JP5535362B1 - Combined operation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a composite operation switch that can be reduced in size and weight due to its simple structure and that can be used stably over a long period of time with little mechanical wear and deterioration.
A base member 3 having a through hole 3b, a guide base 6 having a guide hole 6a, a bearing member 5 slidably engaged with a curved bearing portion provided on the lower side of the through hole, A central portion of the bearing member, an operating lever 7 that extends vertically through the through hole and the guide hole, and an operating lever that protrudes from the guide hole are provided on the upper portion of the bearing lever. A sensor bracket having self-returning means 8 for self-returning, a magnet 13 attached to the lower end portion of the operation lever via a magnet holder, and a magnetic sensor 15 attached to the lower side of the base member with a predetermined interval. 16 and the spring end 9 of the self-returning means provided with a gap around the guide hole of the guide base.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite operation switch that is particularly suitable for use in an operation panel such as a video game machine.

  Currently, in the video game machine, the mainstream composite operation switches that are used by being attached to the operation panel to control the movement of characters and the like displayed on the display are as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. The base member having a through hole to be attached to the operation panel is provided with a curved concave portion (curved bearing portion) in the upper portion of the through hole, the bearing member is fitted into the curved concave portion, and the bearing member is passed through the base member. An operation lever that extends in the vertical direction is provided, and a self-returning means that operates a compression coil spring is provided on the lower side that penetrates the base member of this operation lever, and further, the operation lever is passed through the lower surface of the base member A guide plate having a guide hole for restricting the operation range of the control lever is provided, and the guide plate is provided under the guide plate. It is obtained by arranging a plurality of micro switches that four arranged to surround the operating lever in one stage or two stages.

  In addition, although a composite operation switch using a magnetic sensor is generally known, it has not yet been put to practical use as a composite operation switch used by being attached to an operation panel of a video game machine. In addition, as operation switches, those using a photo sensor, those using a potentiometer, those using an encoder, etc. are well known although patent documents are omitted.

JP 2000-299036 A JP-A-9-115393

  Since the switch described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is a micro switch, the effective swing direction of the operation lever is limited, and since it is a mechanical contact, the contact may be worn or worn when used for many years. There was a problem that it deteriorated and had a short life span and could not be operated accurately.

  In addition, other operation switches that use only photosensors are susceptible to dust and dirt, and require a large number of photosensors. There was a problem in terms of long life due to wear and electrical deterioration. Furthermore, those using an encoder have a problem in that the structure is complicated, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost and difficulty in miniaturization.

  In particular, the composite operation switch of the video game machine has a large number of operations of the operation lever, and the handling thereof is sometimes rough. Furthermore, in recent years, the content of video games has also improved, and game software has been developed to make characters move in a more diverse and complex manner. Therefore, some composite operation switches can control characters according to their trends. It is desired.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to have a long life and can detect the swinging direction, the swinging speed, the swinging width, and the vertical movement of the operation lever, particularly when used on an operation panel of a video game machine. The object is to provide a suitable composite operation switch.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in a composite operation switch that is attached to an operation panel such as a video game machine according to claim 1 and controls the movement of a character or the like displayed on the display, a receiving portion that is attached to the operation panel; A base member having a box shape where a through hole is provided in the central portion of the bottom plate constituting the housing portion, and a through hole and a shaft center are shared by the central portion where the base member is installed and fixed in the housing portion of the base member A guide base having a guide hole provided on the lower side of the through hole, a bearing member swingably engaged with a curved bearing portion provided on the lower side of the through hole, a center portion of the bearing member, the through hole, and the guide An operating lever that penetrates the hole and extends in the vertical direction, and the operating lever is provided in an upper portion that protrudes from the guide hole. A self-supporting return means for returning, a magnet attached to the lower end of the operation lever via a magnet holder, a sensor bracket attached to the lower side of the base member with a predetermined interval, and the sensor bracket to the sensor bracket A magnetic sensor mounted at a predetermined interval with respect to the magnet, and a spring end of the self-returning means is installed in the guide hole of the guide base with a gap around it, The swing range is restricted, and the magnetic sensor can detect all or part of the swing direction, the swing width, and the swing speed of the operation lever.

  In addition, in a composite operation switch that is attached to an operation panel such as a video game machine according to claim 2 and controls the movement of a character or the like displayed on the display, a storage portion that is attached to the operation panel and the storage portion are configured. A base member having a slightly deep box shape with a through hole provided in the center of the bottom plate, and a through hole and a shaft in the center of the base member where the base member is slidable in the vertical direction. A guide base having a guide hole provided in common with the center, and a curved bearing portion provided inside the housing portion, which is formed by being superposedly fixed to the guide base and movable in the vertical direction together with the guide base. A bearing case, elastic means provided between the bearing case and the base member, and a curved bearing portion that can swing freely but A bearing member that is engaged with the movement of the bearing being restricted, an operation lever that extends vertically through the center portion of the bearing member and the guide hole, and an upper lever that protrudes from the guide hole. A self-returning means for self-returning from the swinging state of the operating lever, a magnet attached to the lower end of the operating lever via a magnet holder, and a lower portion of the base member with a predetermined interval. Sensor bracket, a magnetic sensor attached to the sensor bracket at a predetermined interval with respect to the magnet, and a photosensor provided between the base member and the bearing case or the sensor bracket. The spring end is installed in the guide hole of the guide base with a gap around it, In addition to restricting the range of movement of the lever, the magnetic sensor can detect all or part of the direction, width and speed of the operating lever, and the photo sensor can detect the vertical movement of the operating lever. It is characterized by that.

  Furthermore, in a composite operation switch that is attached to an operation panel such as a video game machine and controls the movement of a character or the like displayed on the display, a housing part that is attached to the operation panel and a central part of the bottom plate that constitutes the housing part A base member having a slightly deep box shape with a through hole provided in the central portion and a central portion where the base member is slidable in the vertical direction in the housing portion of the base member have a common through hole and axis. A guide base having a guide hole provided, and a bearing case provided with a curved bearing portion inside the accommodation portion formed by being superposed and fixed to the guide base so as to be movable in the vertical direction together with the guide base; The elastic means provided between the bearing case and the base member and the curved bearing portion can swing freely but regulate the vertical movement. A bearing member engaged therewith, an operation lever extending vertically through the central portion of the bearing member and the guide hole, and an upper portion of the operation lever protruding from the guide hole. A self-recovery means for self-returning from the swinging state, a magnet attached to the lower end of the operation lever via a magnet holder, a sensor bracket attached to the lower side of the base member with a predetermined interval, and The sensor bracket consists of a magnetic sensor mounted at a predetermined distance from the magnet, and the spring end of the self-recovery return means is installed in the guide hole of the guide base with a gap around it. In addition to restricting the range of movement, the magnetic sensor can be used to adjust the movement direction, movement width, and movement speed of the operating lever. And a part that forms so can detect vertical movement.

  In the present invention, the magnetic sensor further detects all or a part of the swing direction, swing speed, and swing width of the operation lever mounted on the upper surface side of the circuit board facing the magnet of the operation lever. And an operation lever that detects movement in the vertical direction of the operation lever mounted on the back side of the circuit board so as to oppose the magnet of the operation lever.

  In any of the above-mentioned inventions, the grip portion is screwed to the upper end portion of the operation lever, the outer shape of the magnet holder is formed in a square shape, and the gap between the base member and the sensor bracket is between A gap is provided for inserting a tool for fixing the magnet holder and preventing rotation of the operation lever when the grip is attached to the upper end of the operation lever.

  According to the present invention, in any of the above inventions, the magnetic sensor is a Hall element.

  The present invention further provides the composite operation switch according to claim 2, wherein the bearing case is configured by overlapping an upper bearing case and a lower bearing case, and a curved bearing portion is provided therein. To do.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the composite operation switch according to the present invention can be reduced in size and weight due to its simple structure, and can be used stably over a long period of time with little mechanical wear and deterioration. In addition, since the movement of the control lever can be detected also in its movement direction, movement width, movement speed, and movement in the vertical direction, it has the unique effect of being able to deal with more diverse and complex video games. Play.

It is a front view of the compound operation switch of the present invention. It is a top view of the compound operation switch shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which an operation lever is tilted from the state of FIG. 5. It is an expanded sectional view of the curved bearing part of the compound operation switch shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other Example of the composite operation switch of this invention. It is a top view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 8. It is a disassembled perspective view of the principal part of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which attached the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 8 to the operation panel, and was seen. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state where the operation lever is tilted in the state of FIG. 13. It is sectional drawing seen from the direction of the AA line of FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a state where the operation lever is pushed down from the state of FIG. 15. It is explanatory drawing of the part of the photosensor of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. It is a top view of the base member of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the base member shown in FIG. 18 taken along the line BB. FIG. 9 is a plan view of an upper bearing case of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 8. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of the upper bearing case shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the upper bearing case shown in FIG. It is a bottom view of the lower bearing case of the composite operation switch shown in the figure. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of the lower bearing case shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the lower bearing case shown in FIG. 23 taken along line FF. It is a side view of the magnet holder of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. It is a bottom view of the magnet holder shown in FIG. It is a top view of the sensor bracket of the compound operation switch shown in FIG. It is a GG line longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sensor bracket shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the further another Example of the composite operation switch of this invention. FIG. 31 is a partial exploded perspective view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 30. FIG. 31 is a longitudinal sectional view of the composite operation switch shown in FIG. 30 as viewed from the operation panel. FIG. 33 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state where the operation lever is tilted in the state of FIG. 32. FIG. 31 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 30 when the operation lever is pushed down.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described as a composite operation switch especially for a video game machine. However, the present invention may be used as a composite operation switch for a medal game machine, a prize machine, a crane game machine, and other game machines. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied without departing from the object of the present invention. It is easy for those skilled in the art to make other embodiments by changing or modifying the present invention within the scope of the claims, and these changes and modifications are included in the scope of the claims. The following description is an example of the best mode of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the claims.

  1 to 7 show an embodiment of a composite operation switch 1 according to the present invention. According to the drawings, the composite operation switch 1 according to the present invention is attached to an operation panel 2 of a video game machine (not shown), and has a slightly shallow box shape having a receiving portion 3c provided with a through hole 3b in a bottom plate 3a. A base member 3, a guide base 6 provided with a guide hole 6 a in a central portion of the base member 3 that is placed on the bottom plate 3 a of the housing portion 3 c of the base member 3, and a lower part of the through hole 3 b of the bottom plate 3 a concentrically The curved bearing portion 3h provided, the bearing member 5 slidably supported by the curved bearing portion 3h, the vertical direction of the base member 3 through the insertion hole 5a and the guide hole 6a provided in the bearing member 5 The operation lever 7 extending to the left, the self-returning means 8 for self-returning the swing of the operation lever 7, and the lower end of the operation lever 7 are attached via the magnet holder 12. It comprises a gnet 13, a sensor bracket 16 attached to the lower part of the base member 3 with a predetermined interval, and a magnetic sensor 15 attached to the magnet 13 on the sensor bracket 16 with a predetermined interval. Yes.

  More specifically, the base member 3 is made of, for example, nylon, and is formed by molding. A square hole-shaped storage portion 3c is provided on the inner side, and an armor plate of the operation panel 2 is provided on both sides of the upper end thereof. Mounting pieces 3d and 3d having mounting holes 3m and 3m that are used when mounting to 2a are provided. Bracket mounting pieces 3e, 3e, 3e, and 3e for mounting the sensor bracket 16 are projected from the four corners of the lower end portion of the base member 3. The bottom plate 3a provided with the through hole 3b is provided with female screw holes 3f, 3f, 3f, and 3f at the inner four corners thereof, and is formed thicker than the other parts as a whole in order to form the curved bearing portion 3h. .

  The guide base 6 is, for example, a molded product made of PC, and the guide hole 6a is inclined inward, and the female corners are provided on the bottom plate 3a of the base member 3 with mounting screws 6b, 6b, 6b, 6b. Screwed into the screw holes 3f, 3f, 3f, 3f. The reference symbols 6c, 6c, 6c and 6c are mounting holes for the mounting screws 6b, 6b, 6b and 6b.

  The shape of the curved bearing portion 3h concentrically formed around the through hole 3b of the base member 3 is a shape in which the bowl is turned down, and is provided on the lower side of the through hole 3b. The bearing member 5 to be fitted is prevented from coming out upward. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the curved bearing portion 3h is provided with a plurality of groove-like grease reservoirs 3i in the vertical direction.

  The bearing member 5 is, for example, a molded product made of POM having mechanical strength, has the same shape as the curved bearing portion 3h, and is configured to be fitted into the curved bearing portion 3h from the bottom side and swing smoothly. ing. An insertion hole 5a through which the operation lever 7 is inserted is provided in the central portion with a common axis. A recess 3g having a diameter larger than that of the through hole 3b is provided concentrically on the upper side of the through hole 3b. A washer 4 is installed in the recess 3g by inserting an operating lever 7. The washer 4 And the guide base 6 overlap each other. Further, the washer 4 is provided with an insertion hole 4a through which the operation lever 7 is inserted.

  The operation lever 7 is made of iron having a circular cross section with a chrome plating on the surface, for example. As described above, the shaft portion 7e has the bearing member 5, the washer 4, the guide hole 6a, and the self-recovery return means 8. It has a gripping portion 7c of a ball-shaped synthetic resin molded product that extends through the base member 3 in the vertical direction and has a male screw portion 7a provided on the upper end portion thereof and a female screw portion 7d provided on itself. doing. A chip-like magnet 13 is attached to the lower end portion via a magnet holder 12. The magnet holder 12 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation lever 7 with a mounting screw 12 a that penetrates the operation lever 7. Although the thing of an Example is presenting hexagonal shape so that the spanner of a commercially available tool can be mounted | worn, it is not limited to hexagonal shape.

  The self-returning means 8 of the operation lever 7 has an insertion hole 9a provided in the axial direction of the central portion thereof, and a spring insertion groove 9b provided concentrically with the insertion hole 9a, and the operation lever 7 is connected to the insertion hole 9a. Is inserted into the guide hole 6a of the guide base 6 at the upper part of the washer 4 and the operation lever 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 10a provided in the axial direction of the central portion of the washer 4. A spring receiving member 10 locked to an E ring 10b attached to a circumferential groove 7b provided in the lever 7, and a compression coil spring elastically wound between the spring end 9 and the spring receiving member 10 while being wound around the operation lever 7 It is comprised from the elastic means 11 which consists of.

  The sensor bracket 16 is a molded product made of, for example, ABS resin, and has a flat rectangular shape, and has locking pieces 16a, 16a, 16a, 16a provided with hook portions 16b, 16b, 16b, 16b at the upper ends from the four corners. The hooks 16b, 16b, 16b, 16b of the respective locking pieces 16a, 16a, 16a, 16a are provided with bracket mounting pieces 3e, 3e, 3e, 3e provided with the bracket mounting pieces 3e, 3e, 3e, By being engaged with 3j, 3j, 3j, they are attached to the lower side of the base member 3 with a predetermined interval. Further, the sensor bracket 16 is provided with a pull-out portion 16d at a substantially central portion thereof, and mounting female screw portions 16c and 16c for attaching the circuit board 14. Furthermore, a gap 17 is provided between the sensor bracket 16 and the base member 3 for inserting a spanner (tool) into the magnet holder 12.

  In the embodiment, the magnetic sensor 15 uses a Hall IC. The magnetic sensor 15 is connected to the magnet 13 on the circuit board 14 mounted on the mounting female screw portions 16c and 16c of the sensor bracket 16 via the mounting screws 14a and 14a. It is attached with a predetermined interval between them. In FIG. 4, reference symbols 14b and 14b are mounting holes for the mounting screws 14a and 14a. Other examples of the magnetic sensor 15 include magnetoresistive elements (MR: AMR, GMR, TMR, etc.), coils, and the like, but a Hall IC is particularly preferable. The magnetic sensor 15 made of a Hall IC captures changes in the magnetic field using the Hall effect, can also detect the direction, position, and speed of movement of the magnet 13 and can be easily downsized as an element. .

  The Hall IC uses a Hall effect in which an electromotive force appears in a direction orthogonal to both the current and the magnetic field when a magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the current flowing with respect to the current flowing. Thus, for example, a current is passed in the x direction and a magnetic field is applied in the y direction. At this time, the charged particles (carriers) flowing through the sample move in the z direction under the Lorentz force due to the magnetic field, so that an electric field (Hall electric field) is generated in a direction orthogonal to both the current and the magnetic field. From this, Hall IC detects the change of the magnetic field in the linear direction.

  The material of the circuit board 14 is preferably a material having high electrical insulation and hardness, and is made of paper phenol (XPC), paper epoxy (FR-3), glass composite (CEM-3), and glass epoxy (FR). -4). In particular, glass / composite, glass / epoxy, and the like are preferable because of their high electrical characteristics, strength, and insulation.

  Next, the function and effect of the composite operation switch 1 according to the present invention will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the composite operation switch 1 of the present invention has its mounting pieces 3d and 3d attached to the lower side of the armor plate 2a of the operation panel 2 of the video game machine with mounting screws 3k and 3k. Use. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operating lever 7 has a wider swinging width because the self-returning means 8 is attached to the upper side of the base member 3 as compared with the above-described conventionally known composite operation switch. Therefore, a large-diameter insertion hole 2b through which the operation lever 7 is inserted is provided in the armor plate 2a, and the upper part thereof is covered with a disc-shaped cover member 2c through which the operation lever 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 2d. Yes. The cover member 2c slides in multiple directions on the upper surface of the armor plate 2a of the operation panel 2 as the operation lever 7 is swung.

  When the operation lever 7 holds the grip portion 7c with a finger and tilts it in any direction, the bearing member 5 causes the outer peripheral portion of the spring end 9 to contact the guide hole 6a of the guide base 6 in any direction of 360 degrees. If the hand is released from the operation lever 7 after the rocking, the self-returning means 8 automatically returns to the original self-standing state. At this time, the swinging width of the operating lever 7 is regulated by the outer periphery of the spring end 9 of the self-returning means 8 coming into contact with the inner periphery of the guide hole 6 a of the guide base 6. That is, the spring end 9 of the self-returning means 8 also serves as a guide member for the operation lever 7.

When the operating lever 7 is swung, the magnet 13 attached to the lower end of the operating lever 7 swings in the direction opposite to the direction in which the operating lever 7 is tilted, and the magnet 13 moves away from or approaches the magnetic sensor 15. The magnetic sensor 15 captures the movement of the magnet 13 and detects all or part of the moving direction, moving width, and moving speed as necessary and displayed on the display of the video game machine. It is possible to give various and complex motions to the characters.

  8 to 29 show another embodiment of the composite operation switch according to the present invention. The composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the composite operation switch 1 of the first embodiment in that it can detect a 360-degree direction swing of the operation lever 21 and can detect a vertical movement. Is different.

  According to the drawing, in the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment, the guide base 22 and the bearing case 24 are slid in the vertical direction with respect to the base member 25 in order to give the operation lever 21 a vertical movement. It is configured to be able to move.

  That is, the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment leaves the bottom plates 25a, 25a, 25a, and 25a at the four corners of the bottom portion that is attached to the operation panel 2 armor plate 2a of the video game machine (not shown). A base member 25 having a box-shaped housing portion 25c that is slightly deeper than that of the first embodiment, which is a hexagonal through hole 25b, and a center housed in the housing portion 25c of the base member 25 so as to be vertically movable. A guide base 22 provided with a guide hole 22a in the portion, and an accommodation portion 25c of the base member 25 together with the guide base 22 which is fixed to the guide base 22 and fixed with mounting screws 22c, 22c, 22c, 22c. A bearing case 24 housed in a vertically movable manner, and the bearing case 24 is slid and urged together with the guide base 22 in the vertical direction. For this purpose, four elastic means 27 composed of compression coil springs provided between the bottom plates 25a, 25a, 25a, 25a and the bearing case 24, and an insertion hole 24c provided inside the bearing case 24 are provided. A curved bearing portion 28 having a bending angle of 180 degrees or more provided concentrically and swingable in a direction of 360 degrees in the curved bearing section 28, but accommodated by being restricted from moving in the vertical direction. The bearing member 23, the operation lever 21 that extends through the bearing member 23 in the vertical direction of the base member 25, the self-returning means 29 of the operation lever 21 provided on the upper side of the bearing case 24, and the operation lever 21 A chip-shaped magnet 31 attached to the lower end via a magnet holder 30 and a lower portion of the base member 25 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. A sensor bracket 32 attached, and a pair of magnetic sensors 34 juxtaposed on a circuit board 33 which is mounted at a predetermined distance from the magnet 31 on the sensor bracket 32. In particular, in FIG. 11, an instruction symbol 33 a is a mounting screw hole of the mounting screws 42 and 42.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the photo sensor 35 is provided between the sensor bracket 32 and the lower bearing case 24b. This photosensor 35 can be said to be an embodiment further added to the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment.

  More specifically, the base member 25 is made of, for example, nylon and is formed by molding. When the base member 25 is provided with a square hole-shaped storage portion 25c on the inner side and attached to the operation panel 2 on both sides of the upper end thereof. A mounting piece 25d having mounting holes 25g and 25g used in the above is provided. Four bottom plates 25a, 25a, 25a, 25a are provided at the four corners of the bottom portion of the accommodating portion 25c. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a boss is provided on the upper portion of each bottom plate 25a. Portions 25e, 25e, 25e, and 25e are projected. The through hole 25b provided in the housing portion 25c has a substantially hexagonal shape rotated 90 degrees with respect to the shape of the housing portion 25c. A sensor mounting piece 25f of the photo sensor 35 is integrally provided to hang downward from one lower surface of each bottom plate 25a.

  The guide base 22 is, for example, a molded product made of PC. The guide base 22 has a substantially quadrangular planar shape that matches the shape of the housing portion 25c, and a guide hole 22a that is inclined inward is provided at the center thereof. As shown in FIG. 22, four screw mounting holes 22b are provided along each side.

  The bearing case 24 has a configuration in which an upper bearing case 24a and a lower bearing case 24b are overlapped, and the upper bearing case 24a has a square shape in accordance with the shape of the accommodating portion 25c. The plane has a substantially hexagonal shape according to the shape of the through hole 25b. The bearing case 24 is provided with an insertion hole 24c penetrating the center thereof, and the insertion hole 24c is provided in both the upper bearing case 24a and the lower bearing case 24b with a common axis. As shown in FIG. 12 in particular, the bearing case 24 and the guide base 22 are integrally overlapped and fixed by using mounting screws 22c and nuts 22d, and are vertically moved in the housing portion 25c of the base member 25. It is housed movably. In four corners of the upper bearing case 24a of the bearing case 24, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, there are provided accommodation holes 24d for accommodating the respective elastic means 27. 11, 15, and 16, the elastic member is formed of a compression coil spring in which each boss portion 25 e of each bottom plate 25 a of the base member 25 is fitted into the lower end portion and is accommodated in the accommodation hole 24 d. By means 27, 27, 27, 27, the bearing case 24 and the guide base 22 are always slidably biased upward.

  The curved bearing portion 28 formed around the insertion hole 24c of the bearing case 24 is formed by the upper curved portion 28a of the upper bearing case 24a and the lower curved portion 28b of the lower bearing case 24b. A bearing portion 28 is formed. That is, the upper curved portion 28a of the upper bearing case 24a of the curved bearing portion 28 has a lower chord of 180 degrees, while the lower curved portion 28b of the lower bearing case 24b has an upper chord starting from 180 degrees and an angle greater than 180 degrees. It extends to. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 20-22, the upper bearing case 24a is provided with a recess 24g concentrically with the insertion hole 24c, and a washer 41 is provided at the center of the recess 24g. The operation lever 21 is inserted through the provided insertion hole 41a. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 and FIGS. 20 to 25, the indication symbols 24e and 24f are screw insertion holes of the mounting screw 22c, and the indication symbols 24j, 24j, 24j and 24j are lower bearings. An elastic locking member that locks the case 24b to the bottom plate 25a of the base member 25 so as not to be pulled upward. Further, the indication symbols 24h and 24h are hook portions of the locking members 32a and 32a of the sensor bracket 32. It is the bracket attachment piece which latches 32b and 32b. Further, particularly in FIGS. 28 and 29, the reference symbols 32c and 32c are female screw holes for the mounting screws 42 and 42, and the reference symbols 32d and 32d are support columns for the sensor bracket 32. As shown in FIG. 23, the support pillars 32d and 32d are inserted into attachment holes 24i and 24i provided in the lower bearing case 24b. Further, the one with the instruction symbol 32e is a withdrawal portion.

  The bearing member 23 is, for example, a molded product made of POM having mechanical strength, and is integrally formed with the magnet holder 30. In particular, as shown in FIG. 26, the shaft core is provided to the magnet holder 30 and the bearing member 23. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the operation lever 21 is inserted into the stepped insertion hole 23 a provided in common, and the operation lever 21 is attached with the mounting screw 30 c through the female screw hole 30 b provided in the magnet holder 30. It is fixed to the lower end of the. The portion of the bearing member 23 has substantially the same shape as the curved bearing portion 28, but the upper portion of the bearing member 23 is fitted into the upper curved portion 28a of the upper bearing case 24a, and the lower portion is the lower portion of the lower bearing case 24b. The bending portion 28b extends to an angle smaller than 180 degrees. Therefore, the bearing member 23 swings in the curved bearing portion 28 with the swinging operation of the operation lever 21, but moves in the curved bearing portion 28 with respect to the vertical movement of the operation lever 21. Rather, the bearing case 24 and the guide base 22 both move in the vertical direction as the operation lever 21 moves in the vertical direction.

  From the lower bearing case 24b, a pair of bracket mounting pieces 24h and 24h for mounting the sensor bracket 32 are provided to hang down as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, in particular, as shown in FIG. ing. Therefore, the operating lever 21 does not escape upward from the base member 25, but can move downward within a predetermined range. Further, when the bearing case 24 moves downward, the lower bearing case 24 b slides in the through hole 25 b of the base member 25. Further, the light shielding plate 35b of the photo sensor 35 is integrally provided on the lower bearing case 24b and is suspended downward.

  As a result, when the operating lever 21 is pushed down, the bearing case 24 moves down together with the guide base 22 and returns to its original position by the elasticity of each elastic means 27 when the hand is released. At this time, since the light shielding plate 35b enters or leaves between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the photosensor 35, this can be detected. Each elastic means 27 can be made of rubber instead of a compression coil spring.

  The operation lever 21 is made of, for example, iron having a circular cross-section with a chrome plating on the surface. As described above, the shaft portion 21f includes the bearing case 24, the washer 41, the guide base 22, and the self-supporting return means 29. A gripping portion 21c of a ball-shaped synthetic resin molded product that extends in the vertical direction of the base member 25 and has a male screw portion 21a provided on the upper end portion of the base member 25 is screwed to the male screw portion 21a. Have. And the chip-shaped magnet 31 is attached to the lower end part via the magnet holder 30. The magnet holder 30 in the embodiment has a hexagonal shape so that a commercially available spanner (tool) can be mounted, but is not limited to the hexagonal shape.

  The self-returning means 29 of the operation lever 21 has an insertion hole 38a provided in the axial direction of the central portion thereof, and a spring insertion groove 38b provided concentrically with the insertion hole 38a, and the operation lever 21 is connected to the insertion hole 38a. The operation lever 21 is inserted into the spring end 38 placed in the guide hole 22a of the guide base 22 at the upper part of the washer 41 and the insertion hole 39a provided in the axial direction of the central portion thereof. A spring receiving member 39 locked to an E-ring 21d attached to a circumferential groove 21e provided in the lever 21 and a compression coil spring elastically wound between the spring end 38 and the spring receiving member 39 while being wound around the operating lever 21 It is comprised from the elastic means 40 which consists of.

  The sensor bracket 32 is a molded product made of ABS resin, for example, and is a flat quadrangular frame. Elevating members 32a and 32a provided with hook portions 32b and 32b at the upper end from both sides thereof are erected. By engaging the hook portions 32b, 32b of the locking members 32a, 32a with the locking holes 24k, 24k (only one is shown in FIG. 12) provided in the bracket mounting pieces 24h, 24h provided in the lower bearing case 24b, It is attached to the lower side of the base member 25 at a predetermined interval. Further, a spanner is inserted between the sensor bracket 32 and the base member 25 when the grip portion 21c is screwed to the upper end portion of the operation lever 21, so that the operation lever 21 is prevented from rotating. A gap 26 is provided.

  The magnetic sensor 34 uses a Hall element in the embodiment, and a pair of magnetic sensors 34 are attached to the magnet 31 on the circuit board 33 attached to the substantially central portion of the sensor bracket 32 with a predetermined interval. Other examples of the magnetic sensor 34 include magnetoresistance effect elements (MR: AMR, GMR, TMR, etc.), coils, and the like. In particular, Hall IC is preferable. The Hall IC captures changes in the magnetic field using the Hall effect, can detect the direction and position of the magnet movement, and can be easily miniaturized as an element.

  The magnetic sensor 34 uses the same Hall element as in the first embodiment, but the one according to the second embodiment can detect the swing direction, swing width, and swing speed of the operation lever 21. That is, the magnetic sensor 34 according to the second embodiment detects a change in the magnetic field in the linear direction. Accordingly, by detecting the magnitude of the electric field generated in the two Hall ICs when the operation lever 21 is rotated, the movement can be detected regardless of the direction of movement on the plane. Therefore, the movement of the magnet 31 provided at the tip of the operation lever 21 can be captured in a planar manner with the two Hall ICs in the orthogonal state.

  Hereinafter, the specific effects of the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment will be described. Similarly to the first embodiment, the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment can detect the 360-degree swinging operation of the operation lever 21 together with all or part of the operation direction, operation width, and operation speed. Same in terms. Therefore, if the operation lever 21 is operated with a normal force, it functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment includes a photo sensor 35 in addition to the magnetic sensor 34. As described above, the photosensor 35 is attached to the lower surface of the bottom plate 25a of the base member 25 with the housing 35a attached to the bottom plate 25a at a predetermined interval via the sensor attachment piece 25f and the lower bearing case 24b. When the operating lever 21 is pressed, the light path between the light emitting element (not shown) and the light receiving element (not shown) placed in the housing 35a is shielded or made conductive by pressing the operation lever 21. The movement of the control lever 21 in the vertical direction is detected, and the movement of a character or the like displayed on the display of the video game machine can be controlled in various ways. That is, if the operation lever 21 is operated with a normal force, it functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, the composite operation switch 20 according to the second embodiment can be moved in the vertical direction of the operation lever 21 as described above. That is, when the operation lever 21 is pushed down with a force more than usual, the operation lever 21 moves downward against the elasticity of the elastic means 27, 27, 27, 27, and at the same time, the lower bearing case 24b is lowered. To do. As a result, the light shielding plate 35b attached to the lower bearing case 24b is fitted into the groove 35c provided in the housing 35a, so that the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element is interrupted or conducted. Even if the photo sensor 35 is used, the movement in the vertical direction can be detected. When the pressing force applied to the operation lever 21 is released, the operation lever 21 is automatically returned to the original position by the elasticity of the elastic means 27, 27, 27, 27. As described above, the light shielding plate 35b may be of a type that opens the optical path between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.

  30 to 34 further show another embodiment of the present invention. According to the drawing, the composite operation switch 45 according to the third embodiment replaces the photosensor 35 of the second embodiment with the operation lever 21 when detecting the vertical movement of the operation lever 7 shown in the first embodiment. The magnetic sensor 46b of the Hall IC that detects the vertical movement of the sensor is used. As a result, the photosensor 35 of the second embodiment and the mechanism for moving the lower bearing member 4b of the photosensor 35 in the vertical direction can be omitted, and the configuration can be simplified.

  According to the drawing, the members and the configuration of the composite operation switch 45 according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description of the components having the same reference symbols is omitted. In addition, the thing in which description is insufficient in the said Example 1 is based on description of Example 2 about the same thing as the member of Example 2. The difference from the first embodiment is the base member 47, the sensor bracket 50, and the magnetic sensor 46. The difference from the second embodiment is that the photosensor 35 is mainly not provided. Hereinafter, these members will be described.

  The base member 47 of the composite operation switch 45 according to the third embodiment (hereinafter the same) is made of nylon and has a box shape having a square hole-shaped accommodation portion 47c, and is formed by molding to constitute the accommodation portion 47c. A through hole 47b is provided in the bottom plate 47a. Furthermore, attachment pieces 47d and 47d having attachment holes 47j and 47j used when attaching to the armor plate 2a of the operation panel 2 are provided on both sides of the upper end of the accommodating portion 47c. From the four corners of the base member 47, four bracket mounting pieces 47e, 47e,... With projecting pieces 47m, 47m,. The bottom plate 47a provided with the through hole 47b is formed thicker than the other parts as a whole to form the curved bearing portion 47h, and is provided with a recess 47g that surrounds the through hole 47b and accommodates the washer 41. ing. Other than that, the curved bearing portion 47h is provided with a plurality of strip-shaped grease reservoirs 47i.

  The sensor bracket 50 is a flat rectangular shape having a square-shaped receiving hole 50a at the center, and the first locking holes 50b for the bracket mounting pieces 47e, 47e,. , 50b,... And second locking holes 50c, 50c for locking the pair of locking pieces 52a, 52a of the lid member 52 are provided on both sides of the receiving hole 50a. The circuit board 48 of the magnetic sensor 46 is accommodated in the receiving hole 50a, and the lid member 52 is covered from the upper part thereof, and the locking pieces 52a and 52a are inserted and locked into the second locking holes 50c and 50c and fixed. To do.

  The bearing member 49 has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. The curved bearing portion 47h for bearing the bearing member 49 is not divided into two as in the second embodiment, but is provided on the bottom plate 47a of the base member 47 as in the first embodiment. A stopper plate 51 that restricts the descent of the bearing member 49 is attached to the bottom plate 47a. The stopper plate 51 is provided with an insertion hole 51a at the center thereof to allow the operation lever to swing and to be inserted.

  Further, the circuit board 48 to which the magnetic sensor 46 is attached is fitted into a receiving hole 50 a provided in the center of the sensor bracket 50, and then a lid member 52 is covered from above, and the latch provided on the lid member 52 is provided. The pieces 52a, 52a,... Are locked to the locking holes 50b, 50b,.

  On the upper surface of the circuit board 48, a first magnetic sensor 46a made of, for example, a Hall IC, which detects all of the swinging direction, swing speed, and swing width of the operation lever 7 in the 360 degree direction is attached. A second magnetic sensor 46b made of, for example, a Hall IC, which detects the vertical movement of the operating lever 7 is attached to the side. In the third embodiment, the magnetic sensor 46 includes the first magnetic sensor 46a attached to the front side of the circuit board 48 and the second magnetic sensor 46b attached to the lower surface side. Only the magnetic sensor attached to the upper side of the substrate 48 may be configured to detect the swing and the vertical movement of the operation lever 7.

  The curved bearing portion 47h has a shape that allows the bearing member 49 to move in the vertical direction. When the operation lever 7 is pushed down, the bearing member 49 also moves down, and the moving width of the bearing member 49 against the stopper plate 51 is reduced. It is a structure regulated by touching.

  Although the function and effect will be described below, the same instruction symbols have the same function and effect as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Similarly to the first embodiment, the composite operation switch 45 according to the third embodiment can detect the 360-degree swinging operation of the operation lever 7 together with all or part of the operation direction, operation width, and operation speed. Same in terms. Therefore, if the operation lever 7 is operated with a normal force, it functions in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment. However, the composite operation switch 45 according to the third embodiment can detect the vertical movement of the operation lever 7 in the same manner as the operation lever 21 of the second embodiment, as described above. That is, when the operating lever 7 is pushed down with more force than usual, the operating lever 7 moves downward against the elasticity of the elastic means 11 of the self-recovery returning means 8, and the magnet 13 attached to the tip of the operating lever 7 magnetically moves. Since the sensor 46b is approached, the circuit board on which the magnetic sensor 46b is attached in addition to detecting the vertical movement of the operating lever 7 as in the photo sensor 35 of the second embodiment, in addition to detecting the vertical movement of the operation lever 7. 48 can be detected.

  When the downward pressing operation on the operation lever 7 is released, the operation lever 7 moves upward and returns to the original position by the elasticity of the elastic means 11 of the self-recovery return means 8. Also in the composite operation switch 45 according to the third embodiment, a gap 53 for inserting a tool is provided between the base member 47 and the sensor bracket 50 as in the first and second embodiments.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it can be reduced in size and weight due to its simple structure, and can be used for various game machines that can be used stably over a long period of time with little mechanical wear and deterioration. It is suitably used as a combined operation switch for electric / electronic devices.

1, 20, 45 Composite operation switch 2 Operation panel 3, 25, 47 Base member 3a, 25a Bottom plate 3b, 25b Through hole 3c, 25c Housing portion 3h, 28 Curved bearing portion 5, 23, 49 Bearing member 6, 22 Guide base 6a, 22a Guide holes 7, 21 Operation levers 7c, 21c Grip part 8 Self-supporting return means 9, 38 Spring ends 11, 27, 40 Elastic means 12, 30 Magnet holder 13, 31 Magnets 14, 33, 48 Circuit boards 15, 34 46 Magnetic sensor 16, 32, 50 Sensor bracket 17, 26, 53 Gap 24 Bearing case 24a Upper bearing case 24b Lower bearing case 35 Photo sensor

Claims (7)

It is attached to an operation panel such as a video game machine and controls the movement of characters and the like displayed on the display.
A base member having a box shape where a through-hole is provided in a central portion of a base plate constituting the storage portion and the base plate constituting the storage portion;
A guide base having a guide hole provided in common with the through hole and the shaft center in a central portion of the base member installed and fixed in the housing portion;
A bearing member slidably engaged with a curved bearing provided on the lower side of the through hole;
An operation lever extending vertically through the central portion of the bearing member, the through hole and the guide hole;
A self-returning means provided on the upper part of the operation lever projecting from the guide hole, and performing self-recovery from the swinging state of the operation lever;
A magnet attached to the lower end of the operating lever via a magnet holder;
A sensor bracket mounted at a predetermined interval on the lower side of the base member;
The sensor bracket consists of a magnetic sensor attached to the magnet at a predetermined interval,
The spring end of the self-supporting return means is installed in the guide hole of the guide base with a gap around it, and regulates the swing range of the operation lever, and the swing direction of the operation lever by the magnetic sensor, A composite operation switch characterized by being able to detect all or a part of a peristaltic width and peristaltic speed. It is attached to an operation panel such as a video game machine and controls the movement of characters and the like displayed on the display.
A base member having a slightly deep box shape in which a through hole is provided in the central portion of the bottom plate that constitutes the housing portion and the housing portion that is attached to the operation panel,
A guide base having a guide hole provided in common with the through-hole and the shaft center in a central portion of the base member that is slidably installed in the vertical direction;
A bearing case in which a curved bearing portion is provided inside the accommodation portion which is formed by being superposed and fixed to the guide base and is movable in the vertical direction together with the guide base,
Elastic means provided between the bearing case and the base member;
A bearing member that is swingable to the curved bearing portion, but is engaged by being restricted in vertical movement;
An operation lever extending vertically through the center of the bearing member and the guide hole;
A self-returning means provided on the upper part of the operation lever projecting from the guide hole, and performing self-recovery from the swinging state of the operation lever;
A magnet attached to the lower end of the operating lever via a magnet holder;
A sensor bracket mounted at a predetermined interval on the lower side of the base member;
A magnetic sensor attached to the sensor bracket at a predetermined interval with respect to the magnet;
A photosensor provided between the base member and the bearing case or the sensor bracket;
The spring end of the self-supporting return means is installed in the guide hole of the guide base with a gap around it, and regulates the swing range of the operation lever, and the swing direction of the operation lever by the magnetic sensor, A composite operation switch characterized by detecting all or part of a swing width and a swing speed so that the photo sensor can detect the vertical movement of the operation lever. It is attached to an operation panel such as a video game machine and controls the movement of characters and the like displayed on the display.
A base member having a slightly deep box shape in which a through hole is provided in the central portion of the bottom plate that constitutes the housing portion and the housing portion that is attached to the operation panel,
A guide base having a guide hole provided in common with the through-hole and the shaft center in a central portion of the base member that is slidably installed in the vertical direction;
A bearing case in which a curved bearing portion is provided inside the accommodation portion which is formed by being superposed and fixed to the guide base and is movable in the vertical direction together with the guide base,
Elastic means provided between the bearing case and the base member;
A bearing member that is swingable to the curved bearing portion, but is engaged by being restricted in vertical movement;
An operation lever extending vertically through the center of the bearing member and the guide hole;
A self-returning means provided on the upper part of the operation lever projecting from the guide hole, and performing self-recovery from the swinging state of the operation lever;
A magnet attached to the lower end of the operating lever via a magnet holder;
A sensor bracket mounted at a predetermined interval on the lower side of the base member;
The sensor bracket consists of a magnetic sensor attached to the magnet at a predetermined interval,
The spring end of the self-supporting return means is installed in the guide hole of the guide base with a gap around it, and regulates the swing range of the operation lever, and the swing direction of the operation lever by the magnetic sensor, A composite operation switch characterized in that it can detect all or part of the peristaltic width and peristaltic speed and the vertical movement.   The magnetic sensor detects all or part of the swing direction, swing speed, swing width of the operation lever mounted on the upper surface side of the circuit board facing the magnet of the operation lever, 3. The composite operation switch according to claim 2, wherein the composite operation switch is configured to detect movement in the vertical direction of the operation lever mounted on the back side of the circuit board so as to face the magnet of the operation lever. In the composite operation switch according to claims 1 to 3,
A grip portion is screwed to the upper end of the operation lever,
The outer shape of the magnet holder is formed in a square shape, and the magnet holder is fixed between the base member and the sensor bracket when the grip is attached to the upper end of the operation lever. A composite operation switch, characterized in that a gap for inserting tools for preventing rotation is provided.   The composite operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall element.   3. The composite operation switch according to claim 2, wherein the bearing case is configured by superposing an upper bearing case and a lower bearing case, and a curved bearing portion is provided therein. switch.

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