JP2019160457A - Switch and multidirectional input device with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a switch capable of performing various operations with satisfactory feeling characteristics, at a low cost and in a space saving manner, and a multidirectional input device with the same.SOLUTION: There is provided a switch comprising: a metal dome sheet 102 in which a metal dome 101 is stuck to a bottom face; and a substrate 103 in which a central stationary contact 104 and an outer stationary contact 105 enclosing the central stationary contact are formed on a top face. In the switch, the metal dome sheet is stuck to the top face of the substrate and in a state where the metal dome strides over the central stationary contact, the metal dome is mounted and fixed on the outer stationary contact. A pressure-sensitive contact 104b that is a print layer of a pressure-sensitive conductive ink is formed on a top face of the central stationary contact, thereby configuring a switch 106 capable of performing analog output in addition to digital output. A multidirectional input device 1 comprises the switch 106, so that coordinate input in a z-axis direction corresponding to a pressing operation of an operation member 3 is performed by the switch 106 in addition to coordinate input in an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction corresponding to a tilting operation of the operation member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch mainly used for operation of various electronic devices and a multidirectional input device including the switch.

  Conventionally, a switch described in Patent Document 1 and a multidirectional input device described in Patent Document 1 including the switch are known. In the switch described in Patent Document 1, a snap plate (metal dome) is installed on a substrate, and a switch circuit formed on the substrate is turned on / off.

  The multi-directional input device described in Patent Document 1 includes a case, an operation member that can be tilted and pushed in, protruding from the inside of the case to the outside, and a first rotation shaft. An operation having a first movable member held inside the case so as to rotate about one rotation axis and a second rotation axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first rotation axis A second movable member held inside the case so as to rotate around the second rotation axis in accordance with the tilting operation of the member, and a slide-type first variable resistor that detects the rotation operation of the first rotation member , A slide-type second variable resistor for detecting the turning motion of the second turning member, and a return member for returning the operating member to the origin, and the switch is driven by the pushing operation of the operating member. Is.

  By the way, as various electronic devices become highly functional and diversified, switches and multi-directional input devices used for these operations have various feeling characteristics (click feeling), low cost and space saving. What can be operated is required.

JP 2006-207634 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a switch capable of various operations with good feeling characteristics (click feeling), low cost and space saving, and a multidirectional input device including the same. The purpose is to provide.

  1. A metal dome sheet having a metal dome attached to the lower surface and a substrate having a central fixed contact and an outer fixed contact surrounding the metal dome sheet formed on the upper surface; the metal dome sheet being attached to the upper surface of the substrate; A switch in which a metal dome is placed and fixed on the upper surface of the outer fixed contact with the metal fixed dome straddling the central fixed contact, and a switch having a pressure sensitive conductive ink printing layer formed on the upper surface of the central fixed contact .

  1. When the center of the metal dome is pressed and a predetermined pressing force is applied, the center of the metal dome is elastically reversed downward with a click feeling and formed on the upper surface of the center fixed contact. In contact with the printed layer of the pressure-sensitive conductive ink, the center fixed contact and the outer fixed contact are electrically connected via the metal dome.

  After this, if further pressing force is applied, the contact area of the pressure-sensitive conductive ink printed layer formed on the upper surface of the central fixed contact with the metal dome increases, so that the resistance value between the central fixed contact and the outer fixed contact is increased. Becomes smaller.

  In addition, when the metal dome is released, the central portion of the metal dome is elastically reversed, returning to the original state before being pressed, from the pressure sensitive conductive ink printing layer formed on the upper surface of the central fixed contact. In the separated state, the center fixed contact and the outer fixed contact are electrically disconnected.

  In this way, a switch capable of analog output in addition to digital output can be realized at a minimum cost by simply forming a pressure sensitive conductive ink printing layer on the upper surface of the central fixed contact. Further, no additional space is required, and the feeling characteristics (click feeling) are not deteriorated.

  2. A case, a tiltable and pushable operation member that protrudes from the inside of the case to the outside, and a first rotation shaft that rotates about the first rotation shaft according to the tilting operation of the operation member. The first movable member held inside the case and the second rotation shaft extending in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first rotation shaft are provided to respond to the tilting operation of the operation member. A second movable member held inside the case so as to rotate about the second rotation axis, a first variable resistor for detecting a rotation operation of the first rotation member, and the first 2. a second variable resistor for detecting the turning motion of the turning member; a return member for returning the operating member to the origin; And a switch for driving the switch by a pressing operation of the operation member.

  2. According to the multidirectional input device described in the above, the coordinate input in the axial direction (for example, the x-axis direction) of the second rotation shaft based on the analog output from the first variable resistor and the analog output from the second variable resistor In addition to the coordinate input in the axial direction (for example, the y-axis direction) of the first rotation axis based on the above, the coordinate input in the axial direction (for example, the z-axis direction) of the axis orthogonal to one plane including these x-axis and y-axis Can be performed based on the analog output from the switch by the pushing operation of the operation member, and a multidirectional input device capable of operating the three-dimensional space can be realized with a minimum cost increase. Further, no additional space is required, and the feeling characteristics (click feeling) are not deteriorated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch that can be operated in various ways with good feeling characteristics (click feeling), low cost and space saving, and a multidirectional input device including the switch.

It is sectional drawing of the switch which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the switch of FIG. It is a top view of the state which made the cover sheet | seat of FIG. 2 transparent. FIG. 4 is a top view of a state in which the protective film made of resist and the metal dome of FIG. 3 are made transparent. It is a figure which shows the resistance-load characteristic of the switch of FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a partial cross section top view of the state which transparentized the case of FIG. It is a front perspective view of the state which made the case of FIG. 6 transparent. It is a back perspective view which shows the state which combined the operation member, the 1st rotation member, and the 2nd rotation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. It is a front view of the operation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a right side view of an operation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an operation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. 6. It is a front view of the 1st rotation member in the multi-directional input device of FIG. It is a rear view of the 1st rotation member in the multi-directional input device of FIG. It is a right view of the 1st rotation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. It is a top view of the 1st rotation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. It is a front view of the 2nd rotation member in the multi-directional input device of FIG. It is a left view of the 2nd rotation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. It is a right view of the 2nd rotation member in the multidirectional input device of FIG. It is a bottom view of the 2nd rotation member in the multi-directional input device of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention and a multidirectional input device including the switch will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch according to an embodiment of the present invention (the structure is easy to understand and enlarged in the thickness direction), FIG. 2 is a top view of the switch of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cover sheet of FIG. 4 is a top view in a state where the protective film made of resist and the metal dome in FIG. 3 are made transparent. In FIG. 4, 100 is a flexible material such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate or polyimide. A cover sheet having a top view in the form of a single-sided adhesive sheet having an adhesive layer (not shown) formed on the lower surface of a film-like sheet base material having a metal, 101 is a metal that is a movable contact in a top view in the form of a dome-shaped metal plate A metal dome sheet 1 in which the upper surface of the metal dome 101 is attached to the center of the lower surface of the cover sheet 100 and the metal dome 101 is attached to the lower surface. 2 is formed.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a flexible film-like substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate, or a non-flexible plate-like substrate such as paper phenol or glass-filled epoxy. The outer fixed contact 105 is formed so as to surround the gap.

  The center fixed contact 104 has a circular shape when viewed from above, and a silver contact 104a which is a printing layer formed by screen-printing silver paste on the upper surface of the substrate 103, and pressure-sensitive conductive ink is screen-printed thereon. The pressure-sensitive contact 104b, which is a formed printed layer, is formed on the upper surface.

  The outer fixed contact 105 has a horseshoe shape when viewed from above, and is formed by screen printing a silver contact 105a which is a printing layer formed by screen printing a silver paste on the upper surface of the substrate 103, and a carbon paste thereon. The carbon contact 105a which is the printed layer is formed, and the carbon contact 105a is formed on the upper surface.

  Then, a metal dome sheet 102 is attached to the upper surface of the substrate 103, the metal dome 101 is placed and fixed on the outer fixed contact 105 in a state of straddling the central fixed contact 104, and both ends of the metal dome 101 are fixed to the outer side. The center of the metal dome 101 is in contact with the center contact point 104 with a predetermined gap therebetween.

  Reference numeral 92 denotes a pusher which is a drive member made of an insulating resin for transmitting an operation force generated by a pushing operation of an operation member (not shown) to the central portion of the metal dome 101, and a downward convex pressing portion 92a is formed at the central portion of the lower surface. The pusher 92 is disposed above the metal dome sheet 102 so as to move up and down in a state where the pressing portion 92 a is in contact with the center of the upper surface of the metal dome sheet 102, and the switch 106 is configured. Note that when the user directly pushes the pusher 92, there is no drive member and the pusher 92 becomes the operation member.

  The switch 106 thus configured is mounted on the operation unit of the electronic device, and is integrally formed with the wiring pattern integrally formed with the silver contact 105a of the central fixed contact 104 and the silver contact 105a of the outer fixed contact. The formed wiring pattern is connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) and a power source configured from a microcomputer or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the operating member is pushed in, the pusher 92 moves down, the central portion of the metal dome 101 is pressed via the pressing portion 92a, and a predetermined pressing force is applied, the central portion of the metal dome 101 Is elastically inverted downward with a click feeling and comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive contact 104 b, so that the center fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact 105 are electrically connected via the metal dome 101.

  Then, when further pressing force is applied thereafter, the contact area of the pressure-sensitive contact 104b with the metal dome 101 increases, so that the resistance value between the central fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact decreases.

  That is, as shown in the resistance-load characteristic of the switch 106 in FIG. 5, when the operating member is pushed in and the metal dome 101 is elastically reversed, the operating load changes from P1 to P2, and immediately after this, the metal dome 101 is sensed. The pressure contact 104b is contacted.

  At this time, if the threshold resistance for detecting electrical contact / separation, that is, digital ON-OFF, is set to R1, for example, the electronic circuit is connected to the central fixed contact with a resistance value equal to or less than the threshold resistance R1. An electrical connection between 104 and the outer fixed contact 105, that is, digital ON is detected.

  At this time, if the threshold resistance for the electronic circuit to detect digital ON-OFF can be set by the user in advance by software, for example, if the threshold resistance R2 is set lower than the threshold resistance R1, the electronic circuit Can adjust the operation load for detecting digital ON-OFF from P2 to P3 larger than P2.

  That is, the user can set a threshold resistance for the electronic circuit to detect digital ON-OFF by software, and the electronic circuit can detect digital ON-OFF with the operation load P of the user's preference.

  Then, when a further pressing force is applied thereafter, the operation load P increases and the resistance value between the central fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact decreases, so the change in the resistance value is detected by the electronic circuit. .

  When the pushing operation of the operation member is released and the metal dome 101 is released, the central portion of the metal dome 101 is elastically inverted to return to the original state before being pressed. The center position of the metal dome 101 is separated from the pressure-sensitive contact 104b and the center fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact 105 are electrically disconnected.

  At this time, when the resistance value between the central fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact exceeds a threshold resistance R set in advance by the user, the electronic circuit is connected between the central fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact 105. Electrical disconnection between them, that is, digital OFF is detected.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, the metal dome sheet 102 with the metal dome 101 attached to the lower surface and the substrate 103 with the central fixed contact 104 and the outer fixed contact 105 surrounding the center fixed contact 104 provided on the upper surface are provided. A switch in which a metal dome sheet 102 is attached to the upper surface of the substrate 103, and the metal dome 101 is placed and fixed on the upper surface of the outer fixed contact 105 in a state where the metal dome 101 straddles the central fixed contact 104. The switch 106 includes a pressure-sensitive contact 104b, which is a printed layer of pressure-sensitive conductive ink, on the upper surface of 104, and a pressure-sensitive contact 104b, which is a printed layer of pressure-sensitive conductive ink, on the upper surface of the central fixed contact 104. It is possible to realize the switch 106 capable of analog output in addition to digital output at a minimum cost only by forming. Further, no additional space is required, and the feeling characteristics (click feeling) are not deteriorated. Therefore, it is possible to provide the switch 106 that can be operated in various ways with good feeling characteristics (click feeling), low cost, and space saving.

  6 is a front perspective view of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially sectional top view of the case 2 in FIG. 6 in a transparent state, and FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the case 2 in FIG. 6 in a transparent state. The multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6 as the front-rear direction, the X-axis direction as the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

  The multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment can be used in various electronic devices such as a game machine controller. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the multidirectional input device 1 includes a case 2, an operation member 3, a first rotating member 4, a second rotating member 5, a first variable resistor 6, The second variable resistor 7, the return member 8, and the switch 106 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are provided.

  The case 2 can accommodate the first rotating member 4, the second rotating member 5, the first variable resistor 6, the second variable resistor 7, the return member 8, and the switch 106. In the present embodiment, the case 2 includes a lower case 11 made of sheet metal and an upper case 12 made of insulating resin, and is formed to have a square box shape by combining the lower case 11 and the upper case 12. Has been.

  The lower case 11 includes a bottom plate portion 14 and a side wall portion 15. The bottom plate part 14 is formed in a rectangular shape. The side wall portion 15 is erected from each side edge of the bottom plate portion 14.

  The upper case 12 includes a top plate portion 21 and a side wall portion 22 that surrounds the periphery of the top plate portion 21, and is formed in a rectangular box-shaped cap shape that opens downward. The upper case 12 is disposed so as to cover the bottom plate portion 14 of the lower case 11 and can be fitted and held in the side wall portion 15 of the lower case 11.

  In the case 2, the upper case 12 covers the lower case 11 on which the substrate 103 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 14 from above, and the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 103 is lowered on the lower end surface of the side wall portion 22 of the upper case 12. When the upper case 12 is combined with the lower case 11 while being pressed against the bottom plate portion 14 of the case 11, a plurality of positioning pins protruding downward from the lower end surface of the side wall portion 22 of the upper case 12 are provided with the substrate 103 and the lower case 11. The engaging claw on the upper case 12 side is engaged with the engaging holes on the left and right side wall portions 15 of the lower case 11 while being inserted into the positioning holes provided in the bottom plate portion 14, so that the substrate 103 is connected to the upper case 12. After the upper case 12 is attached to the lower case 11 in a state of being sandwiched between the lower cases 11, the engaging claws in the expanded state of the side wall portion 15 of the lower case 11 are bent inward to process the top plate of the upper case 12. Section 21 By engaging the recess, and to be able to fix the lower case 11 and upper case 12 of the substrate 103 in a state sandwiched between the upper case 12 and the lower case 11.

  Further, the upper case 12 includes an insertion hole 30 at the center of the top plate portion 21, and is configured so that the operation member 3 can be inserted into the insertion hole 30. The insertion hole 30 is a round hole having a predetermined diameter that does not hinder the operation of the operation member 3 inserted through the insertion hole 30, is formed to open in the vertical direction, and is covered with an elastic cover. ing.

  FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the operation member 3, the first rotation member 4, and the second rotation member 5 are combined. 12 is a front view of the operation member 3, FIG. 13 is a right side view of the operation member 3, and FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the operation member 3.

  The operation member 3 protrudes from the inside of the case 2 to the outside, and is configured to be tiltable in the protruding state. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the operation member 3 includes a shaft portion 31 inserted into the case 2 and a fulcrum portion 32 connected to the insertion end portion (lower end portion) of the shaft portion 31. ing. In the present embodiment, the operation member 3 is made of an insulating resin and further has a head portion 33.

  The shaft portion 31 is disposed so as to be movable relative to the upper case 12. Specifically, the shaft portion 31 is formed in a round bar shape having a smaller diameter than the insertion hole 30. The shaft portion 31 is inserted into the insertion hole 30 so that it can be displaced between the center position (initial reference position) of the insertion hole 30 and a predetermined position on the outer side in the radial direction with the longitudinal direction as the vertical direction. Yes.

  The shaft portion 31 also has a left engagement surface 34 constituted by a flat surface (vertical surface) and a right engagement surface 35 constituted by a flat surface (vertical surface). The left engagement surface 34 is formed so as to face the left side when the lower left portion of the shaft portion 31 is cut away. The right engagement surface 35 is formed so as to face rightward by cutting out the lower right portion of the shaft portion 31.

  The fulcrum portion 32 is a portion that becomes a fulcrum of the tilting operation when the operation member 3 is tilted, and has a larger front-rear width than the shaft portion 31. The outer surface of the fulcrum portion 32 includes a front bulging surface 36 formed of an arcuate curved surface that protrudes forward and a rear bulging surface 37 formed of an arcuate curved surface that protrudes rearward, in side view. It is formed to have a hemispherical shape that protrudes downward.

  The outer surface of the fulcrum part 32 also has a left engagement surface 38 formed of a flat surface (vertical surface) and a right engagement surface 39 formed of a flat surface (vertical surface). The left engagement surface 38 is continuously formed so as to be positioned substantially on the same plane as the left engagement surface 34 of the shaft portion 31. The right engagement surface 39 is continuously formed so as to be positioned on the same plane as the right engagement surface 35 of the shaft portion 31.

  15 is a front view of the first rotating member 4, FIG. 16 is a rear view of the first rotating member 4, FIG. 17 is a right side view of the first rotating member 4, and FIG. It is a top view.

  As shown also in FIGS. 15 to 18, the first rotating member 4 has a first rotating shaft 41 whose axial direction is the front-rear direction, and the first rotating shaft according to the tilting operation of the operation member 3. It is held inside the case 2 so as to rotate around 41. Moreover, the 1st rotation member 4 has the concave fitting part 42 connected with the 1st rotation axis | shaft 41 so that integral rotation was possible.

  The fitting part 42 can fit the fulcrum part 32 of the operation member 3 from below, and the second turning shaft 62 of the fulcrum part 32 with respect to the first turning member 4 is provided inside the fitting part 42. Front and rear guide surfaces 45 and 46 that allow rotation around the axial direction, and left and right engagement surfaces 48 and 49 formed so as to be engageable in the axial direction of the fulcrum portion 32 and the second rotation shaft 62. Contains.

  In the present embodiment, the first rotating member 4 is made of an insulating resin and is disposed above the bottom plate portion 14 of the lower case 11. The first rotation shaft 41 is arranged with its axial direction as the front-rear direction, and includes a front shaft portion 41A and a rear shaft portion 41B. The front shaft portion 41A and the rear shaft portion 41B are each formed in a round bar shape.

  The front shaft portion 41 </ b> A and the rear shaft portion 41 </ b> B are arranged coaxially so as to sandwich the fitting portion 42 from the front and rear with the respective axial directions being horizontal directions, and are provided to be rotatable with respect to the upper case 12. Yes. The front shaft portion 41 </ b> A and the rear shaft portion 41 </ b> B are connected to the fitting portion 42 so as to be integrally rotatable at one axial end portion.

  The fitting part 42 is comprised by the hollow hemispherical body which protrudes below, and is provided with the fitting hole 44 opened upwards. The fitting hole 44 has inner surfaces having shapes along the front and rear bulging surfaces 36 and 37 and the left and right engaging surfaces 38 and 39 of the fulcrum portion 32 of the operation member 3, and the fulcrum portion 32 is substantially free of gaps. It is formed so that it can be fitted.

  That is, the inner surface of the fitting hole 44 includes a front guide surface 45 configured from an arcuate curved surface that is recessed forward, and a rear guide surface 46 configured from an arcuate curved surface that is recessed backward. It is formed to have a hemispherical shape that is concave downward in a side view.

  The inner surface of the fitting hole 44 also includes a left engagement surface 48 configured from a flat surface (vertical surface) and a right engagement surface 49 configured from a flat surface (vertical surface). The left engagement surface 48 is formed to be able to engage with the left engagement surface 38 of the fulcrum portion 32. The right engagement surface 49 is formed to be able to engage with the right engagement surface 39 of the fulcrum portion 32.

  Further, the first rotating member 4 has a left engaging portion 51 and a right engaging portion 52. The left engaging portion 51 and the right engaging portion 52 are provided so as to protrude upward from the fitting portion 42, respectively, and when the fulcrum portion 32 is fitted into the fitting hole 44 and fitted into the fitting portion 42. The operation member 3 can be sandwiched from the left and right.

  Specifically, the left engagement portion 51 is erected on the upper left surface of the fitting portion 42, and includes a left engagement surface 53 formed of a flat surface (vertical surface). The left engagement surface 53 is disposed so as to face rightward in the left engagement portion 51 and is continuously formed so as to be positioned on the same plane as the left engagement surface 48 in the fitting portion 42. Yes.

  The right engaging portion 52 is erected on the upper right side of the fitting portion 42, and includes a right engaging surface 54 formed of a flat surface (vertical surface). The right engagement surface 54 is disposed so as to face to the left in the right engagement portion 52 and is continuously formed so as to be located on the same plane as the right engagement surface 49 in the fitting portion 42. Yes.

  Here, the left engaging portion 51 and the right engaging portion 52 protrude upward from the fitting portion 42 to the same height position (up and down position). When the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 are combined with the protruding end portions of the left and right engaging portions 51 and 52 (the upper end portions of the left and right engaging surfaces 53 and 54). The second rotating member 5 is provided so as to be at the same height as the upper end of the second rotating member 5.

  The first rotating member 4 has a front support part 56 and a rear support part 57. Each of the front support portion 56 and the rear support portion 57 includes a lower surface formed of a flat surface (horizontal plane), and the lower surfaces are at the same height position with respect to the front shaft portion 41A and the rear shaft portion 41B. It arrange | positions at the front and back both sides of the fitting part 42 so that it may be located in the same height position or the downward direction.

  Specifically, the front support portion 56 is provided so as to protrude forward from the upper portion of the fitting portion 42 along the front shaft portion 41A, and is disposed on both left and right sides of the front shaft portion 41A. The rear support portion 56 is provided so as to protrude rearward from the upper portion of the fitting portion 42 along the rear shaft portion 41B, and is disposed on both the left and right sides of the rear shaft portion 41B.

  The first rotating member 4 has a first extending portion 58. The first extending portion 58 is provided so as to extend downward from the other axial end portion (rear end portion) of the rear shaft portion 41B. The first extending portion 58 is formed in a fan shape in a rear view, and is fixed so as to be integrally rotatable with the rear shaft portion 41 </ b> B so that a lower end portion corresponding to the arc portion does not come into contact with the substrate 103.

  A first operation protrusion 59 is provided at the lower end of the first extension 58. The first operation protrusion 59 is for converting the rotational motion of the rear shaft portion 41B (first rotational member 4) into a linear motion, and the first extending portion 58 is integrated with the rear shaft portion 41B. When moving, it can be displaced in the left-right direction. The first operation protrusion 59 is formed in an arc shape along the arc portion of the first extending portion 58.

  19 is a front view of the second rotating member 5, FIG. 20 is a left side view of the second rotating member 5, FIG. 21 is a right side view of the second rotating member 5, and FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, the second rotating member 5 has a second rotating shaft 62 extending in a direction orthogonal to the first rotating shaft 41, and the operation member 3 is tilted. Accordingly, it is held inside the case 2 so as to rotate around the second rotation shaft 62. The second rotating member 5 has an engaging portion 63 connected to the second rotating shaft 62 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  The engaging part 63 includes a long hole 64 extending in the axial direction of the second rotating shaft 62, and sandwiches the fulcrum part 32 of the operating member 3 from above and below in cooperation with the fitting part 42 of the first rotating member 4. As described above, the shaft portion 31 is provided so as to cover the fulcrum portion 32 from above while passing through the long hole 64 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and the shaft portion 31 of the operation member 3 and the first rotation shaft 41 are provided. It is configured to be engageable in the axial direction.

  In the present embodiment, the second rotating member 5 is made of an insulating resin and is combined with the first rotating member 4 from above. The second rotating shaft 62 is arranged with the axial direction as the left-right direction, and includes a left shaft portion 62A and a right shaft portion 62B. The left shaft portion 62A and the right shaft portion 62B are each formed in a round bar shape.

  The left shaft portion 62A and the right shaft portion 62B are arranged coaxially so as to sandwich the engaging portion 63 from the left and right with the respective axial directions as horizontal directions, and are provided to be rotatable with respect to the upper case 12. Yes. The left shaft portion 62A and the right shaft portion 62B (second rotation shaft 62) are connected to the engaging portion 63 so as to be integrally rotatable at one axial end portion.

  Here, the left shaft portion 62A and the right shaft portion 62B are arranged on the same plane as the first rotation shaft 41 of the first rotation member 4, that is, the front shaft portion 41A and the rear shaft portion 41B, and the front shaft portion 41A. And it is provided so that it can rotate independently of the rear-shaft part 41B.

  The engaging portion 63 can accommodate a part of the shaft portion 31 and the left and right engaging portions 51, 52 of the first rotating member 4, and is configured by a hollow hemispherical body that protrudes upward. Yes. And the long hole 64 is provided in the upper part of the engaging part 63 so that it may pass in the left-right direction so that it may pass near top part, and it may open in an up-down direction.

  The longitudinal width (left-right width) of the long hole 64 is such that the shaft portion 31 and the left and right engaging portions 51, 52 of the first rotating member 4 sandwiching the shaft portion 31 from the left and right are allowed to pass and the movement in the left-right direction is allowed. It is set larger than the sum of these left and right widths. On the other hand, the lateral width (front-rear width) of the long hole 64 is set to be approximately the same as the front-rear width of the shaft portion 31.

  Thus, in the engaging portion 63, the front surface 65 and the rear surface 66 of the inner surface of the long hole 64 respectively engage with the shaft portion 31 in the front-rear direction when the shaft portion 31 is passed through the long hole 64. While functioning as an engaging surface, it functions as a guide surface for guiding the shaft portion 31 that moves in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the long hole 64.

  Further, the engaging part 63 has a front notch part 67 and a rear notch part 68. In the front notch portion 67, when the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 are combined, the engaging portion 63 interferes with the first rotating member 4 (the front shaft portion 41A and the front support portion 56). In order to avoid this, the lower part of the front part of the engaging part 63 is cut out to form a concave shape that opens downward.

  In the rear notch portion 68, when the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 are combined, the engaging portion 63 interferes with the first rotating member 4 (the rear shaft portion 41B and the rear support portion 57). In order to avoid this, the lower part of the front part of the engaging part 63 is cut out to form a concave shape that opens downward. Thus, the second rotation shaft 62 can be arranged on the same plane as the first rotation shaft 41.

  In addition, in this embodiment, when the engaging portion 63 is assembled to the operation member 3, it hits the front upper part of the fulcrum portion 32 of the operation member 3 positioned below the front notch portion 67 on the bottom surface side. At the same time, the fulcrum part 32 can be pressed from above by hitting the rear upper part of the fulcrum part 32 located on the bottom side of the rear notch part 68 from above.

  In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 63 has a front recess 69 and a rear recess 70. The front recess 69 is formed on the bottom surface of the front notch 67 so as to be engageable with the front protrusion 71 provided on the front bulging surface 36 of the fulcrum part 32. The rear concave portion 69 is formed on the bottom surface of the rear notch portion 68 so as to be engageable with a rear convex portion 72 provided on the rear bulge surface 37 of the fulcrum portion 32.

  Therefore, when the engaging part 63 covers the fulcrum part 32 fitted to the fitting part 42 from above, the front concave part 69 is hooked on the front convex part 71 of the fulcrum part 32 and the rear concave part 70 is supported by the fulcrum part 32. The rear projection 72 is hooked. Therefore, the fulcrum part 32 is latched and held by the engaging part 63, the upward movement of the operation member 3 is restricted, and the operation member 3 can be prevented from coming off.

  The front concave portion 69 and the rear concave portion 70 each have an inner surface formed of an arcuate curved surface that is concave upward so as to correspond to the front convex portion 71 and the rear convex portion 72, respectively. After being hooked on the convex portion 72, the fulcrum portion 32 that rotates as the operating member 3 tilts in the left-right direction can be guided.

  The second rotating member 5 includes a left support part 73 and a right support part 74. Each of the left support portion 73 and the right support portion 74 has a lower surface formed of a flat surface (horizontal plane), and the lower surfaces are at the same height position with respect to the left shaft portion 62A and the right shaft portion 62B. Are arranged on the left and right sides of the engaging portion 63 so as to be located at the same height position or below.

  Specifically, the left support portion 73 is provided so as to protrude leftward from the lower portion of the engaging portion 63 along the left shaft portion 62A, and is disposed on both front and rear sides of the left shaft portion 62A. The right support portion 74 is provided so as to protrude leftward from the lower portion of the engaging portion 63 along the right shaft portion 62B, and is disposed on both front and rear sides of the right shaft portion 62B.

  Here, when the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 are combined, the lower surfaces of the left supporting portion 73 and the right supporting portion 74 are the front supporting portion 56 and the first supporting member 56 in the first rotating member 4. It is provided so as to be located on the same plane as the lower surface of each of the rear support portions 57.

  Further, the second rotating member 5 has a left second extending portion 75 and a right second extending portion 76. The left second extending portion 75 extends downward from the other axial end portion (left end portion) of the left shaft portion 62A. The second left extension 75 is formed in a fan shape in a side view, and is fixed so as to be integrally rotatable with the left shaft portion 62 </ b> A so that the lower end corresponding to the arc portion does not come into contact with the substrate 103.

  A second operation protrusion 77 is provided at the lower end of the left second extension 75. The second operating projection 77 is for converting the rotational motion of the left shaft portion 62A (second rotational member 5) into a linear motion, and the left second extending portion 75 is integrated with the left shaft portion 62A. When rotating, it can be displaced in the front-rear direction. The second operating protrusion 77 is formed in an arc shape along the arc portion of the left second extending portion 75.

  Therefore, in the multi-directional input device 1, when the operation member 3, the first rotation member 4, and the second rotation member 5 are combined inside the case 2, the operation member 3 can be moved in any direction with the fulcrum portion 32. When the tilting operation is performed as a fulcrum, the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 can be rotated independently of each other according to the tilting operation of the operation member 3.

  For example, when the operation member 3 is tilted in the axial direction (left or right direction) of the second rotation shaft 62, the first rotation and the left or right engagement surfaces 38, 39 of the fulcrum part 32 of the operation member 3 are rotated first. The left or right engagement surfaces 48 and 49 of the fitting portion 42 of the member 4 are engaged. Here, the left or right engagement surfaces 34 and 35 of the shaft portion 31 and the left engagement portion 51 are further engaged with each other. The surface 53 or the right engagement surface 54 of the right engagement portion 52 can be engaged.

  Therefore, when the operating member 3 is tilted from the initial reference position (neutral position), the first rotating member 4 can be rotated around the first rotating shaft 41 so as to be interlocked with the operating member 3. In this case, since the operating member 3 moves the shaft portion 31 along the long hole 64 in the longitudinal direction (left or right direction), the second rotating member 5 does not rotate.

  Further, when the operation member 3 is tilted in the axial direction (front or rear direction) of the first rotation shaft 41, the engagement portion between the shaft portion 31 of the operation member 3 and the second rotation member 5 passing through the long hole 64. The front surface 65 or the rear surface 66 of 63 can be engaged.

  Therefore, when the operating member 3 is tilted from the initial reference position, the second rotating member 5 can be rotated around the second rotating shaft 62 so as to be interlocked with the operating member 3. In this case, the operation member 3 uses the front and rear rear bulging surfaces 36 and 37 to rotate the fulcrum portion 32 relative to the fitting portion 42 along the front and rear guide surfaces 45 and 46. The moving member 4 does not rotate.

  In the multidirectional input device 1, the first variable resistor 6 is configured to be able to detect the rotation operation of the first rotation member 4. In the present embodiment, the first variable resistor 6 detects the rotational motion of the first rotational member 4 in order to detect the amount of tilting of the operation member 3 in the left-right direction, and is a straight-advanced first slider. 81, a first resistance circuit 82 (see FIG. 4) formed on the upper surface of the substrate 103, and a first contactor 83 (see FIG. 2) that makes sliding contact with the first resistance circuit 82. Has been.

  The first slider 81 linearly moves in a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the first rotation shaft 41 on the substrate 103 as the first rotation member 4 is rotated based on a tilting operation of the operation member 3 in the left-right direction. Is configured to do. The first slider 81 is provided on the substrate 103 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction, and is disposed behind the first rotating member 4.

  The first slider 81 is provided with a first engaging recess 81a that opens downward. The first slider 81 accommodates the first operation protrusion 59 in the first engagement recess 81a so as to be movable in the vertical direction so as to engage with the first operation protrusion 59 in the left-right direction. The projection 59 is slid in the left-right direction by the left-right displacement.

  The first contactor 83 is attached to a facing surface (lower surface) of the first slider 81 that faces the substrate 103 so as to slide on the first resistance circuit 82 as the first slider 81 slides.

  The second variable resistor 7 is configured to be able to detect the rotation operation of the second rotation member 5. In the present embodiment, the second variable resistor 7 detects the rotational motion of the second rotational member 5 in order to detect the amount of tilting of the operation member 3 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, A second slider 85 that moves straight, a second resistance circuit 86 (see FIG. 4) formed on the upper surface of the substrate 103, and a second contact 87 (see FIG. 2) that slides on the first resistance circuit 82. It is composed of a slide type.

  The second slider 85 linearly moves on the substrate 103 in a direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the second rotation shaft 62 in accordance with the rotation of the second rotation member 5 based on the tilting operation of the operation member 3 in the front-rear direction. Is configured to do. The second slider 85 is provided on the substrate 103 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and is disposed on the left side of the second rotating member 5.

  The second slider 85 is provided with a second engaging recess 85a that opens downward. The second slider 85 accommodates the second operation projection 77 in the second engagement recess 87 so as to be movable in the vertical direction so as to engage with the second operation projection 77 in the front-rear direction. The projection 77 is slid in the front-rear direction due to the displacement in the front-rear direction.

  The second contactor 87 is attached to the facing surface (lower surface) of the second slider 85 facing the substrate 103 so as to slide on the second resistance circuit 86 as the second slider 85 slides.

  The return member 8 is for returning the origin of the operation member 3. In the present embodiment, the return member 8 is elastically held at the initial reference position (neutral position) by moving the first rotation member 4 and the second rotation member 5 to the original position after the operation member 3 is tilted and pushed. A ring 88 and a spring 89 are provided to enable the return.

  The ring 88 is composed of a flat surface that can come into surface contact with the lower surfaces of the front and rear support portions 56 and 57 of the first rotating member 4 and the lower surfaces of the left and right support portions 73 and 74 of the second rotating member 5. It has an upper surface. The ring 88 is externally fitted to the fitting portion 42 of the first rotating member 4 from below so that the surface contact is performed.

  The spring 89 is interposed between the ring 88 and the bottom plate portion 14 of the lower case 11 in a compressed state, and biases the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 upward via the ring 88. It has become. Thereby, in this embodiment, pushing operation of the operation member 3 is attained.

  With the configuration as described above, in the multidirectional input device 1, as described above, if the operation member 3 is tilted, the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 5 are made independent of each other according to the tilting operation. And can be rotated. Therefore, the first variable resistor 6 and the second variable resistor 7 can detect the rotation of the first rotation member 4 and the second rotation member 5, respectively, and the amount of tilt of the operation member 3 can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the multidirectional input device 1 includes the switch 106 as described above.

  The pusher 92 is accommodated in the case 2 so as to be movable in the vertical direction according to the rotation of the first rotation member 4, and is disposed in front of the first rotation member 4. The pusher 92 has a concave portion 95 that opens upward, and is configured to be able to contact the other axial end portion of the front shaft portion 41 </ b> A inserted into the concave portion 95 from the rear side. The pusher 92 is kept in a state where it does not contact the front shaft portion 41A when the operating member 3 is not pushed in and the first rotating member 4 is in the initial reference position.

  Here, the front shaft portion 41A includes a contact surface 96 formed of a curved surface that is gently curved from the upper portion so as to protrude downward in the front view, on the lower portion that can contact the pusher 92, When the first rotating member 4 moves downward as the operating member 3 is pushed, the contact surface 96 contacts the receiving surface 97 formed of a curved surface along the contact surface 96 at the center of the bottom surface of the recess 95. 1 It moves down with the extension part 58, and can move down further in that state.

  Further, the switch 106 is configured such that the metal dome sheet 102 is disposed below the pusher 92 so that the central portion of the metal dome 101 is pressed by the pressing portion 92 a by the downward movement of the pusher 92.

  As a result, when the operating member 3 is pushed in against the urging force of the return member 8, the first turning member 4, that is, the first turning shaft 41 (front shaft portion 41A) and the first turning member are accompanied by the pushing operation. 1 The extension 58 is pushed down. With the downward movement, first, the contact surface 96 of the front shaft portion 41 </ b> A contacts the receiving surface 97 of the pusher 92 and the lower end portion of the first extension portion 58 contacts the upper surface of the substrate 103.

  In this state, when the push-in operation of the operation member 3 further proceeds, the first rotating member 4 moves down the contact surface 96 of the front shaft portion 41A that is in contact with the receiving surface 97 of the pusher 92. Further, the first extending portion 58 is slightly rotated around the lower end portion. Therefore, the front shaft portion 41 </ b> A pushes the pusher 92 downward to resist the urging force of the return member 8.

  As a result, the central portion of the metal dome 101 can be pressed by the pusher 92, and as described above, the switch 106 can perform analog output in addition to digital output.

  The multi-directional input device 1 configured as described above is attached to an operation unit of various electronic devices such as a game machine controller, the first resistance circuit 82 of the first variable resistor 6, the second variable circuit. The wiring pattern formed integrally with the second contact circuit 86 of the resistor 7 and the silver contact 105a of the central fixed contact 104 of the switch 106 and the wiring pattern formed integrally with the silver contact 105a of the outer fixed contact are constituted by a microcomputer or the like. Connected to a not-shown electronic circuit or power source.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the tilting operation of the operation member 3 having the case 2, the tiltable and pushable operation member 3 protruding from the inside of the case 2 and the first rotation shaft 41 is provided. The first movable member 4 held inside the case 2 so as to rotate around the first rotation shaft 41 in response to the first rotation shaft 41 and a second extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first rotation shaft 41. A second movable member 5 having a rotation shaft 62 and held inside the case 2 so as to rotate around the second rotation shaft 62 in response to a tilting operation of the operation member 3, and a first rotation member 4, a first variable resistor 6 that detects the rotation operation of the second rotation resistor 7, a second variable resistor 7 that detects the rotation operation of the second rotation member 5, and a return member 8 that returns the origin of the operation member 3. And a switch 106, and a multidirectional input device in which the switch 106 is driven by a pushing operation of the operation member 3. The first time based on the coordinate input in the axial direction (x-axis direction) of the second rotating shaft 62 based on the analog output from the first variable resistor 6 and the analog output from the second variable resistor 7. In addition to the coordinate input in the axial direction (y-axis direction) of the moving shaft 41, the coordinate input in the axial direction (z-axis direction) of the axis orthogonal to one plane including these x-axis and y-axis is used to push the operation member 3 The multi-directional input device 1 capable of operating a three-dimensional space can be realized with a minimum cost increase. Further, no additional space is required, and the feeling characteristics (click feeling) are not deteriorated. For this reason, it is possible to provide the multidirectional input device 1 capable of various operations with good feeling characteristics (click feeling), low cost and space saving.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multidirectional input device 2 Case 3 Operation member 4 1st rotation member 5 2nd rotation member 6 1st variable resistor 7 2nd variable resistor 8 Return member 41 1st rotation shaft 62 2nd rotation shaft 101 Tal dome 102 Metal dome sheet 103 Substrate 104 Center fixed contact 104b Pressure sensitive contact 105 Outer fixed contact 106 Switch

Claims (2)

  A metal dome sheet having a metal dome attached to the lower surface and a substrate having a central fixed contact and an outer fixed contact surrounding the metal dome sheet formed on the upper surface; the metal dome sheet being attached to the upper surface of the substrate; A switch in which a metal dome is placed and fixed on the upper surface of the outer fixed contact with the metal fixed dome straddling the central fixed contact, and a switch having a pressure sensitive conductive ink printing layer formed on the upper surface of the central fixed contact .   A case, a tiltable and pushable operation member that protrudes from the inside of the case to the outside, and a first rotation shaft that rotates about the first rotation shaft according to the tilting operation of the operation member. The first movable member held inside the case and the second rotation shaft extending in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first rotation shaft are provided to respond to the tilting operation of the operation member. A second movable member held inside the case so as to rotate about the second rotation axis, a first variable resistor for detecting a rotation operation of the first rotation member, and the first 2. A second variable resistor that detects a turning operation of the turning member, a return member for returning the operation member to the origin, and a switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is pushed by an operation of pushing the operation member. A multidirectional input device in which the switch is driven.

Images