JP3261885B2 - Multi-directional operation 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 operation switch mainly used for an input operation section of various electronic devices such as an audio device, a video device, and a car navigation system, and driven by tilting and pushing an operation axis. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional switch of this type will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped case made of a molding resin or the like.
a, a straight rod portion 3a of the operating shaft 3 is loosely fitted, the upper end of which is projected upward, and a rectangular recess 2b on the lower surface of the central hole 2a is provided integrally with the lower end of the straight rod portion 3a. The rectangular flange portion 3b is freely fitted in and out.

[0004] A switch substrate 4 is attached to the lower surface of the box-shaped case 1 so as to close the opening, with the contact surface inside.

As shown in FIG. 7, the switch substrate 4 has central fixed contacts 5a and 5b on an insulating substrate and four sets of peripheral fixed contacts arranged at substantially equal distances in the left, right, front and rear directions. Contact points 6a, 6b 7a, 7b 8a, 8b 9a,
9b and a lead-out unit 10 for connecting each contact to the outside
Are formed by printing or the like, and on the outer common contacts 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a of the respective contacts, diaphragm-shaped movable contacts 5c, 6c, 7c, 8 made of elastic metal plates are respectively provided.
The outer peripheral portions of c and 9c are placed and fixed by the adhesive tape 11.

Here, each movable contact 5c, 6c, 7c, 8
c, 9c are fixed to the respective center fixed contacts 5b, 6b, 7
An insulating layer 12 is provided by printing or the like at the base of each lead-out portion 10b so as not to short-circuit with the lead-out portions 10a of b, 8b, 9b.

The movable contacts 5c, 6c, 7c and 8 are provided on the lower surface of the flange 3b of the operation shaft 3.
center projection 13 and peripheral projection 14, corresponding to c and 9c,
15, 16 and 17, and the flange 3b
Between the lower surface of the switch and the switch board 4
8, the operating shaft 3 is pushed upward, and the upper surface of the flange portion 3 b is placed in a rectangular recess 2 b at the top of the box-shaped case 1.
, The operation shaft 3 is maintained at the vertical neutral position.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a cover made of a metal plate. The switch board 4 is bent from the lower side of the switch board 4 along the side surface of the box-shaped case 1 so that the switch board 4 is bent. It is fixed to.

Here, the relationship between each protrusion on the lower surface of the flange 3b of the operation shaft 3 and each diaphragm-like movable contact of the switch board 4 is determined by pushing the operation shaft 3 downward as shown in FIG. When approaching the switch board 4, the central projection 1
3, the center movable contact 5c at the center is pushed and reversely operated, and even if the center fixed contacts 5a and 5b are short-circuited, the peripheral projections 14, 15, 16 and 17 are fixed to the peripheral fixed contact 6
a, 6b ・ 7a, 7b ・ 8a, 8b ・ 9a, 9b
N is not set.

Next, the operation of this switch will be described. When the operation shaft 3 is in the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the fixed contacts 5a, 5b and 6 on the switch board 4
a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b are all in the OFF state.

As shown in FIG. 9, when a rightward force is applied to a knob 20 attached to the tip of the linear rod 3a of the operating shaft 3, the operating shaft 3 causes the compression coil spring 18 to bend. The upper end 3c of the rectangular flange 3b at the lower end is inclined with the fulcrum as a fulcrum, and the peripheral projection 14 opposite to the fulcrum provided on the lower surface of the flange 3b pushes the diaphragm-shaped movable contact 6c to perform a reversing operation, thereby reducing the moderation. At the same time, the peripheral fixed contacts 6a and 6b are short-circuited,
Signal to the outside through

Thereafter, when the force applied to the knob 20 is removed, the operating shaft 3 is pushed back to the original neutral position by the restoring force of the compression coil spring 18, and the diaphragm-shaped movable contact 6c is also restored to its original position by the restoring force. It returns to the shape of FIG. 6 and returns to the original OFF state between the fixed contacts 6a and 6b.

Similarly, by changing the direction in which force is applied to the knob 20 mounted on the operation shaft 3 to the left, front, and rear, a signal can be output to the deriving unit corresponding to the direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the operating shaft 3 is moved straight downward while applying a pressing force to the knob 20 from above to deflect the compression coil spring 18, a central projection at the lower end thereof is obtained. 13 is a central diaphragm-shaped movable contact 5
As described above, a signal can be output to the outside through the lead-out section 10 at the same time as pressing the button c to perform a reversal operation to generate a moderation, short-circuit the center fixed contacts 5a and 5b.

When the force applied to the knob 20 is removed, the compression coil spring 18 returns to the original state shown in FIG.

[0016]

However, in the above-described conventional multidirectional operation switch, the linear rod 3a of the operation shaft 3 is not provided.
And the cylindrical bearing portion 2 of the box-shaped case 1 are loosely fitted with a gap so that the operating shaft 3 can be tilted. 3
When moving vertically downward, the flange 3
When b moves away from the rectangular recess 2b in the upper part of the box-shaped case 1, the operation shaft 3 is supported only by the compression coil spring 18, so that the operation shaft 3 is easily swung and easily tilted. Before the projection 13 pushes the central diaphragm-shaped movable contact 5c, the peripheral projections 14, 15, 1
Diaphragm movable contact 6 corresponding to any of 6 and 17
By pressing c or 7c or 8c or 9c, one of the peripheral fixed contacts 6a, 6b or 7a, 7b or 8a, 8b or 9a, 9b is turned ON, and a force is applied to the knob 20 from the lateral direction to operate the operating shaft 3. There was a problem that the same signal as in the case of tilting was output.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention relates to a method in which a position of a compression coil spring which is mounted so as to push up an operation shaft is adjusted by a flange portion of the operation shaft in a box-shaped case. Between the switch and the switch board, between the seat plate placed on the upper end surface of the cylindrical bearing at the top of the box-shaped case and the linear rod of the operating shaft, and the center hole of this seat plate and the operating shaft Can be tilted and moved up and down with a straight bar, but horizontal
In this case, the fitting is performed so that there is no gap in the direction .

[0018]

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the operating shaft is moved vertically downward, the linear rod portion of the operating shaft can play with the center hole of the seat plate pressed against the tip of the cylindrical bearing portion by the compression coil spring. Can be supported so that there is no gap, so that even if a pressing force is applied to the knob from above, the operating shaft is less likely to wobble, and the peripheral movable contact is less likely to operate before the central movable contact.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a multi-directional operation switch according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

This embodiment is the same as the conventional multi-directional operation switch shown in FIG. 6 except for the structure of the compression coil spring mounting portion for pushing up the operation shaft upward. Portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a seat plate made of molding resin or the like.
It is placed on the upper end surface 2c of the cylindrical bearing portion 2 of the box-shaped case 1 and its central hole 21a is
It is fitted so that it can tilt and move up and down, but has no play in the horizontal direction.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a conical compression coil spring.
The lower end large diameter portion 22a is placed on the upper surface of the seat plate 21, and the upper end small diameter portion 22b is connected to the straight rod portion 3a of the operating shaft 3.
And is slightly compressed so as to have a biasing force in a direction to push up the operation shaft 3 in a normal state in a normal state.

The configuration excluding the above-described parts is the same as that of the conventional multidirectional operation switch. Next, the operation of the multi-directional operation switch according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, when a lateral force is applied to the knob 20 attached to the tip of the straight rod portion 3a of the operating shaft 3, the operating shaft 3 is moved to a rectangular flange portion 3b at the lower end thereof. Of the flange 3
b, the peripheral protrusion 14 on the opposite side to the fulcrum pushes the corresponding diaphragm-shaped movable contact 6c to perform a reversing operation, thereby generating a moderation and, at the same time, generating peripheral fixed contacts 6a, 6b.
The circuit is short-circuited, and a signal is emitted to the outside through the lead-out unit 10.

At this time, with the inclination of the linear rod portion 3a of the operating shaft 3, the seat plate 21 joined to the upper end surface 2c of the cylindrical bearing portion 2 of the box-shaped case 1 slides in the horizontal direction. The conical compression coil spring 22 mounted between the operating shaft 3 and the straight rod portion 3a is compressed.

When the force applied to the knob 20 is removed, the operating shaft 3 and the seat plate 21 are pushed back to the original position shown in FIG. 1 by the restoring force of the compression coil spring 22, and the diaphragm-shaped movable contact 6c is also moved. By the restoring force, it returns to the original shape, and returns to the OFF state between the fixed contacts 6a and 6b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, when the operating shaft 3 is moved straight down while applying a pressing force from above to the knob 20 to deflect the compression coil spring 22, a central projection 13 at the lower end thereof is provided. Is the diaphragm-shaped movable contact 5c just below
Is pressed to perform an inverting operation, and when a moderation occurs, the center fixed contacts 5a and 5b are short-circuited at the center, and a signal is output to the outside through the lead-out unit 10.

At this time, the downward movement of the operation shaft 3 causes
Even when the flange portion 3b is separated from the rectangular recess 2b at the top of the box-shaped case 1, the straight rod portion 3a of the operating shaft 3 is fitted by the central hole 21a of the seat plate 21 so as to have no play in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the wobble of the operation shaft 3 does not occur.

At this time, the operating shaft 3 moves downward and the compression coil spring 22 is bent, so that the lower end large diameter portion 22 is formed.
The seat plate 21 pressed by a is strongly pressed against the upper end surface 2c of the cylindrical bearing portion 2 and the frictional force between the two increases, so that the seat plate 21 does not slip.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the multi-directional operation switch of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the switch is mounted on the upper end surface 2c of the cylindrical bearing portion 2 of the box-shaped case 1. The outer diameter of the seat plate 24 is larger than the upper end surface 2c of the bearing portion 2, and the lower joint surface has a shape in which the center is depressed from the outer peripheral portion 24a. 2c
Is stuck in with a slight gap.

Therefore, when the operation shaft 3 is moved downward, the seat plate 24 slides between the upper end surface 2c of the cylindrical bearing portion 2 and the outer peripheral portion 24a and the central portion 24 of the seat plate 24.
It is necessary to get over the step between the upper end surface 2b and the upper end surface 2c of the bearing portion 2 of the seat plate 24. Note that the step between the outer peripheral portion 24a and the central portion 24b is set so as to get over when the operation shaft 3 is strongly inclined.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the multidirectional operation switch according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, the upper end surface 2d of the cylindrical bearing portion 2 of the box-shaped case 1 and the seat plate 25 are shown. Is a conical shape with a lower center.

Thus, when the operating shaft 3 is moved downward, the conical taper is formed against the pressure of the compression coil spring 22 so that the seat plate 25 slides between the bearing plate 2 and the upper end surface 2d. The upper surface 2d of the bearing plate 2 can be made more difficult to slide between the seat plate 25 and the upper end surface 2d of the bearing portion 2. Further, even when the operating shaft 3 is inclined, the seat plate 25 is formed by the conical tapered surface. And the operation shaft 3 is easily returned to the neutral position.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above embodiment, the multi-directional operation switch of the present invention has a straight rod portion of an operation shaft which is horizontally inserted into a central hole of a seat plate pressed against the tip of a bearing portion by a compression coil spring. Are fitted so that there is no play, so that even when the operation shaft is moved downward, the operation shaft is hard to wobble.

Therefore, there is almost no danger that the same signal as in the case of tilting the operation axis will be output when the operation axis is to be moved downward.

Further, the size and the price of the product are hardly changed only by adding one seat plate as a component, so that the practical value is great.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of a multi-directional operation switch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state where the operation shaft is inclined.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state where the operation shaft is moved downward.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a multi-directional operation switch according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a multi-directional operation switch according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a conventional multidirectional operation switch.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a switch substrate, which is the main part.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a state where the operation shaft is moved downward.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a state where the operation shaft is inclined.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Box-shaped case 2 Cylindrical bearing part 2c Upper end surface 3 Operating shaft 3a Straight rod part 4 Switch board 21,24,25 Seat plate 21a Central hole 22 Compression coil spring

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Matsui 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-150778 (JP, A) JP-A-57-191921 (JP) JP-A-58-70331 (JP, A) JP-A-8-96663 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01H 25/04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A top surface of the cylindrical bearing portion and a box-shaped case having a bottom surface of the switch board, and the straight rod portion which penetrates the support so as to enable tilting and vertical movement by the cylindrical bearing portion, the box-shaped case upper surface and inside the contact provided integrally with the straight bar portion, and the operating shaft comprising a flange portion having a switch driving projections on the lower surface, the tilting and movable up and down
Has a central hole fitted so that the operating shaft and horizontal play is not, the operation shaft linearly as push the perforated seat plate having a surface joined to the cylindrical bearing portion upper end, the operating shaft upward multidirectional switch comprising a loaded compression spring between the rod outer diameter and the seat plate upper surface. Wherein the outer diameter of the perforated seat plate is larger than the cylindrical bearing portion upper face of the box-shaped casing, the upper center of the bottom surface of the seat plate
2. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided for loosely fitting with the upper end of the cylindrical bearing portion. 3. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the joint surface between the upper end of the cylindrical bearing portion of the box-shaped case and the seat plate with holes is formed in a conical shape having a lower center.