JP2015210995A - Multidirectional input device and information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a structure and management man-hours and to make sure an input operation and the like, in a multidirectional input device.SOLUTION: A multidirectional input device comprises: an operation lever 30 that is operably supported by a housing H and acts to input according to a multidirectional operation; a plurality of detectors that detects the input action according to the multidirectional operation of the operation lever; and a mounting substrate 50. The mounting substrate 50 has a through-hole 51 which is surrounded by the housing and in which the operation lever is inserted. The plurality of detectors include upper detectors 70 and 80 provided on an upper lateral face 52 of the mounting substrate, and a lower detector 90 provided on a lower lateral face 53. The operation lever 30 includes upper acting parts 38 and 43 that act on the upper detector to input in a state inserted into the through-hole of the mounting substrate, and a lower acting part 39 that acts on the lower detector to input. Due to this configuration, simplification of structure and management man-hours can be achieved, and an input operation can be made sure and facilitated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device having an operation lever that exerts various input actions by multidirectional operations such as tilting operation, pushing operation, and rotating operation, and various information (image information, character information, etc.) using the same. Is related to the information processing apparatus.

  Conventional multi-directional input devices include a case (top cover, upper case, lower case), an operating rod (operating lever) that is inserted into the through hole of the top cover and supported so that it can be tilted, rotated, and pushed. An actuating body that is arranged in the case and connected to move integrally with the operating rod, and is provided on the intermediate wall portion of the upper case, and a plurality of input operations are performed via the actuating body by tilting operation of the operating rod A tilt detection unit (tactile switch), a rotor disposed between the upper case and the lower case so as to rotate integrally with the operation rod and having a sliding contact portion (main sliding contact portion, sub sliding contact portion), A push detection unit (tactile switch) that is provided on the bottom wall of the lower case and performs an input operation by pushing the operation rod, and is provided on the bottom wall of the lower case. Input operation combined operation switch with rotation detector having a contact (encoder switch) that is known performed by rotational operation of both operating rod (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

  However, in this multidirectional input device, a plurality of switches (tactile switches) constituting the tilt detection unit are arranged in a planar shape on the intermediate wall portion of the upper case, so the outer diameter of the case becomes large, In addition, a plurality of switches constituting the tilt detection unit are provided in the upper case (intermediate wall portion thereof), a switch constituting the indentation detection unit is provided in the lower case, and a switch constituting the rotation detection unit (sliding contact portion, Contact) is provided on the rotor and the lower case, that is, it is mounted over a plurality of parts, so it is necessary to perform switch quality control (conductivity inspection, etc.) for each part. This is cumbersome and increases the number of man-hours for quality management. As a result, there is a risk of increasing manufacturing costs and management costs.

  Other multi-directional input devices include a case (metal cover, case part), an operation shaft (operation lever) that is inserted into a through-hole of the metal cover and supported so that it can be tilted, rotated, and pushed. A plurality of horizontal push switches (tactiles) that are arranged and connected to the operation shaft so as to move integrally with the operation shaft, and that are provided on the inner wall of the case and that are input via the drive body by tilting the operation shaft Switch), fitted to the cylindrical holding part of the case so as to rotate integrally with the operation shaft, and fitted to a rotating body having a slider, and a mounting part formed on the outside of the bottom wall of the case A contact-type switch (tactile switch) that is provided on the contact board and that is input by an operation of pushing the operating shaft, and is provided on the contact board and is operated by rotating the operating shaft. That the input operation by the slider cooperating with the rotating body with a rotating fixed contact (encoder switches) to be performed is known (e.g., see Patent Document 2).

  However, also in this multi-directional input device, the horizontal push switch (tactile switch) is provided on the inner wall of the case, the push switch is provided on the contact board fitted into the bottom wall of the case, and the encoder switch is connected to the contact board and the rotation board. Since it is provided on the body, that is, it is mounted over multiple parts, it is necessary to perform switch quality control (continuity test etc.) for each part, handling is complicated, and quality control The number of man-hours increases, and as a result, there is a risk of increasing manufacturing costs and management costs.

  Furthermore, in a multi-directional input device equipped with an operation lever (operation rod, operation shaft) as described above, each operation is smoothly performed when the operation lever is grabbed and tilted, rotated, or pushed. It is necessary to operate only the switch related to the operation of the operation lever without causing the switch related to the operation in the other direction to malfunction, and there is a variation in the part dimensions, the assembly accuracy, etc. However, it is necessary to ensure that the desired switch operation is performed.

Patent No. 4439478 JP 2008-262720 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to simplify the structure, reduce the number of parts, reduce the size, reduce the width, reduce the cost, reduce the number of management steps, Precise input control (switch operation) can be performed according to the operation of the operation lever (for example, tilting operation, push-in operation, rotation operation, etc.) while simplifying quality control (continuity inspection, etc.) , A multi-directional input device capable of smoothly and reliably operating the operation lever, and an information processing device using the same (for example, information processing (image information, character information, etc.) of medical equipment including an echo examination device) It is to provide.

The multi-directional input device of the present invention detects a housing, an operation lever that is operably supported by the housing and exerts an input action corresponding to the operation in the multi-direction, and an input action corresponding to the operation of the operation lever in the multi-direction. A multi-directional input device comprising a plurality of detection units and a mounting substrate that electrically connects the plurality of detection units, wherein the mounting substrate is surrounded by a housing and through which an operation lever is inserted. The plurality of detection units include an upper detection unit provided on the upper side surface of the mounting substrate and a lower detection unit provided on the lower side surface of the mounting substrate, and the operation lever penetrates the mounting substrate. It includes an upper action part that exerts an input action on the upper detection part and a lower action part that exerts an input action on the lower detection part in a state of being inserted through the hole.
According to this configuration, when the operation lever in the neutral position is operated in multiple directions (for example, tilting operation, pushing operation, and rotation operation), the upper action portion of the operation lever is mounted on the mounting board in accordance with each operation. An input action is exerted on the upper detection part provided on the side surface, and the lower action part of the operation lever exerts an input action on the lower detection part provided on the lower side surface of the mounting substrate, so that a plurality of operations based on multi-directional operations are performed. Input operation can be performed.
Here, since a plurality of detection units are provided (mounted) on one mounting substrate (upper side surface and lower side surface), a plurality of detection units are provided with a plurality of components (upper case and lower side) as in the past. Case, inner wall of case, contact board, etc.) (simple structure, reduced number of parts, smaller size, narrower width, lower cost, reduced man-hours for management) Simplification of quality control (continuity inspection, etc.) can be achieved.

In the above configuration, the housing includes an upper housing having an opening for projecting the grip portion of the operation lever upward, and a lower housing coupled to face the upper housing, and the mounting board includes the upper housing and the lower housing. The structure formed so that it may be pinched | interposed and assembled | attached to can be employ | adopted.
According to this configuration, a mounting board, an operation lever, an upper housing, and a lower housing on which a plurality of detection units are mounted in advance are prepared. For example, the operation lever (the shaft portion) is inserted into the through hole of the mounting board. In this state, place the lower housing on the lower side of the mounting board, place the upper housing on the upper side of the mounting board so that the gripping part of the operating lever protrudes from the opening, and sandwich the mounting board in the vertical direction. Thus, the apparatus can be assembled easily by connecting and fixing the lower housing and the upper housing.

In the above configuration, the operation lever is supported by the housing so as to exert an input action corresponding to the tilting operation, the pushing operation, and the rotating operation, and the upper acting portion includes the pushing action portion that exerts the input action by the pushing operation, and the rotating operation. The lower action part includes a tilting action part that exerts an input action by a tilting operation, and the upper detection part includes a push detection switch that detects an input action by the push action part, and a rotation. It is possible to employ a configuration including a rotation detection switch that detects an input action by the action part, and the lower detection part includes a tilt detection switch that detects an input action by the tilt action part.
According to this configuration, when the operating lever is tilted, the operating portion of the operating lever exerts an input action on the tilt detecting switch provided on the lower surface of the mounting board, and when the operating lever is pressed, the operating lever is pressed. The input part acts on the push-in detection switch provided on the upper surface of the mounting board, and the rotation action part of the operation lever causes the input action to the rotation detection switch provided on the upper side of the mounting board. Thus, a plurality of input operations based on multi-directional operations can be performed.

In the above-described configuration, the tilt detection switch includes a plurality of tactile switches arranged around the tilting action portion, and the tilting action portion is rotatable relative to the shaft portion of the operation lever and a plurality of tactile switches. A configuration including a pressing portion that is held in contact with the plunger and exerts a pressing force in accordance with the tilting operation can be employed.
According to this configuration, in a state where the operation lever is in the neutral position, the pressing portion provided rotatably on the shaft portion as the tilting action portion is in contact with the plungers of the plurality of tactile switches, and in this state When the operation lever is tilted, the pressing portion presses the plunger of the tactile switch corresponding to the tilting operation and exerts an input action. On the other hand, when the operation lever is rotated, the pressing portion is connected to a plurality of tactile switches. Since only the shaft portion rotates while being in contact with the plunger and stopped, the operation lever can be easily rotated.
Therefore, even if there are variations in component dimensions, assembly accuracy, etc., it is possible to reliably perform only the input operation related to the rotation operation of the operation lever without affecting the plurality of tactile switches.

In the above configuration, the pressing portion may be formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material and may be configured to be rotatably fitted in the shaft portion of the operation lever.
According to this configuration, the pressing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material (for example, plastic) and is configured to be rotatably fitted in the shaft portion of the operation lever. Only the shaft portion of the operation lever can be smoothly rotated in a state where the portion stops in contact with the plunger of the tactile switch.

In the above configuration, the tilt detection switch includes four tactile switches arranged so as to face each other in the cross direction around the tilt action portion, and the housing has a shaft portion positioned below the tilt action portion of the operation lever. A configuration having a cross guide groove that is movably guided in the direction can be adopted.
According to this configuration, when the operating lever is tilted, the shaft portion located below the operating lever is guided by the cross guide groove of the housing, so that the tilt of the operating lever in a direction other than the cross direction is restricted. Thus, it is possible to reliably exert an input action on each of the four tactile switches arranged so as to face each other in the cross direction.

In the above configuration, the upper housing has a concave guide wall that delimits the opening and guides the operation lever in a tiltable manner, and the operation lever is a convex guide that is tiltably guided in contact with the concave guide wall. Adopting a configuration in which a click mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the concave guide wall portion and the convex guide wall portion to provide a click feeling when the operation lever is rotated. Can do.
According to this configuration, the operation lever is guided while the convex guided wall portion is in contact with the concave guide wall portion of the upper housing, so that the tilting operation can be easily and highly accurately performed. When the operation lever is rotated, the click operation exerted by the click mechanism can surely perform the rotation operation in predetermined angular increments.

In the above configuration, the rotation detecting switch is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting board, including an annular rotating member coupled to the operating lever so as to rotate integrally with the operating lever while allowing the tilting operation and pushing operation of the operating lever. In addition, it is possible to adopt a configuration that includes at least two optical sensors, and the rotation action unit includes a plurality of action pieces provided on the annular rotation member so as to advance and retreat with respect to the optical path of the optical sensor.
According to this configuration, when the operation lever is rotated, the annular rotating member rotates integrally, and the plurality of action pieces intermittently repeat operations such as blocking and opening the optical path with respect to the two optical sensors. The rotation direction and rotation amount (rotation angle) of the operation lever are detected based on the number of times and the timing of the signals obtained from the two optical sensors, and the input operation based on the detection result can be performed.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the multi-directional input devices configured as described above and an information processing unit that processes various types of information based on an input action according to an operation of an operation lever included in the multi-directional input device. It is characterized by having.
According to this configuration, various information operations (image information, character information, etc.) can be operated and processed by the information processing unit by applying various input actions by operating the operation lever in multiple directions.
For example, when the information processing apparatus is an echo inspection apparatus or the like of a medical device, by appropriately operating the operation lever, for example, by selecting a menu displayed on the screen by a tilting operation, moving a cursor, or rotating a photographed image The selection items on the screen can be determined by enlarging, reducing, and pushing operations, and various information operation processes can be performed based on these operations.

  According to the multi-directional input device having the above configuration, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the size is reduced, the width is reduced, the cost is reduced, the number of management steps is reduced, and the quality control (continuity inspection, etc.) is simplified. It is possible to perform a predetermined input action (switching operation) according to the operation of the operation lever (for example, tilting operation, pushing operation, rotation operation, etc.), and the operation lever can be operated smoothly and reliably. In addition, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus using a multidirectional input device (for example, operating and processing information (image information, character information, etc.) such as medical equipment including an echo examination apparatus).

1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing in E1-E1 of the multidirectional input device shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing in E2-E2 of the multidirectional input device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the operation lever is tilted in one direction in the multidirectional input device illustrated in FIG. 4. It is the top view which looked at the upper housing (which comprises a housing) contained in the multidirectional input device concerning the present invention from the inside. It is a perspective view which shows the lower housing (composing the housing) included in the multidirectional input device according to the present invention. It is a top view which shows the inclining direction (cross direction) of the lower housing (which comprises a housing) and the operation lever which are contained in the multi-directional input device which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the mounting board (it mounted | wore with the some detection part) contained in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the lower surface of the mounting board | substrate (mounted with the some detection part) contained in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the several lower side detection part (tilt detection switch) contained in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this invention. It is a top view which shows other embodiment of the lower housing (it comprises a housing) contained in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment includes a housing H (upper housing 10, lower housing 20), an operating lever 30 operably supported by the housing H, and an operating lever 30. An annular rotary member 40 connected to rotate integrally with the housing H, a mounting board 50 assembled so as to be surrounded by the housing H, and a click mechanism 60 (coil spring 61; Sphere 62), push-in detection switch 70 (fixed contacts 71, 72, dome-shaped reversing spring 73, positioning member 74) as a movable contact, and rotation detection switch (on the upper surface of the mounting substrate 50) Encoder switch, two optical sensors) 80, and a plurality of lower detection units (here, mounted on the lower surface of the mounting substrate 50) , And a tilt detection switch (tactile switch) 90 or the like of the four).

  The upper housing 10 is molded using a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, an opening 11 that allows the (gripping portion 32) of the operation lever 30 to protrude upward and to be tilted is inserted. A cylindrical portion 12 that protrudes outward (upward) so as to surround the portion 11, a diameter-expanded cylindrical portion 13 that is formed with a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 12, and the cylindrical portion 12 and the diameter-expanded cylindrical portion 13 are connected to each other. The flange portion 14, the three through holes 15 formed in the flange portion 14 through which the fastening screw B is passed, and the concave shape formed on the inner side so as to guide the operation lever 30 (the convex guided wall portion 34 thereof) tiltably. The outer periphery of the guide wall 16, the recess row 17 including a plurality of recesses 17 a arranged at equal intervals around the axis S in the vicinity of the concave guide wall portion 16, and the outer periphery of the recess row 17 to rotatably support the annular rotating member 40. Circle formed on the wall Part 18, and a bonding surface 19 or the like to be joined to the lower housing 20 sandwiches the mounting board 50 (joining surface 26) of.

4 and 5, the opening 11 has a predetermined inner diameter that allows the operation lever 30 to be inserted in a non-contact manner when the operation lever 30 is located at the neutral position (position on the axis S in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 6, when the operation lever 30 is tilted, a part of the control lever 30 is brought into contact with the control lever 30 to define a tilt range (tilt angle). ing.
As shown in FIG. 6, the concave guide wall portion 16 is formed in a hemispherical shape having a predetermined radius of curvature with the center point C located on the operation lever 30 as the center.
As shown in FIG. 7, the recess row 17 is formed by arranging a plurality of recesses 17 a around the axis S, and each recess 17 a has a predetermined amount of a sphere 62 included in the click mechanism 60. It is formed as a concave curved surface having a depth of penetration.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cylindrical portion 18 is formed to support the annular rotating member 40 so as to be rotatable around the axis S.

The lower housing 20 is molded using a resin material, and accommodates a plurality of tilt detection switches 90 mounted on the lower surface of the mounting board 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, 8 and 9. A bottomed cylindrical portion that is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upward so as to define a space to be formed, has a substantially equivalent contour to the enlarged diameter cylindrical portion 13 of the upper housing 10, and a bottom wall portion continuous to the cylindrical portion 21 22, a substantially rectangular protruding wall portion 23 that protrudes outward from the cylindrical portion 21, a cross guide groove 24 that is formed in the central region of the bottom wall portion 22, and an upper side that is formed adjacent to the inner side of the cylindrical portion 21. Three screw holes 25 into which screws B passed through the through holes 15 of the housing 10 are screwed, a joint surface 26 to be joined to the upper housing 10 (joint surface 19 thereof) with the mounting substrate 50 interposed therebetween, and the like are provided.
As shown in FIG. 9, the cross guide groove 24 has a shaft portion of the operation lever 30 with respect to four tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90 arranged to face each other in the cross direction (X direction and Y direction). 31 (the tip shaft portion 31d) is movably guided in the cross direction (X direction and Y direction).
Accordingly, the pressing portion 39 as the tilting action portion of the operation lever 30 is surely directed and moved toward the four tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90, so that the input action by the tilting operation is surely performed. be able to.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the operation lever 30 is continuous with the shaft portion 31 extending in the direction of the axis S in the neutral position, the grip portion 32 coupled to the upper portion of the shaft portion 31, and the lower side of the grip portion 32. A neck portion 33 that can be in contact with the inner edge of the opening 11 of the upper housing 10, and is formed continuously from the lower side of the neck portion 33 so as to be tiltable in contact with the concave guide wall portion 16 of the upper housing 10. The convex guided wall portion 34 to be guided and the annular rotary member 40 (the connecting piece 42 thereof) formed as a part of the convex guided wall portion 34 as a rotational action portion (upper action portion) are connected. Formed in a part of the two connecting recesses 35 and the convex guided wall 34, the receiving recess 36 for receiving the click mechanism 60 (coil spring 61 and sphere 62), and formed below the convex guided wall 34. A hemisphere convex downward The pressing member 38 that is formed as a separate member so as to be detachably contacted with the portion 37 and the hemispherical surface portion 37 and that has an annular shape as a pushing action portion (upper action portion) passed through the shaft portion 31 (medium diameter shaft portion 31b). The pressing portion 39 as a tilting action portion (lower action portion) that is rotatably fitted in a region (small diameter shaft portion 31c) of the shaft portion 31 that extends through the through hole 51 of the mounting substrate 50 and extends downward. Etc.

  The shaft portion 31 is made of a metal material. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the large-diameter shaft portion 31a and the large-diameter shaft portion embedded in the grip portion 32 and the convex guided wall portion 34 are formed. A medium diameter which is formed continuously with 31a and partially embedded in the hemispherical surface portion 37 and extends downward through the through hole 73a of the reversing spring 73 of the push-in detection switch 70 and the through hole 51 of the mounting substrate 50. The cross guide groove 24 of the lower housing 20 is formed continuously with the small diameter shaft portion 31c and the small diameter shaft portion 31c, which is formed continuously with the shaft portion 31b and the medium diameter shaft portion 31b, and the pressing portion 39 is rotatably fitted. It is formed by the front-end | tip shaft part 31d inserted in.

The grip portion 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape using a resin material, and an operator grips it with a finger to perform a tilting operation, a pushing operation, a rotating operation, and the like. A part of the outer peripheral surface is cut into a flat shape. The angle position in the rotation direction can be confirmed.
The convex guided wall portion 34 is formed integrally with the grip portion 32 and the neck portion 33 using a resin material, and as shown in FIG. 6, a predetermined centered on a center point C located on the operation lever 30. It is formed in a hemispherical shape having a radius of curvature, and is guided in a tiltable manner in contact with the concave guide wall 16 of the upper housing 10.
The connecting recess 35 can tilt and push the operating lever 30 independently of the annular rotating member 40, while the annular rotating member 40 so as to rotate the annular rotating member 40 around the axis S integrally. The coupling pieces 42 are engaged (coupled), that is, are opposed to each other in the rotation direction and engage with the coupling pieces 42 and define an inner wall surface that allows the movement of the coupling pieces 42 in the tilting direction. ing.

The hemispherical surface portion 37 is formed integrally with the grip portion 32, the neck portion 33, and the convex guided wall portion 34 using a resin material, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, around the medium diameter shaft portion 31b, A convex hemispherical surface 37a that slidably contacts the concave hemispherical surface 38a of the pressing member 38 is provided.
The pressing member 38 is formed in a ring shape as a separate body using a resin material or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a concave hemispherical portion that slidably contacts the convex hemispherical surface 37 a of the hemispherical surface portion 37. 38a, a through hole 38b through which the medium-diameter shaft portion 31b is inserted in a non-contact manner, and a contact surface 38c that contacts the reversing spring 73 of the push-in detection switch 70.
Thus, by providing the pressing member 38 formed separately from the hemispherical portion 37, during the pressing operation of pressing the operation lever 30 in the axis S direction, via the hemispherical portion 37 → the pressing member 38, A pressing force is applied to the reversing spring 73 of the pressing detection switch 70 to cause an input action. On the other hand, during the tilting operation for tilting the operating lever 30, the hemispherical surface portion 37 is in a state where the pressing member 38 is stationary. Since it moves (tilts) relatively smoothly with respect to the pressing member 38, a bending force or the like accompanying the tilting does not occur, and a malfunction in which the reversing spring 73 is pushed can be prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the pressing portion 39 is formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material, and is rotatably fitted to the shaft portion 31 (the small-diameter shaft portion 31 c) of the operation lever 30. The C-shaped ring R is regulated so as not to fall off.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 11, the pressing portion 39 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the shaft portion 31 (the small-diameter shaft portion 31 c) of the operation lever 30. It is held in contact with the plunger 93 (see FIG. 12) of the detection switch (tactile switch) 90 and functions as a tilting action unit that exerts a pressing force in accordance with the tilting operation.
According to this, when the operation lever 30 is tilted in a state where the operation lever 30 is in the neutral position (on the axis S shown in FIG. 1), the pressing portion 39 corresponds to the tilt detection switch (tactile) corresponding to the tilt operation. On the other hand, when the operation lever 30 is rotated, the pressing portion 39 comes into contact with the plungers 93 of the plurality of tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90 and stops. Since only the shaft portion 31 (the small-diameter shaft portion 31c) rotates in this state, the operation lever 30 can be easily rotated.

Therefore, even if there is a variation in component dimensions, assembly accuracy, etc., only the input operation related to the rotation operation of the operation lever 30 is reliably performed without affecting the plurality of tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90. Can do.
Further, since the pressing portion 39 is formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material (for example, plastic), the pressing portion 39 is rotatably fitted to the shaft portion 31 (the small-diameter shaft portion 31c) of the operation lever 30. The pressing portion 39 is in contact with the plunger 93 of the tilt detection switch (tactile switch) 90 and is maintained in a stopped state, and only the shaft portion 31 (the small-diameter shaft portion 31c) of the operation lever 30 is smooth. Can be rotated.

The annular rotating member 40 is molded using a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the annular rotating member 40 includes a cylindrical portion 41 and a cylindrical portion 41 that are rotatably fitted around the cylindrical portion 18 of the upper housing 10. Two connecting pieces 42 that extend inward and bend in a substantially L-shape and are connected to the connecting recess 35 of the operating lever 30, extend downward from the outside of the cylindrical portion 41, and have a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction And a plurality of action pieces 43 and the like as rotation action parts formed at a distance.
The two connecting pieces 42 are formed in a substantially T-shape, and the upper expanded portion abuts against the wall surface (opposing in the rotation direction) of the connecting recess 35 to slide and pivot, and the lower side narrows. This portion is formed so as not to contact the inner wall surface of the connecting recess 35.
As a result, the operation lever 30 can be tilted independently of the annular rotating member 40 in the cross direction (see FIG. 9), and can be pushed independently of the annular member 40 in the axis S direction. Further, it can be rotated integrally with the annular rotating member 40 around the axis S.
The plurality of action pieces 43 exert an input action due to the rotation operation of the operation lever 30 by moving forward and backward with respect to the optical path of the rotation detection switch (two optical sensors) 80.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, 10, and 11, the mounting substrate 50 includes a disc portion and a lower portion that have substantially the same outer contour as the joint surface 19 of the upper housing 10 and the joint surface 26 of the lower housing 20. It is formed in a flat plate shape that defines a rectangular portion having an outer contour substantially the same as the protruding wall portion 23 of the side housing 20, and a circular through hole 51 through which the operation lever 30 is inserted in the central region thereof, the upper side in the axis S direction The upper side surface 52 facing the housing 10, the lower side surface 53 facing the lower housing 20 in the axis S direction, the four positioning holes 54 for positioning the positioning member 74 of the push detection switch 70 around the through hole 51, and the upper housing 10 And three circular holes 55 through which screws B for fastening the lower housing 20 are passed.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the through-hole 51 has a medium-diameter shaft even when the operation lever 30 is inserted from above and the medium-diameter shaft portion 31 b is positioned and the operation lever 30 is tilted. The portion 31b is formed to have an inner diameter dimension that is always non-contact.
On the upper side surface 52, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and 10, a push detection switch 70 (fixed contacts 71 and 72, a reversing spring 73 as a movable contact, a positioning member 74) and a rotation detection as an upper detection unit. A switch 80 (two optical sensors) and the like are mounted, and a connector for connecting the electrical wiring of the mounted component to the outside is detachably connected.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, 10, and 11, a plurality of (in this case, four) tilt detection switches 90 serving as lower detection units are provided on the lower side surface 53 in the cross direction (X direction and Y direction). ) To be opposed to each other.

In this way, a plurality of detection units (push-in detection switch 70, rotation detection switch 80, and four tilt detection switches 90) are provided for one mounting substrate 50 (upper side surface 52 and lower side surface 53) ( Compared to the conventional case where multiple detection units are provided across multiple cases and boards, the structure is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, the size is reduced, the width is reduced, and the Cost reduction, reduction of management man-hours, simplification of quality control (continuity inspection, etc.) can be achieved.
Further, since the mounting substrate 50 is formed so as to be sandwiched and assembled between the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20, for example, a plurality of detection units (push-in detection switch 70, rotation detection switch 80, four tilt detections) in advance. The mounting board 50 on which the switch 90) is mounted, the operation lever 30, the upper housing 10, and the lower housing 20 are prepared, and the operation lever 30 (the shaft portion 31) is inserted into the through hole 51 of the mounting board 50. The lower housing 20 is disposed below the mounting substrate 50, the upper housing 10 is disposed on the upper side of the mounting substrate 50 so that the grip portion 31 of the operation lever 30 protrudes, and the mounting substrate 50 is disposed in the vertical direction. By assembling and fixing the lower housing 20 and the upper housing 10 with screws B so as to be sandwiched, the apparatus can be easily assembled. It can be.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the click mechanism 60 is housed in contact with two coil springs 61 that are retractably accommodated in the two housing recesses 36 of the operation lever 30 and one end of the coil spring 61. Two spheres 62 urged so as to jump out of the recess 36 are provided.
As shown in FIG. 5, the coil spring 61 is fitted into the housing recess 36 in a state compressed to a predetermined compression allowance, and the spherical body 62 is pushed in from the outside, and in the assembled state, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. In addition, a part of the sphere 62 is formed so as to enter each recess 17 a of the recess row 17 of the upper housing 10.
When the operation lever 30 is rotated about the axis S, a click feeling is obtained each time the sphere 62 enters each of the recesses 17a, so that the rotation operation can be reliably performed in predetermined angular increments.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 10, the push detection switch 70 is mounted on the upper side surface 52 of the mounting substrate 50 and detects an input action by the push action portion (pressing member 38) of the operation lever 30. A fixed contact 71, a fixed contact 72, a reversing spring 73 as a movable contact, a positioning member 74 for positioning the reversing spring 73, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 10, the fixed contact 71 is formed in a circular arc shape in which an exposed region is cut out of a part of an annular shape by a conductive material, and is formed so that the outer peripheral edge of the reversing spring 73 is always in contact. ing.
As shown in FIG. 10, the fixed contact 72 has an annular exposed region made of a conductive material, and the reversing spring 73 is pushed by the pushing action portion (pressing member 38) to contact the central region of the reversing spring 73. It is formed to be able to.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the reversing spring 73 is formed in a dome shape that is convex upward by a conductive material, and a circular opening that allows the shaft 31 of the operation lever 30 to be inserted in a non-contact manner at the center. 73a, a contact portion 73b that always contacts the fixed contact 71 at the four corners, and a contact portion 73c that removably contacts the fixed contact 72 around the opening 73a.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the positioning member 74 is laminated on the upper side surface 52 of the mounting substrate 50 to position the reversing spring 73. The reversing spring 73 is fitted and positioned, and an opening 74a is mounted. The annular rotating member 40 is rotatable around the axis S by contacting the lower side of the four engaging pins 74b and the annular rotating member 40 (two connecting pieces 42 thereof) fitted in the positioning holes 54 of the substrate 50. Provided with an upper surface 74c and the like.

The reversing spring 73 is not pushed by the operation lever 30 (not pushed by the pushing action portion (pressing member 38)) and is in a resting state, the convex guided wall of the operating lever 30 via the pushing member 38. An upward biasing force is applied so as to bring the portion 34 into contact with the concave guide wall 16 of the upper housing 10, the electrical connection between the fixed contact 71 and the fixed contact 72 is interrupted, and the pushing operation is performed by the operation lever 30 ( When the pressing contact portion (pressed by the pressing member 38) is electrically connected between the fixed contact 71 and the fixed contact 72 and the pressing force is released, the fixed contact 71 and the fixed contact 72 are restored by their own restoring force. It is designed to return to a dormant state in which the electrical connection is cut off.
Here, when the push detection switch 70 receives an input action due to the push operation of the operation lever 30, for example, an information processing device that manipulates information (image information, character information, etc.) such as a medical device including an echo examination apparatus. The selection item can be determined on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rotation detection switch 80 is mounted on the upper side surface 52 of the mounting substrate 50 and detects an input action by the rotation action portion of the operation lever 30 (the action piece 43 of the annular rotation member 40). There are two transmissive optical sensors arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.
When the rotation detection switch 80 is rotated by the operation lever 30, the plurality of action pieces 43 of the annular rotation member 40 intermittently operate the two optical sensors such as blocking and opening the optical path. The input action based on the rotation direction and the rotation amount (rotation angle) of the operation lever 30 is detected based on the number of times and the timing of signals obtained from the two optical sensors.
Here, when the rotation detection switch 80 receives an input action due to the rotation operation of the operation lever 30, for example, an information processing apparatus that operates and processes information (image information, character information, etc.) such as a medical device including an echo examination apparatus. In this case, the photographed image can be enlarged or reduced on the screen.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 11, the four tilt detection switches 90 surround the pressing portion 39 (tilt acting portion) of the operation lever 30 inserted through the through hole 51 of the mounting substrate 50. It is mounted on the lower surface 53 of the mounting substrate 50 so as to face the cross direction (X direction and Y direction), and the input action by the tilting action part (pressing part 39) of the operation lever 30 is detected. .
As shown in FIG. 12, the four tilt detection switches 90 are tactile switches (also referred to as tactile switches and tact switches) each including a base 91, a reversing spring 92, a plunger 93, a cover 94, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 12, the base 91 has a fixed contact 91a in which an exposed region is formed in a disc shape by a conductive material, and a fixed contact 91b in which an exposed region is formed in an arc shape by a conductive material.
The reversing spring 92 is formed in an upwardly convex dome shape by a conductive material, and in a resting state where the reversing spring 92 is not pushed by the plunger 93, the electrical connection between the fixed contact 91 a and the fixed contact 91 b is cut off and pushed by the plunger 93. When the fixed contact 91a and the fixed contact 91b are electrically connected to each other and the pushing force is released, the resting state in which the electrical connection between the fixed contact 91a and the fixed contact 91b is disconnected by its own restoring force is restored. It is supposed to be.
The plunger 93 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber. With the inner protrusion in contact with the central region of the reversing spring 92, the outer protrusion contacts the pressing portion 39 of the operating lever 30 and presses the plunger 93. Has come to be exerted.
The cover 94 is connected to the base 91 with the outer protrusion of the plunger 93 protruding.
Here, when each of the four tilt detection switches 90 receives an input action due to the tilt operation of the operation lever 30, for example, information (image information, character information, etc.) of a medical device including an echo examination apparatus is processed. In the information processing apparatus, it is possible to select a menu displayed on the screen, move the cursor, and the like.

Next, assembly of the multidirectional input device having the above configuration will be described.
First, the pressing member 38 and the reversing spring 73 are fitted on the upper housing 10, the lower housing 20, and the shaft portion 31 (medium diameter shaft portion 31b), and the pressing portion 39 is rotated on the shaft portion 31 (small diameter shaft portion 31c). An operation lever 30 that is movably fitted and attached with a C-shaped ring R, an annular rotary member 40, a plurality of detectors (fixed contacts 71 and 72 of the push-in detection switch 70, a rotation detection switch 80, four tilt detection switches 90 ) Are mounted, a click mechanism 60, and three screws B are prepared.
Subsequently, the mounting substrate 50 is assembled on the lower housing 20, and the positioning member 74 is assembled on the mounting substrate 50.
Subsequently, in a state where the click mechanism 60 is fitted in the housing recess 36, the convex guided wall 34 is joined to the concave guide wall 16 of the upper housing 10 while the grip 31 is protruded from the opening 11. The operation lever 30 is assembled to the upper housing 10.

Subsequently, the annular rotating member 40 is assembled to the operation lever 30 and the upper housing 10 while fitting the coupling piece 42 into the coupling recess 35 and fitting the cylindrical portion 41 into the cylindrical portion 18.
Subsequently, the shaft portion 31 of the operation lever 30 is inserted into the opening 74a of the positioning member 74 and the through hole 51 of the mounting substrate 50, and the shaft portion 31 (the tip shaft portion 31d) is inserted into the cross guide groove 24, thereby mounting the mounting substrate. 50 so that the joint surface 19 of the upper housing 10 is opposed to the joint surface 26 of the lower housing 20, and the three screws B are connected to the through hole 15 of the upper housing 10 and the mounting substrate 50. It passes through the circular hole 55 and is screwed into the screw hole 25 of the lower housing 20 to be fastened. Thereby, the assembly of the apparatus is completed. The assembling work is not limited to the above procedure.

  As described above, since the mounting substrate 50 on which a plurality of detection units are mounted in advance is formed so as to be sandwiched and assembled between the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20, the operation lever 30 (the shaft portion 31) is mounted. The lower housing 20 is disposed below the mounting substrate 50 while being inserted through the through hole 51 of the substrate 50, the upper housing 10 is disposed above the mounting substrate 50, and the mounting substrate 50 is sandwiched from above and below. By connecting and fixing the lower housing 20 and the upper housing 10, the apparatus can be easily assembled.

Next, an operation method of the multidirectional input device having the above configuration will be described.
First, when a tilting operation is performed to tilt the operation lever 30 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 4 in any of the cross directions (X direction and Y direction) as shown in FIG. While the portion 34 is guided by the concave guide wall 16, the pressing portion 39 as the tilting action portion presses the corresponding tilt detection switch 90 (the plunger 93 thereof) to exert an input action.
The tilting operation of the operation lever 30 is similarly performed when the tilting operation is performed in the other three directions of the cross direction by pressing the corresponding three tilt detection switches 90 (plunger 93) of the pressing unit 39. Effect.
For example, in an information processing apparatus that manipulates information (image information, character information, etc.) such as medical equipment including an echo examination apparatus by this four-direction tilting operation, selection of a menu displayed on the screen, movement of a cursor, etc. Is done.
Here, during the tilting operation, the hemispherical surface portion 37 of the operation lever 30 slides smoothly with respect to the pressing member 38, so that the bending force associated with the tilting operation is not exerted on the reversing spring 73, and the push-in operation is performed. A malfunction that causes an input action to the detection switch 70 is prevented.

Next, when a pushing operation for pushing the operation lever 30 in the direction of the axis S from the neutral position shown in FIG. 4 is performed, the convex guided wall portion 34 is separated from the concave guide wall portion 16 as a pushing action portion. The pressing member 38 contacts the fixed contact 72 while elastically deforming the reversing spring 73 to exert an input action. Note that when the pushing force of the operation lever 30 is released, the elastic force of the reversing spring 73 causes a self-return to the resting state.
By this push-in operation, for example, in the information processing apparatus that manipulates information (image information, character information, etc.) such as medical equipment including the echo examination apparatus, selection items are determined on the screen.

Next, when the operation lever 30 is rotated from the neutral position shown in FIG. 4 in one direction or the other direction around the axis S, the annular rotating member 40 rotates integrally around the axis S, The action piece 43 exerts an input action on the rotation detection switch (light sensor) 80 to block or open the light path.
In an information processing apparatus that manipulates information (image information, character information, etc.) such as a medical device including an echo examination apparatus by rotating in one direction or the other direction, for example, Reduction or the like is performed.
Here, the shaft portion 31 (small-diameter shaft portion 31c) is in a state where the pressing portion 39 remains in contact with the plungers 93 of the four tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90 when the operation lever 30 is rotated. Since only the rotation of the operation lever 30, the operation lever 30 can be easily rotated.
Therefore, even if there is a variation in component dimensions, assembly accuracy, etc., only the input operation related to the rotation operation of the operation lever 30 is reliably performed without affecting the four tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90. Can do.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention, in which the cross guide groove 24 is eliminated in the lower housing 20.
In this embodiment, the operation lever 30 is tilted not only in the cross direction (X direction and Y direction), but also in another cross direction (L1 direction and L2 direction) obtained by rotating the cross direction by 45 degrees to achieve 2 Two tilt detection switches (tactile switches) 90 can be simultaneously input. Accordingly, tilting operations in eight directions can be performed, and information (image information, character information, etc.) by input operations corresponding to the tilting operations can be performed.

As an information processing device to which the multi-directional input device having the above configuration is applied, an information processing unit that processes various information (image information, character information, and other information) based on an input action according to the operation of the operation lever 30. If it is provided, it is applicable not only to medical equipment including an echo inspection apparatus but also to game machines and other computer-related equipment.
In the above embodiment, the push-in detection switch 70 and the rotation detection switch 80 are employed as the upper detection unit mounted on the upper side surface 52 of the mounting substrate 50, and a plurality of lower detection units are mounted on the lower side surface 53 of the mounting substrate 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other detection switches (or detection sensors) or the like may be employed as the upper detection unit and the lower detection unit.
In the above embodiment, the case where the pressing member 38 formed separately from the hemispherical surface portion 37 is employed as the pressing action portion of the operation lever 30 is not limited to this, but as described above. If the erroneous operation can be surely prevented, the pressing member 38 is abolished, and a pressing action portion in which the hemispherical surface portion 37 and the pressing member 38 are integrally formed is provided below the convex guided wall portion 34. May be.

  As described above, the multi-directional input device of the present invention has a simplified structure, a reduced number of parts, a smaller size, a narrower width, a lower cost, a reduced man-hour for management, and a simple quality control (such as continuity inspection). Can achieve a predetermined input action (switch operation) according to the operation of the operation lever (for example, tilting operation, pushing operation, rotation operation, etc.) Since it can be operated reliably, it can be applied to information processing apparatuses that manipulate and process information (image information, character information, etc.) such as medical equipment including an echo examination apparatus, and is also useful in other computer-related equipment. .

H housing 10 upper housing 11 opening 16 concave guide wall 20 lower housing 24 cross guide groove 30 operating lever 31 shaft 31c small diameter shaft (shaft)
32 Grasping part 34 Convex guided wall part 38 Pressing member (upper action part, pushing action part)
39 Pressing part (lower action part, tilting action part)
40 annular rotation member 43 action piece (upper action part, rotation action part)
50 mounting substrate 51 through-hole 52 upper side 53 lower side 60 click mechanism 70 push-in detection switch (upper detection unit)
80 Rotation detection switch (Upper detection part)
90 Tilt detection switch (lower detector, tactile switch)
93 Plunger S axis

Claims (9)

A housing, an operation lever that is operably supported by the housing and exerts an input action according to an operation in multiple directions, and a plurality of detection units that detect an input action according to the operation of the operation lever in multiple directions; A multi-directional input device comprising: a mounting substrate that electrically connects the plurality of detection units;
The mounting substrate has a through hole that is surrounded by the housing and allows the operation lever to be inserted therethrough.
The plurality of detection units include an upper detection unit provided on an upper side surface of the mounting substrate and a lower detection unit provided on a lower side surface of the mounting substrate,
The operation lever is inserted into the through hole of the mounting board, and an upper action portion that exerts an input action on the upper detection section, and a lower action section that exerts an input action on the lower detection section including,
A multidirectional input device characterized by that. The housing includes an upper housing having an opening for projecting the grip portion of the operation lever upward, and a lower housing coupled to face the upper housing,
The mounting board is formed so as to be sandwiched and assembled between the upper housing and the lower housing.
The multidirectional input device according to claim 1. The operation lever is supported by the housing so as to exert an input action corresponding to a tilting operation, a pushing operation, and a rotating operation,
The upper action portion includes a push action portion that exerts an input action by the push operation, and a rotation action portion that exerts an input action by the rotation operation,
The lower action part includes a tilting action part that exerts an input action by the tilting operation,
The upper detection unit includes a push detection switch that detects an input action by the push action part, and a rotation detection switch that detects an input action by the rotation action part,
The lower detection unit includes a tilt detection switch that detects an input action by the tilting action unit,
The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the multidirectional input device is a multi-directional input device. The tilt detection switch includes a plurality of tactile switches arranged around the tilt action unit,
The tilting action part is a pressing part that is rotatable relative to the shaft part of the operation lever and is held in contact with the plungers of the plurality of tactile switches and exerts a pressing force in accordance with the tilting operation. Including,
The multidirectional input device according to claim 3. The pressing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape using a resin material, and is rotatably fitted to the shaft portion of the operation lever.
The multi-directional input device according to claim 4. The tilt detection switch includes four tactile switches arranged so as to face each other in the cross direction around the tilt operation unit,
The housing includes a cross guide groove that guides a shaft portion located below the tilting action portion of the operation lever so as to be movable in the cross direction.
The multidirectional input device according to claim 3, wherein the multidirectional input device is a multi-directional input device. The upper housing has a concave guide wall that delimits the opening and guides the operation lever in a tiltable manner.
The operating lever has a convex guided wall portion that is tiltably guided in contact with the concave guide wall portion,
In the vicinity of the concave guide wall portion and the convex guided wall portion, a click mechanism that provides a click feeling when the operation lever is rotated is provided.
The multi-directional input device according to claim 6. An annular rotating member coupled to the operation lever to rotate integrally with the operation lever while allowing a tilting operation and a pushing operation of the operation lever;
The rotation detection switch includes at least two optical sensors mounted on an upper side surface of the mounting substrate,
The rotation action unit includes a plurality of action pieces provided on the annular rotation member to advance and retreat with respect to the optical path of the optical sensor.
The multidirectional input device according to claim 3, wherein the multidirectional input device is a multi-directional input device. A multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an information processing unit that processes various types of information based on an input action according to an operation of an operation lever included in the multidirectional input device. ,
An information processing apparatus characterized by that.

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