JP4511479B2 - Combined operation switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a tilt detection unit that electrically detects a tilt operation of an operation rod supported by a case, a push detection unit that electrically detects a push operation of the operation rod in a direction along the rod axis, The present invention relates to a composite operation switch including a rotation detection unit that electrically detects a rotation operation of an operation rod.

  There exists what was described in patent document 1 as a composite operation switch comprised as mentioned above. In Patent Document 1, an operation rod (operation shaft in the literature) is provided for a case having a structure in which a first case, a second case, and a third case are overlapped, and is integrated with a lower end position of the operation rod. A drive member is externally fitted to be rotatable (co-rotating) and movable in the axial direction of the operating rod, and a disk-shaped swing contact plate made of a conductor is provided on the drive member so as to rotate integrally. The rotating member is engaged with the driving member so as to rotate integrally.

  A fixed contact is provided at a position surrounding the operation rod in a cross shape on the lower surface side of the machine base portion of the first case arranged at the upper part of the case, and a compression spring made of a conductor such as a metal wire is brought into contact with the swing contact plate, The lower end of the compression spring is brought into contact with a common fixed contact (described later). When the operating rod is tilted (swinged), the fixed contact and the swinging contact plate come into contact with each other to reach a conductive state, and this tilting direction can be electrically detected (tilt detection unit of the present invention).

  A code pattern made of a conductor such as metal is formed on the inner surface of the second case arranged in the middle of the case, and a slider that contacts the code pattern is provided on the lower surface side of the rotating member. When the operating rod is rotated, the rotation angle is detected as an encoded electric signal from the contact between the code pattern and the slider (the rotation detection unit of the present invention).

  A central fixed contact is arranged at the center of the inner surface of the bottom wall of the third case arranged at the bottom of the case, a common fixed contact is arranged at this external position, and a movable contact having a dome-shaped bulge is arranged around it. Are in contact with the common fixed contact and separated from the central fixed contact. Further, a pressing member is disposed on the upper portion of the bulging portion of the movable contact, and the lower end of the operation rod is disposed in contact with the upper end of the pressing member. When the operating rod is pushed in, the operating force from the operating rod is elastically deformed until the bulging portion of the movable contact contacts the central fixed contact, and the common fixed contact and the central fixed contact reach a conductive state. Thus, the pushing operation is electrically detected (pushing detection unit of the present invention).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-302642

  The composite operation switch configured as described above is often provided in a relatively small device such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a game controller, or a remote controller, and a reduction in size is desired. In consideration of downsizing, it is necessary to arrange the tilt detection unit for detecting the tilt operation of the operation rod, the push detection unit for detecting the push operation, and the rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation operation so as to be easily assembled in the case. is there.

  For this reason, the composite operation switch of Patent Document 1 ensures ease of assembly by combining the case with three members (first case, second case, and second case). Specifically, in order to arrange each in a single space formed inside the tilt detection unit, the push-in detection unit, and the rotation detection unit case, the contacts constituting these detection units are located at positions where they are exposed to the internal space. The structure which arrange | positions and arrange | positions the member which contacts these contact points in the position which opposes is employ | adopted.

  However, when assembling the composite operation switch of Patent Document 1, contacts are arranged at a position exposed in the internal space, and a swing contact plate, a rotating member, etc. are arranged in the internal space at a position corresponding to this, and then the case is mounted. Since the three members are connected and fixed, it becomes difficult to confirm the conduction state of the contacts in some of the detection parts before this connection and fixing is performed, and a continuity failure is found after assembly. There was also.

  In particular, since the contacts are arranged at a position exposed in a single internal space, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to employ a conductive structure having a complicated structure. As an example, a component that constitutes a tilt detecting unit that detects a tilting operation of the operating rod by using a plurality of combinations of movable contacts and two types of fixed contacts, such as the indentation detecting unit of Patent Document 1, is used. Considering that, since the movable contact has a structure that is simply placed on two types of fixed contacts, the direction in which gravity acts must be taken into consideration when assembling, and there is room for improvement.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally constitute a composite operation switch that can be easily assembled.

A feature of the present invention is that a tilt detection unit that electrically detects a tilt operation of the operation rod supported by the case, and a push detection unit that electrically detects a push operation of the operation rod in the direction along the rod axis. In the composite operation switch including a rotation detection unit that electrically detects the rotation operation of the operation rod,
The case has a structure in which an upper case on the upper side and a lower case on the bottom side are overlapped and connected, an operating body that tilts with the tilt of the operating rod inside the case, and rotates with the rotation of the operating rod And the rotor is formed with a cylindrical portion at the center of the rotor and a hook-like portion projecting outward from the lower end side of the cylindrical portion,
The upper case includes an intermediate wall portion formed at a position that is perpendicular to the rod axis of the operation rod in a neutral posture and overlaps the upper side of the flange-shaped portion of the rotor, and an upper surface side of the intermediate wall portion In the position that surrounds the cylindrical part in the tilt detection unit for detecting the tilt of the operating rod from the tilt of the operating body ,
The lower case includes a bottom wall portion that is parallel to the intermediate wall portion, and includes the indentation detection unit at a central position on the upper surface side of the bottom wall portion and below the cylindrical portion of the rotor. It lies in that arranged before Symbol rotation detector in a position surrounding the depression detecting device.

  With this configuration, the tilt detection part is provided on the upper surface side of the intermediate wall part, and the indentation detection part and the rotation detection part are provided on the bottom wall part of the lower case, so that the tilting is performed before the upper case and the lower case are connected. It is possible to check the conduction state of the detection unit, and similarly, it is also possible to check the conduction state of the push-in detection unit and the rotation detection unit. In addition, since the tilt detection unit and the rotation detection unit are arranged at positions overlapping in the direction along the rod axis, it is possible to arrange many contacts by arranging each near the outer peripheral position in the case. For example, the resolution can be improved. As a result, a composite operation switch that can be easily assembled even if the number of parts is large is rationally configured. In particular, even if the tilting operation part has a structure in which many parts are stacked, the tilting operation part is arranged on the upper surface side of the intermediate wall part, so that the switch is assembled without violating the direction of gravity action. It becomes possible.

  According to the present invention, the operation rod includes a spring plate material, which is a conductor that is elastically deformed by the action of a pressing force, and a pair of electrodes that reach a conductive state by contact with the spring plate material when the spring plate material is elastically deformed. The pair of electrodes may be electrically connected to a circuit formed on the intermediate wall portion.

  With this configuration, when the operating rod is tilted, the spring plate material corresponding to the tilting operation is elastically deformed and comes into contact with the pair of electrodes. Since the operating force acting on the spring plate material is reflected on the operating rod during the tilting operation, for example, it is possible to grasp the tilting operation as a click feeling. Further, since the pair of electrodes are electrically conducted by elastic deformation of the spring plate material, this conduction state can be taken out via a circuit formed on the intermediate wall portion.

  In the present invention, the indentation detection unit is composed of a spring plate material made of a conductor that is elastically deformed by the action of a pressing force, and a pair of electrodes that reach a conductive state by contact with the spring plate material when the spring plate material is elastically deformed, The pair of electrodes may be electrically connected to the circuit of the bottom wall portion.

  With this configuration, when the operating rod is pushed in, the spring plate material is elastically deformed to contact the pair of electrodes in a conductive state and reach a conductive state, and this state can be taken out via a circuit on the bottom wall. It becomes possible.

The present invention, before and kilometers over data, is composed of a plurality of electrodes in contact with the contacts provided in the rotor, the plurality of electrodes is connected the bottom wall circuit electrically formed in part in Also good.

  With this configuration, when the operating rod is rotated, the rotor is rotated with this rotational operating force, and the contact provided on the rotor comes into contact with the electrode to reach a conductive state. It becomes possible to take out via.

In the present invention, the flange portion of the rotor may be disposed at a position sandwiched between the intermediate wall portion of the upper case and the bottom wall portion of the lower case.

  With this configuration, the rotor is sandwiched between the intermediate wall portion and the bottom wall portion, whereby the rotational position of the rotor can be maintained and stable rotation can be realized.

  The present invention may have a structure in which the upper case includes a side wall portion surrounding the outer periphery of the intermediate wall portion, and a top cover may be connected and fixed to the upper end of the side wall portion.

  With this configuration, it is possible to use an upper case having a structure opened upward, which makes assembly easier.

  The present invention provides a connecting piece having a plurality of engaging portions that are convex or concave on the outer surface of the side wall portion, and a connecting portion that engages and connects the engaging portion to the top cover and the lower case. The top cover is overlaid on the upper side of the upper case, the connecting piece of the top cover is engaged with the engaging portion of the upper case, and the lower case is overlaid on the lower side of the upper case. The connecting portion of the lower case may be engaged and connected to the engaging portion of the upper case.

  With this configuration, the connecting part of the top cover is connected to the engaging part of the side wall part, and the connecting part of the lower case is connected to the engaging part of the side wall part to be connected and fixed in such a manner as to sandwich the upper case. Thus, the connection in a state where the relative positional relationship between the top cover, the upper case, and the lower case is firmly maintained is realized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the operation rod 20 is provided with a posture toward the vertical direction with respect to the case 10, and the tilt detection unit A that electrically detects the tilt operation of the operation rod 20, and the operation rod The composite operation switch includes a push-in detection unit B that electrically detects the push-in operation in the direction along the rod axis Y of 20 and a rotation detection unit C that electrically detects the rotation operation of the operation rod 20. It is configured.

  This composite operation switch is provided in a mobile phone, a PDA, a game machine controller, a home appliance remote controller, and the like. Although this composite operation switch has no relation in the vertical direction when in use, the upper side in FIG. 3 is referred to as the upper side, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side.

  When the composite operation switch is in a non-operation state, the operation rod maintains a neutral posture N, and the tilt detection unit A detects a tilt operation in the cross direction with the neutral posture N as a reference. The axis of the operating rod 20 is referred to as the rod axis Y, and the indentation detecting unit B electrically detects an indentation operation in the direction along the rod axis Y. The rotation detection unit C electrically detects a rotation operation amount around the rod axis of the neutral posture N.

  In the composite operation switch of the present invention, when the operation rod 20 is operated in the cross direction, the tilt detection unit A is configured to detect the tilt operation in these four directions. The detection direction of the tilt detection unit A It may be configured to detect tilting in a direction less than four directions, and may detect tilting in five or more directions such as eight directions.

  The case 10 is configured by connecting a top cover 11, an upper case 12, and a lower case 13. The top cover 11, the upper case 12, and the lower case 13 are formed of an insulative resin material, so that a cross-sectional shape along the rod axis Y in the neutral posture N is formed into a regular octagon. ing.

  A through hole 11A through which the operating rod 20 passes vertically is formed in the top cover 11, and a concave guide surface 11G that is equidistant from the tilting center P of the operating rod 20 is formed on the lower surface side of the top cover 11. Further, four connecting pieces 14 integrally formed on the outer periphery of the top cover 11 are projected downward, and an engaging connecting portion 14A having a hole shape is formed at the tip of the connecting piece 14. Yes.

  11 A of said through-holes are the structures which have the cross-shaped guide groove 11AG along a tilting direction in planar view, The inner surface of this guide groove 11AG is formed in the inclined surface which goes to the direction of the said tilting center P. As shown in FIG.

  The upper case 12 integrally forms a cylindrical side wall portion 12A in a posture along the rod axis Y in the neutral posture N and an intermediate wall portion 12B in a posture orthogonal to the rod axis Y in the neutral posture N. An opening 12H is formed at the center position of the intermediate wall portion 12B. Further, eight engaging pieces 12T (an example of an engaging portion) that are convex are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the side wall portion 12A.

  As shown in FIG. 11, center electrodes 31 made of a conductor are formed on the upper surface side of the intermediate wall portion 12B of the upper case 12 at four detection positions in the cross direction with the operation rod 20 in between. A ring electrode 32 made of a conductor is formed at a position surrounding the electrode 31.

  In the middle wall portion 12B of the upper case 12, an independent tilt detection circuit electrically connected to the four center electrodes 31 and a common circuit electrically connected to the four ring electrodes 32 are inserted into the intermediate wall portion 12B. The four tilt detection leads 33 that are formed by the technique described above and are connected to the tilt detection circuit are formed to protrude downward, and the single common lead 34 that is connected to the common circuit is formed to protrude downward. .

  The lower case 13 integrally forms a cylindrical side wall portion 13A in a posture along the rod axis Y in the neutral posture N and a bottom wall portion 13B in a posture orthogonal to the rod axis Y in the neutral posture N. An annular rib-shaped contact portion 13C in which the indentation detecting portion B is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 13B, and an annular rib-shaped spring receiving portion 13D are formed in a concentric manner at the outer peripheral position. Has been.

  Four connecting pieces 15 integrally formed on the side wall portion 13 </ b> A of the lower case 13 project upward, and an engaging connecting portion 15 </ b> A having a hole shape is formed at the tip of the connecting piece 15.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13, a center electrode 41 made of a conductor is formed at the center position of the portion surrounded by the contact portion 13C, and the portion surrounding the center electrode 41 A ring electrode 42 made of a conductor is formed at the position. On the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13, a push operation detecting circuit that is connected to the center electrode 41 and a ring circuit that is connected to the ring electrode 42 are formed by an insert technique, and the push operation that is connected to the push operation detecting circuit is formed. The detection lead 43 is formed to project downward, and the ring lead 44 connected to the ring circuit is formed to project downward.

  In the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13, a ring-shaped common electrode 51 made of a conductor and a plurality of count electrodes 52 made of a conductor are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the spring receiving portion 13D. A large number of irregularities 53 for click are formed at positions surrounding 52.

  The common electrode 51 is electrically connected to the common lead 54 through a circuit formed by insert technology in the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13, and the count electrode 52 is connected through a circuit formed by insert technology. The common lead 54 and the count lead 55 are formed so as to protrude downward. A lower part of the outer surface of the lower case 13 is formed with a lead holder part 13H in which holes for inserting the four tilt detection leads 33 and the one common lead 34 are formed.

[Operation rod]
The operation rod 20 is made of a material having a relatively high rigidity such as a copper alloy, and a D-cut portion 21A is formed at a portion where a knob or the like is attached to the upper end portion 21 protruding upward from the case 10, and an intermediate portion 22 is formed. Is formed in a cylindrical shape, a large-diameter portion 23 is formed below the intermediate portion 22, and a plurality of engaging pieces 24 that form a gear shape that outputs a rotational force are formed below the intermediate portion 22, and the lower end Is formed with a contact portion 25 serving as a spherical outer surface.

  Further, a resin spring receiving member 26 is fitted and fixed at an intermediate position between the contact portion 25 and the gear-like engagement piece 24, and the contact portion 25 is centered on the tilting center P shown in FIG. It is molded into a protruding spherical shape.

(Tilt detector)
As described above, the tilt detection part A is made of a conductor arranged at a position covering the center electrode 31 and the ring electrode 32 formed at the four detection positions on the upper surface of the intermediate wall part 12B of the upper case 12. A dome-shaped spring plate member 35, a rubber ring 36 integrally formed with a buffer 36A in contact with the upper surfaces of the four spring plate members 35, and a spring ring 37 made of a ring-shaped spring member arranged in close contact with the upper surface of the rubber ring 36 And an operating body 38 that applies a pressing force to the spring plate material 35 via the buffer 36A when the operating rod 20 is tilted.

  The spring plate material 35 is made of a disk-shaped material made of a conductor such as a copper alloy or an iron alloy, and is formed into a dome shape whose central portion bulges upward. The spring plate member 35 is in contact with the ring electrode 32 in a state where no pressing force is applied, and the center portion is separated from the center electrode 31.

  When a pressing force acts on the center portion of the spring plate material 35 from above, the center portion of the spring plate material 35 comes into contact with the center electrode 31 by elastic deformation, so that the center electrode 31 and the ring electrode 32 are in a conductive state. Reach. In addition, although the structure which has arrange | positioned the single spring board material 35 to the detection position is shown in drawing, you may use this spring board material 35 in piles.

  The rubber ring 36 is made of a flexible and insulating material such as silicon rubber, and the buffer body 36A is integrally formed so as to protrude from both front and back surfaces of the rubber ring 36. The spring ring 37 is formed with a hole 37A through which the buffer 36A passes. The rubber ring 36 and the spring ring 37 are formed with fitting holes 36S and 37S. By fitting the fitting piece 12S protruding from the intermediate wall portion 12B into the fitting holes 36S and 37S, the rubber is obtained. The ring 36 and the spring ring 37 are supported at appropriate positions.

  The actuating body 38 is formed by molding an insulating resin material to form a hole 38A in the center, and the upper surface of the center is in sliding contact with the guide surface 11G formed on the lower surface side of the top cover 11. A convex sliding contact surface 38G is formed, and four pressing operation portions 38B project from the outer peripheral portion downward.

  A plurality of groove portions T are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 38A so as to be parallel to the rod axis Y of the operation rod 20, and the operation rod 20 is inserted into the hole portion 38A. In the state where the intermediate portion 22 is externally fitted to the operating rod 20, only the protruding portion of the inner surface of the hole 38A contacts the operating rod 20, so that the contact area with the operating rod 20 is reduced and the rod axis Y is reduced. The relative rotation around and the relative slide movement in the rod axis Y direction can be easily performed. Further, the sliding contact surface 38G is formed on a part of a smooth spherical surface that is equidistant from the tilting center P of the operating rod 20, and exhibits a smooth and stable tilting.

  Four concave portions 38S are formed near the outer periphery of the upper surface of the operating body 38, and this concave portion 38S is fitted to a positioning piece (not shown) formed to protrude from the lower surface side of the top cover 11 to thereby operate this operation. The relative positional relationship between the pressing operation portion 38B of the body 38 and the detection position is appropriately maintained.

(Indentation detection unit)
The indentation detecting portion B is arranged at a position covering the center electrode 41 and the ring electrode 42 formed on the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13 and an upper portion of the spring plate member 45. A first contact member 46 and a second contact member 47 fitted and connected to the first contact member 46, and a compression coil type between the spring receiver 13D and the spring receiver 26 of the operating rod 20. Return spring 48 is provided.

  The spring plate material 45 is made of a disk-shaped material made of a conductor such as a copper alloy or an iron alloy, similar to the tilt detecting portion, and is formed in a dome shape so that the central portion bulges upward. Yes. The spring plate member 45 is in contact with the ring electrode 42 in a state where no pressing force is applied, and the center portion is separated from the center electrode 41.

  When a pressing force is applied to the spring plate material 45 from above, the center portion of the spring plate material 45 comes into contact with the center electrode 41 due to elastic deformation, so that the center electrode 41 and the ring electrode 42 reach a conductive state. In addition, although the structure which has arrange | positioned the single spring board material 45 is shown in drawing, you may use this spring board material 45 in piles.

  The lower first contact member 46 is formed of a relatively flexible and insulating resin material such as silicon rubber, and the upper second contact member 47 is formed of an insulating and relatively hard resin material. The first contact member 46 and the second contact member 47 are fitted and connected. The lower first contact member 46 is movable in the vertical direction in such a manner that it is guided by the inner surface of the contact portion 13C, and the upper surface of the upper second contact member 47 is in contact with the lower end of the operating rod 20. By forming a concave surface along the shape of the portion 25 on the upper surface, the pressure from the contact portion 25 is transmitted to the spring plate member 45 via the first contact member 46 even when the operation rod 20 is slightly inclined. To function.

  The rib-shaped contact portion 13 </ b> C contacts the spring receiving member 26 after the pressing detection portion B reaches the detection state by the pressing force from the operation rod 20 when the operation rod 20 is pressed. Thus, the protrusion amount from the bottom wall part 13B of the lower case 13 is set.

(Rotation detector)
The rotation detection unit C includes a rotor 56 to which a rotational force is transmitted from a plurality of engagement pieces 24 formed in a gear shape to the operation rod 20, and a lower surface of the rotor 56 as shown in FIGS. A contact 57 formed and a click spring 58 formed on the lower surface of the rotor 56 are provided.

  The rotor 56 is formed by molding an insulating resin material, thereby forming a cylindrical portion 56A at the center, forming a flange-like portion 56B on the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 56A, and forming the cylindrical portion 56A. An engaging portion 56C into which the engaging piece 24 is fitted is formed at the upper end. The engaging portion 56 </ b> C is configured to allow the gear-shaped engaging piece 24 to tilt with the operation rod 20 tilting.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 56A of the rotor 56 is set to a value that enters the opening 12H formed in the upper case 12, and the inner diameter of the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 56A is set to the lower case. By setting the value to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the 13 contact portions 13C, in the assembled state of the composite operation switch, the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 56A of the rotor 56 is the opening 12H formed in the upper case 12. At the same time that the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 56A is lightly in contact with the inner surface, the inner surface of the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 56A is lightly in contact with the contact portion 13C of the lower case 13, and when the rotor 56 rotates, the inner surface of the opening 12H and the contact portion 13C Stable rotation is realized in the form of being guided by the outer surface.

  A rib projecting downward is formed on the lower surface side of the flange-shaped portion 56B of the rotor 56, and a distance between the lower end of the rib and the upper surface of the flange-shaped portion 56B is formed in the lower case 13. By setting the value slightly smaller than the vertical dimension of the space, the upper surface of the flange-shaped portion 46B of the rotor 56 is lightly applied to the lower surface of the intermediate wall portion 12B of the upper case 12 in the assembled state. Will come into contact, revealing a more stable rotation of the rotor 56.

  The contactor 57 is formed by forming a conductor such as a copper alloy into a ring shape, and forming a main sliding contact portion 57A that is always in contact with the common electrode 51 on the inner peripheral side thereof. It has a structure in which a sub-sliding contact portion 57B capable of sliding contact with the count electrode 52 is formed at a specific position in the direction. Because of this structure, when the rotor 56 rotates, the count electrode 52 and the common electrode 51 reach a conductive state at the timing when the outer slidable contact portion 57B on the outer peripheral side of the contactor 57 comes into contact with the count electrode 52. The count electrode 52 and the common electrode 51 are in an insulated state at the timing when the contact portion 57B is separated from the count electrode 52.

  The click spring 58 has a structure in which a metal material that is elastically deformed flexibly is formed in a ring shape, and includes a protruding portion 58A that protrudes downward in two locations in the circumferential direction. 58A engages and disengages the click uneven portion 53 formed on the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13 to create a click feeling.

〔assembly〕
In this composite operation switch, after the tilt detection unit A is assembled to the upper case 12 and the top cover 11 is connected to the upper case 12 (or in parallel with the assembly of the tilt detection unit A to the upper case 12 in this way, ), The push-in detection unit B and the rotation detection unit C are assembled to the lower case 13, and the lower case 13 and the upper case 12 are assembled in the order of connection.

  The order of assembly is not limited to this. For example, after the push-in detection unit B and the rotation detection unit C are assembled to the lower case 13, the upper case 12 is connected to the lower case 13, and the upper case 12 is assembled. The tilt detection unit A may be assembled to the upper case 12 and then the top cover 11 may be connected to the upper case 12.

  Specifically, the spring plate material 35 is arranged at a position covering the center electrode 31 and the ring electrode 32 formed at the four detection positions of the intermediate wall portion 12B of the upper case 12, and the rubber ring 36 and the spring ring 37 are arranged. The overlapping is performed in a state where the fitting pieces 12S of the intermediate wall portion 12B are fitted to the fitting holes 36S and 37S. Next, the operating body 38 is arranged on the upper part, and the top cover 11 is connected in a state where a positioning piece (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the top cover 11 is fitted in the recess 38S of the operating body 38. To do.

  When this connection is performed, the top cover 11 and the upper case 12 are brought into close contact with each other, whereby the engagement connection portion 14A of the connection piece 14 formed on the top cover 11 is formed on the side wall portion 12A of the upper case 12. The connection is completed by reaching a state of elastically fitting to the corresponding one of the plurality of engagement pieces 12T.

  Further, a spring plate 45 is disposed at a position covering the center electrode 41 and the ring electrode 42 of the lower case 13, and the first contact member 46 and the second contact member 47 are fitted and connected to the upper portion. Further, with the return spring 48 disposed in the spring receiving portion 13D, the operation rod 20 and the rotor 56 are disposed in this order on the upper portion, and the lower case 13 and the upper case 12 are connected.

  When this connection is performed, the operation rod 20 supported by the lower case 13 is inserted into the hole 38A of the operating body 38 supported by the upper case 12, and the cylindrical portion 56A of the rotor 56 is opened to the opening of the upper case 12. By aligning the insertion positions into H and bringing them into close contact with each other, the engagement connection portions 15A of the connection pieces 15 formed on the lower case 13 are connected to the plurality of engagement pieces 12T formed on the side wall portions 12A of the upper case 12. The state of elastically fitting to the corresponding one is reached, the connection is completed, and this composite operation switch is completed. At the time of this connection, the postures of the tilt detection lead 33 and the common lead 34 are inserted by inserting the four tilt detection leads 33 and one common lead 34 provided in the upper case 12 into the corresponding hole portions of the lead holder portion 13H. Make it appropriate.

  In the composite operation switch thus assembled, the urging force from the return spring 48 acts upward on the operation rod 20, so that the operating body 38 contacts the upper end of the large-diameter portion 23 of the operation rod 20. Then, the sliding contact surface 38G of the operating body 38 is kept in contact with the guide surface 11G of the top cover 11. Further, the operating rod 20 is maintained in the neutral posture N by the biasing force that directly acts on the operating rod 20 from the return spring 48 and the force that acts on the operating body 38 from the buffer 36A of the rubber ring 36. .

  The spring plate material 35 disposed at the four detection positions of the tilt detection unit A is maintained in a state of being separated from the center electrode 31, and the spring plate material 45 of the push-in detection unit B is maintained in a state of being separated from the center electrode 41. The main contact portion 57A on the inner peripheral side of the contact 57 provided in the rotor 56 contacts the common electrode 51 of the rotation detection unit C, and the sub contact portion 57B on the outer peripheral side of the contact 57 contacts the count electrode 52. Or it will be in a non-contact state.

[Detection type]
When the operating rod 20 is tilted in any direction with respect to the neutral posture N in a state where any one of the four tilt detection leads 33 and one common lead 34 is applied, As shown in FIG. 6, the actuating body 38 tilts with this tilting, and the pressing force from the pressing operation portion 38 </ b> B of the actuating body 38 is applied to the spring plate member 35 positioned in the corresponding direction via the buffer 36 </ b> A. By acting, the spring plate member 35 is elastically deformed and the center electrode 31 and the ring electrode 32 reach a conductive state, and this tilting operation can be taken out as a change in the voltage signal of the corresponding tilting detection lead 33.

  When the operating rod 20 is tilted in this way, the sliding contact surface 38G of the operating body 38 supported by the operating rod 20 moves along the guide surface 11G formed on the lower surface side of the top cover 11. Thus, the operation rod 20 is tilted in a form centered on the tilt center P. Then, when the spring plate member 35 corresponding to the tilting direction is elastically deformed in accordance with the tilting operation, a click feeling is created so that the operator can recognize that the tilting operation has been detected. Further, during the tilting operation, the pressing force from the pressing operation portion 38B of the operating body 38 acts via the buffer 36A, so that even if a strong pressing force is applied, the buffer 36A is compressed and deformed. Inconvenience that the strong force acts on the spring plate member 35 and is damaged can be avoided. When the tilting operation of the operating rod 20 is released after this tilting operation, the operating rod 20 is restored to the neutral posture N by the biasing force from the spring ring 37 and the return spring 48.

  In addition, when the operating rod 20 is pushed in a state where either one of the pushing operation detection lead 43 and the ring lead 44 is applied, as shown in FIG. Move along the core Y. With this movement, a pressing operation force from the operating rod 20 acts on the spring plate member 45 via the first contact member 46 and the second contact member 47, and the spring plate member 45 is elastically deformed to be centered. The electrode 41 and the ring electrode 42 reach a conductive state, and this pushing operation can be taken out as a voltage signal of the pushing operation detection lead 43.

  When the operating rod 20 is pushed in this way, a click feeling is created when the spring plate material 45 is elastically deformed, and the operator can recognize that the situation where the pushing operation has been detected has been reached. ing. Further, when the operating rod 20 is pushed in, the spring plate 45 is elastically deformed and immediately after the center electrode 41 and the ring electrode 42 reach a conductive state, the operating rod is moved against the rib-shaped contact portion 13C. 20 spring receiving members 26 are in contact with each other, and the first contact member 46 is flexibly elastically deformed. Therefore, even when the operating rod 20 is pushed in with a strong force, an excessive force is applied to the center electrode 41 or The inconvenience of being damaged by acting on the ring electrode 42 or the spring plate material 45 can be avoided.

  When the operation rod 20 is pushed, it is ideal that the operation rod 20 is in the neutral posture N. However, a push operation in a state where the operation rod 20 is slightly tilted is also possible. In particular, when a push operation is performed in a state where the operating rod 20 is largely tilted, a portion of the spring receiving member 26 at the lower end of the operating rod 20 that protrudes downward due to the tilting contacts the contact portion 13C. Thus, a force in a direction toward the neutral posture N is applied to the operation rod 20 to realize a push operation in a state where the operation rod 20 is brought close to the neutral posture N.

  Further, when the operating rod 20 is rotated in a state where a voltage is applied to either the common electrode 51 or the count electrode 52, the secondary sliding contact on the outer peripheral side of the contactor 57 is performed as the rotor 56 rotates. The count electrode 52 and the common electrode 51 reach a conductive state when the portion 57B comes into contact with the count electrode 52, and the count electrode 52 and the common electrode 51 are insulated when the sub-sliding contact portion 57B is separated from the count electrode 52. As a result, the voltage of the count lead 55 changes in the reverse direction. Each time the voltage changes in this way, the amount of rotation of the operating rod 20 can be grasped based on the initial rotation posture by counting the change in the voltage signal on the substrate outside the composite operation switch. It functions as an incremental rotary encoder).

  Further, when the operating rod 20 is rotated, the protruding portion 58A of the click spring 58 is engaged with and disengaged from the concavo-convex portion 53, and the click feeling acting on the operating rod 20 that this rotation is performed. Can be grasped.

[Characteristic functions of the present invention]
As described above, according to the present invention, the four center electrodes 31 constituting the tilt detection part A and the ring electrode 32 are formed on the intermediate wall part 12B integrally formed with the upper case 12, and the spring plate material 35 is provided at a position covering the center electrode 31. It is also possible to connect the top cover 11 after the rubber ring 36 and the spring ring 37 are overlapped, and the actuating body 38 is disposed on the rubber ring 36 and the spring ring 37. The tilt detector A can be assembled without considering the assembly order of the detector B and the rotation detector C.

  The center electrode 41 and the ring electrode 42 of the indentation detecting portion B are formed on the bottom wall portion 13B integrally formed with the lower case 13, and the spring plate member 45 is disposed at a position covering the center electrode 41 and the first contact member 46. It is also possible to connect the upper case 12 after the second contact member 47 and the compression coil spring 48 are disposed, and the rotor 56 of the rotation detection unit C is disposed on the bottom wall portion 13B. By following the above, it is possible to assemble the push-in detection unit B and the rotation detection unit C without considering the assembly order of the tilt detection unit A.

  In particular, in the composite operation switch of the present invention, the tilt detection unit A is disposed on the upper surface of the intermediate wall 12B integrally formed with the upper case 12, and the push detection unit B and the rotation detection are detected on the upper surface of the bottom wall 13B of the lower case 13. Since the portion C is arranged, the assembly can be made with rational use of the direction of gravity, and there is no difficulty in connecting the upper case 12 and the lower case 13 together.

  Since the upper case 12 includes four tilt detection leads 33 and a common lead 34 that are electrically connected to the tilt detection unit A, it is possible to check the conduction state of the tilt detection unit A during assembly. The operating state of the tilt detector A can be determined during assembly. Similarly, the lower case 13 includes a push operation detection lead 43 and a ring lead 44 that are connected to the push detection unit B, and a common lead 54 and a count lead 55 that are connected to the rotation detection unit C. In the middle of the assembly, the operating state of the push-in detection unit B and the rotation detection unit C can be determined.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) A concave portion is formed as an engaging portion formed on the side wall portion 12 </ b> A of the upper case 12, and a convex portion is formed on the connecting pieces 14, 15. Moreover, you may form the engaging part which combined several concave part and several convex part in 12 A of side walls.

(B) The tilt detection unit A and the indentation detection unit B are configured by using an electrode and conductive rubber. When a pressing force is applied, the conductive rubber is elastically deformed to come into contact with the electrode to display a conductive state. Adopt a structure that does.

(C) The rotation detector C is configured as an absolute rotary encoder.

Perspective view of compound operation switch Top view, side view and bottom view of compound operation switch Vertical side view of compound operation switch Exploded perspective view of compound operation switch Cross section of the compound operation switch in the disassembled state Vertical side view of compound operation switch in tilting operation state Vertical side view of the compound operation switch in the push-in operation state The figure which shows electrode arrangement of the bottom wall part of a lower case The figure which shows the contactor with which the rotor was equipped Exploded perspective view of rotor and contact The figure which shows electrode arrangement of the middle wall part of an upper case

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case 11 Top cover 12 Upper case 12A Side wall part 12B Intermediate wall part 12T Engagement part (engagement piece)
13 Lower case 13B Bottom wall part 14 Connection piece 14A Connection part (engagement connection part)
15 connection piece 15A connection part (engagement connection part)
20 Operating rod 31, 32 Electrode (Center electrode / Ring electrode)
35 Spring plate material 45 Spring plate material 56 Rotor 57 Contact A Tilt detection unit B Push detection unit C Rotation detection unit Y Rod shaft core

Claims (7)

A tilt detector that electrically detects the tilt operation of the operating rod supported by the case, a push detector that electrically detects a push operation of the operating rod in the direction along the rod axis, and rotation of the operating rod A composite operation switch including a rotation detection unit that electrically detects an operation;
The case has a structure in which an upper case on the upper side and a lower case on the bottom side are overlapped and connected, an operating body that tilts with the tilt of the operating rod inside the case, and rotates with the rotation of the operating rod And the rotor is formed with a cylindrical portion at the center of the rotor and a hook-like portion projecting outward from the lower end side of the cylindrical portion,
The upper case includes an intermediate wall portion formed at a position that is perpendicular to the rod axis of the operation rod in a neutral posture and overlaps the upper side of the flange-shaped portion of the rotor, and an upper surface side of the intermediate wall portion In the position that surrounds the cylindrical part in the tilt detection unit for detecting the tilt of the operating rod from the tilt of the operating body ,
The lower case includes a bottom wall portion that is parallel to the intermediate wall portion, and includes the indentation detection unit at a central position on the upper surface side of the bottom wall portion and below the cylindrical portion of the rotor. composite operating switches are arranged before Symbol rotation detector in a position surrounding the depression detecting device.   A position where the tilt detection unit surrounds the operation rod with a spring plate material made of a conductor elastically deformed by the action of a pressing force and a pair of electrodes that reach a conductive state by contact with the spring plate material when the spring plate material is elastically deformed. The composite operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to be arranged, and the pair of electrodes are electrically connected to a circuit formed on the intermediate wall portion.   The indentation detection unit is composed of a spring plate material made of a conductor that is elastically deformed by the action of a pressing force, and a pair of electrodes that reach a conductive state by contact with the spring plate material when the spring plate material is elastically deformed. 2. The composite operation switch according to claim 1, wherein is electrically connected to the circuit of the bottom wall. The rotation detecting section, before and kilometers over data, is composed of a plurality of electrodes in contact with the contacts provided in the rotor, electrically connected circuit and which the plurality of electrodes are formed on the bottom wall portion The composite operation switch according to claim 1. The composite operation switch according to claim 4 , wherein the flange-shaped portion of the rotor is disposed at a position sandwiched between an intermediate wall portion of the upper case and a bottom wall portion of the lower case.   6. The composite according to claim 1, wherein the upper case has a structure including a side wall portion that surrounds an outer periphery of the intermediate wall portion, and a top cover is connected and fixed to an upper end of the side wall portion. Operation switch. A plurality of engaging portions that are convex or concave are formed on the outer surface of the side wall portion, and a connecting piece having a connecting portion that engages and connects with the engaging portion is provided on the top cover and the lower case. With
The top cover is overlaid on the upper case, the connecting piece of the top cover is engaged with the engaging portion of the upper case, and the lower case is overlaid on the lower side of the upper case. The composite operation switch according to claim 6, wherein the connecting portion of the lower case is engaged and connected to the joint portion.

Images