JP3019710B2 - Joystick support structure for multi-directional 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 joystick support structure for a multi-directional switch for selectively controlling a plurality of switch units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 59-33640 and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 641 and other publications, four
Joystick is swingably supported in a support recess of an elastic member provided at the center of the four switch portions, and the joystick is neutralized by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member. There is a structure that is configured to return to normal.

[0003] The operating portion of the joystick protruding from the insertion hole of the panel is tilted by opposing the elastic force of the elastic member to tilt the joystick, and any one of the switch portions is switched according to the tilting direction. The joystick is selectively turned on, and when the operating force on the joystick is released, the joystick is returned to the neutral position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member, and the switch is also turned off by the restoring force. .

[0004]

However, according to the above-described conventional multidirectional switch structure, the rotation of the joystick around the axis is not restricted, so that the rotation of the joystick around the axis is allowed. there were.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the operating portion 103a of the joystick 103 projecting from the insertion hole 102 of the cover panel 101 has a non-directional shape such as a cylindrical shape or a frusto-conical shape. In this case, no problem occurs even when the joystick 103 is rotated around its axis, but as shown in FIG. 11, the shape of the operation unit 103a of the joystick 103 is Joystick 10
If 3 rotates around its axis, the appearance may be impaired. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the joystick 103 rotates around its axis,
Since the attitude of the operation unit 103a of the joystick 103 is different, there is a disadvantage that a person who operates the operation unit 103a feels strange and causes an erroneous operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a joystick support structure for a multidirectional switch that effectively prevents erroneous operation and uncomfortable feeling of a joystick.

[0007]

Technical means for achieving the above object include a plurality of joysticks which are projected from an insertion hole of a cover panel and supported by a tilting operation of a joystick which is supported to be returned to a neutral position. In a joystick support structure for a multidirectional switch in which a switch portion is selectively operable, the joystick is supported on a main body side of the multidirectional switch so as to be swingable about one end, and A sliding contact sphere portion having a spherical surface slidably in contact with the inner surface side of the insertion hole peripheral edge portion at the time of the swinging, and protrudingly provided on the spherical surface side. And an operating portion projecting from the insertion hole, and the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact sphere portion on the support portion side is provided at at least three places separated in the circumferential direction.
While being supported to return to the neutral position by the elastic restoring force of the switch portion, the rotation of the joystick around the axis between the one end of the support portion and the main body corresponding to the one end position is performed. A rotation restricting mechanism for regulating the rotation is provided, the rotation restricting mechanism includes a fulcrum recess formed at a position corresponding to one end of the support portion on the main body side, and a rotation erected on the main body side across the fulcrum depression. A regulating pin, and a forked portion having a split groove formed on the one end side of the support portion, and the forked portion straddles the rotation regulating pin so that the forked portion extends over the rotation regulating pin such that the one end portion is in the fulcrum recess. It is characterized by being inserted.

A technical means for achieving the above object is that a plurality of switch units are selected by a tilting operation of a joystick which is formed to project from an insertion hole of a cover panel and is supported so as to be able to return to a neutral position. In a joystick support structure for a multi-directional switch that can be freely operated, the joystick is supported on a main body side of the multi-directional switch so as to be swingable around one end, and the other end of the post is provided. And a sliding contact spherical body portion having a spherical surface slidably abutting on the inner surface side of the insertion hole peripheral edge portion at the time of the swing, and being provided on the spherical surface side, An operating portion projecting from the insertion hole, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact sphere portion on the support portion side has an elastic restoring force of the switch portion at at least three places separated in the circumferential direction. And a rotation regulating mechanism that regulates rotation of the joystick around its axis between the one end of the column and the body corresponding to the one end position. The rotation restricting mechanism includes a fulcrum recess formed at a position corresponding to one end of the support portion on the main body side, a rotation restricting rib provided on the main body side across the fulcrum recess, and the support portion. A forked part having a split groove formed on the one end side thereof,
The one end portion is inserted into a fulcrum recess with the forked portion straddling the rotation restricting rib so as to be swingable.

[0009]

According to the present invention, if the operating portion of the joystick protruding from the insertion hole of the cover panel is pushed in a predetermined direction, the joystick is tilted about one end of the column. By tilting the joystick, a desired switch unit is selectively turned on by the sliding ball unit.

When the operating force on the joystick is released, the sliding ball is pushed back by the elastic restoring force of the switch that has been turned on, and the joystick is returned to the neutral position and the switch is returned to off. You.

[0011] The rotation of the joystick around the axis is effectively regulated by the rotation regulating mechanism, and erroneous operation of the joystick and uncomfortable feeling can be effectively prevented.

Further, since the rotation restricting mechanism is provided between one end of the column and the main body corresponding to the one end, there is an advantage that the structure can be made compact.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a multidirectional switch 1 comprises a printed wiring board 2 on which a wiring pattern is appropriately formed; It is mainly composed of a rubber contact switch sheet 3 having an elastically deformable contact switch portion 3a, a guide plate 4, a cover panel 5, and a joystick 6 molded of synthetic resin or the like.

The rubber contact switch sheet 3 is provided with contact switch portions 3a at four positions at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of a circle having a desired diameter in a bulging shape.
And on the printed wiring board 2 as shown in FIG.
Each contact switch portion 3a is arranged in an overlapping manner so as to project upward.

The contact 2a on the printed wiring board 2 side
And a contact 3b provided in the contact switch section 3a are arranged so as to be opposed to each other with an appropriate distance in the vertical direction. A switch unit is configured.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide plate 4 is arranged on the rubber contact switch sheet 3 in an overlapping manner, and is provided on the lower surface side of the guide plate 4 corresponding to each contact switch portion 3a. A circular recess 4a in the vertical direction in which each contact switch portion 3a is housed is formed.
A vertical guide hole 4b is formed at the center of the bottom of each circular recess 4a.

The disk 8a and the guide hole 4b are slidably guided in the vertical direction along the inner peripheral surface of the circular recess 4a.
An interlocking rod 8 composed of a guide rod 8b having a circular cross section guided slidably in the vertical direction along the inner peripheral surface has a disk portion 8a disposed on the upper surface side of the contact switch portion 3a, and a guide hole 4b. Further, the guide rod 8b is provided so as to protrude upward. The upper end of the guide rod 8b of each interlocking rod 8 is formed in a hemispherical shape.

A fulcrum 4c is formed on the upper surface of the guide plate 4 at the center of each circular recess 4a. Then, as shown in FIG.
A rotation restricting pin 10 having a circular cross section made of a metal, a resin, or the like is provided across the upper end position of the motor. In this embodiment,
The rotation restricting pin 10 is fixedly held on the upper surface of the guide plate 4 as an embedded shape. In addition, the structure which fixes with an adhesive agent etc. may be sufficient.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the joystick 6 comprises a column 6a, a sliding ball 6b, and an operating portion 6c which are sequentially arranged on the same axis, and a lower end of the column 6a. Is provided with a forked portion 12 in which a split groove portion 11 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the forked portion 12 is inserted into the fulcrum recess 4 c while straddling the rotation regulating pin 10.

The dividing groove 11 is provided with the joystick 6
Is appropriately formed in a shape having a width and a depth capable of swinging in the axial direction of the rotation regulating pin 10 and swinging about the axis of the rotation regulating pin 10, and is formed into an inserted shape here. The joystick 6 is swingable in all directions about a forked portion 12 at the lower end of the support portion 6a. In addition, the width of the split groove portion 11 is set to the rotation regulating pin 1 from the viewpoint of preventing backlash.
It is configured to be slightly wider than the diameter of 0. Then, the fulcrum concave portion 4c, the rotation regulating pin 10 and the forked portion 12
The rotation restricting mechanism 13 restricts the rotation of the joystick 6 about the axis.

The sliding ball portion 6b is provided in a protruding manner at the upper end of the column portion 6a, and the lower end surface of the sliding ball portion 6b is formed on a flat surface 6d perpendicular to the axis of the column portion 6a. It is formed in a circular shape centered on the axis of the column 6a. Further, the upper surface side of the sliding contact spherical portion 6b is formed in a spherical surface 6e centered on the swing center of the lower end portion of the support portion 6a, and the sliding contact spherical portion 6b is formed in a so-called hemispherical shape. ing.

At the position where the outer peripheral portion of the flat surface 6d is equally spaced in the circumferential direction, the upper end of the guide rod 8b of each interlocking rod 8 is supported upwardly by the elastic restoring force of the contact switch 3a. As shown in FIG. 5, the spherical surface 6e slides over a circumferentially continuous ridge 5b provided on the inner surface of the peripheral portion of the insertion hole 5a formed in the cover panel 5 over the entire circumferential direction. It is freely abutting.

The operating portion 6c is projected from the center of the spherical surface 6e, and is provided with an insertion hole 5a of a cover panel 5 provided to cover the guide plate 4, the interlocking rod 8, and the joystick 6.
It is projected upward. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the operation unit 6c is a quadrangle in plan view.

The first embodiment of the present invention is constructed as described above, and the joystick 6 is provided at the position where the outer peripheral portion of the flat surface 6d is equidistant in the circumferential direction, and the joystick 6 The switch portion 3a is biased upward by the elastic restoring force of the switch portion 3a, and the spherical force 6e of the joystick 6 is
Is pressed against the ridge 5b of the cover panel 5, so that the wobble of the joystick 6 can be effectively prevented.

When the operating portion 6c of the joystick 6 is pushed leftward as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, for example, the joystick 6 is tilted about the forked portion 12 of the column 6a.

When the joystick 6 is tilted, the interlocking rod 8 is pushed downward under the guide of the guide hole 4b on the outer peripheral portion of the flat surface 6d of the sliding ball portion 6b, and the contact switch portion 3a is resilient. The disk 8 of the interlocking rod 8 against the force
a, the contacts 2a, 3b are brought into contact with each other to be turned on.

Next, when the operating force on the joystick 6 is released, the contact switch section 3a which has been turned on is turned on.
The interlocking rod 8 is pushed upward by the elastic restoring force, and by the upward movement of the interlocking rod 8, the sliding sphere 6b is pushed back by the guide rod 8b of the interlocking rod 8, and the joystick 6 is moved to the initial position. While being returned to the neutral position, the contacts 2a and 3b are separated from each other, and the contact switch unit 3a is turned off.

Further, when the joystick 6 is tilted, the bifurcated portion 12 is always engaged with the rotation restricting pin 10 in a detent-like manner, so that the joystick 6 can be effectively rotated around the axis. The joystick 6 can be regulated, and the positional deviation of the operation unit 6c in the circumferential direction can be prevented, and the joystick 6 can be effectively prevented from being erroneously operated and uncomfortable feeling at the time of operation without impairing the appearance.

Further, when the joystick 6 is tilted or the like, the insertion hole 5a of the cover panel 5 is always covered by the spherical surface 6e of the sliding sphere 6b of the joystick 6, so that the multidirectional switch is provided. A component that hides the inside of the multidirectional switch 1 is not required, and the intrusion of dust and the like into the inside of the multidirectional switch 1 can be effectively prevented.

The rotation restricting mechanism 13 is provided between the lower end of the column 6a and the fulcrum 4c of the guide plate 4 in which the lower end is inserted. is there.

In the first embodiment, the lower end of the column 6a may be slidably abutted against the bottom of the fulcrum 4c, and the joystick 6 may swing in this state. In this case, at the time of tilting operation of the joystick 6, the lower end of the column portion 6a of the joystick 6 is supported by the bottom of the fulcrum recess 4c, and the joystick 6 is tilted under the biasing force of at least one contact switch portion 3a. The sliding ball part 6b
Is always slid along the ridge 5b of the cover panel 5, and a stable operation feeling can be obtained even if there is no fulcrum fixed here.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Instead, the spherical surface 6e of the slidable sphere 6b may be slidably supported by a plurality of point contact protrusions 5c projecting at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Good. In this case, the frictional resistance at the time of operation is very small as compared with the case where the joystick 6 is supported by the ridge 5b, the joystick 6 can be smoothly tilted, a good operation feeling can be obtained, and the dust can be obtained. It is hardly affected by dust and abrasion powder, and a stable and good operation feeling is always obtained.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second embodiment.
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The rotation restricting mechanism 13 in the second embodiment is
A fulcrum recess 4c formed on the upper surface side of the guide plate 4, a rotation restricting rib 18 integrally protruding upward from the bottom across the fulcrum recess 4c, and a split groove 19 at a lower end of the pillar 6a. 7 and 8, the forked portion 20 is inserted into the fulcrum recess 4c while straddling the rotation regulating rib 18. As shown in FIGS.

The split groove 19 is provided with the joystick 6
Is appropriately formed in a shape having a width and a depth capable of swinging in the direction in which the rotation regulating rib 18 extends and swinging in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation regulating rib 18 extends. 6
The joystick 6 is swingable about a forked portion 20 at the lower end of the portion a.

The second embodiment is constructed as described above. Like the first embodiment, the wobble of the joystick 6 can be effectively prevented, and the rotation restricting rib 18 is bifurcated when the joystick 6 is tilted. Since the part 20 is always engaged in a detent shape while straddling,
The rotation of the joystick 6 around the axis can be effectively regulated, so that the circumferential position of the operation unit 6c can be prevented from being shifted, and the appearance of the joystick 6 can be prevented from being erroneously operated and the occurrence of uncomfortable feeling during operation is effective. And can be made compact.

Further, when the joystick 6 is tilted or the like, the insertion hole 5a of the cover panel 5 is always covered with the spherical surface 6e of the sliding sphere 6b of the joystick 6, so that the multidirectional switch is provided. A component that hides the inside of the multidirectional switch 1 is not required, and the intrusion of dust and the like into the inside of the multidirectional switch 1 can be effectively prevented.

Further, the structure is such that the rotation restricting rib 18 is integrally protruded from the bottom of the fulcrum concave portion 4c, which has advantages that the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly can be simplified as compared with the first embodiment. .

In each of the above embodiments, the structure in which the switch unit is provided at four positions is shown.
It may be a place or the like, and is not limited in any way to the number of embodiments. Further, the structure of the switch section is not limited to the structure of the embodiment, and various switch sections that are automatically returned by the elastic restoring force may be used. In addition, Joystick 6
Although a structure in which a single switch unit is operated by the tilting operation is shown, a structure in which a plurality of switch units are simultaneously operated may be employed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the joystick support structure in the multidirectional switch of the present invention, the joystick is supported on the main body side of the multidirectional switch so as to be swingable around one end thereof, A sliding contact sphere portion having a spherical surface that is provided in a projecting manner on the other end side of the support portion and slidably abuts on the inner surface side of the insertion hole peripheral edge portion during the swinging; An operating portion projecting from the insertion hole and projecting from the insertion hole, and the outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact ball portion on the support portion side is elastically restored at at least three places in the circumferential direction. A rotation regulating mechanism, which is supported to return to a neutral position by a force and regulates rotation of the joystick around the axis between the one end of the support portion and the main body corresponding to the one end position, Provided And become one, around the axis of rotation of the joystick is effectively restricted, there is an advantage that occurrence of erroneous operation or discomfort of the joystick can be effectively prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view in which the cover panel is omitted.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cover panel.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another example of the cover panel.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a main part.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 multidirectional switch 2 printed wiring board 2a contact 3 rubber contact switch sheet 3a contact switch 3b contact 4 guide plate 4c fulcrum 5 cover panel 5a insertion hole 5b ridge 6 joystick 6a support 6b sliding sphere 6c operating part 6d Flat surface 6e Spherical surface 8 Interlocking rod 10 Rotation restricting pin 11 Split groove 12 Bifurcation 13 Rotation restricting mechanism 18 Rotation restricting rib 19 Split groove 20 Bifurcation

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A joystick in a multidirectional switch in which a plurality of switch parts are selectively operable by tilting operation of a joystick which is formed to project from an insertion hole of a cover panel and is supported so as to return to a neutral position. In the support structure, the joystick is provided on a main body side of the multi-directional switch so as to be swingable around one end thereof, and is provided in a projecting shape on the other end side of the support section, and at the time of the swing, A sliding contact spherical body portion having a spherical surface slidably abutting on the inner surface side of the insertion hole peripheral edge portion; and an operating portion projecting from the insertion hole and projecting from the insertion hole. The outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact sphere portion on the side of the support portion is supported at at least three locations separated in the circumferential direction so as to return to the neutral position by the elastic restoring force of the switch portion, A rotation regulating mechanism that regulates rotation of the joystick around the axis is provided between the one end of the strut and the main body corresponding to the position of the one end. A fulcrum recess formed at a position corresponding to one end of the support portion, a rotation restricting pin erected on the main body side across the fulcrum recess, and a bifurcated groove formed on the one end side of the support portion. A joystick support structure for a multidirectional switch, wherein the one end is inserted into a fulcrum recess with the forked portion straddling the rotation regulating pin so as to be swingable. 2. A joystick in a multidirectional switch in which a plurality of switch units are selectively operable by tilting operation of a joystick which is formed to project from an insertion hole of a cover panel and is supported so as to return to a neutral position. In the supporting structure, the joystick is provided on a main body side of the multi-directional switch so as to be swingably supported at one end thereof as a center, and is provided in a projecting shape at the other end side of the support section, and at the time of the swing, A sliding contact spherical body portion having a spherical surface slidably abutting on the inner surface side of the insertion hole peripheral edge portion; and an operating portion projecting from the insertion hole and projecting from the insertion hole. The outer peripheral portion of the sliding contact sphere portion on the side of the support portion is supported at at least three locations separated in the circumferential direction so as to return to the neutral position by the elastic restoring force of the switch portion, A rotation regulating mechanism that regulates rotation of the joystick around the axis is provided between the one end of the strut and the main body corresponding to the position of the one end. A fulcrum recess formed at a position corresponding to one end of the support portion, a rotation restricting rib provided on the main body side across the fulcrum recess, and a split groove portion is formed on the one end side of the support portion. A joystick support structure for a multi-directional switch, comprising: a forked portion, wherein the one end portion is inserted into a fulcrum recess with the forked portion straddling the rotation restricting rib so as to be swingable. .