JP4213019B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device that is mounted on, for example, a mobile phone or a portable audio device, and that can perform a rotation operation, a push-in operation, and the like, and can be miniaturized without particularly reducing operability. It relates to an input device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a mobile phone or the like, a rotary switch that is a rotary operation type electrical component and a tact switch that is a push operation type electrical component are separately arranged close to each other and output from the rotary switch. For example, a desired telephone number can be sequentially selected from a plurality of telephone numbers displayed on the liquid crystal display unit by moving the cursor according to the signal. For example, the call mode can be selected by the second electric signal output from the tact switch. There is known a multi-directional input device in which an automatic dial is set for the selected telephone number.

  Further, Patent Document 1 below discloses a multidirectional input device in which the switch means is switched by a swinging operation of the operating body and a radial movement intersecting the swinging locus.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the operation body 120 having an arc-shaped operation end portion 120a is disclosed in Patent Document 1, with the fulcrum shaft 150 as a fulcrum and the neutral position shown in FIG. It can be rotated in the clockwise direction, and when the operating body 120 slides on the fulcrum shaft 150, it can move in the radial direction (Y2 direction in the figure) starting from the neutral position. Further, the winding portion 140a of the torsion coil spring 140 is held by the operation body 120, and the arm portions 140b and 140c of the torsion coil spring 140 are supported by the base portion, so that the operation body 120 is always directed to the neutral position. Is energized.

  The operating body 120 is provided with a common movable contact 128a and a movable contact 127a that are electrically connected to each other. The base is provided with a common fixed contact 113 on which the common movable contact 128a always slides and three switching fixed contacts 110, 111, and 112.

When the operating body 120 rotates clockwise, the movable contact 127a comes into contact with the switching fixed contact 110, and this switching fixed contact is conducted with the common fixed contact 113 via the movable contact 127a and the common movable contact 128a. Further, when the operating body 120 rotates counterclockwise, the movable contact 127a comes into contact with the fixed contact 111, and the fixed contact 111 and the common fixed contact 113 become conductive. Further, when the operating body 120 moves in the radial direction (downward in the figure), the movable contact 127a comes into contact with the fixed contact 112, and the fixed contact 112 and the common fixed contact 113 are conducted.
JP-A-9-274830

  In the input device 101 shown in FIG. 8, if the turning radius R of the operation end portion 120a is too small, the swing range when the operation end portion 120a is held and swung by a finger is narrowed, and the operability is lowered. Will do. Therefore, it is necessary to set the turning radius R to be long to some extent.

  However, the input device 101 is provided with a winding portion 140a of a torsion coil spring 140 that functions as a return means around the rotation center O (the center of the fulcrum shaft 150) of the operating body 120. The winding portion 140a of the coil spring 140 has a structure that exhibits torsional deformation about the rotation center O.

Therefore, in the input device 101, the (opposite to the side where the operating end portion 120a is provided) virtual line extending in the transverse direction through the rotational center O P- P by remote the Y2 side, the winding portion 140a It is necessary to provide a region of the dimension H1 in which the lower half is located. Furthermore, since the movable contact 127a and the fixed contacts 110, 111, and 112 are disposed further below the lower end of the operation body 120 in the drawing, dimensions for disposing further contacts under the area H1. The H2 area is required.

  Accordingly, the overall dimension H of the input device 101 in the Y direction in the figure is such that at least the lower half dimension H1 of the winding portion 140a and the dimension H2 for providing the fixed contacts 110 to 112 at the turning radius R. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to reduce the overall size H of the input device 101.

  The present invention is for solving the above-described conventional problems, and can be downsized without deteriorating operability, that is, while maintaining the required turning radius of the operation end. An object is to provide a multidirectional input device.

The present invention provides a first case made of an insulating material having a recess formed by a base portion and a wall surface located around the base portion, and a first plate formed by a metal plate that closes the recess of the first case. 2 and a base portion housed in the recess of the first case and an operation end located outside the first case, and operating the operation end as a neutral position. the operating body comprises a swinging direction and the neutral position operation is supported by the base portion so as to be movable in the radial direction intersecting the swinging direction starting from the body, the wound portion and a pair of arms A torsion coil spring that returns the actuator to the neutral position, and switch means for switching a contact when the operating body moves in the swing direction and the radial direction,
The winding portion is provided between a center of curvature of the swinging motion of the operating body and the operation end portion, and from an end portion on the opposite side of the winding portion toward the operation end portion. The torsion coil spring is held on the surface side of the base portion facing the second case so that the pair of arm portions extend in opposite directions;
The switch means has a movable contact provided on the surface of the base portion facing the first case, and a fixed contact provided on the base portion, and the movable contact and the fixed contact are: Arranged between the curvature center and the operation end,
The second case is formed with a convex portion that faces the operating body, and the torsion coil spring that moves together with the operating body when the operating body is operated in the radial direction causes the convex portion to be It is characterized by getting over .

  In the present invention, the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced, and the required turning radius R of the operation end can be set to be long to some extent. It does not deteriorate the sex.

  Further, the state of the switch means can be changed at least when the operating body is swung clockwise or counterclockwise from the neutral position, and further when moved in the radial direction. A multidirectional input device can be provided.

  The operating body can swing both clockwise and counterclockwise starting from the neutral position, and the setting of the switch means is switched when the operating body swings both.

  In the above means, the switch means can be switched in accordance with the operation in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

  In the above-described means, the entire multi-directional input device can be provided in that the switch means can be disposed between the center of curvature of the swing locus and the operation end portion, and can be prevented from being disposed at other portions. The size can be reduced.

Furthermore, each arm part of the torsion coil spring can be locked to the first case .

As the specific structure of the operating body, are those movably supported via a support portion positioned in the center of curvature to the and said radially swingable to said base portion.

  In the present invention, since the torsion coil spring is provided between the operation end portion and the support portion of the operation body, and all the switch means are provided therebetween, the edge portion of the support portion and the case body is provided. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the multidirectional input device.

  1 is an external perspective view showing a multidirectional input device as an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device from one direction, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the multidirectional input device from the other direction. 4 to 6 show the operation of the multidirectional input device, FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a state where the operating body is in a neutral position, FIG. 4B is a rear view of FIG. 4A, and FIG. FIG. 5B is a rear view showing a state where the operating body is pushed in, FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state of swinging operation of the operating body, and FIG. 6B is a state where the operating body is swung clockwise. FIG. 6C is a rear view when the operating body is swung counterclockwise, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa of FIG. 4A, 5A and 6A show a state where the upper case is removed.

  The multidirectional input device of the present invention is provided in, for example, a mobile phone, a camera such as a digital camera or a video camera, or a portable audio device such as an MD player or an MP3 player.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multidirectional input device 1 of the present invention has a lower case 2 and an upper case 3. The lower case 2 is an insulating material formed of synthetic resin or the like, and a base (bottom) 2A is provided on the Z2 side in the figure. A wall surface 2B is provided around the base portion 2A. In particular, a front surface 2C formed on the Y1 side in the drawing is formed in an arc shape that is one step lower than the wall surface 2B. A guide groove 2a penetrating in the Y direction is formed in an intermediate portion of the front surface 2C in the X direction. Further, a bearing portion 2b is formed at the end in the Y2 direction in the figure so as to protrude from the base portion 2A into an inverted U shape. Further, the wall surface 2B on the X1 and X2 side is provided with recesses 2D and 2D continuous to the base portion 2A, and both arms of a torsion coil spring 6 to be described later are provided at the upper ends of the recesses 2D and 2D. Locking projections 2e and 2e for locking 6b and 6c are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, etc., the surface of the base portion 2A has fixed rotation contacts 11 and 12 for rotation detection formed using a metal material such as copper, and moves in the Y2 direction shown in the figure. A fixed contact 13 for detection and a common fixed contact 14 are provided.

  One end portions 11a, 12a and 13a of the rotation detection fixed contacts 11 and 12 and the movement detection fixed contact 13 face each other so as to sandwich a small space 2A1 provided in the base portion 2A from three sides. is doing. The other ends 11b, 12b and 13b of the rotation detection fixed contacts 11 and 12 and the movement detection fixed contact 13 extend outside the wall surface 2B located on the Y2 side in the figure, The bottom surface of the lower case 2 is exposed. Further, the common fixed contact 14 is provided between the rotation detection fixed contact 12 and the movement detection fixed contact 13, and its end portion 14b also extends outside the wall surface 2B located on the Y2 side in the drawing. The bottom case 2 is exposed at the bottom.

  The upper case 3 is formed of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, a convex portion 3 a that protrudes in the direction of the lower case 2 (Z2 direction) is formed by pressing at a position from the illustrated Y <b> 2 of the upper case 3. . A plurality of locking pieces 3 b corresponding to a plurality of locked grooves 2 d provided in the lower case 2 are formed around the upper case 3. The upper case 3 is fixed to the upper end of the lower case 2 by engaging each locking piece 3b of the upper case 3 with the locked groove 2d.

  The operation body 4 is integrally formed with a base portion 4A and a synthetic resin such as an operation end portion 4B formed in an arc shape, and has a generally bowl shape as a whole. A support portion (center of curvature of the swinging locus) 4a protruding in a substantially semicircular shape is formed on the surface on the Z2 side of the base portion 4A and on the end portion on the Y2 side in the drawing. The arc-shaped operation end portion 4B is formed with a predetermined radius R (the length between the support portion and the operation body) R centering on the support portion 4a. The radius R is determined by the operator. When the operation end portion 4B is operated, it has a predetermined dimension that does not deteriorate operability. As described above, in the present invention, a predetermined dimension is ensured in which the radius R of the operation end portion 4B does not deteriorate the operability of the operation body 4.

  A protrusion 4B1 protruding in the Y2 direction is formed at the intermediate portion on the inner peripheral side of the operation end 4B. Further, on the surface of the operation end portion 4B, unevenness for preventing slippage between the operator's finger and the support portion 4a is formed, and a convex portion 4B2 indicating an intermediate position is formed in an intermediate portion thereof. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a slider 5 that forms a movable contact is fixed to the Z2 side surface of the base 4 </ b> A of the operating body 4. The slider 5 is formed of a conductive metal plate such as copper, and has a base 5A and sliding arms 5a and 5b formed in a substantially L shape on the X1 and X2 sides of the base 5A. is doing. The sliding arm 5a has an upper arm portion 5a1 extending in the Y1 direction and a sleeve portion 5a2 extending in the X1 direction, and the sleeve portion 5a2 approaches the base portion 2A of the lower case 2 (Z2 direction). It is bent. Similarly, the sliding arm 5b has an upper arm portion 5b1 extending in the Y1 direction and a sleeve portion 5b2 extending in the X2 direction, and the sleeve portion 5b2 approaches the base portion 2A of the lower case 2 (Z2). Direction). The sleeve portions 5a2 and 5b2 have elasticity, and movable contacts 5a3 and 5b3 projecting in the Z2 direction shown in the drawing are formed at their tips. The length of the upper arm 5b1 of the sliding arm 5b is longer than the length of the upper arm 5a1 of the sliding arm 5a, and the sleeve 5b2 is provided at a position away from the base 5A. The sleeve 5a2 is disposed between the base 5A and the sleeve 5b2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, a center of the surface on the Z1 side of the base portion 4A of the operating body 4 is formed with a recessed portion 4b that is lowered in the Z2 direction by one step from the base portion 4A. A protruding portion 4c formed in a cylindrical shape is provided at the center. On both sides in the X1 and X2 directions of the recessed portion 4b, first frame portions 4d and 4d extending in a substantially arc shape from the base portion 4A are formed, respectively. And the latching | locking part 4e which protrudes convexly in the said protrusion part 4c direction is provided in the center of the 1st frame parts 4d and 4d. A second frame portion 4f made of a wall surface extending in the X direction is formed on the Y2 side of the recessed portion 4b. Through-holes 4g and 4g are provided on both sides of the second frame portion 4f on the X1 and X2 sides and the end portions of the first frame portions 4d and 4d. On both sides of the second frame portion 4f on the X1 and X2 sides, latching portions 4h, 4h having an L-shaped cross section and projecting in the direction of the through grooves 4g, 4g are formed. Abutting portions 4i and 4i are formed on the surfaces of the first frame portions 4d and 4d so as to protrude hemispherically in the Z1 direction shown in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 4A and the like, a torsion coil spring 6 that functions as a neutral return means is provided on the surface on the Z1 side of the base 4A of the operating body 4. The torsion coil spring 6 has a winding portion 6a provided on the center side, and a pair of arm portions 6b and 6c extending at opposite ends of the winding portion 6a. When the torsion coil spring 6 is in a natural state, the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c extending in the opposite direction from substantially the same position of the winding portion 6a are parallel to each other and substantially straight (arm portion 6b). And the arm portion 6c is set so that the included angle θ is approximately 180 degrees. From this state, when one arm 6b is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and the other arm 6c is rotated in the clockwise direction to set the sandwiching angle θ to 180 degrees or less, the winding When the diameter of the portion 6a can be deformed in the contracting direction, and the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c are respectively rotated in the opposite directions to set the included angle θ to 180 degrees or more, the winding The turning portion 6a can be deformed in the direction in which the diameter expands.

  The torsion coil spring 6 is provided in the recess 4b. Here, the torsion coil spring 6 is attached in a state where the included angle θ between the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c is set to 180 degrees or less. In this state, the diameter of the winding portion 6a is contracted and deformed in the center direction, and the side of the winding portion 6a that is opposite to the side on which the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c extends easily. This portion can be hooked between the recessed portion 4b and the hooking portion 4e, and the pair of arm portions 6b, 6c can be mounted in the through grooves 4g, 4g. When the included angle θ is returned to 180 degrees after mounting, the diameter of the winding portion 6a expands in the outer peripheral direction, and the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c are hooked on the hook portions 4h and 4h, respectively. It is done. In this state, the tip ends of the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c extend substantially linearly outside the base portion 4A via the through grooves 4g and 4g, and the torsion coil spring 6 is in a natural state. It is in a slightly contracted state.

  The operating body 4 has a torsion coil spring 6 mounted on one surface (Z1 side in the drawing) and a slider 5 fixed on the other surface (Z2 side in the drawing). It is provided between the upper case 3. In this state, the support portion 4 a provided on the operating body 4 is inserted into the bearing portion 2 b formed on the base portion 2 A of the lower case 2. Further, the base 4A of the operation body 4 is located in a gap formed between the front surface 2C and the inner surface of the upper case 3. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the operation end 4B faces the front surface 2C of the lower case 2. Therefore, the operation body 4 is in a state of swinging clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) about the support portion 4a. That is, the operating body 4 has a clockwise (CW) direction and a counterclockwise (CCW) direction as a swing locus, and the support portion 4a bears the center of curvature of the swing locus.

  On the other hand, the tip ends of the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c protruding outside the base portion 4A through the through grooves 4g and 4g of the operating body 4 are inserted into the recesses 2D and 2D of the lower case 2, It is locked by the locking projections 2e, 2e. 4A, the pair of arms 6b and 6c of the torsion coil spring 6 are substantially linear in the X direction (the included angle θ≈180 degrees). ). Therefore, the torsion coil spring 6 is in a natural state or slightly contracted even in this state, and is not rattled in the recess 4b.

Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device 1 will be described.
(Neutral state)
4A and 4B show a state where the operation body 4 is in a neutral position. In this neutral state, the protrusion 4B1 provided in the intermediate portion on the inner peripheral side of the operation end 4B is opposed to the guide groove 2a formed in the middle of the front surface 2C at a position away from the outer periphery. The end 4B is in an even state that does not shift to the left or right.

  The pair of arm portions 6b and 6c of the torsion coil spring 6 form a straight line and are parallel to the X axis. The support portion 4a provided on the operating body 4 is in a state of being in contact with the inner surface of the arc portion of the bearing portion 2b provided on the lower case 2 and formed on the Y1 side of the bearing portion 2b.

  In the neutral state, the movable contact 5b3 provided on the other sliding arm 5b side of the slider 5 is in contact with the common fixed contact 14, but the movable contact 5a3 provided on the one sliding arm 5a side. Is located in the small space 2A1. Therefore, between the fixed contact 11 for rotation detection and the common fixed contact 14, between the fixed contact 12 for rotation detection and the common fixed contact 14, and between the fixed contact 13 for movement detection and the common fixed contact 14. Both are set to the OFF state (high impedance state).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the movable contact 5a3 of the slider 5 represses the small space 2A1, and the movable contact 5b3 represses the common fixed contact 14 (not shown in FIG. 7). For this reason, the operating body 4 is pushed in the Z1 direction in the figure, and the contact portions 4i, 4i formed on the surfaces of the first frame portions 4d, 4d of the operating body 4 are the inner surfaces (Z2 The side surface) is pressurized. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the uppermost portion 6 a 1 on the Z <b> 1 side of the winding portion 6 a that forms the torsion coil spring 6 in the neutral state is a convex portion 3 a provided on the upper case 3. Is opposed to the Y1 side of the figure.

(Push-in operation)
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the operator applies the pushing force F1 and pushes the operation end 4B in the Y2 direction in the figure, the support part 4a moves in the bearing part 2b to the end in the Y2 direction in the figure. In addition, the projection 4B1 enters the guide groove 2a, and the operation body 4 is slid in the Y2 direction shown in the drawing.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the movable contact 5b3 of the other sliding arm 5b of the slider 5 slides on the common fixed contact 14, but the movable contact 5a3 of one sliding arm 5a It is moved from the base portion 2A forming the small space 2A1 onto the fixed contact 13 for movement detection. Therefore, the movement detecting fixed contact 13 and the common fixed contact 14 can be switched to the ON state (low impedance state) via the slider 5.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the torsion coil spring 6 also moves in the Y2 direction together with the operating body 4, but the ends of the pair of arm portions 6b, 6c are connected to the locking projections 2e, Since it is latched by 2e, a pair of arm part 6c is elastically deformed by substantially V shape. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the elastic restoring force f1 by the torsion coil spring 6 acts on the operation body 4 in the Y1 direction shown in the figure. Therefore, when the pushing force F1 is released, the operating body 4 is returned to the neutral position shown in FIG. 4A by the elastic return force f1 of the torsion coil spring 6, and thus is common with the fixed contact 13 for detecting movement. It is possible to switch the fixed contact 14 to the OFF state again. That is, the second switch means for switching between the ON state and the OFF state of the switch is formed between the movable contact 5a3 and the fixed contact 13 for detecting movement.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the operating body 4 is moved in the Y2 direction in the figure, the uppermost part 6a1 on the Z1 side of the winding part 6a forming the torsion coil spring 6 from the position indicated by the solid line. The position indicated by the dotted line is reached. At this time, since the uppermost part 6a1 gets over the convex part 3a provided on the upper case 3 to the Y2 side in the drawing, it is possible to give the operator a click feeling.

  Further, when the pushing force F1 is released, the operating body 4 is moved in the Y1 direction in the figure. At this time as well, the uppermost part 6a1 gets over the convex part 3a on the Y1 side in the figure. Can be given.

(Clockwise swing operation)
Next, as shown in the solid line in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, when the operation force F2 in the clockwise direction (CW direction) is applied to the operation end portion 4B, the operation body 4 is centered on the support portion 4a. It can be swung in the CW direction from the position.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, the movable contact 5b3 of the other sliding arm 5b of the slider 5 slides on the common fixed contact 14, but the movable contact 5a3 of one sliding arm 5a It is moved from the base part 2A forming the small space 2A1 to the fixed contact 11 for detecting rotation. Accordingly, the rotation detection fixed contact 11 and the common fixed contact 14 can be switched to the ON state (low impedance state) via the slider 5.

  Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the arm portion 6b of the torsion coil spring 6 is kept locked to the locking projection 2e on the X1 side, but the X2 side is illustrated. On the other hand, since the arm portion 6c is lifted by the latching portion 4h of the operating body 4 and is separated from the locking convex portion 2e, the pair of arm portions 6b and 6c are elastically deformed so that the included angle θ is 180 degrees or less. Be made.

  That is, in the state shown in FIG. 6A, both arms 6b and 6c of the torsion coil spring 6 are deformed and contracted in a substantially V shape, and the latching portion 4h on the X2 side of the operation body 4 is contracted. The elastic return force f2 by the torsion coil spring 6 acts in the CCW direction shown in the figure. Therefore, when the operation force F2 in the clockwise direction is released, the operation body 4 is returned to the neutral position shown in FIG. 4A by the elastic return force f2 of the torsion coil spring 6. At the same time, since the movable contact 5b3 of the slider 5 is returned to the small space 2A1, the rotation detecting fixed contact 11 and the common fixed contact 14 can be switched to the OFF state again. That is, the first switch means for switching between the ON state and the OFF state of the switch is formed between the movable contact 5a3 and the fixed contact 11 for detecting rotation.

(Anti-clockwise swing operation)
Similarly, when an operation force F3 in the counterclockwise direction (CCW direction) is applied to the operation end portion 4B, the operation body 4 is swung in the CCW direction from the neutral position around the support portion 4a (FIG. 6A dotted line, see FIG. 6C).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6C, the movable contact 5b3 of the other sliding arm 5b of the slider 5 slides on the common fixed contact 14, but the movable contact 5a3 of one sliding arm 5a It is moved from the base portion 2A forming the small space 2A1 to the fixed contact 12 for detecting rotation. Therefore, the rotation detection fixed contact 12 and the common fixed contact 14 are switched to the ON state (low impedance state) via the slider 5.

  At this time, an elastic return force f3 (not shown) by the torsion coil spring 6 acts on the X1 side latching portion 4h of the operating body 4 in the illustrated CW direction. Therefore, when the counterclockwise operating force F3 is released, the operating body 4 can be returned to the neutral position shown in FIG. 4A by the elastic return force f3 of the torsion coil spring 6. At the same time, since the movable contact 5b3 of the slider 5 is returned to the small space 2A1, the rotation detection fixed contact 12 and the common fixed contact 14 are switched to the OFF state again. That is, the first contact portion for switching between the ON state and the OFF state of the switch is formed between the movable contact 5a3 and the fixed contact 12 for detecting rotation.

  Further, in the multidirectional input device 1, as shown in FIG. 4B, the radius between the support portion 4a and the operation end portion 4B ensures a predetermined dimension R that does not deteriorate the operability of the operation body 4. ing. In addition, the torsion coil spring 6 and the switch means are all provided on the side (Y1 side in the drawing) having the operating body 4 with respect to the support portion 4a. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange any member in a region opposite to the side having the operation body 4 from the support portion 4a, and the minimum necessary dimension h1 for forming the lower case 2 and the like is sufficient. can do.

  Therefore, the overall dimension h of the multidirectional input device 1 can be set to a size (h = R + h1) obtained by adding the necessary minimum dimension h1 to the radius R. The size (particularly the dimension in the Y direction in the figure) can be reduced.

  In the embodiment described above, the torsion coil spring is used as an example of the neutral return means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plate formed in a substantially V shape in a natural state. It may be a spring or the like.

  Moreover, although the slider 5 having the movable contacts 5a3 and 5b3 is provided on the operating body 4 and the fixed contacts 11 to 14 are provided on the base portion 2A of the lower case 2, the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the slider may be provided on the base portion, and the fixed contact may be provided on the operating body.

The external appearance perspective view which shows the multi-directional input device as embodiment of this invention, An exploded perspective view showing the multi-directional input device from one direction; An exploded perspective view showing the multidirectional input device from the other direction, The top view which shows operation | movement of a multidirectional input device, and shows the state in which the operation body exists in a neutral position, A rear view showing a state where the operating body is in a neutral position, A plan view showing the operation of the multi-directional input device, showing a state where the operating body is pushed in, A rear view showing a state where the operating body is pushed in, A plan view showing the operation of the multidirectional input device when the operating body is swung. Rear view when the operating body is swung clockwise, Rear view when the operating body is swung counterclockwise, Sectional drawing in the aa line of FIG. A plan view showing the outline of the input device shown in Patent Document 1,

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multidirectional input device 2 Lower case 2a Guide groove 2b Bearing part 2e Locking convex part 3 Upper case 3a Convex part 4 Operation body 4A Base part 4B Operation end part 4a Support part (the center of curvature of a swinging locus)
4b Recessed part 4g Through groove 4h Hook part 5 Slider 5a3, 5b3 Movable contact 6 Torsion coil spring 6a Winding part 6b, 6c Arm part 11, 12 Fixed contact for rotation detection 13 Fixed contact for movement detection 14 Common fixed contact point R Radius of operating body (length between support and operating end)

Claims (4)

A first case made of an insulating material in which a concave portion is formed by a base portion and a wall surface located around the base portion; and a second case formed by a metal plate that closes the concave portion of the first case; A base portion housed in the concave portion of the first case and an operation end portion located outside the first case, and by operating the operation end portion, a swinging direction starting from a neutral position and said neutral position said operating body comprises a supported operating body to said base unit so as to be movable in the radial direction, the winding portion and a pair of arm portions intersecting the swinging direction of the neutral position as a starting point A torsion coil spring for returning to the position and a switch means for switching a contact when the operating body moves in the swing direction and the radial direction,
The winding portion is provided between a center of curvature of the swinging motion of the operating body and the operation end portion, and from an end portion on the opposite side of the winding portion toward the operation end portion. The torsion coil spring is held on the surface side of the base portion facing the second case so that the pair of arm portions extend in opposite directions;
The switch means has a movable contact provided on the surface of the base portion facing the first case, and a fixed contact provided on the base portion, and the movable contact and the fixed contact are: Arranged between the curvature center and the operation end,
The second case is formed with a convex portion that faces the operating body, and the torsion coil spring that moves together with the operating body when the operating body is operated in the radial direction causes the convex portion to be Multidirectional input device characterized by getting over . 2. The multi-direction according to claim 1, wherein the operating body can swing clockwise and counterclockwise starting from the neutral position, and the switch means is switched when the operating body swings both. Input device. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each arm portion of the torsion coil spring is locked to the first case . The operating body is multi-directional input according to any one of 3 to and claims 1 and is movably supported to said radially swingable to said base portion via a supporting portion located at the center of curvature apparatus.

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