JP4588676B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device capable of detecting a signal according to a slide operation of an operating body, and more particularly to a multi-directional input suitable for use in a game machine, a mobile phone or the like that can automatically return the operating body to an initial position. Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, as this type of multi-directional input device, an operating body having a projecting part or a driving part projecting at the center of a large-diameter part, a housing for holding the operating body slidably in the radial direction, The annular coil spring incorporated around the large-diameter portion of the operating body, a pair of slide members that engage with the drive portion of the operating body and move in directions orthogonal to each other in the housing, and each of these slide members There has been proposed a configuration including a detecting means for detecting a signal by sliding a provided slider on a conductive pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a conventional multidirectional input device, the internal space of the housing is partitioned into an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion by a partition, and the upper and lower cavities are communicated by a communication opening formed in the partition. A large-diameter portion of the operating body is disposed in the upper cavity portion, and a drive portion of the operating body that protrudes downward from the center of the large-diameter portion passes through the communication opening and a pair of the inside of the lower cavity portion. The slide member is inserted into each engagement hole (long hole). Each slide member is held by the housing so as to be able to reciprocate along the short direction of the respective engagement hole. When the drive unit slides in the lower cavity, one or both of the slide members are moved depending on the slide direction. Each slide member is driven to move in a predetermined direction. A conductive pattern provided on each slide member and in contact with the slider is also disposed in the lower cavity. An annular coil spring is incorporated in the upper cavity so as to surround the large-diameter portion of the operating body. When the large-diameter portion slides radially in the upper cavity, the annular coil spring is pushed in the sliding direction. It is designed to stretch. An external opening that protrudes outward is formed in the top plate portion of the housing, and a protruding portion that protrudes upward from the center of the large diameter portion of the operating body protrudes out of the housing through the external opening. ing.

In the conventional multi-directional input device schematically configured as described above, when the operating force is applied to the protrusion and the operating body slides in the radial direction, the large-diameter portion of the operating body is an annular coil in the upper cavity of the housing. The spring is pushed in the sliding direction to extend (elastically deform). Further, in the lower cavity of the housing, one or both slide members are driven by the drive unit of the operating body and move in a predetermined direction according to the slide direction, and therefore, based on a change in the position of the slider with respect to the conductive pattern. The slide direction and slide amount of the operating body can be detected. Thereafter, when the operating force applied to the protrusion is removed, the large diameter portion is pushed back by the elastic return force of the annular coil spring, so that the operating body automatically returns to the initial position, and accordingly the slide member is also initialized. Automatically return to position.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-310670 (page 5-9, FIG. 2)

  By the way, in the conventional multidirectional input device in which the pair of slide members driven by the operating body is incorporated in the housing as described above, the pair of slide members set so as to be movable in directions orthogonal to each other. Must be arranged in layers in the lower cavity of the housing, and each slide member must be provided with a slider that slides on the conductive pattern. A height dimension is required. Therefore, the total height of the lower cavity, the upper cavity where the large-diameter portion of the annular coil spring and the operating body is arranged, and the thickness of the partition wall that divides the upper and lower cavities is increased. There was a problem that it was difficult to reduce the thickness of the housing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device that includes an automatic return mechanism for an operating body and can be easily reduced in thickness. .

  In order to achieve the above object, in the multi-directional input device of the present invention, an upper case having a first opening projecting outward, and fixed to the bottom surface side of the upper case, correspond to the first opening. A lower case having a second opening at a position to be operated, and a resin molded product disposed on the lower case so as to be slidable in the radial direction, and projecting to the outside through the first opening And an operating body provided with a large-diameter portion protruding into the cavity covered with the upper case, and the large-diameter portion is automatically returned to the initial position by being incorporated around the large-diameter portion in the cavity. An annular elastic member, a permanent magnet fixed to the operating body, and a magnetic sensor housed in the second opening and capable of detecting slide movement of the operating body based on a change in relative position with the permanent magnet An inner portion of the annular elastic member in the lower case. There is provided a restricting protrusion that engages with the portion and restricts the movement of the annular elastic member inward in the radial direction. The restricting protrusion protrudes to the upper end of the second opening to surround the magnetic sensor. It was set as the structure to do.

  When the operating body is slid in the radial direction, the multidirectional input device configured as described above has a permanent magnet fixed to the operating body and a magnet accommodated in the second opening of the lower case. Since the relative position with respect to the sensor changes, it is possible to detect the slide movement of the operating body based on the change in magnetic flux density detected by the magnetic sensor. Therefore, the pair of slide members incorporated so as to be movable in the orthogonal direction can be omitted, and from the housing formed by combining the upper case and the lower case, the arrangement space for both slide members and the upper and lower cavities in the housing It is possible to omit the partition walls and the like that are necessary for partitioning. In addition, a restricting protrusion for restricting the radially inward movement of the annular elastic member is provided around the upper end of the second opening of the lower case. The restricting protrusion corresponds to the height of the restricting protrusion. Since the opening of 2 becomes deep, it is not necessary to increase the height dimension of the lower case in order to secure a storage space for the magnetic sensor. Therefore, the height dimension of the housing can be greatly reduced, and the multi-directional input device provided with the automatic return mechanism for the operating body can be easily reduced in thickness.

  In the above configuration, the height position of the upper end of the magnetic sensor housed in the second opening of the lower case is not particularly limited as long as it does not contact the lower end of the operating body. If it is set above the height position of the lower end of the annular elastic member, that is, if the upper end of the magnetic sensor and the lower end of the annular elastic member are set to overlap in the height direction, This is preferable because the overall thickness of the apparatus can be further reduced.

  In the above configuration, the operation projection is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having holding projections at a plurality of locations on the inner wall, and the plurality of locations on the outer wall surface of the permanent magnet are pressed against the holding projection within the operation projection. It is preferable to employ a magnet holding structure that causes permanent magnets to be less likely to be damaged. In this case, if the air discharge hole is formed at the bottom of the operation protrusion, when the permanent magnet is press-fitted into the operation protrusion, the compressed air can be easily discharged from the air discharge hole. It is preferable because the press-fitting work of the permanent magnet can be performed smoothly.

  In the configuration employing the above magnet holding structure, a connecting member made of a magnetic material that closes the inner permanent magnet is fixed to the opening end side of the operating projection, and an operation knob (key top) is attached to the connecting member. ) Is attached, the connecting member that closes the permanent magnet functions as a yoke, so that the leakage flux is reduced and the position change of the permanent magnet is easily detected by the magnetic sensor. In this case, if the bottom surface of the connecting member is separated from the top surface of the permanent magnet, there is no possibility that the operating force applied to the operation knob directly acts on the permanent magnet, so that the permanent force caused by the excessive operating force is eliminated. The effect of preventing the magnet from being damaged is increased.

  When the operating body is slid in the radial direction, the multidirectional input device of the present invention includes a permanent magnet fixed to the operating body and a magnetic sensor housed in the second opening of the lower case. Since the relative position changes, it is possible to detect the slide movement of the operating body based on the change in magnetic flux density detected by the magnetic sensor. Therefore, the pair of slide members incorporated so as to be movable in the orthogonal direction can be omitted, and from the housing formed by combining the upper case and the lower case, the arrangement space for both slide members and the upper and lower cavities in the housing It is possible to omit the partition walls and the like that are necessary for partitioning. In addition, a restricting protrusion for restricting the radially inward movement of the annular elastic member is provided around the upper end of the second opening of the lower case. The restricting protrusion corresponds to the height of the restricting protrusion. Since the opening of 2 becomes deep, it is not necessary to increase the height dimension of the lower case in order to secure a storage space for the magnetic sensor. Therefore, the height dimension of the housing can be greatly reduced, and the multi-directional input device provided with the automatic return mechanism for the operating body can be easily reduced in thickness.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the multidirectional input device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a magnetic sensor used in the multidirectional input device.

  The multidirectional input device shown in these drawings includes a housing 1 formed by combining an upper case 2 and a lower case 3, a large diameter portion 4a, and an operation projection portion 4b. The operating body 4, the permanent magnet 5 and the connecting member 6 integrated with the operating projection 4 b of the operating body 4, and the annular coil spring incorporated around the large-diameter portion 4 a of the operating body 4 in the housing 1. 7, a flexible substrate 8 disposed on the bottom side of the lower case 3, a magnetic sensor 9 mounted on the flexible substrate 8 and accommodated in the second opening 3 a of the lower case 3, and the housing 1 are mounted. It is mainly composed of a bottom cover 10 made of sheet metal that is fixed and sandwiches the flexible substrate 8.

  The upper case 2 is a low-profile lid-like member that opens the lower surface, and a first opening 2b that protrudes outward is formed at the center of the top plate portion 2a. An annular jetty 2c (see FIG. 2) is formed around the lower end. The jetty portion 2c is a portion that engages with the inner peripheral portion of the annular coil spring 7 and restricts movement inward in the radial direction. Further, a plurality of coupling pins 2e project downwardly around the annular wall 2d of the upper case 2. The lower case 3 is a plate-like member fixed to the bottom surface side of the upper case 2, and has a second opening 3a formed at a position corresponding to the first opening 2b. The upper end of the second opening 3a A ring-shaped jetty portion 3b is formed around the periphery. The jetty portion 3b is a portion that engages with the inner peripheral portion of the annular coil spring 7 and restricts movement inward in the radial direction, and a portion on which the large-diameter portion 4a of the operating body 4 is slidably mounted. But there is. In addition, a plurality of jig insertion holes 3c, coupling pin insertion holes 3d, attachment holes 3e, and the like are formed around the jetty portion 3b of the lower case 3. Here, the jig insertion hole 3c is for inserting a pin-shaped assembly jig to be described later at the time of assembly, and a plurality of (for example, four) jig insertion holes 3c are formed around the second opening 3a. It is perforated at substantially equal intervals on the same circumference. The coupling pin insertion hole 3d is for inserting the coupling pin 2e of the upper case 2, and the attachment hole 3e is an attachment member insertion necessary for attaching the multidirectional input device to an external circuit board (not shown). It is a hole. Note that positioning pins 3f for positioning the flexible substrate 8 and the bottom cover 10 are vertically provided at two locations on the bottom surface of the lower case 3 (see FIG. 2).

  In the assembly process of combining the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 to form the housing 1, first, the operating body 4 incorporating the permanent magnet 5 and the connecting member 6 is disposed on the jetty portion 3 b of the lower case 3, and the lower case An annular coil spring 7 is wound around the pin-shaped assembly jig inserted through the three jig insertion holes 3c. Thereafter, the housing 1 is assembled by inserting the plurality of coupling pins 2 e into the corresponding coupling pin insertion holes 3 d and placing the upper case 2 on the lower case 3 in a positioned state. As shown in FIG. 2, a cavity 11 covered with the upper case 2 is defined on the lower case 3 in the housing 1, and the cavity 11 moves the annular coil spring 7 and the large diameter part 4a. It becomes space. Further, in the assembling process, a plurality of (for example, four) assembly jigs inserted through the jig insertion holes 3c of the lower case 3 are arranged around the annular jetty portion 3b. The annular coil spring 7 wound around the assembly jig is temporarily held on the lower case 3 at a position separated from the jetty portion 3b. And after assembling the housing 1, the said assembly jig is extracted from the jig | tool insertion hole 3c, and the annular coil spring 7 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter part 4a by own elasticity. By doing so, the large diameter portion 4a of the operating body 4 can be disposed on the jetty portion 3b of the lower case 3 without being obstructed by the annular coil spring 7, and the annular coil spring 7 can be plastically deformed by mistake. Since there is no possibility of losing, assembly work can be performed smoothly.

  The operation body 4 is made of a resin molded product. The operation body 4 is provided with a disk-shaped large-diameter portion 4a disposed in the housing 1 and a first portion erected at the center of the large-diameter portion 4a. A bottomed cylindrical operation protrusion 4b penetrating the opening 2b is integrally formed. The large diameter portion 4a is mounted on the jetty portion 3b in the housing 1 and protrudes to the cavity portion 11, and the annular coil spring 7 is wound in an elastic contact state on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 4a. The operating body 4 is always held in the housing 1 without any play. Micro projections 4c are formed at a plurality of locations (for example, four locations) on the lower portion of the inner wall of the operation projection 4b, and the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 5 inserted from the upper opening end of the operation projection 4b is arranged on each micro projection. The permanent magnet 5 is press-fitted and fixed to the lower side in the operation projection 4b by being brought into pressure contact with 4c. As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting height of the permanent magnet 5 with respect to the operating body 4 is defined by the inner bottom surface of the operating projection 4b, and the central portion of the inner bottom surface of the operating projection 4b has a large diameter portion 4a. An air discharge hole 4d reaching the bottom surface is formed. Further, a connecting member 6 to be described later is press-fitted and fixed on the upper side in the operating projection 4b, and the operating body 4 is slid through an operation knob 20 (see FIG. 2) attached to the connecting member 6. It can be done.

  In the present embodiment, a blindfold film 12 slidable on the top plate portion 2a of the upper case 2 is loosely inserted on the outer peripheral surface of the operation projection 4b, and the first opening 2b is covered with the blindfold film 12. Therefore, the inside of the housing 1 is difficult to see from the outside, and foreign matter such as dust can be prevented from entering the housing 1 through the first opening 2b. Further, even if the operating body 4 is slid, the second opening 3a is always kept closed by the large-diameter portion 4a, so that foreign matter enters the housing 1 through the first opening 2b. Even so, the risk of the foreign matter reaching the flexible substrate 8 or the magnetic sensor 9 through the second opening 3a is extremely small.

  The annular coil spring 7 is formed in an annular shape by connecting both ends of a linear coil spring having a predetermined length. Since the annular coil spring 7 is wound around the large-diameter portion 4a, when the operating body 4 is slid, the annular coil spring 7 is pushed in the sliding direction by the large-diameter portion 4a and extends (elastically deforms). Further, after the slide operation of the operating body 4, the large diameter portion 4 a can be automatically returned to the initial position by the elastic return force of the annular coil spring 7. However, since the opposite jetty portions 2c and 3b formed in the upper case 2 and the lower case 3 are in contact with the inner peripheral portion of the annular coil spring 7 and are regulated in position, the annular coil spring 7 is more than the jetty portions 2c and 3b. Does not move radially inward.

  The permanent magnet 5 is a neodymium magnet formed in a disc shape, and is magnetized so that the upper and lower surfaces have different polarities. Although the outer diameter of the permanent magnet 5 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the operation protrusion 4b, the permanent magnet 5 is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical surface inscribed in each minute protrusion 4c. Is press-fitted and fixed in the operation projection 4b in a state where a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral surface are pressed against the microprojection 4c.

  The connecting member 6 is made of a magnetic material (for example, stainless steel), and a flange portion 6a is formed at substantially the center in the height direction. The outer peripheral surface below the flange portion 6a of the connecting member 6 is a serration portion 6b in which fine irregularities are alternately formed along the circumferential direction, and the serration portion 6b is press-fitted into the operation projection portion 4b. By doing so, the connecting member 6 is press-fitted and fixed to the upper part in the operation protrusion 4b, and the permanent magnet 5 is closed. However, as shown in FIG. 2, since a slight clearance is secured between the bottom surface of the connecting member 6 and the top surface of the permanent magnet 5, the operation force applied to the operation knob 20 is applied to the permanent magnet 5. It does not act directly, and therefore it is easy to prevent damage to the permanent magnet 5 caused by an excessive operating force. Further, a locking groove 6c for mounting the operation knob 20 is formed on the upper side of the flange portion 6a of the connecting member 6, and the operation knob 20 mounted on the connecting member 6 is not connected to the operation protrusion 4b. Kept in contact. Therefore, the risk that the operation projection 4b is damaged by an excessive operation force applied to the operation knob 20 is also reduced.

  A magnetic sensor 9 is mounted on the flexible substrate 8, and a group of terminals 9 e arranged in the magnetic sensor 9 is soldered to a wiring pattern (not shown) of the flexible substrate 8. The magnetic sensor 9 is housed in the second opening 3 a of the lower case 3, and the jetty portion 3 b that restricts the movement of the annular coil spring 7 in the radial direction surrounds the magnetic sensor 9. As is clear from FIG. 2, the height position of the upper end of the magnetic sensor 9 is set higher than the height position of the lower end of the annular coil spring 7, and the upper end portion of the magnetic sensor 9 and the lower end of the annular coil spring 7 are set. The part overlaps in the height direction. The top surface of the magnetic sensor 9 is opposed to the bottom surface of the large-diameter portion 4a of the operating body 4 at a close distance. As shown in FIG. The first to fourth Hall elements 9a to 9d are arranged at regular intervals. When the operating body 4 is not operated for sliding, the center of the permanent magnet 5 is located immediately above the center C of the magnetic sensor 9, but when the operating body 4 is operated for sliding, the permanent magnet 5 is positioned. Since the output voltages (output signals) of the first to fourth Hall elements 9a to 9d reflecting the magnetic flux density change according to the position change of the operating element 4, the operating body 4 of the operating body 4 is changed based on the output voltages of the Hall elements 9a to 9d. The slide direction can be detected.

  That is, the output voltage difference V (1-4) between the first Hall element 9a and the fourth Hall element 9d, and the output voltage difference V (2-3) between the second Hall element 9b and the third Hall element 9c. Are calculated by a control unit (not shown), so that the sliding direction of the operating body 4 can be accurately detected. For example, when the operating body 4 is not operated, the permanent magnet 5 is not biased to either side of the Hall elements 9a, 9d and is not biased to either side of the Hall elements 9b, 9c. The difference V (1-4) is zero, and the output voltage difference V (2-3) is also zero. However, when the permanent magnet 5 moves upward in FIG. 5 with respect to the magnetic sensor 9, the output voltage from the first Hall element 9a increases and the output voltage from the fourth Hall element 9d decreases. The voltage difference V (1-4) turns to positive. Conversely, when the permanent magnet 5 moves downward in FIG. 5, the output voltage difference V (1-4) turns negative. However, in either case, the output voltage difference V (2-3) between the second Hall element 9b and the third Hall element 9c remains zero. Similarly, when the permanent magnet 5 moves to the left in FIG. 5, the output voltage difference V (2-3) turns to plus, and when the permanent magnet 5 moves to the right in FIG. 5, the output voltage difference V (2- 3) turns negative, but in either case, the output voltage difference V (1-4) remains zero. Further, when the permanent magnet 5 moves diagonally upward to the left in FIG. 5, the output voltage differences V (1-4) and V (2-3) both turn positive, and the permanent magnet 5 moves diagonally downward to the right in FIG. Then, the output voltage differences V (1-4) and V (2-3) both turn negative. Further, when the permanent magnet 5 moves obliquely upward to the right in FIG. 5, the output voltage difference V (1-4) turns to positive, the output voltage difference V (2-3) turns to negative, and the permanent magnet 5 turns to FIG. When moving to the left diagonally downward, the output voltage difference V (1-4) turns negative and the output voltage difference V (2-3) turns positive.

  Note that if the permanent magnet 5 slides greatly, the absolute value of the output voltage difference V (1-4) and the absolute value of the output voltage difference V (2-3) increase, so that these output voltage differences V (1-4) ) And the absolute value of the output voltage difference V (2-3) can be distinguished from each other by determining whether or not the absolute value of the output voltage difference V (2-3) exceeds a predetermined level.

  The flexible substrate 8 is disposed on the bottom surface side of the lower case 3 and closes the second opening 3a from below. The flexible substrate 8 is sandwiched between the lower case 3 and the bottom cover 10, but a lead portion 8 a extending from the flexible substrate 8 is provided on the bottom cover 10 so as to be electrically connected to the external circuit substrate. It is folded to the bottom side. The flexible substrate 8 is formed with a positioning hole 8b through which the positioning pin 3f of the lower case 3 is inserted.

  The bottom cover 10 is made of a metal flat plate, and a positioning hole 10a, a connecting pin insertion hole 10b, a mounting hole 10c, and the like are formed at predetermined positions of the bottom cover 10. The bottom cover 10 constitutes the outer shell of the multidirectional input device together with the housing 1, and is placed on the external circuit board. The positioning hole 10a of the bottom cover 10 is formed at a position that matches the positioning hole 8b of the flexible substrate 8, and the flexible substrate 8 is caulked at the tip of the positioning pin 3f inserted through the positioning holes 8b and 10a. The bottom cover 10 is fixed to the lower case 3 in a positioned state. Further, the coupling pin insertion hole 10b of the bottom cover 10 is formed at a position that matches the coupling pin insertion hole 3d of the lower case 3, and the tip of the coupling pin 2e that is inserted into the coupling pin insertion holes 3d and 10b is formed. By caulking, the bottom cover 10 is fixed to the upper case 2 in a positioned state. The attachment hole 10c of the bottom cover 10 is an attachment member insertion hole required when attaching the multidirectional input device to the external circuit board, and is formed at a position that matches the attachment hole 3e of the lower case 3. ing.

  In the multidirectional input device configured as described above, the user can slide the operation body 4 in any radial direction (direction along the plate surface of the top plate portion 2a of the upper case 2) via the operation knob 20. However, when the operating force is not applied to the operating body 4, the position of the inner peripheral portion of the annular coil spring 7 is restricted by the jetty portions 2 c and 3 b over the entire circumference. It is held in an annular shape. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation projection 4b of the operation body 4 is positioned at the center of the first opening 2b when not operated. At this time, since the center position of the permanent magnet 5 is held immediately above the center C of the magnetic sensor 9, as described above, the output voltage difference V (1-4) and V (2-3) of the magnetic sensor 9 is obtained. ) Are both zero.

  When the operating body 4 is slid in a predetermined direction in this state, the large-diameter portion 4a pushes the annular coil spring 7 in the sliding direction to extend, and the permanent magnet 5 fixed in the operating projection 4b is operated. 4, the position of the permanent magnet 5 with respect to the hall elements 9a to 9d of the magnetic sensor 9 changes and the output voltage difference V (1-4) or V (2-3) changes. To do. As described above, the sliding direction of the permanent magnet 5 during the sliding operation can be accurately detected by calculating the output voltage difference V (1-4) or V (2-3) by a control unit (not shown). In addition, after the operating body 4 is slid in this way, when the operating force is removed, the annular coil spring 7 that has been pushed and extended into the large-diameter portion 4a tries to return to its original shape by its own elasticity. Therefore, the large diameter portion 4a is pushed back by the elastic return force of the annular coil spring 7, and the operating body 4 automatically returns to the initial position shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment, when the operating body 4 slides in the radial direction, the permanent magnet 5 fixed to the operating body 4 and the second opening 3a of the lower case 3 are accommodated. Since the relative position with respect to the magnetic sensor 9 is changed, the sliding direction of the operating body 4 can be detected based on the change in magnetic flux density detected by the magnetic sensor 9. Therefore, unlike the conventional example described above, it is not necessary to incorporate the pair of slide members provided with the sliders in the housing so as to be movable in directions orthogonal to each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment example, the arrangement space of this kind of slide member and the partition that partitions the inside of the housing into the upper and lower cavities are omitted from the housing 1 formed by combining the upper case 2 and the lower case 3. . In the present embodiment, a jetty portion 3b for restricting the movement of the annular coil spring 7 in the radial direction is provided around the upper end portion of the second opening 3a of the lower case 3. Since the second opening 3a is deepened by the height of 3b, it is not necessary to increase the height dimension of the lower case 3 in order to secure the storage space for the magnetic sensor 9. Therefore, the height dimension of the housing 1 can be significantly reduced, and the multi-directional input device including the automatic return mechanism for the operation body 4 can be easily reduced in thickness.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, the height position of the upper end of the magnetic sensor 9 is set higher than the height position of the lower end of the annular coil spring 7, that is, the upper end portion of the magnetic sensor 9 and the annular coil spring 7. Since the lower end of the apparatus is set to overlap in the height direction, the overall thickness of the apparatus is further promoted. However, even when the height position of the upper end of the magnetic sensor 9 is set equal to or slightly below the height position of the lower end of the annular coil spring 7, the second opening 3a of the lower case 3 having a small height dimension. Since it is easy to house the magnetic sensor 9 in the inside, the entire apparatus can be sufficiently thinned.

  Further, the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment employs a magnet holding structure in which a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral surface of the permanent magnet 5 are pressed into contact with the minute protrusions 4 c within the operation protrusions 4 b of the operation body 4. Therefore, the damage accident of the permanent magnet 5 is difficult to occur. Moreover, an air discharge hole 4d is formed at the bottom of the operation projection 4b, and when the permanent magnet 5 is press-fitted into the operation projection 4b, the compressed air is easily discharged to the outside from the air discharge hole 4d. Therefore, the press-fitting work of the permanent magnet 5 can be performed smoothly.

  In the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment, a connecting member 6 made of a magnetic material that closes the inner permanent magnet 5 is fixed to the opening end side of the operation projection 4b. Since the operation body 4 is slidably moved via the attached operation knob (key top) 20, the connecting member 6 arranged close to the permanent magnet 5 functions as a yoke of the magnetic circuit, As a result, the leakage magnetic flux is reduced, and the position change of the permanent magnet 5 is easily detected by the magnetic sensor 9. Further, since a gap is secured between the bottom surface of the connecting member 6 and the top surface of the permanent magnet 5, there is no possibility that the operation force applied to the operation knob 20 from the user directly acts on the permanent magnet 5. A damage accident of the permanent magnet 5 due to the operating force can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the movement of the annular coil spring 7 to the inside in the radial direction is regulated by both the jetty portions 2c and 3b provided in the upper case 2 and the lower case 3, but the jetty portion of the upper case 2 The position of the inner peripheral portion of the annular coil spring 7 may be regulated by only the jetty portion 3b of the lower case 3 by omitting 2c, and a function similar to that of the jetty portion 3b is replaced by a regulating projection not having a jetty shape. It is also possible to make it. The magnetic sensor 9 may have a structure that does not use a Hall element, for example, a structure that uses a magnetoresistive effect (MR effect). Furthermore, an annular elastic member such as a rubber member or an elastomer can be used instead of the annular coil spring as means for automatically returning the operating body 4.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of this multidirectional input device. It is a top view of the operation body with which this multidirectional input device is equipped. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the magnetic sensor with which this multidirectional input device is equipped.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Upper case 2b 1st opening 3 Lower case 3a 2nd opening 3b Jetty part (regulation protrusion)
4 Operation body 4a Large diameter portion 4b Operation protrusion 4c Micro protrusion (holding protrusion)
4d Air discharge hole 5 Permanent magnet 6 Connecting member 7 Annular coil spring (annular elastic member)
8 Flexible substrate 9 Magnetic sensor 9a-9d Hall element 10 Bottom cover 11 Cavity 20 Operation knob

Claims (6)

An upper case having a first opening projecting outward, a lower case fixed to the bottom surface of the upper case and having a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening, and the upper case A resin molded product arranged so as to be slidable in the radial direction, an operation projection protruding through the first opening and projecting to the outside, and a large diameter portion protruding to the cavity covered by the upper case, An operating body provided around the large-diameter portion in the cavity, an annular elastic member that automatically returns the large-diameter portion to an initial position, a permanent magnet fixed to the operating body, A magnetic sensor housed in the second opening and capable of detecting the sliding movement of the operating body based on a change in relative position with the permanent magnet;
The lower case is provided with a restricting protrusion that engages with the inner peripheral portion of the annular elastic member to restrict the radially inward movement of the annular elastic member, and this restricting protrusion is provided on the second opening. A multidirectional input device characterized in that the magnetic sensor is surrounded by protruding to the upper end.   2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein a height position of an upper end of the magnetic sensor existing in the second opening is set higher than a height position of a lower end of the annular elastic member. .   2. The operation projection according to claim 1, wherein the operation projection is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having holding projections at a plurality of locations on the inner wall, and the plurality of locations on the outer wall surface of the permanent magnet are located within the operation projection. A multidirectional input device characterized in that it is press-contacted to the part.   The multidirectional input device according to claim 3, wherein an air discharge hole is formed in a bottom portion of the operation projection portion.   5. A connecting member made of a magnetic material that closes the permanent magnet is fixed to the opening end side of the operation protrusion, and an operation knob is attached to the connecting member. A multidirectional input device characterized by that. 6. The multidirectional input device according to claim 5, wherein a bottom surface of the connecting member is separated from an upper surface of the permanent magnet.

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