JP4153286B2 - Multi-directional input switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input switch provided as an input device for various electric devices such as a portable information terminal device such as a mobile phone and a PDA, a car audio, a remote control for remote control, and the like, and in particular, multidirectional input can be performed with a single operation key. The present invention relates to a multidirectional input switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In many cases, such an input device for an electric device is provided with a multi-directional switch capable of performing multi-directional input with a single operation key in response to a recent request for multi-function electric devices. An example of this will be described using a mobile phone. The foldable mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. 14 includes a display unit 2 and an input unit 3, and operation contents and the like in the input unit 3 are displayed on the LCD 2 a of the display unit 2. . The input unit 3 includes an input operation key 4 for inputting a total of 15 characters and numbers in 3 × 5, two function operation keys 5, a cursor direction operation displayed on the LCD 2 a, a screen scroll operation, and the like. A multidirectional operation key 6 is provided for performing. These operation keys 4, 5, and 6 are formed of a hard resin such as ABS resin or polypropylene resin, and are adhesively fixed to a key sheet 7 formed of a rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber.
[0003]
The lower structure of the multidirectional operation key 6 is as shown in FIG. 15, and the multidirectional operation key 6 is bonded and fixed to the key sheet 7. Below the key sheet 7, a CPU and various chip elements are provided. A printed circuit board 8 on which circuit wiring is formed while being mounted is provided.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 16, the printed circuit board 8 is provided with one central contact portion 9 for performing an operation of “determining” the selection item, etc. -Four outer contacts 10 are provided corresponding to the lower, left, and right operation positions. The central contact portion 9 and the outer contact 10 have the same structure and material, and are composed of contacts 9a and 10a formed on the printed circuit board 8 and metal disc springs 9b and 10b mounted so as to cover them. The contacts 9a and 10a are connected to an input port of a CPU (not shown) for performing input-related arithmetic processing using the operation keys 4, 5, and 6 through a signal line 11a. On the other hand, the metal disc springs 9b and 10b are grounded via a ground wire 11b.
[0005]
The key sheet 7 is formed with pushers 7a projecting downward at corresponding positions of the center contact portions 9 and the outer contacts 10 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). The key sheet 7 has a support leg that protrudes toward the printed board 8 (not shown) for holding the pusher 7a in a floating state at a predetermined position above the printed board 8.
[0006]
Accordingly, when the multidirectional operation key 6 is pressed at the upper, lower, left, and right operation positions, the key sheet 7 is bent, and the pusher 7a that is floated by the support legs (not shown) is moved downward. The metal disc spring 10b sinks and presses the metal disc spring 10b, and the metal disc spring 10b is buckled by the press to contact the contact 10a. By this contact, the voltage drop at the CPU input port described above is detected, and the switch input at the outer contact 10 is detected. The detection of the switch input of the central contact portion 9 is the same as this. The multi-directional input switch in this prior art is configured as described above.
[0007]
With respect to this prior art, the present applicant has known the following prior art documents.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-19595
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as for the multi-directional input switch of the mobile phone 1, the larger the number of inputs that can be made with one multi-directional operation key 6, the more preferable it is to meet the demand for multi-function of the mobile phone 1. However, contrary to these requirements, in order to allow more multi-directional inputs for the conventional multi-directional input switch, for example, not only the above four directions such as up / down / left / right but also an oblique direction is added. The number of metal disc springs 10b and contacts 10a must be increased, such as 8 in the direction and 12 in the 12 direction. Accordingly, if the wiring space for the signal line 11a and the grounding wire 11b is included in addition to the space for arranging the metal disc spring 10b and the contact 10a, a considerable space is required, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the multidirectional input switch. As it turns out, more multi-directional inputs cannot be realized after all.
[0009]
Of course, such problems of the prior art are appropriate not only for the illustrated mobile phone 1 but also for other electric devices. The present invention has been made against the background of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to realize a multi-directional input switch that can realize more multi-directional inputs while being small in size, and can contribute to multi-functionalization of electrical equipment. Is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention relates to a multi-directional input switch in which a switch input is made by a flexible key sheet contacting and separating from a printed circuit board at a plurality of predetermined operation positions. The printed circuit board is provided with a common contact to be connected to the ground line and an outer contact to be connected to the signal line at the operation position outside the common contact, and the outer contact is a common contact on the board facing surface of the key sheet. It is characterized in that a conductive connection portion is provided for electrical connection.
[0011]
Therefore, in the present invention, although it is a multi-directional input switch, the ground contact and the ground wire provided for each outer contact can be unified into the common contact of the printed circuit board and the ground wire extending therefrom, The ground contact and ground wire can be eliminated. The electrical connection between each outer contact and the common contact connected to the signal line is made by a conductive connection portion formed on the board-facing surface of the key sheet, and does not occupy the mounting space of the printed board. Therefore, even though it is small, more multidirectional inputs can be realized, and it can contribute to the multifunctionalization of electrical equipment.
[0012]
In this way, the multi-directional input switch of the present invention that can unify the ground connection of the outer contact into the common contact and the ground wire extending from the common contact, specifically, the up / down / left / right according to the prior art as described above. In addition to the multi-directional input switch in which the outer contacts are arranged in the four directions, for example, the multi-directional input switch in which the outer contacts are arranged in the eight directions or the twelve directions, or the so-called seesaw in which the outer contacts are arranged in the so-called two directions. The present invention can also be applied to a multi-directional input switch called a key.
[0013]
Specifically, the common contact of the multi-directional input switch of the present invention as described above includes an annular electrode connected to a ground line formed on a printed circuit board, and a substantially dome-shaped contact having a lower end portion relative to the annular electrode. And can be configured. It can also be configured with circular or polygonal contacts formed on the printed circuit board. As used herein, the term “substantially dome-shaped contact” refers to a contact by a deformed metal disc spring that is not necessarily a curved shape such as a reverse cage shape, as well as a contact by a so-called inverted saddle shape metal disc spring. Or a skirt-like part that spreads on the bottom of the electrically insulating key sheet facing the substrate, and is integrated with the contact point where conductive ink is applied, or the substrate facing surface of the conductive key sheet It may be a skirt-shaped contact formed.
[0014]
When the common contact is configured with a substantially dome-shaped contact like the former, the printed circuit board covered with the substantially dome-shaped contact is further connected to the signal line and connected to the substantially dome-shaped contact. A central contact point for making a predetermined switch input by contact can be further provided. According to this, since a switch can be configured by providing a central contact using a substantially dome-shaped contact that forms a common contact, more multi-directional inputs are realized in accordance with further multifunctionalization of electrical equipment. be able to.
[0015]
Specifically, the conductive connection part of the multi-directional input switch of the present invention as described above is a conductive ink so as to connect the contact part to the common contact and the contact part of each outer contact on the substrate facing surface of the key sheet. It can comprise as a conductive layer formed by. Therefore, the conductive connection portion can be formed on the surface of the key sheet facing the substrate very easily.
[0016]
Further, specifically, the conductive connection portion may be formed by forming the key sheet with a conductive rubber-like elastic body and using the key sheet itself as the conductive connection portion. According to this, as described above, it is possible to reduce the work process of applying the conductive ink, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of contact failure due to peeling of the conductive ink.
[0017]
For the multi-directional input switch of the present invention as described above, a plurality of outer contacts are provided at positions close to each other with respect to the common contacts on the printed circuit board, and the conductive connection portion of the key sheet facing the plurality of outer contacts. Can be configured so as to be sequentially in contact with the outer contacts.
[0018]
According to this, multistage input can be performed for each operation position. Therefore, more multi-directional inputs can be realized in accordance with further multi-functionalization of the electric equipment.
[0019]
Further, as another means for realizing multi-stage input for each operation position, the outer contact is connected to the signal line with a substantially dome-shaped contact, and connected to the signal line and covered with the substantially dome-shaped contact. And an internal contact provided on the printed circuit board.
[0020]
According to this, the first-stage switch input can be made by contacting the conductive contact with the common contact connected to the ground line and the substantially dome-shaped contact connected to the signal line. Further, if the conductive connection portion comes into contact with an internal contact connected to the signal line, a second-stage switch input can be obtained.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure similar to a prior art, and the part which is common in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0022]
First Embodiment [FIGS. 1 to 4] The multi-directional input switch of this embodiment is an application example to the mobile phone 1 as in the above-described conventional example. As shown in FIG. 1, the multidirectional operation key 6 is bonded and fixed to a key sheet 12, and a printed circuit board 8 is provided below the key sheet 12.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the key sheet 12 has a central pusher 12b facing downward toward the printed circuit board 8 on the board-facing surface 12a. The center pusher 12b is centered on the outer side of the central pusher 12b. A total of eight outer pushers 12c that allow input in eight directions including diagonal directions as well as upper, lower, left, and right directions are formed in a convex manner. These pushers 12c correspond to operation positions when the multidirectional operation key 6 is pressed. Reference numeral 13 which appears in a radial shape from the central pusher 12b to each outer pusher 12c is a conductive layer as a “conductive connection portion”. The conductive layer 13 is formed by applying conductive ink to the substrate facing surface 12a so as to cover the central pusher 12b and all the outer pushers 12c. Therefore, the central pusher 12 b and each outer pusher 12 c are all electrically conductive via the conductive layer 13.
[0024]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the printed circuit board 8 is provided with one central contact portion 14 for performing an operation of “determining” the selection item. The center contact portion 14 includes a center contact 14a and a metal disc spring 14b as a “substantially dome-shaped contact” disposed so as to cover the center contact 14a (see FIG. 1). A total of eight outer contacts 14 c are formed at portions corresponding to the aforementioned outer pushers 12 c at the outer position centered on the central contact portion 14. The central contact 14a and each outer contact 14c are connected to a signal line 11a, and the signal line 11a is electrically connected to an input port of a CPU (not shown).
[0025]
Between the center contact 14a and the outer contact 14c, an annular electrode 14d as an “annular electrode” connected to the ground line 11b is formed. The lower end portion of the metal disc spring 14b described above has a relative shape with the annular electrode 14d, and is fixed in a state of being placed thereon. Therefore, the metal disc spring 14b is always connected to the ground, and the metal disc spring 14b and the annular electrode 14d constitute a “common contact”. The annular electrode 14d and the signal line 11a connected to the central contact 14a intersecting with the annular electrode 14d are of course electrically insulated through an insulating film or the like, but the annular electrode 14d is connected to the intersecting portion. Electrical insulation may be obtained by providing a cut portion and providing a missing portion in the metal disc spring 14b. The central contact 14a, the outer contact 14c, the annular electrode 14d, the signal line 11a, and the ground line 11b formed on the printed circuit board 8 as described above can be formed by a general printed wiring technique.
[0026]
Next, the operation and effect of the multidirectional input switch of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
FIG. 1 shows a state where no pressing operation is applied to the multidirectional operation key 6. From this state, for example, a pressing operation is applied with the left direction of the multidirectional operation key 6 as the operation position. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the key sheet 12 made of a rubber-like elastic body receives a pressing force and bends, and the central pusher 12b first comes into contact with the top of the metal disc spring 14b. By this contact, the conductive layer 13 at the tip of the central pusher 12b is connected to the ground wire 11b via the metal disc spring 14b and the annular electrode 14d. Then, with the contact portion with the metal disc spring 14b as the tilting fulcrum, the outer pusher 12c corresponding to the left operation position approaches the printed circuit board 8, and as shown in FIG. 4, contacts the corresponding outer contact 14c. To do. By this contact, the signal line 11a connected to the outer contact 14c is grounded through the conductive layer 13, the metal disc spring 14b, and the annular electrode 14d, and the voltage drop in the signal line 11a is detected by the CPU, and the operation position The switch input at is made. The operation of the switch input at the other operation positions is the same as this.
[0028]
Further, when the central portion of the multidirectional operation key 6 is pushed in, the metal disc spring 14b is buckled by the pressing of the center pusher 12b, and the metal disc spring 14b comes into contact with the central contact 14a by this buckling. By this contact, the signal line 11a connected to the central contact 14a is grounded via the metal disc spring 14b and the annular electrode 14d, the voltage drop in the signal line 11a is detected by the CPU, and the switch input at the operation position is performed. Made.
[0029]
Therefore, the multi-directional input switch according to this embodiment is a multi-directional input switch, but eliminates a ground contact and a ground wire to be provided along with each outer contact 14c, so that a “common contact” (metal disc spring 14b, The annular electrode 14d) and the ground wire 11b extending therefrom can be unified. The electrical connection between each outer contact 14 c connected to the signal line 11 a and the “common contact” is formed by the conductive layer 13 formed on the board facing surface 12 a of the key sheet 12, and the mounting space of the printed board 8 is reduced. Do not occupy. Therefore, even though it is small, more multidirectional inputs can be realized, and multidirectional inputs commensurate with the multi-functionalization of the mobile phone 1 can be realized.
[0030]
In addition, a switch for inputting “determined” or the like can be configured by the metal disc spring 14b forming the “common contact” and the central contact 14a, and more multi-directional inputs can be realized.
[0031]
Furthermore, the conductive layer 13 connects the central pusher 12b that contacts the metal disc spring 14b that forms the “common contact” on the board facing surface 12a of the key sheet 12 and the outer pusher 12c that contacts each outer contact 14c. Since it is made of conductive ink, it can be formed very easily.
[0032]
Second Embodiment [FIGS. 5 to 10] : The multi-directional input switch of this embodiment realizes multi-stage input for each operation position. This is characterized in that the number of inputs can be greatly increased further than the multidirectional input switch of the first embodiment.
[0033]
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer pusher 12c of the key sheet 12 of this embodiment has an inclined surface 12d from the inner side toward the outer side so that the gap with the printed circuit board 8 gradually increases. It is. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the printed circuit board 8 according to the present embodiment has two outer contacts 14ei, both inside and outside at positions close to the annular electrode 14d that forms a “common contact” for each outer pusher 12c. 14eo are formed and are connected to the signal line 11a, respectively. In this embodiment, all the outer contacts 14eo are connected in series, and the wiring of the signal line 11a is simplified. In this case, for which outer contact 14eo the switch input is made, the CPU detects the switch input of the outer contact 14ei adjacent to each outer contact 14eo. In this way, it can be determined that the outer contact 14 eo to which the switch input has been made and the outer contact 14 eo adjacent to the switch are input. However, an individual signal line 11a may be wired for each outer contact 14eo.
[0034]
Therefore, the multidirectional input switch of the present embodiment configured as described above is, for example, the multidirectional operation key 6 from the state where no pressing operation is applied to the multidirectional operation key 6 shown in FIG. When the pressing operation is applied with the left direction as the operation position, first, the central pusher 12b comes into contact with the top of the metal disc spring 14b, and the conductive layer 13 is connected to the ground wire 11b via the metal disc spring 14b and the annular electrode 14d. Is done. Subsequently, the outer pusher 12c corresponding to the operation position in the left direction approaches the printed circuit board 8 with the contact portion with the metal disc spring 14b as a tilting fulcrum, and as shown in FIG. 8, the outer pusher 12c is inclined. The conductive layer 13 corresponding to the inner portion of the surface 12d is in contact with the outer contact 14ei. By this contact, the signal line 11a connected to the outer contact point 14ei is grounded via the conductive layer 13, the metal disc spring 14b, and the annular electrode 14d, and a voltage drop in the signal line 11a is detected by the CPU, and the operation position The first stage switch input at is made.
[0035]
If the pressing operation is further applied as it is, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer pusher 12c is elastically deformed so as to be crushed, and the conductive layer 13 corresponding to the outer portion of the inclined surface 12d is in contact with the outer contact 14eo. . By this contact, the signal line 11a connected to the outer contact point 14eo is grounded via the conductive layer 13, the metal disc spring 14b, and the annular electrode 14d, and a voltage drop in the signal line 11a is detected by the CPU, and the operation position The second stage switch input at is made.
[0036]
As described above, in the multi-directional input switch of this embodiment, in addition to the same operations and effects as in the first embodiment, the tip of the outer pusher 12c is the inclined surface 12d, so that two steps can be performed at one operation position. Switch input can be performed, and more multi-directional inputs can be realized in accordance with further multi-functionalization of the mobile phone 1. Of course, switch input at the central contact portion 14 is also possible as in the first embodiment. Is possible.
[0037]
Further, in the multi-directional input switch of this embodiment, all the outer contacts 14eo are connected in series, and the wiring of the signal line 11a is simplified. Therefore, even in this respect, more contacts can be arranged. Is.
[0038]
The effect of this embodiment is not limited to the inclined surface 12d as described above because the outer pusher 12c may have a tip surface shape that can sequentially contact the outer contact 14ei and the outer contact 14eo. Good. For example, the inclined direction of the inclined surface 12d may be reversed, or the stepped surface 12e as shown in FIG. 10 may be used instead of the inclined surface 12d where the inclination continues. Moreover, it is good also as a curved surface. Further, an outer contact may be further provided to obtain a multistage switch input.
[0039]
Third Embodiment [FIGS. 11 and 12] The multi-directional input switch of the present embodiment realizes multi-stage input for each operation position as in the second embodiment, and is characterized in that the number of switch inputs can be greatly increased. Further, in this embodiment, the “conductive connection portion” is realized by a configuration different from that of the conductive layer 13 of the above-described embodiment.
[0040]
That is, the key sheet 15 of this embodiment is formed of conductive rubber, and is itself configured as a “conductive connection portion”. Therefore, a work process for separately forming the conductive layer 15 with conductive ink as in the above-described embodiment is not necessary, and the occurrence of contact failure due to peeling of the conductive ink can be reduced.
[0041]
The key sheet 15 is also formed with one central pusher 15b and a total of eight outer pushers 15c protruding downward from the substrate facing surface 15a. However, in this embodiment, the protruding amount of the central pusher 15b is larger than that of the outer pusher 15c.
[0042]
On the other hand, the printed circuit board 8 of this embodiment is provided with a central contact portion 14 comprising a central contact 14a connected to a signal line and a metal disc spring 14b, and the lower end of the metal disc spring 14b is connected to a ground line. It is mounted and fixed on the annular electrode 14b. Also in this embodiment, a “common contact” is constituted by the metal disc spring 14b and the annular electrode 14d. Each outer contact 16 includes a metal disc spring 16a and an internal contact 16b as “substantially dome-shaped contacts” connected to separate signal lines.
[0043]
Therefore, in the multi-directional input switch of the present embodiment configured as described above, in the state where the pressing operation is not applied to the multi-directional operation key 6 shown in FIG. 11, both the central pusher 15b and the outer pusher 15c are The opposing metal disc springs 14b and 16a are held in a non-contact floating state. Similarly to the first embodiment, for example, when a pressing operation is performed with the left direction of the multidirectional operation key 6 as the operation position, the central pusher 15b comes into contact with the metal disc spring 14b, and the conductive key sheet 15 is grounded. Connected. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the outer pusher 15c comes into contact with the metal disc spring 16a of the outer contact 16, the signal line (not shown) connected to the metal disc spring 16a is grounded, and the voltage drop Is detected, the first-stage switch input at the operation position is performed.
[0044]
When the pressing operation is further applied as it is, the metal disc spring 16a receives the pressing of the outer pusher 15c and buckles with a click feeling, whereby the short-circuited metal disc spring 16a contacts the internal contact 16b. As a result of this contact, the internal contact 16b is also connected to the ground, and a voltage drop of the connected signal line is detected, whereby the second-stage switch input at the operation position is performed.
[0045]
Thus, in the multi-directional input switch of this embodiment, in addition to the same operation and effect as the first embodiment, the outer contact 16 is configured as a metal disc spring 16a and an internal contact 16b, both connected to the signal line. Even at the same operation position, two-stage switch input is possible, and more multi-directional inputs can be realized as the mobile phone 1 becomes more multifunctional. Of course, as in the first embodiment. Switch input at the central contact portion 14 is also possible. In addition, since the second-stage switch input has a click feeling, operability can be improved.
[0046]
In each of the above embodiments, for example, if the central contact portion 14 is unnecessary, the central contact 14a and the metal disc spring 14b are omitted, and the annular electrode 14d constituting the “common contact” is configured as a circular electrode. Also good. Moreover, it is good also as a multidirectional input switch which combined each embodiment.
[0047]
In each of the embodiments described above, the metal disc springs 14b and 16a are illustrated as “substantially dome-shaped contacts”, but they are not contacts having an inverted saddle-shaped curved surface, such as the metal disc springs 14b and 16a. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a skirt portion 12f that spreads from the bottom is integrally formed on the substrate facing surface 12a of the key sheet 12 made of a rubber-like elastic material such as silicone rubber, and the skirt portion 12f is electrically conductive. The contact may be formed by applying a conductive ink to form the conductive layer 13. Or the contact which formed key sheet 12 itself with conductive rubber and abbreviate | omitted formation of such the conductive layer 13 may be sufficient.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the multi-directional input switch of the present invention, although it is a multi-directional input switch, it is possible to unify the grounding contact and the grounding wire provided for each outer contact into the common contact of the printed circuit board and the grounding wire extending therefrom. The ground contact and ground wire for each outer contact can be eliminated, and the electrical connection between each outer contact connected to the signal line and the common contact is a conductive connection formed on the board facing surface of the key sheet And does not occupy the printed circuit board mounting space. Therefore, it is possible to realize a larger number of multi-directional inputs while being small, and to meet the demand for multi-functioning electrical equipment.
[0049]
Further, according to the multi-directional input switch of the present invention, the common contact is constituted by an annular electrode connected to the ground line and a substantially dome-shaped conductive member, and a central contact connected to the signal line is provided inside the conductive member. For example, more multi-directional inputs can be realized in accordance with further multi-functionalization of electrical equipment.
[0050]
According to the multidirectional input switch of the present invention in which the conductive connection portion is configured as a conductive layer made of conductive ink, the conductive connection portion can be formed on the surface of the key sheet facing the substrate very easily.
[0051]
According to the multi-directional input switch of the present invention in which the key sheet is formed of a conductive rubber-like elastic body and the key sheet itself is a conductive connection portion, the process of forming a conductive layer with a conductive ink can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of contact failure due to peeling of the conductive ink.
[0052]
A book in which a plurality of outer contacts are provided on the printed circuit board at positions close to each other with respect to the common contacts, and the conductive connection portions of the key sheet facing the plurality of outer contacts are sequentially in contact with the outer contacts. According to the multi-directional input switch of the present invention, multi-stage input can be performed for each operation position, and more multi-directional input can be realized in accordance with further multi-functionalization of the electric equipment. Then, the outer contact is constituted by a substantially dome-shaped contact connected to the signal line, and an internal contact provided at a portion of the printed circuit board which is connected to the signal line and covered by the substantially dome-shaped contact. The same effect can be achieved with the direction input switch.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the SA-SA line in FIG. 14, showing a cross-sectional structure of a multidirectional input switch according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a substrate facing surface of the key sheet of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printed circuit board of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multidirectional input switch of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the SA-SA line in FIG. 14, showing a cross-sectional structure of the multidirectional input switch according to the second embodiment.
6 is a plan view of a substrate facing surface of the key sheet of FIG. 5;
7 is a plan view of the printed circuit board of FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multidirectional input switch of FIG. 5;
9 is another operation explanatory diagram of the multidirectional input switch of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the second embodiment.
11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the SA-SA line in FIG. 14 showing a cross-sectional structure of a multidirectional input switch according to a third embodiment.
12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the multidirectional input switch of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of the contact point by the metal disc spring used in each embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of a multidirectional input switch equipped in a conventional mobile phone.
15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SA-SA in FIG. 14 showing a cross-sectional structure of a conventional multidirectional input switch.
16 is a plan view of the printed circuit board of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
8 Printed circuit board
11a Signal line
11b Grounding wire
12 Key sheet
12a Substrate facing surface
12b Center pusher
12c Outer pusher
12d inclined surface
12e Stepped surface
12f Skirt (substantially dome-shaped contact)
13 Conductive layer (conductive connection part)
14 Center contact
14a Center contact
14b Metal disc spring (common contact, approximately dome-shaped contact)
14c Outer contact
14d annular electrode (common contact, annular electrode)
15 Key sheet
15a Substrate facing surface
15b Center pusher
15c Outer pusher
16 Outer contact
16a metal disc spring (substantially dome-shaped contact)
16b Internal contact

Claims (7)

In a multidirectional input switch in which a switch input is made by a flexible key sheet coming in contact with and separated from a printed circuit board at a plurality of predetermined operation positions from above the printed circuit board,
On the printed circuit board, a common contact connected to the ground line, and a plurality of outer contacts connected to the signal line at the operation position outside the common contact,
On the board facing surface of the key sheet, there is a conductive connection that connects the outer contact with the common contact.
The common contact is provided with a substantially dome-shaped contact, and a central contact that is connected to a signal line and makes a predetermined switch input by contact with the substantially dome-shaped contact is covered with the substantially dome-shaped contact. A multi-directional input switch comprising:   The multi-directional input switch according to claim 1, wherein the common contact includes an annular electrode connected to a ground line and the substantially dome-shaped contact having a lower end portion relative to the annular electrode.   3. The multi-layered structure according to claim 1, wherein the conductive connection portion is a conductive layer formed of a conductive ink so as to connect a contact portion with the common contact and a contact portion with each outer contact on the substrate facing surface of the key sheet. Direction input switch.   The multidirectional input switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the key sheet is formed of a conductive rubber-like elastic body, and the key sheet itself is a conductive connection portion.   A plurality of outer contacts are provided at positions close to each other with respect to the common contacts on the printed circuit board, and a conductive connection portion of the key sheet facing the plurality of outer contacts is formed so as to be in contact with each of the outer contacts sequentially. The multidirectional input switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of outer contacts are provided at positions close to each other with respect to the common contacts on the printed circuit board, and a plurality of outer contacts on the far side of the outer contacts are connected in series. Multi-directional input switch as described.   The outer contact is constituted by a substantially dome-shaped contact connected to the signal line, and an internal contact provided at a portion of the printed circuit board connected to the signal line and covered by the substantially dome-shaped contact. 4. The multidirectional input switch according to any one of 4 above.

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