JP2916867B2 - Multi-directional input switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multidirectional input switch for outputting an electric signal according to a tilting direction when an operating rod is tilted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art of this type of multi-directional input switch, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-121852, for example, a housing for holding an operating rod in a state capable of tilting in multiple directions is disclosed. In general, a plurality of switch elements are disposed inside, and when the operating rod is tilted, a switch element located in the tilt direction is selectively pressed to output an electric signal. Further, in the conventional proposal disclosed in the above publication, a shaft member is slidably inserted into the center of an operating rod, and a switch element is disposed below the shaft member. A predetermined electric signal is also output by the operation.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional multi-directional input switch, a plurality of switch elements must be incorporated in the housing, so that the number of parts is large and downsizing is not easy. In the case of a conventional multi-directional input switch in which a switch element is arranged below the operation rod so that a push operation can be performed, the push operation can be performed even when the operation rod is tilted. On the contrary, there is a possibility that a push operation is performed and a malfunction occurs.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a multidirectional input switch having a small number of components and easy to miniaturize. An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input switch that allows a push operation of an operating rod only at a neutral position of the operating rod.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects of the present invention are as follows.
A multi-direction that includes an operating rod and a housing that has an opening through which the operating rod passes and that holds the operating rod in a state in which the operating rod can be tilted in multiple directions, and that outputs an electric signal according to the tilt direction of the operating rod In the input switch, a lower fixed contact disposed on the inner bottom surface of the housing along the circumferential direction of the operating rod, and provided in the housing at a distance from the lower fixed contact, the circumferential direction of the operating rod. An upper fixed contact disposed along the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact, a movable body having conductivity and tilting in response to driving of the operating rod, and fixing the movable body to the upper fixed contact A return member for urging in a direction to contact the contact, wherein at least one of the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact is divided in a circumferential direction of the operating rod, and the movable member is normally urged by the urging of the return member. Above the body When the operating rod is tilted, the movable body is tilted with the part as a fulcrum in a state where a part of the movable body is in contact with the upper fixed contact, and the other movable body is tilted. This is achieved by bringing the portion into contact with the lower fixed contact.

This object can also be achieved by dividing the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact into a plurality of parts and alternately arranging them in the circumferential direction of the operating rod. The above object can be achieved by providing the movable body with a polygonal contact portion that contacts the lower fixed contact.

Further, in the case of a multi-directional input switch that requires not only a tilting operation but also a push operation, a hemispherical slidable operating rod is provided along the spherical inner wall surface of the opening.
Flange and penetrated through the hemispherical flange to be movable in the axial direction
Hole while constituted by a Do operation shaft, a guide member is provided between the lower end and the tact switch of the operation shaft, the guide member, to allow the insertion of said operation shaft in a neutral position of the operating shaft When, by providing the receiving surface to prevent insertion of said operation shaft in the tilted position of the operating shaft, the other objects are achieved. Then, the lower end of the operation shaft is
While being formed into a spherical shape centered on the center of pivot of the shaft ,
The receiving surface of the guide member, also by forming a spherical shape centered on the rocking center of the operating shaft, the other purposes Ru is achieved.

[0008]

As described above, in the multidirectional input switch including the lower fixed contact, the upper fixed contact, the movable body, and the return member, when the operating rod is tilted, a part of the movable body responds to the operating rod. In a state of contact with the upper fixed contact, the movable body tilts with the part as a fulcrum, and another part located on the opposite side of the part contacts the lower fixed contact, and these lower fixed contacts and Since the upper fixed contact is conducted through the movable body, it is possible to output an electric signal according to the tilting direction of the operating rod, and therefore, it is possible to perform desired switching by tilting the operating rod without incorporating a switch element. Can be done. When the tilting state of the operating rod is released, the movable member is separated from the lower fixed contact by the urging of the return member to return to the initial state, and the output of the electric signal is stopped.

Further, as described above, in the multidirectional input switch in which the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact are divided into a plurality of parts and arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the operating rod, the operating rod is tilted. When the part of the movable body is in contact with one of the upper fixed contacts, the movable body tilts with the part of the movable body as a fulcrum, and is positioned on the opposite side of the part of the movable body. When the other portion contacts the divided portion of the lower fixed contact, the divided portions are conducted through the movable body, and then the operating rod is tilted in another direction. Since the other divided part of the lower fixed contact and the other divided part of the upper fixed contact are conducted through the movable body, an electric signal corresponding to the tilting direction of the operating rod is output. Can be operated without switching elements It is in the tilting operation to cause the desired switching. Even when the movable body is provided with a polygonal contact portion that contacts the lower fixed contact, one end of the contact portion of the movable body is fixed upward in response to the operation rod when the operation rod is tilted. In a state of line contact with the contact, the movable body tilts around one end of the contact portion of the movable body as a fulcrum, and the other end located on the opposite side of the one end of the corresponding contact portion makes line contact with the lower fixed contact, and Since the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact are electrically connected via the movable body, it is possible to output an electric signal according to the tilting direction of the operating rod.

Further, as described above, the operating rod, said opening
A hemispherical flange slidable along the spherical inner wall surface of the mouth,
An operating shaft that is inserted through the hemispherical collar and is movable in the axial direction
Together constitute in the guide member is provided between the lower end and the tact switch of the operation shaft, the guide member, a through hole that allows the insertion of the operating shaft in the neutral position of the operating shaft, the operating directional input switch provided between abutment to prevent insertion of said operation shaft in the tilted position of the shaft, is pressed the operating shaft in the direction of the tact switch in a neutral position of the operating shaft,
The operation shaft is inserted into the through hole of the guide member, and the tact switch is switched. On the other hand, is pressed the operating shaft in the direction of the tact switch tilted position of the operating shaft <br/>, insertion of the operation shaft is prevented by the abutment of the guide member, whereby, the pushing operation of the operating shaft The operation
It can only be possible in the neutral position of the shaft . And
The lower end of the operating shaft, so as to form into a spherical shape centered on the rocking center of the operating shaft, the receiving surface of the guide member,
Directional input switch is formed in a spherical shape centered on the rocking center of the operating shaft, since the contact between the receiving surface of the lower end and the guide member of the operating shaft is smooth, smooth during the push operation of the operating shaft Ru it is possible to obtain the operation feeling.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a multidirectional input switch according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multidirectional input switch, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input switch, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lower fixed contact provided in the multi-directional input switch of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lid provided in the multi-directional input switch of FIG. 1, viewed from below, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a movable body provided in the direction input switch, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the movable body, FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state in which the operating rod provided in the multidirectional input switch of FIG. 1 is tilted, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the operating rod is pushed.

The multi-directional input switch of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes an operating rod 1, a housing 2 for holding the operating rod 1 in a state capable of tilting in multiple directions, and a housing 2
A movable member 3 that is provided in the inside and tilts in response to the driving of the operating rod 1; and a return member that urges the movable member 3 upward in FIG.
For example, provided at the bottom of the return spring 4 and the housing 2,
The lower end of the operating rod 1 includes a guide member 5 that can be engaged.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operating rod 1 has an operating shaft 6 having a circular intermediate section and a semi-spherical flange portion having a through hole 7a and loosely fitted around the operating shaft 6. The protrusion 6a of the operating shaft 6 is engaged with the hemispherical flange 7 with the operating shaft 6 having the same shape inserted through the through hole 7a. At the lower end of the operating shaft 6, a cylindrical pressing portion 6 b having a smaller diameter than the lower end of the operating shaft 6 protrudes downward along the axial direction, and the lower end of the pressing portion 6 b is set at the swing center C of the operating shaft 6.
Are formed in a spherical shape with the center as the center.

The housing 2 is mounted on a substrate 8 and has a housing 9 having an octagonal cylindrical portion 9a and a cover for closing the housing 9 having an opening 10a through which the operating shaft 6 is passed. And a conductive molded metal plate 11 that integrates the housing 9 and the lid 10. The molded metal plate 11 is placed on the lid 10 and protrudes downward. An annular portion 12 having a plurality of curved portions 12a and four legs 13 projecting downward at predetermined intervals from the outer periphery of the annular portion 12, and an engagement hole 13a in the middle of the legs 13 Is locked to the engagement projection 9b on the outer wall surface of the cylindrical portion 9a, whereby the lid 10 is integrated with the housing 9. Further, the distal end portion 13b of the leg portion 13 is inserted into the substrate 8, and the distal end portion 13b forms a connection terminal. As shown in FIG.
Since the inner wall surface 10b around “a” is a spherical surface for sliding contact with the hemispherical flange portion 7, as shown in FIG. It is held by the housing 2 in a state where it can be tilted in multiple directions.

On the inner bottom surface of the housing 9, a central fixed contact 20 provided below the operating shaft 6, a common fixed contact 21 provided around the central fixed contact 20, and a common fixed contact 21
And a plurality of lower fixed contacts 22 disposed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the operation shaft 6 on the outer side of the control shaft 6 and are exposed at positions apart from each other. The lower fixed contact 22 is integrally formed with the housing 9 in a state of being divided into four parts, and a pair of connection terminal parts 22a protrudes from each divided part, and the connection terminal parts 22a form the cylindrical part 9a. It penetrates and extends outward and downward.

In the housing 2, a dome-shaped movable contact 23 mounted on the common fixed contact 21 is opposed to the central fixed contact 20 so as to be able to freely contact and separate therefrom.
A cushioning rubber plate 24 is provided between the movable member 23 and the pressing member 6 b of the operation shaft 6, and the guide member 5 placed outside the movable contact 23 is provided.
Are positioned and fixed by engaging with an engagement projection 9c on the inner bottom surface of the housing 9. The guide member 5 has a through hole 5a that allows the insertion of the pressing portion 6b of the operating rod 1 at the neutral position of the operating rod 1, and a receiving surface that prevents the insertion of the pressing portion 6b at the inclined position of the operating rod 1. 5b, and the receiving surface 5b is formed in a spherical shape with the swing center C of the operation shaft 6 as the center.

The movable body 3 provided in the housing 2 is made of a conductive material such as brass, and as shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical portion 31 located on the lower fixed contact 22 and a cylindrical portion 31 An engagement portion 32 provided inside the base 31 and having an engagement hole 32a with which the lower portion of the hemispherical flange portion 7 engages, and a flange whose outer periphery is formed in a substantially octagonal shape and protrudes outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 31 An annular cushioning rubber plate 34 is mounted on the engaging portion 32, and the upper surface of the cushioning rubber plate 34 has a hemispherical flange 7. The step 7b comes into contact.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lids 10 are formed as a group of integral contact groups 3 alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the operation shaft 6.
5 and separated contact group 36, and these integral contact group 3
5 and a resin member 37 having the opening 10a and the inner wall surface 10b. The resin member 37 has the opening 10a and the inner wall surface 10b.
Thus, the upper fixed contact 38 is formed. The contact group 35, 36 has a lower surface exposed, and the movable body 3
The contact portion 33 is urged by the return spring 4 so as to make contact. In the integrated contact group 35, as shown in FIG. 4, four contact portions are arranged in a cross shape, the connection terminal portions 35a protrude outward from each of the four contact portions, and the connection terminal portions 35a And is penetrated through the substrate 8.
The resin material 37 is provided with a hole 37a for receiving the curved portion 12a of the molded metal plate 11, and in this hole 37a, the lower surface of the curved portion 12a abuts on the separated contact group 36, whereby the separated contact Groups 36 are electrically connected to each other.

Next, the operation of the thus configured other-direction input switch will be described.

The operator grips the operating shaft 6 of the operating rod 1 from the non-operating state shown in FIG. 1 and moves the operating shaft 6 in a desired direction, for example, the swing center C against the elastic force of the return spring 4. 1 is tilted in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the hemispherical flange 7 that is integrally tilted with the operation shaft 6 causes the engaging portion 32 of the movable body 3 to move in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 8, the side opposite to the tilting direction of the contact portion 33 (FIG.
The movable body 3 tilts with the end of the contact portion 33 as a fulcrum and the tilting direction of the cylindrical portion 31 (see FIG. 8 is in line contact with one of the lower fixed contacts 22. As a result, the integral fixed contact group 35 of the upper fixed contacts and one of the lower fixed contacts 22 are conducted through the conductive movable body 3, and a predetermined electric signal is output.

When the user releases his / her hand from the operating rod 1 in the tilted state, the resilient force of the return spring 4 pushes the descending side of the tilted movable body 3 up to a height regulated by the lid 10. As a result, the movable body 3 in the contact state and the lower fixed contact 22 are separated from each other to be in a non-conductive state, and the movable body 3 pushes up the descending side of the hemispherical flange portion 7 to push the flange. Since the part 7 is returned to the neutral position shown in FIG. 1, the operating shaft 6 is also returned to the neutral position.

When the operator pushes the operating shaft 6 of the operating rod 1 right below from the non-operating state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the hemispherical flange 7 engaging with the projection 6a of the operation shaft 6 does not descend, and only the operation shaft 6 descends against the return spring 4. Then, since the pushing force of the operator is applied to the dome-shaped movable contact 23 via the rubber plate 24, when the center of the movable contact 23 is inverted and comes into contact with the center fixed contact 20, the movable contact 23 Common fixed contact 2
1 conducts to output a predetermined electric signal. When the hand is released from the push rod 1 thus operated, the movable contact 23 is separated from the center fixed contact 20 by its own elasticity, and the two contacts 23 and 20 are turned off again.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the operating rod 1
Can output an electric signal corresponding to the tilting direction or an electric signal corresponding to the push operation, and can automatically return to the initial state by releasing the operating rod 1 in the tilted state or the push state. The desired switching can be performed by tilting operation or push operation without incorporating a plurality of switch elements as in the conventional product, so that the number of parts of the multi-directional input switch can be greatly reduced and downsizing becomes easy. I have. In the above embodiment, insertion of the pressing portion 6b into the through hole 5a is allowed at the neutral position of the operating rod 1, but insertion of the pressing portion 6b of the operating shaft 6 is guided when the operating rod 1 is tilted. Since the push operation of the operating rod 1 can be performed only at the neutral position of the operating rod 1 because it is blocked by the receiving surface 5b of the member 5, it is possible to perform the push operation against the operator's will unlike the conventional product. Can be prevented. In addition, the lower end of the pressing portion 6b of the operation shaft 6 is formed in a spherical shape around the swing center C of the operation shaft 6, and the receiving surface 5b of the guide member 5 is It is formed in a spherical shape with the center of motion C as the center, and the smooth contact between the lower end of the operating shaft 6 and the receiving surface 5b of the guide member 5 is obtained when the operating rod 1 is pushed. Can be.

Further, since the movable body 3 is tilted with the outer peripheral portion opposite to the tilt direction as a fulcrum during the tilting operation, a large moment is generated in the movable body 3 even if the tilting operation force applied to the operating rod 1 is not so large. Therefore, the lower fixed contact 2
2 can easily secure the necessary contact pressure,
There is an advantage that operability and reliability during the tilting operation are improved. Since the outer periphery of the contact portion 33 of the movable body 3 is substantially octagonal, the outer periphery of the contact portion 33 is
In this state, the movable body 3 falls down in a line contact state, and the falling direction of the operating rod 1 can be regulated in a direction perpendicular to each side of the outer periphery of the contact portion 33. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, since the cushioning rubber plate 24 is interposed between the operation shaft 6 and the movable contact 23, the movable contact 23 can be protected. There is an advantage that the semi-spherical flange portion 7 can be protected because the rubber cushioning plate 34 is interposed between them.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the multidirectional input switch according to the present invention, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the multidirectional input switch, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input switch. Members and parts corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The multidirectional input switch shown in FIG. 10 has eight lower fixed contacts 42 arranged on the inner bottom surface of the housing 41 along the circumferential direction of the operating rod 1 as compared with the first embodiment. An upper fixed contact 44 integrally formed on a lid 43 for closing the housing 41 and facing the lower fixed contact 42 is divided into two parts. The lower fixed contacts 42 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the operating rod 1, and the two upper fixed contacts 44 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the operating rod 1 while facing each other. The upper fixed contacts 44 are electrically connected to each other via a pattern (not shown) of the substrate 8. Further, a triangular hole 43a is provided in the upper part of the lid 43, and the upper fixed contact 44 is exposed through the hole 43a. This hole 43a is used for mounting the multidirectional input switch on the substrate 8. It functions as a guideline to recognize the direction.

Also in the second embodiment, when the operating shaft 6 is tilted counterclockwise in FIG. 10 around the swing center C against the elastic force of the return spring 4, the contact portion 33 is tilted. The end located on the opposite side (left side in FIG. 10) is the upper fixed contact 4
4, the movable body 3 tilts around the end of the contact portion 33 as a fulcrum, and as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. A line contact is made with one of the lower fixed contacts 42. As a result, one of the upper fixed contact 44 and the lower fixed contact 42 via the conductive movable body 3
Are electrically connected, and a predetermined electric signal is output. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, desired switching can be performed by tilting operation without incorporating a plurality of switch elements. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the need for the formed metal plate 11 is eliminated as in the first embodiment, so that the number of parts can be further reduced and the structure is simple.

The structure of the parts of the second embodiment, which are not particularly described, and the operation at the time of the push operation are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, a pair of fixed contacts facing each other are arranged at the upper and lower portions in the housing, and at least one of the pair of fixed contacts is divided in the circumferential direction of the operating rod. In addition, a conductive movable body is interposed between the pair of fixed contacts, and when the operating rod is tilted, the movable body is tilted with the part as a fulcrum while a part of the movable body is in contact with the upper fixed contact. Since the other portion of the movable body is brought into contact with the lower fixed contact, desired switching can be performed by tilting operation without incorporating a plurality of switch elements as in a conventional product, and as a result, An excellent effect that the number of parts can be reduced and the size can be easily reduced is exhibited. In addition, the operating rod is attached to the spherical inner wall of the opening.
A hemispherical flange slidable along the surface, and inserted into the hemispherical flange.
And an operation axis that can be moved in the axial direction
A guide is provided between the lower end of the operation shaft and the tact switch.
A guide member, and a neutral position of the operation shaft is provided on the guide member.
A through hole that allows the operation shaft to be inserted at
A receiving surface for preventing insertion of the operating shaft in the moving position.
According to the direction input switch, insertion of the operation shaft is prevented by the receiving surface of the guide member when the operation shaft is tilted, and insertion of the guide member into the through hole is allowed at the neutral position of the operation shaft . push operation of the operating shaft is only possible at the neutral position of the operating shaft, that-out <br/> at preventing a problem that the operator of unintentionally pushing operation as in the prior art products will be made.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a multidirectional input switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multi-directional input switch.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input switch.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lower fixed contact provided in the multi-directional input switch of FIG. 1;

5 is a perspective view of a lid provided in the multi-directional input switch of FIG. 1 as viewed from a lower surface side.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a movable body provided in the multi-directional input switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the movable body shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state at the time of a tilting operation of an operating rod provided in the multi-directional input switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state at the time of a push operation of the operating rod.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the multidirectional input switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the multi-directional input switch.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 operating rod 2 housing 3 movable body 4 return spring (return member) 5 guide member 5 a through hole 5 b receiving surface 6 operating shaft 7 hemispherical flange 10 lid 10 a opening 22 lower fixed contact 33 contact part 35 integral type Contact group 36 Separate type contact group 38 Upper fixed contact 41 Housing 42 Lower fixed contact 43 Lid 44 Upper fixed contact

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electric signal according to a tilting direction of the operating rod, comprising: an operating rod; and a housing having an opening through which the operating rod passes and holding the operating rod in a state capable of tilting in multiple directions. A lower fixed contact arranged on the inner bottom surface of the housing along the circumferential direction of the operating rod; and a lower fixed contact provided in the housing apart from the lower fixed contact. An upper fixed contact arranged along the circumferential direction of the rod; a movable body disposed between the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact, having conductivity and tilting in response to driving of the operating rod; A return member for urging the body in a direction to contact the upper fixed contact,
At least one of the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact is divided in the circumferential direction of the operating rod, and the movable member is separated from the lower fixed contact by urging the return member when the operating rod is not operated. When the operating rod is tilted, the movable body is tilted with the part as a fulcrum while a part of the movable body is in contact with the upper fixed contact, and the other part of the movable body is fixed at the lower side. A multidirectional input switch characterized by being brought into contact with a contact. 2. The multi-directional device according to claim 1, wherein the lower fixed contact and the upper fixed contact are divided into a plurality of parts and arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the operating rod. Input switch. 3. The multidirectional input switch according to claim 2, wherein the movable body is provided with a polygonal contact portion that contacts the lower fixed contact. 4. An operating rod, a housing having an opening through the operating rod and holding the operating rod in a state capable of tilting in multiple directions, and a lower end of the operating rod disposed in the housing. A contact switch that can be abutted, and a return member that urges the operation rod to a neutral position, outputs an electric signal according to the tilt direction of the operation rod, and moves the operation rod in the axial direction at the neutral position. In the multi-directional input switch configured to output another electric signal from the tact switch by pressing, the operating rod is provided with a spherical shape in the opening.
A hemispherical flange slidable along the inner wall surface;
And an operation shaft that can be moved in the axial direction by being inserted into the operation shaft, and a guide member is provided between the lower end of the operation shaft and the tact switch, and the guide member is provided at a neutral position of the operation shaft. a through hole that allows insertion of the operation shaft, a multi-directional input switch, characterized by comprising a receiving surface to prevent insertion of said operation shaft in the tilted position of the operating shaft. 5. The operating shaft according to claim 4, wherein a lower end of the operating shaft is formed in a spherical shape around a center of swinging of the operating shaft , and a receiving surface of the guide member is provided with a swinging surface of the operating shaft . A multi-directional input switch characterized by being formed in a spherical shape with a moving center as a center.