JP2023021909A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a multidirectional input device capable of improving detection accuracy of a tilting operation of an operation member.SOLUTION: This multidirectional input device comprises: an operation member 4 capable of executing a tilting and pushing-in operation; a metal dome 13 that functions as a pushing-in operation detection unit for detecting a pushing-in operation of the operation member 4; a magnet holding member 6 that can move only in a direction along a pushing-in direction relative to the operation member 4 and interlocks only in a tilting direction; a magnet 9 held by the magnet holding member 6; and a magnetic sensor 10 that is disposed at a position facing the magnet 9 and that detects motion of the magnet 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to multi-directional input devices.

Conventionally, an operation member that can be tilted and pushed, a push operation detection device that detects the push operation of the operation member, a magnet embedded in the lower end of the operation member, and a magnet that displaces according to the tilt operation of the operation member. 2. Description of the Related Art A multidirectional input device including a magnetoelectric conversion element that detects a magnetic field is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-107178

A conventional multi-directional input device has a problem that when the operation member is pressed, the magnet also moves downward to change the magnetic field, which adversely affects the detection of the tilting operation of the operation member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device capable of improving detection accuracy of a tilting operation of an operation member.

A multidirectional input device according to the present invention includes an operating member that can be tilted and pushed, a pushing operation detection device that detects a pushing operation of the operating member, and a device that faces the operating member only in a direction along the pushing direction. A magnet holding member that is movable and interlocks only in a tilting direction, a magnet held by the magnet holding member, and a magnetic sensor that is arranged at a position facing the magnet and detects the movement of the magnet. It is.

In the multi-directional input device according to the present invention, the operation member can be moved relative to the operation member only in the pushing direction, and the magnet is held by the magnet holding member that interlocks only in the tilting direction. Since the magnet does not move downward when operated and the magnetic field does not change, the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member is not adversely affected, and the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device capable of improving detection accuracy of tilting operation of an operation member.

1 is a front perspective view showing a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where no operating force is applied to an operating member; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a front view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 1 with an upper cover made transparent; FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 1 with an upper cover made transparent; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2 in a state in which the operation member is tilted backward; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 2 in a state in which the operating member is tilted rightward; 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a multi-directional input device according to another embodiment of the present invention in an initial state in which no operating force is applied to the operating member; 16 is an exploded front perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 15; FIG. FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 15 with the top cover made transparent; FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 15 with the top cover made transparent; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 15 in a state in which the operating member is tilted in the YZ plane direction; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 15; 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 15 in a state in which the operation member is tilted in the XZ plane direction; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a magnet holder; FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the magnet holder; It is a figure which shows a disk-shaped component, (A) is a top view, (B) is a half cross-section front view. It is a front view which shows the positional relationship of a magnet, a 1st magnetic sensor, and a 2nd magnetic sensor. FIG. 27 is a plan view of FIG. 26; 27 is a left side view of FIG. 26; FIG. 4 is a processing block diagram of output signals of a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an analysis result of detection of the amount of tilting in the X-axis direction of the operation member; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an analysis result of detection of the amount of tilting of the operation member in the Y-axis direction; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing analysis results of XY coordinate output values when tilted in all directions; FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 showing a first modified example of the magnet holding portion; FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 21 showing a first modified example of the magnet holding portion; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a first modified example of a magnet holding portion; FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a first modified example of the magnet holder; It is a figure which shows a cylindrical component, (A) is a half-section top view, (B) is a half-section front view. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 showing a second modification of the magnet holding portion;

A multidirectional input device (hereinafter simply referred to as a multidirectional input device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. FIG. In the figure, the direction of arrow Y1 is the front direction of the multidirectional input device, the direction of arrow Y2 is the rearward direction of the multidirectional input device, the direction of arrow X1 is the left direction of the multidirectional input device, and the direction of arrow X2 is the direction of the multidirectional input device. The direction of arrow Z1 is the upward direction of the multi-directional input device, and the direction of arrow Z2 is the downward direction of the multi-directional input device.

Multi-directional input devices can be used in various electronic devices such as controllers for game machines. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the multidirectional input device includes a lower case 1, an upper case 2, two screws 3a and 3b, an operating member 4, a rotating member 5, and a magnet holding member 6. , a compression coil spring 7 , a receiving member 8 , a magnet 9 , a magnetic sensor 10 , a pressing member 11 , a cover sheet 12 , a metal dome 13 and a substrate 14 .

The lower case 1 and the upper case 2 form a square box-shaped case by combining them. The lower case 1 is made of sheet metal. The lower case 1 has a bottom plate portion 1a and left and right side plate portions 1b and 1c. The bottom plate portion 1a is formed in a rectangular shape. The left and right side plate portions 1b and 1c are raised from the left and right sides of the bottom plate portion 1a. The left and right side plate portions 1b and 1c are provided so as to face each other. The lower case 1 is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the front.

The upper case 2 is a resin molded product. The upper case 2 has a top plate portion 2a and peripheral side wall portions (4 side wall portions) 2b. The top plate portion 2a is formed in a rectangular shape. The peripheral side walls 2b are suspended from the four upper, lower, left, and right sides of the top plate 2a. The upper case 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box opening downward. The upper case 2 is arranged so as to cover the bottom plate portion 1a of the lower case 1 . The upper case 2 is fixed to the lower case 1 while being fitted between the left and right side plate portions 1b and 1c of the lower case 1. As shown in FIG.

The upper case 2 is fixed to the lower case 1 by engaging holes 1d and 1e formed in the left and right side plates 1b and 1c of the lower case 1 and protruding from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the peripheral side wall 2b of the upper case 2. Engagement by fitting the provided engaging claws 2c and 2d, two female screw portions 2e provided in the upper case 2 through two screw insertion holes 1f and 1g drilled in the lower case 1, 2f is fastened by screwing two screws (male screws) 3a and 3b.

The upper case 2 includes a dome portion 2g, an inner wall portion 2h, a first accommodation portion 2i, a second accommodation portion 2j, a third accommodation portion 2k, a first guide groove portion 2l, a second guide groove portion 2m, and an insertion hole 2n.

The dome portion 2g is formed so as to protrude upward in a dome shape from the central portion of the top plate portion 2a. The inner wall portion 2h hangs down from the outer peripheral edge portion of the dome portion 2g. The inner wall portion 2h is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first accommodating portion 2i is formed by the inner region of the dome portion 2g and the inner region of the inner wall portion 2h. The rotating member 5 is rotatably accommodated in the first accommodating portion 2i.

The second accommodating portion 2j is formed between the peripheral wall portion 2b and the inner wall portion 2h. The pressing member 11 is accommodated in the second accommodating portion 2j so as to be vertically movable. The third accommodating portion 2k is formed between the peripheral wall portion 2b and the inner wall portion 2h. A pressing fulcrum portion 5e, which will be described later, is rotatably accommodated in the third accommodation portion 2k. The second housing portion 2j and the third housing portion 2k are formed at two opposite positions with the inner wall portion 2h interposed therebetween. In the illustrated example, the second housing portion 2j is formed between the front wall portion and the inner wall portion 2h of the peripheral wall portion 2b of the upper case 2, and the third housing portion 2k is formed between the rear wall portion and the inner wall portion of the peripheral wall portion 2b. 2h.

The first guide groove portion 2l is formed in the inner wall portion 2h so as to allow the first accommodating portion 2i and the second accommodating portion 2j to communicate with each other. The first guide groove portion 2l is formed in an inverted U shape so as to open downward. The second guide groove portion 2m is formed in the inner wall portion 2h so as to allow the first accommodating portion 2i and the third accommodating portion 2k to communicate with each other. The second guide groove portion 2m is formed in an inverted U shape so as to open downward. The first guide groove portion 2l and the second guide groove portion 2m are formed in the inner wall portion 2h so as to face each other in the front-rear direction.

2 n of penetration holes are formed in the top part (central part) of the dome part 2g. The insertion hole 2n is formed in a circular shape. 2 n of insertion holes open the 1st accommodating part 2i above the upper case 2. As shown in FIG. The insertion hole 2n protrudes the operation member 4 from the inside of the case, specifically the first accommodating portion 2i, to the outside of the case, specifically above the upper case 2, so that it can be tilted and pushed.

The substrate 14 is a rectangular flexible substrate (FPC) or an inflexible printed wiring board (PCB). In the illustrated example, the substrate 14 is a rectangular flexible substrate (FPC). The substrate 14 is fixed on the bottom plate portion 1a of the lower case 1 with the peripheral portion of the substrate 14 sandwiched between the bottom plate portion 1a of the lower case 1 and the peripheral side wall portion 2b of the upper case 2. . The substrate 14 has a strip-shaped tail portion 14a for external connection. The tail portion 14a extends from one side of the substrate 14 and is pulled out from the inside of the case. In the illustrated example, it extends from the rear side of the substrate 14 and is pulled out from the inside of the case to the outside, specifically to the rear of the case.

The receiving member 8 is a resin molded product. The receiving member 8 has a receiving portion 8a, a collar portion 8b, and a recessed portion 8c. The receiving portion 8a is formed in a disc shape. The collar portion 8b is formed in a plate-like shape so as to protrude from the lower end portion of the peripheral side surface of the receiving portion 8a. The recess 8c is formed in the center of the lower surface of the receiving portion 8a.

The receiving member 8 is fixed to the central portion of the substrate 14 facing the first accommodation portion 2i of the upper case 2 with an adhesive. The receiving member 8 forms a flat supporting surface 8d parallel to the substrate 14 for supporting the magnet holding member 6 below the first accommodating portion 2i of the upper case 2 by the upper surface of the receiving portion 8a. The receiving member 8 forms a fourth accommodation portion 8e between the receiving portion 8a and the substrate 14 by a concave portion 8c on the lower surface of the receiving portion 8a. The magnetic sensor 10 is accommodated in the fourth accommodation portion 8e.

The operating member 4 is a resin molded product. The operation member 4 is a round bar-shaped member. The operation member 4 has a base portion 4a, a key top attachment portion 4b, a truncated cone portion 4c, a first support shaft 4d, a second support shaft 4e, and a hole portion 4f. These constituent elements 4 a to 4 f of the operating member 4 are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line serving as the center line of the operating member 4 .

The base portion 4a is formed in a round bar shape. The key top attachment portion 4b is formed in a round bar shape that is thinner than the base portion 4a. The truncated cone portion 4c is provided between the base portion 4a and the key top attachment portion 4b. The truncated cone portion 4c connects the base portion 4a and the key top attachment portion 4b in a straight line. The first support shaft 4d and the second support shaft 4e protrude in two opposite directions from the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 4a. The first support shaft 4 d and the second support shaft 4 e are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line perpendicular to the center line of the operation member 4 .

The hole 4f is formed in the central portion of the operating member 4. As shown in FIG. The magnet holding member 6 is housed in the hole 4f so as to be movable along the center line of the operating member 4, and the compression coil spring 7 is housed in the hole 4f so as to be able to expand and contract along the center line of the operating member 4. As shown in FIG.

The hole portion 4f has a large diameter portion 4g, a small diameter portion 4h, and a downward step surface 4i. The large diameter portion 4g has a circular cross-sectional shape. The large diameter portion 4g is provided at the center of the base portion 4a. The large diameter portion 4g is opened downward at the end surface of the base portion 4a (the lower end surface of the operation member 4). The small diameter portion 4h has a circular cross-sectional shape with a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 4g. The small diameter portion 4h is provided at the center of the truncated cone portion 4c. The small-diameter portion 4h opens into the large-diameter portion 4g at the center of the top surface of the large-diameter portion 4g. The downward stepped surface 4i consists of the outer portion of the top surface of the large diameter portion 4g.

The rotating member 5 is a resin molded product. The rotating member 5 is a circular ring-shaped member. The rotating member 5 has a through hole 5a, a first support shaft 5b, a second support shaft 5c, a pressing portion 5d, a pressing fulcrum portion 5e, a first recess 5f, and a second recess 5g. ing.

The through hole 5a is a hole through which the rotating member 5 penetrates vertically. A base portion 4a of the operation member 4 is inserted into the through hole 5a. The first support shaft 5b and the second support shaft 5c project from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 5 in two opposite directions. The first support shaft 5 b and the second support shaft 5 c are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line perpendicular to the center line of the rotating member 5 . The pressing portion 5d protrudes downward from the end of the first support shaft 5b. A lower end of the pressing portion 5d is formed in an arcuate shape protruding downward. The pressing fulcrum portion 5e protrudes downward from the end portion of the second support shaft 5c. The lower end of the pressing fulcrum portion 5e is formed in an arcuate shape protruding downward.

The first recessed portion 5f and the second recessed portion 5g are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member 5. As shown in FIG. The first recess 5f and the second recess 5g are provided so as to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the first support shaft 5b and the second support shaft 5c. The first support shaft 4d of the operating member 4 is rotatably inserted into the first concave portion 5f. The second support shaft 4e of the operation member 4 is rotatably inserted into the second recess 5g. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 5 is curved to match the curved surface forming the inner surface of the dome portion 2g of the upper case 2. As shown in FIG.

The magnet holding member 6 is a molded resin product. The magnet holding member 6 is a round bar-shaped member. The magnet holding member 6 includes a large-diameter portion 6a, a small-diameter portion 6b, a medium-diameter portion 6c, a first upward step surface 6d, a second upward step surface 6e, a hole portion 6f, and a central contact surface 6g. , and a peripheral contact surface 6h. These constituent elements 6 a to 6 h of the magnet holding member 6 are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line that is the center line of the magnet holding member 6 .

The large diameter portion 6a has a circular cross-sectional shape. The large-diameter portion 6 a is inserted into the large-diameter portion 4 g of the hole portion 4 f of the operation member 4 so as to be movable along the center line of the operation member 4 . The small diameter portion 6b has a circular cross-sectional shape with a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 6a. The small diameter portion 6b is inserted into the small diameter portion 4h of the hole portion 4f of the operation member 4 so as to be movable along the center line of the operation member 4. As shown in FIG. The medium diameter portion 6c is provided between the large diameter shaft portion 6a and the small diameter shaft portion 6b. The medium diameter portion 6c connects the large diameter shaft portion 6a and the small diameter shaft portion 6b in a straight line. The medium-diameter portion 6c has a circular cross-sectional shape smaller than the large-diameter portion 6a and larger than the small-diameter portion 6b. The medium-diameter portion 6c is attached to the large-diameter portion 4g of the hole portion 4f of the operation member 4 so as to form a gap for accommodating the compression coil spring 7 with the peripheral wall surface of the large-diameter portion 4g of the hole portion 4f of the operation member 4. It is inserted movably along the center line of the operating member 4 .

The first upward step surface 6d is provided between the large diameter portion 6a and the medium diameter portion 6c. The first upward step surface 6 d faces the downward step surface 4 i of the operating member 4 . The second upward stepped surface 6e is provided between the small-diameter shaft portion 6b and the medium-diameter shaft portion 6c. The second upward step surface 6 e faces the downward step surface 4 i of the operating member 4 .

The hole 6f has a circular cross-sectional shape. The hole portion 6f is provided from the central portion of the large diameter portion 6a to the central portion of the medium diameter portion 6c. The hole portion 6f is opened downward at the end surface of the large diameter portion 6a (the lower end surface of the magnet holding member 6). A magnet 9 is fitted and fixed in the hole 6f.

The central contact surface 6g is provided around the opening of the hole 6f. The central contact surface 6g is formed by the end surface (lower end surface of the magnet holding member 6) of the large-diameter portion 6a that is parallel to the substrate 14 and flat. The central contact surface 6g contacts the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8, thereby supporting the magnet holding member 6 on the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8 in an upright state. The peripheral contact surface 6h is provided around the central central contact surface 6g. The peripheral contact surface 6h is a curved surface that rounds the corners of the end face and the peripheral side surface of the large diameter portion 6a. The peripheral contact surface 6h contacts the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8, thereby supporting the magnet holding member 6 on the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8 in a tilted state.

The compression coil spring 7 is made of metal wire.

The rotating member 5 is configured by inserting the first support shaft 5b through the first guide groove portion 2l of the upper case 2 and inserting the second support shaft 5c through the second guide groove portion 2m of the upper case 2. The shaft 5b and the second guide groove portion 2m extend in the front-rear direction, and are housed in the first housing portion 2i of the upper case 2 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove portion 2m. there is In this state, the rotating member 5 arranges the pressing portion 5d in the second accommodating portion 2j of the upper case 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove portion 2m, The fulcrum portion 5e is arranged in the third accommodation portion 2k of the upper case 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove portion 2m.

The operating member 4 inserts the base portion 4a into the through hole 5a of the rotating member 5, inserts the first support shaft 4d into the first concave portion 5f of the rotating member 5, and inserts the second support shaft 4e into the rotating member 5. By inserting the first support shaft 4b and the second support shaft 4e in the left-right direction, the first support shaft 4b and the second support shaft 4e can be rotated about the axis of the first support shaft 4b and the second support shaft 4e. is supported by the rotating member 5. In this state, the operation member 4 has the truncated cone portion 4c and the key top attachment portion 4b protruding upward from the upper case 2 through the insertion hole 2n of the upper case 2 from the first accommodating portion of the upper case 2. As shown in FIG.

The magnet holding member 6 is inserted into the hole 4 f of the operating member 4 so as to be movable along the center line of the operating member 4 , with the central contact surface 6 g facing the support surface 8 d of the receiving member 8 .

The compression coil spring 7 is housed in a gap formed between the peripheral wall surface of the large-diameter portion 4e of the hole portion 4f of the operating member 4 and the peripheral wall surface of the medium-diameter portion 6c of the magnet holding member 6. is brought into contact with the first upward stepped surface 6d of the magnet holding member 6, and the upper end of the compression coil spring 7 is brought into contact with the downwardly directed stepped surface 4i of the hole portion 4f of the operating member 4. The moving member 5 is urged upward, and the magnet holding member 6 is urged downward.

When no operating force is applied to the operating member 4, the urging force of the compression coil spring 7 causes the magnet holding member 6 to press the central contact surface 6g against the supporting surface 8d of the receiving member 8, and the receiving member 8 is pressed. The operating member 4 and the rotating member 5 are held in an upright state on the supporting surface 8d of the upper case 2, and the first support shaft 5b of the rotating member 5 is engaged with the upper end of the first guide groove 2l of the upper case 2. At the same time, the second support shaft 5c of the rotating member 5 is pushed upward until it engages with the upper end of the second guide groove portion 2m of the upper case 2, and the operating member 4 is moved to the receiving member via the magnet holding member 6. 8 is held upright on a support surface 8d. With this state as a neutral state, the operation member 4 can be tilted in any direction and can be pushed downward. In addition, the magnet holding member 6 can tilt so as to push down the pressing portion 5d with the pressing fulcrum portion 5e as a fulcrum in conjunction with the pressing operation of the operating member 4. As a result, the operation member 4 can be tilted only in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation member 4 without absorbing the pushing operation of the operation member 4 and interlocking with it.

The magnet 9 and the magnetic sensor 10 function as a tilting operation detection device for detecting a tilting operation of the operation member 4 , and the metal dome 13 functions as a pushing operation detection device for the operation member 4 . Specifically, the metal dome 13 functions as a push switch, and opens and closes a fixed contact (not shown) formed on the substrate 14 .

The magnet 9 is a cylindrical permanent magnet. The magnet 9 is fitted and fixed in the hole 6 f of the magnet holding member 6 . Fixing of the magnet 9 is performed with an adhesive.

The magnetic sensor 10 is arranged at a position facing the magnet 9 and detects movement of the magnet 9 (change in the magnetic field of the magnet 9). In the illustrated example, the magnetic sensor 10 is surface-mounted in the central portion of the substrate 14 so as to be positioned opposite the magnet 9 . The magnetic sensor 10 is accommodated in the recess 8c (fourth accommodation portion 8e) of the receiving member 8. As shown in FIG.

As the magnetic sensor 10, one having a pair of magnetoresistive elements or one having a Hall element is used. In the illustrated example, the magnetic sensor 10 has a pair of magnetoresistive elements, and detects the movement of the magnet 9 using the magnetoresistive effect of the magnetoresistive elements. When the operating member 4 is tilted, the magnet holding member 6 is tilted in conjunction with the tilting of the operating member 4 , and the magnet 9 is displaced along with the tilting of the magnet holding member 6 . The magnetic field changes according to the displacement of the magnet 9, and the resistance value of the magnetoresistive element of the magnetic sensor 10 changes. When a voltage is applied to one end of the magnetic sensor 10 and the other end is grounded, a voltage proportional to the displacement of the magnet 9 is output from the connection point of the pair of magnetoresistive elements. As a result, a voltage proportional to the tilting direction and tilting amount of the operating member 4 can be output.

The cover sheet 12 is a single-sided adhesive sheet. The metal dome 13 is a movable contact made of an upwardly convex dome-shaped metal plate. A metal dome sheet is formed by attaching the upper surface of the metal dome 13 to the lower surface of the cover sheet 12 . A central fixed contact (not shown) and an outer fixed contact are formed on the substrate 14 . The central fixed contact is formed in a circular shape and arranged below the second accommodating portion 2j of the upper case 2. As shown in FIG. The outer stationary contact is C-shaped and is arranged to surround the central stationary contact with a space therebetween.

The metal dome sheet is attached to the substrate 14 below the second accommodating portion 2j of the upper case 2, and the metal dome 13 is fixed on the outer fixed contact while straddling the central fixed contact. is in a state of being separated from the central fixed contact directly below it with a gap provided therebetween.

The pressing member 11 is a resin molded product. The pressing member 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped member. The pressing member 11 is housed in the second housing portion 2j of the upper case 2 so as to be vertically movable. The pressing member 11 has a concave portion 11a and a convex portion 11b. The concave portion 11 a is formed on the upper surface of the pressing member 11 . The concave portion 11a is formed by recessing the upper surface of the pressing member 11 in an arc shape. A pressing portion 5d of the rotating member 5 faces the concave portion 11a. The convex portion 11 b is formed on the lower surface of the pressing member 11 . The convex portion 11b is formed in a truncated cone shape whose outer diameter gradually decreases downward. The lower end surface of the projection 11b is in contact with the upper surface of the cover sheet 12 so as to press the top of the metal dome 13. As shown in FIG.

When the operating member 4 is pushed in, the rotating member 5 moves downward in conjunction with the pushing operation of the operating member 4, and along with the downward movement of the rotating member 5, the lower end surface of the pressing fulcrum portion 5 contacts the bottom plate portion 1a of the lower case 1, and the rotating member 5 tilts so as to push down the pressing portion 5d with the pressing fulcrum portion 5e as a fulcrum. As the rotating member 5 tilts, the pressing portion 5d comes into contact with the concave portion 11a of the pressing member 11 and presses the pressing member 11 downward. As the pressing member 11 is pushed down, the top of the metal dome 13 is pushed down by the convex portion 11b of the pressing member 11, and the top of the metal dome 13 is elastically deformed to project downward with a click feeling. The top part comes into contact with the central fixed contact of the substrate 14, and the central fixed contact and the outer fixed contact of the substrate 14 are electrically connected through the metal dome 13 to turn on the switch. Thereby, the pressing operation of the operating member 4 can be detected.

When the operation member 4 is pushed in, the magnet holding member 6 itself enters the hole 4f of the operation member 4 as the operation member 4 is pushed in, as described above. It can be tilted only in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation member 4 without absorbing the operation and interlocking. That is, the magnet 9 is held by the magnet holding member 6 which is movable only in the direction along the pushing direction with respect to the operating member 4 and which is interlocked only in the tilting direction. Since the magnet 9 does not move downward and the magnetic field does not change, the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 4 is not adversely affected, and the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 4 can be improved.

As described above, the multi-directional input device includes the operation member 4 that can be tilted and pushed, the metal dome 13 that functions as a push operation detection device that detects the push operation of the operation member 4, and the push direction of the operation member 4. A magnet holding member 6 that is relatively movable only in the direction along and interlocks only in the tilting direction, and a magnet 9 held by the magnet holding member 6 are arranged at positions facing the magnet 9, and the movement of the magnet 9 is controlled by and the magnetic sensor 10 for detecting, and as described above, the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 4 can be improved.

A multidirectional input device according to another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as another multidirectional input device) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 15 shows the relationship between another multi-directional input device and a three-dimensional space formed by orthogonal three axes (X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis). The left-right direction of the other multi-directional input device is defined as the X-axis direction, the front-rear direction of the other multi-directional input device orthogonal to the X-axis is defined as the Y-axis direction, and other multi-directional inputs are orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis. The vertical direction of the device is defined as the Z-axis direction.

The rightward direction of the other multidirectional input device is defined as the positive direction of the X axis (+X-axis direction), the forward direction of the other multidirectional input device is defined as the positive direction of the Y-axis (+Y-axis direction), and the other multidirectional input device is defined as the positive direction of the Y-axis (+Y-axis direction). The upward direction of the multi-directional input device is defined as the positive direction of the Z-axis (+Z-axis direction).

A two-dimensional plane formed between the X-axis and the Y-axis is defined as an XY-plane, a two-dimensional plane formed between the X-axis and the Z-axis is defined as an XZ-plane, and formed between the Y-axis and the Z-axis. Let the two-dimensional plane to be processed be the YZ plane.

Other multi-directional input devices can be used in various electronic devices such as game controllers.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 22, another multidirectional input device includes a lower case 101, an upper case 102, an operating member 104, a rotating member 105, a magnet holder 106, a compression coil spring 107, Magnet 109, first magnetic sensor 110A, second magnetic sensor 110B, pusher 111, cover sheet 112, metal dome 113, main board 114, first sub-board 115A and second sub-board 115B. I have.

The lower case 101 and the upper case 102 constitute a rectangular box-shaped case by combining them. Various components 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110A, 110B, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115A and 115B of the multi-directional input device are housed inside this case.

The lower case 101 is made of sheet metal. The lower case 101 has a bottom plate portion 101a and left and right side plate portions 101b and 101c. The bottom plate portion 101a is formed in a rectangular shape. The left and right side plate portions 101b and 101c are raised from the left and right sides of the bottom plate portion 101a.

The upper case 102 is a molded resin product. The upper case 102 has a top plate portion 102a and peripheral side wall portions (4 side wall portions) 102b. The top plate portion 102a is formed in a rectangular shape. The peripheral side wall portions 102b are suspended from the front, rear, left, and right sides of the top plate portion 2a. The upper case 102 is formed in the shape of a bottomless square box opening downward.

The upper case 102 is arranged on the bottom plate portion 101a so as to cover the bottom plate portion 101a from above. The upper case 102 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 101a by two screws (not shown) while being fitted between the left and right side plate portions 101b and 101c. The upper case 102 functions as a case body of the case, and the lower case 101 functions as a bottom cover of the case.

The upper case 102 has a dome portion 102c and an insertion hole 102d. The dome portion 102c is formed so as to bulge upward in a dome shape from the central portion of the top plate portion 102a. The inner surface of the dome portion 102c is formed into a spherically curved surface. 102 d of penetration holes are formed in the top part (central part) of the dome part 102c. 102 d of insertion holes are formed circularly. The insertion hole 102d opens the inside of the upper case 102 upward.

The main substrate 114 is a flexible substrate (FPC). The main substrate 114 is fixed on the bottom plate portion 101a with the peripheral portion of the main substrate 114 sandwiched between the bottom plate portion 101a and the peripheral side wall portion 102b. The main substrate 114 has a strip-shaped tail portion 114a for external connection. The tail portion 114a extends in one direction (rearward) from the rectangular body portion of the main substrate 114 and is pulled out from the inside of the upper case 102 to the outside.

The operating member 104 is a resin molded product. The operating member 104 is a rod-shaped member. The operation member 104 has a base portion 104a, a key top attachment portion 104b, a truncated cone portion 104c, a pair of left and right second shaft portions 104d and 104e, and a magnet accommodation hole 104f. Of the components of the operation member 104, the components 104a to 104f, excluding the second shaft portions 104d and 104e, are provided coaxially with respect to a straight line extending in the Z-axis direction serving as the center line of the operation member 104. It is

The base portion 104 a is provided at the lower end portion of the operation member 104 . The base 104a is formed in a round bar shape. The key top attachment portion 104 b is provided at the upper end portion of the operation member 104 . The keytop attachment portion 104b is formed in a round bar shape that is thinner than the base portion 104a. The truncated cone portion 104c is provided between the base portion 104a and the key top attachment portion 104b, and connects them in a straight line in the Z-axis direction.

The left second shaft portion 104d and the right second shaft portion 104e protrude in two opposite directions from the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 104a. The left second shaft portion 104d and the right second shaft portion 104e are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line extending in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the center line of the operation member 4. As shown in FIG.

The magnet housing hole 104f is formed from the central portion of the end surface of the base portion 104a (lower end surface of the operating member 4) to the central portion of the truncated cone portion 104c. The magnet housing hole 104f is a stepped hole with a circular cross section whose diameter is reduced in two stages from bottom to top. The magnet housing hole 104f opens downward at the end surface of the base portion 104a (the lower end surface of the operation member 4).

The rotating member 105 is a resin molded product. The rotating member 105 is a circular ring-shaped member. The rotating member 105 has a through hole 105a, a pair of front and rear first shaft portions 105b and 105c, a pressing portion 105d, a pressing fulcrum portion 105e, and a pair of left and right bearing portions 105f and 105g.

The through hole 105a is a hole penetrating through the rotating member 105 in the Z-axis direction. The front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 105 in two opposite directions. The front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line extending in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the center line of the rotating member 105. As shown in FIG.

The pressing portion 105d protrudes downward from the end of the front first shaft portion 105b. A lower end of the pressing portion 105d is formed in an arcuate shape protruding downward. The pressing fulcrum portion 105e protrudes downward from the base portion of the rear second shaft portion 105c. The lower end of the pressing fulcrum portion 105e is formed in an arcuate shape protruding downward.

The left bearing portion 105f and the right bearing portion 105g are circular through holes penetrating the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating member 105. As shown in FIG. The left bearing portion 105f and the right bearing portion 105g are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line extending in the X-axis direction so as to face each other in the X-axis direction. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 105 is formed into a spherical curved surface that matches the inner surface of the dome portion 102c.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the magnet 109 is a cylindrical permanent magnet magnetized (polarized) with two NS poles in the axial direction along the projecting direction of the operation member 104 . The magnet 109 is a cylindrical permanent magnet whose axial direction is the Z-axis direction. The magnet 109 has a circular through hole 109a in its central portion. The magnet 109 is magnetized to have two NS poles in the axial direction so that both end faces (upper end face and lower end face) have different polarities. The magnet 109 has an upper end surface as an N pole and a lower end surface as an S pole.

As also shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , the magnet holder 106 includes a pair of upper and lower discs 1060 and 1061 arranged at both ends of the magnet 109 and a pin 1062 . The upper disk portion 1060 and the lower disk portion 1061 respectively have circular through holes 1060a and 1061a in the central portion, like the magnet 109. As shown in FIG.

The pin 1062 is a round pin with a circular cross section that fits into the through holes 1060a, 1061a and 109a. The pin 1062 is a metal pin that does not stick to the magnet 109 , or a metal pin that sticks to the magnet 109 , and is a pin that has undergone surface treatment such as plating so that it does not stick to the magnet 109 .

The magnet holding portion 106 holds the magnet 109 between the upper disc portion 1060 and the lower disc portion 1061 in a state in which the pin 1062 is inserted into the upper disc portion 1060, the lower disc portion 1061 and the through holes 1060a, 1061a and 109a of the magnet 109. is configured to hold The upper disc portion 1060 , the lower disc portion 1061 and the magnet 109 are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line extending in the Z-axis direction, which is the centerline of the pin 1062 .

The magnet holding portion 106 has a contact surface 1063 in the shape of a truncated ball with respect to the bottom plate portion 101a on the lower surface of the lower disk portion 1061 facing the bottom plate portion 101a (lower end surface of the magnet holding portion 106). The abutting surface 1063 includes a circular flat surface 1063a formed by the small-diameter side end surface of the ball base, and a spherical curved surface 1063b formed by the side surface of the ball base.

The pin 1062 has a disc-shaped flange 1062a in the axially intermediate portion of the pin 1062 . The pins 1062 are arranged so that the pins 1062 on the lower side from the collar 1062a are connected to the upper disk 1060, the lower disk 1061, and the through holes 1060a and 1061a of the magnet 109 with the flange 1062a in contact with the upper surface of the upper disk 1060. and 109a, the lower end of the pin 1062 is positioned inside the through hole 1061a of the lower disk portion 1061, and the pin 1062 does not protrude from the lower surface of the lower disk portion 1061, while the upper pin 1062 is pushed upward from the collar portion 1062a. It protrudes upward from the upper surface of the disc portion 1060 .

The magnet holding portion 106 has two disk-shaped parts 1064 formed of a magnetic material attached to the magnet 109. The two disk-shaped parts 1064 are divided into an upper disk-shaped part 1060 (one disk-shaped part 1064) and a lower disk-shaped part 1061 (the other disk-shaped part 1064). disk-shaped part 1064), has contact surfaces 1063 on both surfaces of the upper disk portion 1060 and the lower disk portion 1061, and has a spherical truncated shape on the lower surface of the lower disk portion 1061 (the lower surface of the magnet holding portion 106) The contact surface 1063 of the bottom plate portion 101a is configured to be the contact surface 1063 for the bottom plate portion 101a.

The upper disc portion 1060 and the lower disc portion 1061 can be fixed to the pin 1062 by using an adhesive, or by press-fitting the pin 1062 into the through holes 1060a and 1061a. Such fixing can suppress rattling of the magnet 109 .

A cushioning material (not shown) may be provided between the upper disc portion 1060 and the magnet 109 and between the lower disc portion 1061 and the magnet 109 so as to eliminate rattling of the magnet 109 .

The compression coil spring 107 is made of a metal wire that does not stick to the magnet 109 .

Rotating member 105 has front first shaft portion 105b and rear first shaft portion 105c inserted into front guide groove 102e and rear guide groove 102f formed inside upper case 102, respectively. As a result, rotation of the rotating member 105 about the center line with respect to the upper case 102 is restricted. In this state, the rotating member 105 is accommodated inside the upper case 102 so as to be rotatable about the front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c. The front guide groove 102e and the rear guide groove 102f are formed in an inverted U shape so as to open downward.

The operation member 104 inserts the base portion 104a into the through hole 105a of the rotating member 105, and the left second shaft portion 104d and the right second shaft portion 104e are engaged with the left bearing portion 105f and the right bearing portion 105g of the rotating member 105, respectively. and is inserted into As a result, the operation member 104 is supported by the rotating member 105 so as to be rotatable about the left second shaft portion 104d and the right second shaft portion 104e. In this state, the operation member 104 causes the key top attachment portion 104b to protrude upward from the upper case 102 through the insertion hole 102d.

The magnet holding part 106 is inserted into the magnet housing hole 104f of the operation member 104 so as to be movable along the center line of the operation member 104 in a state where the compression coil spring 107 is externally fitted from the collar part 1062a to the pin 1062 on the upper side. The lower surface of the disk portion 1061 faces the bottom plate portion 101a.

The compression coil spring 107 is accommodated between the flange portion 1062a and the upper surface of the magnet accommodation hole 104f, and urges the operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 upward, and urges the magnet holding portion 106 downward. ing.

When no operation force is applied to the operation member 104, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107 causes the magnet holding portion 106 to push the flat surface 1063a of the contact surface 1063 of the lower surface of the lower disk portion 1061 toward the bottom plate portion 101a. The operation member 104 and the rotating member 105 are supported in an upright state on the bottom plate portion 101a in a state of contact with each other. is pushed up until it engages the upper end (closed end) of the

As a result, the operating member 104 is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a via the magnet holding portion 106 in an upright state. With this state as the initial state, the operating member 104 can be tilted and pressed in any direction (all directions of 360 degrees). The illustrated operating member 104 can be tilted up to 16.5 degrees.

The rotating member 105 is rotatable in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 104 . When the operating member 104 is pushed down, the rotating member 105 moves downward so as to push down the pressing portion 105d with the pressing fulcrum portion 105e pressed against the bottom plate portion 101a ( tilting) is enabled.

When the operation member 104 is pressed, the magnet holding portion 106 moves relative to the operation member 104 in a direction along the center line of the operation member 104 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107, which is an operation. By entering the magnet housing hole 104f of the member 104, it is prevented from moving downward when the operation member 104 is pressed. In other words, the magnet holder 106 is interlocked only with the tilting operation of the operation member 104 .

When the operation member 104 is tilted, the magnet holding portion 106 presses the curved surface 1063b of the contact surface 1063 of the lower surface of the lower disk portion 1061 against the bottom plate portion 101a. is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a in a tilted state.

The pusher 111 and the metal dome 113 function as a pressing detection device for the operation member 4 . Specifically, it functions as a push switch, and opens and closes a fixed contact (not shown) formed on the main board 114 .

The cover sheet 112 is a single-sided adhesive sheet. The metal dome 113 is a movable contact made of an upwardly convex dome-shaped metal plate. A metal dome sheet is formed by attaching the upper surface of the metal dome 13 to the lower surface of the cover sheet 12 .

A central fixed contact (not shown) and an outer fixed contact (not shown) are formed on the main substrate 114 . The central fixed contact is circular and arranged below the pressing portion 105 d of the rotating member 105 . The outer stationary contact is C-shaped and is arranged to surround the central stationary contact with a space therebetween.

The metal dome sheet is affixed to the main substrate 114 so as to fix the metal dome 113 on the outer fixed contacts while straddling the central fixed contacts. In this state, the top of the metal dome 113 faces away from the central fixed contact directly below with a gap therebetween.

The pusher 111 is a resin molded product. The pusher 111 is a rectangular parallelepiped member. The pusher 111 is housed inside the upper case 102 so as to be vertically movable. The pusher 111 is arranged between the pressing portion 105 d of the rotating member 105 and the metal dome 113 . The pusher 111 is urged upward by the metal dome 113 , and the upper surface of the pusher 111 is pressed against the lower end of the pressing portion 105 d of the rotating member 105 .

When the operation member 104 is pushed down, the rotation member 105 moves downward as the operation member 104 is pushed down, and the downward movement of the rotation member 105 moves the pusher 111 downward against the biasing force of the metal dome 113 . , pushes the top of the metal dome 113 by the pusher 111 . As a result, the top of the metal dome 113 is elastically deformed in a downwardly convex shape and comes into contact with the central fixed contact of the main substrate 114, and the metal dome 113 electrically connects the central fixed contact of the main substrate 114 and the outer fixed contact. Conductive connection is established, and the push switch is turned on. Accordingly, pressing of the operation member 104 can be detected.

The magnet 109 , the first magnetic sensor 110 A, the second magnetic sensor 110 B, and the magnet tilting angle calculator 116 function as a tilting operation detection device for the operating member 104 .

As also shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are arranged on the side of the magnet 109. FIG. Specifically, they are arranged at two positions on the side of the magnet 109 that are symmetrical with respect to the axis (center line) of the magnet 109 . More specifically, they are arranged in a direction (X-axis direction) orthogonal to the projecting direction (Y-axis direction) of the front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c.

The first magnetic sensor 110A is arranged on the left side of the rotating member 105 and faces the magnet 109 with a predetermined distance therebetween. The second magnetic sensor 110B is arranged on the right side of the rotating member 105 and faces the magnet 109 with the same distance as the first magnetic sensor 110A.

The first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are surface-mounted on a first sub-board 115A and a second sub-board 115B which are small rigid boards. The first sub-board 115A and the second sub-board 115B are mounted on the upper case 102 so that the sensor mounting surface is perpendicular to the axis (center line) of the magnet 109 and perpendicular to one straight line extending in the X-axis direction. It stands vertically on the main substrate 114 while being held inside.

The first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are the same magnetic sensor, and are arranged in three axial directions perpendicular to each other: the X-axis and Y-axis, which are radial planes of the magnet 109, and the Z-axis, which is the axial direction of the magnet 109. It is a magnetic sensor that can detect magnetic flux density. For example, a 3D Hall sensor or the like can be used as this magnetic sensor.

In the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B, the centers of the magnetic sensing portions 110Ax and 110Bx in the X-axis direction are orthogonal to the axis (center line) of the magnet 109 and extend in the X-axis direction. are arranged so as to be coaxial with each other.

As shown in FIG. 29, the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are connected to the magnet tilting angle calculator 116, and configured to detect the tilting angle of the magnet 109, that is, the tilting operation of the operation member 104. are doing. Specifically, (1) the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B measure and output magnetic flux densities Bx, By, and Bz in three axial directions. (2) Based on the output values of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B, the angle formed by the magnetic flux density vectors Bz and By in the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B and the magnetic flux in the magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 Calculate the angle formed by the density vectors Bz and Bx. (3) The tilt angle of the magnet 109 is calculated by the magnet tilt angle calculator 116 based on the result of (2). That is, the output value A of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the output value B of the second magnetic sensor 110B are added, divided by 2, and averaged.

Here, in the tilt amount detection in the Y-axis direction in which the distances of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B to the magnet 109 do not change, as shown in FIG. Both have almost the same output, and the average values overlap. On the other hand, in detecting the tilt amount in the X-axis direction where the distances of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B to the magnet 109 change, as shown in FIG. The inclination of the output value with respect to the tilt angle of the magnet 109 differs depending on whether the magnet 109 approaches or moves away from 110B. is added, divided by 2, and averaged, and the output characteristic is almost linear with respect to the tilt angle. In other words, it can be seen that the influence of the difference in tilting direction is canceled out.

In other multi-directional input devices, the magnet tilt angle calculator 116 is provided outside the other multi-directional input device, that is, in various electronic devices such as game machine controllers equipped with other multi-directional input devices. , can also be provided inside other multi-directional input devices.

FIG. 32 shows the output values (XY coordinate output values) when operated at an azimuth angle of 15 degrees (0 to 360 degrees) and tilt angles of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 16.5 degrees. Analysis results are shown. Referring to FIG. 32, an elliptical output on the left side is obtained, which is normalized to a circular shape on the right side, and there is no discrepancy in the output value due to the tilt direction or lack of linearity.

A first modification of the magnet holder will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 37. FIG. The magnet holding portion 206 of the first modified example replaces the magnet holding portion 106 described above.

The magnet holding portion 206 includes a pair of upper and lower disk portions 2060 and 2061 arranged at both ends of the magnet 109 and a pin 2062 . The upper disk portion 2060 and the lower disk portion 2061 respectively have circular through holes 2060a and 2061a in the central portion, like the magnet 109. As shown in FIG.

The pin 2062 is a round pin with a circular cross section that fits into the through holes 2060a, 2061a and 109a. The pin 2062 is a metal pin that does not stick to the magnet 109 , or a metal pin that sticks to the magnet 109 , and is a pin that has undergone surface treatment such as plating so that it does not stick to the magnet 109 .

The magnet holding portion 206 holds the magnet 109 between the upper disk portion 2060 and the lower disk portion 2061 with the pin 2062 inserted into the upper disk portion 2060, the lower disk portion 2061 and the through holes 2060a, 2061a and 109a of the magnet 109. is configured to hold The upper disk portion 2060 , the lower disk portion 2061 and the magnet 109 are provided coaxially with respect to one straight line extending in the Z-axis direction, which is the center line of the pin 2062 .

The magnet holding portion 206 has a contact surface 2063 in the shape of a sphere on the lower surface of the lower disk portion 2061 facing the bottom plate portion 101a (lower end surface of the magnet holding portion 206). The abutment surface 2063 includes a circular flat surface 2063a formed by the small-diameter side end surface of the ball base and a spherical curved surface 2063b formed by the side surface of the ball base.

The pin 2062 has a disc-shaped flange 2062a in the axially intermediate portion of the pin 2062 . Pin 2062 is configured such that flange 2062a is in contact with the upper surface of upper disc portion 2060, and pin 2062 on the lower side of flange 2062a is connected to upper disc portion 2060, lower disc portion 2061, and through holes 2060a and 2061a of magnet 109. and 109a, the lower end of the pin 2062 is positioned inside the through hole 2061a of the lower disk portion 2061, and the pin 2062 does not protrude from the lower surface of the lower disk portion 2061, while the upper pin 2062 is pushed upward from the collar portion 2062a. It protrudes upward from the upper surface of the disk portion 2060 .

The magnet holding portion 206 is formed by integrally forming a side wall portion 2064a having a C-shaped cross section and a pair of disk-shaped end wall portions 2064b and 2064c that close openings at both ends of the side wall portion 2064a with a non-magnetic material (synthetic resin). , a cylindrical part 2064 having a side window 2064d into which the magnet 109 can be inserted from the side, and a pair of disk-shaped end wall portions 2064b and 2064c as an upper disk portion 2060 and a lower disk portion 2061. A contact surface 2063 is provided on each of the upper surface (outer surface) and the lower surface (outer surface) of the lower disk portion 2061. The contact surface 2063 is configured to be the contact surface 2063 for the bottom plate portion 101a.

The upper disc portion 2060 and the lower disc portion 2061 can be fixed to the pin 2062 by using an adhesive, or by pressing the pin 2062 into the through holes 1060a and 1061a. Such fixing can suppress rattling of the magnet 109 .

A cushioning material (not shown) may be provided between the upper disc portion 2060 and the magnet 109 and between the lower disc portion 2061 and the magnet 109 so as to eliminate rattling of the magnet 109 .

The magnet holder 206 is movably inserted into the magnet housing hole 104f of the operation member 104 along the center line of the operation member 104 in a state in which the compression coil spring 107 is externally fitted from the flange 2062a to the pin 2062 on the upper side. The lower surface of the disk portion 2061 faces the bottom plate portion 101a.

The compression coil spring 107 is accommodated between the flange portion 2062a and the upper surface of the magnet accommodation hole 104f, and urges the operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 upward, and urges the magnet holding portion 206 downward. .

When no operating force is applied to the operating member 104, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107 causes the magnet holding portion 206 to push the flat surface 2063a of the contact surface 2063 of the lower surface of the lower disk portion 2061 toward the bottom plate portion 101a. It is supported in an upright state on the bottom plate portion 101a in a state of contact.

When the operation member 104 is pressed, the magnet holding portion 206 moves relative to the operation member 104 in a direction along the center line of the operation member 104 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 107 . By entering the magnet housing hole 104f of the member 104, it is prevented from moving downward when the operation member 104 is pressed. In other words, the magnet holder 206 is interlocked only with the tilting operation of the operation member 104 .

When the operation member 104 is tilted, the magnet holding portion 206 presses the curved surface 2063b of the contact surface 2063 of the lower surface of the lower disk portion 2061 against the bottom plate portion 101a. is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a in a tilted state.

A second modification of the magnet holder will be described with reference to FIG. The magnet holding portion 306 of the second modified example replaces the magnet holding portions 106 and 206 described above.

The magnet 209 differs from the magnet 109 in that it does not have a circular through-hole in its central portion. That is, the magnet 209 is a columnar permanent magnet magnetized (polarized) with two NS poles in the axial direction along the projecting direction of the operating member 104 . The magnet 209 is a columnar permanent magnet whose axial direction is the Z-axis direction. The magnet 209 is magnetized with two NS poles in the axial direction so that both end faces (upper end face and lower end face) have different polarities. The magnet 209 has an upper end surface as an N pole and a lower end surface as an S pole.

The magnet holding portion 306 includes a pair of upper and lower disk portions 3060 and 3061 arranged at both ends of the magnet 209 and a pin 3062 in the same manner as the magnet holding portions 106 and 206 .

The pin 3062 is a round pin with a circular cross section. The pin 3062 is a metal pin that does not stick to the magnet 209 , or a metal pin that sticks to the magnet 209 , and is a pin that has undergone surface treatment such as plating so that it does not stick to the magnet 209 .

The pin 3062 is positioned coaxially with the magnet 209 and protrudes upward (in the direction in which the operating member 104 protrudes) from the upper disc portion 2060 (one disc portion in the direction in which the operating member 104 protrudes).

The pin 3062 is positioned coaxially with the magnet 209 with the lower end of the pin 3062 in contact with the upper surface of the magnet 209, and is positioned from the upper disk portion 2060 (one disk portion in the projecting direction of the operation member 104) upward (operating member 104). projecting direction of the member 104). The pin 3062 has a disk-shaped flat head 3062 a that contacts the upper surface of the magnet 209 .

The magnet holding portion 306 has a contact surface 3063 in the shape of a truncated ball with respect to the bottom plate portion 101a on the lower surface of the lower disk portion 3061 (lower end surface of the magnet holding portion 306) facing the bottom plate portion 101a. The contact surface 3063 includes a circular flat surface 3063a formed by the small-diameter end surface of the ball base and a spherical curved surface 3063b formed by the side surface of the ball base.

The magnet holding portion 306 is composed of a cylindrical side wall portion 3064a arranged on the outer periphery of the magnet 209 and a pair of disc-shaped end wall portions 3064b and 3064c closing openings at both ends of the side wall portion 3064a. A cylindrical part 3064 integrally formed to cover the entire magnet 209 is provided. surface) of the lower disk portion 3061 (the lower surface of the magnet holding portion 306) is configured to be the contact surface 3063 for the bottom plate portion 101a. ing.

Magnet holder 306 comprising magnet 206 , pin 3062 and cylindrical part 3064 is integrally formed by insert molding with the lower ends of magnet 206 and pin 3062 embedded in cylindrical part 3064 .

The magnet holder 306 is movably inserted into the magnet housing hole 104f of the operation member 104 along the center line of the operation member 104 with the compression coil spring 107 externally fitted on the pin 3062 protruding upward from the upper disc portion 3060. The lower surface of the lower disk portion 3061 faces the bottom plate portion 101a.

The compression coil spring 107 is accommodated between the upper disk portion 3060 and the upper surface of the magnet accommodation hole 104f, and urges the operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 upward, and urges the magnet holding portion 306 downward. do.

When no operation force is applied to the operation member 104, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107 causes the magnet holding portion 306 to push the flat surface 3063a of the contact surface 3063 of the lower surface of the lower disk portion 3061 toward the bottom plate portion 101a. It is supported in an upright state on the bottom plate portion 101a in a state of contact.

When the operation member 104 is pressed, the magnet holding portion 306 moves relative to the operation member 104 in the direction along the center line of the operation member 104 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107, that is, the operation is performed. By entering the magnet housing hole 104f of the member 104, it is prevented from moving downward when the operation member 104 is pressed. In other words, the magnet holder 306 is interlocked only with the tilting operation of the operation member 104 .

When the operation member 104 is tilted, the magnet holding portion 306 presses the curved surface 3063b of the contact surface 3063 of the lower surface of the lower disk portion 3061 against the bottom plate portion 101a. is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a in a tilted state.

As described above, in another multi-directional input device, there are cases 101 and 102, an operation member 104 that projects from the case 102 and can be tilted, and an elastic member 107 that restores the operation member 104 to the initial state before the tilting operation. , the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306) and the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306) that are movable relative to the operating member 104 only in the protruding direction and interlocked only in the tilting direction. The arranged magnet 109 (or 209) and magnetic sensors 110A and 110B that are arranged at positions facing the magnet 109 (or 209) and detect the movement of the magnet 109 (or 209), and the magnet holder 106 (or 206 or 306) are positioned coaxially with a pair of disk portions 1060 (or 2060 or 3060) and 1061 (or 2061 or 3061) arranged at both ends of the magnet 109 (or 209). , and a pin 1062 (or 2062 or 3062) projecting in the projecting direction of the operating member 104 from one disk portion 1060 (or 2060 or 3060) in the projecting direction of the operating member 104.

In other multi-directional input devices, a magnet 109 (or 209) is attached to a magnet holder 106 (or 206 or 306) that is movable relative to an operation member 104 only in the direction of projection and interlocked only in the tilting direction. is held, even if the operating member 104 moves downward against the compression coil spring 107, the magnet 109 (or 209) does not move downward and the magnetic field does not change. Accuracy can be improved.

In another multi-directional input device, the magnet holding portion 106 includes a pair of disk portions 1060 and 1061 arranged at both ends of the magnet 109 and one disk portion positioned coaxially with the magnet 109 in the projecting direction of the operation member 104. By providing the pin 1062 projecting from 1060 in the projecting direction of the operation member 104, when the outer diameter of the magnet 109 is increased, there is no need to increase the outer diameter of the magnet holding portion 106 accordingly, thereby increasing the size of the product. The size of the magnet 109 can be increased without increasing the size of the magnet 109, and the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 104 can be improved.

In another multi-directional input device, the magnet 109 has a through hole 109a in the center, and the magnet holder 106 (or 206) is a pair of discs 1060 (or 2060) and 1061 arranged at both ends of the magnet 109. (or 2061) and a pin 1062 (or 2062), and have through holes 1060a (or 2060a) and 1061a (or 2061a) in the center of the disk portions 1060 (or 2060) and 1061 (or 2061), With the pin 1062 (or 2062) inserted into the disc portion 1060 (or 2060), 1061 (or 2061) and the through holes 1060a (or 2060a), 1061a (or 2061a), and 109a of the magnet 109, the disc portion 1060 (or 2060) ) and 1061 (or 2061). The size of the magnet 109 can be increased without increasing the size of the operating member 104, and the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 104 can be improved.

In other multi-directional input devices, the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306) is positioned on the magnet 109 (or 209) side of one disk portion 1061 (or 2061 or 3061) opposite to the projecting direction of the operation member 104. has a ball table-shaped contact surface 1063 (or 2063 or 3063) on one surface opposite to the ball table, and the contact surface 1063 (or 2063 or 3063) is a flat surface 1063a (or 2063a or 3063a) and a curved surface 1063b (or 2063b or 3063b) formed by the side surface of the ball base, and the magnet holding portion 106 ( or 206 or 306), the operation member 104 is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a in an upright state, and the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306) is held while the curved surface 1063b (or 2063b or 3063b) is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a. At the same time, the operating member 104 is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a in a tilted state.

In another multi-directional input device, the elastic member 107 is a compression coil spring arranged between the operation member 104 and the magnet holder 106 (or 206 or 306), and urges the operation member 104 in the protruding direction. The contact surface 1063 (or 2063 or 3063) is configured to be pressed against the bottom plate portion 101a.

Another multi-directional input device includes a rotating member 105 having a through hole 105a into which an operating member 104 is inserted. are provided coaxially with one straight line perpendicular to the center line of the rotating member 105 in a state of protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 105 in two opposite directions, and the rotating member 105 is The operation member 104 is housed in the case 102 so as to be rotatable about the first shaft portions 105b and 105c. The first shaft portions 105b and 105c are provided coaxially with one straight line that protrudes in two opposite directions from the outer peripheral surface and is perpendicular to the center line of the operation member 104, and the first shaft portions 105b and 105c. 104 protrudes from the case 102 in a state in which it is rotatably supported with respect to the rotating member 105 about the axes of the second shaft portions 104d and 104e, and can be tilted in any direction.

Another multi-directional input device has a pusher 111 housed in a case 102 so as to be vertically movable, and a metal dome 113 which is a snap-type contact member for urging the pusher 111 upward. A push switch capable of detecting depression is provided, and the rotating member 105 is housed in the case 102 so as to be able to move downward when the operating member 104 is pressed. , the pusher 111 is moved downward against the biasing force of the metal dome 113 , and the pusher 111 pushes the metal dome 113 .

In another multi-directional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A, 110B are arranged on the sides of the magnet 109, and the magnet holder 106 comprises two identical disk-shaped parts 1064 made of a magnetic material, and the disk-shaped parts 1064 are Both surfaces of the disk portions 1060 and 1061 have a contact surface 1063 in the shape of a ball base. of the flat surface 1063a and the curved surface 1063b of the contact surface 1063 on one surface of the disc portion 1061 on the side opposite to the projecting direction of the operation member 104 on the side opposite to the magnet 109 side. , the operation member 104 is supported upright on the bottom plate portion 101a together with the magnet holding portion 106 with the flat surface 1063a in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a of the case 101, and the curved surface 1063b is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a. Together with the magnet holding portion 106, the operation member 104 is supported on the bottom plate portion 101a in a tilted state.

In another multi-directional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged on the side of the magnet 109, and the magnet holder 206 is composed of a side wall portion 2064a having a C-shaped cross section and a pair of side wall portions 2064a closing openings at both ends of the side wall portion 2064a. The disk-shaped end wall portions 2064b and 2064c of the cylindrical member 2064 are formed integrally with a non-magnetic material and have a side window 2064d into which the magnet 109 can be inserted from the side. 2064b and 2064c are disk portions 2060 and 2061, and on the outer surfaces of the disk portions 2060 and 2061, there is a contact surface 2063 in the shape of a spherical base. A flat surface 2063a and a curved surface 2063a of the contact surface 2063 provided on the outer surface of the disc portion 2061 on the side opposite to the projecting direction of the operation member 104 and on the side opposite to the magnet 109 side. Of the surfaces 2063b, the flat surface 2063a is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a of the case 101, and the operation member 104 is supported upright on the bottom plate portion 101a together with the magnet holding portion 206. The curved surface 2063b is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a. The operation member 104 is supported in a tilted state on the bottom plate portion 101a together with the magnet holding portion 206 in a contact state.

In another multi-directional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are magnetic sensors that are arranged on the sides of the magnet 109 (or 209) and can detect magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal directions.

In another multi-directional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged on the sides of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are magnetic sensors capable of detecting magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal directions. Compared to the case where the sensors are arranged, it is possible to reduce the height of the product while maintaining an appropriate distance between the magnet 109 (or 209) and the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B (for example, minute rattling of the magnets may cause tilting operation of the operation member). The detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 104 can be improved.

In another multidirectional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged at two positions on the sides of the magnet 109 (or 209) that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the magnet 109 (or 209). , the magnet 109 (or 209), which is a magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetic components in three axial directions perpendicular to each other, and based on the output values of both magnetic sensors 110A and 110B, the tilt angle The magnet tilt angle calculator 116 calculates the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of one magnetic sensor and the magnetic flux calculated based on the output value of the other magnetic sensor Average the angles of the density vector.

In another multi-directional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged on the sides of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are magnetic sensors capable of detecting magnetic components in three axial directions perpendicular to each other. By averaging the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of one magnetic sensor and the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of the other magnetic sensor, the height of the product can be reduced. At the same time, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 104 by the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B arranged on the sides of the magnet 109 (or 209).

In another multi-directional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are magnetic sensors that are arranged on the side of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are capable of detecting magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal directions. The magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the projecting direction of the portion 105c.

In another multidirectional input device, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged at two positions on the sides of the magnet 109 (or 209) that are symmetrical with respect to the axis of the magnet 109 (or 209). , the magnet 109 (or 209), which is a magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetic components in three axial directions perpendicular to each other, and based on the output values of both magnetic sensors 110A and 110B, the tilt angle The magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 calculates based on the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of one of the magnetic sensors and the output value of the other magnetic sensor The angles of the magnetic flux density vectors obtained are averaged, and the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the projecting direction of the first shaft portions 105b and 105c.

In other multi-directional input devices, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the projecting direction of the first shaft portions 105b and 105c, so that the magnetic field between the magnet 109 (or 209) and the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B By ensuring an appropriate distance (for example, a distance that is neither too short nor too long), the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operation member 104 can be improved.

Reference Signs List 1 lower case 2 upper case 4 operating member 5 rotating member 6 magnet holding member 7 compression coil spring 9 magnet 10 magnetic sensor 11 pressing member 13 metal dome 101 lower case 101a bottom plate portion 102 upper case 104 operating member 104d second left shaft portion 104e Right second shaft portion 105 Rotating member 105a Through hole 105b Front first shaft portion 105c Rear first shaft portion 106 Magnet holding portion 1060 Upper disk portion 1060a Through hole 1061 Lower disk portion 1061a Through hole 1062 Pin 1063 Contact surface 1063a Flat Surface 1063b Curved surface 1064 Disk-shaped part 107 Compression coil spring 109 Magnet 109a Through hole 110A First magnetic sensor 110B Second magnetic sensor 111 Pusher 113 Metal dome 116 Magnet tilt angle calculator 206 Magnet holder 2060 Upper disk part 2060a Through hole 2061 Lower Disk portion 2061a Through hole 2062 Pin 2063 Contact surface 2063a Flat surface 2063b Curved surface 2064 Cylindrical part 2064a Side wall 2064b End wall portion 2064c End wall portion 2064d Side window 209 Magnet 306 Magnet holding portion 3060 Upper disk portion 3061 Lower disk portion 3062 3063 Abutment surface 3063a Flat surface 3063b Curved surface 3064 Cylindrical part 3064a Side wall 3064b End wall 3064c End wall

Claims (1)

an operating member that can be tilted and pushed;
a pressing operation detection device for detecting a pressing operation of the operating member;
a magnet holding member that is movable relative to the operating member only in the direction along the pushing direction and interlocks only in the tilting direction;
a magnet arranged on the magnet holding member;
a magnetic sensor arranged at a position facing the magnet and detecting movement of the magnet;
A multi-directional input device with

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