JP2013120745A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable multidirectional input device capable of preventing intrusion of a foreign matter, even when an operation member is formed of synthetic resin.SOLUTION: A multidirectional input device (1) includes a housing (2) having an aperture (211), an operation member (7) capable of tilting operation and having a shaft (71) projecting from the aperture (211), and a flange (72) disposed on the outside of the housing (2) and facing the aperture (211), and detection means for detecting the tilting operation of the operation member (7). The shaft (71) of the operation member (7) is composed of a synthetic resin, and the flange (72) is composed of an elastically deformable elastic material integrated with the shaft (71).

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device, and more particularly, to a multidirectional input device suitable for a direction input operation in a mobile phone device, a game machine controller, or the like.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an operating lever structure in which an operating lever that receives a tilting operation from an operator is integrally provided with a collar, and the outer diameter of the collar is set larger than the opening diameter of the opening of the console box. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to this operation lever structure, since the opening of the console box is covered with the flange, entry of foreign matter from the opening can be suppressed.

JP 2002-285580 A

  When the operation lever structure described above is applied to a multidirectional input device such as a game machine controller, it is conceivable that the operation lever is formed of a synthetic resin. However, when the operation lever and the collar part are formed of a synthetic resin, there is a problem that the collar part is easily damaged by an external impact or the like. When the buttock is damaged, the broken piece may enter the inside of the apparatus as a foreign substance, resulting in a situation where reliability is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a highly reliable multidirectional input device that can prevent foreign matter from entering the device even when the operation member is formed of a synthetic resin. With the goal.

  The multi-directional input device according to the present invention includes a housing having an opening, a shaft protruding from the opening, and a hook-shaped operation member that is disposed outside the housing and faces the opening. And a detecting means for detecting the tilting motion of the operating member, wherein the shaft portion of the operating member is made of a synthetic resin material, and the hook-shaped portion is integrated with the shaft portion. It is composed of an elastically deformable elastic material.

  According to this multidirectional input device, since the hook-shaped portion facing the opening is made of an elastic material that can be elastically deformed, it is possible to prevent a situation in which it is damaged even when an external impact or the like is applied. Therefore, even when the operation member is formed of a synthetic resin, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the apparatus and to provide a highly reliable multidirectional input apparatus.

  In the multidirectional input device, it is preferable that the hook-shaped portion is integrated with the shaft portion by molding different materials. In this case, since the hook-shaped portion is integrated with the shaft portion by molding different materials, it is possible to omit the assembly process for integrating the hook-shaped portion and the shaft portion, and to improve the positional accuracy of both. It becomes.

  In the multidirectional input device, it is preferable that an operation unit integrally formed of the elastic material is disposed on the operation member. In this case, since the operation portion is formed of an elastic material, a non-slip function during operation can be imparted to the operation member, and operability can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device, it is preferable that a holding portion for holding the operation portion is provided integrally with the shaft portion at an upper end portion of the shaft portion. In this case, since the holding portion that holds the operation portion is integrally provided at the upper end portion of the shaft portion, it is possible to make it difficult for the operation portion to be detached from the shaft portion.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device, a hole having a cross-sectional area that increases in the upward direction is formed in the holding part, and the elastic material forming the operation part is filled through the hole. It is preferable. In this case, since the elastic material forming the operation portion is filled through the hole portion whose cross-sectional area increases toward the upper side, the flow of the elastic material is made gentle and uniform when forming the operation portion. You can get closer. For this reason, the elastic material flows vigorously and can be prevented from being rapidly cooled due to the temperature difference from the molding die, and a flow trace (so-called flow mark) of the elastic material is generated in the operation unit. Can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the said multi-directional input device, when the said axial part exists in the neutral position located in the center part of the said opening part, it is preferable that the said hook-shaped part is the state spaced apart from the said housing. In this case, when the shaft portion is in the neutral position, the hook-shaped portion made of an elastic material is separated from the housing, so that the hook-shaped portion affects the operating force when the operation member is tilted from the neutral position. It is possible to reliably prevent the situation of giving

  Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device, a bulge portion in which the opening is formed is provided on the upper surface of the housing, and the hook-shaped portion is formed so as to cover the bulge portion. Is preferred. In this case, since the hook-shaped portion is formed so as to cover the bulging portion where the opening is formed, the inside of the apparatus is compared with the case where the hook-shaped portion is formed only corresponding to the vicinity of the opening. It is possible to more effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the device.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device, a plurality of cover portions that intermittently cover the outer periphery of the shaft portion are provided continuously to the bowl-shaped portion, and the shaft portion is exposed between the plurality of cover portions. It is preferable that a convex part is provided in a part of the hook-shaped part corresponding to the place to be performed, and a concave part into which the convex part is fitted is provided in the shaft part. In this case, since a part of the hook-shaped part corresponding to the position where the shaft part is exposed between the plurality of cover parts can be fitted to the shaft part, the hook-shaped part is not displaced from the outer periphery of the shaft part. Can be prevented. For this reason, the recessed part for engagement with the conveyance arm of an operation member etc. can be formed in the location of the axial part exposed between several cover parts, and it can improve the working efficiency at the time of handling an operation member It becomes.

  According to the present invention, even when the operation member is formed of a synthetic resin, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the apparatus and to provide a highly reliable multidirectional input apparatus.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the state which assembled the multidirectional input device concerning the above-mentioned embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the AA line shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the shaping die which shape | molds the operation member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a perspective view of the operation member of the multidirectional input device concerning the above-mentioned embodiment. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the primary molded component and secondary molded component of the operation member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the operation member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment from upper side. It is a perspective view which shows the operation member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment from the downward side.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the upper side shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as “the upper side of the multidirectional input device 1”, and the lower side shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as “the lower side of the multidirectional input device 1”. And

  As shown in FIG. 1, a multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a coil spring 3 and a spring receiving member 4 that receives the upper end of the coil spring 3 in a generally box-shaped housing 2 and orthogonal to each other. In this state, the first interlocking member 5 and the second interlocking member 6 that are rotatably held in the housing 2, and the first interlocking member 5 extend in the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the tilting operation. And an operation member 7 for rotating the second interlocking member 6, and detection means (first detection means 8 and second detection means 9) for detecting the rotational operations of the first interlocking member 5 and the second interlocking member 6, respectively. It is comprised including.

  The housing 2 includes an upper case 21 in which an opening 211 is formed, a lid member 22 disposed to face the upper case 21, and an intermediate case 23 disposed between the upper case 21 and the lid member 22. . A constant space is formed inside the housing 2 (more specifically, between the upper case 21 and the intermediate case 23), and various components of the multidirectional input device 1 are accommodated in this space. Is done.

  The upper case 21 is formed by molding an insulating resin material, for example, and is generally formed in a rectangular box shape that opens downward. A circular opening 211 is provided at the center of the upper case 21. A bulging portion 212 bulging upward is provided around the opening 211. In addition, a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) engaging grooves 213 a that engage with holding leg pieces 222 of the lid member 22 described later are provided on the outer peripheral wall portion of the upper case 21. A claw portion 213b that protrudes outward is provided at a substantially central portion of the engagement groove 213a. The claw portion 213b is snap-engaged with a snap hole 222a of a holding leg piece 222 to be described later.

  The lid member 22 is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel, for example. The lid member 22 has a bottom surface portion 221 provided in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of (eight in the present embodiment) holding leg pieces extending perpendicularly from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface portion 221 upward. 222 and a shielding piece 223 extending at right angles from two specific adjacent sides of the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface portion 221 toward the upper side. The bottom surface portion 221 has an elastic piece 221a that receives the lower end portion of the coil spring 3 on its upper surface and projects a part thereof downward. Each holding leg piece 222 has a snap hole 222a formed by being cut out in a substantially rectangular shape. These holding leg pieces 222 engage with the engaging grooves 213a of the upper case 21, and the snap holes 222a and the claw portions 213b are snap-coupled, whereby the lid member 22 and the upper case 21 are coupled.

  A bearing member 10 made of an insulating resin material is attached to the center of the upper surface of the lid member 22. The bearing member 10 is provided with a pair of wall portions 10a that protrude upward. The upper surface side of these wall portions 10a is formed in a spherical concave shape. The bearing member 10 is provided with a substantially rectangular recess 10b so as to be orthogonal to the pair of wall portions 10a.

  The intermediate case 23 is configured, for example, by molding an insulating resin material, and is generally provided in a rectangular shape. A rectangular opening 231 is provided at the center of the intermediate case 23. Around the opening 231, a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) through-holes 232 into which the coil spring 3 can be inserted are provided. These through holes 232 are provided corresponding to the four corners of the opening 231 and communicate with the opening 231. On the upper surface of the intermediate case 23, there are provided projecting portions 233 having a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) crash ribs projecting upward. When the intermediate case 23 and the upper case 21 are coupled, the crush rib provided on the outer periphery of the protrusion 233 is pressed into a hole provided in the lower surface of the upper case 21 and is crushed. 21 is press-fitted and fixed. Further, in the vicinity of a pair of adjacent sides in the intermediate case 23, through portions 234a and 234b are provided at positions corresponding to magnets 9a and 8a described later. Further, the intermediate case 23 is provided with an opening 236 at a position corresponding to the IC 12 described later.

  The coil spring 3 is composed of a conductive metal wire such as iron (piano wire), for example. The coil spring 3 is composed of a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of coil springs 3 a to 3 d having substantially the same structure, and is disposed in the through hole 232 of the intermediate case 23. These coils 3 serve to return the first interlocking member 5 and the second interlocking member 6 to the initial positions via the spring receiving member 4.

  The spring receiving member 4 is made of, for example, a non-magnetic metal plate such as phosphor bronze, and has a base portion 41 provided in a generally rectangular shape, and a plurality of (this book) extending from the base portion 41 upward at a substantially right angle. (In the embodiment, four) extending portions 42, a receiving portion 43 extending from the upper end portion of the extending portion 42 toward the outer side at a substantially right angle, and a lower side from the outer end portion of the receiving portion 43. And a side wall portion 44 extending substantially at a right angle. The base 41 is provided in a flat plate shape, and a generally circular opening 41a is provided at the center thereof. The extending portions 42 respectively extend upward from the four corners of the substantially rectangular base portion 41. The receiving portion 43 is provided in a flat plate shape, and has a cylindrical portion 43 a that has a substantially circular shape in plan view and protrudes in a cylindrical shape on the lower side. In addition, the coil springs 3a-3d are each arrange | positioned at the outer peripheral side of each cylindrical part 43a.

  For example, the first interlocking member 5 is formed by molding an insulating resin material. The first interlocking member 5 has a pair of long side wall portions 51 arranged to face each other, and a connecting portion 52 that connects both end portions of these side wall portions 51. Inside the side wall portion 51 and the connecting portion 52, an opening portion 53 formed of a generally rectangular long hole in a plan view is provided. A generally cylindrical shaft portion 54 is provided at the longitudinal center position of the side wall portion 51 so as to connect the pair of side wall portions 51. The connecting portion 52 is provided with generally cylindrical shaft portions 55a and 55b that protrude from the side of the apparatus main body. A magnet receiver 56 is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 55a. The lower surfaces of the side wall 51 and the connecting portion 52 constitute a flat surface, and can be brought into surface contact with the base 41 of the spring receiving member 4 that has received the urging force of the coil spring 3 when the operating member 7 is not operated. Has been.

  The second interlocking member 6 is disposed above the first interlocking member 5 so that the extending direction (rotation axis direction) is orthogonal to the first interlocking member 5. For example, the second interlocking member 6 is formed by molding an insulating resin material. The second interlocking member 6 is curved and formed in an arch shape toward the upper side, and a long hole 61 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the arched portion. Side walls 62 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second interlocking member 6. These side wall portions 62 are provided with generally cylindrical shaft portions 63a and 63b that are provided so as to protrude from the side of the apparatus main body. A magnet receiver 64 is provided at the tip of one shaft portion 63a. In addition, the lower surface of the side wall part 62 comprises the flat surface, and when the operation member 7 is not operated, it is comprised so that surface contact with the base 41 of the spring receiving member 4 which received the urging | biasing force of the coil spring 3 is possible.

  The operation member 7 is formed by integrating a synthetic resin material and a thermoplastic elastic material by molding different materials. Different material molding can also be referred to as two-color molding. In the operation member 7 according to the present embodiment, for example, polycarbonate can be applied as the synthetic resin material, and elastomer can be applied as the elastic material. The operation member 7 includes a shaft portion 71 having a generally cylindrical shape, a hook-shaped portion 72 provided near the center of the shaft portion 71, an operation portion 73 provided at the upper end portion of the shaft portion 72, and the operation portion 73. The holding part 74 to hold | maintain (refer FIG. 3).

  The outer diameter of the shaft portion 71 is set to be smaller than the opening diameter of the opening portion 211 of the upper case 21. On the other hand, the outer diameter of the bowl-shaped portion 72 is set to be larger than the opening diameter of the opening 211 of the upper case 21. In the assembled state of the multidirectional input device 1, the shaft portion 71 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening portion 211 is inserted into the opening portion 211 of the upper case 21, while the hook-shaped portion 72 is open to the outside of the housing 2. It is arranged at a position opposite to 211. The lower end portion of the shaft portion 71 is provided with a concave groove portion 71a having a U-shaped cross section (arc shape) that opens downward. The recessed groove portion 71 a snap-engages with the shaft portion 54 of the first interlocking member 5. The hook-shaped portion 72 has a shape that covers the bulging portion 212 of the upper case 21, and is provided to extend downward in the radial direction. The holding part 74 has an octagonal flat plate shape in plan view. The operation portion 73 is disposed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the holding portion 74 and has a generally disk shape.

  The magnet receiver 56 of the first interlocking member 5 is fixed with a magnet 8 a that constitutes the first detection means 8 that detects the rotational movement of the first interlocking member 5. On the other hand, a GMR element (giant magnetoresistive effect element) 8 b as a magnetic detection element constituting the first detection means 8 is provided on the flexible substrate 11. Similarly, a magnet 9 a constituting the second detection means 9 for detecting the rotational movement of the second linkage member 6 is fixed to the magnet receiver 64 of the second linkage member 6, and the magnetism constituting the second detection means 9. The GMR element 9 b as a detection element is provided on the flexible substrate 11.

  In addition to the GMR elements 8b and 9b, the flexible substrate 11 is provided with an IC 12 that functions as an amplifier and a connection portion 13. The GMR elements 8b and 9b detect the rotation angles of the magnets 8a and 9a, amplify the detection result by the IC 12, and output the detection result to the outside via the connection unit 13. The GMR elements 8b and 9b and the IC 12 are sealed with an insulating resin material.

  Next, the assembled state of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3 shows a state (initial state) in which the operation member 7 has not been tilted and the shaft portion 71 is disposed at a neutral position located at the center of the opening 211 of the upper case 21. Yes. In FIG. 3, the flexible substrate 11 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the multidirectional input device 1 having such a configuration is assembled, the holding leg piece 222 of the lid member 22 is engaged with the engaging groove 213a of the upper case 21, and the claw portion 213b and the snap hole are engaged. The upper case 21 and the lid member 22 are integrated with each other through the intermediate case 23 in a state in which the housing 222 is snap-coupled to the housing 222. The operating member 7 (shaft portion 71) protrudes upward from the opening 211, and can be tilted in a multi-directional manner with a portion above the hook-like portion 72 exposed from the opening 211 of the upper case 21. It is attached to the input device 1. The flexible substrate 11 is accommodated in the housing 2 with the connection portion 13 exposed to the outside.

  The hook-shaped portion 72 has an outer diameter larger than the opening diameter of the opening portion 211 and is disposed so as to face the opening portion 211. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a foreign matter from entering the inside of the apparatus through the opening portion 211. In particular, since the hook-like portion 72 is formed so as to cover the bulging portion 212 formed on the upper surface of the housing 2 (upper case 21), the hook-like portion 72 is formed only in the vicinity of the opening 211. Compared with the case where it does, the penetration | invasion of the foreign material to the inside of an apparatus can be prevented more effectively.

  In the upper case 21, as shown in FIG. 3, the first interlocking member 5 is disposed orthogonally below the second interlocking member 6. The shaft portion 71 of the operating member 7 is disposed in the opening 53 of the first interlocking member 5 in a state of being inserted through the long hole 61 of the second interlocking member 6, and the groove 71 a is engaged with the shaft portion 54. It has become. On the other hand, the base 41 of the spring receiving member 4 is disposed in contact with the flat surfaces of the lower surfaces of the second interlocking member 6 and the first interlocking member 5. The lower end portion of the coil spring 3 is in contact with the bottom surface portion 221 of the lid member 22, and the upper end portion of the coil spring 3 is in contact with the receiving portion 43 of the spring receiving member 4. As a result, the biasing force of the coil spring 3 is applied to the first interlocking member 5 and the second interlocking member 6 via the spring receiving member 4, and the interlocking members 5 and 6 are returned to the initial positions.

  When the shaft portion 71 is in a neutral position located at the center portion of the opening portion 211, the flange portion 72 is separated from the upper surface of the upper case 21 (more specifically, the upper surface of the bulging portion 212). It has become. Thus, when the shaft portion 71 is disposed at the neutral position, the hook-like portion 72 made of an elastic material is separated from the housing as will be described later, so that the operation member 7 is moved from the neutral position. It is possible to reliably prevent the hook-like portion 72 from affecting the operating force when the tilting operation is performed.

  When the tilting operation is accepted by the operating member 7 from the initial state shown in FIG. 3, the first interlocking member 5 and the second interlocking member 6 rotate with the tilting operation of the operating member 7. Here, the magnet 8 a attached to the magnet receiver 56 of the first interlocking member 5 faces the GMR element 8 b on the flexible substrate 11. Similarly, the magnet 9 a attached to the magnet receiver 64 of the second interlocking member 6 faces the GMR element 9 b on the flexible substrate 11. The rotation operation of the first interlocking member 5 accompanying the tilting operation of the operation member 7 is detected by the first detection means 8 composed of the magnet 8a and the GMR element 8b. The rotation operation of the second interlocking member 6 accompanying the tilting operation of the operation member 7 is detected by the second detection means 9 composed of the magnet 9a and the GMR element 9b.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the operation member 7 of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the operation member 7 is configured by integrating the synthetic resin material and the elastic material by different material molding (two-color molding). In the operation member 7 according to the present embodiment, the shaft portion 71 and the holding portion 74 are molded (primary molding) with a synthetic resin material, and the bowl-shaped portion 72 and the operation portion 73 are molded (secondary molding) with an elastic material. The

  Here, a manufacturing method (molding method) of the operation member 7 of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a molding die for molding the operation member 7 of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A shows a primary molding die 14 used for primary molding of the operation member 7, and FIG. 4B shows a secondary molding die 15 used for secondary molding of the operation member 7. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 4 shows a case where each molding die is filled with a molding material (synthetic resin material, elastic material) and a molded part (primary molded part, secondary molded part) is molded. Shall.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the primary molding die 14 includes an upper core 1401 disposed on the upper side of the molded part, a lower core 1402 disposed on the lower side of the molded part, and the upper core 1401 and the lower core. It is comprised from the slide core 1403 arrange | positioned so that a slide between 1402 is possible. The slide core 1403 is divided into left and right parts. The upper core 1401 is provided with a gate 1401a for filling the cavity with a synthetic resin material. Also, a plurality of pins 1401b and 1401c for forming holes or recesses at predetermined positions of the primary molded part are inserted into the upper core 1401. In the present embodiment, a pin 1401b for forming a hole in the primary molded part and a pin 1401c for forming a circular recess in the primary molded part are inserted. In the lower core 1402, a recess 140 is formed at a predetermined position of the primary molded part, and a pin 1402a that contributes to positioning of the primary molded part is inserted.

  The plurality of pins 1401b inserted into the upper core 1401 includes a pin 1401b ′ for forming a hole having an inclination in the primary molded part. This pin 1401b 'is different from the other pin 1401b in that it is provided with a larger diameter than the other pin 1401b and an inclined surface 1401d is formed at a part of its lower end. The inclined surface 1401d is provided so as to be smoothly inclined downward from the inside to the outside of the primary molded part.

  The upper core 1401, the lower core 1402, and the slide core 1403 are combined, and pins 1401b (including 1401b ′) 1401c and 1402a are inserted into the upper core 1401 and the lower core 1402, respectively, and melted through the gate 1401a. The primary molded part is molded by filling the resin material. In this case, the shaft portion 71 and the holding portion 74 constituting the operation member 7 are molded as primary molded parts. In the primary molded part, a hole 742a ′ whose cross-sectional area increases toward the upper side is formed at a position corresponding to the inclined surface 1401d of the pin 1401b ′ (see FIG. 6).

  Then, after the synthetic resin material is solidified after a certain period of time, the primary molded part can be taken out by releasing the connection of the upper core 1401, the lower core 1402, and the slide core 1403. In this case, the remaining gate is formed in the primary molded part at the connection position with the gate 1401a. That is, in this embodiment, the gate residue is formed on the upper surface portion of the primary molded part.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, the secondary molding die 15 includes an upper core 1501 disposed on the upper side of the molded part, a lower core 1502 disposed on the lower side of the molded part, and the upper core 1501. And slide cores 1503 and 1504 that are slidably disposed between the lower cores 1502. Note that each of the slide cores 1503 and 1504 is divided into two on the left and right. The upper slide core 1503 is provided with a gate 1503a for filling the cavity with a molding material (elastic material). The gate 1503a is connected to a position on the lower side of the portion constituting the holding portion 74 in the primary molded part. The lower core 1502 is inserted with a pin 1502a that corresponds to a recess provided at a predetermined position of the primary molded part and contributes to positioning of the primary molded part. The lower core 1502 and the pin 1502a are shared with the lower core 1402 and the pin 1402a of the primary molding die 14.

  The upper core 1501, the lower core 1502, and the slide cores 1503 and 1504 are coupled, and a pin 1502a is inserted into the lower core 1502, and a molten elastic material (for example, thermoplastic elastomer) is filled through the gate 1503a. Thus, the secondary molded part is molded integrally with the primary molded part. In this case, the bowl-shaped part 72 and the operation part 73 which comprise the operation member 7 are shape | molded as a secondary molded part. Note that the elastic material filled through the gate 1503a is guided upward through a hole 742a ′ formed by the pin 1401b ′.

  Then, after the elastic material is solidified after a certain period of time, the secondary molded part can be taken out by releasing the coupling of the upper core 1501, the lower core 1502, and the slide cores 1503 and 1504. In this case, the gate residue is formed in the secondary molded part at the connection position with the gate 1503a. That is, in the present embodiment, the gate residue is formed at a position below the portion constituting the holding portion 74 in the primary molded part. Since the gate residue is formed at a position below the portion constituting the holding portion 74, the gate residue can be disposed at a position where it cannot be seen by the operator, and post-processing such as cutting on the gate residue can be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the operation member 7 of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a primary molded part and a secondary molded part of the operation member 7 of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a state where the primary molded part and the secondary molded part of the operation member 7 are separated for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the primary molded part of the operation member 7, a holding portion 74 is integrally provided at the upper end portion of the shaft portion 71. The holding portion 74 is provided with a circular recess 741. A support wall portion 742 that supports the lower surface of the operation portion 73 is provided inside the recess 741. The support wall portion 742 constitutes the bottom surface portion of the recess 741. In the vicinity of the outer edge of the support wall portion 742, a plurality of hole portions 742a are formed. In addition, an annular recess 742 b is formed in the center of the support wall portion 742. These holes 742a and recesses 742b are formed by pins 1401b and 1401c inserted into the upper core 1401 shown in FIG. 4A.

  The hole 742a formed in the support wall 742 includes the hole 742a ′ formed by the pin 1401b ′ described above. The hole 742a 'has a shape in which the cross-sectional area increases as it goes upward. As described above, when secondary molding is performed, an elastic material (particularly, an elastic material forming the operation unit 73) is filled through the hole 742a '. In addition, the flow of the elastic material can be made gentle and uniform. For this reason, the elastic material can flow vigorously and can be prevented from being rapidly cooled due to a temperature difference from the molding die, and a flow trace (so-called flow mark) of the elastic material is generated in the operation unit 73. It becomes possible to suppress the situation.

  On the other hand, in the secondary molded part of the operation member 7, an operation unit 73 is integrally provided on the upper side of the bowl-shaped unit 72. Between the bowl-shaped portion 72 and the operation portion 73, a cover portion 75 that covers the outer periphery of the shaft portion 71, a pedestal portion 76 that extends laterally from the upper end portion of the cover portion 75, a pedestal portion 76, and an operation portion 73 is provided. The connecting portion 77 is provided at a position corresponding to the hole portion 742a (including the hole portion 742a ′) formed in the support wall portion 742 described above.

  The primary molded part and the secondary molded part as described above are integrated to form the operation member 7 shown in FIG. In the operation member 7, as shown in FIG. 5, a hook-like portion 72 and a cover portion 75 that are formed of an elastic material are disposed near the center of a shaft portion 71 that is formed of a synthetic resin material. Further, a holding part 74 formed of a synthetic resin material is disposed above the cover part 75. Further, an operation portion 73 formed of an elastic material is disposed in the recess 741 formed in the holding portion 74.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the hook-like portion 72 facing the opening 211 of the housing 2 is made of an elastic material that can be elastically deformed. Even when the operation member 7 is added, it can be prevented from being damaged. Therefore, even when the operation member 7 is formed of a synthetic resin, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the device, and a highly reliable multidirectional input device is provided. It becomes possible.

  In particular, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the hook-like portion 72 and the shaft portion 71 are integrated with the shaft portion 71 by molding the different materials in the operation member 7. Can be omitted, and the positional accuracy of the two can be improved.

  Further, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation portion 73 integrally formed of an elastic material is arranged on the upper portion of the operation member 7, so that the anti-slip function when operating is operated. It can be given to the member 7 and the operability can be improved. Further, since the holding portion 74 that holds the operation portion 73 is integrally provided at the upper end portion of the shaft portion 71, the operation portion 73 can be made difficult to separate from the shaft portion 71.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement by changing suitably. In the above-described embodiment, the size, shape, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed within a range in which the effect of the present invention is exhibited. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention.

  For example, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the operation member 7 can be changed in order to improve work efficiency when the operation member 7 is handled. In the operation member 7 according to the above-described embodiment, the case where the cover portion 75 that covers the entire outer periphery of the shaft portion 71 is formed on the upper side of the bowl-shaped portion 72 at the time of secondary molding has been described. And the structure of the cover part 75 is not limited to this, It can change suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cover portion 75 is composed of a plurality (here, two) of cover portions 75 a and 75 b that intermittently cover the outer periphery of the shaft portion 71 on the upper side of the bowl-shaped portion 72. A pair of recesses 71b and 71c may be formed at a portion where the shaft portion 71 is exposed between the cover portions 75a and 75b (hereinafter referred to as “shaft portion exposed portion”) (in FIG. 7, the recess 71c is not shown). A pair of recessed parts 71b and 71c are used for engagement with the conveyance arm for conveying the operation member 7 after shaping | molding, for example. In this way, when the shaft portion 71 and the cover portions 75a and 75b are configured, the operation member 7 can be easily conveyed by the conveyance arm, so that it is possible to improve work efficiency when handling the operation member 7.

  When the shaft portion 71 is intermittently covered with the plurality of cover portions 75a and 75b as described above, the cover portion 75 (75a and 75b) exists in a part of the hook-like portion 72 corresponding to the exposed portion of the shaft portion. It becomes easier to move upward compared to the location. For this reason, when the operation member 7 that is a molded part is taken out from the molding die, a part of the hook-like portion 72 corresponding to the exposed portion of the shaft portion may be displaced from the outer periphery of the shaft portion 71.

  In order to cope with such a situation, it is preferable as an embodiment to fit a part of the hook-like portion 72 corresponding to the exposed portion of the shaft portion with the shaft portion 71. In the operation member 7 according to the modification of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a convex portion 72 a is provided on a part of the hook-like portion 72 corresponding to the exposed portion of the shaft portion, while the corresponding shaft portion 71 is provided. A recess 71d is provided in a part. For this reason, since the convex part 72a of the hook-shaped part 72 can be fitted to the concave part 71d of the shaft part 71 at the time of secondary molding, a part of the hook-shaped part 72 corresponding to the exposed part of the shaft part is part of the shaft part 71. The situation where it deviates from the perimeter can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to improve work efficiency when handling the operation member 7 while preventing a problem that a part of the hook-like portion 72 is displaced from the outer periphery of the shaft portion 71.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detection means for detecting the tilting operation of the operation member 7 is described as configured by the magnets 8a and 9a and the GMR elements 8b and 9b provided on the interlocking members 5 and 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detecting member may be configured by providing a slider on the interlocking members 5 and 6 and a variable resistor in which the slider slides on a resistor pattern formed on the substrate. Further, it is possible to detect the tilting operation of the operation member 7 without using the interlocking members 5 and 6. In this case, for example, a magnet is provided on the lower side of the operation member 7, and a magnetic sensor is fixedly disposed so as to face the magnet, and the relative movement of the magnet with respect to the magnetic sensor is detected by the magnetic sensor. What is necessary is just to comprise.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multidirectional input device 2 Housing 21 Upper case 211 Opening part 212 Expanding part 22 Lid member 221 Bottom face part 23 Intermediate case 231 Opening part 232 Through-hole 3 (3a-3d) Coil spring 4 Spring receiving member 41 Base part 41a Opening part 42 Extension part 43 Receiving part 43a Tubular part 44 Side wall part 5 First interlocking member 51 Side wall part 52 Connecting part 53 Opening part 54 Shaft part 55a, 55b Shaft part 56 Magnet receiver 6 Second interlocking member 61 Long hole 62 Side wall part 63a , 63b Shaft portion 64 Magnet receiver 7 Operation member 71 Shaft portion 71d Concavity 72 Gutter-like portion 72a Convex portion 73 Operation portion 74 Holding portion 741 Concavity 742 Support wall portion 742a, 742a ′ Hole portion 742b Concavity 75, 75a, 75b Cover portion 76 Pedestal part 77 Connecting part 8 First detection means 8a Magnet 8b GMR element 9 Second detection means 9a Magnet 9b GMR element 10 Bearing member 11 Flexible substrate 12 IC
13 Connecting part 14 Primary molding die 1401 Upper core 1402 Lower core 1403 Slide core 15 Secondary molding die 1501 Upper core 1502 Lower core 1503, 1504 Slide core

Claims (8)

  A tiltable operation member having a housing having an opening, a shaft projecting from the opening, and a hook-shaped portion disposed outside the housing and facing the opening, and the tilting operation of the operation member In the multidirectional input device including a detecting means for detecting, the shaft portion of the operation member is made of a synthetic resin material, and the hook-shaped portion is an elastically deformable elastic material integrated with the shaft portion. A multi-directional input device comprising:   The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the hook-shaped portion is integrated with the shaft portion by molding different materials.   The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein an operation unit integrally formed of the elastic material is disposed on the operation member.   The multidirectional input device according to claim 3, wherein a holding portion that holds the operation portion is provided integrally with the shaft portion at an upper end portion of the shaft portion.   The holding portion is formed with a hole having a cross-sectional area that increases in the upward direction, and the elastic material forming the operation portion is filled through the hole. 4. The multidirectional input device according to 4.   The said hook part is in the state spaced apart from the said housing when the said axial part exists in the neutral position located in the center part of the said opening part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The multidirectional input device described.   The bulge part in which the said opening part was formed is provided in the upper surface of the said housing, and the said hook-shaped part is formed so that the said bulge part may be covered. Item 7. The multidirectional input device according to any one of Items 6 to 7.   A plurality of covering portions that intermittently cover the outer periphery of the shaft portion are provided continuously to the hook-shaped portion, and the hook-shaped portion corresponding to a portion where the shaft portion is exposed between the plurality of covering portions. 8. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein a convex portion is provided in part, and a concave portion into which the convex portion is fitted is provided in the shaft portion. 9.

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