JP4710375B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device, and more particularly, to a multidirectional input device including an operation member that is slidable in two orthogonal axes.

Conventionally, multidirectional input devices are widely used as input devices for electronic devices and the like. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this type of multidirectional input device is tilted in two directions: a case 8 provided on a substrate 13 and an X axis-Y axis perpendicular to the case 8. A freely incorporated operation member 2, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the tilt displacement of the operation member 2, and a compression coil spring (not shown) for returning the operation member 2 to its original position. (For example, patent document 1 etc.).
JP-A-7-94053

  In the conventional multi-directional input device, when the operating member 2 is tilted by hand and then released from the operating member 2, the operating member 2 returns to the original position by the mechanical contact biasing force of the compression coil spring. . However, according to the multi-directional input device having this configuration, it is unavoidable to generate a clearance in assembly / part accuracy between the operation member 2 and the holding member, and the operation member 2 is a mechanical member of the compression coil spring. Slack wear due to contact force tends to occur.

  For this reason, the operation member 2 does not accurately return to the original neutral position (return error), and the input control accuracy by the operation member 2 is hindered. There was a problem that the amount of wear between the members increased and the operability of the operation member 2 was lowered.

  Therefore, there is a technical problem to be solved in order to eliminate the return error of the operation member, improve the input control accuracy, and improve the operability, and the present invention aims to solve the problem.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention, and to case, an operating member incorporated in slidably the case, the sliding of the operating member A multi-directional input device including a sensor for detecting displacement, wherein the operation member is movable in two orthogonal directions of the X and Y axes with respect to the case. A first magnet is provided, and a second magnet for generating a magnetic biasing force on the first magnet is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the case, and the biasing force causes the operation member to move on the X and Y axes. Provided is a multidirectional input device configured to automatically return to an origin position.

  According to this configuration, the magnetic urging force generated between the first magnet and the second magnet always acts in a direction to return the operating member to the original position before the operation. Therefore, when the finger is released from the operating member, the operating member reliably returns to the original position by the biasing force.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the finger is released from the operation member, the operation member automatically returns to the original position before the operation by the magnetic biasing force, so that the structure is only reduced in size and simplified compared to the conventional structure. The invention according to claim 2 has an excellent effect that there is almost no backlash, the operability is improved, and the original position before the operation can be accurately and quickly returned. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the second magnets are both formed in an annular shape and are arranged concentrically with each other.

  According to this configuration, since the first magnet and the second magnet formed in an annular shape are arranged concentrically with each other, they can be slid in multiple directions around the origin position of the operating member. However, when the finger is released from the operation member, the operation member returns to the origin position.

The invention according to claim 3 is the multidirectional input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is a contactless detection type sensor.

  According to this configuration, since the sensor is a contactless detection type sensor, the sliding displacement of the operation member is detected without contact.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a third magnet is provided on the lower end side of the operation member, and a fourth magnet for generating an upward magnetic biasing force with respect to the third magnet is provided at the lower bottom of the case. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-directional input device is provided on a side, and is incorporated in a state in which the operation member is pressed against an upper lower surface of the case by the biasing force.

  According to this configuration, the operation member is assembled while being pressed against the upper lower surface of the case by a magnetic biasing force. When the operating member is pushed down with a finger, the operating member is moved downward from the upper lower surface of the case. However, when the finger is released from the operating member, the operating member is fixed in position while being pressed against the upper lower surface of the case by the biasing force. Is done.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the finger is released from the operation member, the operation member automatically returns to the original position before the operation by the magnetic biasing force. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the operation member is slidable in multiple directions. After the operation, when the finger is released from the operation member, the operation member is surely returned to the origin position. Therefore, in addition to the effect of claim 1, it is widely applied to a multi-directional input device that performs a sliding operation in multiple directions. This has the advantage that the degree of freedom of design and versatility are increased.

  In the invention described in claim 3, since the sliding displacement of the operation member is detected without contact, in addition to the effect described in claim 1 or 2, the mechanical contact required in the case of the contact type sensor is provided. A member is not required, and the structure can be further simplified, and the operating force is reduced, thereby improving usability.

  In the invention described in claim 4, when the finger is released from the operation member, the position of the operation member is fixed in a state of being pressed against the upper lower surface of the case. In a non-operating state, the member is securely fixed and held at a normal height position with respect to the case, and even if an external force is unexpectedly applied to the operating member, the operating member can be prevented from being displaced.

The present invention includes a to case, an operating member incorporated in slidably the case, the multi-directional input device including a sensor for detecting the slide position of the operating member, the lower end periphery of said operation member A first magnet is fixed to the side, and a second magnet that generates a repulsive force with the first magnet is fixed to the inner peripheral side of the case, and the repulsive force slides on the operating member. By being configured to always urge the origin position in the direction, the objective of reliably returning the operation member of the multi-directional input device to the origin position accurately and automatically is achieved, although it is a simple configuration. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is applied to a small multi-directional input device 1 that is used particularly for an input device in an XY orthogonal biaxial direction of an electronic device, but is not limited to this, and pointing of an operation controller or various information devices. It can be applied to a wide range of devices.

  In the multidirectional input device 1 of this embodiment, a case 8 is provided on a substrate 13 on which sensors 14a to 14d for detecting displacement are mounted, and the operation member 2 can be slidably displaced in the X-Y2 axial directions. The annular magnet 10 on the case side and the annular magnet 9 on the operation member side are arranged concentrically so that a balance is achieved by the repulsive force between the magnets 9, 10, and the operation member 2 is automatically returned to the origin position in the X-Y2 axis direction.

  1, 2, 3 and 4 are a sectional view, a front view, a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, showing the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes an operation member operated by a finger, and a lower end side portion of the operation member 2 is inserted into a central hole 8A of the case 8 and assembled in a moving operation. Specifically, the operation member 2 is provided so as to be slidable in the X-axis-Y-axis direction orthogonal to each other, that is, the left-right axis-front-rear axis direction parallel to the substrate 13.

  The sliding direction of the operation member 2 can be set in a plurality of radial directions around the origin position of the X, Y2 axes, that is, four directions, eight directions (equal angle phase in the circumferential direction), or multiple directions. In this case, however, a guide for smoothly guiding the displacement movement of the operation member 2 can be provided.

  The operation member 2 has a hollow cylindrical portion 3 on the lower side of the center thereof, and a connecting shaft 4 having a reverse T-shaped longitudinal section is integrally fitted in the cylindrical portion 3. A large-diameter portion 5 is connected to the lower side of the connecting shaft 4, and a disk-shaped magnet 7 is fixed to the lower surface side of the large-diameter portion 5.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a substrate on which four magnetic force sensors 14 a to 14 d are mounted. Among them, the two magnetic force sensors 14a and 14b are arranged opposite to each other in the X-axis direction, while the magnetic force sensors 14c and 14d are arranged opposite to each other in the Y-axis direction.

  Here, for example, when the operation member 2 is slid in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, the magnet 7 is also moved and displaced integrally. The movement displacement of the magnet 7 is determined by the magnetic force sensors 14a and 14b or the magnetic force sensor 14c. , 14d are detected electromagnetically.

  Further, a lower bottom cylindrical lower case 12 is placed and fixed on the substrate 13 via magnetic force sensors 14a to 14d, and the lower case 12 is tightly fitted inside the upper case 8 and fixed. ing. On the bottom surface of the lower case 12, a disk-shaped magnet 11 and a large annular magnet 10 having substantially the same diameter are placed and fixed in sequence. The large annular magnet 10 is placed in the lower case. 12 are fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface side.

  The large annular magnet 10 and the small annular magnet 9 are arranged concentrically with each other and are magnetized so that a repulsive force is generated between them. Due to this repulsive force, a magnetic urging force for returning to the center position of the small annular magnet 9, that is, the neutral position of the operation member 2, always acts equally.

  Further, the upper disk-shaped magnet 11 and the lower disk-shaped magnet 7 are arranged in parallel to each other, and are magnetized so that an even repulsive force is generated between them. Due to this repulsive force, the operation member 2 is magnetically biased upward with respect to the case 8, but a small annular magnet 9 fixed to the lower end side of the operation member 2 is the lower surface of the peripheral edge of the center hole 8 </ b> A of the case 8. The upper position of the operation member 2 is regulated by abutting on.

  In the multidirectional input device 1 having the above-described configuration, when the operator performs a position input operation, his / her finger is placed on the upper surface of the operation member 2, and the operation member 2 is moved with respect to the cases 8 and 12, for example, in the X-axis direction or Operate sliding displacement in the Y-axis direction. Then, the disk-shaped magnet 7 fixed to the lower end side of the operation member 2 is also displaced integrally in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The movement displacement amount of the magnet 7 is detected electromagnetically by the magnetic force sensors 14a and 14b or the magnetic force sensors 14c and 14d.

  Here, the small annular magnet 9 fixed to the outer periphery of the disk-shaped magnet 7 receives a repulsive force from the large annular magnet 10 fixed to the inner periphery of the lower case 12, and thus the center direction of the small annular magnet 9. Is magnetically energized. And this urging | biasing force always works in the direction which returns the operation member 2 to the neutral position of X, Y orthogonal biaxial direction, ie, the origin position before operation.

  Therefore, after the detection, when the operator removes his / her finger from the operation member 2, the operation member 2 is automatically returned to the non-operation position in the X and Y2 axial directions by the biasing force acting on the small annular magnet 7.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the operation force of the operation member 2 is released, the operation member-side small annular magnet 9 receives the magnetic biasing force from the case-side large annular magnet 10, so that the operation member 2 is operated. It automatically returns to the previous XY axis origin position.

  Incidentally, in the conventional structure, when the operating member returns, a mechanical spring force directly acts on the lower portion of the operating member, which causes a feeling of rattling. In that respect, since the operation member 2 according to the present invention returns with a magnetic force acting in a non-contact state, the return position accuracy and the operation responsiveness of the operation member 2 are increased, and in addition, the rattling feeling is increased. The operability is remarkably improved without causing it.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the magnetic urging force generated between the first magnet 9 and the second magnet 10 always acts in the direction of returning the operation member 2 to the original position before the operation. When the finger is released from the operation member 2, the operation member 2 reliably returns to the origin position. Thus, the structure of the multidirectional input device 1 is simplified as compared with the conventional case, and the operation member 2 can be accurately returned to the neutral position before the operation.

  Since the ring-shaped first magnet 9 and the second magnet 10 are arranged concentrically with each other, the operation member 2 can be operated after sliding operation in multiple directions around the origin position. When the finger is released from the member 2, the operation member 2 returns to the origin position smoothly and quickly. Further, it can be widely applied to multi-directional input devices of multi-directional sliding operation type, and the degree of design freedom and versatility are increased.

  Further, since the magnetic force sensors 14a to 14d are contactless detection type sensors, the sliding displacement of the operation member 2 is detected without contact. Therefore, unlike the case of using the contact type sensors, the mechanical contact members are not provided. It becomes unnecessary and the moving operation force of the operation member 2 is reduced.

  Furthermore, by providing the third magnet 7 on the lower end side of the operation member 2 and providing the fourth magnet 11 for generating a magnetic biasing force on the third magnet 11 on the lower bottom side of the case 12, Since the magnet 9 on the operation member 2 side is pressed against the upper lower surface of the case 8 by the biasing force, when the finger is released from the operation member 2, the operation member 2 is positioned in a state of being pressed against the upper lower surface of the case 8. It is regulated and held fixed. Therefore, the operation member is securely fixed at a regular height with respect to the case 8, and even if an external force is unexpectedly applied to the operation member 2, there is no possibility that the operation member 2 is displaced.

  In the above embodiment, a magnetic sensor is used as the sensor, but other detection means such as a capacitance sensor can be used as long as the sensor can detect the movement position or displacement of the operation member.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally extends to the modified one.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view of FIG. The perspective view of FIG. The exploded perspective view of FIG. The perspective view of the conventional multidirectional input device. The front view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multidirectional input device 2 Operation member 3 Cylindrical part 4 Connection shaft 5 Large diameter part 7 Disk-shaped magnet (3rd magnet)
8 Upper case 8A Center hole 9 Annular magnet (first magnet)
10 Toroidal magnet (second magnet)
11 Disc-shaped magnet (fourth magnet)
12 Lower case 13 Substrate 14a-14d Magnetic force sensor (Displacement sensor)

Claims (4)

  A case provided on the substrate; an operation member slidably incorporated in the case; and a sensor for detecting a sliding displacement of the operation member, wherein the operation member is X, Y with respect to the case. In a multidirectional input device configured to be movable in two orthogonal directions of an axis, a first magnet is provided on a lower outer peripheral portion of the operation member, and a magnetic biasing force is generated with respect to the first magnet. A multi-directional input device, wherein a second magnet is provided on an inner peripheral portion of the case, and the operation member is automatically returned to the origin position of the X and Y axes by the biasing force. .   2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are both formed in an annular shape and are arranged concentrically with each other. 3. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a contactless detection type sensor.   A third magnet is provided on the lower end side of the operation member, and a fourth magnet for generating an upward magnetic urging force is provided on the lower bottom side of the case with the urging force. 4. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is assembled in a state of being pressed against an upper lower surface of the case.

Images