JP4574569B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device used for a game machine for business use or home use.

  As this type of multidirectional input device, there are four digital detection means provided at 90 ° intervals on the upper peripheral edge of the convex substrate in cross section, and the same interval as the digital detection means on the lower peripheral edge of the substrate. A first cross-shaped operating body having four analog detecting means provided in the above, four first pressing parts for pressing the digital detecting means, and the first operating body are fitted in the center portion. And a second operating body having four second pressing portions for pressing the analog detection means at a position shifted by 90 ° and four first pressing portions of the first operating body. And a digital operation input mode in which the first pressing unit of the first operating body can press the digital detection means by rotating the first and second operating bodies, and a second of the second operating body. Switch the analog operation mode in which the pressing part can press the analog detection means. There is one that can be replaced (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, as another multi-directional input device, on the pedestal portion through which the operation body passes, four digital detection means are provided around the operation body so as to be displaceable, while the analog detection means is provided below the pedestal section. By rotating the position displacement mechanism provided on the pedestal, the digital detection means is displaced from the tilting area of the operating body to the outside of the tilting area, and the digital operation input mode and the analog operation mode are switched. Some have made it possible (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-167672 A Japanese Patent No. 3430018

  However, the multidirectional input device of Patent Document 1 has a possibility that the second operating body rotates due to an unexpected operation, and the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode are switched.

  In addition, since the digital input mechanism (first operating body and digital detecting means) and the analog input mechanism (second operating body and analog detecting means) are provided on the same surface of the board, the board can be made compact. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size of the input device itself. Further, when using a part of the board of the electronic device provided with the input device, the digital input mechanism and the analog input mechanism must be disposed on the upper surface of the board, which prevents the electronic device from being downsized. It is a factor.

  On the other hand, in the multidirectional input device of Patent Document 2, since the pedestal portion is indispensable, it is difficult to reduce the size of the device.

  The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to prevent the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode from being switched unexpectedly, and to reduce the size of the substrate. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be downsized.

In order to solve the above problems, an input device of the present invention includes a substrate that is hollowly supported inside a case, an operation body that has an upper end exposed to be operable from the case and penetrates the substrate in a vertically movable manner, Digital detection means provided on the upper or lower surface of the substrate and detecting the operation movement of the operating body, and analog detection means provided on the lower or upper surface of the substrate and detecting the operation movement and the movement amount of the operating body. The height of the operating body is varied from the digital detection position where the digital detection means can detect the operation movement of the operating body to the analog detection position where the analog detection means can detect the operation movement and the amount of movement of the operating body. Height position changing means . The height position changing means is a push button disposed at a position below the operating body.

  In the case of such an input device, digital detection means is provided on one surface (upper surface or lower surface) of the substrate, analog detection means is provided on the other surface (lower surface or upper surface), and the height position changing means is operated, so that The height position varies from the digital detection position where the digital detection means can detect the operation movement of the operating body to the analog detection position where the analog detection means can detect the operation movement and the movement amount of the operation body. That is, when the operating body is positioned at the digital detection position, the digital operation input mode is set, and when the operating body is positioned at the analog detection position, the analog operation input mode is set.

Further, when the pressing operation is performed, the pressing button is raised and lowered, and when the operating body is pushed up by the pressing button or is lowered by its own weight, the height position of the operating body is changed. For this reason, unless the operation button is operated, the height position of the operation tool does not change. Therefore, even if the operation tool is inadvertently operated, the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode are not operated. There is no switch to preparation.

Another input device of the present invention includes a substrate hollowly supported inside the case, an operating body having an upper end exposed to be operable from the case and penetrating the substrate so as to move up and down, and an upper surface or a lower surface of the substrate. A digital detection means for detecting the operation movement of the operation body, an analog detection means for detecting the operation movement of the operation body and its movement amount, and a digital detection means provided on the lower or upper surface of the substrate; A height position changing means for varying the height position of the operating body from the digital detection position capable of detecting the operating movement of the operating body to the analog detecting position where the analog detecting means can detect the operation movement of the operating body and the amount of movement thereof; It has. The height position changing means is a slider that is slidably provided on the bottom surface portion of the case, and has an inclined portion that raises and lowers the operating body in accordance with the sliding movement.
In the case of such an input device, digital detection means is provided on one surface (upper surface or lower surface) of the substrate, analog detection means is provided on the other surface (lower surface or upper surface), and the height position changing means is operated. The height position varies from the digital detection position where the digital detection means can detect the operation movement of the operating body to the analog detection position where the analog detection means can detect the operation movement and the movement amount of the operation body. That is, when the operating body is positioned at the digital detection position, the digital operation input mode is set, and when the operating body is positioned at the analog detection position, the analog operation input mode is set.
In addition, since the height position of the operating body can be changed by the inclined portion of the height position changing means, the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode can be operated even if the operating body is inadvertently operated. Sometimes it doesn't change carelessly.

  In the case of an input device capable of multidirectional pressing operation input, a plurality of digital detection means are provided around the through hole through which the operation body on the upper surface of the substrate passes, and a plurality of digital detection means are provided around the through hole on the lower surface of the substrate. Are provided at predetermined intervals, and the operating body includes an upper key top located above the plurality of digital detection means on the upper surface of the substrate and a plurality of analog detection means on the lower surface of the substrate. And a lower key top placed on the height position changing means, and when the operating body is positioned at the digital detection position, a part of the upper key top of the operating body When the upper surface of the operation body is pressed, the operation body is tilted, and the lower surface of a part of the upper key top of the operation body presses the digital detection means, and the operation body is positioned at the analog detection position. When you are When the upper surface of a part of the upper key top of the cropping body is pressed, the operation body is inclined, and on the opposite side of the lower part of the upper key top of the lower key top of the operating body. The upper surface of the positioned portion pushes up the analog detection means.

  In the case of an input device capable of another multi-directional pressing operation input, a plurality of analog detection means are provided around the through hole on the lower surface of the substrate around the through hole through which the operation body on the upper surface of the substrate passes. A plurality of digital detection means are arranged at predetermined intervals, and the operating body includes an upper key top located above the plurality of analog detection means on the upper surface of the substrate and a plurality of digital on the lower surface of the substrate. A lower key top positioned below the detecting means and placed on the height position changing means. When the operating body is positioned at the analog detecting position, the upper key top of the operating body is When a part of the upper surface is pressed, the operation body is tilted, and a part of the lower surface of the upper key top of the operation body presses the analog detection means. When located in When the upper surface of a part of the upper key top of the operation body is pressed, the operation body is inclined, and is opposite to the lower part of the upper key top of the lower key top of the operation body. The upper surface of the portion located at the position pushes up the digital detection means.

  The digital detection means is a switch element that is turned on / off by being pressed or pushed up by the operating body, and the analog detection means is a variable resistor whose resistance value is variable by being pushed up or pushed by the operating body. Preferably there is.

  A first elastic body is preferably interposed between the key top and the digital detection means. The first elastic body depresses the digital detection means while being elastically deformed by depressing the key top. Thereafter, the key top returns to the original position before the operation by the restoring force of the first elastic body.

  The analog detection means can be configured to have a second elastic body having conductivity. The second elastic body can return the key top to the original position before the operation by the restoring force after the key top is pressed.

  In the case of the input device according to the present invention, a digital input mechanism (operation body and digital detection means) can be provided on one side of both sides of the substrate, and an analog input mechanism (operation body and analog detection means) can be provided on the other side. Therefore, the substrate can be reduced in size, and as a result, the device can be reduced in size. In addition, the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode are switched between the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode by changing the height position of the operation body by the height position changing means. Can be prevented from being inadvertently switched during operation.

  Hereinafter, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where an operating body is positioned at a digital detection position, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the input device. And it is a figure which shows the state in which the operation body was located in the analog detection position.

  The input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a multidirectional input device capable of pressing input in four directions of X, −X, Y, and −Y directions, and includes a substrate 200 that is hollowly supported inside the case 100, and an upper end. Is exposed from the case 100 so as to be operable and penetrates the substrate 200 so as to be movable up and down, and is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 200 and X, -X, Y, -Y of the operation body 300 Four digital detection means 400 (two shown in the figure) for detecting the operation movement in the direction, the operation movement of the operation body 300 in the X, -X, Y, and -Y directions and the movement provided on the lower surface of the substrate 200 There are provided four analog detection means 500 (two in the figure) for detecting the amount, and a height position changing means 600 for changing the height position of the operating body 300 from the digital detection position to the analog detection position. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

  The case 100 includes an upper case 110 that is a box with an open bottom, and a plate-like lower case 120 that closes an open portion of the upper case 110.

  A cross-shaped opening 111 for exposing the four key portions 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 to the outside is formed at the center of the ceiling surface of the upper case 110. In addition, a cross-sectional view for accommodating the upright wall portion 720 of the first elastic body 700 interposed between the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 and the digital detection means 400 at the peripheral portion of the ceiling surface of the upper case 110. An Ω-shaped storage portion 112 is provided facing downward.

  At the center of the inner wall surface of the upper case 110, concave first and second support portions 113 and 114 are provided side by side. The first support portion 113 supports the substrate 200 in a hollow manner. The second support part 114 supports the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection means 500 so as to be movable up and down.

  A housing hole 121 for housing the height position changing means 600 is provided at the center of the lower case 120.

  The substrate 200 is a known printed circuit board or the like. A through-hole 210 through which the operating body 300 is passed through the through-hole 210 is opened at the center of the substrate 200.

  The operation body 300 includes an upper key top 310, a lower key top 320, and a mounting screw 330 for connecting the upper key top 310 and the lower key top 320.

  The upper key top 310 includes a disk-shaped upper pressing portion 311 and four key portions 312 (three in the figure) provided on the upper surface of the upper pressing portion 311.

  The upper pressing portion 311 is a disk-shaped member and prevents the operating body 300 from coming off from the opening 111. In addition, an insertion hole 311 a into which the attachment screw 330 is inserted is opened at the center of the upper pressing portion 311. The lower surface of the upper pressing portion 311 serves as a pressing portion for pressing the digital detection means 400 via the first elastic body 700.

  The key portion 312 is an operation key for inputting a pressing operation in the X, −X, Y, and −Y directions, and is arranged at intervals of 90 ° around the insertion hole 311a on the upper surface of the upper pressing portion 311. Yes. That is, the four key portions 312 are so-called cross keys.

  The lower key top 320 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 321 and a disk-shaped lower pressing portion 322 provided at the lower end portion of the shaft portion 321.

  The shaft portion 321 is provided with a screw hole 321 a communicating with the insertion hole 311 a of the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310. That is, the upper key top 310 and the lower key top 320 are combined when the mounting screw 330 inserted into the insertion hole 311a is screwed into the screw hole 321a.

  The lower pressing portion 322 has a flat upper surface and a spherical lower surface. The center of the lower surface of the lower pressing portion 322 is installed on the height position changing means 600. That is, with the center portion of the lower surface of the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operating body 300 as a fulcrum, the operating body 300 tilts in response to the pressing operation of the key portion 312 of the upper key top 310 from an upright state described later It becomes possible. Further, the upper surface of the lower pressing portion 322 becomes a push-up portion that pushes up the analog detection means 500 by the tilting of the operation body 300.

  The first elastic body 700 includes a disk-shaped base portion 710, a standing wall portion 720 provided at a peripheral portion of the base portion 710 so as to be orthogonal to the base portion 710, and four pieces provided on the base portion 710. And a protrusion 730.

  A through hole 711 formed concentrically with the through hole 210 of the substrate 200 is provided at the center of the base portion 710. The shaft portion 321 of the operation body 300 is passed through the through hole 711.

  The upright wall portion 720 is housed in the housing portion 112 of the upper case 110 at the upper side and is placed on the upper surface of the substrate 200.

  The protruding portion 730 includes an upper convex portion 731 provided around the through hole 711 on the upper surface of the base portion 710 and a lower convex portion 732 provided on the lower surface of the base portion 710 so as to be continuous with the upper convex portion 731. And have.

  The upper convex portion 731 is a substantially cylindrical body, and the upper surface thereof is a flat surface. When the operating body 300 is positioned at the digital detection position, the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is placed on the upper surface of the upper convex portion 731. Thereby, the operating body 300 is held in an upright state. The lower convex portion 732 is a substantially cylindrical body having a smaller diameter than the upper convex portion 731, and the lower surface thereof is in contact with the top of the movable contact 410 of the digital detection means 400. That is, the protruding portion 730 is a portion interposed between the upper key top 310 and the digital detection means 400.

  The four digital detection means 400 are arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 200 so as to come into contact with four pairs of fixed contacts (not shown) formed at intervals of 90 ° around the through holes 210 on the upper surface of the substrate 200 and one fixed contact. This is a known switching element having four movable contacts 410 which are thin dome-shaped conductive plates (so-called snap plates) to be installed.

  In other words, the digital detection unit 400 outputs the output signal when the movable contact 410 is pressed to the lower surface of the upper pressing portion 311 via the first elastic body 700, and reverses with a click feeling to contact the other fixed contact. A signal is output.

  The four analog detection means 500 include four pairs of electrode patterns (not shown) formed at intervals of 90 ° around the through-holes 210 on the lower surface of the substrate 200, and four pairs of electrode patterns formed between the four pairs of electrode patterns. A resistance pattern and a second elastic body 510 disposed opposite to the lower surface of the substrate 200 are provided.

  The pair of electrode patterns extend in parallel from the through hole 210 of the substrate 200 toward the outside. The resistance pattern extends in parallel with the pair of electrode patterns.

  The second elastic body 510 includes a non-conductive silicon rubber plate-like main body 511 and four conductive rubber contact portions 512 (two in the figure) provided on the upper surface of the main body 511. And have.

  The main body 511 is provided with a hole 511 a formed concentrically with the through hole 210 of the substrate 200. The shaft portion 321 of the operating body 300 is passed through the hole portion 511a. In addition, when the operation body 300 is positioned at the analog detection position, the upper surface of the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300 comes into surface contact with the lower surface of the main body 511. Thereby, the operating body 300 is held in an upright state.

  The contact portions 512 are formed at intervals of 90 ° around the holes 511a on the upper surface of the main body 511. The upper surface of the contact portion 512 is a flat surface 512a that contacts and short-circuits the inner portions of the pair of electrode patterns and the resistance pattern, and a tapered surface that is continuous with the flat surface 512a and gradually decreases outward from the hole portion 511a. 512b.

  That is, when the main body portion 511 and the contact portion 512 are pushed up to the upper surface of the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320, the tapered surface 512b of the contact portion 512 is pressed against the pair of electrode patterns and resistance patterns. As a result, the short-circuit position between the pair of electrode patterns and the resistance pattern moves outward, and the resistance value changes.

  The height position changing means 600 is a known alternate type push button. That is, when the height position changing means 600 is depressed by a predetermined amount against the biasing force of the internal spring from the initial position shown in FIG. 1 (the position protruding from the lower surface of the lower case 120), It is locked by the internal locking means and held at the pressed position shown in FIG. Thereafter, when a predetermined amount of pressing operation is performed again, the locking of the locking means is released and the initial position is restored from the pressed position by the biasing force of the spring. When the height position changing means 600 moves up and down from the initial position to the pressed position, the height position of the operating body 300 placed on the height position changing means 600 is variable from the digital detection position to the analog detection position. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital detection position means that the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 contacts the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700 and can be pressed. A gap is generated between the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operating body 300 and the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection unit 500, and the lower pressing portion 322 causes the second elastic body 510 to move. It cannot be pushed up.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the analog detection position means that the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operating body 300 contacts the lower surface of the second elastic body 510 of the analog detecting means 500 and presses. On the other hand, a gap is generated between the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 and the protruding portion 730 of the first elastic body 700, and the upper pressing portion 311 presses the protruding portion 730. It is not possible position.

  Hereinafter, a method for assembling the input device will be described. First, four movable contacts 410 are installed on one of the four fixed contacts of the digital detection means 400 on the upper surface of the substrate 200. Thereafter, the first elastic body 700 is placed on the upper surface of the substrate 200. Then, the lower projections 732 of the four protrusions 730 of the first elastic body 700 come into contact with the four movable contacts 410. Then, the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is placed on the upper surface of the upper protrusion 731 of the four protrusions 730 of the first elastic body 700.

  In this state, the key portion 312 of the upper key top 310 is inserted while being aligned with the opening 111 of the upper case 110, the substrate 200 is fitted to the first support portion 113 of the upper case 110, and the upper case 110 is inserted. To support hollow. At this time, the standing wall portion 720 of the first elastic body 700 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 121 of the upper case 110.

  Thereafter, the four contact portions 512 of the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection unit 500 are brought into contact with the four pairs of electrode patterns and resistance patterns of the analog detection unit 500 on the lower surface of the substrate 200 while being aligned. In this state, the second elastic body 510 is inserted into the second support portion 114 of the upper case 110 and is supported by the upper case 110.

  Thereafter, the shaft portion 321 of the lower key top 320 is passed through the hole portion 511a of the main body portion 511 of the second elastic body 510, the through hole 210 of the substrate 200, and the base portion 710 of the first elastic body 700 from below. The holes 711 are sequentially passed. Then, in a state where the screw hole 321a of the shaft portion 321 of the lower key top 320 and the insertion hole 311a of the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 are in communication, the mounting screw 330 is inserted, and the screw hole of the shaft portion 321 is inserted. Screwed to 321a.

  Thereafter, the lower case 120 in which the height position changing means 600 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 121 is attached to the upper case 110.

  Hereinafter, the usage method of the input device assembled in this way and the operation of each part will be described in detail. First, when the height position changing means 600 is pressed down by a predetermined amount, the height position changing means 600 is unlocked by the internal locking means, and is shown in FIG. Thus, it is located at the initial position.

  At this time, the operating body 300 is lowered by its own weight together with the height position changing means 600 and is positioned at the digital detection position. Then, the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 contacts the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700, while the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operating body 300 and the analog detection means. An air gap is formed between the second elastic body 510 of 500. Thus, the digital operation input mode is set.

  On the other hand, when the height position changing means 600 is pressed down by the predetermined amount against the urging force of the internal spring, the height position changing means 600 is locked by the internal locking means, as shown in FIG. Thus, it is locked in a state where it is located at the pressed position.

  At this time, the operating body 300 is pushed up by the height position changing means 600 and positioned at the analog detection position. Then, the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300 contacts the lower surface of the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection unit 500, while the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300. A gap is formed between the first elastic body 700 and the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700. Thereby, it becomes an analog operation input mode.

  In the digital operation input mode, when the key portion 312 in the X, −X, Y, or −Y direction of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 is pressed, the lower pressing portion of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300 The operation body 300 tilts from an upright state with the center portion of the lower surface of 322 as a fulcrum to perform a seesaw motion, and below the key unit 312 pressed by the upper pressing unit 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operation unit 300 The lower surface of the side portion presses the movable contact 410 of the digital detection means 400 via the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700. As a result, the movable contact 410 is inverted and contacts the other fixed contact, and an output signal is output. This output signal is input to a computer of an electronic device provided with the input device, and is recognized as an operation input in the X, -X, Y, or -Y direction. In this process, the base portion 710 and the protrusion portion 730 of the first elastic body 700 are placed on the lower surface of the lower portion of the key portion 312 and the substrate 200 where the upper pressing portion 311 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is pressed. Compressed between and elastically deformed.

  At this time, the part opposite to the part below the key part 312 pressed by the lower pressing part 322 of the operating body 300 moves upward by the seesaw motion of the operating body 300. Since there is a gap between the portion 322 and the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection means 500, the second elastic body 510 cannot be pushed up.

  Thereafter, when the key portion 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is released from the pressing operation, the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is restored by the restoring force of the base portion 710 and the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700. Is pushed up to return the operating body 300 to the upright state.

  In the analog operation input mode, when the key portion 312 in the X, −X, Y, or −Y direction of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 is pressed, the lower pressing portion of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300 The lower part of the key unit 312 pressed by the lower pressing part 322 of the lower key top 320 of the lower part of the operating body 300 by the tilting of the operating body 300 with respect to the central portion of the lower surface of the 322 as a fulcrum. The upper surface of the portion on the opposite side pushes up the contact portion 512 via the main body portion 511 of the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection means 500. Thereby, the taper surface 512b of the contact portion 512 is pressed against the pair of electrode patterns and the resistance pattern on the lower surface of the substrate 200, the short-circuit position between the pair of electrode patterns and the resistance pattern moves outward, and the resistance value is Change. This change in resistance value is input to a computer of an electronic device equipped with the input device, and is recognized as an operation input in the X, −X, Y, or −Y direction and its operation amount. In this process, the contact portion 512 of the second elastic body 510 and the upper surface of the portion opposite to the lower portion of the key portion 312 pressed by the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operating body 300 and the substrate Compressed between 200 and elastically deformed.

  At this time, the lower part of the key unit 312 pressed by the upper pressing unit 311 of the operating body 300 moves downward by the seesaw motion of the operating body 300, but the upper pressing unit 311 and the first elastic member Since there is a gap between the protruding portion 730 of the body 700, the protruding portion 730 of the first elastic body 700 cannot be pushed down.

  Thereafter, when the key portion 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is released from the pressing operation, the lower side of the lower key top 320 of the lower operating body 300 is restored by the restoring force of the contact portion 512 of the second elastic body 510. The pressing unit 322 is pushed down, and the operating body 300 is returned to the upright state.

  In the case of such an input device, when the height position changing means 600 is pressed down by a predetermined amount, the height position of the height position changing means 600 changes from the initial position to the pressed position, and together with this, the operating body The height position of 300 is variable from the digital detection position where the digital detection means 400 provided on the upper surface of the substrate 200 can be pressed down to the analog detection position where the analog detection means 500 provided on the lower surface of the substrate 200 can be pressed down. Yes. That is, the analog operation input mode and the digital operation input mode cannot be switched unless the height position changing means 600 is operated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the analog operation input mode and the digital operation input mode from being switched by an inadvertent operation. In addition, since only a predetermined amount of the height position changing unit 600 is pressed, the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode can be easily switched during the operation.

  Further, since the digital detection means 400 is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 200 and the analog detection means 500 is disposed on the lower surface of the substrate 200, the substrate 200 can be reduced in size, and as a result, the input device itself can be reduced in size. Can be achieved.

  First, an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where an operating body is positioned at a digital detection position, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the input device. And it is a figure which shows the state in which the operation body was located in the analog detection position.

  The input device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 further includes a configuration of the operating body 300, a configuration of the analog detection unit 500, a configuration of the height position changing unit 600 ′, and a return mechanism 800 that returns the operating body 300 to an upright state. Thus, the input device is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference will be described in detail, and the description of overlapping parts will be omitted. Note that the reference numeral 600 'is attached to the reference numeral of the height position changing means.

  The upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 has a shape having four key portions 312 (two in the drawing) and a connecting portion 313 that connects the four key portions 312. An insertion hole 313 a for allowing the attachment screw 330 to pass is provided at the center of the connecting portion 313. The lower surface of the key unit 312 serves as a pressing portion for pressing the digital detection unit 400.

  The lower pressing part 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operating body 300 is notched to avoid buffering the upper part 622 ′ and the inclined part 623 ′ of the elevating part 620 ′ of the height position changing means 600 ′. A portion 322a is provided. Further, the upper surface of the lower pressing portion 322 is a flat surface, and the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection means 500 is placed thereon.

  The upper case 110 of the case 100 is provided with a cross-shaped opening 115 for exposing the four key portions 312 of the upper key top 310 in an operable manner. The lower case 120 of the case 100 is provided with a guide groove 122 for guiding the slider body 610 'of the height position changing means 600'. Further, on the upper surface of the lower case 120, a ridge 123 for mounting the substrate 200 is provided. The substrate 200 is held between the ridge 123 and the edge of the housing portion 112 of the upper case 110.

  The analog detection means 500 includes four pairs of electrode patterns (not shown) formed at intervals of 90 ° around the through-holes 210 on the lower surface of the substrate 200, and four resistance patterns formed between the four pairs of electrode patterns. And a second elastic body 510 disposed to face the four pairs of electrode patterns and resistance patterns.

  The second elastic body 510 includes a non-conductive silicon rubber main body 511 and four contact portions 512. The main body 511 is a cross-shaped member in plan view, and four arms extend from the center toward the four directions. The main body portion 511 is placed on the upper surface of the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 and the arm portion is housed in the housing portion 813 of the base 810 of the return mechanism 800. That is, the second elastic body 510 moves up and down together with the operation body 300. A hole 511 a is provided at the center of the main body 511. In addition, four contact points 512 are provided at the tip of the arm of the main body 511. The contact portion 512 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The return mechanism 800 includes a pedestal 810 that is placed on the lower case 120, and a coil spring 820 that is interposed between the flange 812 of the pedestal 810 and the substrate 200.

  The base 810 includes a cylindrical base portion 811 and a flange portion 812 that protrudes outward from the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 811.

  Four accommodation portions 813 for accommodating the arm portions of the second elastic body 510 are provided at 90 ° intervals on the upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 811. The accommodating portion 813 is composed of a pair of convex portions (one shown in the figure) projecting inward, and the arm portion of the second elastic body 510 is accommodated therebetween. The accommodating portion 813 is opposed to the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface of the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300. That is, when the operating body 300 is tilted, the accommodating portion 813 is pushed up to the lower pressing portion 322 of the operating body 300 and the pedestal 810 is tilted, so that the coil spring 820 is moved between the flange 812 of the pedestal 810 and the substrate 200. Compressed. By the urging force of the coil spring 820, the tilted operating body 300 returns to the upright state.

  The height position changing means 600 ′ is a slider that is slidably provided on the lower case 120. The height position changing means 600 ′ includes a slider main body 610 ′ guided by the guide groove 122 of the lower case 120, an elevating part 620 ′ provided on the upper surface of the slider main body 610 ′, and a lower surface of the slider main body 610 ′. And an operation lever 630 ′ provided in the main body.

  The elevating unit 620 ′ includes a lower step 621 ′ that positions the operating body 300 at the digital detection position shown in FIG. 3, an upper step 622 ′ that positions the operating body 300 at the analog detection position shown in FIG. 4, and a lower step 621 ′. And an inclined part '623' that connects the upper part 622 '.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the digital detection position means that the key portion 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 is in contact with the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700 and can be pressed, while analog A gap is generated between the second elastic body 510 of the detection unit 500 and the pair of electrode patterns and resistance patterns of the analog detection unit 500, and the second elastic body 510 is formed in the pair of electrode patterns and resistance patterns. It is a position that does not touch.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the analog detection position includes a flat surface 512 a of the contact portion 512 of the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection unit 500 and a pair of electrode patterns and resistance patterns of the analog detection unit 500. The taper surface 512b of the contact portion 512 can be pressed against the pair of electrode patterns and resistance patterns, while the key portion 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 and the protrusion of the first elastic body 700 A space is generated between the key portion 3730 and the key portion 312 so that the protruding portion 730 cannot be pressed.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for changing the height position of the operating body 300 using the height position changing means 600 'will be described.

  First, by operating the operation lever 630 ′, the slider main body 610 ′ is moved, and as shown in FIG. 3, when the operation body 300 is placed on the lower part 621 ′ of the elevating part 620 ′, the operation body 300 is moved. The height position is lowered and is located at the digital detection position. Then, the four key portions 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operating body 300 come into contact with the protrusions 730 of the first elastic body 700. At the same time, the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection means 500 placed on the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300, and a pair of electrode patterns and resistance patterns of the analog detection means 500 A gap is formed between the two. Thus, the digital operation input mode is set.

  On the other hand, by operating the operation lever 630 ′, the slider body 610 ′ is moved, and as shown in FIG. 4, the operation body 300 is moved from the lower step portion 621 ′ to the upper step portion 622 ′ by the inclined portion 623 ′ of the elevating portion 620 ′. When moved up, the operating body 300 is raised in height and positioned at the analog detection position. Then, the height position of the second elastic body 510 of the analog detection means 500 placed on the lower pressing portion 322 of the lower key top 320 of the operation body 300 is raised together with the operation body 300, and the second The flat surface 512a of the contact portion 512 of the elastic body 510 is in contact with the pair of electrode patterns and resistance pattern of the analog detection means 500. At the same time, a gap is generated between the four key portions 312 of the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 and the projection 730 of the first elastic body 700. Thereby, it becomes an analog operation input mode.

  In the case of such an input device, when the height position changing means 600 ′ is located on the lower step 621 ′ of the elevating part 620 ′, the operating body 300 is located at the digital detection position, and the upper part of the elevating part 620 ′. When the operating body 300 is positioned on the portion 622 ′, the operating body 300 is positioned at the analog detection position. Therefore, even if the operating body 300 is inadvertently operated, the height position changing means 600 ′ remains in the state. There is no switching. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the digital detection means 400 is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 200 and the analog detection means 500 is arranged on the lower surface of the substrate 200, so that the size of the substrate 200 can be reduced, and as a result input The device itself can be reduced in size.

  As the case 100, any case may be used as long as the operation body is exposed to be operable and the substrate 200 can be supported hollow. That is, the case 100 has the upper case 110 and the lower case 120, but is not limited thereto.

  As for the substrate 200, not only the input device but also a part of the substrate of the electronic device provided with the input device can be used.

  The digital detection means 400 has a movable contact 410 and a pair of fixed contacts, but any switch element can be used as long as it is turned on / off when the key unit 312 of the operation body 300 is pressed. It doesn't matter. For example, a conductive contact is formed on the lower surface of the lower convex portion 732 of the protrusion 730 of the first elastic body 700, and the conductive contact is brought into contact with a pair of fixed contacts on the surface of the substrate 200. You can also.

  The analog detection unit 500 is not limited to the variable resistor described above. For example, the contact portion 512 is pressed against the resistance pattern on the lower surface of the substrate 200, and the resistance value is changed by changing the contact area, or pressure sensitive conductive rubber is used, and the pressure sensitive conductive rubber is pressed against the substrate 200. The resistance value can be varied. In addition, a pressure-sensitive sensor whose resistance value, current, or voltage can be changed by pressing the key unit 312 of the operation body 300 can be used.

  Further, although the analog detection unit 500 is provided on the lower surface side of the substrate 200, it may be provided on the upper surface of the substrate 200. In this case, the digital detection means 400 is provided on the lower surface side of the substrate 200. Further, although the digital detection means 400 and the analog detection means 500 are arranged at the same pitch interval, they may be displaced from each other.

  Whether or not the first elastic body 700 is provided is arbitrary. In the case of providing the first elastic body 700, it is sufficient that the first elastic body 700 has at least a protrusion 730 interposed between the upper key top 310 of the operation body 300 and the digital detection means 400. The shape of the protrusion 730 may be any shape as long as it can be interposed between the upper key top 310 and the digital detection means 400.

  The height position changing means is not limited to the height position changing means 600, 600 ′, but can change the height position of the operating body from the digital detection position to the analog detection position. Any configuration may be used. For example, while providing a protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, a groove for guiding the protrusion is provided on a peripheral surface without a hole provided on the lower surface of the case, and by changing the locking position of the groove, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the height position changes.

  The height position changing means 600 is an alternate type push button, but a push button capable of realizing the same function can be adopted. In addition, although the lower surface of the height position changing unit 600 is pressed, the height position changing unit 600 may be pressed by the operating body 200 that has been pressed. The design of the height position changing means 600 'may be changed in any way as long as it has the elevating part 620'.

  The digital detection position may be a position where the digital detection means can detect the operation movement of the operating body. The analog detection position may be a position where the analog detection means can detect the operation movement and the movement amount of the operation body. As described above, when the digital detection unit 400 is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 200 and the analog detection unit 500 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 200, the digital detection position and the analog detection position are not upside down. Needless to say.

  The operation body 300 has four key portions 312 for performing four-way pressing operation input in the X, −X, Y, and −Y directions. However, the operating body 300 has at least one key portion 312 and a lower pressing portion. What is necessary is just to have 322. That is, the key unit 312 can press the digital detection unit 400 or the analog detection unit 500 on the upper surface of the substrate 200 according to the change in the height position of the height position changing unit 600 or 600 ′, while the lower pressing unit 322. However, it is sufficient that the analog detection means 500 or the digital detection means 400 on the lower surface of the substrate 200 can be pushed up. Of course, the upper key top 310 and the lower key top 320 can be integrated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the input device that detects the pressing operation input of the operating tool is described as digital or analog. However, an input device that detects the sliding operation of the operating tool digitally or analogly can be used. Specifically, a switch element that is turned on / off by the slide operation of the operating body is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the substrate, while the resistance value is variable on the lower surface or upper surface of the substrate by the slide operation of the operating body. Provide a resistor. As this variable resistor, a resistor having a resistance pattern on the substrate and a contact attached to the operation body and sliding on the resistance pattern can be used. For switching between the digital operation input mode and the analog operation input mode of the input device, the height position changing means 600 or 600 'can be used. That is, in the digital operation input mode, the height position of the operating body can be changed by the height position changing means 600 or 600 ′, and a part of the operating body can be brought into contact with the switch element. In the analog operation input mode, the height position of the operating body is changed by the height position changing means 600 or 600 ′, and the contactor contacts the resistance pattern. It is only necessary that a part of the operating body does not contact the switch element.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the input device concerning the 1st Embodiment of the present invention, and is a figure showing the state where the operation body was located in the digital detection position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the input device, showing a state where an operating body is located at an analog detection position. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the input device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state in which the operation body was located in the digital detection position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the input device, showing a state where an operating body is located at an analog detection position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Case 200 Board | substrate 300 Operation body 310 Upper side key top 320 Lower side key top 400 Digital detection means 500 Analog detection means 510 2nd elastic body 600 Height position change means 600 'Height position change means 623' Inclined part 700 1st Elastic body

Claims (7)

A substrate hollowly supported inside the case;
An operating body having an upper end exposed to be operable from the case and penetrating the substrate so as to move up and down;
Digital detection means provided on the upper surface or lower surface of the substrate and detecting operation movement of the operating body;
Analog detection means provided on the lower surface or upper surface of the substrate and detecting the operation movement of the operating body and the amount of movement;
The height by which the height position of the operating body is varied from the digital detection position where the digital detection means can detect the operation movement of the operating body to the analog detection position where the analog detection means can detect the operation movement and the amount of movement of the operating body. Position changing means ,
The input device characterized in that the height position changing means is a push button arranged at a position below the operating body. A substrate hollowly supported inside the case;
  An operating body having an upper end exposed to be operable from the case and penetrating the substrate so as to move up and down;
  Digital detection means provided on the upper surface or lower surface of the substrate and detecting operation movement of the operating body;
  Analog detection means provided on the lower surface or upper surface of the substrate and detecting the operation movement of the operating body and the amount of movement;
  The height by which the height position of the operating body is varied from the digital detection position where the digital detection means can detect the operation movement of the operating body to the analog detection position where the analog detection means can detect the operation movement and the amount of movement of the operating body. Position changing means,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the height position changing means is a slider slidably provided on a bottom surface portion of the case, and has an inclined portion that raises and lowers the operating body in accordance with the sliding movement. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein multi-directional pressing operation input is possible.
A plurality of digital detection means are arranged around the through-hole through which the operation body on the upper surface of the substrate passes, and a plurality of analog detection means are arranged around the through-hole on the lower surface of the substrate at a predetermined interval. ,
The operating body is placed on the upper key top located above the plurality of digital detection means on the upper surface of the substrate and on the height position changing means located below the plurality of analog detection means on the lower surface of the substrate. And a lower key top
When the operating body is positioned at the digital detection position, the upper surface of a part of the upper key top of the operating body is pushed down, so that the operating body is tilted, and a part of the upper key top of the operating body is tilted. The lower surface is designed to press the digital detection means,
When the operating body is positioned at the analog detection position, the upper surface of a part of the upper key top of the operating body is pushed down, so that the operating body is inclined and the upper side of the lower key top of the operating body is An input device, wherein an upper surface of a portion located on the opposite side of a lower portion of a part of a key top pushes up the analog detection means . The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein multi-directional pressing operation input is possible.
A plurality of analog detection means are arranged around the through hole through which the operation body on the upper surface of the substrate passes, and a plurality of digital detection means are arranged around the through hole on the lower surface of the substrate at a predetermined interval. ,
The operating body is placed on the upper key top located above the plurality of analog detecting means on the upper surface of the substrate and on the height position changing means located below the plurality of digital detecting means on the lower surface of the substrate. And a lower key top
When the operating body is located at the analog detection position, the upper surface of a part of the upper key top of the operating body is pressed, whereby the operating body is tilted, and a part of the upper key top of the operating body is tilted. The lower surface is designed to press the analog detection means,
When the operating body is positioned at the digital detection position, the upper surface of a part of the upper key top of the operating body is pushed down, so that the operating body is tilted and the upper side of the lower key top of the operating body is An input device characterized in that the upper surface of a portion located on the opposite side of the lower portion of a part of the key top pushes up the digital detection means . The input device according to claim 3 or 4,
The digital detection means is a switch element that is turned on / off by being pushed down or pushed up by the operating body, and the analog detection means is a variable resistor whose resistance value is variable by being pushed up or pushed down by the operating body. An input device characterized by that. The input device according to claim 3 or 4,
An input device, wherein a first elastic body is interposed between the key top and the digital detection means . The input device according to claim 3 or 4,
The analog detection means includes a second elastic body having conductivity that is elastically deformed when pressed by a key top .

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