JP3841620B2

JP3841620B2 - Multi-directional input device

Info

Publication number: JP3841620B2
Application number: JP2000189299A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 高史新山
Original assignee: Hosiden Corp
Current assignee: Hosiden Corp
Priority date: 1999-07-02
Filing date: 2000-06-23
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-23
Also published as: JP2001075728A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、例えばコンピュータの表示面上のカーソル位置の移動に用いられ、二次元の座標を入力する多方向入力装置、特に歪みを検知する部材を用いた装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図１にこの種の従来の装置を示す。ステンレスの如き機械的強度の大なる金属の薄い平板より成る弾性金属板２の中心部に固定用孔２３が形成され、操作体３の一端面の中心突部２３ａが固定用孔２３に挿通されてその突部２３ａが弾性金属板２にカシメ付けられて操作体３が弾性金属板２に取り付けられている。固定用孔２３を中心として４つの抵抗膜１４が（図には二つしか現われていない）等角間隔で、弾性金属板２の操作体３の突出した表面に形成されている。ステンレスの如き機械的強度の大なる金属の厚い平板より成る取り付け板４に開口４０が形成され、その開口４０を塞ぐように弾性金属板２が周縁部が接着或いは溶着されている。操作体３の中心軸は開口４０の中心軸と共軸とされている。抵抗膜１４は、弾性金属板２の表面に取り付けられた可撓性ケーブル１２０を介して外部回路に導出される。
【０００３】
抵抗膜１４は例えばスクリーン印刷により形成されたカーボン被膜抵抗体であり、操作体３を傾倒操作すると、その傾倒操作方向と、その反対方向の２つの抵抗膜１４が圧縮力と引っ張り力をそれぞれ受けて変形してその抵抗値が変化し、操作体３の傾倒操作方向とその傾倒操作の強さを認識することができる。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
この従来の多方向入力装置は以上述べたように、取り付け板４および弾性金属板２の双方は共に平面であるから、平面同志を接着或いは溶着するに際してその中心軸相互間の位置ズレが発生し易い。この種の多方向入力装置は、例えばおよそ８ｍｍ×８ｍｍ程度の微小なものもあり、取り付け板４と弾性金属板２の間の僅かの位置ズレも多方向入力装置の動作特性に影響を及ぼす。
【０００５】
多方向入力装置は例えばキーボードスイッチ内に取り付けられるなど他物体の平面部に取り付け板４が取り付けられて使用されることが多いため、可撓性ケーブル１２０を操作体３側から導出せざるを得ず、抵抗膜１４を含む電気回路は弾性金属板２の露出表面に形成しなければならない。これにより電気回路は常に露出した状態になり、外来ノイズの影響を蒙り易い。
弾性金属板２の表面に可撓性ケーブル１２０を取り付け固定する接合部４５において印刷配線の剥離その他の破損が生起し易い。
【０００６】
更に、この従来の多方向入力装置は、弾性金属板２の表面に抵抗膜１４を形成し、抵抗膜１４を可撓性ケーブル１２０と接続するための配線を行い、この配線に可撓性ケーブル１２０を接続固定するという比較的多くの工程を要する。
この発明の目的は動作特性が均一なものを容易に作ることができる多方向入力装置を提供することにある。
この発明の他の目的は損傷し難い多方向入力装置を提供することにある。
【０００７】
この発明の更に他の目的は外来雑音の影響を受け難い多方向入力装置を提供することにある。
この発明の更に他の目的は製造が容易な多方向入力装置を提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明の多方向入力装置はパターンシートと、操作板と、操作体と、取り付け板とよりなり、パターンシートは検知部材形成部とリード線導出部とが一枚の可撓性合成樹脂フィルムより一体に形成され、検知部材形成部には複数の歪検知部材が一面に形成され、これと同一の面においてこれら歪検知部材と接続されたリード線が上記リード線導出部に形成されている。上記操作板は操作変形部とこれから同一方向に屈曲形成された複数の取り付け部とを有し、弾性金属の薄板よりなり、操作変形部の内面、つまり取り付け片側の面に、上記パターンシートの上記検知部材形成部の歪検知部材が形成されていない面が位置決め固定されている。この操作板の操作変形部に、上記複数の歪検知部材に対する距離が等しい位置で検知部材形成部と反対側に突出して上記操作体が取り付けられる。上記複数の取り付け部により上記操作板が、上記歪検知部材と間隔を保って上記取り付け板に取り付けられる。各取り付け部と操作体との間の距離は互いに等しくされている。好ましくは、上記複数の取り付け部は板状の取り付け片であり、その板面とそれぞれ線接触する位置決め辺が上記検知部材形成部に形成され、これら位置決め辺が対応する取り付け片と線接触して検知部材形成部が操作変形部に対して位置決めされる。
【０００９】
更に好ましくは操作板はプレス成形されたものであり、パターンシートはプレスカットされたものである。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
この発明の実施例を図２および図３を参照して説明する。図２は実施例の分解斜視図、図３は図２の実施例を組立てた、図２中の軸５を通り線３−３上の断面を示す。パターンシート１はポリエチレンテレフタレート、ポリイミド、ポリカーボネートなどの比較的硬い、いわゆる張りある可撓性合成樹脂フィルムよりなり、検知部材形成部１１とこれから一体に延伸形成される細長片のリード線導出部１２とより成る。検知部材形成部１１はほぼ正方形の４隅部を切除した８角形状とした場合であり、その８角形の一辺にリード線導出部１２が連結されている。リード線導出部１２の先端は端子部１３とされている。検知部材形成部１１の中心に中心孔１６が形成され、検知部材形成部１１の一面、図において下面には、中心孔１６に対し等角間隔かつ、等距離離れて４つの歪検知部材１４が形成されている。歪検知部材１４として抵抗膜を使用でき、例えばカーボンペーストのスクリーン印刷により形成される。歪検知部材１４のそれぞれから平形リード線１５が２本づつ引き出され、これらはリード線導出部１２を介して端子部１３の端子１３１に接続される。これら平形リード線１５は例えば印刷配線技術により形成され、リード線導出部１２は通常の可撓性フラットケーブルと同様な構成となる。端子部１３の端子１３１を介して、キーボード、パーソナルコンピュータなどの外部装置内に導入された合計８本のリード線１５は、４つの歪検出部材１４を各アームとするブリッジ回路を形成すべく接続される場合が一般である。歪検知部材１４の他金属との接触が生じないように、また劣化防止のために、いわゆるレジストインクを歪検知部材１４、必要に応じてその配線上に印刷して保護被膜１８を形成しておくとよい。
【００１１】
操作板２はステンレスの如き機械的強度の大なる弾性金属の薄板より成り、操作変形部２１とこれより同一方向に屈曲された複数の取り付け部２２とを有する。この実施例では操作板２は、ほぼ正方形の４隅部が、図においては段部を形成するように下向きに屈曲されて８角形状の、操作変形部２１とされ、また前記４隅部の屈曲により４つの取り付け部２２が板状の取り付け片２２として形成される。つまり各取り付け片２２は操作変形部２１に対しほぼ直角に折り曲げ延長された間隔形成部２２ａと、これより更に外方に折り曲げ延長され、操作変形部２１と平行した三角状の固定部２２ｂとされている。各取り付け片２２の間隔形成部２２ａの高さＨ１は同一とされている。
【００１２】
操作変形部２１に検知部材形成部１１が位置決め固定される。このためこの例では操作変形部２１は歪検知部材形成部１１とほぼ同一の寸法形とされている。検知部材形成部１１には取り付け片２２と対応して位置決め辺１７を形成し、その位置決め辺１７を対応する取り付け片２２の内面、この例では間隔形成部２２ａの内面と線接触させて、検知部材形成部１１が操作変形部２１に位置決めされる。操作変形部２１に対し検知部材形成部１１は全面にわたって接着剤で密着固定される。この時、中心孔１６と操作体固定孔２３の両中心軸が一致し、かつ各歪検知部材１４と操作体固定孔２３との距離が等しいものとなる。
【００１３】
操作変形部２１の中心部には操作体固定孔２３が形成されている。この操作体固定孔２３と各取り付け片２２との距離は等しくなるように位置されている。この取り付け片２２は、これにより後述の取り付け板４に操作板２を取り付けた際に、操作体３を操作しても歪検知部材１４が取り付け板４と接触しないように間隔形成部２２ｂの高さＨ１が選定されている。なお検知部材形成部１１は歪検出部材１４が形成されている面を操作変形部２１に接触させて固定する。操作体３は例えば金属より成り、その鍔部３２とカシメ部３３により操作体固定孔２３の周縁部を挟むようにカシメ部３３がカシメられて操作体３が操作変形部２１に固定される。
【００１４】
この際カシメ部３３が検知部材形成部１１を同時にカシメると、検知部形成部１１に歪が生じ、歪検知部材１４の検知抵抗値が変動する。よってこの同時カシメが生じないように孔１６を大きくしておく。取り付け板４は機械的強度の大なる金属、セラミックス、合成樹脂材等の厚板より成り、この実施例では操作板２とほぼ同一の大きさの方形状とされ、その一面の４隅の１点鎖線で示す三角状領域４６上に取り付け片２２の固定部２２ｂが配され、溶接又は接着により固定される。取り付け板４の両端に他物体に固定するための開孔４２を有する取り付け部４７が一体に形成されている。リード線導出部１２は、隣接する取り付け片２２の間で操作変形部２１と取り付け板４との間から外部へ導出される。
【００１５】
以上の実施例の多方向入力装置の製造方法を簡単に説明する。例えば厚さが０．１ｍｍ程度のポリエチレンテレフタレートの可撓性であるが比較的硬い、張りのある合成樹脂フィルムの一面に銅箔が張られたものに対し、いわゆる印刷配線技術により、銅箔をパターンニングして、リード線１５及び歪検知部材１４に対する配線を形成し、その後、歪検知部材１４としてカーボン・銀ペーストのスクリーン印刷により抵抗膜を前記配線に接続して形成する。この各抵抗膜１４の抵抗値は例えば３０ｋΩ程度のものとされる。更に必要に応じて抵抗膜１４、その配線およびリード線１５を含む全面にレジストインクを印刷して保護膜１８を形成する。このようなものを一枚の合成樹脂フィルムに多数同時に形成し、その一つずつを所定の形状で切断し、リード線１５、抵抗膜１４が所定の配置となるように、つまり図２中に示すパターンシート１となるように合成樹脂フィルムからプレスカットにより切り出す。この際、中心孔１６も同時に形成する。このようにしてパターンシート１を予め作成しておく。
【００１６】
また例えば厚さが０．２ｍｍ程度のステンレス板をプレス成形により、図２中に示す操作板２となるように、切断と折り曲げ加工を同時に行って、操作板２を予め作成しておく、この際操作体固定孔２３も同時に形成しておく。なおこの場合は操作板２が例えば９×９ｍｍ²程度の小さなものを例としている。
更に例えば厚さが１ｍｍ程度のステンレス板をプレス加工により図２中に示す取り付け板４に示す形状に打ち抜いて作成しておく。
【００１７】
操作板２の操作変形部２１の操作体固定孔２３に操作体３の変形前のカシメ部３３を操作変形部２１の上面側から挿入嵌合し、カシメ部３３を操作変形部２１の表面にカシメ付けることにより、操作板２に操作体３を機械的に確実に固定する。次いで、操作板２の操作変形部２１の下面（内面）に対して、検知部材形成部１１の抵抗膜１４が形成されていない上面を接着剤により接合して、操作板２と検知部材形成部１１を一体化する。この場合、検知部材形成部１１は可撓性があるが比較的硬く、張りがあるため、その位置決め辺１７を各取り付け片２２の内面に接触案内させて検知部材形成部１１を操作変形部２１に容易に位置決め固定することができ、操作体固定孔２３と中心孔１６との両中心を整合させることができる。この接着は接着剤が多過ぎても不足しても、良好な動作に影響するおそれがある。また検知部材形成部１１の全面が均一に操作変形部２１に密着することが好ましい。この点から広がりがよく、かつ毛細管現象で両接合面内に浸入する接着剤が好ましく、例えばシアノアクリレート系の瞬間接着剤を使用することができる。またデスペンサによりこの接着剤を１滴づつ裏返した操作板２の操作変形部２１の内面上に落して、何滴落せば良好な接着が得られるかを予め実験しておき、この例では４滴が好ましい値であり、デスペンサにより前記接着剤を４滴落し、その上に検知部材形成部１１を圧接して、密着接着させる。なお接着力を強くする点から、検知部材形成部１１及び操作変形部２１の両接着面をヘプタンのような表面処理剤で洗浄して活性化した後、前記接着を行うとよい。
【００１８】
最後に、検知部材形成部１１が接着された操作変形部２１の４隅部の取り付け片２２の固定部２２ｂを取り付け板４の対応する隅部４６に位置決め配置し、これら４箇所の固定部２２ｂ、４個の取り付け舌片と隅部４６とを接着剤或いは抵抗溶接又はレーザ溶接などによりそれぞれ互いに固定する。なおこの時、取り付け片２２の間隔形成部２２ａの高さＨ１により、図３に示すように保護膜１８と取り付け板４との間に０．５ｍｍ程度の間隔Ｄ１が形成される。これにより、多方向入力装置の組み立ては終了する。
【００１９】
この多方向入力装置において操作体３を傾倒操作すると、操作変形部２１の内面に密着された検知部材形成部１１に形成された対応する抵抗膜１４が圧縮力、或いは引っ張り力を受けて変形してその抵抗値が変化し、操作体３の傾倒操作方向を認識することができる。
図４および図５にこの発明の第２の実施例を示し、図２及び図３と対応する部材には共通の参照符号を付与してある。
【００２０】
この実施例において、各取り付け片２２は操作板２の４隅部が下向きに屈曲延長された間隔形成部２２ａの下端中央部から、これより幅の狭い爪部２２１が更に下方に一体に延長されている。
取り付け板４には４つの取り付け片２２と対応する取り付け孔４１がそれぞれ形成され、これら爪部２２１を取り付け板４の対応する取り付け孔４１に位置決めした状態で、操作板２を上から加圧して爪部２２１をそれぞれの取り付け孔４１に塑性変形圧入する。必要に応じて取り付け孔４１に接着剤４８を流し込むことにより、爪部２２１の取り付け板４への固定強度を強くすることもできる。
【００２１】
またこの実施例においては、４つの歪検知部材（抵抗膜）１４を、これら各歪検知部材の１つのアームとするブリッジ回路を構成するように検知部材形成部１１上で配線した場合であって、リード線１５は４本となっている。
図６に第３の実施例を示し、図３と共通する部材には共通する参照符号を付与している。この場合は取り付け板４は金属板が用いられ、取り付け片２２のそれぞれに対応する位置に、係合爪４３が取り付け板４より打ち抜き形成により図に点線で示すように切り起され、その係合爪４３の内面に取り付け片２２の固定部２２ｂの先端をほぼ接触させこの状態で各係合爪４３を固定部２２ｂ上に実線で示すように折り曲げて押え、操作板２を取り付け板４に固定する。
【００２２】
図７は第４の実施例を示し、図３と共通する部材には共通する参照符号を付与している。金属板の取り付け板４が用いられ、４つの取り付け片２２と対応して取り付け板４の上面に位置決め用凸部４４が形成され、この凸部４４に取り付け片２２の固定部２２ｂの先端がそれぞれ接触又は接近して位置決めされ、その状態で、固定部２２ｂが取り付け板４に溶接或は接着される。
図８及び図９にこの発明の第５の実施例を示し、図２及び図３と対応する部分に同一参照符号を付けてある。この実施例においては取り付け部２２が、筒状体として構成された場合である。取り付け部２２は操作板２のプレス加工時に、押し出されて形成され、その形状は角筒状でもよいが、図では円筒状とされた場合であり、筒状取り付け部２２の高さＨ１は先に述べた実施例と同一とされ、また操作体固定孔２３に対する位置も同一とされる。
【００２３】
検知部材形成部１１に位置決め孔１９が、筒状取り付け部２２と対応する位置に、その外周面形状と同一形成で形成される。図では位置決め孔１９は円形であり位置決め孔１９に筒状取り付け部２２が案内挿通されて、操作板２と検知部材形成部１１との位置決めが行われる。操作板２と検知部材形成部１１とは前述と同様に接着される。位置決め孔１９はパターンシート１をプレスカットする際に同時に形成する。
【００２４】
筒状取り付け部２２の突出端面が取り付け板４の板面に接触され、溶接又は接着固定される。
図１０及び図１１にこの発明の第６の実施例を示し、図２、図３、図８と対応する部分に同一参照符号を付けてある。この第６の実施例においては操作板２は平板とされ、取り付け部２２は設けられていない。この操作板２と検知部材形成部１１とは同一の形状、寸法とされている。図では同一大きさのほぼ正方形とされている。検知部材形成部１１に複数の位置決め孔１９が形成されている。この位置決め孔１９の位置は、前述した実施例における取り付け部２２の位置と対応している。図では位置決め孔１９は方形検知部材形成部１１の４隅に形成されている。
【００２５】
操作板２と検知部材形成部１１とはその形状を合せて重ね合せて互いに接着固定される。この接着の際に操作板２と検知部材形成部１１との位置合せのために例えば図１２に示す位置合せ用型５０を用いるとよい。即ち位置合せ用型５０はその上面にパターンシート１の形状と同一形状、同一寸法の浅い位置合せ凹部５１が形成されてある。つまり位置合せ凹部５１は検知部材形成部１１と同一形状の凹部５１ａと、これと連通し、リード線導出部１２の形状と同一形状の凹部５１ｂとよりなる。ただし、凹部５１ｂの長さはリード線導出部１２の長さより長くしてある。
【００２６】
歪検知部材１４を下にして検知部材形成部１１を凹部５１ａに嵌め込み、かつリード線導出部１２を凹部５１ｂに嵌め込み、その後、前述したように、接着剤をデスペンサにより所定数、検知部材形成部１１上に滴下し、その検知部材形成部１１上に操作部２を凹部５１ａに嵌め込み、検知部材形成部１１と接着させる。接着が完了した状態で凹部５１ｂの凹部５１ａと反対側の所からリード線導出部１２の遊端を取り上げてパターンシート１を位置合せ用型５０から取り出す。
【００２７】
その後、操作板２に操作体３を取り付ける。一方、取り付け板４の上面には、位置決め孔１９と対応して取り付け用突部４６が一体に突出形成されている。これら取り付け用突部４６の高さは、前記取り付け部２２の高さＨ１と等しくされてある。取り付け用突部４６は図では金属板の取り付け板４に対し、押し出し成形により形成された場合である。これら取り付け用突部４６の外周面形状と、位置決め孔１９の形状と寸法を一致させてある。
【００２８】
位置決め孔１９に取り付け用突部４６の突出端を嵌合挿入して操作板２を取り付け用突部４６に対して位置決めして、取り付け用突部４６の突出端面に操作板２を溶接又は接着により固定する。位置決め孔１９及び取り付け用突部４６の形状はこれらが互いに位置決めできれば、任意の形状でよい。
なお位置合せ型５０を用いての接着は、操作板２を先に凹部５１ａに入れた後、接着剤を滴下してパターンシート１を凹部５１に入れるようにしてもよい。またこの位置合せ型を用いた操作板２と検知部材形成部１１との接着は前記第１乃至第４の実施例にも適用できる。この場合は凹部５１ａの形状を操作板の操作変形部２１の形状、前記例では８角形とし、この操作板２を裏返し、取り付け部２２を上側として、凹部５１ａに嵌合配置し、その後、接着剤を滴下し、検知部材形成部１１を凹部５１ａに位置合せ挿入して、接着すればよい。
【００２９】
上述において取り付け部２２は少くとも３箇以上あればよく、また取り付け部２２によらなくても、操作板２に検知部材部１１を操作変形部２１に対し位置決めをできる構成があればよい。
検知部材形成部１１の形状は８角形に限るものでない、同様に操作変形部２１の形状も８角形に限るものでない。更に検知部材形成部１１と操作変形部２１とは同一形でなくてもよい。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
以上述べたようにこの発明によれば、検知部材形成部１１は操作変形部２１に位置決めされて取り付けられ、パターンシート１に対する歪検知部材１４の配置は印刷配線技術などで高い精度で作ることができ、かつパターンシート１はプレスカットにより所望の寸法形状を高い精度で作ることができ、更に操作板２もプレス加工によりその寸法形状を高い精度で作ることができる。従って、検知部材形成部１１を操作変形部２１に取り付けた状態で、その操作体３から各取り付け片２２までの距離が等しく、また操作体３から各歪検知部材１４までの距離が等しくかつ等角間隔のものが得られ、所望の動作特性のものが容易に得られる。
【００３１】
取り付け板４を金属材で構成する場合は、歪検知部材は、取り付け板と弾性金属板の操作板２と取り付け板４とにより包囲されることとなり、歪検知部材に対して外来ノイズの影響は小さくなる。
そして、電気回路の導出部であるリード線導出部１２は検知部材形成部１１と一枚のフィルムでパターンシート１として一体に形成されているので、組み立てに際して破損し難い、また図１に示した従来のものにおける可撓性ケーブル１２０の印刷配線との接続部が剥離するような問題も生じ得ない。
【００３２】
また、この発明によれば、ポリエチレンテレフタレートの如き合成樹脂フィルムに対しリード線１５と歪検知部材１４に対する配線を行う工程と歪検知部材１４の形成工程で済み、従来における可撓性ケーブル１２０の接続工程が不要となり、それだけ簡単に製造することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】従来の多方向入力装置を示す断面図。
【図２】この発明の第１の実施例を示す分解斜視図。
【図３】図２に示した実施例の軸５を通る線３−３上断面図。
【図４】この発明の第２の実施例の分解斜視図。
【図５】図２の実施例の爪圧入部の取り付け板のみを断面とした正面図。
【図６】この発明の第３の実施例を示し、取り付け片２２を係合爪４３で押えた部分の取り付け板４のみを断面とした正面図。
【図７】この発明の第４の実施例を示し、取り付け板４の操作板２を位置決めした部分のみを断面とした正面図。
【図８】この発明の第５の実施例を示す分解斜視図。
【図９】この第５の実施例の筒状取り付け部２２と操作体３の各中心を通る線による断面を示す図。
【図１０】この発明の第６の実施例を示す分解斜視図。
【図１１】この第６の実施例の中心孔１６と位置決め孔の各中心を通る線による断面を示す図。
【図１２】検知部材形成部１１と操作板２との接着の際に用いる位置合せ用型を示す斜視図。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to, for example, a multidirectional input device that is used for moving a cursor position on a display surface of a computer and inputs two-dimensional coordinates, and more particularly to a device using a member that detects distortion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 1 shows such a conventional apparatus. A fixing hole 23 is formed in the central portion of the elastic metal plate 2 made of a thin flat plate of a metal having a high mechanical strength such as stainless steel, and a central protrusion 23a on one end surface of the operation body 3 is inserted into the fixing hole 23. The protrusion 23 a is caulked to the elastic metal plate 2, and the operating body 3 is attached to the elastic metal plate 2. Four resistance films 14 are formed on the protruding surface of the operating body 3 of the elastic metal plate 2 at equiangular intervals (only two appear in the figure) around the fixing hole 23. An opening 40 is formed in a mounting plate 4 made of a thick flat plate of a metal having a high mechanical strength such as stainless steel, and a peripheral portion of the elastic metal plate 2 is bonded or welded so as to close the opening 40. The central axis of the operating body 3 is coaxial with the central axis of the opening 40. The resistance film 14 is led out to an external circuit through a flexible cable 120 attached to the surface of the elastic metal plate 2.
[0003]
The resistance film 14 is a carbon film resistor formed by, for example, screen printing. When the operation body 3 is tilted, the two resistance films 14 in the tilting operation direction and the opposite direction receive a compressive force and a tensile force, respectively. As a result, the resistance value changes and the direction of tilting operation of the operating body 3 and the strength of the tilting operation can be recognized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in this conventional multidirectional input device, since both the mounting plate 4 and the elastic metal plate 2 are flat, there is a positional deviation between their central axes when bonding or welding the flat surfaces. easy. This type of multidirectional input device includes a small one of about 8 mm × 8 mm, for example, and a slight positional deviation between the mounting plate 4 and the elastic metal plate 2 affects the operation characteristics of the multidirectional input device.
[0005]
Since the multidirectional input device is often used with the mounting plate 4 attached to a flat surface of another object, for example, mounted in a keyboard switch, the flexible cable 120 must be led out from the operation body 3 side. First, the electric circuit including the resistance film 14 must be formed on the exposed surface of the elastic metal plate 2. As a result, the electric circuit is always exposed and is easily affected by external noise.
Peeling of printed wiring and other damages are likely to occur at the joint 45 that attaches and fixes the flexible cable 120 to the surface of the elastic metal plate 2.
[0006]
Furthermore, this conventional multi-directional input device forms a resistance film 14 on the surface of the elastic metal plate 2 and performs wiring for connecting the resistance film 14 to the flexible cable 120. The flexible cable is connected to the wiring. A relatively large number of steps of connecting and fixing 120 are required.
An object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device that can easily produce a device having uniform operating characteristics.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device which is not easily damaged.
[0007]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device which is not easily affected by external noise.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device that is easy to manufacture.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The multi-directional input device according to the present invention includes a pattern sheet, an operation plate, an operation body, and a mounting plate. The pattern sheet is composed of a flexible synthetic resin film having a detection member forming portion and a lead wire lead-out portion. A plurality of strain detection members are formed on one surface in the detection member forming portion, and lead wires connected to these strain detection members on the same surface are formed in the lead wire lead-out portion. The operation plate has an operation deforming portion and a plurality of attachment portions bent in the same direction from now on, and is made of an elastic metal thin plate, and is formed on the inner surface of the operation deformation portion, that is, on the surface on the attachment piece side. The surface of the detection member forming portion where the strain detection member is not formed is positioned and fixed. The operation body is attached to the operation deformation portion of the operation plate so as to protrude to the opposite side of the detection member forming portion at a position where the distances to the plurality of strain detection members are equal. The operation plate is attached to the attachment plate at a distance from the strain detection member by the plurality of attachment portions. The distance between each attachment part and the operating body is made equal to each other. Preferably, the plurality of attachment portions are plate-like attachment pieces, and positioning sides that are in line contact with the plate surface are formed in the detection member forming portion, and these positioning sides are in line contact with the corresponding attachment pieces. The detection member forming part is positioned with respect to the operation deformation part.
[0009]
More preferably, the operation plate is press-molded, and the pattern sheet is press-cut.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along the line 3-3 through the shaft 5 in FIG. The pattern sheet 1 is made of a relatively hard, so-called flexible flexible synthetic resin film such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or polycarbonate, and includes a detection member forming portion 11 and an elongated lead wire leading portion 12 that is integrally formed from the detection member forming portion 11. Consists of. The detection member forming part 11 is an octagonal shape obtained by cutting out four corners of a substantially square, and a lead wire lead-out part 12 is connected to one side of the octagon. The leading end of the lead wire lead-out portion 12 is a terminal portion 13. A central hole 16 is formed at the center of the detection member forming portion 11, and four strain detection members 14 are equiangularly spaced from the central hole 16 at an equal distance on one surface of the detection member forming portion 11, the lower surface in the figure. Is formed. A resistance film can be used as the strain detection member 14, and is formed, for example, by screen printing of carbon paste. Two flat lead wires 15 are drawn out from each of the strain detection members 14 and connected to the terminal 131 of the terminal portion 13 via the lead wire lead-out portion 12. These flat lead wires 15 are formed by, for example, a printed wiring technique, and the lead wire lead-out portion 12 has a configuration similar to that of a normal flexible flat cable. A total of eight lead wires 15 introduced into an external device such as a keyboard and a personal computer are connected to form a bridge circuit having four strain detection members 14 as respective arms via terminals 131 of the terminal portion 13. It is common to be done. A so-called resist ink is printed on the strain detection member 14 and, if necessary, on the wiring so as to prevent contact with other metals of the strain detection member 14 and to prevent deterioration, and a protective film 18 is formed. It is good to leave.
[0011]
The operation plate 2 is made of an elastic metal thin plate having a high mechanical strength such as stainless steel, and includes an operation deformation portion 21 and a plurality of attachment portions 22 bent in the same direction. In this embodiment, the operation plate 2 is formed into an octagonal operation deforming portion 21 with four corners of a substantially square being bent downward so as to form a stepped portion in the figure, and the four corners of the operation plate 2 are also formed. The four attachment portions 22 are formed as plate-like attachment pieces 22 by bending. That is, each of the attachment pieces 22 is formed as an interval forming portion 22 a that is bent and extended at a substantially right angle with respect to the operation deforming portion 21, and a triangular fixing portion 22 b that is further bent outward and further parallel to the operation deforming portion 21. ing. The height H1 of the interval forming portion 22a of each attachment piece 22 is the same.
[0012]
The detection member forming part 11 is positioned and fixed to the operation deforming part 21. For this reason, in this example, the operation deforming portion 21 has substantially the same size as the strain detecting member forming portion 11. The detection member forming portion 11 is formed with a positioning side 17 corresponding to the mounting piece 22, and the positioning side 17 is brought into line contact with the inner surface of the corresponding mounting piece 22, in this example, the inner surface of the interval forming portion 22a. The member forming part 11 is positioned on the operation deforming part 21. The detection member forming portion 11 is closely fixed to the operation deformation portion 21 with an adhesive over the entire surface. At this time, both central axes of the center hole 16 and the operating body fixing hole 23 coincide with each other, and the distance between each strain detection member 14 and the operating body fixing hole 23 is equal.
[0013]
An operation body fixing hole 23 is formed at the center of the operation deformation portion 21. The operating body fixing hole 23 and each mounting piece 22 are positioned so as to have the same distance. Thus, the mounting piece 22 has a height of the interval forming portion 22b so that the strain detecting member 14 does not come into contact with the mounting plate 4 even when the operating body 3 is operated when the operating plate 2 is mounted on the mounting plate 4 described later. H1 is selected. In addition, the detection member formation part 11 makes the surface in which the distortion | strain detection member 14 is formed contact the operation deformation part 21, and fixes it. The operation body 3 is made of, for example, metal, and the operation body 3 is fixed to the operation deformation section 21 by the crimping portion 33 being crimped by the flange portion 32 and the crimping portion 33 so as to sandwich the peripheral portion of the operation body fixing hole 23.
[0014]
At this time, if the caulking portion 33 caulks the detection member forming portion 11 at the same time, the detection portion forming portion 11 is distorted, and the detection resistance value of the strain detection member 14 varies. Therefore, the hole 16 is enlarged so that this simultaneous caulking does not occur. The mounting plate 4 is made of a thick plate made of metal, ceramics, synthetic resin or the like having high mechanical strength. In this embodiment, the mounting plate 4 has a rectangular shape that is almost the same size as the operation plate 2, and one of four corners on one side thereof. The fixing portion 22b of the attachment piece 22 is disposed on the triangular area 46 indicated by the dotted line, and is fixed by welding or adhesion. Attachment portions 47 having openings 42 for fixing to the other objects at both ends of the attachment plate 4 are integrally formed. The lead wire lead-out portion 12 is led out from between the operation deformation portion 21 and the attachment plate 4 between the adjacent attachment pieces 22.
[0015]
A method for manufacturing the multidirectional input device of the above embodiment will be briefly described. For example, polyethylene terephthalate with a thickness of about 0.1 mm is flexible but relatively hard, and a copper foil is stretched on one side of a stretched synthetic resin film. Patterning is performed to form wirings for the lead wires 15 and the strain detection member 14, and then a resistance film is connected to the wirings by screen printing of carbon / silver paste as the strain detection member 14. The resistance value of each resistance film 14 is about 30 kΩ, for example. Further, a resist film is printed on the entire surface including the resistance film 14, its wiring, and the lead wires 15 as necessary to form a protective film 18. A large number of such films are simultaneously formed on a single synthetic resin film, and each one is cut into a predetermined shape so that the lead wire 15 and the resistance film 14 are in a predetermined arrangement, that is, in FIG. It cuts out from a synthetic resin film by press cut so that it may become the pattern sheet 1 shown. At this time, the center hole 16 is also formed at the same time. In this way, the pattern sheet 1 is prepared in advance.
[0016]
Further, for example, a stainless plate having a thickness of about 0.2 mm is formed by press forming, and the operation plate 2 is prepared in advance by cutting and bending simultaneously so as to become the operation plate 2 shown in FIG. The operating body fixing hole 23 is also formed at the same time. In this case, a small operation plate 2 of about 9 × 9 mm ² is taken as an example.
Further, for example, a stainless steel plate having a thickness of about 1 mm is punched into a shape shown in the mounting plate 4 shown in FIG.
[0017]
The crimping portion 33 before the deformation of the operation body 3 is inserted and fitted into the operation body fixing hole 23 of the operation deformation portion 21 of the operation plate 2 from the upper surface side of the operation deformation portion 21, and the crimping portion 33 is placed on the surface of the operation deformation portion 21. By caulking, the operation body 3 is mechanically fixed to the operation plate 2 reliably. Next, the operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion are joined to the lower surface (inner surface) of the operation deforming portion 21 of the operation plate 2 by bonding the upper surface of the detection member forming portion 11 where the resistance film 14 is not formed. 11 is integrated. In this case, the detection member forming portion 11 is flexible but relatively hard and has a tension. Therefore, the detection member forming portion 11 is operated and deformed by causing the positioning side 17 to contact and guide the inner surface of each mounting piece 22. Therefore, both the centers of the operating body fixing hole 23 and the center hole 16 can be aligned. This adhesion can affect good operation whether the adhesive is too much or insufficient. Further, it is preferable that the entire surface of the detection member forming portion 11 is in close contact with the operation deformation portion 21. From this point, an adhesive that spreads well and penetrates into both joint surfaces by capillary action is preferable. For example, a cyanoacrylate-based instantaneous adhesive can be used. Further, this adhesive is dropped by the dispenser onto the inner surface of the operation deformed portion 21 of the operation plate 2 turned over one by one, and an experiment is conducted in advance to determine how many drops can provide good adhesion. Is a preferable value. Four drops of the adhesive are dropped by a dispenser, and the detection member forming portion 11 is pressed and adhered to the drop. In addition, from the point of strengthening the adhesive force, it is preferable to perform the bonding after cleaning both surfaces of the detection member forming portion 11 and the operation deforming portion 21 with a surface treatment agent such as heptane and activating them.
[0018]
Finally, the fixing portions 22b of the attachment pieces 22 at the four corners of the operation deforming portion 21 to which the detection member forming portion 11 is bonded are positioned and arranged at the corresponding corner portions 46 of the attachment plate 4, and these four fixing portions 22b. The four attachment tongue pieces and the corner 46 are fixed to each other by an adhesive, resistance welding, laser welding, or the like. At this time, due to the height H1 of the space forming portion 22a of the mounting piece 22, a space D1 of about 0.5 mm is formed between the protective film 18 and the mounting plate 4 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the assembly of the multidirectional input device is completed.
[0019]
When the operating body 3 is tilted in this multidirectional input device, the corresponding resistance film 14 formed on the detection member forming portion 11 in close contact with the inner surface of the operation deforming portion 21 is deformed by receiving a compressive force or a tensile force. Thus, the resistance value changes, and the tilting operation direction of the operating body 3 can be recognized.
4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and members corresponding to those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are given common reference numerals.
[0020]
In this embodiment, each mounting piece 22 has a claw part 221 having a narrower width extending integrally downward from a central part of the lower end of the interval forming part 22a in which the four corners of the operation plate 2 are bent and extended downward. ing.
The mounting plate 4 is formed with mounting holes 41 corresponding to the four mounting pieces 22, and the operation plate 2 is pressed from above with the claw portions 221 positioned in the corresponding mounting holes 41 of the mounting plate 4. The claw portions 221 are pressed into the respective mounting holes 41 by plastic deformation. If necessary, the adhesive 48 can be poured into the attachment hole 41 to increase the fixing strength of the claw portion 221 to the attachment plate 4.
[0021]
In this embodiment, four strain sensing members (resistive films) 14 are wired on the sensing member forming portion 11 so as to form a bridge circuit having one arm of each strain sensing member. The lead wires 15 are four.
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment, and members that are the same as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals. In this case, a metal plate is used as the mounting plate 4, and an engagement claw 43 is punched from the mounting plate 4 at a position corresponding to each of the mounting pieces 22, as shown by a dotted line in the figure, and the engagement is performed. The tip of the fixing portion 22b of the attachment piece 22 is almost in contact with the inner surface of the claw 43, and in this state, each engagement claw 43 is bent and pressed on the fixing portion 22b as indicated by a solid line, and the operation plate 2 is fixed to the attachment plate 4. To do.
[0022]
FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment, and members that are the same as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals. A mounting plate 4 of a metal plate is used, and a positioning convex portion 44 is formed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 4 corresponding to the four mounting pieces 22, and the tip of the fixing portion 22 b of the mounting piece 22 is respectively formed on the convex portion 44. The fixed portion 22b is welded or bonded to the mounting plate 4 in this state.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are assigned to portions corresponding to those in FIGS. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 22 is configured as a cylindrical body. The attachment portion 22 is formed by being extruded when the operation plate 2 is pressed. The shape of the attachment portion 22 may be a rectangular tube shape, but in the drawing, it is a cylindrical shape, and the height H1 of the tubular attachment portion 22 is the tip. And the position relative to the operating body fixing hole 23 is also the same.
[0023]
A positioning hole 19 is formed in the detection member forming portion 11 at a position corresponding to the cylindrical attachment portion 22 with the same formation as the outer peripheral surface shape. In the figure, the positioning hole 19 is circular, and the cylindrical mounting portion 22 is guided through the positioning hole 19 so that the operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion 11 are positioned. The operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion 11 are bonded in the same manner as described above. The positioning holes 19 are formed at the same time when the pattern sheet 1 is press-cut.
[0024]
The protruding end surface of the cylindrical mounting portion 22 is brought into contact with the plate surface of the mounting plate 4 and is welded or bonded and fixed.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 are given the same reference numerals. In the sixth embodiment, the operation plate 2 is a flat plate, and the attachment portion 22 is not provided. The operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion 11 have the same shape and size. In the figure, they are almost square of the same size. A plurality of positioning holes 19 are formed in the detection member forming portion 11. The position of the positioning hole 19 corresponds to the position of the attachment portion 22 in the above-described embodiment. In the figure, the positioning holes 19 are formed at the four corners of the rectangular detection member forming portion 11.
[0025]
The operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion 11 are overlapped with each other in shape and fixed to each other. For this bonding, for example, a positioning mold 50 shown in FIG. 12 may be used for positioning the operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion 11. That is, the alignment die 50 has a shallow alignment recess 51 having the same shape and the same size as the pattern sheet 1 formed on the upper surface thereof. That is, the alignment recess 51 includes a recess 51 a having the same shape as that of the detection member forming portion 11 and a recess 51 b having the same shape as that of the lead wire lead-out portion 12 communicated therewith. However, the length of the recess 51 b is longer than the length of the lead wire lead-out portion 12.
[0026]
The detection member forming portion 11 is fitted in the recess 51a with the strain detection member 14 facing down, and the lead wire lead-out portion 12 is fitted in the recess 51b. Thereafter, as described above, a predetermined number of adhesives are detected by the dispenser, and the detection member forming portion. The operation unit 2 is fitted into the recess 51 a on the detection member forming portion 11 and bonded to the detection member forming portion 11. With the bonding completed, the pattern sheet 1 is taken out of the alignment die 50 by taking up the free end of the lead wire lead-out portion 12 from the side of the recess 51b opposite to the recess 51a.
[0027]
Thereafter, the operation body 3 is attached to the operation plate 2. On the other hand, a mounting projection 46 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 4 so as to correspond to the positioning hole 19. The heights of the mounting projections 46 are equal to the height H1 of the mounting portion 22. In the figure, the attachment protrusion 46 is formed by extrusion molding with respect to the attachment plate 4 of a metal plate. The shape of the outer peripheral surface of the mounting projection 46 and the shape and size of the positioning hole 19 are made to coincide.
[0028]
The protruding end of the mounting projection 46 is fitted and inserted into the positioning hole 19 to position the operation plate 2 with respect to the mounting projection 46, and the operation plate 2 is welded or bonded to the protruding end surface of the mounting projection 46. To fix. The shape of the positioning hole 19 and the mounting projection 46 may be any shape as long as they can be positioned with respect to each other.
In the bonding using the alignment mold 50, the operation plate 2 may be put in the recess 51a first, and then the adhesive may be dropped to put the pattern sheet 1 in the recess 51. The adhesion between the operation plate 2 and the detection member forming portion 11 using this alignment mold can also be applied to the first to fourth embodiments. In this case, the shape of the recess 51a is set to the shape of the operation deforming portion 21 of the operation plate, in the above example, an octagon, and the operation plate 2 is turned upside down, and the fitting portion 22 is placed on the upper side. The agent may be dropped, and the detection member forming portion 11 may be aligned and inserted into the recess 51a and bonded.
[0029]
In the above description, the number of the attachment portions 22 may be at least three or more, and the operation plate 2 may be configured to position the detection member portion 11 with respect to the operation deformation portion 21 without using the attachment portions 22.
The shape of the detection member forming portion 11 is not limited to an octagon, and similarly, the shape of the operation deformation portion 21 is not limited to an octagon. Furthermore, the detection member forming unit 11 and the operation deforming unit 21 do not have to have the same shape.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the detection member forming portion 11 is positioned and attached to the operation deformation portion 21, and the arrangement of the strain detection member 14 with respect to the pattern sheet 1 can be made with high accuracy by a printed wiring technique or the like. In addition, the pattern sheet 1 can make a desired dimensional shape with high accuracy by press cutting, and the operation plate 2 can also make the dimensional shape with high accuracy by pressing. Therefore, in a state where the detection member forming portion 11 is attached to the operation deforming portion 21, the distance from the operation body 3 to each attachment piece 22 is equal, and the distance from the operation body 3 to each strain detection member 14 is equal and the like. Those having angular intervals can be obtained, and those having desired operating characteristics can be easily obtained.
[0031]
When the mounting plate 4 is made of a metal material, the strain detection member is surrounded by the mounting plate, the operation plate 2 of the elastic metal plate, and the mounting plate 4, and the influence of external noise on the strain detection member is not affected. Get smaller.
The lead wire lead-out portion 12 that is a lead-out portion of the electric circuit is integrally formed as the pattern sheet 1 with the detection member forming portion 11 and a single film, so that it is not easily damaged during assembly, and is shown in FIG. The problem that the connection part with the printed wiring of the flexible cable 120 in a conventional thing peels may not arise.
[0032]
In addition, according to the present invention, a process for wiring the lead wire 15 and the strain detection member 14 to a synthetic resin film such as polyethylene terephthalate and a process for forming the strain detection member 14 are sufficient. A process is unnecessary, and it can be manufactured easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional multidirectional input device.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 passing through the shaft 5 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a front view in which only the attachment plate of the nail press-fitting portion of the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, in which only a mounting plate 4 at a portion where the mounting piece 22 is pressed by an engaging claw 43 is shown in cross section.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which only a portion where the operation plate 2 of the mounting plate 4 is positioned is taken as a cross section.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along a line passing through the centers of the cylindrical attachment portion 22 and the operating body 3 of the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along a line passing through the center of the center hole 16 and the positioning hole of the sixth embodiment.
12 is a perspective view showing an alignment mold used when the detection member forming portion 11 and the operation plate 2 are bonded together. FIG.

Claims

A pattern in which a detection member forming portion in which a plurality of strain detection members are formed on one surface and a lead wire lead-out portion in which a lead wire connected to the strain detection member is formed integrally with a flexible synthetic resin film Sheet,
It has an operation deformation part and a plurality of attachment parts bent in the same direction from now on, is made of an elastic metal thin plate, and the strain detection member of the detection member formation part is formed on the inner surface of the operation deformation part. An operation plate having a non-surface positioned and closely fixed with an adhesive;
An operation body attached to the operation deformation portion so as to protrude on the opposite side to the detection member forming portion at a position that is equidistant from the plurality of strain detection members,
The operation plate is provided by the attachment portion with the strain detection member and an attachment plate attached at an interval,
The operation plate has a square shape, and its four corners are bent and extended at right angles to the mounting plate, and a space forming portion for defining a space H1 between the operation deforming portion and the mounting plate is a part of the mounting portion. And the operation deforming portion has an octagonal shape,
Positioning sides that are in line contact with the inner surface of the interval forming portion are formed in the detecting member forming portion, and the positioning sides are in line contact with the inner surface of the interval forming portion, respectively, and the operation of the detecting member forming portion is performed. A multidirectional input device characterized in that the positioning with respect to the deforming portion is performed.

The apparatus of claim 1.
The multidirectional input device characterized in that the distance between each mounting piece and the operating body is substantially equal.

The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The multi-directional input device, wherein the operation plate is press-molded, and the pattern sheet is press-cut.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The multi-directional input device, wherein the strain detection member is a resistance film whose resistance value changes according to strain.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
At least the strain sensing member is multi-directional input apparatus characterized by being covered with a protective film.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The mounting plate is made of a metal plate,
Each of the mounting pieces is a locking portion in which the free ends are bent outward from each other,
A plurality of engaging claws are cut and raised from the mounting plate in correspondence with the mounting pieces, and the engaging claws are bent on the locking portions of the corresponding mounting pieces, so that the operation plate becomes the mounting plate. A multidirectional input device characterized by being fixed.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein each of the mounting pieces has a fixing portion whose free end portions are bent outward from each other, and each of the fixing portions is bonded or welded to the mounting plate.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The free end portion of each mounting piece is a narrow claw portion, the claw portion is press-fitted into a mounting hole formed in the mounting plate, and the operation plate is attached to the mounting plate. Multidirectional input device.