 swings the predetermined angle in the second and first swing directions α2 and α1, the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h press the first and second support arms 320 and 330 of the torsion coil spring 300. It is set to the distance to be. In other words, the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h of the operation lever 100 and the torsion coil spring 300 provide the second operation that gives an operational feeling to the swing operation of the operation lever 100 in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2. The operation feeling generating means is configured. Specifically, when the operating lever 100 is swung in the second and first swinging directions α2 and α1 by the predetermined angle or more, the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h are moved to the first and second of the torsion coil spring 300, respectively. 2 Press the support arms 320 and 330. This also gives an operational feeling to the second and first swing directions α2 and α1 of the operation lever 100. A locking projection 112i that locks the lower end of the coil portion 310 is provided on the top of the ridge 112f.

  The torsion coil spring 300 includes a coil part 310 and first and second support arms 320 and 330. The inner diameter of the coil part 310 is larger than the outer diameter of the swing shaft part 212 of the body 210. That is, the swing shaft portion 212 is inserted into the coil portion 310, and the coil portion 310 is supported by the swing shaft portion 212. In this state, the coil portion 310 is accommodated in the ridge 112f of the lever body 110 that is pivotally supported by the swing shaft portion 212. The first and second support arms 320 and 330 are rod-shaped bodies extending in two opposite directions from the first and second ends of the coil portion 310. The first and second support arms 320 and 330 elastically abut against the first and second swing arms 112d and 112e from below (that is, opposite to the first and second swing directions α1 and α2). The first and second swing arms 112d and 112e are supported. Thereby, the operation lever 100 is held at the origin position. When the operation lever 100 is swung in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2, the first and second support arms 320 and 330 are pressed against the first and second swing arms 112d and 112e of the operation lever 100. Then, the coil unit 310 is compressed. As a result, a biasing force for returning to the origin position is applied to the first and second swing arms 112d and 112e via the first and second support arms 320 and 330.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a housing recess 113 is provided on the body facing surface of the lever main body 110. The movable contact portion 410 of the movement detecting means 400 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 113. A pair of columnar fitting projections 113 a are provided on the bottom surface of the housing recess 113. The fitting protrusion 113a is fitted into the pair of fitting holes 412a of the movable contact portion 410. Accordingly, the movable contact portion 410 is attached to the lever main body 110 and is accommodated in the accommodating recess 113.

  The movement detecting means 400 is configured to swing the operation lever 100 in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2 by the predetermined angle (first predetermined angle) and the first and second swing directions α1 and α2 of the operation lever 100. The maximum angle swing (second predetermined angle) is detected. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the movement detection unit 400 includes a movable contact portion 410 and fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425. The fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425 are conductive metal plates embedded in the plate portion 211 of the body 210 by insert molding. The contact portions 421a, 422a, 423a, 424a, and 425a of the fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425 are exposed from the inner surface of the plate portion 211. Further, the connection electrodes 421b, 422b, 423b, 424b, and 425b of the fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425 protrude from the plate portion 211 and are folded back in an approximately L shape toward the outer surface of the plate portion 211. It is. The connection electrodes 421b, 422b, 423b, 423b, 424b, and 425b are solder-connected to the electrodes of the substrate described above. The fixed contact portions 421, 422, and 423 correspond to the first fixed contact portion in the claims, and the fixed contact portions 424 and 225 correspond to the second fixed contact portion in the claims.

  The movable contact portion 410 is a conductive metal plate. The movable contact portion 410 includes an O-ring 411, a pair of attachment pieces 412, a pair of contact portions 413 (first contact portion), and a contact portion 414 (second contact portion). The inner diameter of the O-ring 411 is larger than the outer diameter of the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210. That is, the swinging shaft portion 212 is inserted into the O-ring 411 similarly to the shaft hole 111 of the operation lever 100 and the coil portion 310 of the torsion coil spring 300. The mounting piece 412 is provided with the fitting hole 412a described above. The contact portion 413 is a substantially ¼ arc-shaped arm connected to the upper end of the mounting piece 412. The front end portion of the contact portion 413 is bent toward the plate portion 211 of the body 210, and the contact portions 421 a, 422 a, and 423 a of the fixed contact portions 421, 422, and 423 exposed from the inner surface of the plate portion 211. It is slidable. The contact portion 414 is a 1/2 arc-shaped arm that is connected to the lower end of the mounting piece 412. The top of the contact portion 414 is bent toward the plate portion 211 of the body 210, and can slide on the contact portions 424a and 425a of the fixed contact portions 424 and 425 exposed from the inner surface of the plate portion 211. Yes.

  The pair of contact portions 413 are in contact with the contact portion 421a when the operation lever 100 is located at the origin position. When the operation lever 100 is swung by a predetermined angle in the first swinging direction α1, the pair of contact portions 413 come into contact with the contact portions 421a and 422a, and the fixed contact portions 421 and 422 are made conductive. When the operation lever 100 is swung by a predetermined angle in the second rocking direction α2, the pair of contact portions 413 come into contact with the contact portions 421a and 423a, and the fixed contact portions 421 and 423 are brought into conduction. When the operating lever 100 is swung at the maximum angle in the first swinging direction α1, the pair of contact portions 413 contacts the contact portions 421a and 422a, the contact portion 414 contacts the contact portion 425a, and the fixed contact portion 421. 425 is made conductive. When the operating lever 100 is swung at the maximum angle in the second swinging direction α2, the pair of contact portions 413 contacts the contact portions 421a and 423a, the contact portion 414 contacts the contact portion 424a, and the fixed contact portion 421. 424 is made conductive.

  The power receiving terminal 500 is embedded in the plate portion 211 of the body 210 by insert molding. The front end portion of the power receiving terminal 500 protrudes along the operation lever 100 from the top of the plate portion 211 of the body 210. That is, the tip of the power receiving terminal 500 is a power receiving unit 510 that can receive static electricity charged in the operation lever 100. The rear end portion of the power receiving terminal 500 protrudes from the plate portion 211 and is folded back in a substantially L shape toward the outer surface of the plate portion 211. The rear end portion of the power receiving terminal 500 is a connection portion 520 that is solder-connected to the ground electrode of the substrate described above.

  Hereinafter, an assembly procedure of the input device having the above-described configuration will be described in detail. First, the movable contact portion 410 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 113 of the operation lever 100, and the fitting convex portion 113 a of the accommodating recess 113 is fitted into the fitting hole 412 a of the attachment piece 412 of the movable contact portion 410. Thereby, the movable contact portion 410 is attached to the operation lever 100.

  Thereafter, the body 210 in which the fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, 425 are insert-molded is prepared. The lever body 110 of the operation lever 100 is accommodated in the accommodation space of the body 210, and the neck portion 121 of the operation lever 100 is inserted into the wide hole 213a1 of the lead-out hole 213a of the body 210. At this time, the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210 is inserted into the O-ring 411 of the movable contact portion 410 and the shaft hole 111 of the operation lever 100 in this order. As a result, the operation lever 100 and the movable contact portion 410 are pivotally supported by the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210.

  Thereafter, the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210 is inserted into the coil portion 310 of the torsion coil spring 300, and the first and second support arms 320 and 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 are moved to the first and second swings of the operation lever 100. The arms 112d and 112e are locked. Thereafter, the locking pieces 222 and 223 of the frame 220 are locked to the locking recesses 213 b and 213 c of the body 210, and the frame 220 is attached to the body 210. As a result, the cover portion 221 of the frame 220 closes the accommodation space of the body 210.

  Hereinafter, the usage method and the operation of the input device assembled in this way will be described. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the operating lever 100 is operated to swing by a predetermined angle in the first swinging direction α1, the operating lever 100 swings first with the swinging shaft portion 212 of the body 210 as a fulcrum. Swings in direction α1. In both cases, as shown in FIG. 6B, the movable contact portion 410 rotates in the first swinging direction α1, and the pair of contact portions 413 of the movable contact portion 410 are contact portions 421a of the fixed contact portions 421 and 422. 422a to make the fixed contact portions 421 and 422 conductive. Thereby, the swing of the operation lever 100 at a predetermined angle in the first swing direction α1 is detected.

  At this time, the first swing arm 112d of the operation lever 100 presses the first support arm 320 of the torsion coil spring 300 downward, thereby compressing the coil portion 310. On the other hand, the second pressing portion 112h of the operation lever 100 approaches the second support arm 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 and presses the second support arm 330 upward, thereby also compressing the coil portion 310. In both cases, the concave portion 112a of the operating lever 100 and the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c are swung in the same direction, and the second convex portion 112c rides on the projection 221a of the frame 220 detached from the concave portion 112a. The cover portion 221 of the frame 220 is elastically deformed. By the above-described pressing of the second support arm 330 of the second pressing portion 112h and sliding on the protrusion 221a of the second convex portion 112c, the operation lever 100 can be swung more than a predetermined angle in the first swinging direction α1. A feeling of operation is given.

  Thereafter, when the operation lever 100 is released, the first support arm 320 presses the first swing arm 112d of the operation lever 100 upward by the biasing force of the coil portion 310 of the torsion coil spring 300, and the second support arm. 330 presses the second pressing portion 112h of the operation lever 100 downward. As a result, the operating lever 100 swings in the second swing direction α2 with the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210 as a fulcrum, and returns to the origin position.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the operating lever 100 is swung up to the maximum angle in the first swing direction α1, as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 413 contacts the contact portions 421a and 422a of the fixed contact portions 421 and 422, and the contact portion 414 contacts the contact portion 425a of the fixed contact portion 425, thereby making the fixed contact portions 421 and 425 conductive. As a result, the maximum swing of the operation lever 100 in the first swing direction α1 is detected. Other than that, the operation lever 100 is the same as that when the operation lever 100 is swung by the predetermined angle in the first swing direction α1, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the operation lever 100 is swung by a predetermined angle in the second swing direction α2, the operation lever 100 swings in the second swing direction α2 with the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210 as a fulcrum. In both cases, the movable contact portion 410 rotates in the second swing direction α2, the pair of contact portions 413 of the movable contact portion 410 contact the contact portions 421a and 423a of the fixed contact portions 421 and 423, and the fixed contact portion. 421 and 423 are made conductive. Thereby, the swing of the operation lever 100 at a predetermined angle in the second swing direction α2 is detected.

  At this time, the second swing arm 112e of the operation lever 100 presses the second support arm 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 downward, whereby the coil portion 310 is compressed. On the other hand, the first pressing portion 112g of the operating lever 100 approaches the first support arm 320 of the torsion coil spring 300 and presses the first support arm 320 upward, thereby also compressing the coil portion 310. In both cases, the concave portion 112a of the operating lever 100 and the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c swing in the same direction, and the first convex portion 112b rides on the projection 221a of the frame 220 that is detached from the concave portion 112a. The cover portion 221 of the frame 220 is elastically deformed. By the above-described pressing of the first support arm 320 of the first pressing portion 112g and sliding on the protrusion 221a of the first convex portion 112b, the operation lever 100 can be swung more than a predetermined angle in the second swinging direction α2. A feeling of operation is given.

  Thereafter, when the operation lever 100 is released, the second support arm 330 presses the second swing arm 112e of the operation lever 100 upward by the biasing force of the coil portion 310 of the torsion coil spring 300, and the first support arm. 320 presses the first pressing portion 112g of the operation lever 100 downward. As a result, the operating lever 100 swings in the first swinging direction α1 with the swinging shaft portion 212 of the body 210 as a fulcrum, and returns to the origin position.

  When the operation lever 100 is swung up to the maximum angle in the second swinging direction α2, the pair of contact portions 413 of the movable contact portion 410 comes into contact with the contact portions 421a and 423a of the fixed contact portions 421 and 423, and contact is made. The part 414 contacts the contact part 424a of the fixed contact part 424, and the fixed contact parts 421 and 424 are made conductive. Other than that, the operation lever 100 is the same as when the operation lever 100 is operated to swing by a predetermined angle in the second swing direction α2, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of the input device as described above, the first and second operation feeling generating means gives an operation feeling to the swing operation of the operation lever 100 in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2 by a predetermined angle or more. It has come to occur. The second operational feeling generating means includes a torsion coil spring 300 for returning to the origin and the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112g of the operating lever 100, and the first operational feeling generating means is the operating lever. Since the configuration includes the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c and the projections 221a of the frame 220, it is not necessary to increase the number of parts in order to generate the operational feeling of the operating lever 100. Therefore, the cost of the input device can be reduced. The second operational feeling generating means has the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112g of the operating lever 100 disposed below the first and second support arms 320 and 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 for returning to the origin. Because of the configuration, a large installation space is not required. The first operational feeling generating means also has a configuration in which the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c of the operation lever 100 are arranged on both sides of the protrusion 221a of the frame 220, and thus does not require a large installation space. Therefore, the size of the input device can be reduced.

  In addition, the second operational feeling generating means is configured such that the first and second pressing portions 112g of the operation lever 100 when the operation lever 100 is swung more than a predetermined angle in the second and first swing directions α2 and α1. Since 112g only presses the first and second support arms 320 and 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 for returning to the origin from below, the return movement of the operation lever 100 to the origin position is not hindered. In addition, the first operational feeling generating means is configured such that the first and second convex portions 112b of the operation lever 100 when the operation lever 100 is swung more than a predetermined angle in the second and first swing directions α2 and α1. 112c only slides on the projection 221a of the frame 220, and the sectional shape of the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c is a tapered shape that gradually decreases toward the projection 221a. The return movement to the origin position of 100 is hardly obstructed. Further, the second operation feeling generating means is configured such that the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112g of the operation lever 100 press the first and second support arms 320 and 330 of the torsion coil spring 300, thereby Since the operation feeling is generated, the timing at which the first pressing portion 112g of the operation lever 100 presses the first support arm 320 of the torsion coil spring 300 (the timing at which the operation feeling is generated) and the movement detection unit 400 are movable. The timing at which the contact portion 410 contacts the fixed contact portions 421 and 423 can be easily matched, and the timing at which the second pressing portion 112g of the operation lever 100 presses the second support arm 330 of the torsion coil spring 300 (the operational feeling is Generated timing) and the movable contact portion 410 of the movement detecting means 400 is moved to the fixed contact portions 421 and 422. And timing of touch can be easily matched. The first operation feeling generating means is configured to generate an operation feeling of the operation lever 100 by sliding on the projections 221a of the frame 220 on the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c of the operation lever 100. Therefore, the timing at which the first convex portion 112b of the operation lever 100 slides on the projection 221a of the frame 220 (the timing at which an operation feeling is generated), and the movable contact portion 410 of the movement detecting means 400 are fixed contact portions 421, 423 can be easily matched with the timing at which the second protrusion 112c of the operation lever 100 slides on the projection 221a of the frame 220 (the timing at which an operation feeling is generated) and the movement detection unit 400. The timing when the movable contact portion 410 contacts the fixed contact portions 421 and 422 can be easily matched.

  The above-described input device is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed in design within the scope of the claims. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS.

  In the above embodiment, the second operation feeling generating means is configured to include the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h of the operation lever 100 and the torsion coil spring 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, a V-shaped leaf spring or the like can be used instead of the torsion coil spring 300. In this case, the leaf spring may be attached to a slit provided in the swing shaft portion 212, or the plate spring may be insert-molded on the swing shaft portion 212. Both end portions of the leaf spring are first and second support arms.

  In the above embodiment, the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h are provided at the tip of the bulge 112g. However, the positions of the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h and the first The distance between the second pressing portions 112g and 112h and the first and second support arms 320 and 330 can be arbitrarily changed. Thus, by changing the positions of the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h and the distances between the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h and the first and second support arms 320 and 330, the operation lever The timing at which an operational feeling is generated in 100 and the operational feeling can be varied. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first and second pressing portions 112g 'and 112h' can be disposed outside the first and second pressing portions 112g and 112h.

  In the above embodiment, the first operation feeling generating means includes the concave portion 112a of the operation lever 100, the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c, the protrusion 221a of the frame 220, the first and second guide portions 221b, Although the configuration has 221c, the design can be arbitrarily modified as long as the configuration has at least the first and second convex portions and the protrusions. In addition, the concave portion 112a, the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c can be provided on the operation lever facing surface of the case, and the protrusion 221a, the first and second guide portions 221b and 221c can be provided on the case facing surface of the operating lever. It is. Also in this case, it is possible to provide only the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c on the operation lever facing surface of the case and provide only the protrusion 221a on the case facing surface of the operation lever. Further, the concave portion 112a, the first and second convex portions 112b and 112c, or the protrusion 221a, the first and second guide portions 221b and 221c can be provided on the body, not the frame. Moreover, although the 1st, 2nd convex part 112b, 112c mentioned above was said to be a bulge, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to use the edge part of the both sides of the said recessed part as a 1st, 2nd convex part. In this case, the protrusion 221a that has been released from the concave portion slides on the first and second convex portions. One of the first and second operational feeling generating means described above can be omitted. Since the first operation feeling generating means described above does not carry a mechanism for returning the operation lever to the origin position, the operation lever does not automatically return to the origin position by omitting the second operation feeling generation means. An input device can also be used.

  In the above embodiment, the fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, 425 of the movement detecting means 400 are conductive metal plates embedded in the plate portion 211 of the body 210. It is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the fixed contact portions 421, 422, 423, 424, and 425 may be conductive lines printed on an internal substrate installed on the plate portion 211 of the body 210. The flexible printed board 600 is provided with a hole portion 610 into which the swing shaft portion 212 is inserted and a pair of lead-out portions 620. The lead-out portion 620 is led out from the lead-out notch portions 214 ′ on both the first and second sides of the body 210. In addition to the flexible printed circuit board 600, a PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) sheet or the like can be used as the internal substrate.

  In the above embodiment, the case 200 is configured to include the body 210 and the frame 220, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the case can be a two-piece structure having first and second cases made of insulating resin. Further, although the locking pieces 222 and 223 of the frame 220 are Y-shaped, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the locking piece 222 ′ of the frame 220 ′ may have a hook shape that is locked to the peripheral wall portion 213 ′ of the body 210 ′. Further, the frame may be provided with a sub-cover portion 223 'that closes the notch 214' of the body 210 'instead of the locking piece 223 as in the frame 220'.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation lever 100 is configured to be capable of only swinging operation in the first and second swing directions α1 and α2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation lever 100 can be configured to be pressed. In this case, a slit 212a into which the upper edge portion of the shaft hole 111 of the lever main body 110 of the operation lever 100 can be inserted may be provided in the swing shaft portion 212, and the diameter of the shaft hole 111 in the height direction may be set. It may be larger than the sum of the height dimension of the portion 212 and the movement distance of the pressing operation of the operation lever 100. The slit 212a has a depth dimension equivalent to the moving distance of the pressing operation of the operation lever 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the movement detecting means 400 further includes a fixed contact portion 426 (third fixed contact portion), and the pair of contact portions 413 of the movable contact portion 410 are fixed by the pressing movement of the operation lever 100. The contact portion 421 may be configured such that the contact portion 414 of the movable contact portion 410 contacts the fixed contact portion 426 and the fixed contact portions 421 and 426 are brought into conduction. The fixed contact portion 426 can also be provided on the internal substrate.

  Further, although the above-described operation lever 100 is pivotally supported by the swing shaft portion 212 of the body 210, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to install the lower end portion of the operation lever on the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 213 of the body 210 and to swing around the lower end portion of the operation lever as a fulcrum. In addition, although the above-described operation lever 100 can be swung, it can be configured to be rotatable, such as a jog dial. In this case, the operation feeling may be generated by the above-described first operation feeling generating means for the rotation operation of the operation lever at a predetermined angle or more.

  As the above-described movement detection means, any means can be used as long as it can detect swinging or rotation at a predetermined angle in the first and second directions relative to at least a predetermined origin position of the operation lever. It doesn't matter. For example, as the movement detecting means, an optical sensor such as a variable resistor, a magnetic sensor, or a photo interrupter can be used to detect swinging or rotation of the operation lever at the predetermined angle. Further, if a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor is used, it is possible to detect the pressing movement of the operation lever. When the movement detection means can detect swinging or rotation at one predetermined angle in the first and second directions relative to a predetermined origin position of the operation lever, the input device of the present invention can be detected by touching an electric signal. It is possible to provide a change-over switch that needs to be discriminated.

  Note that the materials, shapes, number, dimensions, etc. constituting each part of the input device in the above embodiment have been described as examples, and the design can be arbitrarily changed as long as the same function can be realized. is there. The origin position of the operation lever, the predetermined angle of swinging of the operation lever, and the maximum angle can be arbitrarily set.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ...... Operation lever 110 ... Lever main body 111 ... Shaft hole 112a, recessed part 112b, 1st convex part 112c, 2nd convex part 112d, 1st swing arm 112e, 2nd swing arm 112g, 1st 1 pressing part 112h, 2nd pressing part 120 ... operation part 200 ... case 210 ... body 211 ... plate part 212 ... rocking shaft part 220 ... frame 221a / projection 221b / 1st Guide portion 221c, second guide portion 300,... Torsion coil spring (biasing means)
310 ... Coil part 320 ... First support arm 330 ... Second support arm 400 ... Movement detection means 410 ... Movable contact part 413 ... Contact part (first contact part)
414..Contact part (second contact part)
421... Fixed contact portion (first fixed contact portion)
422 ... Fixed contact portion (first fixed contact portion)
423 ... fixed contact part (first fixed contact part)
424 ... fixed contact part (second fixed contact part)
425 ... fixed contact part (second fixed contact part)
426 ... fixed contact part (third fixed contact part)
500... Receiving terminal 600... Flexible printed circuit board α1 first swing direction α2 second swing direction

Claims (13)

Case and
An operation lever capable of swinging or rotating in at least first and second directions facing at least a predetermined origin position;
Movement detecting means for detecting swinging or rotation of the operation lever;
An operational feeling generating means for imparting an operational feeling to the operating lever in response to a swing or rotation of the operating lever in the first and second directions at a predetermined angle or more,
The operation lever has a lever main body accommodated in the case, and an operation portion protruding from the case.
The operation feeling generating means includes first and second convex portions provided on a case facing surface of the lever body or an operation lever facing surface of the case;
And a protrusion disposed between the first and second convex portions in a state where the operation lever is located at the origin position and is provided on the operation lever facing surface of the case or the case facing surface of the lever body. And
The input device, wherein the second and first protrusions slide on the protrusions when the operation lever is swung or rotated in the first and second directions by a predetermined angle or more. . The input device according to claim 1,
The operation feeling generating means further includes a concave portion provided between the first and second convex portions of the case opposing surface of the lever main body or the operation lever opposing surface of the case,
The input device, wherein the protrusion is inserted into the recess in a state where the operation lever is located at an origin position. The input device according to claim 2, wherein
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second convex portions are edges on both sides of the concave portion. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The operation feeling generating means further includes arc-shaped first and second guide portions provided on both sides of the protrusion on the operation lever facing surface of the case or the case facing surface of the lever body,
The input device, wherein the first and second convex portions are movably inserted into the first and second guide portions. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second protrusions have a tapered shape that gradually decreases in a direction in which the cross-sectional shapes approach each other. The input device according to claim 1,
The case includes a body and a frame attached to the body and made of a metal plate,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second protrusions or protrusions are provided on the operation lever facing surface of the frame. The input device according to claim 6, wherein the movement detection unit is capable of detecting a swing or rotation of the operation lever at a first predetermined angle.
The body has a plate portion arranged to face the lever body of the operation lever,
The movement detecting means is provided on a plurality of first fixed contact portions provided on the plate portion of the body and on the surface of the lever body facing the plate portion, and swings according to the swing or rotation of the operation lever. Moving or rotating movable contact portion,
The movable contact portion has a pair of first contact portions that selectively come into contact with the first fixed contact portion according to the swing or rotation of the operation lever at a first predetermined angle. Input device. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the movement detection unit is capable of detecting swinging or rotation of the first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle of the operation lever.
The movement detection means further includes a plurality of second fixed contact portions provided on the plate portion of the body,
The movable contact portion further includes a second contact portion;
When the operation lever is swung or rotated by a second predetermined angle, the first contact portion selectively contacts the first fixed contact portion, and the second contact portion is selected as the second fixed contact portion. An input device characterized by being in contact with each other. The input device according to claim 7,
Further comprising an internal substrate disposed on the plate portion of the body;
The input device, wherein the first fixed contact portion is provided not on the plate portion of the body but on the internal substrate. The input device according to claim 8, wherein
Further comprising an internal substrate disposed on the plate portion of the body;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second fixed contact portions are provided not on the plate portion of the body but on the internal substrate. The input device according to claim 1,
The operation lever can be pressed from the origin position,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the movement detecting means detects a pressing movement of the operation lever. The input device according to claim 11.
The movement detection means includes first and third fixed contact portions provided on a plate portion of the body,
The movable contact portion has first and second contact portions,
When the operation lever is swung by a predetermined angle, the first contact portion selectively contacts the first fixed contact portion,
When the operation lever is pushed down, the first contact portion selectively contacts the first fixed contact portion, and the second contact portion contacts the third fixed contact portion. An input device characterized by that. The input device according to claim 12, wherein
Further comprising an internal substrate disposed on the plate portion of the body;
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and third fixed contact portions are provided not on the plate portion of the body but on the internal substrate.

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