JP4022364B2

JP4022364B2 - Multi-directional input device

Info

Publication number: JP4022364B2
Application number: JP2000292597A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 喜三郎高橋; 淳八代
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-26
Filing date: 2000-09-26
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-26
Also published as: JP2002108471A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、ゲーム用コントローラの操作部に適用されるジョイスティックや、コンサートホールにおける音場を調整するステレオ用バランスボリュームであって、操作軸にフィードバックを加えることが可能、あるいはリモートコントロールが可能な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について図面を用いて説明する。図１５は、従来の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図である。
従来の多方向入力装置は、主として筐体１００と、第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０と、この第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０に挿通された操作軸１３０等から構成され、操作軸１３０を傾倒させることによって第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０が回動し、可変抵抗器１４０を駆動するようになっている。また、第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０は、押し上げ部１５０によって下方から保持されており、該押し上げ部１５０を下方から弾圧するコイルばね１６０によって、元の状態に復帰するようになっており、この復帰に伴い操作軸１３０が自動的に復帰するようになっている。
【０００３】
筐体１００は、略箱状を呈しており、表面には円状の開口部１０１が形成されている。また４箇所の側面には、凸状の切込部１０２が形成され、隣り合う２箇所の側面にはガイド溝１０３が両端に設けられている。
【０００４】
第１連動部材１１０は、平板棒状をなしており、長手方向に延在する長溝１１１が形成されると共に、両端部には長溝１１１と直交する方向に突出部１１２が形成されている。そして、この第１連動部材１１０は、筐体１００の切込部１０２に挿入される。
また、第２連動部材１２０も同様に平板棒状をなしており、長手方向に延在する長溝１２１が形成され、両端部には長溝１２１と直交する方向に突出部１２３が形成されている。そして、第２連動部材１２０の中央には、長溝１２１と直交する方向で形成された通孔１２２が設けられている。
【０００５】
操作軸１３０は、細長棒状をなしており、端部には矩形状部１３１が形成され、この矩形状部には軸線方向と直交する方向に形成された通孔１３２が設けられている。そして、この操作軸１３０は、第２連動部材１２０に取付けられる。すなわち、矩形状部１３１が第２連動部材１２０の長溝１２１に挿入され、操作軸１３０の通孔１３２と第２連動部材１２０の通孔１２２とが重合したところに、ピン１３３を挿入する。このとき、操作軸１３０は、第２連動部材１２０に対してピン１３３を基軸として傾倒自在になっている。
そして、この操作軸１３０と第２連動部材１２０とが一体となったものを筐体１００に取付ける。すなわち、操作軸１３０を第１連動部材１１０の長溝１１１に挿入し、第２連動部材１２０の両端部を切込部１０２に挿入する。
【０００６】
押し上げ部材１５０は、平板矩形状をなし、対向する２つの側辺部には略矩形状の第１載置部１５１が形成され、該側辺部と連接する２つの側辺部には略矩形状の第２載置部１５２が形成されている。また、中央には第１の円筒部１５３が下方に突出して形成されている。そして、この押し上げ部材１５０は、第１載置部１５１が第１連動部材１１０の突出部１１２に当接し、第２載置部１５２が第２連動部材１２０の突出部１２３に当接して位置するようになる。
【０００７】
コイルばね１６０は、金属製の細棒を巻き回したものから構成され、押し上げ部材１５の第１の円筒状部１５３の外側壁に嵌まるようになっている。
【０００８】
下カバー１７０は、底面から４つの側壁が立設された形状をしており、該側壁には起立壁１７１が上方に突出して形成されている。底面の中央には第２の円筒状部１７２が上方に突出して形成されている。また、４隅に上方に突出するように爪部１７３が形成されている。
そして、この下カバー１７０は、第２の円筒状部１７２が第１の円筒状部１５３の筒部を貫通すると共に爪部１７３が筐体１００に係合することで、筐体１００に取付けられる。このとき、第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０は、切込部１０２内で筐体１００と起立壁１７１とで回動可能に挟持され、端部には可変抵抗器１４０が、ガイド溝１０３にガイドされた状態で設けられ、カバー１４１が被せられる。
また、コイルばね１６０は、下カバー１７０の底面と押し上げ部材１５０との間で弾圧保持され、第２の円筒状部１７２の上端は、第２連動部材１２０の下面に当接するようになる。
【０００９】
従来の多方向入力装置は、以上のように構成され、操作者が操作軸１３０を傾倒させると、第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０が回動して、カバー１４１に取付けられている摺動子（図示せず）を抵抗体に摺動させて可変抵抗器１４０の出力電圧値を変化させる。また、第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０が回動すると、突出部１１２，１２３により押し上げ部１５０の第１・第２載置部１５１，１５２が付勢され、この押し上げ部１５０が揺動して、コイルばね１６０が弾圧される。そして、操作者が操作軸１３０を傾倒させるのを止めると、コイルばね１６０が元の状態に復帰し、この復帰力によって押し上げ部１５０及び第１・第２連動部材１１０，１２０が元の状態に復帰して、操作軸１３０が元の位置に復帰する。
【００１０】
【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は、操作軸１３０が傾倒自在（ふらついた）状態で、第１連動部材１１０の長溝１１１に挿入する等の組立作業をしなければならないので、組み込み性が悪く、量産性が悪化するという問題があった。また、操作軸１３０を保持する際ピン１３３により第２連動部材１２０軸止めをしているので、作業が煩雑になり量産性が悪化するという問題があった。
さらに、可変抵抗器１４０が外部に露出した状態になっているので、ゴミ，埃等に弱く、外部からの不所望な力にも弱いという問題があった。
【００１１】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、かかる課題に鑑みて創作されたものであり、組立時に操作軸を固定すると共に、簡単な方法で操作軸を固定でき、組立作業性，組み込み性の良好な多方向入力装置を提供することをその目的とする。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
かかる課題を解決するための第１の手段として本発明の多方向入力装置は、底壁から上方に突出する複数の第１の起立壁を備える筐体と、前記第１の起立壁に対向する複数の第１の切込部が側壁部に形成され、前記筐体の空間部に収納される受け部材と、長溝が形成され、前記筐体の空間部に回動可能に収納されて第１の電気部品を駆動する第１連動部材と、長溝が形成され、前記第１連動部材と直交する方向で前記筐体の空間部に回動可能に収納されて第２の電気部品を駆動する第２連動部材と、前記第１連動部材及び第２連動部材を回動する操作軸とを有し、前記第１連動部材は前記長溝が形成され上方に湾曲する湾曲部を備え、前記第２連動部材は前記長溝が形成され前記第１連動部材の前記湾曲部の湾曲方向と対向する下方に湾曲する湾曲部を備えると共に、前記第１連動部材よりも前記筐体の底壁側に配置され、前記第１・第２連動部材によって抱持された保持体によって、前記操作軸が傾倒可能に保持され、前記保持体は前記第１連動部材側に配置される第１保持部と、該第１保持部に係合する第２保持部とからなり、前記第１保持部は湾曲面を備え、該湾曲面の頂部には前記操作軸を挿通させる挿通孔が設けられ、前記第２保持部は湾曲面を備えると共に、前記操作軸の一端を凹凸嵌入させて固定する溝部を備え、前記操作軸を固定した第２保持部には、前記操作軸に挿通された弾性部材を介在させ前記第１保持部を係合させて前記保持体を構成し、前記第１・第２連動部材によって抱持された保持体の前記第１保持部と第２保持部は、前記弾性部材により互いに離れる方向に付勢され、前記第１保持部は前記第１連動部材の湾曲部の内壁面に摺接し、前記第２保持部は前記第２連動部材の湾曲部の内壁面に摺接し、前記受け部材の前記第１の切込部に位置した前記第１・第２連動部材が、前記第１の起立壁と前記受け部材との間で保持されたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
また第２の解決手段として、本発明の多方向入力装置おける前記第１の起立壁が４個設けられ、この４個の第１の起立壁のそれぞれと前記受け部材とで、前記第１・第２連動部材を挟持して、この第１・第２連動部材が前記操作軸を挟んだ２ヶ所で支持されたことを特徴とする。
【００１４】
また第３の解決手段として、本発明の多方向入力装置の前記第１の起立壁もしくは前記第１の切込部の少なくとも一方には、前記連動部材の軸部を受け入れる円弧状の凹部と、該凹部の外周から前記連動部材の軸芯方向に突出する円弧状の延出部とが形成されていることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
また第４の解決手段として、本発明の多方向入力装置における前記筐体は、箱形の下ケースと平板状の上ケースとで構成され、この上ケースと下ケースで形成された前記空間部内には、前記第１の電気部品と第２の電気部品が収納されたことを特徴とする。
【００１６】
また第５の解決手段として、本発明の多方向入力装置における前記筐体には、前記第１の起立壁と並設して前記底壁から上方に突出する第２の起立壁が設けられると共に、前記受け部材の側壁部には、前記第１の切込部に並設された第２の切込部が形成され、モータを駆動するギヤ部材が取付けられ前記第２の切込部に位置する支軸は、前記第２の起立壁と前記受け部材との間で保持されたことを特徴とする。
【００１７】
また第６の解決手段として、本発明の多方向入力装置における前記筐体は、箱形の下ケースと平板状の上ケースとで構成され、この上ケースと下ケースで形成された前記空間部内には、前記モータが収納されたことを特徴とする。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の多方向入力装置について図面を用いて詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明の多方向入力装置の正面図であり、図２（ａ）は図１のＡ−Ａ線における断面図であり、図２（ｂ）は図１のＢ−Ｂ線における断面図であり、図３は図１のＣ−Ｃ線における要部断面図であり、図４は本発明の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図であり、図５は図２（ａ）の要部拡大断面図であり、図６は第１連動部材の正面図であり、図７は第１保持部の側面図であり、図８は図４の第１保持部についてのＤ−Ｄ線における断面図であり、図９は第２保持部の側面図であり、図１０は図４の第２保持部についてのＥ−Ｅ線における断面図であり、図１１は図４の受け部材についてのＦ−Ｆ線における断面図であり、図１２は支軸の正面図であり、図１３は導電線と操作軸との接続を説明するための説明図であり、図１４は本発明の多方向入力装置の動作説明図である。
【００２０】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、主として筐体６０の空間部６３内に、受け部材７０が収納され、この受け部材７０には第１連動部材１０と第２連動部材２０とが互いに直交する状態で配置されると共に、この第１・第２連動部材１０，２０によって操作軸４０を保持する保持体３０が挟持されている。また、第１・第２連動部材１０，２０には、その先端に第１・第２の電気部品である第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１が取付けられており、操作軸４０を操作することにより、第１・第２連動部材１０，２０が回動して第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１の抵抗値を変化させ、操作軸４０の傾倒方向，傾倒量に応じた電圧値を出力するようになっている。
【００２１】
第１連動部材１０は、外面にメッキを施した亜鉛ダイキャストからなり、図４，６に示すように図４中の上方に湾曲する湾曲部１１と、該湾曲部１１の両端から延出する軸部１３と、軸部１３から該軸部１３の延出方向に直交する方向に扇状部１４とから構成され、該扇状部１４の弧面には複数の凹凸１４ａが設けられている。また、湾曲部１１には、軸芯方向に延在する長溝１２が形成されており、軸部１３の先端は断面Ｄ字状となっている。
【００２２】
第２連動部材２０も、基本的には第１連動部材１０と同様の形状をなしており、第１連動部材１０の湾曲部１１の湾曲方向すなわち図４中の上方と対向する方向である下方に湾曲する湾曲部２１と、軸部２３と、弧面に凹凸２４ａが設けられている扇状部２４とから構成され、湾曲部２１には軸芯方向に延在する長溝２２が形成されており、軸部２３の先端は断面Ｄ字状となっている。
そして、このような形態をなした第２連動部材２０は、第１連動部材１０と直交する方向に配置されている。
【００２３】
この第１・第２連動部材１０，２０によって、保持体３０が抱持されている。保持体３０は、ポリアセタール等の合成樹脂からなり、図４上方に位置する第１保持部３１と、この第１保持部３１に係合する第２保持部３２とから構成されている。
第１保持部３１は、図４，７，８に示すように、湾曲面３３を備える略半球状で、省スペース化のために端部を上下方向に削った形状をなしている。そして、湾曲面３３の頂部から上方に円筒状の突出部３４が突出し、その内部には挿通孔３４ａが設けられている。
また、第１保持部３１には、下方に突出する一対の舌片３５が形成されており、図８に示すように各舌片３５から突出部３４方向に渡って凹部３５ａが形成されており、凹部３５ａの第２保持部３２側の縁には縁部３５ｂが形成されている。
【００２４】
第２保持部３２は、図４，９，１０に示すように、湾曲面３６を備える略半球状で、省スペース化のために端部を上下方向に削って、平坦部３７ｂが設けられている。そして、湾曲面３６の頂部から下方に、突起３７が突出形成されている。突起３７には、図１０に示すように、この第２保持部３２の内底面と外部とを連結するよう貫通孔３８が形成されると共に、この貫通孔３８の周囲に、輪状に溝部３８ａが形成されている。そして、この溝部３８ａが形成されることにより、上方に突出する凸部３８ｂが設けられる。なお、溝部３８ａは輪状に限らず、方形状でもかまわない。また、この突起３７は、図９，１０における紙面方向に平らな平坦面３７ａを有している。
また、第２保持部３２の平坦部３７ｂの上縁部には、上下方向に直交する方向に突出する一対の凸部３９が形成されている。
【００２５】
このような形態をした保持部３０には、導電性を備える操作軸４０が保持される。操作軸４０は、細長棒状の金属材料からなり、本実施の形態ではアルミニウムから構成されている。そして、この操作軸４０は、その一端に操作部４１が設けられており、他端は中間部より若干太くなっていると共に、図５に示すように凹部４２が形成され、該凹部４２の周囲には円筒状部４３が設けられている。
そして、この円筒状部４３を第２保持部３２の溝部３８ａに凹凸嵌入させて結合することにより、操作軸４０の他端が第２保持部３２に一体となるように組み合わされる。なお、操作軸４０と第２保持部３２とを１つの部品で構成して、両者を一体化しても良い。
【００２６】
また、操作軸４０には電気的に導通可能となっている導電線４４が接続されている。導電線４４は、絶縁物質により被覆された被覆部４５と、被覆部４５の端部から延出している裸線部４６とから構成されている。そして、この導電線４４の一端４４ａは、操作軸４０が第２保持部３２に嵌入される際に、操作軸４０に接続される。すなわち、図１３に示すように、導電線４４の一端４４ａを第２保持部３２の貫通孔３８に挿通して、突出した裸線部４６を若干折り曲げる。その後、円筒状部４３を裸線部４６が巻き込まれるように溝部３８ａに挿入する。すると、裸線部４６が操作軸４０の凹部４２底面のテーパ面に沿ってＵ字状に屈曲し、屈曲した先端が凸部３８ｂの外壁面の側面３８ｃと凹部４２（円筒状部４３）の内壁面の側面４２ａとの間で挟持されて固定される。なお、裸線部４６を屈曲させずに、該裸線部４６を凹部７２の底面と凸部３８ｂの頂面とで挟持しても良い。また、円筒状部４３が溝部３８ａに嵌入されると、その圧力により貫通孔３８の径が若干小さくなる。そして、この貫通孔３８には、導電線４４の被覆部４５が配置されているので、被覆部４５の固定が確実となる。
【００２７】
このようにして操作軸４０が保持された第２保持部３２には、弾性部材５０を介在させて第１保持部３１が係合して一体となる。弾性部材５０は、本実施の形態ではねじりコイルばねから構成され、操作軸４０の一端から挿通され、他端まで達する。そして、第１保持部３１の突出部３４に形成された挿通孔３４ａに操作軸４０を挿通する。
そして、第１保持部３１を図４において下方に下げていくと、第１保持部３１の舌片３５が変形し、凹部３５ａの縁部３５ｂが凸部３９を乗り越え、舌片３５に形成された凹部３５ａが、第２保持部３２に設けられている凸部３９に嵌まり、第１保持部３１と第２保持部３２は一体化される。なお、この状態で弾性部材５０によって第１保持部３１は上方に付勢されているが、縁部３５ｂに凸部３９が当接して第１保持部３１は抜け落ちず、第２保持部３２を一体化されている。さらに、図３に示すように一対の舌片３５により第２保持部３２の平坦部３７ｂが挟持されるので、確実に第１・第２保持部３１，３２は、相互間で回転不能に結合される。このように凸部３９に凹部３５ａが嵌まるが、凹部３５ａは凸部３９が移動可能になるように上下方向（軸線方向）に延在するように形成されて、凸部３９と凹部３５ａとの間には軸線方向に遊びができており、さらに第１保持部３１と第２保持部３２との間隙には、両者を互いに離す方向に付勢する弾性部材５０が設けられているので、この弾性部材５０によって第１保持部３１と第２保持部３２は互いに、凸部３９が凹部３５ａにガイドされて操作軸４０の軸線方向に、それぞれが当接する連動部材にガタなく接するように移動可能となる。
【００２８】
そして、第２保持部３２は、その突起３７が第２連動部材２０の長溝２２に挿通されることにより第２連動部材に載置されている。このとき、第２保持部３２の突起３７に設けられた平坦面３７ａと、第２連動部材２０の長溝２２に設けられた内壁面とが面接触する。
一方、第１保持部３１には、第１連動部材１０が載置され、長溝１２に突出部３４を貫通している操作軸４０が挿通されている。このとき、第１保持部３１の突出部３４における側面と、第１連動部材１０の長溝における内壁面とが線接触することになる。
【００２９】
受け部材７０は、鉄または、アルミ等からなる金属製の一枚の薄板をプレスすると共に、折り曲げ加工がなされて、形成されている。受け部材７０は、側壁部７１が４面設けられるように略箱状に折り曲げ加工がなされ、各側壁部７１には、図４，１１に示すように、上下方向に延在する第１の切込部７２が設けられており、そのうちの隣り合う２箇所の第１の切込部７２には、第２の切込部７３が並列した状態で設けられている。また、各第１の切込部７２の端部には半円状の凹部７４が設けられており、該凹部７４から外方に半円筒状の延出部７５がバーリング加工により形成されている。また、図１１に示すように折り曲げ加工によって上面に形成された開口部７７は、操作軸４０の傾倒中心を基準として約６０度の角度の範囲で形成されている。なお、相直交する２面の側壁部７１には、大孔７６ａが形成されており、この各大孔７６ａの上下に小孔７６ｂが２箇所形成されている。
【００３０】
相対向する側壁部７１に形成されている第１の切込部７２には、第１連動部材１０及び第２連動部材２０の両端がそれぞれ保持されている。すなわち、第１連動部材１０の両端の軸部１３が第１の切込部７２に設けられた凹部７４にそれぞれ位置し、扇状部１４は受け部材７０の外側に位置することになる。また、第２連動部材２０の軸部２３も同様に図２に示すように、第１の切込部７２に設けられた凹部７４に位置し、扇状部２４も同様に受け部材７０の外側に位置することになる。このように第１・第２連動部材１０，２０が保持されると、操作軸４０が受け部材７０を貫通して上方に突出するようになる。
また、第１連動部材１０における一方の軸部１３の先端には、第１の可変抵抗器８０が設けられている。なお、該一方の軸部１３の先端はＤ字状をなすと共に、第１の可変抵抗器８０の中心に形成された軸受部８０ｂもＤ字状をなしているので、第１連動部材１０の回動が確実に第１の可変抵抗器８０に伝達される。また、第２連動部材２０における一方の軸部２３の先端にも同様に、第２の可変抵抗器８１が設けられている。
【００３１】
また、受け部材７０に形成されている第２の切込部７３には、支軸８２が保持されている。支軸８２は、黄銅等の金属部材から構成され、図１２に示すように、基部８２ａから軸部８２ｂが突出しており、基部８２ａは、２箇所の翼状部８２ｃの間隙に薄肉部８２ｄが設けられて構成されている。なお、軸部８２ｂの先端には溝部８２ｅが周方向に形成されている。そして、薄肉部８２ｄが第２の切込部７３に嵌入され、側壁部７１が翼状部８２ｃの間隙に挟まれることにより、支軸８２が受け部材７０に回転等の作動をしないように保持される。なお、溝部８２ｅを周方向に形成したのは、組み込み方向に制約を設けないためである。また、支軸８２には、歯数の多い第１ギヤ８３ａと歯数の少ない第２ギヤ８３ｂとが一体に形成されたポリエステルエラストマー等の合成樹脂からなる第１のギヤ部材８３が取付けられており、この取付けを確実にするために支軸８２に溝部８２ｅにＥリング８４が固定されている。このように取付けられた第１のギヤ部材８３は、支軸８２を回転軸として回転する。また、この第１のギヤ部材８３の第２ギヤ８３ｂは、図１４を参照するに、第１・第２連動部材１０，２０の扇状部１４，２４に形成されている凹凸１４ａ，２４ａと噛合するようになる。
【００３２】
さらに、受け部材７０にはモータ８５が取付けられている。モータ８５は、略矩形状をなしており、側面から回転軸８５ａが突出している。反対側の側面にはリード線８５ｂが接続されている。そして、モータ８５は受け部材７０の小孔７６ｂを介在させてネジ８６によって取付けられる。モータ８５が取付けられると、回転軸８５ａが受け部材７０の大孔７６ａを貫通するようになる。そして、この回転軸８５ａの先端には、歯数の少ないポリアセタール等の合成樹脂からなる第２のギヤ部材８７が取付けられ、この第２のギヤ部材８７は、図１４を参照するに第１のギヤ部材８３の第１ギヤ８３ａと噛合するようになる。なお、第１のギヤ部材８３と第２のギヤ部材８７は、上記記載した合成樹脂からなるため、振動に伴う音を抑えることが可能であり、また、両者は異なる材質からなっているので削れを少なくすることができる。
【００３３】
上記受け部材７０にはプリント基板８８が取付けられている。プリント基板８８は、略正方形状をなした薄板から構成され、中央に略正方形状の打ち抜き部８８ａが形成されている。また、このプリント基板８８には基板上下に貫通する通孔８８ｂが複数個形成されている。そして、この通孔８８ｂには受け部材７０の足部７８、第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１の端子８０ａ，８１ａ、コネクタ８９、モータ８５のリード線８５ｂが半田付けされて、受け部材７０、第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１、コネクタ８９、リード線８５ｂがプリント基板８８に固定される。なお、コネクタ８９はプリント基板８８にスナップ結合されている。そして、外部への電気信号の送信は、全てコネクタ８９を介して行うことになる。
また、プリント基板８８には通孔８８ｃが形成されており、該通孔８８ｃには導電線４４の他端が半田付けによって接続される。なお、導電線４４は、操作軸４０及び保持体３０が傾倒することによって引張られるが、長さを十分にとっているので、引張られることによって断線等するおそれはない。
【００３４】
このように各部材が保持され、プリント基板８８に取付けられた受け部材７０は、筐体６０の空間部６３内に収納されている。筐体６０は、ＡＢＳ等の合成樹脂からなり、上ケース６１と下ケース６２とから構成されている。上ケース６１は、略正方形状の薄板をなし、中央に略正方形状の開口部６１ａが形成され、また、３箇所の側縁の中央部から垂下部６１ｂが一体に設けられ、各垂下部６１ｂには爪受部６１ｃが貫通して形成されている。
下ケース６２は、略箱状をなし、４箇所の側壁部６４によって空間部６３が形成されており、底壁からは４個の第１の起立壁６５が一体に立設して形成されている。第１の起立壁６５は、細長矩形状の薄板から構成され、先端が台形状に形成されている。また、第１の起立壁６５のうち隣り合う２箇所の第１の起立壁６５の近傍には、第２の起立壁６６が並設されており（図１４参照）、この第２の起立壁６６も第１の起立壁６５と同様に細長矩形状の薄板から構成され、その高さも第１の起立壁６５とほぼ同等である。また、３箇所の側壁部６４には、斜め下方に突出する爪部６７が設けられている。
【００３５】
そして、この下ケース６２の空間部６３内に、各部材が保持されると共にプリント基板８８が取付けられた受け部材７０が収納されている。そして、プリント基板８８の打ち抜き部８８ａの内側縁に下ケース６２の第１・第２の起立壁６５，６６が当接している。また、第１・第２連動部材１０，２０が第１の起立壁６５と受け部材７０との間で保持され、さらに支軸８２も第２の起立壁６６と受け部材７０との間で保持されている。
第１連動部材１０は、図２（ｂ）に示すように、軸部１３における操作軸４０を挟んだ一端部と他端部との２点で、第１の起立壁６５の先端に下方から支持され、この第１の起立壁６５と受け部材７０とで挟持されている。また、受け部材７０の第１の切込部７２における両側の脚部の底面から、凹部７４の上面までの距離は、第１の起立壁６５と軸部１３，２３の厚さを足した数値より大きくなっており、不所望な側圧が軸部１３に加わることがないので、第１連動部材１０の寿命が長くなる。一方、第２連動部材２０も同様に、図２（ａ）に示すように第１の起立壁６５と受け部材７０との間で、操作軸４０を挟んだ２点で保持されている。高さ方向の寸法も第１の連動部材１０の場合と同様である。なお、各凹部７４に延出部７５が設けられているが、これは第１・第２連動部材１０，２０が回動した際、軸部１３，２３のうち挟持されている部分が金属からなる受け部材７０の破断面によって傷つくのを防止するためである。また、本実施の形態においては、第１の切込部７２内に、第１の起立壁６５が位置しているが、該第１の起立壁６５を外方にずらして立設しても良い。
【００３６】
また、第２の切込部７３に嵌入されている支軸８２は、第２の起立壁６６の先端によって下方から支持され、この第２の起立壁６６と受け部材７０とで挟持されている。すなわち、この支軸８２は第２の切込部７３に接した状態で嵌合されているが、更に確実に保持するために第２の起立壁６６の先端が当接するようになっているのである。よって、第１のギヤ部材８３の回転に連動して、支軸８２が上下方向に移動する恐れがなくなる。また、本実施の形態においては、第２の切込部７３内に、第２の起立壁６６が位置しているが、該第２の起立壁６６を外方にずらして立設しても良い。
【００３７】
そして、第１・第２連動部材１０，２０の間に、保持体３０が、第１・第２連動部材１０，２０の湾曲部１１，２１にガタつきがなく、確実に摺接している。すなわち、第１保持部３１と第２保持部３２は、弾性部材５０に付勢されて操作軸４０の軸線方向に移動可能となっているので、図５に示すように第１保持部３１は図中上方に付勢されて、第１連動部材１０の湾曲部１３の内壁面に摺接し、第２保持部３２は図中下方に付勢されて、第２連動部材２０の湾曲部２３の内壁面に摺接するようになる。なお、仮に湾曲部１１，２１と湾曲面３３，３６に寸法上の誤差によるガタつきがあったとしても、弾性部材５０によって第１・第２保持部３１，３２は上下に付勢され、これに伴い第１連動部材１０は凹部７４に、第２連動部材２０は第１の起立壁６５に付勢されるので、ガタつきがなくなり、安定して第１・第２連動部材１０，２０が回動するようになる。
【００３８】
上ケース６１は、受け部材７０等が収納された下ケース６２に被さった状態で固定されている。すなわち、上ケース６１の垂下部６１ｂが下ケース６２の側壁部６４を挟持し、さらに上ケース６１の爪受部６１ｃに下ケース６２の爪部６７が係合することにより、上ケース６１が固定される。このとき、上ケース６１の開口部６１ａから、操作軸４０の一端が突出するようになる。
【００３９】
次に本発明の多方向入力装置の組立方法について説明する。まず、モータ８５にリード線８５ｂの一端を半田付けし、このモータ８５を受け部材７０にネジ８６によって取付ける。このとき、回転軸８５ａに第２のギヤ部材８７を取付けておく。次に、受け部材７０を第１・第２の切込部７２，７３が上方に開放するように、組立治具によって固定し、第１のギヤ部材８３が取付けられた支軸８２を第２の切込部７３に挿入し、治具で圧入して移動不能に固定する。その後、第１連動部材１０を第１の切込部７２に組み込み、この第１連動部材１０に保持体３０，弾性部材５０，操作軸４０及び導電線４４を一体化したものを載置する。そして、第２連動部材２０を第１の切込部７２に組み込み、この。組み込まれた第１・第２連動部材１０，２０の軸部１３，２３に第１・第２可変抵抗器８０，８１を係合させて取付ける。
【００４０】
次に、各部材が組み込まれた受け部材７０全体を、第１・第２可変抵抗器８０，８１の位置決め可能な組立治具に移動させて固定する。その後、あらかじめコネクタ８９がスナップ結合されているプリント基板８８を被せ、導電線４４，リード線８５ｂ，第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１の端子８０ａ，８０ｂ，コネクタ８９の及び受け部材７０のを半田付けする。
そして、プリント基板８８が一体となった受け部材７０を下ケース６２の空間部６３に収納する。なお、収納の際、受け部材７０の第１の切込部７２の両側の脚部が下ケース６１の底壁に当接することによって、高さ方向の位置が決まる。水平方向の位置決めは、プリント基板８８の打ち抜き部８８ａの内縁が第１の起立壁６５に当接することで行われる。その後、受け部材７０を付勢するように、上ケース６１を取付ける。
【００４１】
本発明の多方向入力装置は上記のような構成を有するが、次に作動状態について、図１４を用いて説明する。
操作軸４０は、図１４中矢印で示すように、約６０度の範囲内で傾倒可能になっており、さらに、図１，図４中に示すＸ方向，Ｙ方向のみならず、全方向に傾倒可能となっている。このように、操作軸４０が全方向に傾倒可能になるのは、本実施の形態の場合はこの操作軸４０が貫通する第１保持部３１の突出部３４と、第１連動部材１０の長溝１２とが線接触していることによる。なお、突出部３４の形状を球体として点接触させるようにしても良い。一方、第２保持部３２の突起３７と、第２連動部材２０の長溝２２とは面接触しているので、操作軸４０を傾倒するときに、操作軸４０自身が、軸線方向を基軸として、該基軸を中心として回転する恐れがなくなり、確実かつスムーズに操作軸４０が傾倒するようになる。さらに、導電線が捻れることがなくなるので、導電線の断線の恐れが著しく低減する。また、第２連動部材２０はダイキャストから構成されているので、長溝２２が広がる等の恐れがなく、確実に操作軸４０の回転を防止することができ、操作軸４０にＸ，Ｙ方向を示す表示部を設けたとしても、所定の方向を常に指し示すことができる。
【００４２】
また、操作軸４０を傾倒させたとしても、図５に示すように、この操作軸４０に導通可能となっている導電線４４の一端４４ａと繋がる部分が軸線方向（図中下方向）に延出しているので、導電線４４も保持体３０を基点として操作軸４０と同様に傾倒するため、操作軸４０の傾倒動作により直接屈曲力や引張力を繰返し受けることがなく、断線のおそれが著しく低減する。さらに、裸線部４６は、操作軸４０の凹部４２に収納されていると共に、外部に露出するのは被覆部４５なので、断線のおそれが更に低減する。
【００４３】
そして、操作軸４０を図１４の矢印方向すなわち、Ｘ方向に傾倒させると、保持体３０も同様に傾倒し、第２保持部３２の突起３７が第２連動部材２０の長溝２２を押圧することにより、第２連動部材２０が回動し、その軸部２３が回転する。このとき、第１保持部３１の湾曲面３３は、その突出部３４が第１連動部材１０の長溝１２内を移動することにより、第１連動部材１０の湾曲部１１の内壁面を摺動する。そして、第２連動部材２０の軸部２３が回転すると、その先端に取付けらている第２の可変抵抗器８１の抵抗値が変化し、所望の電圧値がコネクタ８９から出力される。
【００４４】
また、外部からの信号によってモータ８５が回転すると、これに連動して第２のギヤ部材８７が回転すると共に、これと噛合する第１のギヤ部材８３が回転し、これを受けて第２連動部材２０の扇状部２４が連動して第２連動部材２０が回動する。その結果、操作軸４０が傾倒するようになる。
一方、操作軸４０をＹ方向に傾倒させると、第１連動部材１０が回動し、第１の可変抵抗器８０から所定の電圧値が出力される。このＹ方向の動作もＸ方向の動作と同様であり、また、モータ８５により操作軸４０が駆動される点についても同様であるので、ここでは詳しい説明を省略する。また、操作軸４０を斜め方向に傾倒させたときは、その傾倒させた量がＸ方向，Ｙ方向に分解されて、その分だけ第１・第２連動部材１０，２０が回動して、第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１が所定の電圧値を出力する。
【００４５】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、このようにモータ８５によって駆動する機能を有しているが、例えば以下のような用途がある。
コンサートホールにおいて、通常客席の右前、左前、右後ろ、左後ろにスピーカが設けられるが、これら複数のスピーカと本発明の多方向入力装置を接続して、操作軸４０を傾倒させることにより、これら複数のスピーカの音量の割合を変化させることができる。すなわち、操作軸４０を傾倒させた側のスピーカの音量を大きくし、スピーカ間のバランスをとることで、コンサートホールの音場を調整するのである。
そして、本発明の多方向入力装置は、例えば、リハーサル時に手動によって操作軸４０を傾倒させて最適な音場を作り、この状態を電圧値としてメモリーに記憶させておき、本番時にはメモリから電圧値を呼び出し、この値が得られるまでモータ８５によって操作軸４０が傾倒するよう駆動制御し、リハーサル時と全く同様の音場を提供することができる。なお、このメモリによって記憶される電圧値は、曲によって、あるいは曲の途中において変わるような値でも良い。
【００４６】
ところで、本番中その場の雰囲気を優先して、スピーカの調整を手動で行いたい場合が生ずるが、本発明の多方向入力装置はタッチセンサを有しているので、モータ８５で自動的に操作軸４０を駆動している最中にも、手動で操作軸４０を操作させることができる。すなわち、操作軸４０は金属材料からできているので、操作者の手指が操作部４１に接触すると、電荷が導電線４４に伝達され、コネクタ８９を介して図示せぬ制御部によって操作者が触れたことの検出がなされる。そして、この制御部により自動駆動状態から手動操作状態（マニュアル操作）へと切替えがなされる。このように手動操作状態に切替えられると、モータ８５の駆動は停止し、操作者は自由に操作軸４０を傾倒させることができる。
なお、本発明の多方向入力装置は、リモコンによってモータ８５を駆動させることによって、操作軸４０をリモートコントロールすることも可能である。
【００４７】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、以上のような構成・動作をなすが、上記形態に限られないのは言うまでもなく、次の様な形態にも応用できる。例えば、上記実施の形態における４箇所の第１の起立壁６５のうち、１箇所の第１の起立壁に代えてこの第１の起立壁６５と略同一の高さを有するタクトスイッチを配置しても良い。そして、このタクトスイッチを該タクトスイッチに対応する第１の切込部７２に挿通し、第２連動部材２０の軸部２３をタクトスイッチの頂面と受け部材７０との間で挟持するのである。すなわち、第２連動部材２０は、タクトスイッチ及び該タクトスイッチに対向する第１の起立壁６５とこれに対応する受け部材７０とによって２箇所で保持されているのである。もちろん、第１の連動部材１０は、残りの相対向する第１の起立壁６５とこれに対応する受け部材７０との間で２箇所で保持されるのは、上記実施の形態と同様である。そして、操作軸４０を押圧すると、第２連動部材２０が付勢されてタクトスイッチをＯＮにする。なお、この押圧動作は操作軸４０が中立状態にあるときに限られず、傾倒させているときでも可能である。ちなみに、第１連動部材１０をタクトスイッチと受け部材７０との間で保持するようにしても良い。このときは、操作軸４０の押圧時に第１の連動部材１０にこの押圧力が伝わるようにしなければならないので、操作軸４０に翼状部を設け、湾曲部１１の表面と当接させておく必要がある。
その他、上記実施の形態において、第１の切込部７２に凹部７４を設けていたが、軸部１３，２３を保持できれば良いので、この凹部７４を第１の起立壁６５の先端に設けても良い。
【００４８】
また、操作軸４０の他端が第２保持部３２を貫通して第２連動部材２０の長溝２２に挿通されていても良い。また、上記実施の形態では保持体３０に突出部３４及び突起３７を設けて長溝１２，２２に当接するようにしているが、保持体を球体として、操作軸を直接長溝に当接するようにしても良い。また、十字方向にのみしか操作軸４０を傾倒させる必要のないときは、第１保持部３１の突出部３４に平坦面を設けて、第１連動部材１０の長溝１２と面接触させる形態であっても良い。また、操作軸４０を第１保持部３１の挿通孔３４ａに嵌入させて一体にし、保持体３０に保持させても良い。
【００４９】
また、回転型の第１・第２の可変抵抗器８０，８１の代わりにエンコーダーを用いる、あるいは連動部材の回動運動をスライド運動に変換させて、スライド型の可変抵抗器を駆動するようにしても良い。さらに、本発明の多方向入力装置を工作機械加工部分のコントローラー、あるいはゲームのコントローラーに用いる場合には、加工部分に加わる加重、もしくはゲームの場面に応じて荷重あるいは振動をモータの駆動により操作軸にフィードバックし、操作に際して動きにくくする、もしくは振動が加わるようにして用いることも可能である。
【００５０】
【発明の効果】
本発明の多方向入力装置は、複数の第１の起立壁を備える筐体と、複数の第１の切込部が側壁部に形成された受け部材と、長溝が形成されて第１の電気部品を駆動する第１連動部材と、長溝が形成され第２の電気部品を駆動する第２連動部材と、第１連動部材及び第２連動部材を回動する操作軸とを有し、
保持体によって操作軸が傾倒可能に保持され、受け部材の第１の切込部に位置した第１・第２連動部材が、第１の起立壁と受け部材との間で保持された構成としたため、操作軸が保持された状態で組立て作業をすることができるので、量産性の良好な多方向入力装置を提供することができる。さらに、保持体に操作軸を簡単に保持でき、該保持体は第１・第２連動部材に抱持される構成となっているので、組み込み性が良好で、量産性の高い多方向入力装置を提供することができる。
【００５１】
また、本発明の多方向入力装置おける第１の起立壁が４個設けられ、この４個の第１の起立壁のそれぞれと受け部材とで、前記第１・第２連動部材を挟持して、この第１・第２連動部材が前記操作軸を挟んだ２ヶ所で支持された構成としたため、第１・第２連動部材が簡単に保持できるので、組立性の良好な多方向入力装置を提供することができる。
【００５２】
また、本発明の多方向入力装置における第１の起立壁もしくは第１の切込部の少なくとも一方には、連動部材の軸部を受け入れる円弧状の凹部と、該凹部の外周から連動部材の軸芯方向に突出する円弧状の延出部とが形成されている構成としたため、軸部が凹部内に収納されると共に延出部によって当接する面積が大きくなるので、連動部材の保持が確実となる。また、延出部によって軸部と面接触することになるので、軸部の損傷が防止される。
【００５３】
また、本発明の多方向入力装置における筐体は、箱形の下ケースと平板状の上ケースとで構成され、上ケースと下ケースで形成された空間部内には、前記第１の電気部品と第２の電気部品が収納された構成としたため、第１・第２の電気部品を筐体内に収納できるので、ゴミ，埃や外部からの不所望な力から保護できる。
【００５４】
また、本発明の多方向入力装置における筐体には第２の起立壁が設けられると共に、受け部材の側壁部には第２の切込部が形成され、モータを駆動するギヤ部材が取付けられ第２の切込部に位置する支軸は、第２の起立壁と受け部材との間で保持された構成としたため、簡単に支軸を固定することができるので、容易にモータ付きの多方向入力装置を提供することができる。
【００５５】
また、本発明の多方向入力装置における前記筐体は、箱形の下ケースと平板状の上ケースとで構成され、この上ケースと下ケースで形成された空間部内には、モータが収納された構成としたため、モータを筐体内に収納できるので、ゴミ，埃や外部からの不所望な力から保護できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の多方向入力装置の正面図。
【図２】（ａ）図１のＡ−Ａ線における要部断面図。
（ｂ）図１のＢ−Ｂ線における要部断面図。
【図３】図１のＣ−Ｃ線における要部断面図。
【図４】本発明の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図。
【図５】図２の要部拡大断面図。
【図６】本発明の多方向入力装置における第１連動部材の正面図。
【図７】本発明の多方向入力装置における第１保持部の側面図。
【図８】図４の第１保持部についてのＤ−Ｄ線における断面図。
【図９】本発明の多方向入力装置における第２保持部の側面図。
【図１０】図４の第２保持部についてのＥ−Ｅ線における断面図。
【図１１】図４の受け部材についてのＦ−Ｆ線における断面図。
【図１２】本発明の多方向入力装置における支軸の正面図。
【図１３】導電線と操作軸との接続を説明するための説明図。
【図１４】本発明の多方向入力装置の動作説明図。
【図１５】従来の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図。
【符号の説明】
１０第１連動部材
１１湾曲部
１２長溝
１３軸部
２０第２連動部材
２１湾曲部
２２長溝
２３軸部
３０保持体
３１第１保持部
３２第２保持部
３３湾曲面
３４突出部
３５舌片
３５ａ凹部
３６湾曲面
３７突起
３７ａ平坦面
３８貫通孔
３８ａ溝部
３８ｂ凸部
３８ｃ側面
４０操作軸
４２凹部
４２ａ側面
４４導電線
４４ａ（導電線の）一端
４５被覆部
４６裸線部
５０弾性部材
６０筐体
６１上ケース
６２下ケース
６３空間部
６４側壁部
６５第１の起立壁
６６第２の起立壁
７０受け部材
７１側壁部
７２第１の切込部
７３第２の切込部
７４凹部
７５延出部
８０第１の可変抵抗器（第１の電気部品）
８１第２の可変抵抗器（第２の電気部品）
８２支軸
８３第１のギヤ部材
８５モータ
８７第２のギヤ部材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The multi-directional input device of the present invention is a joystick applied to an operation unit of a game controller or a stereo balance volume for adjusting a sound field in a concert hall, and can add feedback to an operation axis, or remotely The present invention relates to a controllable multidirectional input device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional multidirectional input device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.
The conventional multi-directional input device mainly includes a casing 100, first and second interlocking members 110 and 120, an operation shaft 130 inserted through the first and second interlocking members 110 and 120, and the like. By tilting the shaft 130, the first and second interlocking members 110, 120 are rotated to drive the variable resistor 140. The first and second interlocking members 110 and 120 are held from below by a push-up portion 150, and are returned to their original state by a coil spring 160 that elastically presses the push-up portion 150 from below. With this return, the operation shaft 130 is automatically returned.
[0003]
The casing 100 has a substantially box shape, and a circular opening 101 is formed on the surface. Further, convex cut portions 102 are formed on the four side surfaces, and guide grooves 103 are provided at both ends on the two adjacent side surfaces.
[0004]
The first interlocking member 110 has a flat bar shape, and a long groove 111 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed, and protrusions 112 are formed at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the long groove 111. The first interlocking member 110 is inserted into the notch 102 of the housing 100.
Similarly, the second interlocking member 120 has a flat bar shape, and a long groove 121 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed, and protrusions 123 are formed at both ends in a direction perpendicular to the long groove 121. A through hole 122 formed in a direction orthogonal to the long groove 121 is provided in the center of the second interlocking member 120.
[0005]
The operation shaft 130 has an elongated rod shape, and a rectangular portion 131 is formed at an end portion. The rectangular portion is provided with a through hole 132 formed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The operation shaft 130 is attached to the second interlocking member 120. That is, the rectangular portion 131 is inserted into the long groove 121 of the second interlocking member 120, and the pin 133 is inserted when the through hole 132 of the operation shaft 130 and the through hole 122 of the second interlocking member 120 are overlapped. At this time, the operation shaft 130 is tiltable with respect to the second interlocking member 120 with the pin 133 as a base shaft.
Then, a unit in which the operation shaft 130 and the second interlocking member 120 are integrated is attached to the housing 100. That is, the operating shaft 130 is inserted into the long groove 111 of the first interlocking member 110, and both ends of the second interlocking member 120 are inserted into the notch 102.
[0006]
The push-up member 150 has a flat plate rectangular shape, a substantially rectangular first mounting portion 151 is formed on two opposing side portions, and a substantially rectangular shape is formed on the two side portions connected to the side portions. A second mounting portion 152 having a shape is formed. In addition, a first cylindrical portion 153 is formed at the center so as to protrude downward. The push-up member 150 is positioned such that the first placement portion 151 is in contact with the protrusion 112 of the first interlocking member 110 and the second placement portion 152 is in contact with the protrusion 123 of the second interlocking member 120. It becomes like this.
[0007]
The coil spring 160 is formed by winding a thin metal rod and is fitted to the outer wall of the first cylindrical portion 153 of the push-up member 15.
[0008]
The lower cover 170 has a shape in which four side walls are erected from the bottom surface, and a standing wall 171 protrudes upward from the side wall. A second cylindrical portion 172 protrudes upward at the center of the bottom surface. Further, claw portions 173 are formed at the four corners so as to protrude upward.
The lower cover 170 is attached to the housing 100 by the second cylindrical portion 172 passing through the cylindrical portion of the first cylindrical portion 153 and the claw portion 173 engaging the housing 100. . At this time, the first and second interlocking members 110 and 120 are rotatably held between the casing 100 and the standing wall 171 in the notch 102, and a variable resistor 140 is provided at the end of the guide groove 103. The cover 141 is covered.
Further, the coil spring 160 is elastically held between the bottom surface of the lower cover 170 and the push-up member 150, and the upper end of the second cylindrical portion 172 comes into contact with the lower surface of the second interlocking member 120.
[0009]
The conventional multidirectional input device is configured as described above, and when the operator tilts the operation shaft 130, the first and second interlocking members 110 and 120 are rotated and the slide attached to the cover 141 is rotated. The output voltage value of the variable resistor 140 is changed by sliding a moving element (not shown) on the resistor. When the first and second interlocking members 110 and 120 rotate, the first and second mounting portions 151 and 152 of the push-up portion 150 are urged by the protrusions 112 and 123, and the push-up portion 150 swings. Then, the coil spring 160 is elastically pressed. When the operator stops tilting the operation shaft 130, the coil spring 160 returns to the original state, and the pushing-up portion 150 and the first and second interlocking members 110, 120 are returned to the original state by the return force. Returning, the operating shaft 130 returns to the original position.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the conventional multi-directional input device has to be assembled such as being inserted into the long groove 111 of the first interlocking member 110 in a state where the operation shaft 130 is tiltable (fluttered), the assembling property is poor, There was a problem that mass productivity deteriorated. Further, since the second interlocking member 120 is fixed by the pin 133 when holding the operation shaft 130, there is a problem that the work becomes complicated and mass productivity deteriorates.
Further, since the variable resistor 140 is exposed to the outside, there is a problem that it is vulnerable to dust, dust, etc., and undesired force from the outside.
[0011]
The multi-directional input device of the present invention has been created in view of such a problem. The multi-directional input device can fix the operating shaft at the time of assembly, and can fix the operating shaft by a simple method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a direction input device.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving this problem, a multidirectional input device according to the present invention is provided with a housing including a plurality of first standing walls protruding upward from a bottom wall, and facing the first standing walls. A plurality of first notches are formed in the side wall, a receiving member that is accommodated in the space of the housing, and a long groove are formed, and the first notch is rotatably accommodated in the space of the housing. A first interlocking member for driving the electrical component and a long groove are formed, and the first interlocking member is rotatably accommodated in the space of the housing in a direction orthogonal to the first interlocking member to drive the second electrical component. 2 interlocking members, and an operating shaft for rotating the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, the first interlocking member comprising a curved portion formed with the long groove and curved upward, and the second interlocking member. The member is formed with the long groove and is bent downward facing the bending direction of the bending portion of the first interlocking member. Provided with a curved portion than it said first interlocking member disposed on the bottom wall side of the housing, the holding retention body by said first and second interlocking members, wherein the operating shaft is tiltably held The holding body includes a first holding portion disposed on the first interlocking member side and a second holding portion that engages with the first holding portion, and the first holding portion includes a curved surface, An insertion hole through which the operation shaft is inserted is provided at the top of the curved surface, the second holding portion includes a curved surface, and includes a groove portion for fitting and fixing one end of the operation shaft to be uneven, and the operation shaft is An elastic member inserted through the operation shaft is interposed in the fixed second holding portion, and the first holding portion is engaged to constitute the holding body, which is held by the first and second interlocking members. The first holding part and the second holding part of the holding body are separated from each other by the elastic member. That is biased in a direction, the first holding portion is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the curved portion of the first interlocking member, said second holding portion is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the curved portion of the second interlocking member, said The first and second interlocking members positioned in the first cut portion of the receiving member are held between the first standing wall and the receiving member.
[0013]
Further, as a second solution, four of the first upright walls in the multidirectional input device of the present invention are provided, and each of the four first upright walls and the receiving member includes the first The second interlocking member is sandwiched, and the first and second interlocking members are supported at two positions sandwiching the operation shaft.
[0014]
As a third solution, at least one of the first standing wall or the first cut portion of the multidirectional input device of the present invention has an arcuate recess for receiving the shaft portion of the interlocking member, An arcuate extending portion that protrudes in the axial direction of the interlocking member from the outer periphery of the recess is formed.
[0015]
As a fourth solution, the housing in the multi-directional input device of the present invention is configured by a box-shaped lower case and a flat upper case, and the inside of the space formed by the upper case and the lower case. the, characterized in that the first electrical component and a second electrical component is accommodated.
[0016]
As a fifth solution, the housing in the multi-directional input device of the present invention is provided with a second standing wall that is provided in parallel with the first standing wall and protrudes upward from the bottom wall. In the side wall portion of the receiving member, a second cut portion provided in parallel with the first cut portion is formed, and a gear member for driving a motor is attached to the second cut portion. The supporting shaft is held between the second upright wall and the receiving member.
[0017]
As a sixth solution, the housing in the multi-directional input device of the present invention is configured by a box-shaped lower case and a flat upper case, and the interior of the space formed by the upper case and the lower case. Is characterized in that the motor is accommodated.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The multidirectional input device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is taken along line BB in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of the first interlocking member, FIG. 7 is a side view of the first holding portion, and FIG. 8 is a DD line for the first holding portion of FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view of the second holding portion, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the second holding portion of FIG. 4, and FIG. 11 is a view of the receiving member of FIG. FIG. 12 is a front view of the support shaft, FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for explaining the connection between the conductive wire and the operation shaft, and FIG. Is a diagram for describing operation of the directional input device.
[0020]
In the multidirectional input device of the present invention, the receiving member 70 is mainly accommodated in the space 63 of the housing 60, and the first interlocking member 10 and the second interlocking member 20 are orthogonal to each other in the receiving member 70. The holding body 30 holding the operation shaft 40 is sandwiched between the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20. The first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 have first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, which are first and second electric parts, attached to the tips of the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20, respectively. By operating, the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 rotate to change the resistance values of the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, and according to the tilt direction and tilt amount of the operation shaft 40. The output voltage value is output.
[0021]
The first interlocking member 10 is made of zinc die-cast with an outer surface plated, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the bending portion 11 that curves upward in FIG. 4 and extends from both ends of the bending portion 11. A shaft portion 13 and a fan-shaped portion 14 are formed in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the shaft portion 13 from the shaft portion 13, and a plurality of irregularities 14 a are provided on the arc surface of the fan-shaped portion 14. Further, the curved portion 11 is formed with a long groove 12 extending in the axial direction, and the tip of the shaft portion 13 has a D-shaped cross section.
[0022]
The second interlocking member 20 also basically has the same shape as the first interlocking member 10, and the lower direction which is the direction of the bending portion 11 of the first interlocking member 10, that is, the direction facing the upper side in FIG. 4. Is formed of a curved portion 21, a shaft portion 23, and a fan-shaped portion 24 having an uneven surface 24a on the arc surface. The curved portion 21 has a long groove 22 extending in the axial direction. The tip of the shaft portion 23 has a D-shaped cross section.
And the 2nd interlocking member 20 which made such a form is arrange | positioned in the direction orthogonal to the 1st interlocking member 10. FIG.
[0023]
The holding body 30 is held by the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20. The holding body 30 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, and includes a first holding portion 31 located in the upper part of FIG. 4 and a second holding portion 32 that engages with the first holding portion 31.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the first holding portion 31 is a substantially hemispherical shape having a curved surface 33 and has a shape in which an end portion is cut vertically to save space. And the cylindrical protrusion part 34 protrudes upwards from the top part of the curved surface 33, The insertion hole 34a is provided in the inside.
Further, the first holding part 31 is formed with a pair of tongue pieces 35 protruding downward, and as shown in FIG. 8, a recess 35a is formed from each tongue piece 35 in the direction of the protrusion part 34. An edge 35b is formed on the edge of the recess 35a on the second holding part 32 side.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 9, and 10, the second holding part 32 has a substantially hemispherical shape with a curved surface 36, and has a flat part 37 b provided by cutting the end part in the vertical direction to save space. Yes. A protrusion 37 is formed to project downward from the top of the curved surface 36. As shown in FIG. 10, a through hole 38 is formed in the protrusion 37 so as to connect the inner bottom surface of the second holding portion 32 and the outside, and a ring-shaped groove portion 38 a is formed around the through hole 38. Is formed. And the convex part 38b which protrudes upwards is provided by forming this groove part 38a. The groove 38a is not limited to a ring shape, but may be a square shape. Further, the projection 37 has a flat surface 37a flat in the paper surface direction in FIGS.
In addition, a pair of convex portions 39 projecting in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is formed on the upper edge portion of the flat portion 37 b of the second holding portion 32.
[0025]
The holding unit 30 having such a configuration holds the operation shaft 40 having conductivity. The operation shaft 40 is made of an elongated rod-like metal material, and is made of aluminum in the present embodiment. The operation shaft 40 is provided with an operation portion 41 at one end, the other end is slightly thicker than the middle portion, and a recess 42 is formed as shown in FIG. Is provided with a cylindrical portion 43.
Then, the cylindrical portion 43 is combined with the groove portion 38 a of the second holding portion 32 so as to be concavo-convexly connected, so that the other end of the operation shaft 40 is combined with the second holding portion 32. Note that the operation shaft 40 and the second holding portion 32 may be configured as a single component, and both may be integrated.
[0026]
Further, a conductive wire 44 that is electrically conductive is connected to the operation shaft 40. The conductive wire 44 includes a covering portion 45 covered with an insulating material and a bare wire portion 46 extending from an end portion of the covering portion 45. The one end 44 a of the conductive wire 44 is connected to the operation shaft 40 when the operation shaft 40 is fitted into the second holding part 32. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, one end 44a of the conductive wire 44 is inserted into the through hole 38 of the second holding portion 32, and the protruding bare wire portion 46 is slightly bent. Thereafter, the cylindrical portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 38a so that the bare wire portion 46 is caught. Then, the bare wire portion 46 bends in a U shape along the tapered surface of the bottom surface of the recess 42 of the operation shaft 40, and the bent tip of the side wall 38c of the outer wall surface of the protrusion 38b and the recess 42 (cylindrical portion 43). It is clamped and fixed with the side surface 42a of the inner wall surface. The bare wire portion 46 may be sandwiched between the bottom surface of the concave portion 72 and the top surface of the convex portion 38b without bending the bare wire portion 46. Further, when the cylindrical portion 43 is fitted into the groove portion 38a, the diameter of the through hole 38 is slightly reduced due to the pressure. And since the coating | coated part 45 of the electrically conductive wire 44 is arrange | positioned in this through-hole 38, fixation of the coating | coated part 45 becomes reliable.
[0027]
In this way, the first holding portion 31 is engaged with the second holding portion 32 holding the operation shaft 40 with the elastic member 50 interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the elastic member 50 is constituted by a torsion coil spring, is inserted from one end of the operation shaft 40, and reaches the other end. Then, the operation shaft 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 34 a formed in the protruding portion 34 of the first holding portion 31.
When the first holding portion 31 is lowered downward in FIG. 4, the tongue piece 35 of the first holding portion 31 is deformed, and the edge portion 35 b of the concave portion 35 a gets over the convex portion 39 and is formed on the tongue piece 35. The recessed portion 35a fits into the convex portion 39 provided in the second holding portion 32, and the first holding portion 31 and the second holding portion 32 are integrated. In this state, the first holding portion 31 is urged upward by the elastic member 50, but the convex portion 39 comes into contact with the edge 35 b, and the first holding portion 31 does not fall out, and the second holding portion 32 is removed. It is integrated. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, since the flat portion 37b of the second holding portion 32 is sandwiched by the pair of tongue pieces 35, the first and second holding portions 31, 32 are securely coupled to each other so as not to rotate. Is done. Thus, the concave portion 35a fits into the convex portion 39. The concave portion 35a is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction (axial direction) so that the convex portion 39 can move, and the convex portion 39 and the concave portion 35a Between the first holding part 31 and the second holding part 32, there is an elastic member 50 that biases them in a direction away from each other. By this elastic member 50, the first holding part 31 and the second holding part 32 move so that the convex part 39 is guided by the concave part 35a so as to be in contact with the interlocking member in contact with each other in the axial direction of the operation shaft 40. It becomes possible.
[0028]
And the 2nd holding | maintenance part 32 is mounted in the 2nd interlocking member, when the protrusion 37 is penetrated by the long groove 22 of the 2nd interlocking member 20. As shown in FIG. At this time, the flat surface 37 a provided on the protrusion 37 of the second holding portion 32 and the inner wall surface provided on the long groove 22 of the second interlocking member 20 are in surface contact.
On the other hand, the first interlocking member 10 is placed on the first holding portion 31, and the operation shaft 40 penetrating the protruding portion 34 is inserted into the long groove 12. At this time, the side surface of the protruding portion 34 of the first holding portion 31 and the inner wall surface of the long groove of the first interlocking member 10 are in line contact.
[0029]
The receiving member 70 is formed by pressing a metal thin plate made of iron, aluminum, or the like and bending the metal thin plate. The receiving member 70 is bent into a substantially box shape so that four side walls 71 are provided, and each side wall 71 has a first cut extending vertically as shown in FIGS. The notch part 72 is provided, The 2nd notch part 73 is provided in the state where the 2nd notch part 73 was juxtaposed in the two adjacent 1st notch parts 72 of them. Moreover, the semicircular recessed part 74 is provided in the edge part of each 1st notch part 72, and the semicylindrical extension part 75 is formed in the outward from this recessed part 74 by the burring process. . Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the opening 77 formed on the upper surface by bending is formed in an angle range of about 60 degrees with respect to the tilt center of the operation shaft 40. Note that large holes 76a are formed in the two side walls 71 orthogonal to each other, and two small holes 76b are formed above and below each large hole 76a.
[0030]
Both ends of the first interlocking member 10 and the second interlocking member 20 are held in the first notches 72 formed in the side wall portions 71 facing each other. That is, the shaft portions 13 at both ends of the first interlocking member 10 are respectively positioned in the recesses 74 provided in the first cutout portion 72, and the fan-shaped portion 14 is positioned outside the receiving member 70. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the shaft portion 23 of the second interlocking member 20 is located in the concave portion 74 provided in the first cutout portion 72, and the fan-like portion 24 is also located outside the receiving member 70. Will be located. When the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 are held in this way, the operation shaft 40 penetrates the receiving member 70 and protrudes upward.
A first variable resistor 80 is provided at the tip of one shaft portion 13 of the first interlocking member 10. The tip of the one shaft portion 13 has a D-shape, and the bearing portion 80b formed at the center of the first variable resistor 80 has a D-shape. The rotation is reliably transmitted to the first variable resistor 80. Similarly, a second variable resistor 81 is provided at the tip of one shaft portion 23 of the second interlocking member 20.
[0031]
A support shaft 82 is held in the second cutout 73 formed in the receiving member 70. The support shaft 82 is made of a metal member such as brass, and as shown in FIG. 12, the shaft portion 82b protrudes from the base portion 82a, and the base portion 82a is provided with a thin portion 82d in the gap between the two wing-like portions 82c. Is configured. A groove 82e is formed in the circumferential direction at the tip of the shaft portion 82b. The thin-walled portion 82d is fitted into the second cut-out portion 73, and the side wall portion 71 is sandwiched between the gaps of the wing-like portion 82c, so that the support shaft 82 is held by the receiving member 70 so as not to rotate or operate. The The reason why the groove 82e is formed in the circumferential direction is that there is no restriction in the assembling direction. Further, a first gear member 83 made of a synthetic resin such as a polyester elastomer, which is integrally formed with a first gear 83a having a large number of teeth and a second gear 83b having a small number of teeth, is attached to the support shaft 82. In order to ensure this attachment, the E-ring 84 is fixed to the groove 82e of the support shaft 82. The first gear member 83 attached in this way rotates about the support shaft 82 as a rotation axis. Further, referring to FIG. 14, the second gear 83b of the first gear member 83 meshes with the concave and convex portions 14a and 24a formed on the fan-shaped portions 14 and 24 of the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20, respectively. To come.
[0032]
Further, a motor 85 is attached to the receiving member 70. The motor 85 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the rotating shaft 85a protrudes from the side surface. A lead wire 85b is connected to the opposite side surface. The motor 85 is attached by a screw 86 with a small hole 76b of the receiving member 70 interposed. When the motor 85 is attached, the rotary shaft 85a passes through the large hole 76a of the receiving member 70. Then, a second gear member 87 made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal having a small number of teeth is attached to the tip of the rotary shaft 85a. The second gear member 87 is a first gear member as shown in FIG. The first gear 83a of the gear member 83 is engaged with the first gear 83a. In addition, since the first gear member 83 and the second gear member 87 are made of the above-described synthetic resin, it is possible to suppress the sound accompanying the vibration, and because they are made of different materials, they are scraped. Can be reduced.
[0033]
A printed circuit board 88 is attached to the receiving member 70. The printed circuit board 88 is constituted by a thin plate having a substantially square shape, and a substantially square punched portion 88a is formed at the center. The printed board 88 has a plurality of through holes 88b penetrating vertically. The leg portion 78 of the receiving member 70, the terminals 80a and 81a of the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, the connector 89, and the lead wire 85b of the motor 85 are soldered to the through hole 88b. The member 70, the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, the connector 89, and the lead wire 85b are fixed to the printed circuit board 88. The connector 89 is snap-coupled to the printed circuit board 88. All electrical signals are transmitted to the outside through the connector 89.
Further, a through hole 88c is formed in the printed board 88, and the other end of the conductive wire 44 is connected to the through hole 88c by soldering. The conductive wire 44 is pulled when the operation shaft 40 and the holding body 30 are tilted. However, since the length is sufficient, there is no fear of disconnection or the like when pulled.
[0034]
Each member is held in this way, and the receiving member 70 attached to the printed circuit board 88 is accommodated in the space 63 of the housing 60. The casing 60 is made of a synthetic resin such as ABS, and includes an upper case 61 and a lower case 62. The upper case 61 is a substantially square thin plate, has a substantially square-shaped opening 61a at the center, and has hanging portions 61b integrally provided from the central portions of the three side edges, and each hanging portion 61b. A claw receiving portion 61c is formed to penetrate therethrough.
The lower case 62 has a substantially box shape, and a space portion 63 is formed by four side wall portions 64, and four first upstanding walls 65 are integrally erected from the bottom wall. Yes. The first upright wall 65 is made of an elongated rectangular thin plate, and the tip is formed in a trapezoidal shape. In addition, a second standing wall 66 is juxtaposed in the vicinity of the two first standing walls 65 adjacent to each other among the first standing walls 65 (see FIG. 14), and this second standing wall. Similarly to the first standing wall 65, 66 is formed of an elongated rectangular thin plate, and the height thereof is substantially the same as that of the first standing wall 65. The three side wall portions 64 are provided with claw portions 67 protruding obliquely downward.
[0035]
In the space 63 of the lower case 62, a receiving member 70 is housed in which each member is held and a printed circuit board 88 is attached. The first and second upstanding walls 65 and 66 of the lower case 62 are in contact with the inner edge of the punched portion 88 a of the printed circuit board 88. Further, the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 are held between the first standing wall 65 and the receiving member 70, and the support shaft 82 is also held between the second standing wall 66 and the receiving member 70. Has been.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the first interlocking member 10 has two points, one end and the other end of the shaft 13 sandwiching the operation shaft 40, and the lower end of the first standing wall 65 from below. The first standing wall 65 and the receiving member 70 are supported and sandwiched. Further, the distance from the bottom surfaces of the leg portions on both sides of the first cut portion 72 of the receiving member 70 to the top surface of the recess 74 is a value obtained by adding the thickness of the first upright wall 65 and the shaft portions 13 and 23. Since it is larger and an undesired lateral pressure is not applied to the shaft portion 13, the life of the first interlocking member 10 is prolonged. On the other hand, the second interlocking member 20 is similarly held at two points with the operation shaft 40 sandwiched between the first standing wall 65 and the receiving member 70 as shown in FIG. The dimension in the height direction is the same as that of the first interlocking member 10. In addition, although the extension part 75 is provided in each recessed part 74, this is because the part clamped among the axial parts 13 and 23 is made from a metal, when the 1st, 2nd interlocking members 10 and 20 rotate. This is to prevent the receiving member 70 from being damaged by the fracture surface. Further, in the present embodiment, the first standing wall 65 is located in the first cut portion 72. However, even if the first standing wall 65 is shifted outward and erected, good.
[0036]
Further, the support shaft 82 inserted into the second notch 73 is supported from below by the tip of the second upright wall 66 and is sandwiched between the second upright wall 66 and the receiving member 70. . That is, the support shaft 82 is fitted in a state in contact with the second notch 73, but the tip of the second upright wall 66 comes into contact with the second support wall 66 in order to hold it more reliably. is there. Therefore, there is no possibility that the support shaft 82 moves in the vertical direction in conjunction with the rotation of the first gear member 83. Further, in the present embodiment, the second standing wall 66 is located in the second cut portion 73. However, even if the second standing wall 66 is shifted outward, the second standing wall 66 is erected. good.
[0037]
Then, the holding body 30 is in slidable contact with each other between the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 without any backlash between the curved portions 11 and 21 of the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20. That is, since the first holding unit 31 and the second holding unit 32 are urged by the elastic member 50 and are movable in the axial direction of the operation shaft 40, the first holding unit 31 is configured as shown in FIG. It is urged upward in the figure and comes into sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the bending part 13 of the first interlocking member 10, and the second holding part 32 is urged downward in the figure and the bending part 23 of the second interlocking member 20. It comes into sliding contact with the inner wall surface. Even if the curved portions 11 and 21 and the curved surfaces 33 and 36 have a backlash due to dimensional errors, the first and second holding portions 31 and 32 are urged up and down by the elastic member 50. Accordingly, the first interlocking member 10 is urged to the recess 74 and the second interlocking member 20 is urged to the first upright wall 65, so that there is no backlash and the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 are stably moved. It will turn.
[0038]
The upper case 61 is fixed in a state of covering the lower case 62 in which the receiving member 70 and the like are accommodated. That is, the hanging part 61b of the upper case 61 sandwiches the side wall part 64 of the lower case 62, and the claw part 67 of the lower case 62 is engaged with the claw receiving part 61c of the upper case 61, thereby fixing the upper case 61. Is done. At this time, one end of the operation shaft 40 protrudes from the opening 61 a of the upper case 61.
[0039]
Next, a method for assembling the multidirectional input device of the present invention will be described. First, one end of the lead wire 85 b is soldered to the motor 85, and the motor 85 is attached to the receiving member 70 with a screw 86. At this time, the second gear member 87 is attached to the rotating shaft 85a. Next, the receiving member 70 is fixed by an assembling jig so that the first and second cut portions 72 and 73 are opened upward, and the support shaft 82 to which the first gear member 83 is attached is secondly fixed. Is inserted into the notch 73, and is press-fitted with a jig so as to be immovable. Thereafter, the first interlocking member 10 is incorporated into the first cutout portion 72, and the first interlocking member 10 on which the holding body 30, the elastic member 50, the operation shaft 40 and the conductive wire 44 are integrated is placed. And the 2nd interlocking member 20 is integrated in the 1st notch part 72, and this. The first and second variable resistors 80 and 81 are engaged and attached to the shaft portions 13 and 23 of the assembled first and second interlocking members 10 and 20.
[0040]
Next, the entire receiving member 70 in which each member is incorporated is moved and fixed to an assembly jig capable of positioning the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81. Thereafter, the printed circuit board 88 to which the connector 89 is snap-coupled is covered in advance, the conductive wire 44, the lead wire 85b, the terminals 80a and 80b of the first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, the connector 89 and the receiving member 70. Solder.
Then, the receiving member 70 integrated with the printed circuit board 88 is accommodated in the space 63 of the lower case 62. In addition, the height direction position is determined when the legs on both sides of the first cut portion 72 of the receiving member 70 abut against the bottom wall of the lower case 61 during storage. Positioning in the horizontal direction is performed by the inner edge of the punched portion 88 a of the printed circuit board 88 coming into contact with the first standing wall 65. Thereafter, the upper case 61 is attached so as to urge the receiving member 70.
[0041]
The multi-directional input device of the present invention has the above-described configuration. Next, the operating state will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation shaft 40 can be tilted within a range of about 60 degrees as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 14, and is not limited to the X and Y directions shown in FIGS. Tilt is possible. Thus, the operation shaft 40 can be tilted in all directions because, in the case of the present embodiment, the protrusion 34 of the first holding portion 31 through which the operation shaft 40 penetrates and the long groove of the first interlocking member 10. This is because 12 is in line contact. In addition, you may make it make point contact as the shape of the protrusion part 34 as a spherical body. On the other hand, since the protrusion 37 of the second holding portion 32 and the long groove 22 of the second interlocking member 20 are in surface contact, when the operation shaft 40 is tilted, the operation shaft 40 itself is based on the axial direction as a base axis. There is no fear of rotating around the base shaft, and the operation shaft 40 tilts reliably and smoothly. Furthermore, since the conductive wire is not twisted, the risk of disconnection of the conductive wire is significantly reduced. In addition, since the second interlocking member 20 is formed by die casting, there is no fear that the long groove 22 is widened and the rotation of the operation shaft 40 can be surely prevented. Even if a display unit is provided, a predetermined direction can always be indicated.
[0042]
Further, even when the operation shaft 40 is tilted, as shown in FIG. 5, the portion connected to the one end 44a of the conductive wire 44 that can be conducted to the operation shaft 40 extends in the axial direction (downward in the drawing). Since the conductive wire 44 tilts in the same manner as the operation shaft 40 with the holding body 30 as a base point, the conductive wire 44 does not repeatedly receive direct bending force or tensile force due to the tilting operation of the operation shaft 40, and there is a significant risk of disconnection. Reduce. Furthermore, since the bare wire portion 46 is accommodated in the recess 42 of the operation shaft 40 and exposed to the outside is the covering portion 45, the possibility of disconnection is further reduced.
[0043]
Then, when the operating shaft 40 is tilted in the arrow direction of FIG. 14, that is, in the X direction, the holding body 30 is similarly tilted, and the protrusion 37 of the second holding portion 32 presses the long groove 22 of the second interlocking member 20. As a result, the second interlocking member 20 rotates and the shaft portion 23 rotates. At this time, the curved surface 33 of the first holding portion 31 slides on the inner wall surface of the curved portion 11 of the first interlocking member 10 by the protrusion 34 moving in the long groove 12 of the first interlocking member 10. . When the shaft portion 23 of the second interlocking member 20 rotates, the resistance value of the second variable resistor 81 attached to the tip of the second interlocking member 20 changes, and a desired voltage value is output from the connector 89.
[0044]
When the motor 85 is rotated by an external signal, the second gear member 87 is rotated in conjunction with the motor 85, and the first gear member 83 meshing with the second gear member 87 is rotated. The second interlocking member 20 rotates in conjunction with the fan-shaped portion 24 of the member 20. As a result, the operation shaft 40 tilts.
On the other hand, when the operating shaft 40 is tilted in the Y direction, the first interlocking member 10 rotates and a predetermined voltage value is output from the first variable resistor 80. Since the operation in the Y direction is the same as the operation in the X direction, and the operation shaft 40 is driven by the motor 85, the detailed description is omitted here. Further, when the operation shaft 40 is tilted in the oblique direction, the tilted amount is disassembled in the X direction and the Y direction, and the first and second interlocking members 10 and 20 are rotated by that amount, The first and second variable resistors 80 and 81 output a predetermined voltage value.
[0045]
The multi-directional input device of the present invention has the function of being driven by the motor 85 as described above, and has the following uses, for example.
In the concert hall, speakers are usually provided at the front right, left front, right rear, and left rear of the audience seats. By connecting the plurality of speakers and the multidirectional input device of the present invention and tilting the operation shaft 40, these speakers are provided. The ratio of the volume of a plurality of speakers can be changed. That is, the sound field of the concert hall is adjusted by increasing the volume of the speaker on the side where the operation shaft 40 is tilted and balancing the speakers.
The multidirectional input device of the present invention creates an optimum sound field by manually tilting the operating shaft 40 during rehearsal, for example, and stores this state in the memory as a voltage value. And the motor 85 controls the drive shaft 40 to tilt until this value is obtained, and a sound field exactly the same as during rehearsal can be provided. The voltage value stored in the memory may be a value that changes depending on the song or in the middle of the song.
[0046]
By the way, there is a case where it is desired to manually adjust the speaker by giving priority to the atmosphere in the actual production. However, since the multi-directional input device of the present invention has a touch sensor, it is automatically operated by the motor 85. The operating shaft 40 can be manually operated while the shaft 40 is being driven. That is, since the operation shaft 40 is made of a metal material, when the operator's fingers come into contact with the operation unit 41, electric charges are transmitted to the conductive wire 44, and the operator touches the control unit (not shown) via the connector 89. Is detected. Then, the control unit switches from the automatic drive state to the manual operation state (manual operation). When the manual operation state is thus switched, the driving of the motor 85 is stopped, and the operator can freely tilt the operation shaft 40.
Note that the multidirectional input device of the present invention can also remotely control the operating shaft 40 by driving the motor 85 with a remote controller.
[0047]
The multi-directional input device of the present invention has the configuration and operation as described above. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and can be applied to the following form. For example, a tact switch having substantially the same height as the first standing wall 65 is arranged instead of one first standing wall among the four first standing walls 65 in the above embodiment. May be. Then, this tact switch is inserted into the first cutout portion 72 corresponding to the tact switch, and the shaft portion 23 of the second interlocking member 20 is sandwiched between the top surface of the tact switch and the receiving member 70. . That is, the second interlocking member 20 is held at two places by the tact switch, the first standing wall 65 facing the tact switch, and the receiving member 70 corresponding thereto. Of course, the first interlocking member 10 is held at two positions between the remaining first upstanding wall 65 and the receiving member 70 corresponding thereto, as in the above embodiment. . When the operating shaft 40 is pressed, the second interlocking member 20 is urged to turn on the tact switch. This pressing operation is not limited to when the operation shaft 40 is in a neutral state, and can be performed even when the operation shaft 40 is tilted. Incidentally, the first interlocking member 10 may be held between the tact switch and the receiving member 70. At this time, since the pressing force needs to be transmitted to the first interlocking member 10 when the operating shaft 40 is pressed, it is necessary to provide a wing-like portion on the operating shaft 40 and contact the surface of the bending portion 11. There is.
In addition, in the said embodiment, although the recessed part 74 was provided in the 1st notch part 72, since the shaft parts 13 and 23 should just be hold | maintained, this recessed part 74 is provided in the front-end | tip of the 1st standing wall 65. Also good.
[0048]
Further, the other end of the operation shaft 40 may pass through the second holding portion 32 and be inserted into the long groove 22 of the second interlocking member 20. In the above embodiment, the holding body 30 is provided with the protrusion 34 and the projection 37 so as to come into contact with the long grooves 12 and 22, but the holding body is a sphere and the operation shaft is brought into direct contact with the long groove. Also good. Further, when it is necessary to tilt the operation shaft 40 only in the cross direction, a flat surface is provided on the protruding portion 34 of the first holding portion 31 so as to make a surface contact with the long groove 12 of the first interlocking member 10. May be. Further, the operating shaft 40 may be fitted into the insertion hole 34 a of the first holding part 31 and integrated with each other and held by the holding body 30.
[0049]
Also, an encoder is used in place of the rotary type first and second variable resistors 80 and 81, or the rotational motion of the interlocking member is converted into a slide motion to drive the slide type variable resistor. May be. Further, when the multi-directional input device of the present invention is used as a controller for a machine tool machining part or a game controller, a load applied to the machining part, or a load or vibration according to a game scene is driven by a motor to operate an operating shaft. It is also possible to use the feedback control to make it difficult to move or to add vibration.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
A multidirectional input device according to the present invention includes a housing having a plurality of first standing walls, a receiving member having a plurality of first cut portions formed in a side wall portion, and a first groove formed with a long groove. A first interlocking member that drives the component, a second interlocking member that is formed with a long groove and that drives the second electrical component, and an operation shaft that rotates the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member,
A configuration in which the operating shaft is tiltably held by the holding body, and the first and second interlocking members positioned in the first cut portion of the receiving member are held between the first standing wall and the receiving member; Therefore, the assembling work can be performed with the operation shaft held, so that it is possible to provide a multidirectional input device with good mass productivity. Furthermore, since the operation shaft can be easily held by the holding body, and the holding body is held by the first and second interlocking members, the multi-directional input device has good assemblability and high mass productivity. Can be provided.
[0051]
Further, four first standing walls in the multidirectional input device of the present invention are provided, and the first and second interlocking members are sandwiched between each of the four first standing walls and the receiving member. Since the first and second interlocking members are supported at two locations across the operation shaft, the first and second interlocking members can be easily held, so that a multi-directional input device with good assemblability can be obtained. Can be provided.
[0052]
In addition, in at least one of the first standing wall or the first cut portion in the multidirectional input device of the present invention, an arc-shaped recess that receives the shaft portion of the interlocking member, and the shaft of the interlocking member from the outer periphery of the recess Since the arc-shaped extending portion protruding in the core direction is formed, the shaft portion is housed in the recess and the area abutted by the extending portion is increased, so that the interlocking member is securely held. Become. Further, since the extension portion makes surface contact with the shaft portion, damage to the shaft portion is prevented.
[0053]
The housing in the multidirectional input device of the present invention is composed of a box-shaped lower case and the flat plate-like upper case, the upper case and the space portion formed in the lower case, wherein the first electrical component Since the first and second electrical components can be accommodated in the housing, the first and second electrical components can be protected from dust, dust and undesired external force.
[0054]
Further, the housing in the multi-directional input device of the present invention is provided with a second standing wall, and a second notch is formed in the side wall of the receiving member, and a gear member for driving the motor is attached. Since the support shaft located in the second notch is configured to be held between the second upright wall and the receiving member, the support shaft can be easily fixed. A direction input device can be provided.
[0055]
Further, the housing in the multi-directional input device of the present invention is composed of a box-shaped lower case and a flat upper case, and a motor is housed in a space formed by the upper case and the lower case. Since the motor can be housed in the casing, it can be protected from dust, dust and undesired external force.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a multidirectional input device of the present invention.
2A is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line AA in FIG.
(B) Main part sectional drawing in the BB line of FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along the line CC in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a first interlocking member in the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the first holding unit in the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of the first holding unit in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a second holding unit in the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the second holding unit in FIG. 4. FIG.
11 is a sectional view taken along line FF of the receiving member in FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is a front view of a support shaft in the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a connection between a conductive wire and an operation shaft.
FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st interlocking member 11 curved part 12 long groove 13 axial part 20 2nd interlocking member 21 curved part 22 long groove 23 axial part 30 holding body 31 1st holding part 32 2nd holding part 33 curved surface 34 protrusion part 35 tongue piece 35a recessed part 36 curved surface 37 protrusion 37a flat surface 38 through hole 38a groove 38b convex portion 38c side surface 40 operation shaft 42 concave portion 42a side surface 44 conductive wire 44a (conductive wire) one end 45 covering portion 46 bare wire portion 50 elastic member 60 on housing 61 Case 62 Lower case 63 Space part 64 Side wall part 65 First standing wall 66 Second standing wall 70 Receiving member 71 Side wall part 72 First notch part 73 Second notch part 74 Concave part 75 Extension part 80 1 variable resistor (first electrical component)
81 Second variable resistor (second electrical component)
82 Support shaft 83 First gear member 85 Motor 87 Second gear member

Claims

A housing including a plurality of first standing walls protruding upward from the bottom wall;
A plurality of first cut portions facing the first standing wall are formed in the side wall portion, and a receiving member stored in the space portion of the housing;
A first interlocking member formed with a long groove and rotatably housed in the space of the housing to drive the first electrical component;
A second interlocking member formed with a long groove and rotatably housed in the space of the housing in a direction orthogonal to the first interlocking member to drive the second electrical component;
An operating shaft for rotating the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member,
The first interlocking member includes a curved portion that is formed with the long groove and bends upward, and the second interlocking member is formed with the long groove and bends downward to face the bending direction of the bending portion of the first interlocking member. A curved portion is provided, and is disposed closer to the bottom wall of the housing than the first interlocking member,
The operation shaft is tiltably held by a holding body held by the first and second interlocking members,
The holding body includes a first holding portion disposed on the first interlocking member side and a second holding portion that engages with the first holding portion, and the first holding portion includes a curved surface, An insertion hole through which the operation shaft is inserted is provided at the top of the surface, and the second holding portion includes a curved surface, and a groove portion for fixing the operation shaft by fitting one end into the concave and convex portions to fix the operation shaft. In the second holding part, an elastic member inserted through the operation shaft is interposed to engage the first holding part to constitute the holding body,
The first holding portion and the second holding portion of the holding body held by the first and second interlocking members are biased in a direction away from each other by the elastic member, and the first holding portion is the first interlocking member. The second holding portion is in sliding contact with the inner wall surface of the bending portion of the second interlocking member;
The multi-directional input device characterized in that the first and second interlocking members positioned at the first cut portion of the receiving member are held between the first standing wall and the receiving member. .

Four first rising walls are provided, and the first and second interlocking members are sandwiched between each of the four first rising walls and the receiving member. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the member is supported at two positions sandwiching the operation shaft.

At least one of the first upright wall or the first notch is an arcuate recess that receives the shaft of the interlocking member, and a circle that protrudes from the outer periphery of the recess in the axial direction of the interlocking member. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein an arc-shaped extending portion is formed.

The casing is composed of a box-shaped lower case and a flat upper case. In the space formed by the upper case and the lower case, the first electric component and the second electric component are arranged. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the multidirectional input device is housed.

The housing is provided with a second standing wall that is juxtaposed with the first standing wall and protrudes upward from the bottom wall, and the side wall of the receiving member has the first notch A second cut portion is formed in parallel with the portion,
2. The support shaft, to which the gear member for driving the motor is attached and positioned in the second cut portion, is held between the second standing wall and the receiving member. Multi-directional input device.

The housing is configured by a box-shaped lower case and a flat upper case, and the motor is housed in the space formed by the upper case and the lower case. 5. The multidirectional input device according to 5.