JP4511480B2 - 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 addition, in this way of detecting an operation in multiple directions, it is required that the operation in each direction can be properly detected without erroneous detection.

  Considering the operation mode of Patent Document 1, when the operating rod is pushed in, the operating rod moves independently in the axial direction, and the movable contact at the bottom of the case is elastically deformed to establish an electrically conductive state. It is what you create. However, when the operating rod is rotated, the rotating member rotates, and the rotation angle is detected from the contact between the code pattern and the slider. Since the rotation operation is performed integrally, for example, when the rotation operation is performed with the operation rod tilted, the swing contact plate and the fixed contact come into sliding contact with each other, and the fixed contact wears out. It was also considered that the friction caused by the sliding contact acts as an operation resistance.

  Thus, in the case where the operation is accompanied by a part that does not need to be originally operated for a specific operation, as described above, it may act as an operation resistance or reduce durability, leading to erroneous detection. There was also room for improvement.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a composite operation switch that realizes proper detection without useless operation.

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. A composite operation switch including a rotation detection unit that electrically detects the rotation operation of the operation rod,
An operating body that is rotatable relative to the operating rod around the rod axis and that is relatively movable along the rod axis and tilts together with the operating rod when tilted is externally supported by the operating rod. The tilt detection unit performs a detection operation by tilting of the operating body, and the push detection unit is disposed on the inner surface side of the bottom wall portion of the case. During the push operation of the operation rod, the pressure from the operation rod is used. the depression detecting device performs detection operation, the a rotor that rotates together with the operating rod, the rotation operation of the rotor performs the detection operation of the rotation detecting unit detects, the tubular portion formed in a central portion of the rotor On the inner periphery, an engaging portion is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and an engaging piece that fits into the engaging portion is provided on the operating rod, thereby allowing tilting and pushing operation of the operating rod. While, in that transmitting the rotation operation of the operating rod to the rotor.

With this configuration, when the operating rod is tilted, the tilt detecting unit detects the tilting when the operating body tilts together with the operating rod without transmitting the tilt to the rotor or the push-in detecting unit. When the operating rod is pushed in, the pushing detection unit detects the pushing operation from the operating rod without transmitting the pushing force to the operating body and the rotor. When the operation rod is rotated, the rotation detection unit detects the rotation operation of the rotor by transmitting the rotation force to the rotor without rotating it to the operating body or the push-in detection unit. Further, the engaging piece formed on the operating rod fits into the engaging portion formed on the roller, so that the rotational force of the operating rod can be transmitted to the rotor while allowing the operating rod to tilt. As a result, a complex operation switch that properly detects a plurality of types of operations without wasteful operation and that eliminates erroneous detection and deterioration of durability has been rationally configured.

  According to the present invention, the operating rod is formed with a hole portion through which the operation rod is rotatable and is relatively movable in the direction of the rod shaft core, and the rod shaft core is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the hole portion. A plurality of groove portions in a posture parallel to each other may be formed.

  With this configuration, by forming a groove on the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the operating body, the phenomenon that the inner periphery and the outer peripheral surface of the operating rod are in close contact is prevented, and smooth and light relative movement and relative rotation are achieved. Realize.

  According to the present invention, a concave guide surface that is equidistant from the tilt center of the operation rod is formed on the inner surface of the top cover of the case, and a return spring that urges the operation rod in a direction against the pushing operation is provided. By applying an urging force to the operating body from the operating rod, the operating body may be brought into pressure contact with the guide surface.

  With this configuration, the operating body is maintained in contact with the guide surface formed on the inner surface of the top cover by the urging force from the return spring, and when the operating rod is tilted, the operating rod is fitted on the operating rod. By moving the operating body along the guide surface, the operating rod can be tilted about the tilting center.

  In the present invention, the indentation detecting portion is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the case at a position below the operation rod in a neutral posture, and the return spring configured as a compression coil type is disposed at a position surrounding the indentation detecting portion. It may be arranged.

  With this configuration, the return spring can apply an equal urging force to the operation rod from the position surrounding the indentation detection unit. Even when the operation rod is depressed, the operation rod There is no inconvenience to tilt.

  According to the present invention, a through hole through which the operation rod penetrates is formed in the top cover of the case, and an inner peripheral surface of the through hole is formed as an inclined surface toward the tilt center of the operation rod in a neutral posture. You may do it.

  With this configuration, when the operating rod is tilted, the operating rod comes into contact with the inclined surface through a wide surface along the longitudinal direction of the operating rod, so that the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the top cover is worn. There is nothing. For example, when the operation rod is tilted in the cross direction, the shape of the through hole is a cross shape when viewed along the rod axis, so that the strength is higher than that of a circular shape. Is also possible.

  According to the present invention, a spring plate 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 when the spring plate is elastically deformed are arranged at positions surrounding the operation rod. The tilt detection unit may be configured, and a pressing operation unit that applies a pressing force to the plurality of spring plate members may be formed in the operating body.

  With this configuration, when the operating rod is tilted, the pressing force from the pressing operation portion formed on the operating body acts on the spring plate material to cause elastic deformation, and the elastic deformation causes the pair of electrodes to reach a conductive state. Thus, this tilting operation can be detected electrically.

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 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 as described above, 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 configuration operating rod 20 with the tilting center P as the center is tilted. 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]
In the composite operation switch of the present invention, the operating body 38 for detecting the tilting of the operation rod 20 is supported rotatably and slidably in the direction of the rod axis Y of the operation rod 20. A push-in detection mechanism for detecting the push-in of the operation rod 20 is disposed on the bottom wall portion 13B of the lower case 13 to which the push-in operation force from the operation rod 20 is directly transmitted, and the rotor 56 for detecting the rotation of the operation rod 20 is operated. The rod 20 is configured to rotate with the rotational force of the operation rod 20 while allowing the rod 20 to tilt.

  With this configuration, according to the present invention, when the operating rod 20 is tilted, the operating body 38 tilts together with the operating rod 20 without transmitting this tilting to the rotor 56 or the push-in detection unit B. The spring plate member 35 corresponding to the tilt is elastically deformed by the pressing force, and the tilt detection unit A detects the tilt. Further, when the operating rod 20 is pushed in, the spring plate material 45 is elastically deformed by the pushing force without transmitting the pushing force to the operating body 38 and the rotor 56, and the pushing detection unit B pushes in. Detect operations. Further, when the operating rod 20 is rotated, this rotational force is transmitted to the rotor 56 without being transmitted to the operating body 38 or the push-in detection unit B, and is rotated by changing the contact position of the contact 57. The detection unit C detects the rotation operation. As a result, a complex operation switch that appropriately detects a plurality of types of operations without wasteful operation and eliminating erroneous detection and lowering of durability has been rationally configured.

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

(A) A tilt detector such as a rotor 56 disposed in the upper case 12, an actuating body 38 disposed in the lower case 13, and the lower end of the operation rod 20 and the push-in operation unit C disposed separately. Arrangement of the tilt detection unit A, the push detection unit B, and the rotation detection unit C if the A, the push detection unit B, and the rotation detection unit C can function to perform independent detection. Is not limited to the arrangement of the embodiment.

(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 11A Through-hole 11G Guide surface 20 Operation rod 24 Engagement piece 31, 32 Electrode (center electrode / ring electrode)
35 Spring plate member 38 Actuator 38A Hole portion 38B Press operation portion 48 Return spring 56 Rotor 56A Tubular portion 56C Engagement portion A Tilt detection portion B Push detection portion C Rotation detection portion Y Rod shaft core T Groove portion

Claims (6)

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;
An operating body that is rotatable relative to the operating rod around the rod axis and that is relatively movable along the rod axis and tilts together with the operating rod when tilted is externally supported by the operating rod. The tilt detection unit performs the detection operation by the tilt of the operating body,
The indentation detection unit is disposed on the inner surface side of the bottom wall of the case, and when the operation rod is indented, the indentation detection unit performs a detection operation with pressure from the operation rod,
A rotor that rotates together with the operation rod is provided, and a detection operation in which the rotation detection unit detects a rotation operation of the rotor ,
By forming an engagement part on the inner surface of the cylindrical part formed in the central part of the rotor on the inner surface of the cylindrical part and providing an engagement piece fitted into the engagement part on the operation rod, A compound operation switch that transmits the rotation of the operating rod to the rotor while allowing the operating rod to tilt and push .   A hole is formed in the operating body through which the operating rod is rotatable and relatively movable in the direction of the rod axis, and the inner peripheral surface of the hole is parallel to the rod axis. The composite operation switch according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of grooves having a posture are formed.   A concave guide surface that is equidistant from the tilting center of the operation rod is formed on the inner surface of the top cover of the case, and a biasing force from a return spring that biases the operation rod in a direction against the pushing operation, 3. The composite operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the operating body is pressed against the guide surface by acting on the operating body from the operating rod.   The indentation detecting portion is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the case at a position below the operation rod in a neutral posture, and the return spring configured in a compression coil type is disposed in a position surrounding the indentation detecting portion. The composite operation switch according to claim 3.   A through hole through which the operation rod passes is formed in the top cover of the case, and an inner peripheral surface of the through hole is formed as an inclined surface directed toward the tilt center of the operation rod in a neutral posture. Item 4. The composite operation switch according to item 3.   The tilt detection is performed by arranging 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 at a position surrounding the operation rod. The composite operation switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a pressing operation portion that constitutes a portion and applies a pressing force to the plurality of spring plate members is formed in the operating body.

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