JP6214231B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of an input device mounted on an electronic apparatus, and more particularly to a multidirectional input device that inputs switches arranged in a plurality of directions by a single key top.

  Conventionally, in operations such as parameter selection and cursor movement of electronic devices, a push button type switch arranged in four directions, up, down, left, and right as a user input device is input by operating a single key top member covering the switch. Many multi-directional input devices that can be used have been used. In such a multi-directional input device structure, push button type switches are arranged on the electronic board in the casing of the electronic device at the positions of the four directions of the top, bottom, left and right. Then, the key top member fixed so as to be swingable with respect to the electronic board swings to one of the four cross directions so that the switch on the board is pushed by the key top member and is input to the ON state. It is formed as follows.

  Furthermore, not only the four switches on the board perform input operations in the four cross directions, but when two adjacent switches among the four switches are pressed at the same time, an oblique direction in which the input directions of the switches are combined. An eight-direction input device that accepts the input operation is also provided.

  For example, the multidirectional input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a substrate having four push button type switches arranged in four directions and a key top covering the four switches. If the user presses the cross direction of the key top and the switch alone is pressed, that direction will be input, but if the key top is pressed at an intermediate position between two adjacent switches or if the switch is pressed diagonally, two switches will be input. Are simultaneously turned ON and accepted as an input operation in an oblique direction.

  However, this diagonal push operation may cause bias in the force applied to the two switches depending on how they are pushed, and the two switches cannot be pushed evenly. Even if one switch is pushed to the ON state, the other switch There is a possibility that the problem is not pushed into the ON state.

  As a countermeasure, the multi-directional input device of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a rubber sheet-like keypad having elasticity is sandwiched between the key top and the push switch, and the side opposite to the side pressed when the key top is pushed obliquely is the key. Lifts due to the elasticity of the pad. The position of the key top is stabilized by the contact between the case exterior and the two protrusions provided on the raised key top, and the load is evenly applied to the two switches. The structure which can be made is proposed.

  However, in a configuration in which an elastic member is sandwiched between the key top and the substrate, the elastic member is crushed after pressing any direction of the key top until the switch in the corresponding direction is turned on. Furthermore, it is possible to press the key top. When the key top is pressed more than necessary in this way, the entire key top sinks, so that the switch adjacent to the arbitrary direction is turned on even during the operation in the cross direction, and the operator's intention The problem is that the input is in a different direction.

  As this countermeasure, the configuration of the multidirectional input device disclosed in Patent Document 2 can be applied. The multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a key top member and a switch arranged in a cross direction below the key top member. A rubber switch, which is a rubber member, is used for the switch unit. ing. In this configuration, since the switch itself has elasticity, if the operator presses the key top to press a single switch as it is, multiple switches will be turned on if they are pressed with an excessive stroke. Is possible. And as a countermeasure against this, at the center of the switch placed in the cross direction when the key top member is pressed, the key top member comes into contact with the non-elastic internal structure and has a stopper portion that restricts the pushing more than necessary. A configuration is proposed.

JP 2003-272485 A JP 2002-215290 A

  The configuration in which the elastic keypad is sandwiched between the key top and the push button type switch on the substrate as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 helps to equalize the load applied to the two switches by oblique pressing. In addition, it is a very effective configuration that also exerts effects on noise reduction, drip proofing, and static electricity resistance.

  However, in a configuration in which an elastic keypad is sandwiched between the key top and the switch, pressing on any switch arranged in the cross direction and crushing the keypad even after the switch is turned on, You can push deeper. At this time, since the key top is inclined with the end portion on the opposite side to the pressing point side as a fulcrum, the intermediate portion sandwiched between the end portions on the opposite side to the pressing position sinks according to the position. Therefore, when the key top is pressed until the switch arranged in the middle part is turned on, a plurality of switches are turned on at the same time, and the electronic device performing the operation has the direction assumed by the user. Will erroneously determine that input is in a different direction.

  As a countermeasure, there is a method of providing a stopper that regulates the amount of pressing of the key top using the configuration of Patent Document 2. However, if only one stopper is provided for each switch, depending on how the operator's fingers are placed and the direction in which the force is applied, the key top is set in a direction different from the operation direction considered by the operator with the stopper portion as a fulcrum. However, there was an insufficient part as a countermeasure.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is that even if a point on an arbitrary switch is pressed more than the stroke at which the corresponding switch is turned on, it is pushed in until an adjacent unintended switch is turned on and erroneous input is made. It is providing the multidirectional input device which prevented becoming.

  In order to achieve the above object, the multidirectional input device of the present invention operates a plurality of switches arranged circumferentially on an electronic board with a single key top member arranged so as to cover the switches. A multi-directional input device having a convex shaft portion that pushes the switch when the key top is pressed at a position corresponding to the switch on the back side of the operation surface of the key top. An elastic keypad is sandwiched between the switch and the shaft, and when the keytop is pressed, a keytop back contact portion, a keypad upper contact portion of the keypad, and a center button holding portion Are arranged so that at least three points are disposed so as to surround the shaft portion as a stopper for restricting the pressing amount of the key top.

  According to the present invention, even if a point on an arbitrary switch is pressed more than the stroke at which the corresponding switch is turned on, it is pushed in until an adjacent unintended switch is turned on, resulting in an erroneous input. It is possible to provide a multidirectional input device that prevents the above.

1 is an external view of an exterior unit of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exterior unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fragmentary sectional view of the multidirectional input device unit operation state according to the embodiment of the present invention Detailed view of stopper mechanism of multidirectional input device unit according to embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial view of an exterior unit 1 of an electronic device on which a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. The exterior member 11 serving as a base has an opening, and the donut-shaped rotary dial 2 is exposed from the opening by a rotary operation member. A key top member 31 that is a key top of the multidirectional input device is disposed on the inner periphery of the rotary dial 2. Further, an opening is provided at the center of the key top member 31, and a center button 41 is disposed therein.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the exterior unit 1 is disassembled into an exterior member 11 and a multidirectional input device unit 3. The rotary dial 2 is fixed to the dial holding sheet metal 21 with a dial fixing screw 22 with the exterior member 11 sandwiched therebetween, so that the rotary dial 2 is rotatably attached to the exterior member 11. An input device holding sheet metal 12 is disposed outside the dial holding sheet metal 21 and is attached to the exterior member 11 by an input device holding sheet metal fixing screw 13.

  The multidirectional input device unit 3 is disposed so as to fit into a dial opening 23 opened at the center of the rotary dial 2. The portion exposed to the inner surface side of the exterior unit 1 is positioned by the input device positioning hole 15 on the input device holding sheet metal 12 and fixed to the input device holding sheet metal 12 by the input device fixing screw 14.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are exploded perspective views of the multidirectional input device unit 3. FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view with the operation surface side up, and FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view with the operation surface side facing down. The configuration of the multidirectional input device unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The multidirectional input device unit 3 has a substantially cylindrical switch base 32 as a base component. The top surface is attached to the switch base basic surface 323 on which other parts of the unit are arranged, and the bottom surface is attached to the input device holding sheet metal 12. It is a surface. As described above, the input device positioning dowel 321 provided on the bottom surface of the switch base 32 is positioned in the input device positioning hole 15, and the multidirectional input device fixing screw 14 is retained in the switch base screw hole 322. 12 is fixed.

  Further, a flexible lead-out hole 324 of a through hole is opened at the center of the switch base 32, and a planar base metal plate 33 is disposed on the switch base basic surface 323 so as to cover the hole. Further, a switch mounting flex 34, which is an electronic board on which a plurality of switches 343 are mounted circumferentially, is disposed on the base metal plate 33. Five switches 343 are arranged on the switch mounting flexible 34 so as to be positioned in the vertical and horizontal directions and the center position on the electronic device casing. Further, a flexible lead-out portion 342 having a flexible connector 341 used for electrical connection is provided at the tip of the switch mounting flexible 34. Then, the flexible lead portion 342 is folded back at a base metal plate notch portion 331 provided on the base metal plate 33, and drawn out to the inside of the exterior unit 1 through the flexible lead hole 324. The flexible connector 341 is used for electrical connection with the electronic device main body.

  A keypad 35, which is a rubber sheet having a substantially constant thickness on a substantially flat plate, is disposed on the switch mounting flexible 34. A keypad recess 351 is provided at a position facing the switch 343 of the keypad 35 which is an elastic sheet member so as to escape the switch 343, and a keypad protrusion 352 is provided on the opposite side.

  Next, the center button holder 42 and the center button 41 are disposed on the keypad 35 in the center of the multidirectional input device unit 3. The center button holder 42 serving as a holding portion is held by the holder return claw 421 engaging the base sheet metal 33, and the center button 41 is fitted by the center button holder 42 and the center button shaft 411 protruding from the back of the key top. It is held so that it can advance and retreat in the axial direction. When the user pushes in the center button 41, the switch 343 mounted at the center of the switch mounting flexible 34 is pressed by the center button shaft 411, and the center button 41 is turned on.

  Finally, the key top member 31 is assembled. Four key top return claws 311 protrude from the outer peripheral portion of the key top member 31 toward the side opposite to the external surface. The key top return claw 311 engages with claw engaging portions 325 cut out at four positions of the switch base 32 and is held so that the key top member 31 does not come out to the outside. The engaging portion of the key top return claw 311 and the switch base 32 is located in an oblique direction that is the middle of the switches 343 arranged vertically and horizontally on the electronic device.

  The key top member 31 has a key top shaft 312 which is a convex shaft portion at a position corresponding to the switch 343 in a state assembled with the switch base 32 on the back side of the operation surface. Further, near the outer periphery of the outer side of the key top, push position marks 313 as input points are arranged at eight positions including the upper, lower, left, and right on the electronic device and the middle diagonal direction.

  The user can operate the multidirectional button by pressing an arbitrary pressing position mark 313. That is, when an arbitrary pressing position in the up / down / left / right directions is pressed, the corresponding key top shaft 312 presses the switch 343, and when an arbitrary oblique direction is pressed, the two key top shafts 312 sandwiching the direction of the corresponding two key top shafts 312 The switch 343 is depressed to turn on each direction button.

  The base metal plate 33, the switch mounting flexible 34, and the keypad 35 described so far are positioned by the switch component positioning dowel 326 on the switch base, and are sandwiched between the switch base basic surface 323, the key top shaft 312 and the center button holder 42. Held in.

  Next, the state of the multidirectional input device unit 3 when the user presses the key top member 31 of the multidirectional input device unit 3 using FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. explain.

  FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view in a state where the key top pressing operation is not performed, and is a view as seen from the side. In this figure, the portion corresponding to the right direction on the electronic device is the right position in the figure. As described above, the key top member 31 is held by the switch base 32 by the engagement of the key top return claw 311, and the key top shaft 312 is linearly connected to the center of the key top member 31 and the pressing position mark 313. A corresponding switch 343 is arranged. The key top shaft 312 has a small amount of interference with the keypad 35 in the thickness direction of the multidirectional input device unit 3. As a result, the key top member 31 receives the reaction force from the keypad 35 and is pressed against the external side, and is configured to be able to be stably pressed when pressing each direction while suppressing rattling.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram in which the switch 343 is turned on by pressing the right pushing position mark 313. At this time, the key top return claw 311 on the opposite side to the pushing side and the switch base engaging portion (upper left position and lower left position) are tilted, and the key top shaft 312 in the right direction is pushed down, and the right switch Squeeze the switch and keypad until is turned on. However, the keypad 35 and the switch 343 including this figure are written in a state where they are not crushed.

In addition, the center position of the right direction key top shaft 312 and the projection distance of the pressing position mark 313 from the engaging positions of the upper left position and the lower left position, which are fulcrums, are 10 and 11 respectively, and the pressing amount of the key top shaft 312 is h0 and pressed. When the pushing amount of the position mark 313 is h1,
h1 = h0 * l1 / l0 (1)
The relationship is established.

At the same time, if the projection distance of the key top shaft 312 in the upward or downward direction is l2, and the pushing amount is h2,
h2 = h0 * l2 / l0 (2)
The relationship has become. The switch 343 at the upper or lower position is also pushed in by h2, but since h2 <h0, the switch 343 at the corresponding position is not turned on.

  FIG. 4C is a partial cross-sectional view in which the push position mark 313 in the upper right direction position is pressed and two adjacent switches 343 in the upper position and the right position are turned on. The key top member is tilted with the key top return claw 311 and the switch base engaging portion at the lower left direction position on the opposite side to the pushing side as fulcrums. Further, the key top shaft 312 at the right position and the upper position is pushed down, and the switch and keypad are crushed until the switches at the right position and the upper position are turned on.

When the projection distance of the key top shaft position at the upper and right positions from the engaging portion at the lower left position, which is the fulcrum, and the projected distance of the push position mark at the upper right position are l3 and l4, respectively, the amount of pressing of the key top shaft Is h0 as in (b), so if the amount of pushing in the upper right direction position is h3,
h3 = h0 * l4 / l3 (3)
Holds. Here, since l4> l1 and l3 <l0, h3> h1. That is, in order to input the diagonal direction to ON, it is necessary to press deeper than to input the cross direction to the ON state.

  FIG. 4D shows a state in which the pushing position mark 313 in the right direction position is further depressed from the state of FIG.

When the pushing amount of the pushing position mark 313 is h5, the displacement amount h4 of the shaft in the pushing direction is h5 = h4 * l1 / l0 (4)
Is true.

The displacement h6 of the key top shaft 312 at the upper or lower position is h6 = h4 * l2 / l0 (5)
It is.

  Since the position at which the stopper works is set so that h6 <h0, the switch 343 in the up or down position is not turned on in this state.

  In addition, when the amount of displacement of the key top shaft 312 in the upper or lower position reaches h0 when the stopper is not present, and the amount of depression of the pushing position mark 313 is h7 (not shown), the amount of pushing h5 is h7. Set the stopper position so that it is in the middle position between h3 and h3. This is desirable when a small amount of deviation from the design value at the time of molding the part is taken into consideration.

  Next, the structure of the stopper will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the key top member 31 from the multidirectional input device unit 3, and FIG. 5A shows the operation surface side up, and FIG. 5B shows the operation surface side down.

  Two convex protrusions 314 are provided along the outer periphery in each of the top, bottom, left, and right directions of the back surface of the key top member 31. The protrusions 314 are arranged in line-symmetric positions with a straight line extending in each direction passing through the center of the key top as a symmetry axis. The protrusion 314 functions as a key top back contact portion together with a key top back contact point 315 described later.

  When the key top member 31 is pressed beyond the stroke in which the switch 343 at the corresponding direction position is turned on, the protrusion 314 comes into contact with the keypad contact point 353 of the keypad 35 at the opposite position and acts as a stopper. The keypad contact point 353 functions as a keypad contact portion.

  Further, the center button holder 42 has a shape projecting in the up, down, left, and right directions, and the end of the projecting portion has a ridge line in a direction orthogonal to the projecting direction. When the key top member 31 is pressed beyond the stroke at which the switch 343 in the corresponding direction is turned on, the holder ridge line portion 422 and the key top back contact point 315 at the opposite position on the back surface of the key top member 31 Contact and work as a stopper in the push-in direction of the button.

  The stoppers arranged at the three points are located at two points on the outer peripheral side of the key top member 31 of the key top member 31 and one point on the inner peripheral side, and the two points on the outer peripheral side have elastic contact points. On the keypad 35. Therefore, when the stopper works, the difference between the heights of the contact points of the three stoppers is absorbed, and the three stoppers are stably in contact with each other at the same time.

  With the above configuration, the finger is tilted in the other direction while the key top member 31 is pushed in strongly, and even if a force is applied in an unintended direction, the stopper restricts the switch 343 in the unintended direction. It is a structure that is not pushed in.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exterior unit 11 Exterior member 12 Input device holding sheet metal 13 Input device holding sheet metal fixing screw 14 Input device fixing screw 15 Input device positioning hole 2 Rotating dial 21 Dial holding sheet metal 22 Dial fixing screw 23 Dial opening 3 Multidirectional input device unit 31 Multi-directional key top 311 Key top turn claw 312 Key top shaft 313 Push position mark 314 Protrusion 315 Key top back contact point 32 Switch base 321 Input device positioning dowel 322 Switch base screw hole 323 Switch base basic surface 324 Flexible extraction hole 325 Claw Engagement part 326 Switch part positioning dowel 33 Base sheet metal 331 Base sheet metal notch part 34 Switch mounting flexible 341 Flexible connector 342 Flexible extraction part 343 Push button element 35 Keypad 351 Key Pad recess 352 keypad protrusion 353 on the keypad contact point 41 center button 411 central button shaft 42 center button holder 421 holder flashing pawl 422 holder ridge

Claims (4)

  A multidirectional input device that performs a pressing operation on a plurality of switches arranged circumferentially on an electronic board with a single keytop member arranged so as to cover the switches, on the operation surface of the keytop A position corresponding to the switch on the back side has a convex shaft portion that pushes the switch when the key top is pressed, and an elastic keypad is provided between the switch and the shaft portion. When the key top is pressed down, the key top back contact portion, the key pad upper contact portion of the key pad, and the center button holding portion come into contact with each other, thereby restricting the amount of pressing of the key top. As a multi-directional input device for an electronic device, at least three points are arranged so as to surround the shaft portion.   The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein a pressing amount of the key top until the pressing operation of the key top is regulated by the stopper corresponds to an arbitrary switch among the plurality of switches. When the input point of the key top is pressed, the pushing amount that the switch is turned on exceeds the pushing amount, and the pushing amount that the adjacent switch is turned on is not exceeded. A multi-directional input device for an electronic device, wherein the stopper does not come into contact even when the input point of the key top in the middle of two switches is pressed and the two switches are turned on.   2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of stoppers corresponding to the respective shaft portions are symmetrical with respect to a center line of the key top and a straight line connecting the shaft portions as a symmetry axis. A multi-directional input device for an electronic device, wherein the multi-directional input device is arranged at a position. A multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the center of at least one point of the key top of the plurality of stopper corresponding to the shaft portions, the direction of which is perpendicular to the straight line connecting the shaft portion A multi-directional input device for an electronic device, which contacts at a ridge line portion of a holding portion of a center button .

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