JP3764837B2

JP3764837B2 - Multi-directional input device

Info

Publication number: JP3764837B2
Application number: JP37336299A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 新治石川
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-12-28
Filing date: 1999-12-28
Publication date: 2006-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-28
Also published as: JP2001188625A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は多方向入力装置に係わり、操作軸を操作することにより、複数の電気部品を同時に操作することができる多方向入力装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の多方向入力装置は、本願の出願人が先に出願した出願中のもので、図３１〜図４３に示すように、鉄板等から成る枠体１が配設され、この枠体１は、プレス等で図示下方に折り曲げられた側板１ａ、１ｂ、１ｃ、１ｄを有し、内部が空洞で下部が開放され、外形が略直方体に形成されている。また、枠体１の上部が上板１ｅで蓋閉され、この上板１ｅの中央部には操作孔１ｆが形成されている。
前記側板１ｂ以外の３つの側板１ａ、１ｃ、１ｄには、それぞれ丸孔１ｇが形成され、更に側板１ａ、１ｃには後述する回転型の電気部品である可変抵抗器３Ａ、３Ｂを取り付けるための複数の角穴（図示せず）が設けられている。また、側板１ａが対向する側の側板１ｂには、側板１ａの丸孔１ｇが対向する位置に略半円形状の支持部１ｈが形成されている。
【０００３】
また、相対向する側板１ｃ、１ｄのそれぞれの下部には、図示しないプリント基板等に本発明の多方向入力装置を取り付けるための、複数の取付端子１ｋが下方側に延出形成されている。
また、側板１ａ、１ｂの下方には、後述する底板８を取り付けるための舌片１ｍ、１ｍがそれぞれ形成されている。
【０００４】
前記枠体１の空洞内部には、リン青銅板等から成る第１連動部材２が配設されている。そして、この第１連動部材２は、プレス等でアーチ状に上方側に湾曲形成され、このアーチ状部分の長手方向にスリット孔２ａが打ち抜き形成されている。
また、前記第１連動部材２の両端部が下方側に折り曲げられ、この折り曲げられた図示左側の一端部にはパイプ状の支持部２ｂが絞り加工等で突出形成され、この支持部２ｂが側板１ｄの丸孔１ｇに挿入されて回転可能に支持されるようになっている。
【０００５】
前記第１連動部材２の図３１示右側の他端部は、略Ｕ字状に折り曲げられて部品操作部２ｃが形成され、この部品操作部２ｃは、枠体１の側板１ｃに形成された丸孔１ｇ（図３８参照）に挿入され、この丸孔１ｇから外方に突出し、後述する第１の電気部品である可変抵抗器３Ａの回転体３ｄの横溝と係合するようになっている。
前記第１連動部材２は、枠体１の側板１ｃ、１ｄのそれぞれの丸孔１ｇ、１ｇに橋渡しされ、アーチ状に形成された部分が枠体１内部に回動可能に架設されている。
また、前記枠体１の側板１ａと、この側板１ａに隣接する側板１ｃに設けられた図示しない複数の角孔には第１，第２の電気部品である、例えば可変抵抗器３Ａ、３Ｂがスナップ係合等で取り付けられている。
【０００６】
回転型の第１，第２の電気部品である前記可変抵抗器３Ａ、３Ｂは、図３８，図３９に示すように、ケース３ａの内部にインサート成型等で一体形成された基板３ｂが配設され、摺動子片３ｃを取り付けた回転体３ｄがケース３ａに固定された基板３ｂに、回転体３ｄに設けた一対の取付脚３ｆをスナップ係合して回転可能に取り付けられ、回転体３ｄの回転中心には、縦溝と横溝とを組み合わせた係合溝を有する操作部３ｅが形成されている。
そして、前記枠体１の側板１ｃの丸孔１ｇから外方に突出している第１連動部材２の略Ｕ字状の部品操作部２ｃが、側板１ｃに取り付けられている可変抵抗器３Ａの操作部３ｅに係合し、前記第１連動部材２が回動することによって、可変抵抗器３Ａの回転体３ｄが回転して、可変抵抗器３Ａの抵抗値が変化するようになっている。
【０００７】
前記第１連動部材２のスリット孔２ａには、操作軸４の摘み部４ａが挿通され、摘み部４ａ、および根元部４ｂがスリット孔２ａに沿って移動可能になっている。このような操作軸４は合成樹脂等から成り、図３５〜図３７に示すように、小判形状に形成された摘み部４ａの根元部４ｂが円形に形成されている。この円形の根元部４ｂの図示下方には筒部４ｃが一体形成されている。
この筒部４ｃは、下方が開放されて周囲が外壁で覆われ、内部には後述する略円形の復帰バネからなる付勢部材７を収納するための収納部４ｄが形成されている。このような操作軸４は、筒部４ｃの外周面の一部に対向状態で平坦部４ｅ、４ｅが形成され、この平坦部４ｅ、４ｅには、頂部にテーパ部４ｋを有する小判形状の軸部４ｆ、４ｆが軸方向に対して直交する方向に凸状に突出形成されている。
【０００８】
また、前記軸部４ｆの下端部には、係止部４ｊが設けられている。
前記収納部４ｄの内部には、摘み部４ａと同一の軸方向に軸支部４ｇが図示下方に延長して一体形成され、この軸支部４ｇの下方側の先端部４ｈがバネ性のある筒部４ｃより所定量だけ下方側に突出した状態になっている。
前記筒部４ｃの内壁には、特に、図４１に示すように、収納部４ｄ内に突出して、軸方向に延びる複数個の突起４ｍが設けられている。
また、筒部４ｃの外周面には、軸部４ｆの下側において、軸部４ｆと筒部４ｃの下端部との間に、ストッパーを構成するための矩形状の突部４ｎが設けられ、この突部４ｎは、平坦部４ｅよりも高いが軸部４ｆの頂面よりも低く形成されている。
前記操作軸４は、軸部４ｆを第２連動部材５に軸支することによって、矢印Ａ−Ａ方向、および矢印Ｂ−Ｂ方向に傾倒可能になっている。
【０００９】
前記第２連動部材５は合成樹脂材料から成り、第１連動部材２の下方側に、第１連動部材２と直交する方向に配設されている。
この第２連動部材５は、特に、図３２〜図３４に示すように、略中心部に操作軸４を挿通する中心孔５ｃを設けて構成された外形が略矩形の支持部５ａが形成され、この支持部５ａは周囲が側壁５ｂに囲まれ、この側壁５ｂに囲まれた内側に略矩形の中心孔５ｃが貫通形成されている。
前記支持部５ａの一対の側壁５ｂ、５ｂの所定位置には、操作軸４の軸部４ｆ、４ｆが係合可能な丸形の孔５ｄ、５ｄが形成されている。
前記側壁５ｂの内面には、特に、図４０に示すように、丸形の孔５ｄの下方に位置し、突部４ｎを受け入れるための略矩形状の凹部５ｎが設けられると共に、この凹部５ｎの両端部には、段部５ｅが存在して、ストッパー部が設けられている。
【００１０】
そして、操作軸４の軸部４ｆが丸形の孔５ｄにスナップ止めされて、操作軸４が第２連動部材５に保持されると共に、突部４ｎが凹部５ｎ内に位置して、突部４ｎの頂面が凹部５ｎの底壁面に当接すると共に、平坦部４ｅが側壁５ｂの内壁面と当接した状態となる。そして、突部４ｎの両端部の段差部が段部５ｅと衝合可能となって、ストッパーを構成している。
また、この組立後、小判形状の軸部４ｆの下端部の係止部４ｊが丸形の孔５ｄに係止した状態となっている。
【００１１】
前記支持部５ａからは、図３３に示すように、左右の水平方向に第１と第２のアーム部５ｆ、５ｇが、それぞれ延出形成されている。そして、一方側に延出する第１アーム部５ｆには、所定の径寸法の支持部５ｈが形成され、この支持部５ｈから板状の部品操作部５ｊが突出形成されている。
また、他方側に延出する第２アーム部５ｇには、所定の径寸法の支持部５ｋが形成され、この支持部５ｋから上面が平坦状に形成され下面が半円状に形成された突部５ｍが延出形成されている。
【００１２】
前記第２連動部材５は、第１アーム部５ｆの支持部５ｈが、枠体１の側板１ａの丸孔１ｇに挿入されて回転可能に支持され、第２アーム部５ｇの支持部５ｋが、側板１ｂの半円状の支持部１ｈに位置して支持されて、第２連動部材５は、回動可能に架設されるようになっている。
そして、第１アーム部５ｆの部品操作部５ｊが、側板１ａに取り付けられた第２の電気部品である可変抵抗器３Ｂの操作部３ｅの縦溝と係合し、可変抵抗器３Ｂを操作するようになっている。
【００１３】
前記枠体１の内部に位置する操作軸４の下方の軸支部４ｇには、操作軸４の軸方向に移動可能な作動部材６が配設されている。
この作動部材６は、樹脂材料から成り、下方側に外形が円形で底面が皿状に湾曲形成された基部６ａを有し、この基部６ａの中央部には、上方に向けて突出する筒状のボス部６ｂが形成され、このボス部６ｂの中央に軸孔６ｃが貫通形成されている。
前記作動部材６のボス部６ｂの外周には、操作軸４の突起４ｍとスプライン結合するための複数個の凹条部６ｄが設けられると共に、基部６ａの下面中央部には凹部６ｅが設けられると共に、基部６ａの下面外周部には円弧状面部６ｆが設けられ、更に、ボス部６ｂの上端部には、段差部を有した僅かに突出する突部６ｇが設けられている。
前記作動部材６は、操作軸４の軸支部４ｇが軸孔６ｃに挿入されると共に、ボス部６ｂが筒部４ｃの収納部４ｄに移動可能に嵌合するようになっている。
この時、作動部材６の凹条部６ｄには、操作軸４の突起４ｍがスプライン結合し、作動部材６が操作軸４の回りに回転しないようになっている。
【００１４】
前記操作軸４の筒部４ｃの収納部４ｄ内には、所定の弾性力を有するコイルバネから成る付勢部材７が配設されている。この付勢部材７は、上下の巻端部が、収納部４ｄ内の天井面と、作動部材６のボス部６ｂと突部６ｇの段差部とにそれぞれ弾接するようになっている。この付勢部材７は、軸支部４ｇに挿入されると共に、付勢部材７の一端部は、筒部４ｃの内壁にガイドされ、他端部は突部６ｇの外壁にガイドされ、付勢部材７の前後左右の動きが規制されるようになっている。
また、付勢部材７の取付は、先ず、付勢部材７を作動部材６の突部６ｇにはめ合わせた後、付勢部材７を先にして収納部４ｄに収納し、凹条部６ｄと突起４ｍを合わせながら作動部材６を収納部４ｄに収納するものである。
【００１５】
前記作動部材６の下部には、枠体１の下部を蓋閉する底板８が配設されている。この底板８は、樹脂材料からなり外形が略矩形に形成され、周囲に側壁８ａが部分的に形成され、この側壁８ａの内部に平坦状の内底面８ｂが形成されている。
前記内底面８ｂ上には、外周部から中央部に行くに従って、漸次盛り上がったテーパー部を有する円錐状で皿状の突部８ｅを設けている。
この内底面８ｂに、付勢部材７により作動部材６の底部が弾接されるようになっている。また、側壁８ａには、枠体１の側板１ｃ、１ｄの下方側の端部を位置決めするための複数のガイド部８ｄが突出形成されている。
【００１６】
次に、従来の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、まず、操作軸４の摘み部４ａに操作力が加わってない無負荷のときは、図３８、図４２に示すように、付勢部材７の弾性力により、作動部材６が底板８の内底面８ｂに弾接されて、基部６ａの皿状の底面が水平状態になると共に、操作軸４が直立の中立状態になっている。
また、この中立状態において、底板８の突部８ｅは、作動部材６の凹部６ｅ内に位置した状態となっている。
この中立状態の操作軸４を第１連動部材２のスリット孔２ａに沿って、図３８、図４２に示す矢印Ｂ−Ｂ方向に傾倒させると、第２連動部材５が第１と第２のアーム部５ｆ、５ｇのそれぞれの支持部５ｈ、５ｋを支点として回動し、作動部材６は図４３に示すように、基部６ａの底面が底板８の内底面８ｂ上を摺接移動し、基部６ａの底面の外周部の円弧状面部６ｆが底板８の突部８ｅのテーパー部に当接しながら作動部材６が傾斜する。
【００１７】
そして、作動部材６は付勢部材７の弾性力に抗してボス部６ｂが操作軸４の筒部４ｃの収納部４ｄ内に押し込まれる。
この状態で傾倒動作を続けると、作動部材６の円弧状面部６ｆは、突部８ｅのテーパー部に乗り上げながら、且つ、作動部材６の動きを規制させながら摺動動作する。
このため、作動部材６が所定の角度傾斜しても、円弧状面部６ｆが図４３の矢印Ｄ方向に底板８上でスリップすることが無く、傾倒動作を行うことができる。
前記第２連動部材５を回動させると、第１アーム部５ｆの部品操作部５ｊが係合している第２の電気部品である可変抵抗器３Ｂの回転体３ｄが回転して抵抗値が変化する。
また、操作軸４を矢印Ｂ方向に傾倒した時、操作軸４は、第１連動部材２のスリット孔２ａの端部にぶつかって、傾倒動作がストップするようになっている。
そして、側板１ａに取り付けられている可変抵抗器３Ｂの操作が終了後、操作軸４に加えていた操作力を解除すると、付勢部材７の弾性力によって、作動部材６が自動的に水平状態に戻り、操作軸４が直立の中立状態に自動復帰する。
【００１８】
また、操作軸４を第２連動部材５の中心孔５ｃに沿って、図３９に示す矢印Ａ−Ａ方向に傾倒させると、第１連動部材２が支持部２ｂと部品操作部２ｃを支点として回動する。
この第１連動部材２が回動すると、側板１ｃに取り付けられて部品操作部２ｃが係合している第１の電気部品である可変抵抗器３Ａの回転体３ｄが回転して、可変抵抗器３Ａの抵抗値が変化する。このときの作動部材６の動作は、前述した操作軸４を矢印Ｂ−Ｂ方向に傾倒させたときと同じなので説明は省略する。
そして、操作軸４を矢印Ａ方向に傾倒した時、突部４ｎが凹部５ｎ内を移動して、突部４ｎの段差部が段部５ｅに衝合して、ストッパーを構成している。
【００１９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、従来の多方向入力装置において、操作軸４の傾倒動作のストッパーは、操作軸４が第１の連動部材２のスリット孔２ａの端部にぶつかった時、或いは操作軸４と第２の連動部材５との間に設けられた凸部４ｎと段部５ｅとからなるストッパー部で行い、設計の自由度が少なく、更には、何れの場合も、一カ所によるストッパーであるため、ストッパー強度が弱いという問題がある。
【００２０】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、設計の自由度が向上できると共に、ストッパー強度が大きく、操作の確実な多方向入力装置を提供するものである。
【００２１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するするための第１の解決手段として、枠体と、互いに直交した状態で前記枠体に回転可能に取り付けられた第１と第２の連動部材と、該第１と第２の連動部材に対して垂直方向に配置された状態で、前記第２の連動部材に保持され、前記第１と第２の連動部材を回転する傾倒動作可能な操作軸と、前記操作軸の軸方向に対して直交した状態で配設された底板と、前記操作軸の傾倒動作より前記第１，或いは第２の連動部材を介してそれぞれ操作される電気部品とを備え、前記操作軸が傾倒動作して前記第２の連動部材を回転させた時、前記第２の連動部材が前記底板にぶつかり、前記操作軸の傾倒動作のストッパーを構成した。
また、第２の解決手段として、前記操作軸に保持されて、前記操作軸の軸方向に移動可能な作動部材と、前記作動部材の底部を前記底板上に弾圧する付勢部材とを有し、前記操作軸には、前記作動部材が軸方向に移動可能に結合され、前記操作軸が傾倒動作した時、前記作動部材が前記操作軸にぶつかり、前記作動部材の軸方向の移動が阻止されて、前記操作軸の傾倒動作のストッパーを構成した。
【００２２】
また、第３の解決手段として、前記第２の連動部材と前記操作軸との間には、前記操作軸の傾倒動作をストップするストッパー部が設けられ、前記操作軸が傾倒動作して前記第１の連動部材を回転させた時、前記第２の連動部材の前記ストッパー部と前記操作軸の前記ストッパー部とがぶつかると共に、前記作動部材が前記操作軸にぶつかり、前記作動部材の軸方向の移動が阻止されて、前記操作軸の傾倒動作のストッパーを構成した。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の多方向入力装置を図１〜図３０を基に説明すると、図１は本発明の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図、図２は本発明の多方向入力装置に係り、一部を断面した平面図、図３は図２の３−３線における断面図、図４は本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を示す説明図、図５は図２の５−５線における断面図、図６は本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を示す説明図、図７は図３の７−７線における要部の断面図、図８は図５の８−８線における要部の断面図である。
【００２４】
また、図９は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の平面図、図１０は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の正面図、図１１は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の下面図、図１２は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の右側面図、図１３は図９の１３−１３線における断面図、図１４は図９の１４−１４線における断面図である。
【００２５】
また、図１５は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第１の連動部材の平面図、図１６は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第１の連動部材の左側面図、図１７は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第１の連動部材の右側面図、図１８は図１５の１８−１８線における断面図である。
【００２６】
また、図１９は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作軸の正面図、図２０は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作軸の上面図、図２１は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作軸の下面図、図２２は図１９の２２−２２線における断面図である。
また、図２３は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る作動部材の正面図、図２４は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る作動部材の平面図、図２５は図２４の２５−２５線における断面図である。
【００２７】
また、図２６は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る回転体の平面図、図２７は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る回転体の背面図、図２８は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る回転体の底面図、図２９は図２６の２９−２９線における断面図、図３０は図２６の３０−３０線における断面図である。
【００２８】
次に、本発明の多方向入力装置の構成を図１〜図３０に基づいて説明すると、鉄板等から成る枠体２１が配設され、この枠体２１は、プレス等で図示下方に折り曲げられた側板２１ａ、２１ｂ、２１ｃ、２１ｄを有し、内部が空洞で下部が開放され、外形が略直方体に形成されている。また、枠体２１の上部が上板２１ｅで蓋閉され、この上板２１ｅの中央部には操作孔２１ｆが形成されている。
前記側板２１ｂ以外の３つの側板２１ａ、２１ｃ、２１ｄには、それぞれ丸孔２１ｇが形成され、更に側板２１ａ、２１ｃには後述する回転型の第１，第２の電気部品である可変抵抗器２３Ａ、２３Ｂを取り付けるための複数の角穴２１ｐが設けられている。また、側板２１ａが対向する側の側板２１ｂには、側板２１ａの丸孔２１ｇが対向する位置に略半円形状の支持部２１ｈが形成されている。
【００２９】
また、相対向する側板２１ｃ、２１ｄのそれぞれの下部には、図示しないプリント基板等に本発明の多方向入力装置を取り付けるための、複数の取付端子２１ｋが下方側に延出形成されている。
また、側板２１ａ、２１ｂの下方には、後述する底板２８を取り付けるための舌片２１ｍ、２１ｍがそれぞれ形成されている。
【００３０】
前記枠体２１の空洞内部には、リン青銅板等から成る第１連動部材２２が配設されている。そして、この第１連動部材２２は、図１５〜図１８に示すように、プレス等でアーチ状に上方側に湾曲形成され、このアーチ状部分の長手方向にスリット孔２２ａが打ち抜き形成されている。
また、前記第１連動部材２２の両端部が下方側に折り曲げられ、この折り曲げられた図示左側の一端部にはパイプ状の支持部２２ｂが絞り加工等で突出形成され、この支持部２２ｂが側板２１ｄの丸孔２１ｇに挿入されて回転可能に支持されるようになっている。
【００３１】
前記第１連動部材２２の図１、及び図１５示右側の他端部には、その端部から突出した部品操作部２２ｃと、この部品操作部２２ｃの端部から更に突出した凸部２２ｄとを有し、この部品操作部２２ｃは、枠体２１の側板２１ｃに形成された丸孔２１ｇ（図３参照）に挿入され、この丸孔２１ｇから外方に突出し、後述する第１の電気部品である可変抵抗器２３Ａの回転体２３ｄの横溝と係合するようになっている。
前記第１の連動部材２２は、枠体２１の側板２１ｃ、２１ｄのそれぞれの丸孔２１ｇ、２１ｇに橋渡しされ、アーチ状に形成された部分が枠体２１内部に回動可能に架設されている。
また、前記枠体２１の側板２１ａと、この側板２１ａに隣接する側板２１ｃに設けられた複数の角孔２１ｐには、第１，第２の電気部品である、例えば可変抵抗器２３Ａ、２３Ｂがケース２３ａに設けられた取付部２３ｇをスナップ係合させて取り付けられている。
【００３２】
回転型の第１，第２の電気部品である前記可変抵抗器２３Ａ、２３Ｂは、図２〜図６に示すように、ケース２３ａの内部にインサート成型等で一体形成された基板２３ｂが配設され、このケース２３ａに設けられた取付部２３ｇが枠体２１にスナップ止めされると共に、摺動子片２３ｃを取り付けた回転体２３ｄがケース２３ａに固定された基板２３ｂに、回転体２３ｄに設けた一対の取付脚２３ｆをスナップ係合して回転可能に取り付けられている。
そして、回転体２３ｄは、図２６〜図３０に示すように、平板状の基部２３ｈの中心部には、縦溝と横溝とを組み合わせた係合溝２３ｅが形成され、この係合溝２３ｅを挟んで間隔を置いて一対の取付脚２３ｆが設けられた構成となっている。
【００３３】
そして、前記枠体２１の側板２１ｃの丸孔２１ｇから外方に突出している第１連動部材２２の部品操作部２２ｃが、側板２１ｃに取り付けられている可変抵抗器２３Ａの係合溝２３ｅに係合すると共に、凸部２２ｄが一対の取付脚２３ｆの位置まで延在して、前記第１連動部材２２が回動することによって、可変抵抗器２３Ａの回転体２３ｄが回転して、可変抵抗器２３Ａの抵抗値が変化するようになっている。
また、凸部２２ｄが一対の取付脚２３ｆの位置まで延在することによって、回転体２３ｄに外力がかかって、取付脚２３ｆがケース２２ａから外れようとしても、この凸部２２ｄの存在によって、取付脚２３ｆの動きが抑えられて、外れることがないし、本実施例においては、取付脚２３ｆがスナップ係合するケース２３ａの基板２３ｂの表面付近まで延びているので、その効果は特に著しい。
なお、前記実施例では、凸部２２ｄをケース２３ａの基板２３ｂの表面付近まで延ばしているが、それより外側まで延ばしても良い。
また、基板２３ｂの中央部の丸孔に取付脚２３ｆをスナップ係合しているが、丸孔の周縁に相当する箇所を樹脂で覆い、この樹脂部分にスナップ係合しても良い。
【００３４】
また、、前記実施例では、回転体２３ｄに取付脚２３ｆを設けて、この取付脚２３ｆで回転体２３ｄをケース２３ａに回転可能に取り付けたもので説明したが、ケース２３ａに取付脚を設けて、この取付脚で回転体２３ｄを回転可能に取り付けるようにしても良い。
【００３５】
前記第１連動部材２２のスリット孔２２ａには、操作軸２４の摘み部２４ａが挿通され、摘み部２４ａ、および根元部２４ｂがスリット孔２２ａに沿って移動可能になっている。このような操作軸２４は合成樹脂等から成り、図１９〜図２２に示すように、小判形状に形成された摘み部２４ａの根元部２４ｂが円形に形成されている。この円形の根元部２４ｂの図示下方には筒部２４ｃが一体形成されている。
この筒部２４ｃは、下方が開放されて周囲が外壁で覆われ、内部には後述する略円形の復帰バネからなる付勢部材２７を収納するための収納部２４ｄが形成されている。このような操作軸２４は、筒部２４ｃの外周面で互いに対向する位置に、軸方向に対して直交する方向に凸状に突出して設けられた一対の円柱状の軸部２４ｆと、この軸部２４ｆの頂部に設けられたテーパー部２４ｋと、この軸部２４ｆの周囲において、軸部２４ｆより低く設けられた略扇状の台座部２４ｅと、軸部２４ｆの下端部に位置する係止部２４ｊとを有する。
【００３６】
そして、略扇状の台座部２４ｅは、１８０度以上の角度で形成されると共に、台座部２４ｅの端部に設けられた段差部２４ｎが後述するストッパー部としての機能を果たすようになっている。
また、前記収納部２４ｄの内部には、摘み部２４ａと同一の軸方向に軸支部２４ｇが図示下方に延長して一体形成され、この軸支部２４ｇの下方側の先端部２４ｈがバネ性のある筒部２４ｃより所定量だけ下方側に突出した状態になっている。
前記筒部２４ｃの内壁には、特に、図８に示すように、収納部２４ｄ内で軸方向に延びる複数個の凹部２４ｍが設けられている。
そして、前記操作軸２４は、軸部２４ｆを第２連動部材２５に軸支することによって、矢印Ａ−Ａ方向、および矢印Ｂ−Ｂ方向に傾倒可能になっている。
【００３７】
なお、軸部２４ｆは円柱状の凸部で説明したが、小判型形状の凸部でも良く、また、筒部２４ｃの下端部と軸部２４の下端部との間に、台座部２４ｅの一部が存在したもので説明したが、筒部２４ｃの下端部と軸部２４ｆの下端部が操作軸２４の軸方向において、面一、或いは近接して設けるようにしても良い。
【００３８】
前記第２連動部材２５は合成樹脂材料から成り、第１連動部材２２の下方側に、第１連動部材２２と直交する方向に配設されている。
この第２連動部材２５は、特に、図９〜図１４に示すように、略中心部に操作軸２４を挿通する中心孔２５ｃを設けて構成された外形が略矩形の支持部２５ａが形成され、この支持部２５ａは周囲が側壁２５ｂに囲まれ、この側壁２５ｂに囲まれた内側に略矩形の中心孔２５ｃが貫通形成されている。
前記支持部２５ａの一対の側壁２５ｂ、２５ｂの所定位置には、操作軸２４の軸部２４ｆ、２４ｆが係合可能な丸形の孔２５ｄ、２５ｄが形成されている。
前記側壁２５ｂの内面には、特に、図７，図１３に示すように、丸形の孔２５ｄの周囲に位置し、台座部２４ｅを受け入れるための略扇状の凹部２５ｎが設けられると共に、この凹部２５ｎの両端部には、段部２５ｅが存在して、ストッパー部が設けられている。
【００３９】
そして、操作軸２４の軸部２４ｆが丸形の孔２５ｄにスナップ止めされて、操作軸２４が第２連動部材２５に保持されると共に、台座部２４ｅが凹部２５ｎ内に位置して、台座部２４ｅの頂面２４ｅ１が凹部２５ｎの底壁面２５ｎ１に当接すると共に、台座部２４ｅの両端部の段差部２４ｎが段部２５ｅと衝合可能となって、ストッパーを構成している。
前記支持部２５ａからは、図９〜図１４に示すように、左右の水平方向に第１と第２のアーム部２５ｆ、２５ｇが、それぞれ延出形成されている。そして、一方側に延出する第１アーム部２５ｆには、所定の径寸法の支持部２５ｈが形成され、また、他方側に延出する第２アーム部２５ｇには、所定の径寸法の支持部２５ｋが形成され、この支持部２５ｋからは、板状の部品操作部２５ｊが突出形成されると共に、この部品操作部２５ｊから更に突出して、突部２５ｍが延出形成されている。
【００４０】
前記第２連動部材２５は、第１アーム部２５ｆの支持部２５ｈが、枠体２１の側板２１ｂの半円状の支持部２１ｈと底板２８の間に位置して回転可能に支持され、第２アーム部２５ｇの支持部２５ｋが、側板２１ａの丸孔２１ｇに挿入されて回転可能に支持されて、第２連動部材２５は、回動可能に架設されるようになっている。
そして、第２アーム部２５ｇの部品操作部２５ｊが、側板１ａに取り付けられた第２の電気部品である可変抵抗器３Ｂの係合溝３ｅの縦溝と係合し、可変抵抗器３Ｂを操作するようになっている。
また、第２連動部材２５が枠体２１に取り付けられた際、突部２５ｍが一対の取付脚２３ｆの位置まで延在した構成となっており、この突部２５ｍが一対の取付脚２３ｆの位置まで延在することによって、回転体２３ｄに外力がかかって、取付脚２３ｆがケース２２ａから外れようとしても、この突部２５ｍの存在によって、取付脚２３ｆの動きが抑えられて、外れることがないし、本実施例においては、取付脚２３ｆがスナップ係合するケース２３ａの基板２３ｂの表面付近まで延びているので、その効果は特に著しい。
なお、前記実施例では、凸部２２ｄをケース２３ａの基板２３ｂの表面付近まで延ばしているが、それより外側まで延ばしても良い。
また、基板２３ｂの中央部の丸孔に取付脚２３ｆをスナップ係合しているが、丸孔の周縁に相当する箇所を樹脂で覆い、この樹脂部分にスナップ係合しても良い。
【００４１】
前記枠体２１の内部に位置する操作軸２４の下方の軸支部２４ｇには、操作軸２４の軸方向に移動可能な作動部材２６が配設されている。
この作動部材２６は、樹脂材料から成り、図２３〜図２５に示すように、下方側に外形が円形で底面が皿状に湾曲形成された基部２６ａを有し、この基部２６ａの中央部には、上方に向けて突出する筒状のボス部２６ｂが形成され、このボス部２６ｂの中央に軸孔２６ｃが貫通形成されている。
前記作動部材２６のボス部２６ｂの外周には、操作軸２４の凹部２４ｍとスプライン結合するための径方向に突出した複数個の凸条部２６ｄが設けられ、また、基部２６ａの下面中央部には凹部２６ｅが設けられると共に、基部２６ａの下面外周部には円弧状面部２６ｆが設けられ、更に、凸条部２６ｄの上端部において、この凸条部２６ｄとボス部２６ｂとの間に設けられた凹部からなる受け部２６ｇが設けられている。
【００４２】
また、凸条部２６ｄは、ボス部２６ｂの上部から基部２６ａにわたって形成されると共に、ボス部２６ｂの上端部は、操作軸２４の軸方向に凸条部２６ｄの先端部から更に突出させ、ボス部２６ｂの突出量は、凸条部２６ｄの先端部から受け部２６ｇの深さ以上の長さで突出させている。
前記作動部材２６は、操作軸２４の軸支部２４ｇが軸孔２６ｃに挿入されると共に、ボス部２６ｂが筒部２４ｃの収納部２４ｄに移動可能に嵌合するようになっている。
この時、作動部材２６の凸条部２６ｄが操作軸２４の凹部２４ｍにスプライン結合し、作動部材２６が操作軸２４の回りに回転しないようになっている。
【００４３】
前記操作軸２４の筒部２４ｃの収納部２４ｄ内には、所定の弾性力を有するコイルバネから成る付勢部材２７が配設されている。この付勢部材２７は、上下の巻端部が、収納部２４ｄ内の天井面と、作動部材２６の受け部２６ｇとにそれぞれ弾接するようになっている。この付勢部材２７は、軸支部２４ｇに挿入されると共に、付勢部材２７の一端部は、筒部２４ｃの内壁にガイドされ、他端部は受け部２６ｇの外壁にガイドされ、付勢部材２７の前後左右の動きが規制されるようになっている。
【００４４】
また、付勢部材２７の取付は、先ず、付勢部材２７を作動部材２６の受け部２６ｇにはめ合わせた後、付勢部材２７を先にして収納部２４ｄに収納し、凸条部２６ｄと凹部２４ｍを合わせながら作動部材２６を収納部２４ｄに収納するものである。
この時、凹部からなる受け部２６ｇによって付勢部材２７の端部が保持されているため、付勢部材２７が作動部材２６から外れにくくなり、また、付勢部材２７は、組み立てられた状態では撓められているが、付勢部材２７が撓められていない自由長の状態で凸条部２６ｄの先端が凹部２４ｍの下端にガイドされるように寸法を設定しおり、このため、付勢部材２７が撓められた状態で、凸条部２６ｄと凹部２４ｍの位置を決める必要がないから、付勢部材２７と作動部材２６の組み込みが容易となる。
また、付勢部材２７が自由長の状態で、且つ、凸条部２６ｄと凹部２４ｍが嵌合する前にボス２６ｂの軸孔２６ｃの上端が軸支部２４ｇの先端部２４ｈにガイドされるので、凸条部２６ｄと凹部２４ｍの組み込み時の位置決めがし易く、更に、ボス部２６ｂの突出量が、凸条部２６ｄの先端部から受け部２６ｇの深さ以上の長さで突出することにより、付勢部材２７の外れが無く、一層、組立性が良好となる。
【００４５】
前記作動部材２６の下部には、枠体２１の下部を蓋閉する底板２８が配設されている。この底板２８は、樹脂材料からなり外形が略矩形に形成され、周囲に側壁２８ａが部分的に形成され、この側壁２８ａの内部に平坦状の内底面２８ｂが形成されている。
前記内底面２８ｂ上には、外周部から中央部に行くに従って、漸次盛り上がったテーパー部を有する円錐状で皿状の突部２８ｅを設けている。
この内底面２８ｂに、付勢部材２７により作動部材２６の底部が弾接されるようになっている。また、側壁２８ａには、枠体２１の側板２１ｃ、２１ｄの下方側の端部を位置決めするための複数のガイド部２８ｄが突出形成されている。
【００４６】
次に、本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、まず、操作軸２４の摘み部２４ａに操作力が加わってない無負荷のときは、図３、図５に示すように、付勢部材２７の弾性力により、作動部材２６が底板２８の内底面２８ｂに弾接されて、基部２６ａの皿状の底面が水平状態になると共に、操作軸２４が直立の中立状態になっている。
また、この中立状態において、底板２８の突部２８ｅは、作動部材２６の凹部２６ｅ内に位置した状態となっている。
この中立状態の操作軸２４を第１連動部材２２のスリット孔２２ａに沿って、図３、図４に示す矢印Ｂ−Ｂ方向に傾倒させると、第２連動部材２５が第１と第２のアーム部２５ｆ、２５ｇのそれぞれの支持部２５ｈ、２５ｋを支点として回動し、作動部材２６は図４に示すように、基部２６ａの底面が底板２８の内底面２８ｂ上を摺接移動し、基部２６ａの底面の外周部の円弧状面部２６ｆが底板２８の突部２８ｅのテーパー部に当接しながら作動部材２６が傾斜する。
【００４７】
そして、作動部材２６は付勢部材２７の弾性力に抗して上方に移動し、ボス部２６ｂが操作軸２４の筒部２４ｃの収納部２４ｄ内に押し込まれる。
この状態で傾倒動作を続けると、作動部材２６の円弧状面部２６ｆは、突部２８ｅのテーパー部に乗り上げながら、且つ、作動部材２６の動きを規制させながら摺動動作する。
このため、作動部材２６が所定の角度傾斜しても、円弧状面部２６ｆが図４の矢印Ｄ方向に底板２８上でスリップすることが無く、傾倒動作を行うことができる。
前記第２連動部材２５を回動させると、第２アーム部２５ｇの部品操作部２５ｊが係合している第２の電気部品である可変抵抗器２３Ｂの回転体２３ｄが回転して抵抗値が変化する。
また、操作軸２４を矢印Ｂ方向に傾倒した時、作動部材２６の軸方向の移動は、作動部材２６の基部２６ａが操作軸２４の筒部２４ｃの下端面の４カ所の凸部２４ｐにぶつかって第１のストッパーが働くと共に、第２連動部材２５の下端部２５ｐが底板２８にぶつかって第２のストッパーが働き、操作軸２４は、この２カ所によるストッパーにより、傾倒動作がストップするようになっている。
そして、側板２１ａに取り付けられている可変抵抗器２３Ｂの操作が終了後、操作軸２４に加えていた操作力を解除すると、付勢部材２７の弾性力によって、作動部材２６が自動的に水平状態に戻り、操作軸２４が直立の中立状態に自動復帰する。
【００４８】
また、操作軸２４を第２連動部材２５の中心孔２５ｃに沿って、図５，図６に示す矢印Ａ−Ａ方向に傾倒させると、第１連動部材２２が支持部２２ｂと部品操作部２２ｃを支点として回動する。
この第１連動部材２２が回動すると、側板２１ｃに取り付けられて部品操作部２２ｃが係合している第１の電気部品である可変抵抗器２３Ａの回転体２３ｄが回転して、可変抵抗器２３Ａの抵抗値が変化する。このときの作動部材２６の動作は、前述した操作軸２４を矢印Ｂ−Ｂ方向に傾倒させたときと同じなので説明は省略する。
そして、操作軸２４を矢印Ａ方向に傾倒した時、作動部材２６の軸方向の移動は、作動部材２６の基部２６ａが操作軸２４の筒部２４ｃの下端面に設けた４カ所の凸部２４ｐにぶつかって第１のストッパーが働くと共に、台座部２４ｅが凹部２５ｎ内を移動して、台座部２４ｅの段差部２４ｎが段部２５ｅに衝合して、第２のストッパーが働き、操作軸２４は、この２カ所によるストッパーにより、傾倒動作がストッパーするようになっている。
【００４９】
【発明の効果】
本発明の多方向入力装置において、操作軸２４が傾倒動作して第２の連動部材２５を回転させた時、第２の連動部材２５が底板２８にぶつかり、操作軸２４の傾倒動作のストッパーを構成したため、設計の自由度が増すと共に、ストッパー強度を大きくすることができる。
また、操作軸２４には、作動部材２６が軸方向に移動可能に結合され、操作軸２４が傾倒動作した時、作動部材２６が操作軸２４にぶつかり、作動部材２６の軸方向の移動が阻止されて、操作軸２４の傾倒動作のストッパーを構成したため、２カ所によるストッパーとなり、ストッパー強度が大きく、無理な操作でもストッパーが破壊することが無く、操作の確実な多方向入力装置を提供できる。
【００５０】
また、第２の連動部材２５と操作軸２４との間には、操作軸２４の傾倒動作をストップするストッパー部２４ｎ、２５ｅが設けられ、操作軸２４が傾倒動作して第１の連動部材２２を回転させた時、第２の連動部材２５のストッパー部２５ｅと操作軸２４のストッパー部２４ｎとがぶつかると共に、作動部材２６が操作軸２４にぶつかり、作動部材２６の軸方向の移動が阻止されて、操作軸２４の傾倒動作のストッパーを構成したため、２カ所によるストッパーとなり、ストッパー強度が大きく、無理な操作でもストッパーが破壊することが無く、操作の確実な多方向入力装置を提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図。
【図２】本発明の多方向入力装置に係り、一部を断面した平面図。
【図３】図２の３−３線における断面図。
【図４】本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を示す説明図。
【図５】図２の５−５線における断面図。
【図６】本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を示す説明図。
【図７】図３の７−７線における要部の断面図。
【図８】図５の８−８線における要部の断面図。
【図９】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の平面図。
【図１０】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の正面図。
【図１１】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の下面図。
【図１２】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第２の連動部材の右側面図。
【図１３】図９の１３−１３線における断面図。
【図１４】図９の１４−１４線における断面図。
【図１５】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第１の連動部材の平面図。
【図１６】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第１の連動部材の左側面図。
【図１７】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る第１の連動部材の右側面図。
【図１８】図１５の１８−１８線における断面図。
【図１９】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作軸の正面図。
【図２０】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作軸の上面図。
【図２１】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作軸の下面図。
【図２２】図１９の２２−２２線における断面図。
【図２３】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る作動部材の正面図。
【図２４】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る作動部材の平面図。
【図２５】図２４の２５−２５線における断面図。
【図２６】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る回転体の平面図。
【図２７】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る回転体の背面図。
【図２８】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る回転体の底面図。
【図２９】図２６の２９−２９線における断面図。
【図３０】図２６の３０−３０線における断面図。
【図３１】従来の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図。
【図３２】従来の多方向入力装置に係わる第２連動部材の上面図。
【図３３】従来の多方向入力装置に係わる第２連動部材の正面図。
【図３４】従来の多方向入力装置に係わる第２連動部材の側面図。
【図３５】従来の多方向入力装置に係わる操作軸の上面図。
【図３６】従来の多方向入力装置に係わる操作軸の正面図。
【図３７】図３５の３７−３７線における断面図。
【図３８】従来の多方向入力装置の要部の縦断面図。
【図３９】図３８の３９−３９線における断面図。
【図４０】図３８の４０−４０線における要部の断面図。
【図４１】図３８の４１−４１線における要部の断面図。
【図４２】従来の多方向入力装置の動作を説明するための説明図。
【図４３】従来の多方向入力装置の動作を説明するための説明図である。
【符号の説明】
２１枠体
２１ａ〜２１ｄ側板
２１ｅ上板
２１ｆ操作孔
２１ｇ丸孔
２１ｈ支持部
２１ｋ取付端子
２１ｍ舌片
２１ｐ角穴
２２第１連動部材
２２ａスリット孔
２２ｂ支持部
２２ｃ部品操作部
２２ｄ凸部
２３Ａ第１の可変抵抗器
２３Ｂ第２の可変抵抗器
２３ａケース
２３ｂ基板
２３ｃ摺動子片
２３ｄ回転体
２３ｅ係合溝
２３ｆ取付脚
２３ｇ取付部
２３ｈ基部
２４操作軸
２４ａ摘み部
２４ｂ根本部
２４ｃ筒部
２４ｄ収納部
２４ｅ台座部
２４ｆ軸部
２４ｇ軸支部
２４ｈ先端部
２４ｊ係止部
２４ｋテーパー部
２４ｍ凹部
２４ｎ段差部
２５第２連動部材
２５ａ支持部
２５ｂ側壁
２５ｃ中心孔
２５ｄ丸形の孔
２５ｅ段部
２５ｆ第１アーム部
２５ｇ第２アーム部
２５ｈ支持部
２５ｊ部品操作部
２５ｍ突部
２５ｎ凹部
２６作動部材
２６ａ基部
２６ｂボス部
２６ｃ軸孔
２６ｄ凸条部
２６ｅ凹部
２６ｆ円弧状面部
２６ｇ受け部
２７付勢部材
２８底板
２８ａ側板
２８ｂ内底面
２８ｄガイド部
２８ｅ突部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device, and more particularly to a multidirectional input device capable of simultaneously operating a plurality of electrical components by operating an operation shaft.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The conventional multidirectional input device is a pending application previously filed by the applicant of the present application, and as shown in FIGS. 31 to 43, a frame 1 made of an iron plate or the like is disposed. The side plates 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are bent downward by a press or the like, the inside is hollow, the lower part is opened, and the outer shape is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The upper portion of the frame 1 is closed with an upper plate 1e, and an operation hole 1f is formed in the central portion of the upper plate 1e.
The three side plates 1a, 1c, and 1d other than the side plate 1b are each formed with a round hole 1g. Further, the side plates 1a and 1c are provided with variable resistors 3A and 3B, which are rotary electric components described later. A plurality of square holes (not shown) are provided. Further, a substantially semicircular support portion 1h is formed on the side plate 1b facing the side plate 1a at a position where the round hole 1g of the side plate 1a faces.
[0003]
In addition, a plurality of attachment terminals 1k for extending the multidirectional input device of the present invention to a printed board (not shown) or the like are formed below each of the opposing side plates 1c and 1d so as to extend downward.
In addition, tongue pieces 1m and 1m for attaching a bottom plate 8 to be described later are formed below the side plates 1a and 1b, respectively.
[0004]
A first interlocking member 2 made of a phosphor bronze plate or the like is disposed inside the cavity of the frame body 1. And this 1st interlocking member 2 is curvedly formed by the press etc. in the arch shape at the upper side, and the slit hole 2a is stamped and formed in the longitudinal direction of this arch-shaped part.
Further, both end portions of the first interlocking member 2 are bent downward, and a pipe-like support portion 2b is formed to protrude at one end portion of the bent left side of the drawing by drawing or the like, and the support portion 2b is formed on the side plate. It is inserted into the 1d round hole 1g and is rotatably supported.
[0005]
The other end portion of the first interlocking member 2 on the right side in FIG. 31 is bent into a substantially U shape to form a component operation portion 2c. This component operation portion 2c is formed on the side plate 1c of the frame 1. It is inserted into the round hole 1g (see FIG. 38), protrudes outward from the round hole 1g, and engages with the lateral groove of the rotating body 3d of the variable resistor 3A, which is a first electric component described later. .
The first interlocking member 2 is bridged to the respective round holes 1g, 1g of the side plates 1c, 1d of the frame 1, and an arch-shaped portion is rotatably built inside the frame 1.
Further, for example, variable resistors 3A and 3B, which are first and second electrical components, are provided in a plurality of square holes (not shown) provided in the side plate 1a of the frame body 1 and the side plate 1c adjacent to the side plate 1a. It is attached by snap engagement or the like.
[0006]
As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the variable resistors 3A and 3B, which are rotary type first and second electric components, are provided with a substrate 3b integrally formed in the case 3a by insert molding or the like. The rotating body 3d to which the slider piece 3c is attached is rotatably attached to the substrate 3b fixed to the case 3a by snap-fitting a pair of mounting legs 3f provided on the rotating body 3d. An operation portion 3e having an engagement groove formed by combining a vertical groove and a horizontal groove is formed at the rotation center.
The operation of the variable resistor 3A, in which the substantially U-shaped component operating portion 2c of the first interlocking member 2 protruding outward from the round hole 1g of the side plate 1c of the frame 1 is attached to the side plate 1c. By engaging the portion 3e and rotating the first interlocking member 2, the rotating body 3d of the variable resistor 3A rotates, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 3A changes.
[0007]
The knob portion 4a of the operation shaft 4 is inserted into the slit hole 2a of the first interlocking member 2, and the knob portion 4a and the root portion 4b are movable along the slit hole 2a. Such an operation shaft 4 is made of a synthetic resin or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 35 to 37, a base portion 4b of a knob portion 4a formed in an oval shape is formed in a circular shape. A cylindrical portion 4c is integrally formed below the circular root portion 4b.
The cylindrical portion 4c is opened at the bottom and covered with an outer wall, and a storage portion 4d for storing a biasing member 7 made of a substantially circular return spring described later is formed inside. Such an operation shaft 4 is formed with flat portions 4e, 4e facing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 4c, and the flat portions 4e, 4e have an oval shaft having a tapered portion 4k at the top. The portions 4f and 4f are formed so as to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
[0008]
A locking portion 4j is provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 4f.
Inside the storage portion 4d, a shaft support portion 4g is integrally formed by extending downward in the figure in the same axial direction as the knob portion 4a, and a tip portion 4h on the lower side of the shaft support portion 4g is a cylindrical portion having a spring property. It is in a state of protruding downward by a predetermined amount from 4c.
As shown in FIG. 41, in particular, a plurality of protrusions 4m that protrude into the storage portion 4d and extend in the axial direction are provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 4c.
Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 4c, a rectangular protrusion 4n for forming a stopper is provided between the axial portion 4f and the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 4c on the lower side of the axial portion 4f. The protrusion 4n is formed higher than the flat portion 4e but lower than the top surface of the shaft portion 4f.
The operation shaft 4 can be tilted in the direction of arrows AA and BB by supporting the shaft portion 4 f on the second interlocking member 5.
[0009]
The second interlocking member 5 is made of a synthetic resin material, and is disposed below the first interlocking member 2 in a direction orthogonal to the first interlocking member 2.
In particular, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 34, the second interlocking member 5 is provided with a support portion 5a having a substantially rectangular outer shape formed by providing a central hole 5c through which the operation shaft 4 is inserted at a substantially central portion. The support portion 5a is surrounded by a side wall 5b, and a substantially rectangular center hole 5c is formed through the inner side surrounded by the side wall 5b.
Round holes 5d and 5d in which the shaft portions 4f and 4f of the operation shaft 4 can be engaged are formed at predetermined positions of the pair of side walls 5b and 5b of the support portion 5a.
As shown in FIG. 40, the inner surface of the side wall 5b is provided with a substantially rectangular recess 5n that is positioned below the round hole 5d and receives the protrusion 4n. At both ends, stepped portions 5e exist and stopper portions are provided.
[0010]
Then, the shaft portion 4f of the operation shaft 4 is snapped to the round hole 5d, the operation shaft 4 is held by the second interlocking member 5, and the protrusion 4n is located in the recess 5n. The top surface of 4n comes into contact with the bottom wall surface of the recess 5n, and the flat portion 4e comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the side wall 5b. And the level | step-difference part of the both ends of the protrusion 4n can collide with the step part 5e, and comprises the stopper.
Further, after this assembly, the locking portion 4j at the lower end of the oval shaft portion 4f is locked in the round hole 5d.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 33, first and second arm portions 5f and 5g are formed to extend from the support portion 5a in the left and right horizontal directions, respectively. A support portion 5h having a predetermined diameter is formed on the first arm portion 5f extending to one side, and a plate-like component operation portion 5j is formed protruding from the support portion 5h.
Further, the second arm portion 5g extending to the other side is provided with a support portion 5k having a predetermined diameter, and the upper surface is formed flat from the support portion 5k and the lower surface is formed in a semicircular shape. A portion 5m is formed to extend.
[0012]
The second interlocking member 5 has a support portion 5h of the first arm portion 5f inserted into the round hole 1g of the side plate 1a of the frame body 1 and is rotatably supported, and the support portion 5k of the second arm portion 5g is The second interlocking member 5 is constructed so as to be rotatable, being supported by being positioned on the semicircular support portion 1h of the side plate 1b.
And the component operation part 5j of the 1st arm part 5f engages with the vertical groove of the operation part 3e of the variable resistor 3B which is a 2nd electrical component attached to the side plate 1a, and operates the variable resistor 3B. It is like that.
[0013]
An operation member 6 that is movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft 4 is disposed on a shaft support portion 4 g below the operation shaft 4 located inside the frame body 1.
The actuating member 6 is made of a resin material, and has a base portion 6a whose outer shape is circular on the lower side and whose bottom surface is curved in a dish shape, and a cylindrical shape that protrudes upward at the center of the base portion 6a. The boss portion 6b is formed, and a shaft hole 6c is formed through the center of the boss portion 6b.
On the outer periphery of the boss portion 6b of the actuating member 6, a plurality of concave strip portions 6d for spline coupling with the projection 4m of the operating shaft 4 are provided, and a concave portion 6e is provided at the center of the lower surface of the base portion 6a. At the same time, an arcuate surface portion 6f is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the base portion 6a, and a slightly protruding protrusion 6g having a step portion is provided on the upper end portion of the boss portion 6b.
The operating member 6 is configured such that the shaft support portion 4g of the operation shaft 4 is inserted into the shaft hole 6c, and the boss portion 6b is movably fitted in the storage portion 4d of the cylindrical portion 4c.
At this time, the protrusion 4m of the operation shaft 4 is spline-coupled to the concave portion 6d of the operation member 6 so that the operation member 6 does not rotate around the operation shaft 4.
[0014]
A biasing member 7 made of a coil spring having a predetermined elastic force is disposed in the storage portion 4d of the cylindrical portion 4c of the operation shaft 4. The urging member 7 is configured such that the upper and lower winding ends are in elastic contact with the ceiling surface in the storage portion 4d and the step portions of the boss portion 6b and the projection 6g of the operating member 6, respectively. The urging member 7 is inserted into the shaft support 4g, one end of the urging member 7 is guided by the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 4c, and the other end is guided by the outer wall of the projection 6g. The movement of the front, rear, left and right of 7 is regulated.
The urging member 7 is attached first by fitting the urging member 7 to the projection 6g of the actuating member 6 and then storing the urging member 7 in the storage portion 4d first. The operating member 6 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 4d while aligning the protrusion 4m.
[0015]
A bottom plate 8 that closes the lower portion of the frame 1 is disposed at the lower portion of the operating member 6. The bottom plate 8 is made of a resin material and has an outer shape that is substantially rectangular. A side wall 8a is partially formed around the bottom plate 8, and a flat inner bottom surface 8b is formed inside the side wall 8a.
On the inner bottom surface 8b, a conical and dish-shaped protrusion 8e having a tapered portion gradually rising from the outer peripheral portion to the central portion is provided.
The bottom portion of the actuating member 6 is elastically brought into contact with the inner bottom surface 8b by the urging member 7. In addition, a plurality of guide portions 8d for positioning the lower end portions of the side plates 1c and 1d of the frame body 1 are formed on the side wall 8a so as to protrude.
[0016]
Next, the operation of the conventional multidirectional input device will be described. First, when there is no load when no operating force is applied to the knob 4a of the operating shaft 4, as shown in FIGS. 7, the operating member 6 is elastically brought into contact with the inner bottom surface 8b of the bottom plate 8, so that the dish-shaped bottom surface of the base portion 6a is in a horizontal state and the operation shaft 4 is in an upright neutral state.
Further, in this neutral state, the protrusion 8 e of the bottom plate 8 is in a state of being located in the recess 6 e of the operating member 6.
When the operation shaft 4 in the neutral state is tilted in the direction of the arrow BB shown in FIGS. 38 and 42 along the slit hole 2a of the first interlocking member 2, the second interlocking member 5 is moved into the first and second directions. The support members 5h and 5k of the arm portions 5f and 5g are rotated as fulcrums, and the operating member 6 is slidably moved on the inner bottom surface 8b of the bottom plate 8 as shown in FIG. The actuating member 6 is tilted while the arcuate surface portion 6f of the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface of 6a abuts against the tapered portion of the protrusion 8e of the bottom plate 8.
[0017]
The actuating member 6 is pushed against the elastic force of the biasing member 7 and the boss portion 6 b is pushed into the accommodating portion 4 d of the cylindrical portion 4 c of the operating shaft 4.
If the tilting operation is continued in this state, the arcuate surface portion 6f of the actuating member 6 slides while riding on the taper portion of the protrusion 8e and restricting the movement of the actuating member 6.
For this reason, even if the actuating member 6 is inclined at a predetermined angle, the arcuate surface portion 6f does not slip on the bottom plate 8 in the direction of arrow D in FIG.
When the second interlocking member 5 is rotated, the rotating body 3d of the variable resistor 3B, which is the second electric component engaged with the component operating portion 5j of the first arm portion 5f, rotates and the resistance value is increased. Change.
When the operation shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of arrow B, the operation shaft 4 hits the end of the slit hole 2a of the first interlocking member 2 and the tilting operation is stopped.
When the operation force applied to the operation shaft 4 is released after the operation of the variable resistor 3B attached to the side plate 1a is finished, the operating member 6 is automatically in a horizontal state by the elastic force of the biasing member 7. The operation shaft 4 automatically returns to the upright neutral state.
[0018]
Further, when the operation shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of the arrow AA shown in FIG. 39 along the center hole 5c of the second interlocking member 5, the first interlocking member 2 uses the support portion 2b and the component operation portion 2c as fulcrums. Rotate.
When the first interlocking member 2 rotates, the rotating body 3d of the variable resistor 3A, which is the first electric component attached to the side plate 1c and engaged with the component operating portion 2c, rotates, and the variable resistor The resistance value of 3A changes. The operation of the operation member 6 at this time is the same as that when the operation shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of the arrow BB, and the description thereof is omitted.
When the operating shaft 4 is tilted in the direction of arrow A, the protrusion 4n moves in the recess 5n, and the stepped portion of the protrusion 4n abuts on the stepped portion 5e to constitute a stopper.
[0019]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional multi-directional input device, the stopper for the tilting operation of the operation shaft 4 is performed when the operation shaft 4 hits the end of the slit hole 2a of the first interlocking member 2 or the operation shaft 4 and the second shaft. The stopper is composed of a convex part 4n and a step part 5e provided between the interlocking member 5 and has a low degree of design freedom. Furthermore, in any case, it is a stopper in one place, so the stopper strength There is a problem that is weak.
[0020]
The multi-directional input device of the present invention provides a multi-directional input device that can improve the degree of freedom in design and has high stopper strength and reliable operation.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving the problems, a frame, first and second interlocking members rotatably attached to the frame in a state of being orthogonal to each other, and the first and second An operating shaft that is held by the second interlocking member and is capable of tilting and rotating the first and second interlocking members while being arranged in a direction perpendicular to the interlocking member, and an axis of the operation shaft A bottom plate disposed in a state orthogonal to the direction, and an electrical component that is operated via the first or second interlocking member by a tilting operation of the operating shaft, and the operating shaft tilts. When the second interlocking member is operated to rotate, the second interlocking member collides with the bottom plate to constitute a stopper for tilting the operation shaft.
Further, as a second solving means, an operation member that is held by the operation shaft and is movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft, and a biasing member that elastically presses the bottom of the operation member onto the bottom plate are provided. The operating member is coupled to the operating shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction. When the operating shaft is tilted, the operating member collides with the operating shaft, and the axial movement of the operating member is prevented. Thus, a stopper for tilting the operation shaft is configured.
[0022]
Further, as a third solution, a stopper portion for stopping the tilting operation of the operation shaft is provided between the second interlocking member and the operation shaft, and the operation shaft tilts to cause the first When the one interlocking member is rotated, the stopper portion of the second interlocking member and the stopper portion of the operation shaft collide with each other, the operation member collides with the operation shaft, and the axial direction of the operation member The stopper is provided to prevent the movement and to tilt the operation shaft.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The multidirectional input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 30. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 relates to the multidirectional input device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line 8-8 of FIG. It is.
[0024]
9 is a plan view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a front view of the second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. The bottom view of the 2nd interlocking member which concerns on a multidirectional input device, FIG. 12 is the right view of the 2nd interlocking member which concerns on the multidirectional input device of this invention, FIG. 13 is sectional drawing in line 13-13 of FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.
[0025]
15 is a plan view of the first interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a left side view of the first interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is the present invention. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 is a right side view of the first interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device.
[0026]
FIG. 19 is a front view of the operating shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 20 is a top view of the operating shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is related to the multidirectional input device of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the operating shaft, and FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 in FIG.
23 is a front view of the operating member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 24 is a plan view of the operating member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 25 is a cross section taken along line 25-25 in FIG. FIG.
[0027]
26 is a plan view of the rotating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 27 is a rear view of the rotating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 28 is related to the multidirectional input device of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along line 29-29 in FIG. 26, and FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along line 30-30 in FIG.
[0028]
Next, the configuration of the multidirectional input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 30. A frame body 21 made of an iron plate or the like is disposed, and the frame body 21 is bent downward in the drawing by a press or the like. Side plates 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, the inside is hollow, the lower part is opened, and the outer shape is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Further, the upper portion of the frame body 21 is closed with an upper plate 21e, and an operation hole 21f is formed in the central portion of the upper plate 21e.
The three side plates 21a, 21c, and 21d other than the side plate 21b are respectively formed with round holes 21g, and the side plates 21a and 21c have variable resistors 23A that are first and second rotary-type electrical components described later. , 23B are provided with a plurality of square holes 21p. Further, a substantially semicircular support portion 21h is formed on the side plate 21b facing the side plate 21a at a position where the round hole 21g of the side plate 21a faces.
[0029]
A plurality of attachment terminals 21k for extending the multidirectional input device of the present invention to a printed circuit board (not shown) or the like are formed on the lower side of the opposing side plates 21c and 21d.
In addition, tongue pieces 21m and 21m for attaching a bottom plate 28 to be described later are formed below the side plates 21a and 21b, respectively.
[0030]
A first interlocking member 22 made of a phosphor bronze plate or the like is disposed inside the cavity of the frame body 21. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the first interlocking member 22 is formed to be curved upward in an arch shape by a press or the like, and a slit hole 22 a is punched and formed in the longitudinal direction of the arched portion. .
In addition, both end portions of the first interlocking member 22 are bent downward, and a pipe-like support portion 22b is formed to protrude at one end portion of the bent left side in the figure by drawing or the like, and the support portion 22b is a side plate. It is inserted into a 21d round hole 21g and is rotatably supported.
[0031]
The other end of the first interlocking member 22 on the right side of FIG. 1 and FIG. 15 has a component operation portion 22c protruding from the end portion, and a protrusion 22d further protruding from the end portion of the component operation portion 22c. The component operating portion 22c is inserted into a round hole 21g (see FIG. 3) formed in the side plate 21c of the frame body 21, protrudes outward from the round hole 21g, and a first electric component described later. The variable resistor 23A is engaged with the lateral groove of the rotating body 23d.
The first interlocking member 22 is bridged to the respective round holes 21 g and 21 g of the side plates 21 c and 21 d of the frame body 21, and a portion formed in an arch shape is rotatably built inside the frame body 21. .
In addition, for example, variable resistors 23A and 23B, which are first and second electrical components, are provided in the side plate 21a of the frame body 21 and the plurality of square holes 21p provided in the side plate 21c adjacent to the side plate 21a. The attachment part 23g provided in the case 23a is snap-engaged and attached.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the variable resistors 23 </ b> A and 23 </ b> B, which are rotary type first and second electric components, are provided with a substrate 23 b integrally formed in the case 23 a by insert molding or the like. The mounting portion 23g provided in the case 23a is snapped to the frame 21, and the rotating body 23d to which the slider piece 23c is attached is provided on the rotating body 23d on the substrate 23b fixed to the case 23a. A pair of mounting legs 23f are snap-engaged to be rotatably mounted.
As shown in FIGS. 26 to 30, the rotating body 23d has an engaging groove 23e formed by combining a vertical groove and a horizontal groove at the center of the flat base portion 23h. A pair of mounting legs 23f is provided with a gap therebetween.
[0033]
And the component operation part 22c of the 1st interlocking member 22 which protrudes outward from the round hole 21g of the side plate 21c of the said frame 21 is engaged with the engaging groove 23e of the variable resistor 23A attached to the side plate 21c. At the same time, the convex portion 22d extends to the position of the pair of mounting legs 23f, and the first interlocking member 22 rotates, whereby the rotating body 23d of the variable resistor 23A rotates, and the variable resistor The resistance value of 23A changes.
Further, when the convex portion 22d extends to the position of the pair of mounting legs 23f, even if an external force is applied to the rotating body 23d and the mounting leg 23f is about to come off from the case 22a, the presence of the convex portion 22d The movement of the leg 23f is suppressed and does not come off, and in this embodiment, the effect is particularly remarkable because the mounting leg 23f extends to the vicinity of the surface of the substrate 23b of the case 23a to which the snap engagement is performed.
In the above embodiment, the convex portion 22d extends to the vicinity of the surface of the substrate 23b of the case 23a, but it may extend to the outside.
Further, although the mounting leg 23f is snap-engaged with the round hole at the center of the substrate 23b, a portion corresponding to the periphery of the round hole may be covered with resin and snap-engaged with this resin portion.
[0034]
In the above embodiment, the mounting leg 23f is provided on the rotating body 23d and the rotating body 23d is rotatably mounted on the case 23a with the mounting leg 23f. However, the mounting leg is provided on the case 23a. The rotating body 23d may be rotatably mounted with this mounting leg.
[0035]
The knob portion 24a of the operation shaft 24 is inserted into the slit hole 22a of the first interlocking member 22, and the knob portion 24a and the root portion 24b are movable along the slit hole 22a. Such an operation shaft 24 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, a base portion 24b of a knob portion 24a formed in an oval shape is formed in a circular shape. A cylindrical portion 24c is integrally formed below the circular root portion 24b.
The cylindrical portion 24c is opened at the bottom and covered with an outer wall, and a storage portion 24d for storing a biasing member 27 made of a substantially circular return spring described later is formed inside. Such an operation shaft 24 includes a pair of columnar shaft portions 24f provided in a projecting manner in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction at positions facing each other on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24c, and the shaft A taper portion 24k provided at the top of the portion 24f, a substantially fan-shaped pedestal portion 24e provided lower than the shaft portion 24f around the shaft portion 24f, and a locking portion 24j located at the lower end portion of the shaft portion 24f. And have.
[0036]
The substantially fan-shaped pedestal portion 24e is formed at an angle of 180 degrees or more, and the step portion 24n provided at the end of the pedestal portion 24e functions as a stopper portion described later.
Further, a shaft support 24g is integrally formed in the housing portion 24d so as to extend downward in the figure in the same axial direction as the knob 24a, and a lower end 24h of the shaft support 24g has a spring property. The tube portion 24c protrudes downward by a predetermined amount.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 24c is provided with a plurality of concave portions 24m extending in the axial direction within the storage portion 24d.
The operation shaft 24 can be tilted in the direction of arrows AA and BB by supporting the shaft portion 24f on the second interlocking member 25.
[0037]
Although the shaft portion 24f has been described as a columnar convex portion, it may be an oval shaped convex portion, and a portion of the pedestal portion 24e is provided between the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 24c and the lower end portion of the shaft portion 24. However, the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 24c and the lower end portion of the shaft portion 24f may be provided flush or close to each other in the axial direction of the operation shaft 24.
[0038]
The second interlocking member 25 is made of a synthetic resin material, and is disposed on the lower side of the first interlocking member 22 in a direction orthogonal to the first interlocking member 22.
In particular, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, the second interlocking member 25 is provided with a support portion 25 a having a substantially rectangular outer shape formed by providing a central hole 25 c through which the operation shaft 24 is inserted at a substantially central portion. The support portion 25a is surrounded by a side wall 25b, and a substantially rectangular center hole 25c is formed through the inside surrounded by the side wall 25b.
Round holes 25d and 25d with which the shaft portions 24f and 24f of the operation shaft 24 can be engaged are formed at predetermined positions on the pair of side walls 25b and 25b of the support portion 25a.
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 13, the inner surface of the side wall 25b is provided with a substantially fan-shaped recess 25n that is located around the round hole 25d and receives the pedestal 24e. At both ends of 25n, there are stepped portions 25e and stopper portions are provided.
[0039]
Then, the shaft portion 24f of the operation shaft 24 is snapped to the round hole 25d, the operation shaft 24 is held by the second interlocking member 25, and the pedestal portion 24e is located in the recess 25n, so that the pedestal portion The top surface 24e1 of 24e abuts against the bottom wall surface 25n1 of the recess 25n, and the step portions 24n at both ends of the pedestal portion 24e can be brought into contact with the step portion 25e to constitute a stopper.
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, first and second arm portions 25 f and 25 g extend from the support portion 25 a in the left and right horizontal directions, respectively. The first arm portion 25f extending to one side is formed with a support portion 25h having a predetermined diameter, and the second arm portion 25g extending to the other side is supported to have a predetermined diameter. A part 25k is formed, and a plate-like component operation part 25j is formed to protrude from the support part 25k, and a protrusion 25m is extended from the part operation part 25j.
[0040]
The second interlocking member 25 is rotatably supported such that the support portion 25h of the first arm portion 25f is positioned between the semicircular support portion 21h of the side plate 21b of the frame body 21 and the bottom plate 28. The support portion 25k of the arm portion 25g is inserted into the round hole 21g of the side plate 21a and is rotatably supported, and the second interlocking member 25 is constructed to be rotatable.
And the component operation part 25j of the 2nd arm part 25g engages with the vertical groove | channel of the engagement groove | channel 3e of the variable resistor 3B which is the 2nd electrical component attached to the side plate 1a, and operates the variable resistor 3B. It is supposed to be.
Further, when the second interlocking member 25 is attached to the frame body 21, the protrusion 25m extends to the position of the pair of attachment legs 23f, and the protrusion 25m is located at the position of the pair of attachment legs 23f. Thus, even if an external force is applied to the rotating body 23d and the mounting leg 23f is about to be detached from the case 22a, the movement of the mounting leg 23f is suppressed by the presence of the projection 25m, so that it does not come off. In this embodiment, since the mounting leg 23f extends to the vicinity of the surface of the substrate 23b of the case 23a with which the snap engagement is performed, the effect is particularly remarkable.
In the above embodiment, the convex portion 22d extends to the vicinity of the surface of the substrate 23b of the case 23a, but it may extend to the outside.
Further, although the mounting leg 23f is snap-engaged with the round hole at the center of the substrate 23b, a portion corresponding to the periphery of the round hole may be covered with resin and snap-engaged with this resin portion.
[0041]
An operation member 26 that is movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft 24 is disposed on a shaft support portion 24 g below the operation shaft 24 located inside the frame body 21.
The actuating member 26 is made of a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the operating member 26 has a base portion 26a having a circular outer shape and a bottom surface curved in a dish shape on the lower side, and a central portion of the base portion 26a. Is formed with a cylindrical boss portion 26b protruding upward, and a shaft hole 26c is formed through the center of the boss portion 26b.
On the outer periphery of the boss portion 26b of the actuating member 26, there are provided a plurality of projecting ridge portions 26d projecting in the radial direction for spline coupling with the concave portion 24m of the operation shaft 24, and at the center of the lower surface of the base portion 26a. A concave portion 26e is provided, and an arcuate surface portion 26f is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the base portion 26a. Further, an upper end portion of the convex portion 26d is provided between the convex portion 26d and the boss portion 26b. A receiving portion 26g comprising a concave portion is provided.
[0042]
The ridge 26d is formed from the upper part of the boss 26b to the base 26a, and the upper end of the boss 26b is further projected from the tip of the ridge 26d in the axial direction of the operation shaft 24. The protruding amount of the portion 26b is protruded from the tip end portion of the ridge portion 26d by a length equal to or longer than the depth of the receiving portion 26g.
The actuating member 26 is configured such that the shaft support portion 24g of the operation shaft 24 is inserted into the shaft hole 26c, and the boss portion 26b is movably fitted in the storage portion 24d of the cylindrical portion 24c.
At this time, the protrusion 26d of the operating member 26 is splined to the concave portion 24m of the operation shaft 24 so that the operation member 26 does not rotate around the operation shaft 24.
[0043]
A biasing member 27 made of a coil spring having a predetermined elastic force is disposed in the storage portion 24d of the cylindrical portion 24c of the operation shaft 24. The urging member 27 is configured such that the upper and lower winding ends are in elastic contact with the ceiling surface in the storage portion 24d and the receiving portion 26g of the operating member 26, respectively. The urging member 27 is inserted into the shaft support 24g, one end of the urging member 27 is guided by the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 24c, and the other end is guided by the outer wall of the receiving portion 26g. The movement of the front, rear, left and right of 27 is restricted.
[0044]
The urging member 27 is attached by first fitting the urging member 27 to the receiving portion 26g of the actuating member 26 and then storing the urging member 27 in the storage portion 24d first. The actuating member 26 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 24d while aligning the recess 24m.
At this time, since the end of the urging member 27 is held by the receiving portion 26g formed of a concave portion, the urging member 27 is unlikely to be detached from the actuating member 26, and the urging member 27 is not assembled. The dimensions are set so that the tip of the ridge 26d is guided by the lower end of the recess 24m in a free length state where the urging member 27 is not bent, but the urging member 27 Since it is not necessary to determine the positions of the convex portion 26d and the concave portion 24m in a state in which 27 is bent, the urging member 27 and the operating member 26 can be easily assembled.
Since the biasing member 27 is in a free length state and the upper end of the shaft hole 26c of the boss 26b is guided by the tip end portion 24h of the shaft support portion 24g before the protrusion 26d and the recess 24m are fitted together, The protrusion 26d and the recess 24m are easily positioned when assembled, and the protrusion amount of the boss part 26b protrudes from the tip part of the protrusion part 26d with a length greater than the depth of the receiving part 26g. There is no detachment of the urging member 27, and the assemblability is further improved.
[0045]
A bottom plate 28 that closes the lower portion of the frame body 21 is disposed at the lower portion of the operating member 26. The bottom plate 28 is made of a resin material and has a substantially rectangular outer shape. A side wall 28a is partially formed around the bottom plate 28, and a flat inner bottom surface 28b is formed inside the side wall 28a.
On the inner bottom surface 28b, a conical and dish-shaped projection 28e having a tapered portion gradually rising from the outer peripheral portion to the central portion is provided.
The bottom surface of the actuating member 26 is elastically contacted with the inner bottom surface 28b by the urging member 27. A plurality of guide portions 28d for positioning the lower end portions of the side plates 21c and 21d of the frame body 21 are formed on the side wall 28a.
[0046]
Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described. First, when no operating force is applied to the knob 24a of the operating shaft 24, as shown in FIGS. Due to the elastic force of the member 27, the actuating member 26 is brought into elastic contact with the inner bottom surface 28b of the bottom plate 28, the dish-shaped bottom surface of the base portion 26a becomes horizontal, and the operation shaft 24 is in an upright neutral state.
Further, in this neutral state, the protrusion 28e of the bottom plate 28 is in a state of being located in the recess 26e of the operating member 26.
When the operation shaft 24 in the neutral state is tilted in the direction of the arrow BB shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 along the slit hole 22a of the first interlocking member 22, the second interlocking member 25 is moved into the first and second directions. The support members 25h and 25k of the arm portions 25f and 25g are rotated as fulcrums, and the operating member 26 is slidably moved on the inner bottom surface 28b of the bottom plate 28 as shown in FIG. The actuating member 26 is tilted while the arcuate surface portion 26f on the outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface of 26a abuts against the tapered portion of the protrusion 28e of the bottom plate 28.
[0047]
Then, the operating member 26 moves upward against the elastic force of the biasing member 27, and the boss portion 26 b is pushed into the storage portion 24 d of the cylindrical portion 24 c of the operation shaft 24.
If the tilting operation is continued in this state, the arcuate surface portion 26f of the operating member 26 slides while riding on the tapered portion of the projection 28e and restricting the movement of the operating member 26.
Therefore, even if the actuating member 26 is inclined at a predetermined angle, the arcuate surface portion 26f does not slip on the bottom plate 28 in the direction of arrow D in FIG.
When the second interlocking member 25 is rotated, the rotating body 23d of the variable resistor 23B, which is the second electric component engaged with the component operating unit 25j of the second arm unit 25g, rotates and the resistance value is increased. Change.
When the operating shaft 24 is tilted in the direction of arrow B, the axial movement of the operating member 26 causes the base portion 26a of the operating member 26 to hit the four convex portions 24p on the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 24c of the operating shaft 24. As the first stopper works, the lower end 25p of the second interlocking member 25 hits the bottom plate 28 and the second stopper works, so that the tilting operation of the operation shaft 24 is stopped by the two stoppers. It has become.
When the operation force applied to the operation shaft 24 is released after the operation of the variable resistor 23B attached to the side plate 21a is finished, the operating member 26 is automatically brought into a horizontal state by the elastic force of the urging member 27. The operation shaft 24 automatically returns to the upright neutral state.
[0048]
Further, when the operation shaft 24 is tilted in the direction of the arrow AA shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 along the center hole 25c of the second interlocking member 25, the first interlocking member 22 is supported by the support portion 22b and the component operation portion 22c. Rotate around the fulcrum.
When the first interlocking member 22 rotates, the rotating body 23d of the variable resistor 23A, which is the first electric component attached to the side plate 21c and engaged with the component operation unit 22c, rotates, and the variable resistor The resistance value of 23A changes. The operation of the actuating member 26 at this time is the same as that when the operation shaft 24 is tilted in the arrow BB direction, and the description thereof is omitted.
When the operating shaft 24 is tilted in the direction of arrow A, the axial movement of the operating member 26 is caused by the four convex portions 24p provided on the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 24c of the operating shaft 24 by the base portion 26a of the operating member 26. The first stopper works by hitting, the pedestal portion 24e moves in the recess 25n, the stepped portion 24n of the pedestal portion 24e collides with the stepped portion 25e, the second stopper works, and the operating shaft 24 The tilting operation is stopped by these two stoppers.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
In the multidirectional input device of the present invention, when the operation shaft 24 tilts and the second interlocking member 25 is rotated, the second interlocking member 25 hits the bottom plate 28 and a stopper for the tilting operation of the operation shaft 24 is provided. Since it comprised, the freedom degree of design increases and a stopper intensity | strength can be enlarged.
Further, the operation member 26 is coupled to the operation shaft 24 so as to be movable in the axial direction. When the operation shaft 24 is tilted, the operation member 26 collides with the operation shaft 24 and prevents the operation member 26 from moving in the axial direction. In addition, since the stopper for tilting the operation shaft 24 is configured, the stopper is provided at two places, the stopper strength is large, the stopper is not broken even by an unreasonable operation, and a multi-directional input device with reliable operation can be provided.
[0050]
In addition, stopper portions 24n and 25e for stopping the tilting operation of the operation shaft 24 are provided between the second interlocking member 25 and the operation shaft 24, and the operation shaft 24 tilts and the first interlocking member 22 is tilted. Is rotated, the stopper portion 25e of the second interlocking member 25 and the stopper portion 24n of the operation shaft 24 collide with each other, and the operation member 26 collides with the operation shaft 24, thereby preventing the movement of the operation member 26 in the axial direction. In addition, since the stopper for tilting the operation shaft 24 is configured, the stopper is provided at two places, the stopper strength is large, the stopper is not broken even by an unreasonable operation, and a multi-directional input device with reliable operation can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the multi-directional input device according to the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line 7-7 in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line 8-8 in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a right side view of a second interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 9;
14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of a first interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a left side view of the first interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a right side view of a first interlocking member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 in FIG.
FIG. 19 is a front view of an operation shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a top view of an operation shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a bottom view of an operation shaft according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
22 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22-22 in FIG. 19;
FIG. 23 is a front view of an operation member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a plan view of an operating member according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 in FIG. 24. FIG.
FIG. 26 is a plan view of a rotating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a rear view of the rotating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a bottom view of a rotating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 in FIG.
30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 30-30 in FIG.
FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 32 is a top view of a second interlocking member related to a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 33 is a front view of a second interlocking member related to a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 34 is a side view of a second interlocking member related to a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 35 is a top view of an operation shaft related to a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 36 is a front view of an operation shaft related to a conventional multidirectional input device.
37 is a sectional view taken along line 37-37 in FIG. 35. FIG.
FIG. 38 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a conventional multidirectional input device.
39 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 39-39 in FIG.
40 is a cross-sectional view of a substantial part taken along line 40-40 in FIG. 38.
41 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line 41-41 in FIG. 38;
FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional multidirectional input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 Frames 21a to 21d Side plate 21e Upper plate 21f Operation hole 21g Round hole 21h Support portion 21k Attachment terminal 21m Tongue piece 21p Square hole 22 First interlocking member 22a Slit hole 22b Support portion 22c Component operation portion 22d Convex portion 23A First Variable resistor 23B Second variable resistor 23a Case 23b Substrate 23c Slider piece 23d Rotating body 23e Engaging groove 23f Mounting leg 23g Mounting portion 23h Base 24 Operation shaft 24a Knob 24b Root portion 24c Tube portion 24d Storage portion 24e Pedestal portion 24f Shaft portion 24g Shaft support portion 24h Tip portion 24j Locking portion 24k Taper portion 24m Recessed portion 24n Step portion 25 Second interlocking member 25a Support portion 25b Side wall 25c Center hole 25d Round hole 25e Step portion 25f First arm portion 25g Second arm portion 25h Support portion 25j Component operation portion 25m Projection portion 25n Recess portion 26 Actuation portion 26a the base 26b boss portion 26c shaft hole 26d convex portion 26e recess 26f arcuate surface 26g receiving portion 27 the urging member 28 the bottom plate 28a side plate 28b in the bottom surface 28d guide portion 28e projection

Claims

A frame, a first and a second interlocking member rotatably attached to the frame in a state orthogonal to each other, and a state of being arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first and second interlocking members, An operation shaft held by the second interlocking member and capable of tilting operation for rotating the first and second interlocking members, and a bottom plate disposed in a state orthogonal to the axial direction of the operation shaft; Electric components operated respectively through the first or second interlocking member from the tilting operation of the operation shaft, and when the operation shaft tilts and rotates the second interlocking member, The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the second interlocking member hits the bottom plate to constitute a stopper for tilting the operation shaft.

An operating member that is held by the operating shaft and is movable in the axial direction of the operating shaft; and a biasing member that elastically presses a bottom portion of the operating member onto the bottom plate. When the member is movably coupled in the axial direction and the operating shaft tilts, the operating member collides with the operating shaft, the axial movement of the operating member is prevented, and the operating shaft tilts. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is configured.

A stopper portion is provided between the second interlocking member and the operation shaft to stop the tilting operation of the operation shaft. When the operation shaft tilts and the first interlocking member rotates. The stopper portion of the second interlocking member and the stopper portion of the operation shaft collide with each other, the operation member collides with the operation shaft, and the movement of the operation member in the axial direction is prevented, so that the operation shaft The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein a stopper for the tilting operation is configured.