JP4375381B2 - Multi-directional input device and electronic apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device used for input operations of various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, an information terminal, a game device, and a remote controller, and an electronic device including the same.

  As this type of conventional multi-directional input device, one using a multi-directional operation switch described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-125180 is known, and the contents thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. To do.

  FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional operation switch as an electronic component for multidirectional input used in a conventional multidirectional input device, and FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a box-shaped case made of an insulating resin which accommodates a dome-shaped movable contact 2 made of an elastic metal thin plate at a central position. Four outer fixed contacts 3 which are electrically connected to each other are provided on the inner bottom surface of the case. Arranged, the lower end of the outer periphery of the dome-shaped movable contact 2 is placed, and a plurality of (four) independent inner fixings are arranged at equal distances from the center of the dome-shaped movable contact 2 on the inner side. The contact 4 (4A to 4D) is disposed, and an output terminal (not shown) connected to each fixed contact is led out to the outside, and the opening on the upper surface of the box-shaped case 1 is covered with the cover 5. .

  Reference numeral 6 denotes an operating body comprising a shaft portion 6A and a flange portion 6B integrally formed at the lower end thereof. The shaft portion 6A projects from the through hole 5A in the center of the cover 5, and the outer periphery of the flange portion 6B is the box-shaped case 1. Four pressing portions on the lower surface of the flange portion 6B corresponding to the four inner fixed contacts 4 (4A to 4D) on the inner bottom surface of the box-shaped case 1 while being supported by the inner wall 1A without being rotated but tilted. 7 (7A to 7D, 7D not shown) abuts against the upper surface of the dome-shaped movable contact 2, whereby the upper surface of the flange portion 6B is pressed against the lower surface of the cover 5 and is maintained in the vertical neutral position as a whole. ing.

  In the multi-directional operation switch configured as described above, as shown by an arrow in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 38, the upper left surface of the knob 8 mounted on the shaft portion 6A of the operating body 6 is lowered to the desired upper angle. 36, the operating body 6 tilts from the vertical neutral position shown in FIG. 36 with the upper surface on the right side of the flange portion 6B as a fulcrum, and the pressing portion 7A on the lower surface presses the dome-shaped movable contact 2 to partially elastically invert the pressing portion. 7A and the corresponding inner fixed contact 4A are brought into contact, the outer fixed contact 3 and the inner fixed contact 4A are short-circuited to be in the ON state, and the electric signal is emitted to the outside through the respective output terminals and applied to the knob 8 Except for, the operating body 6 returns to the original vertical neutral position by the elastic restoring force of the dome-shaped movable contact 2, and the space between the outer fixed contact 3 and the inner fixed contact 4A also returns to the OFF state.

In the multidirectional operation device using the multidirectional operation switch, an electrical signal indicating which of the plurality (four) of the inner fixed contacts 4 contacts the outer fixed contact 3 of the multidirectional operation switch. The input angle direction is recognized by a microcomputer and a signal is generated.
JP 10-125180 A

  However, in the multi-directional operation switch as the conventional multi-directional input electronic component, the number of directions that can be input, that is, the resolution of the input direction is such that the dome-shaped movable contact 2 is partially elastic when the operating body 6 is tilted via the knob 8. This is determined by the number of the inner fixed contacts 4 that are in contact with each other, but in order for the multi-directional operation switch to operate stably in the size of electronic components that can be used in recent miniaturized electronic devices. There is a problem that it is difficult to increase the number of the inner fixed contacts 4 from the above four.

  In the multidirectional input device using the multidirectional operation switch, the operation body 6 of the multidirectional operation switch is tilted in the middle direction between the adjacent inner fixed contacts 4 so that the two adjacent inner fixed contacts 4 are predetermined. If both are turned on within the time, a switching recognition means that recognizes simultaneous ON is constituted by a microcomputer and processed as other signals different from those when the four individual inner fixed contacts 4 are turned on. Therefore, it was considered that it was the limit to be able to operate in eight directions.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and is a size that can be used in recent miniaturized electronic devices, and can increase the number of directions that can be input, that is, the resolution in the input direction can be increased. An object of the present invention is to provide a high multidirectional input device and an electronic apparatus including the same.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a resistance element layer in which at least three or more lead-out portions are led out in a connected circular ring shape formed on an insulating substrate, and the resistance element layer and a predetermined insulation gap. The conductive parts arranged opposite to each other, and the tilting operation and the vertical movement operation associated with the push-down operation are arranged, and the operation of shifting the resistance element layer and the conductive part to a partial contact state by the tilting operation. And a switch disposed at a central position that is actuated by being pushed down when the operation member is pushed down, and the resistance element layer and the conductive portion are partially moved by the tilting operation of the operation member. In the state of transition to the contact state, two lead-out portions are selected from the lead-out portions of the resistive element layer, a predetermined voltage is applied between the lead-out portions, and the output voltage from the conductive portion is applied to two first output portions. Detect one candidate, After that, among the derivation portions of the resistive element layer, two derivation portions having a combination different from the above are selected, a predetermined voltage is applied between the derivation portions, and the output voltage from the conductive portion is Control means for detecting a second candidate and performing control for specifying a position overlapping with the first and second candidates as a contact position, and when the operation body is in a push-down operation state, only the switch is provided. A multi-directional input device in which the height position of the projection provided for pressing the opposed arrangement part of the operating body is set with respect to the opposed arrangement part of the resistive element layer and the conductive part It is a thing. If it is the said structure, the multi-direction which can detect with high resolution over all directions of 360 degree | times of the circular ring of the resistive element layer by simple structure only of a resistive element layer, the electroconductive part which opposes this, and an operation member The input device can be realized. In addition, when detecting the operation position during the tilting operation of the operating body, a derived signal obtained by switching the application point to each deriving portion of the resistive element layer at high speed by using a general-purpose microcomputer, etc. By calculating the above, the contact position can be detected with high resolution.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a resistance element layer in which at least three or more lead-out portions are led out in a connected circular ring shape formed on an insulating substrate, and the resistance element layer and a predetermined insulation gap. The conductive parts arranged opposite to each other, the linear movement operation in the horizontal direction, and the vertical movement operation in accordance with the push-down operation are arranged, and the elastic member mounted on the lower surface by the horizontal movement operation is An operation member that is moved together to shift the resistance element layer and the conductive portion into a partial contact state, and a switch disposed at a central position that is actuated by being pushed down when the operation member is pushed down. Two of the lead-out portions of the resistive element layer in a state where the resistive element layer and the conductive portion are shifted to a partial contact state by the horizontal movement of the operating member. Select A predetermined voltage is applied between the deriving portions to detect two first candidates from the output voltage from the conductive portion, and then two of the deriving portions of the resistive element layer that have a different combination from the above A derivation unit is selected, a predetermined voltage is applied between the derivation units, two second candidates are detected from the output voltage from the conductive unit, and a position overlapping the first and second candidates is defined as a contact position. Control means for performing the specified control , and when the operation body is in the push-down operation state, only the switch is operated, with respect to the opposing arrangement portion of the resistance element layer and the conductive portion, The elastic member mounted on the operating body is a multi-directional input device configured to be located at a position deviating from the position where the resistance element layer is formed in the opposed arrangement portion. Even in this configuration, as in the first aspect, the multi-directional input device capable of high-resolution detection can be realized in all directions of 360 degrees of the circular ring of the resistive element layer. When detecting the operation position during the linear movement in the horizontal direction, it can be obtained by using a general-purpose microcomputer or the like to switch the application point to each derivation section of the resistive element layer at high speed. By calculating the derived signal, the contact position can be detected with high resolution.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a planar substrate made of a flat conductive metal plate integrally formed with an output terminal is used as the conductive portion. An insulating substrate having a resistor element layer formed on the lower surface with a predetermined insulating gap provided above the flat substrate is arranged in a case having a switch at the center position with the output terminal protruding outward. The resistive element layer has three or more lead-out portions, and each lead-out portion is elastically contacted with a conductive elastic leg fixed to the case, and is connected to each elastic leg. Are projected from the case, and the voltage applied to the resistance element layer through the input terminal in a state where the resistance element layer and the planar substrate are partially in contact with each other by operating the operation member. As applied, the above Are those derived signal from the force terminal is obtained, due to constitute a flat substrate with a conductive metal plate, it is possible to obtain an inexpensive multi-directional input device with a small number of parts and assembling steps. In addition, since the elastic legs for applying a predetermined voltage to the resistance element layer are fixed to the case, the position and dimensional accuracy of the elastic legs can be increased, and a predetermined elastic contact pressure can be applied to the lead-out portion of the resistance element layer. Since it can be surely brought into elastic contact, the applied voltage can be reliably transmitted to the resistance element layer with little loss.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, an insulating substrate having an input terminal in each lead-out portion of the resistive element layer causes the input terminals to protrude outward. And a planar substrate made of an elastic conductive metal plate having an output terminal integrally formed at a position above the resistance element layer with a predetermined insulating gap, and an operation member. In the state where the resistive element layer and the planar substrate are partially in contact with each other, a voltage is applied to the resistive element layer through the input terminal and a signal derived from the output terminal is applied. are those obtained, above the positioning fixed resistive element layer in the case, since it in that functions only at placing a planar substrate made of an elastic conductive metal plate, a high set a small number of components and assembly steps Since the member operated by the operating member is a flat substrate made of an elastic conductive metal plate, even if it is repeatedly operated, the flat substrate is not stretched or deformed. Therefore, it has the effect of being able to have stable operability over a long period of time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention , there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising the multidirectional input device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the resistance element layer and the conductive portion are partially in contact with each other by operating the operation member. The control means detects the direction of operation based on the derived signal in the state of being moved, and controls to change the moving speed of the cursor or the like in the direction corresponding to the contact portion according to the result detected within a predetermined time. The electronic device is characterized by the fact that it can be operated according to the operation of the operation member directed in all directions of 360 °, and it can be made highly functional with ease of use and excellent operability. Has an effect.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the derived signal in which the resistive element layer and the conductive portion at substantially the same position are partially contacted within a predetermined time is continuously controlled twice. When it is detected by the means, or when the derivation signal for a predetermined time or longer is continuously detected by the control means, the moving speed of the cursor or the like in the direction corresponding to the contact portion is controlled to be variable. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier to use by operating a simple operation member that can be operated with one hand.

As described above, the multi-directional input device of the present invention and the electronic apparatus including the multi-directional input device are configured such that the resistance element layer and the conductive portion which are arranged to face each other by the operation toward the omnidirectional portion of the operation member are partially brought into contact with each other. It is a simple structure that can detect a position with high resolution over all 360 degrees of the circular ring of the element layer, and can operate the switch placed at the center position by pressing the operation member. -It is easy to reduce the thickness, and it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of realizing a high resolution in the operation direction in all directions of the operation member, that is, a high resolution in the input direction.

  Further, by configuring the parts other than the operation member as individual electronic parts, it is possible to realize a small and thin and easy-to-handle that can be mounted on the used device at the same time as other parts and can perform high-resolution detection in all directions.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a mobile phone as an electronic apparatus using the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device portion.

  In the figure, 11 is an upper case which is an exterior member of a cellular phone, 12 is the lower case, and 13 is a flat wiring board having a multilayer wiring portion, which is held by the lower case 12.

  The upper case 11 has an upper surface serving as an operation surface, and an upper surface 14A of a disk-shaped operation knob 14 serving as an operation member is exposed from a circular through hole 11A provided in the middle of the upper case 11, and the wiring board 13 is exposed. Above, a fixed contact 15 of an operation switch for various functions is disposed.

  The operation knob 14 is supported so as to be tiltable in all directions when the tip of the protrusion 14B at the center of the lower surface is in contact with the wiring substrate 13 with the flexible insulating substrate 16 and the spacer 16A on the lower surface interposed therebetween. This is maintained in a substantially vertical state by the urging force of a ring-shaped leaf spring 17 as an elastic body which is disposed between the upper surface of the flange portion 14C and the lower surface around the through hole 11A of the upper case 11 and repels in the vertical direction. In this state, the circular ring-shaped projecting portion 14D centering on the projecting portion 14B on the lower surface of the operation knob 14 is formed on the upper surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 attached on the lower wiring substrate 13 and the entire circumference. Are facing each other with a predetermined interval.

  A circular ring-shaped resistive element layer 18 having a uniform specific resistance and a uniform width is printed on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 and is symmetrical with respect to the center thereof. At the position, good conductor portions 18C and 18D having a predetermined width to be conductive portions are provided, and a pair of lead-out portions 18A and 18B are extended therefrom.

  The lead-out portions 18A and 18B are respectively guided to the end connection portions 19A and 19B by the lead portions, and are pressed by the pressing spring 20 from the upper surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 to be connected to the connection contacts on the wiring substrate 13. 21A and 21B are in pressure contact.

  The diameter of the circular ring-shaped protrusion 14D on the lower surface of the operation knob 14 is set to be approximately equal to the diameter of the intermediate portion of the width of the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 18.

  The flexible insulating substrate 16 is affixed on the wiring substrate 13 as described above, but a predetermined insulating gap is maintained between the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 18 and the wiring substrate 13. As described above, two insulating spacers 16B having a predetermined thickness are provided on the wiring board 13 corresponding to the inner and outer circumferences of the resistance element layer 18, and further, on the part facing the resistance element layer 18 on the wiring board 13. Are provided with a first conductor layer 22 and a second conductor layer 23.

  The insulating spacer 16B may be provided on the flexible insulating substrate 16.

  The first and second conductor layers 22 and 23 are insulated from each other by two insulating portions 24A and 24B provided at positions corresponding to the pair of lead-out portions 18A and 18B of the resistive element layer 18. It has a thick arc shape, and has lead-out portions 22A and 23A, respectively.

  The widths of the two insulating portions 24A and 24B are set to be narrower than the widths of the good conductor portions 18C and 18D at the bases of the pair of lead-out portions 18A and 18B of the resistance element layer 18.

  The lead-out portions 22A and 23A are connected to a microcomputer 25 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 25) mounted on the mobile phone via a multilayer wiring portion (not shown) of the wiring board 13 (described later). FIG. 4).

  The multidirectional input device portion of the mobile phone using the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 26 denotes a movable contact of an operation switch for various functions of the mobile phone, 27 denotes an operation button, and a switch contact portion configured by pasting the movable contact 26 on the fixed contact 15, The operation button 27 exposed from the small hole 11B of the upper case 11 is pressed to operate.

  Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device portion configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a mobile phone using the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the multidirectional input device.

  As shown in FIG. 4, between the lead-out portions 18A and 18B of the resistive element layer 18 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 via connection contacts 21A and 21B (see FIG. 2) on the wiring substrate 13, a predetermined value is obtained. In the state where the DC voltage is applied, the pressing point 29 on the left side (display unit 28 side) which is the desired angle direction of the upper surface 14A of the operation knob 14 exposed on the upper surface of the upper case 11 shown in FIG. When pressed, the operation knob 14 resists the urging force of the leaf spring 17 as shown in FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line PP in FIG. 3 from the normal state shown in FIG. Tilt to the left about the tip of 14B.

  Then, the lower pressing point 29A corresponding to the pressing point 29 pushes the upper surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 and partially bends downwardly, so that the resistance element layer 18 on the lower surface thereof The contact point 30 is partially brought into contact with the lower first conductor layer 22, and an output voltage (output I) due to a resistance value between the lead-out portion 18A of the resistance element layer 18 and the contact point 30 is the first conductor. It is transmitted to the microcomputer 25 via the lead-out part 22A of the layer 22 (see FIG. 4).

  At this time, the output voltage (output II) from the lead-out portion 23A of the second conductor layer 23 is not generated.

  When the pressing force applied to the upper surface 14A of the operation knob 14 is removed from this state, the operation knob 14 returns to the original substantially vertical state, that is, the normal state shown in FIG. The contact point 30 of the resistive element layer 18 on the lower surface of the conductive insulating substrate 16 is separated from the first conductor layer 22 by the elastic force of the flexible insulating substrate 16 itself.

  Similarly, when the right side (operation button 27 side) of the upper surface 14A of the operation knob 14 is pushed downward and tilted to the right side, the output voltage (output II) from the lead-out portion 23A of the second conductor layer 23 is sent to the microcomputer 25. Although transmitted, the output voltage (output I) from the lead-out portion 22A of the first conductor layer 22 is not generated.

  In the conceptual diagram of FIG. 4, the angle direction of the contact point 30 of the resistance element layer 18 is continuously changed clockwise with the insulating portion 24A as a base point (0 °) and the insulating portion 24B as a middle point (180 °). FIG. 6 shows the states of the output voltage (output I) from the lead-out portion 22A of the first conductor layer 22 and the output voltage (output II) from the lead-out portion 23A of the second conductor layer 23 in the case of FIG. It is a graph of the output voltage of multi-directional input device.

  As shown in the figure, only the output I is generated when the angle direction in which the operation knob 14 is tilted is in the range of 0 ° to 180 °, and only the output II is generated in the range of 180 ° to 360 ° (0 °). At the base point (0 °) and the middle point (180 °), the contact point 30 of the resistive element layer 18 becomes a portion of the good conductor portions 18C and 18D at the roots of the lead-out portions 18A and 18B, respectively. Since the widths of 18C and 18D are wider than the widths of the two insulating portions 24A and 24B as described above, the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 23 are short-circuited by the good conductor portion 18C or 18D. Thus, both have the same potential, and both the output I and the output II become zero or the maximum value of the same magnitude.

  That is, with respect to the output voltage (output I or II) transmitted to the microcomputer 25, the microcomputer 25 combines information on which of the derivation units 22A or 23A generated the output voltage and the magnitude of the output voltage. By processing, the angle direction in which the operation knob 14 is tilted can be recognized, so that items such as a desired angle direction can be selected by repeatedly tilting the operation knob.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the configuration as an electronic component for multidirectional input includes the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 18 formed on the flexible insulating substrate 16 and the electron facing the resistance element layer 18. Since the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 23 provided on the wiring board 13 of the device are simple and include only the operation knob 14, it is easy to downsize and the operation knob 14 can be set in a desired manner. The angle direction in which the resistance element layer 18 contacts only one of the first and second conductor layers 22 and 23 when tilted in the direction, and the operation knob 14 is tilted by the output voltage due to the resistance value of the contact point 30. Therefore, the multi-directional input device that is easy to process by the microcomputer 25 and has high accuracy and that has a high resolution in the angle direction that tilts the operation knob 14, that is, a high resolution in the input direction, is provided on the wiring board 13 and the upper case. 11 mag Share a member in which an effect of realizing an electronic device mounted.

  In the above description, the resistive element layer 18 of the multidirectional input device has been described as being provided on the individual flexible insulating substrate 16, but an electronic apparatus using the multidirectional input device according to another configuration of FIG. As shown in the exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device portion, the movable contacts 26 of the operation switches for various functions are collectively attached to the flexible wiring board 31, and the bottom surface of the flexible wiring board 31 By integrally forming the resistive element layer 18 of the multidirectional input device, the number of constituent members and assembly man-hours as a whole mobile phone which is an electronic device using the multidirectional input device is further reduced, and the resistive element layer 18 is derived. Wiring from the parts 18A and 18B is easy, and a mobile phone using an inexpensive multidirectional input device can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the case where the pair of lead-out portions 18A and 18B is provided in the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 18 has been described. However, the exploded perspective view of the contact portion of the multidirectional input device having another configuration shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, by providing a pair of lead-out portions 33A and 33B on the resistive element layer 32 and another pair of lead-out portions 34A and 34B at different angular positions, the operation knob 14 is located near each lead-out portion. The resolution in the angular direction when tilting in the direction can be further increased.

  The contents will be briefly described. First, when the pair of lead-out portions 18A and 18B is provided in the resistance element layer 18, when the operation knob 14 is tilted as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Q-Q and is a plan view of the contact portion, the resistance element on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 pressed against the circular ring-shaped protrusion 14D on the lower surface of the operation knob 14 The contact point 30 of the layer 18 is a line contact of a certain length, but when this tilting direction is the direction of the arrow S other than the vicinity of the lead-out portions 18A and 18B of the resistance element layer 18, the line contact is made. An output voltage that is prorated by the resistance values on both sides of the contact point 30 is generated, and becomes an output voltage corresponding to the center direction of the line contact, that is, the angle direction of the arrow S in which the operation knob 14 is tilted.

  However, when the operation knob 14 is tilted in the direction of the arrow T slightly shifted clockwise from the angular direction of the lead-out portion 18A, which is the vicinity of the lead-out portion 18A, the first conductor layer 22 of the resistance element layer 18 is used. The contact point 30 includes the end portion of the good conductor portion 18C from which the lead-out portion 18A is drawn. At this time, the output voltage (output) from the lead-out portion 22A connected to the first conductor layer 22 is included. I) indicates that the output voltage based on the resistance value at the position of the deriving portion 18A of the resistive element layer 18, that is, the potential of the deriving portion 18A is output, and the angle direction in which the operation knob 14 is tilted is the direction of the arrow T. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the resolution in the angular direction for tilting the operation knob 14 in the vicinity of the derivation units 18A and 18B.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the resistance element layer 32 is provided with two pairs of good conductor portions 33C, 33D and 34C, 34D, and lead-out portions 33A, 33B and 34A, 34B extending from the respective pairs. Etc. are used to switch the application of the DC voltage to the pair of lead-out portions 33A, 33B and 34A, 34B in a short cycle, and the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 23 are synchronized with the cycle. If the outputs of the lead-out portions 22A and 23A are detected, as shown in the plan view seen from the top surface of the flexible insulating substrate in FIG. 10, which is a plan view after assembly of the contact portions shown in FIG. Even when the operation knob 14 is tilted in the direction of the arrow U1 or U2 which is the direction in the vicinity of the lead-out portion 33A of the resistance element layer 32, the first when the DC voltage is applied to the lead-out portions 34A and 34B. The output voltage of the lead-out portion 22A of the electric conductor layer 22 or the lead-out portion 23A of the second conductor layer 23 is on both sides of the contact point 35 where the voltage applied to the lead-out portions 34A and 34B of the resistance element layer 32 is in line contact. The output voltage corresponds to the approximate center of the contact point 35 that is in line contact, that is, the angle direction in which the operation knob 14 is tilted. The resolution in the angle direction in which the resistance element layer 32 is tilted in the vicinity of the lead-out portion 33A can be increased.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part of a mobile phone as an electronic apparatus using the multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the multidirectional input device.

  As shown in the figure, the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 18 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 formed opposite to each other. Instead of the insulating spacer 16B between the first conductor layer 22 and the second conductor layer 23 on the wiring substrate 13, a flat conductive plate 36 made of an anisotropic conductor is interposed as a conductive portion, A predetermined insulating gap is maintained between them, and the configuration of other parts is the same as that according to the first embodiment.

  The conductive plate 36 is obtained by processing a sheet of anisotropic conductor in which metal particles are arranged in the thickness direction of a rubber base material into a circular ring shape, and is pressed by being pressed in the thickness direction. The resistance value between the upper and lower surfaces at a certain position rapidly changes from an insulating state (10 MΩ or more) to a conductive state (several tens of Ω or less).

  Next, the operation of this multidirectional input device portion will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when a predetermined DC voltage is applied between the lead-out portions 18A and 18B of the resistive element layer 18 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16, the upper surface of the upper case 11 shown in FIG. When the pressing point 29 on the exposed upper surface 14A of the operation knob 14 is pressed downward, the operation knob 14 is centered on the lower surface protrusion 14B against the urging force of the leaf spring 17, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. It is the same as in the first embodiment that the lower pressing point 29 </ b> A tilts to the left and the lower pressing point 29 </ b> A corresponding to the pressing point 29 pushes the upper surface of the flexible insulating substrate 16 and partially bends downward.

  However, the contact point 30 of the resistance element layer 18 on the lower surface of the lower portion of the flexible insulating substrate 16 partially presses the lower conductive plate 36, and the upper and lower surfaces of the pressed portion of the conductive plate 36. The resistance value only between the layers suddenly decreases and the conductive state is changed from the insulated state. In this portion, the contact point 30 of the resistive element layer 18 is conducted to the first conductive layer 22 below the conductive plate 36.

  The output voltage due to the resistance value between the lead-out portion 18A of the resistive element layer 18 and the contact point 30 is transmitted to the microcomputer 25 via the lead-out portion 22A of the first conductor layer 22, and at this time The fact that no output voltage is generated from the two-conductor layer 23 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  When the pressing force applied to the upper surface 14A of the operation knob 14 is removed, the operation knob 14 returns to the original vertical state, that is, the normal state shown in FIG. The contact point 30 of the resistive element layer 18 returns to the original horizontal state due to the elastic force of the flexible insulating substrate 16 itself, and the pressing force partially applied to the conductive plate 36 is not applied. Between the upper and lower surfaces, the entire state returns to an insulating state.

  Here, when the conductive plate 36 is pressed, the resistance value between the upper and lower surfaces is reduced by reducing the thickness of the conductive plate 36 as shown in FIG. The material of the anisotropic conductor may be changed as necessary to determine whether the resistance value between the upper and lower surfaces is lowered by feeling a pressure stimulus without changing the thickness.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the operation knob 14 is tilted in a desired direction, the resistance element layer 18 is electrically connected to only one of the first and second conductor layers 22 and 23, and the contact point thereof. With the output voltage of the resistance value of 30, the angle direction in which the operation knob 14 is tilted can be recognized with high resolution, and a predetermined amount is provided between the resistance element layer 18 and the first and second conductor layers 22 and 23. Since the insulation gap can be secured reliably and the upper and lower portions of the pressed position of the conductive plate 36 are electrically connected, the diameter of the conductive plate 36 and the resistive element layer 18 sandwiching the conductive plate 36 and the first and second conductive layers 22 and 23. In addition, it is possible to realize an electronic device in which a small multi-directional input device having a small and narrow width is mounted by using members such as the wiring board 13 and the upper case 11 in common.

  In the multi-directional input device according to the present embodiment as well, by providing two pairs of lead-out portions in the resistive element layer, the resolution in the angular direction when the operation knob 14 is tilted in the vicinity of each lead-out portion is further increased. be able to.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a mobile phone as an electronic apparatus using the multidirectional input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device portion.

  As shown in the figure, the multi-directional input device according to the present embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in the arc-shaped first and second conductor layers on the wiring board 37 having the multilayer wiring portion. The fixed contact 39 and the movable contact 40 are electrically and independently arranged at the center of the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 18 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 38 opposite to the center of 22 and 23, respectively. The switch contact portion 41 is provided, and the push button 43 for driving the switch is disposed in the through hole 42B provided in the center of the operation knob 42 serving as the operation member, and the push switch portion is added. The configuration of is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the fixed contact 39 of the switch contact portion 41 includes a small circular center contact 44 at the center formed on the wiring board 37 by attaching a metal foil or printing a good conductive ink. A microcomputer 46 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer 46) mounted on the mobile phone is formed of a ring-shaped outer contact 45 provided in the periphery thereof and is connected to the mobile phone via a multilayer wiring portion (not shown) of the wiring board 37. They are connected (see FIG. 16 described later).

  Further, the movable contact 40 of the switch contact portion 41 is obtained by punching and drawing an elastic metal thin plate into an upward convex circular dome shape, and its outer peripheral lower end portion 40A is placed on the outer contact 45 and the central convex portion. The lower surface of 40B is affixed to the wiring substrate 37 with a flexible adhesive tape 47 so that the lower surface of the central contact point 44 and the center contact 44 are spaced apart from each other, and the upper surface of the central convex portion 40B is the resistance of the flexible insulating substrate 38. It protrudes upward from the round hole 38A at the center of the element layer 18.

  On the other hand, the push button 43 has a resin-molded multi-stage disk shape, and is held by a through-hole 42B in the center of the operation knob 42 so as to be movable up and down independently of the operation knob 42. The operation members are the operation knob 42 and the push button. 43.

  Then, in the normal state, the push button 43 has a projection 43B at the center of the lower surface abutting the upper end of the central convex portion 40B of the movable contact 40 via the adhesive tape 47, so that the upper surface 43A is a through-hole of the operation knob 42. 42B, and the flange portion 43C on the outer periphery pushes up the lower surface of the operation knob 42 by a predetermined dimension, so that the leaf spring 17 on the outer periphery of the operation knob 42 is slightly bent, and the operation knob 42 is in a substantially vertical state without rattling. It keeps in.

  Next, the operation of this multidirectional input device portion will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 16 which is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment, a predetermined DC voltage is applied between the lead-out portions 18A and 18B of the resistive element layer 18 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 38. When one point in the desired angle direction of the upper surface 42A of the operation knob 42 exposed on the upper surface of the upper case 11 shown in FIG. 14 is pressed downward as shown in FIG. 14, the operation is performed as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The knob 42 tilts in the direction pressed around the protrusion 43B at the center of the bottom surface of the push button 43 held in the central through hole 42B, and the protrusion 42C formed on the bottom surface of the operation knob 42 is formed on the flexible insulating substrate 38. The upper surface is pushed and partially bent downward, and the resistive element layer 18 on the lower surface is brought into contact with the lower first conductor layer 22 or the second conductor layer 23.

  Then, the output voltage due to the resistance value between the points in contact with the lead-out portion 18A of the resistive element layer 18 is transmitted to the microcomputer 46 via the lead-out portion 22A or 23A of the first conductor layer 22 or the second conductor layer 23. When the pushing force applied to the upper surface 42A of the operation knob 42 is removed from this state, the operation knob 42 returns to the original substantially vertical state, that is, the normal state shown in FIG. The resistance element layer 18 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 38 is separated from the first conductor layer 22 or the second conductor layer 23 by the elastic force of the flexible insulating substrate 38 itself. Same as the case.

  When the operation knob 42 is tilted, the reversing operation force of the movable contact 40 is based on the protrusion 43B on the lower surface of the push button 43 that is in contact with the upper end of the central convex portion 40B of the circular dome-shaped movable contact 40. Since the operation knob 42 is rotated and the leaf spring 17 on the outer periphery of the operation knob 42 is set to be bent, the push switch portion does not operate.

  For the output voltage transmitted to the microcomputer 46 as described above, the microcomputer 46 performs calculation processing to recognize the direction in which the operation knob 42 is tilted. If the recognized angular direction is a desired direction, In the state where this direction is stored in the microcomputer 46, the upper surface 43A of the push button 43 at the center of the operation knob 42 is pressed.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the state at this time. The protrusion 43B on the lower surface of the push button 43 pushes down the central convex portion 40B of the circular dome-shaped movable contact 40 of the push switch portion, so that the movable contact 40 is Elasticity is reversed with a sense of moderation, and the lower surface of the central convex portion 40B is brought into contact with the central contact 44.

  As a result, the outer contact 45 and the center contact 44 of the switch contact portion 41 are short-circuited, and the signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 46 to determine that the stored direction is determined.

  When the pressing force applied to the push button 43 is removed, the movable contact 40 returns to the original circular dome shape by its own elastic restoring force and returns to the state of FIG. 14, and the switch contact portion 41 also returns to the original OFF state.

  When the push switch unit is operated, the push button 43 is set to move independently of the operation knob 42. Therefore, the operation knob 42 moves slightly downward, but the flexible insulating substrate 38 is not pushed down. Absent.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the recognition signal in the direction of the angle in which the operation knob 42 is tilted without increasing the outer diameter, the push button 43 is pressed to provide a sense of moderation. The multi-directional input device having the push switch unit capable of emitting the above signal can be realized as an electronic device in which members such as the wiring board 37 and the upper case 11 are shared.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a mobile phone as an electronic apparatus using the multidirectional input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the multi-directional input device according to the present embodiment is different from that according to the third embodiment in that the pressing portion 48A on the upper surface of the circular ring-shaped operation knob 48 has a circular ring-shaped protrusion on the lower surface. 48C, the push button 43 is concentrically engaged with the through hole 48B in the center of the operation knob 48 with a small gap, and the other parts, for example, the push button 43 and the operation knob 48 The configuration of the operation member is the same as that according to the third embodiment.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the protrusion 48 </ b> C on the lower surface of the operation knob 48 supported by the through hole 11 </ b> A of the upper case 11 of the mobile phone via the ring-shaped leaf spring 17 is the maximum diameter portion of the operation knob 48. It is provided on the outer peripheral lower surface of a certain flange portion 48D, and the position of the pressing portion 48A on the upper surface is considerably inside the protruding portion 48C.

  And the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 53 of the center part of the arc-shaped 1st, 2nd conductor layers 50 and 51 on the wiring board 49 which has a multilayer wiring part, and the flexible insulation board | substrate 52 opposite to this. A switch contact 41 is provided by disposing a fixed contact 39 and a movable contact 40 that are electrically independent from each other at the center of the control knob 48, and a push button 43 for driving the switch is provided in a through hole 48B in the center of the operation knob 48. However, the first and second conductor layers 50 and 51 on the wiring substrate 49 and the resistive element layer 53 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 52 are the same as in the third embodiment. Is a large diameter corresponding to the diameter of the protrusion 48C on the lower surface of the operation knob 48 described above.

  Further, the push button 43 that is concentrically engaged with the through hole 48B of the operation knob 48 with a small gap can be moved up and down independently of the operation knob 48. When the portion 43B comes into contact with the upper end of the central convex portion 40B of the movable contact 40, the upper surface 43A is exposed from the through hole 48B of the operation knob 48, and the outer peripheral flange portion 43C makes the lower surface of the operation knob 48 a predetermined dimension. As in the case of the third embodiment, by pushing up, the leaf spring 17 on the outer periphery of the operation knob 48 is slightly bent to keep the operation knob 48 in a substantially vertical state without rattling.

  Next, the operation of this multidirectional input device portion will be described.

  In the cellular phone provided with the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment, a state in which a predetermined DC voltage is applied between two lead-out portions (not shown) of the resistive element layer 53 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 52 19, when the desired pressing portion 48A on the upper surface of the operation knob 48 exposed on the upper surface of the upper case 11 is pressed downward, first, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The protrusion 48C on the bottom surface of the push button 43 held in the through hole 48B is tilted in the pressed direction, and the protrusion 48C on the bottom surface of the operation knob 48 at the corresponding position presses the top surface of the flexible insulating substrate 52 to partially The resistance element layer 53 on the lower surface thereof is brought into contact with the lower first conductor layer 50 or the second conductor layer 51 so as to contact a lead portion (not shown) of the resistance element layer 53 and a contact point. According to the resistance value between 53A The output voltage is transmitted to the microcomputer (not shown) via the lead portion (not shown) of the first conductor layer 50 or the second conductor layer 51, and the operation knob 48 is tilted by performing arithmetic processing with the microcomputer. Temporarily recognize the angle direction.

  Then, when the same pressing portion 48A of the operation knob 48 is further pushed down from this state, the operation knob 48 now moves the tip of the protruding portion 48C above the contact point 53A as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The push button 43 tilted in the opposite direction as a fulcrum and moved downward in the center through hole 48B moves downward, and the protrusion 43B at the center of the lower surface moves down the central convex part 40B of the circular dome-shaped movable contact 40 of the switch contact part 41 The movable contact 40 is elastically inverted with a sense of moderation, and the lower surface of the central convex portion 40B is brought into contact with the center contact 44.

  As a result, the outer contact 45 and the center contact 44 of the switch contact 41 are short-circuited, and the signal is transmitted to the microcomputer so that the temporarily stored angular direction is recognized by the microcomputer.

  That is, the angle direction in which the operation knob 48 is tilted is recognized by the microcomputer with a sense of moderation.

  Here, since the push button 43 is concentrically engaged with the through hole 48B in the center of the operation knob 48 with a small gap, the push switch portion operates reliably regardless of the angle direction in which the operation knob 48 is tilted.

  When the pressing force applied to the pressing portion 48A of the operation knob 48 is removed, the movable contact 40 returns to the original circular dome shape by its own elastic restoring force, the switch contact portion 41 returns to the OFF state, and the leaf spring 17 Due to the urging force, the operation knob 48 is restored to the original substantially vertical state, and the resistance element layer 53 on the lower surface of the flexible insulating substrate 52 has the first conductive layer 50 or the first conductive layer 52 by the elastic force of the flexible insulating substrate 52 itself. It leaves | separates from the 2 conductor layer 51, and will be in the original state of FIG.

  If the angle direction recognized by the microcomputer as described above is a desired direction, the upper surface 43A of the push button 43 at the center of the operation knob 48 is then pressed in a state where this direction is stored in the microcomputer.

  The state at this time is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 22, in which the protrusion 43B on the bottom surface of the push button 43 pushes down the central convex portion 40B of the circular dome-shaped movable contact 40, thereby causing the movable contact 40 to feel moderate. The bottom surface of the central convex portion 40B is brought into contact with the central contact 44.

  As a result, the outer contact 45 and the center contact 44 of the switch contact portion 41 are short-circuited, and the signal is transmitted to the microcomputer to determine that the stored direction is determined.

  When the pressing force applied to the push button 43 is removed, the movable contact 40 returns to the original circular dome shape by its own elastic restoring force and returns to the state of FIG. 19, and the switch contact portion 41 also returns to the original OFF state.

  When the push switch unit is operated, the push button 43 is set to move independently of the operation knob 48. Therefore, the operation knob 48 moves slightly downward, but the flexible insulating substrate 52 cannot be pushed down. Absent.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the resistance element layer 53 comes into contact with the first or second conductor layer 50 or 51 by pressing the pressing portion 48A on the upper surface of the operation knob 48 and tilting it in a desired angle direction. When the angle direction is recognized, the recognition can be sensed by a sense of moderation, and the multi-directional input in which the push switch unit operates with a sense of moderation and generates a signal also by pressing only the push button 43. This has an effect of realizing an electronic device in which the apparatus is mounted by using members such as the wiring board 49 and the upper case 11 in common.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of an electronic apparatus provided with a multidirectional input device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device portion.

  As shown in the figure, the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is configured by forming a part other than the operation member 200 as an individual electronic component 102 that can be soldered.

  First, the multi-directional input electronic component 102 will be described. 103 is a case for an electronic component made of insulating resin, and a flat substrate 104 made of a single flat conductive metal plate is arranged on the upper surface. Has been.

  A flexible insulating substrate 105 is fixed above the flat substrate 104 with a predetermined gap.

  On the lower surface of the insulating substrate 105, a circular ring-shaped resistive element layer 106 and lead-out portions 107 radially formed from the resistive element layer 106 toward the outer periphery are formed at intervals of 90 °, and the resistive element layer 106 and Insulating spacers 108 are formed at portions other than the lead-out portion 107.

  The resistance element layer 106 is formed in a uniform width with a uniform specific resistance.

  In FIG. 24, the resistor element layer 106 disposed on the lower surface of the insulating substrate 105 is hatched for easy understanding.

  The planar spacer 104 and the resistive element layer 106 of the insulating substrate 105 are kept at a predetermined distance by interposing the insulating spacer 108.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a metal cover provided on the upper surface portion with an operation hole 109A formed slightly larger than the outer diameter of the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 106, and the operation hole 109A and the resistance element layer 106 are connected to each other. In a state in which the positions are matched, the caulking fixing leg 109B that is covered from the upper surface side of the insulating substrate 105 where the resistance element layer 106 is not formed and is integrally formed on the upper surface portion is formed between the insulating substrate 105 and the flat substrate 104. The members are joined by holding the case 103 and fixing it by caulking at the bottom of the case 103.

  At this time, the positioning protrusion 103A protruding upward provided in the case 103 is coaxially inserted into the positioning holes 104A, 105A, 109C provided in the flat substrate 104, the insulating substrate 105, and the metal cover 109, respectively. The protruding portion on the metal cover 109 is crimped.

  In the above state, the elastic legs 110 that are fixed to the case 103 and extend upward are elastically applied to the lead-out portion 107 of the resistance element layer 106 on the lower surface of the insulating substrate 105 that is positioned and mounted on the case 103 with a predetermined pressure. It touches.

  Then, as shown in the top view of the case of FIG. 25, the elastic legs 110 are fixed by insert molding so as to be positioned at the four corners of the case 103 having a quadrangular shape when viewed from above. The other end extends outward from the case 103, and this extended portion serves as an input terminal 110A.

  On the other hand, an output terminal 111 is integrally formed on the flat substrate 104, and the output terminal 111 projects outward from the case 103 on the same surface as the input terminal 110A.

  In addition, the flat board | substrate 104 becomes a shape which the corner | angular part corresponding to the position in which the elastic leg 110 was provided was processed and cut off so that it may not contact | connect the said elastic leg 110. FIG.

  On the other hand, the center and outer contacts 112 and 113 for the switch are disposed and fixed at the center of the case 103, and the switch terminals 112A and 113A are also aligned with the input terminal 110A and the output terminal 111 in height. The case 103 is led outward.

  A movable contact 114 made of a metal thin plate in a circular dome shape protruding upward is placed on the outer contact 113, and the upper portion of the movable contact 114 and the upper surface of the case 103 are adhesively fixed with an adhesive tape 115, thereby moving the contact. The contact 114 is positioned and mounted on the case 103 while being electrically insulated from the flat substrate 104.

  In this state, the lower surface of the central portion of the movable contact 114 maintains a predetermined distance from the center contact 112.

  Moreover, the diameter of this movable contact 114 is smaller than the diameter of the circular part comprised inside the circular ring of the resistive element layer 106, and both are assembled so that the center positions are coaxially matched.

  Then, pressing holes 104B and 105B are formed at the positions of the planar substrate 104 and the insulating substrate 105 corresponding to the central portion of the movable contact 114.

  The electronic component 102 for multidirectional input operation is configured as described above, and a multidirectional input device incorporating the electronic component 102 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the electronic component 102 is positioned by inserting the boss 103B at the bottom of the case 103 into the board through hole 120A of the wiring board 120 of the device used, and the terminals 110A, 111, 112A, 113A ( In the same figure, only the output terminal 111 is shown) and is attached to a predetermined wiring portion on the wiring board 120 by soldering.

  An operation member 200 capable of predetermined vertical movement and tilting operation is disposed above the electronic component 102.

  The operation member 200 includes a ring-shaped projection 202 concentrically formed on the lower surface of the hemispherical sphere portion 201 and a central convex portion 203 having a height higher than that of the ring-shaped projection 202 at the center thereof.

  Then, the outer peripheral portion 205 of the operation member 200 is pressed by an exterior member 206 corresponding to an upper case or the like, so that the ring-shaped protrusion 202 is positioned at an upper position corresponding to the resistance element layer 106 of the electronic component 102. The operation member 200 is mounted so that the central convex portion 203 is positioned above the center of the movable contact 114 of the electronic component 102.

  The outer peripheral portion 205 and the spherical portion 201 of the operation member 200 pressed by the exterior member 206 are connected by a skirt-like elastic portion 207 that spreads in all lower directions, and the action of the elastic portion 207 causes a ring shape. A predetermined interval can be maintained between the protrusion 202 and the insulating substrate 105 and between the central convex portion 203 and the adhesive tape 115 on the movable contact 114.

  An operation unit 208 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the sphere 201 and protrudes from the operation hole 206 </ b> A of the exterior member 206.

  Then, the lower end portion of the operation hole 206A is processed into a spherical shape that matches the shape of the sphere portion 201, and in the normal state shown in FIG. The operation member 200 is maintained in the neutral position by the upper middle portion of the sphere portion 201 being pushed up by the contact with the lower end portion of the operation hole 206A.

  The multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  First, when a force for tilting the operation member 200 to the left side in FIG. 23 is applied to the operation unit 208 with respect to the normal state in which the operation member 200 is in the neutral position shown in FIG. The spherical portion 201 of the operation member 200 rotates along the lower end portion of the operation hole 206A while bending.

  Then, when the operation member 200 is rotated to a predetermined angle, the portion moved downward of the ring-shaped protrusion 202 comes into contact with the upper surface of the corresponding insulating substrate 105 and pushes the portion down, as shown in FIG. A corresponding portion of the arranged resistive element layer 106 is brought into contact with the planar substrate 104.

  At this time, by applying a predetermined voltage between two predetermined input terminals 110A among the input terminals 110A of the electronic component 102, two elastic legs 110 connected to the two predetermined input terminals 110A and The predetermined voltage is applied to the resistance element layer 106 through the two lead-out portions 107.

  Since the elastic leg 110 is elastically contacted with the lead-out portion 107 at a predetermined pressure, the applied voltage is reliably transmitted to the resistance element layer 106 with a small loss.

  In this state, the first output voltage value is detected from the output terminal 111 of the planar substrate 104.

  The resistance element layer 106 specifies two locations as candidates for the portion in contact with the flat substrate 104 by performing arithmetic processing on the first output voltage value using a microcomputer or the like.

  Further, the application of the two input terminals 110A is stopped using a microcomputer or the like, and the resistance element layer 106 is connected to the resistance element layer 106 via the two input terminals 110A different from the two input terminals 110A in a short high-speed cycle. A predetermined voltage is applied and a second output voltage value is detected from the output terminal 111.

  The second output voltage value is also processed by a microcomputer or the like, thereby specifying two locations as candidates for the portion where the resistance element layer 106 is in contact with the flat substrate 104.

  Then, the candidate specified by the first output voltage value and the candidate specified by the second output voltage value are compared using a microcomputer or the like, and the resistance element layer 106 finds a position where the two match. It is determined that the position is in contact with the flat substrate 104, the operated operation direction is determined, and predetermined control in the electronic device is performed in accordance therewith.

  Then, when the operating force to the operating portion 208 of the operating member 200 is removed, the elastic portion 207 in the vicinity of the bent left side shown in FIG. 26 is restored to the original shape, and the operating member 200 is restored to FIG. Return to the neutral state shown.

  Although the case where the operation member 200 is tilted to the left side has been described above, since the resistance element layer 106 is configured in a circular ring shape, the same is true even when tilted in a direction other than the above-described direction. In operation, the tilting operation direction can be detected in the entire 360 ° direction.

  It is also possible to set the resolution in the tilting operation direction by adjusting the resolution of the first and second output voltage values for specifying the contact position.

  During the tilting operation, the movable contact 114 receives a slight pressing force at the central convex portion 203 of the operation member 200, but the movable contact 114 is configured with an operating force that does not operate with the pressing force. The switch state will not change.

  On the other hand, when a downward pressing force is applied to the operation portion 208 of the operation member 200 to move the spherical portion 201 downward, the skirt-like elastic portion 207 is bent in all directions, and the spherical portion The tip of the central convex portion 203 on the lower surface 201 abuts on the upper surface of the adhesive tape 115, and the movable contact 114 is pushed down via the adhesive tape 115.

  When the pressing force exceeds a predetermined force, the movable contact 114 reverses with moderation, and its lower surface comes into contact with the center contact 112. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. Thus, electrical conduction is established between the center and outer contacts 112 and 113, that is, between the switch terminals 112A and 113A (both not shown).

  When the vertical downward pressing force of the operation member 200 on the operation portion 208 is removed, the movable contact 114 and the skirt-like elastic portion 207 are restored to the original shape, and the operation member 200 is restored to the original shape by the restoring force. Return to the neutral state shown in.

  Note that the ring-shaped protrusion 202 of the operation member 200 is configured not to contact the insulating substrate 105 during the above-described pressing operation.

  As described above, the multidirectional operating device and the electronic apparatus using the multidirectional operating device according to the present embodiment can detect the tilting operation direction with respect to the operating member 200 with high resolution in all directions of 360 °, and the switch state by the pressing operation. Can be switched.

  And the electronic device provided with this multi-directional operation device controls easily according to the tilting operation direction with respect to the operation member 200, for example, the cursor displayed on the display unit can be easily and freely tilted on the display screen. Since the switch signal obtained by pressing the operation member 200 is used as the determination / confirmation signal, the convenience can be further improved.

  Furthermore, when the state in which the operation member 200 is tilted is counted and a state in which the operation member 200 is operated in the same direction is detected for a predetermined time or more, or a state in which the operation member 200 is operated in the same direction a plurality of times within the predetermined time is detected. The control state may be changed, for example, the moving speed of the cursor or icon displayed on the display unit may be varied. The above-described operation mode can be easily operated with one hand. However, it can be made very convenient.

  In the multi-directional input device according to the present embodiment, the application to the resistive element layer 106 is performed while switching at a high speed at a predetermined cycle. It is preferable to set a multiple time.

  The multi-directional operation device according to the present embodiment is configured to be small and thin as the electronic component 102 as a member that detects the tilting direction and pressing, so that it can be handled easily and together with other mounted components. It can also be mounted on the wiring board 120 of the equipment used using a mounting machine or the like.

  In the electronic component 102 described above, a switch is added. However, a switch may not be configured.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of an electronic apparatus provided with a multidirectional input device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device portion.

  As shown in the figure, the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is also configured by configuring the parts other than the operation member 200 as individual electronic components 302 as in the fifth embodiment. The description of the same part as in the fifth embodiment is omitted.

  In the figure, reference numeral 303 denotes a case for an electronic component made of insulating resin. An insulating substrate 304 is fixed on the case, and is formed on the insulating substrate 304 with a uniform specific resistance and a uniform width. The formed circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 305 is exposed on the upper surface side.

  In FIG. 29, hatching is applied to make the resistive element layer 305 easy to understand.

  The input terminals 306 fixed to the lead-out portions (not shown) formed radially from the resistance element layer 305 toward the outer periphery at 90 ° intervals project outward from the side portion of the case 303.

  In addition, a flat outer peripheral step portion 307 higher than the height position of the resistive element layer 305 is formed on the outer portion of the upper portion of the case 303 with a slight gap from the resistive element layer 305. A flat substrate 308 made of an elastic conductive metal plate is disposed on the stepped portion 307.

  The resistance element layer 305 and the flat substrate 308 maintain a predetermined gap by the flat outer peripheral step portion 307.

  An output terminal 309 is integrally formed on the flat substrate 308 and protrudes outward of the case 303 at the same height as the input terminal 306.

Reference numeral 310 denotes a metal cover having an operation hole 310A formed slightly larger than the outer diameter of the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 305 on the upper surface, and the operation hole 310A and the resistance element layer 305 are connected to each other. The caulking fixing legs 310B, which are covered from the upper surface side of the flat substrate 308 and are integrally formed on the upper surface of the flat substrate 308 in a state of corresponding positions, hold the flat substrate 308 and the case 303 and are caulked and fixed on the bottom surface of the case 303. Thus, both members are joined.

  Further, at this time, the positioning protrusions 303A protruding above the case 303 are coaxially inserted into the positioning holes 308A and 310C provided in the flat substrate 308 and the metal cover 310, respectively, and protruded on the metal cover 310. Have been crimped.

  On the other hand, the case 303 has a ring-shaped inner peripheral step portion 311 on the inner side of the circular portion formed inside the circular ring of the resistance element layer 305 as the central portion, and the inner peripheral step portion 311. Inside, the center and outer contacts 312 and 313 for the switch are disposed and fixed, and the respective switch terminals 312A and 313A also extend outward from the case 303 at the same height as the other terminals.

  Then, a movable contact 314 made of a thin metal plate with a circular dome shape is placed on the outer contact 313, and the adhesive tape 315 is adhesively fixed to the upper portion of the movable contact 314 and the upper surface of the case 303, whereby the movable contact 314 Is positioned and electrically insulated from the planar substrate 308.

  The lower surface of the central portion of the movable contact 314 mounted in this way is kept at a predetermined distance from the central contact 312.

  The inner peripheral step 311 and the flat outer peripheral step 307 of the case 303 are configured at the same height, and the upper surface position of the adhesive tape 315 in a state where the movable contact 314 is adhesively fixed is a height position lower than them. It has become.

  A pressing hole 308 </ b> B is formed at the position of the flat substrate 308 corresponding to the center of the movable contact 314.

  The electronic component 302 for multidirectional input according to the present embodiment is configured as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the electronic component 302 is positioned by inserting the boss 303B at the bottom of the case 303 into the board through hole 120A of the wiring board 120 of the device used, and the terminals 306 and 309 are positioned. , 312A, 313A (only the output terminal 309 is shown in the figure) is soldered and fixed to a predetermined wiring portion on the wiring board 120.

  An operation member 200 capable of predetermined vertical movement and tilting operation is disposed above the electronic component 302.

  This operation member 200 is the same as that according to the fifth embodiment, and the shape, arrangement and engagement state with the exterior member 206 are also the same, so that the description thereof is omitted, but the operation member 200 is mounted in the above predetermined state. In the operated member 200, the ring-shaped protrusion 202 on the lower surface of the sphere 201 is disposed on the flat substrate 308, and the central protrusion 203 is disposed on the adhesive tape 315 in a facing state with a predetermined interval.

  The ring-shaped protrusion 202 and the resistance element layer 305 are aligned in the vertical direction.

  The multi-directional input device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device will be described, but detailed description of the same parts as those of the fifth embodiment will be omitted.

  First, when the operation member 200 shown in FIG. 28 is in the neutral position and a force is applied to the operation portion 208 of the operation member 200 to tilt leftward in FIG. 28, the left elastic portion 207 corresponding to that direction is applied. The spherical portion 201 rotates while being bent, and the portion moved downward of the ring-shaped protrusion 202 pushes down the corresponding portion of the flat substrate 308, and as shown in FIG. 30, the lower surface of the flat substrate 308 corresponding to that portion. Contacts the resistance element layer 305.

  In this state, by applying a predetermined voltage between two predetermined input terminals 306 among the input terminals 306 of the electronic component 302, the predetermined voltage is applied to the resistance element layer 305, and the output of the flat substrate 308 is output. A first output voltage value is detected from the terminal 309.

  By calculating the first output voltage value with a microcomputer or the like, the resistance element layer 305 identifies two locations as candidates for the portion in contact with the flat substrate 308.

  Further, the application of the two input terminals 306 is stopped using a microcomputer or the like, and the resistance element layer 305 is connected to the resistance element layer 305 via the two input terminals 306 different from the two input terminals 306 with a short high-speed cycle. When applied, the second output voltage value is detected from the output terminal 309.

  The second output voltage value is also processed by a microcomputer or the like, so that the resistance element layer 305 identifies two locations as candidates for the portion in contact with the flat substrate 308.

  Then, the candidate specified by the first output voltage value and the candidate specified by the second output voltage value are compared using a microcomputer or the like, and the resistance element layer 305 finds a position where the two match. It is determined that the position is in contact with the flat substrate 308, the operated operation direction is determined, and predetermined control in the electronic device is performed in accordance therewith.

  When the operating force of the operating member 200 on the operating portion 208 is removed, the elastic portion 207 and the flat substrate 308 are restored to their original shapes, and the operating member 200 returns to the neutral state shown in FIG.

  Further, in the electronic component 302 according to the present embodiment, the resistance element layer 305 is formed in a circular ring shape as in the case of the fifth embodiment, and therefore the same even if tilted in a direction other than the above-described one. Therefore, the tilting operation direction can be easily detected with high resolution in the 360 ° all-around direction.

  It is to be noted that the central convex portion 203 of the operation member 200 is configured not to press the movable contact 314 during the tilting operation, as in the case of the fifth embodiment.

  On the other hand, when a downward pressing force is applied to the operation portion 208 of the operation member 200 to move the spherical portion 201 downward, the skirt-like elastic portion 207 is bent, and the central protrusion of the lower surface of the spherical portion 201 is bent. After the tip of the portion 203 comes into contact with the upper surface of the adhesive tape 315, the movable contact 314 is pushed down via the adhesive tape 315.

  Then, when the pressing force exceeds a predetermined force, the movable contact 314 reverses with a sense of moderation, and its lower surface is in contact with the center contact 312 as shown in FIG. The outer contacts 312 and 313, that is, the switch terminals 312A and 313A are electrically connected.

When the downward pressing force of the operation member 200 on the operation portion 208 is removed, the movable contact 314 and the skirt-like elastic portion 207 are restored to their original shapes, and the operation member 200 is restored to the original shape by those restoring forces. Return to the neutral state shown.

  Note that the ring-shaped protrusion 202 of the operation member 200 is configured not to contact the flat substrate 308 during the above-described pressing operation.

  As described above, in the multidirectional operation device according to the present embodiment and the electronic apparatus using the multidirectional operation device, the tilt operation direction with respect to the operation member 200 is high-resolution in all directions of 360 ° as in the fifth embodiment. In addition, it is possible to switch the state of the switch by a pressing operation, and by using a signal obtained by tilting and pressing, it is possible to easily realize a high-functionality that is easy to use.

  In addition, since the parts other than the operation member 200 are also configured to be small and thin as the electronic component 302 in the present embodiment, it is easy to handle and is mounted on the wiring board 120 of the equipment used together with other components. It is possible to implement using such as.

  Further, since the electronic component 302 includes a member operated by the operation member 200 as a flat substrate 308 made of an elastic metal thin plate, the operation direction can be detected in all directions without being combined with the operation member 200 with high combination accuracy. What is possible can be easily realized, and even if it is repeatedly operated by the operation member 200, the flat substrate 308 is hardly stretched or deformed, so that it can have stable operability for a long time.

  Note that this electronic component 302 may also be one without a switch.

(Embodiment 7)
In the present embodiment, a multidirectional input device configured to be able to operate the electronic component 102 for multidirectional input described in the fifth embodiment by different operation methods will be described. Since the configuration itself is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, the description is omitted, and different portions are mainly described.

  FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of an electronic device including a multidirectional input device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. It is mounted and fixed at a predetermined position on the wiring board 120 by soldering.

  A resin-made operation member 400 that can perform a predetermined vertical movement and a linear movement operation in a direction parallel to the surface of the wiring board 120 is disposed above the electronic component 102.

  The operation member 400 has a circular operation portion 401 having a flange-shaped portion 401A at the center, and a plurality of ring-shaped portions 402 arranged concentrically on the outer periphery of the operation member 400 at a connecting bar 403 with different angular positions for each ring. They are connected (see FIG. 33).

  The outermost ring-shaped portion 404 is attached to the exterior member 500. In this state, the central convex portion 405 provided at the center of the lower surface of the circular operation portion 401 has a predetermined interval with respect to the center position of the electronic component 102. The upper portion 406 of the circular operation portion 401 is exposed or protrudes from the operation hole 501 of the exterior member 500 formed larger than the upper portion 406 in a predetermined range in alignment with the center position. .

  The central convex portion 405 of the circular operation unit 401 is configured with a diameter that does not interfere with the resistance element layer 106 on the lower surface of the insulating substrate 105.

  Further, the bowl-shaped portion 401A of the circular operation portion 401 is formed to have a larger diameter than the operation hole 501 of the exterior member 500, and the upper surface thereof is slidably in contact with the lower surface of the exterior member 500. Yes.

  Then, a mortar-shaped elastic member 407 extending downward from the center convex portion 405 is attached to the lower portion of the circular operation portion 401, and the tip portion 407A is located on the outer peripheral position than the circular ring-shaped resistance element layer 106. Is in elastic contact with the upper surface of the insulating substrate 105 corresponding to.

  In other words, the lower end diameter of the mortar-shaped elastic member 407 is larger than the diameter of the resistance element layer 106, and the tip portion 407A elastically contacts the resistance element layer 106 in a normal state where the operation member 400 is not operated. ing.

  The operation member 400 is urged by an upward urging force due to the elastic force of the elastic member 407, and the upper surface of the hook-shaped portion 401A is brought into contact with the lower surface of the exterior member 500, thereby positioning in the vertical direction. ing.

  The multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  First, from the normal state in which the operation member 400 shown in FIG. 32 is not operated, when the upper part 406 of the circular operation unit 401 of the operation member 400 is operated horizontally, that is, linearly moved parallel to the surface of the wiring board 120, a plurality of ring shapes are obtained. The circular operation unit 401 moves horizontally until the side surface of the circular operation unit 401 comes into contact with the operation hole 501 of the exterior member 500 by narrowing the portion that is not connected by the connecting bar 403 between the parts 402. To go.

  Along with this, the mortar-shaped elastic member 407 also moves in the same direction, and as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 34, the tip portion 407A corresponds to the portion where the resistance element layer 106 is formed. It moves to the upper surface of the insulating substrate 105, and the insulating substrate 105 is pushed down by the elastic force of the elastic member 407 itself so that a predetermined position of the resistance element layer 106 is brought into contact with the flat substrate 104.

  At this time, since the central convex portion 405 on the lower surface of the operation member 400 does not interfere with the movable contact 114 or the like, the switch state is not switched.

  In addition, since the method for detecting the contact position in the above state is the same as in the case of the fifth embodiment and the like, the description thereof will be omitted. Since the opposite part is detected, it is corrected and used in the normal operation direction.

  When the horizontal operation force applied to the circular operation unit 401 of the operation member 400 is removed, the plurality of ring-shaped units 402 are restored to the original state, thereby returning to the normal state shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the normal state shown in FIG. 32, when a downward downward force is applied to the upper portion 406 of the circular operation portion 401 of the operation member 400, the connecting beam 403 between the plurality of ring-shaped portions 402 is slightly inclined at the center side. The circular operation unit 401 moves downward as it enters a state.

  At this time, the elastic member 407 is elastically deformed so as to spread outward, and the resistance element layer 106 is not pushed down.

  Then, the central convex portion 405 on the lower surface of the circular operation unit 401 pushes down the movable contact 114 of the switch arranged at the center position of the electronic component 102 through the adhesive tape 115 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The switch is turned on.

  Note that the operation state of the switch is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the pressing force to the operation member 400 is removed, the movable contact 114 is restored to the original shape and the switch returns to the OFF state, and the elastic member 407 is also restored to the original shape, and a plurality of ring-shaped portions When the connecting bars 403 between 402 are restored to the original state parallel to the surface of the wiring board 120, the normal state of FIG. 32 is restored.

  At this time, when the upper surface of the hook-shaped portion 401A of the operation member 400 abuts on the lower surface of the exterior member 500, the operation member 400 stops at the original position.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation member 400 is operated by linearly moving or pressing the operation member 400 on the surface of the wiring board 120 to operate the electronic component 102, so that the exterior shape of the device used is made slimmer. It can be configured.

  In addition, although the mortar-shaped thing was demonstrated as the elastic member 407, the thing of other shapes may be sufficient, for example, even if it mounts multiple fan-shaped things, the same effect is acquired.

  Further, the linear movement operation direction of the operation member 400 may be restricted to be movable in only four directions orthogonal to each other or in eight directions divided at equal angles. In this case, only the elastic member corresponding to the movement direction is limited. It is also possible to perform simple detection only in the direction by the linear movement operation.

  Further, the electronic component 102 may be one without a switch. In this case, the diameter of the hook-shaped portion 401A of the operation member 400 is set to include that when the operation member 400 is linearly moved. By configuring the operation hole 501 so as to close the hole, it is possible to improve the dustproof performance of the device used.

The multi-directional input device according to the present invention and the electronic apparatus equipped with the multi-directional input device are configured such that the resistance element layer and the conductive portion which are arranged to face each other by the operation toward the omni-direction are partially brought into contact with each other, and the resistance element layer is circular. The position of the ring can be detected with high resolution in all directions of 360 degrees, and the switch can be operated at the center position by pressing the operating member. It is easy and can be realized with high resolution in the operation direction in all directions of the operation member, that is, high resolution in the input direction, and is useful for configuring input operation sections of various electronic devices. It is.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the mobile telephone as an electronic device using the multidirectional input device by the 1st Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device Same perspective view Conceptual diagram explaining the configuration of the multidirectional input device Sectional drawing in the PP line of FIG. Graph of output voltage of the multidirectional input device The exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device part of the electronic device using the multi-directional input device according to the other configuration The exploded perspective view of the contact part of the multidirectional input device by the other composition The top view of the contact part which is sectional drawing in the QQ line of FIG. The top view after the assembly of the contact part shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the mobile telephone as an electronic device using the multidirectional input device by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Conceptual diagram explaining the configuration of the multidirectional input device Sectional view of the operating knob pressed and tilted Sectional drawing of the principal part of the mobile telephone as an electronic device using the multidirectional input device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device Conceptual diagram explaining the configuration of the multidirectional input device Sectional view of the operating knob pressed and tilted Sectional view of the push button pressed Sectional drawing of the principal part of the mobile telephone as an electronic device using the multidirectional input device by the 4th Embodiment of this invention Sectional view of the operating knob pressed and tilted Sectional drawing of the state where the operation knob is further pressed Sectional view of the push button pressed Sectional drawing of the principal part of the electronic device provided with the multidirectional input device by the 5th Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device Top view of the case of the electronic component case for multidirectional operation input, which is the main member Sectional view showing the tilting operation state Sectional view showing the pressing operation state Sectional drawing of the principal part of the electronic device provided with the multidirectional input device by the 6th Embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device Sectional view showing the tilting operation state Sectional view showing the pressing operation state Sectional drawing of the principal part of the electronic device provided with the multidirectional input device by the 7th Embodiment of this invention Top view of the operation member that is the main member Sectional view showing the linear motion operation state Sectional view showing the pressing operation state Sectional view of a multidirectional operation switch as an electronic component for multidirectional input used in a conventional multidirectional input device Exploded perspective view Sectional view of the operating body tilted

Explanation of symbols

11 Upper case 11A Through hole 12 Lower case 13, 37, 49, 120 Wiring board 14, 42, 48 Operation knob 14A, 42A, 43A Upper surface 14B, 43B Protrusion 14C, 43C, 48D Flange 14D, 42C, 48C Protrusion 16, 38, 52 Flexible insulating substrate 16A Spacer 16B, 108 Insulating spacer 17 Leaf spring 18, 32, 53, 106, 305 Resistance element layer 18A, 18B, 22A, 23A, 33A, 33B, 34A, 34B, 107 Derived Part 18C, 18D, 33C, 33D, 34C, 34D Good conductor part 19A, 19B Connection part 20 Press spring 21A, 21B Connection contact 22, 50 First conductor layer 23, 51 Second conductor layer 24A, 24B Insulation part 25, 46 Microcomputer 29 Pressing point 29A Lower pressing point 30, 3 , 53A Contact point 31 Flexible wiring board 36 Conductive plate 38A Round hole 39 Fixed contact 40, 114, 314 Movable contact 40A Outer peripheral lower end 40B Central convex part 41 Switch contact part 42B, 48B Through hole 43 Push button 44, 112, 312 Center contact 45, 113, 313 Outer contact 47, 115, 315 Adhesive tape 48A Press part 102, 302 Electronic component 103, 303 Case 103A, 303A Positioning protrusion 103B, 303B Boss 104, 308 Planar substrate 104A, 105A, 109C, 308A, 310C Positioning hole 104B, 105B, 308B Press-down hole 105, 304 Insulating substrate 109, 310 Metal cover 109A, 206A, 310A, 501 Operation hole 109B, 310B Caulking fixed leg 110 Elastic leg 110A, 306 Terminals 111, 309 Output terminals 112A, 113A, 312A, 313A Switch terminals 120A Substrate through hole 200, 400 Operation member 201 Spherical body part 202 Ring-shaped protrusion 203, 405 Center convex part 206, 500 Exterior member 207 Elastic part 208 Operation part 307 Flat outer peripheral step portion 311 Inner peripheral step portion 401 Circular operation portion 401A Hour-shaped portion 402 Ring-shaped portion 403 Connection bar 404 Outermost peripheral ring-shaped portion 406 Upper portion of circular operation portion 407 Elastic member 407A Tip portion S, T, U1, U2 Arrow

Claims (6)

A resistive element layer in which at least three or more lead-out portions are formed in a connected circular ring shape formed on an insulating substrate, a conductive portion disposed opposite to the resistive element layer with a predetermined insulating gap, and a tilting operation , As well as an up-and-down movement operation associated with the push-down operation, an operation member that shifts the resistive element layer and the conductive portion to a partial contact state by the tilting operation, and a push-down operation to the operation member, A switch disposed at a central position that is operated by being pushed down, and the resistance element layer and the conductive portion are shifted to a partial contact state by the tilting operation of the operation member, and the resistance element Two derivation units are selected from among the derivation units of the layer, a predetermined voltage is applied between the derivation units, two first candidates are detected by the output voltage from the conductive unit, and then the resistance element layer Of the derivation part That is, two derivation units having a different combination from the above are selected, a predetermined voltage is applied between the derivation units, and two second candidates are detected from the output voltage from the conductive unit. The resistance element layer includes a control unit that performs control to specify an overlapping position in the second candidate as a contact position, and that only the switch is operated when the operation body is in a push-down operation state. A multi-directional input device in which a height position of a protrusion provided for pressing the opposing arrangement portion of the operating body is set with respect to an opposing arrangement portion between the conductive portion and the conductive portion. A resistive element layer formed in an insulating substrate in a connected circular ring shape with at least three lead-out portions led out, a conductive portion disposed opposite to the resistive element layer with a predetermined insulating gap, and a horizontal direction Is moved in a linear manner along with the push-down operation, and the elastic member mounted on the lower surface is moved together by the movement operation in the horizontal direction, so that the resistance element layer and the conductive material are moved together. And a switch disposed at a central position that is actuated by being pushed down during a push-down operation to the operation member. In a state where the resistive element layer and the conductive portion are shifted to a partial contact state by the moving operation, two lead-out portions are selected from the lead-out portions of the resistive element layer, and a predetermined voltage is applied between the lead-out portions. Apply Two first candidates are detected based on the output voltage from the conductive portion, and then, from among the derivation portions of the resistive element layer, two derivation portions having a combination different from the above are selected, and between the derivation portions Control means for applying a predetermined voltage to detect two second candidates with the output voltage from the conductive portion, and performing control to specify a position overlapping the first and second candidates as a contact position; Further, the elastic member attached to the operating body is opposed to the opposing arrangement portion of the resistance element layer and the conductive part so that only the switch is operated when the operating body is pushed down. A multi-directional input device configured to be located at a position deviated from the formation position of the resistance element layer in the opposed arrangement portion. As the conductive portion, a flat substrate made of a flat conductive metal plate integrally formed with an output terminal is used, and the flat substrate is arranged in a case having a switch at the center position with the output terminal protruding outward. An insulating substrate having a resistance element layer formed on the lower surface with a predetermined insulating gap above the flat substrate is disposed, and the resistance element layer has three or more lead parts, and each of the lead parts has The conductive elastic legs fixed to the case are elastically contacted, and the input terminals connected to the elastic legs protrude from the case, respectively. 3. The voltage applied to the resistance element layer through the input terminal in a state in which the planar substrate is partially in contact, and a derived signal is obtained from the output terminal. Multi-directional input device An insulating substrate having an input terminal at each lead-out portion of the resistive element layer is fixed to the case with the input terminals protruding outward, and a predetermined insulating gap is provided above the resistive element layer. In this state, a planar substrate made of a conductive conductive metal plate having an output terminal integrally formed is arranged, and the resistive element layer and the planar substrate are partially in contact with each other by operating the operation member. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is applied to the resistance element layer through the input terminal and a derived signal is obtained from the output terminal. 3. An electronic apparatus comprising the multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the control means is operated by a derived signal in a state where the resistance element layer and the conductive portion are partially in contact with each other by operating the operation member. An electronic device characterized in that a direction is detected and control is performed so as to vary a moving speed of a cursor or the like in a direction corresponding to the contact portion in accordance with a result detected within a predetermined time. When a derived signal that makes partial contact between the resistive element layer and the conductive portion at substantially the same position within a predetermined time is detected twice by the control means, or when the derived signal for a predetermined time or longer continues 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when detected by the control means, control is performed so as to vary a moving speed of a cursor or the like in a direction corresponding to the contact portion .

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