JP6571032B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device, and more particularly to a multidirectional input device that inputs various signals in response to an operation in an arbitrary surrounding direction with respect to an operation member.

  Conventionally, an operation member that can be operated in an arbitrary surrounding direction has been provided, and a signal is output according to an operation direction and an operation amount with respect to the operation member, and an internal switch circuit is provided according to a pressing operation with respect to the operation member. Multi-directional input devices that can be turned on / off are known. As such a multidirectional input device, for example, first and second interlocking members rotated by an operation member, a first variable resistor operated via the first interlocking member, and a second interlocking member are used. And a second variable resistor that is operated in response to a pressing switch that is pressed at one end of the second interlocking member in response to a pressing operation on the operating member has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

JP2013-242972A

  However, in the conventional multidirectional input device, the tilting operation of the operating member is returned by a coil spring attached to the operating member, and the torque of the operating member is determined by the coil spring. Conventionally, since the urging force of the coil spring is constant, the operator or the like cannot adjust the operating force of the tilting operation of the operation member.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a multidirectional input device capable of adjusting an operating force when an operation member is tilted.

The multi-directional input device according to the present invention includes an operation member capable of being tilted, and a first member that is rotated according to the tilting operation of the operation member and extends in an axial direction so as to be orthogonal to each other and held by the housing. An interlocking member and a second interlocking member, a first rotation detecting unit and a second rotation detecting unit that detect rotational movements of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, and a drive member that tilts together with the operation member; An elastic member disposed between the operation member and the drive member and biasing the drive member toward the bottom surface side of the housing with a predetermined biasing force, and the elastic member according to a tilting operation of the operation member In a multi-directional input device in which a member is compressed by the drive member, a receiving member that moves with the operation member and receives one end of the elastic member, and a front in a direction in which the biasing force of the elastic member changes Receiving and a adjustable adjuster the position of the member.
According to this configuration, since the position of the receiving member that receives one end of the elastic member can be adjusted by the adjustment unit, the biasing force of the elastic member in the initial state can be changed. As a result, it is possible to change the operating force when the operating member is tilted.

  Further, the operation member has an operation part provided to project outside the housing, and a penetrating part extending in a direction from the distal end part of the operation part toward the drive member side, and the receiving member is And a receiving portion that receives one end of the elastic member facing the driving member via the elastic member, and a shaft portion that is inserted into the penetrating portion. It is preferable that an adjustment unit is provided. According to this configuration, since the adjustment unit is exposed from the operation member, the adjustment unit easily changes the height position of the receiving member (the position in the extending direction of the through portion) and tilts the operation member. The operating force of the operation can be changed.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the receiving member has a protruding portion that extends toward the driving member, and the driving member has a hollow portion that accommodates the protruding portion of the receiving member. According to this configuration, rattling of the receiving member can be suppressed by the hollow portion of the driving member.

  The receiving member is preferably made of metal. According to this configuration, the strength of the receiving member can be ensured by forming the receiving member from metal.

  Further, it is preferable that a knob member can be attached to the operation member, and the knob member has a hole portion that communicates with the adjustment portion from the outside. According to this structure, since the hole which leads to the adjustment part from the outside is formed in the knob member, the adjustment part can be adjusted from the outside without removing the knob member.

  Further, it is preferable that a female screw portion is formed in the penetrating portion of the operation member, and a male screw portion provided in the adjusting portion is screwed to the female screw portion. According to this configuration, since the male screw portion of the adjusting portion is screwed to the female screw portion formed in the penetrating portion of the operation member, the position of the receiving member can be easily adjusted, and the receiving portion once adjusted and set The height position of a member becomes difficult to change.

  Alternatively, the knob member may be provided with a hole portion having a female screw portion, and the male screw portion provided in the adjusting portion may be screwed to the female screw portion of the hole portion. According to this configuration, since the male screw portion of the adjusting portion is screwed to the female screw portion of the hole provided in the knob member, the position of the receiving member can be easily adjusted, and the receiving portion once adjusted and set The height position of a member becomes difficult to change.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the multidirectional input device which can adjust the operating force at the time of tilting operation member can be provided.

It is a perspective view of the assembly state of the multidirectional input device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the state where the knob member of the multidirectional input device concerning this embodiment was removed. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the 1st interlocking member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the 2nd interlocking | linkage member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the lower case of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the operation member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a top view with which it uses for description of the operation member of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the lower case in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment, a drive member, and a receiving member. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with which it uses for description of the return mechanism in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of the operation member in the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment, an elastic member, a drive member, and a receiving member. It is a perspective view with which it uses for description of an effect | action of the multidirectional input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the multidirectional input device which concerns on other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction V shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as “the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device”, and the horizontal direction H is referred to as “the horizontal direction of the multidirectional input device”. Further, the side where the push switch 8 shown in FIG. 1 is provided is referred to as “the front side of the multidirectional input device”, and the side opposite to the side where the push switch 8 is provided (the back side) is referred to as “multidirectional input device”. It shall be called "the rear side of".

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled state of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment with the knob member removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the first interlocking member of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the second interlocking member of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the lower case of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining an operation member of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the operation member of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the lower case, the drive member, and the receiving member in the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the return mechanism of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining the operation member, the elastic member, the driving member, and the receiving member in the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment. 2, 6, and 10 show a state where the adjustment unit is not attached to the operation member.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment rotates in the housing 2 according to the tilting operation of the operation member 3 that can be tilted and the operation member 3. In addition, the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5 that extend so that the axial directions are orthogonal to each other, and the first rotation detection unit that detects the rotation operations of the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5, respectively. 6 and the second rotation detector 7, a drive member 95 that tilts together with the operation member 3, and an elasticity that is disposed between the operation member 3 and the drive member 95 and biases the drive member 95 toward the bottom surface of the housing 2. And a member 91. Further, the receiving member 92 that moves with the operation member 3 and receives one end (upper end) of the elastic member 91, and the position of the receiving member 92 in the direction in which the urging force of the elastic member 91 changes (that is, the height position in the vertical direction). And an adjustment unit 110 for adjustment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the housing 2 has a generally box shape. The housing 2 includes a lower case 21 that constitutes a bottom surface portion of the apparatus main body, an upper case 22 that covers the lower case 21 from above, and a positioning member 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower case 21 is formed by molding an insulating resin material, for example. The lower case 21 is provided with a rectangular bottom surface portion 211 having a generally flat plate shape, a side wall portion 212 provided on an outer edge portion of the bottom surface portion 211, and a front side wall portion 212 extending forward. And a support piece 214 to 216 provided so as to extend upward from the side wall 212 on the rear side, the left side, and the right side.

  A circular convex portion 211 a is formed at the center of the bottom surface portion 211. The convex portion 211a is provided so as to protrude upward from the bottom surface portion 211 in a dome shape. The inclined surface portion of the convex portion 211a has a function of returning the driving member 95 that has received the urging force of the elastic member 91 constituting the return mechanism 9 described later to the initial position.

  The switch mounting portion 213 has a rectangular recess shape. The switch mounting portion 213 includes a bottom surface portion 213a and a side wall portion 213b provided on an outer edge portion of the bottom surface portion 213a. A push switch 8 is mounted on the switch mounting portion 213. In the vicinity of the four corners of the bottom surface portion 213a, penetrating portions through which the terminal portions 83 (see FIGS. 1 to 4) of the push switch 8 can be inserted are formed. The push switch 8 is connected to a casing 81 having a substantially cubic shape, a pressing portion 82 arranged in a partially exposed state from the upper surface of the casing 81, and a switch circuit accommodated in the casing 81. Terminal portion 83. The terminal portion 83 is led out downward from a slit-like through portion formed in the bottom surface portion 213a of the switch mounting portion 213. The terminal portion 83 is connected to a substrate on which the multidirectional input device 101 is mounted, and is configured to be able to output a signal corresponding to a pressing operation on the operation member 3 to the outside.

  A concave portion 214 a having an arc shape opened upward is formed at the upper end portion of the support piece 214. This recessed part 214a supports the connection piece 422 of the 1st interlocking member 4 mentioned later so that rotation is possible (refer FIG.3 and FIG.4). In addition, a part of the recess 214 a functions as a vertical pivot point of the first interlocking member 4 when a pressing operation is performed on the operation member 3.

  Similarly to the support piece 214, arc-shaped concave portions 215a and 216a that open upward are formed at the upper ends of the support pieces 215 and 216, respectively. These recessed parts 215a and 216a respectively support a protruding piece 523 and a plate-like part 521 of the second interlocking member 5 described later (see FIG. 4). Further, these concave portions 215a and 216a have a function of restricting the downward movement of the second interlocking member 5 when the operation member 3 is tilted.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, the upper case 22 is formed, for example, by processing a metal plate, and has a box shape that is open to the lower side. The upper case 22 has an upper surface portion 221 in which a circular opening 221 a is formed, and four side surface portions 222 provided to hang from the outer edge portion of the upper surface portion 221. The positioning member 10 is provided between the front side surface portion 222 and the lower case 21. The positioning member 10 has a function of positioning the first interlocking member 4 at a predetermined position using an urging force from an elastic member 91 of the return mechanism 9 described later. A connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4 described later is inserted through the rear side surface portion 222. A connecting piece provided on one plate-like portion 521 of the second interlocking member 5 described later is inserted through the right side surface portion 222. A protruding piece 523 provided on the other plate-like portion 521 of the second interlocking member 5 described later is inserted through the left side surface portion 222.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the operation member 3 is housed inside the housing 2 in a state of being inserted through the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5. For example, the operation member 3 is formed by molding an insulating resin material. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation member 3 has a substantially cylindrical base 31 and a protrusion protruding upward from the upper end of the base 31. A portion 32 and a pair of shaft portions 33 projecting laterally from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 31 are provided. The shaft portion 33 protrudes in the left-right direction and is configured to be inserted through an insertion hole (not shown) that is a bearing portion of the first interlocking member 4 described later. On the upper side of the side surface of the shaft portion 33, a tapered surface is formed to facilitate insertion into these insertion holes.

  The protrusion 32 includes a pair of planar portions and curved portions that connect the planar portions. A pair of convex portions 32a is provided on the pair of planar portions. These convex portions 32a constitute a sliding contact portion that comes into sliding contact with a frame-like portion 51a of the second interlocking member 5 described later, and are provided to protrude outward from the planar portion of the protruding portion 32. Each convex part 32a is comprised so that the outer peripheral part of the cross section in the plane perpendicular | vertical to an up-down direction may have circular arc shape. These convex portions 32a are configured so that no clearance is generated between the protruding portion 32 inserted into the slit hole 51b of the second interlocking member 5 described later and the frame-shaped portion 51a defining the slit hole 51b. , Has a function of preventing the protrusion 32 from rattling (see FIG. 4). The protruding portion 32 of the operating member 3 moves in the slit hole 51b in a state where the frame-like portion 51a defining the slit hole 51b and the convex portion 32a are in sliding contact with each other. The operation member 3 is provided with a housing portion 311 for housing a return mechanism 9 (a resilient member 91 and a part of the drive member 95) described later (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 2, the protruding portion 32 constitutes an operating portion that protrudes outside the housing 2 (upper case 22) through the opening 221 a of the upper case 22. A penetrating portion 321 communicating with the accommodating portion 311 of the base portion 31 is formed in the protruding portion 32 of the operation member 3 (see FIG. 10). Although not shown, an internal thread portion is formed in the through portion 321 that penetrates in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 32. The female screw portion does not need to be formed in the entire area of the penetrating portion 321, as long as it is formed in a region into which a male screw portion 112 of the adjusting portion 110 described later is screwed from the distal end side of the protruding portion 32 (through portion 321). Good.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the first interlocking member 4 is formed by molding an insulating resin material, and a pair of long side portions 41 arranged opposite to each other, It has the connection part 42 which connects both ends. A rectangular opening 43 is provided inside the side surface portion 41 and the coupling portion 42 in a top view. An insertion hole (not shown) through which the shaft portion 33 of the operation member 3 described above is inserted is formed at the center of each side surface portion 41. When the shaft portion 33 is inserted into the insertion hole, the first interlocking member 4 is in a state in which the operation member 3 is rotatably held.

  The connecting portion 42 disposed on the front side is provided with a pressing piece 421 that protrudes to the front side of the multidirectional input device 101 (see FIG. 2). The pressing piece 421 is used for driving the push switch 8. On the other hand, the connecting portion 42 on the rear side is provided with a connecting piece 422 that protrudes to the rear side of the multidirectional input device 101 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The connection piece 422 is used for connection between the first interlocking member 4 and the first rotation detection unit 6. The connecting piece 422 transmits the rotation of the first interlocking member 4 accompanying the tilting operation of the operation member 3 to the first rotation detection unit 6. In the 1st interlocking member 4, the press piece 421 and the connection piece 422 are arrange | positioned along the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second interlocking member 5 is disposed so that the axial direction of the rotation axis is orthogonal to the first interlocking member 4. The second interlocking member 5 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material. The second interlocking member 5 is provided with frame-like portions 51a that are curved in an arch shape toward the upper side, and slit holes 51b are formed along the longitudinal direction of these frame-like portions 51a. The slit hole 51b is provided with a dimension that allows the protruding portion 32 of the operation member 3 to be inserted.

  A pair of side surface parts 52 are provided at both ends of the second interlocking member 5 in the longitudinal direction. A plate-like portion 521 that protrudes downward is provided on the outside of the side portions 52. Although not shown, the lower surface of the plate-like portion 521 on the second rotation detection portion 7 side has an arc shape and is disposed on the concave portion 216 a of the support piece 216 of the lower case 21. A connecting piece (not shown) having a rectangular cross section is provided on the plate-like portion 521 disposed opposite to the second rotation detecting portion 7. The connecting piece transmits the rotation of the second interlocking member 5 accompanying the tilting operation of the operation member 3 to the second rotation detection unit 7. The connecting piece included in the second interlocking member 5 has the same configuration as the connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4. On the other hand, a substantially circular protruding piece 523 is provided on the outer side of the plate-like part 521 on the opposite side of the second rotation detection part 7. The protruding piece 523 is disposed on the recess 215 a of the support piece 215 of the lower case 21.

  The 1st rotation detection part 6 is connected with the 1st interlocking member 4, and detects the rotation operation | movement. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first rotation detection unit 6 includes a slider 61 that rotates as the first interlocking member 4 rotates, and a slider receiver that holds the slider 61. 62, an insulating substrate 63 provided with a resistor pattern and a current collector pattern in sliding contact with the slider 61, and a slider receiver 62 on which the insulating substrate 63 is integrated and the slider 61 is held. And a case 64 configured to be accommodated.

  The second rotation detection unit 7 has the same configuration as the first rotation detection unit 6. That is, the second rotation detector 7 includes a slider (not shown) that rotates as the second interlocking member 5 rotates, and a slider receiver (not shown) to which the slider is fixed. And an insulating substrate (not shown) provided with a resistor pattern and a current collector pattern with which the slider is slidably in contact, and a slider receiver in which the insulating substrate is integrated and the slider is fixed (See FIGS. 2 to 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment includes a receiving member 92 that moves (tilts) integrally with the operation member 3, and a base 31 (accommodating portion 311) of the operation member 3. ) And an elastic member 91 that urges the driving member 95 toward the bottom surface portion 211 of the housing 2. The elastic member 91 of this embodiment is comprised by the coil spring, for example. Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding, in the following description, “elastic member 91” is appropriately described as “coil spring 91”. The coil spring 91 has an outer diameter dimension that is accommodated in an accommodating portion 311 provided in the base portion 31 of the operation member 3, and a cylindrical shape to be described later into which a thick shaft portion (projecting portion) 922a of the receiving member 92 is inserted. It has an inner diameter that can accommodate the upper portion (step portion 952a) of the hollow portion 952. The coil spring 91 is provided between the operation member 3 and the drive member 95 via a flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 described later, and is in a compressed state. The coil spring 91 applies an urging force for returning the operating member 3 to the initial state before the operation and returning the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5 to the initial state via the operating member 3.

  The operation member 3 and the receiving member 92 are supported by a drive member 95 as shown in FIGS. The drive member 95 has a function of returning the operation member 3 that has been tilted to the initial position. The drive member 95 includes a substantially disc-shaped seat portion 951, a substantially cylindrical hollow portion 952 projecting upward from a central portion of the upper surface of the seat portion 951, and a plurality of projecting members provided around the hollow portion 952. Support member 953. In the hollow portion 952, the thick shaft portion (projecting portion) 922a of the receiving member 92 is inserted and supported. A step portion 952a having a diameter smaller than that of the lower portion is formed in the upper portion of the hollow portion 952. The plurality of support members 953 extend in the projecting direction of the projecting portion 32, and are erected on the seat 951 so as to be substantially cylindrical as a whole. The plurality of support members 953 are inserted into the accommodating portion 311 of the operation member 3 and are opposed to the inner peripheral surface of the operation member 3 so as to be in contact with each other. Therefore, the drive member 95 is tilted together with the operation member 3. However, the drive member 95 is movable with respect to the operation member 3 in the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the protruding portion 32. For this reason, when the operation member 3 is tilted, the drive member 95 is configured to move in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 32 and further compress the coil spring 91 from the initial state.

  A concave portion 951a having a circular shape in a bottom view is formed on the lower surface of the seat portion 951, and a spherical shape portion 951b is provided around the concave portion 951a (see FIG. 10). The concave portion 951a is configured to be able to accommodate the convex portion 211a provided on the bottom surface portion 211 of the lower case 21 in the initial state. When the operation member 3 is tilted, the spherical shape portion 951b is biased to the inclined surface of the convex portion 211a of the lower case 21 by a predetermined biasing force of the compressed coil spring 91, so that the driving member 95 It has a function of returning the (operation member 3 interlocked with this) to the initial position. Here, the predetermined urging force of the coil spring 91 is determined by the position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92, and the position is adjusted by the adjusting portion 110.

  The shaft portion 922 of the receiving member 92 includes a thick shaft portion (projection portion) 922a inserted into the hollow portion 952 of the drive member 95, and a thin shaft portion (shaft portion) 922b provided at the upper end of the thick shaft portion 922a. Have Both the thick shaft portion 922a and the thin shaft portion 922b have a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the thick shaft portion 922a is configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the thin shaft portion 922b. A disc-shaped flange portion 93 is formed between the thick shaft portion 922a and the thin shaft portion 922b. As shown in FIG. 9, the flange portion 93 is opposed to the drive member 95 via the coil spring 91 and constitutes a receiving portion that receives one end (upper end) of the coil spring 91. The flange portion 93 and the shaft portion 922 (the thin shaft portion 922b and the thick shaft portion 922a) are integrally formed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the protruding portion 32 of the operation member 3 has a through-portion 321 that extends in the direction from the distal end portion (upper end portion) of the protruding portion 32 that is the operation portion toward the drive member 95. The penetrating part 321 communicates with the accommodating part 311 of the base part 31. Accordingly, the through portion 321 is a through hole formed so as to extend from the housing portion 311 along the protruding direction of the protruding portion 32. The penetrating part 321 is opened at the upper end of the projecting part 32 of the operation member 3, and the thin shaft part 922 b that is the shaft part of the receiving member 92 is inserted into the penetrating part 321. The coil spring 91 is accommodated in a substantially cylindrical space portion 311 a between the accommodating portion 311 of the operation member 3 and the step portion 952 a of the hollow portion 952 of the driving member 95. The disc-shaped flange portion 93 which is a receiving portion receives one end (upper end) of the coil spring 91 and is biased toward the upper end of the accommodating portion 311 in a state where the adjusting portion 110 described later is not attached to the operation member 3. ing. The receiving member 92 is preferably formed of a metal member such as brass, for example, in order to ensure the strength of the receiving member 92, but is not limited to the exemplified materials. As shown in FIG. 9, the other end (lower end) of the coil spring 91 is supported in elastic contact with the lower surface of the step portion 952a of the driving member 95, that is, the step surface of the hollow portion 952 forming the step portion 952a. Yes.

  In addition, the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment adjusts the position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 in the direction in which the biasing force of the coil spring 91 changes (the extending direction of the through portion 321). Have As shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 10, the adjustment unit 110 is provided on the distal end (upper end) side of the thin shaft portion 922 b of the receiving member 92. That is, the adjustment unit 110 is configured by a screw member having a male screw portion 112 that is screwed to a female screw portion (not shown) formed in the penetrating portion 321 of the operation member 3. The adjusting portion 110 (screw member) having the male screw portion 112 has a lower end surface facing the upper end surface of the thin shaft portion 922b of the receiving member 92, and is a member different from the receiving member 92. On the upper end surface of the adjusting portion 110, “a mounting groove portion 113 that can rotate the male screw portion 112 (adjusting portion 110) with a tool such as a screwdriver such as a cross groove portion is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a knob member 120 can be attached to the operation member 3 by press fitting or the like so that the operator can easily hold it. In the present embodiment, a hole 121 that communicates with the adjustment unit 110 from the outside is formed at the center of the knob member 120. Since the hole 121 leading to the adjustment unit 110 from the outside is formed in the knob member 120, the adjustment unit 110 can be adjusted from the outside without removing the knob member 120. The hole 121 is attached with a cap or the like (not shown) so that the hole 121 is hidden.

  Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, 5, and 11. FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment.

  In the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the base portion 31 of the operating member 3, the first portion is formed in a space formed inside the lower case 21 and the upper case 22. The interlocking member 4, the second interlocking member 5, the elastic member 91, and the drive member 95 are accommodated. In this case, the operation member 3 is housed in the housing 2 in a state where the protruding portion 32 is exposed upward from the opening 221 a of the upper case 22. The first interlocking member 4 is housed in the housing 2 with the pressing piece 421 and the connecting piece 422 exposed. Similarly, the 2nd interlocking | linkage member 5 is accommodated in the housing 2 in the state which exposed the connection piece (not shown) and the protrusion piece 523. FIG. The receiving member 92 is accommodated in the operation member 3.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a tilting operation is performed on the operation member 3 toward one side of the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, and operations (pressing operation, tilting operation) on the operation member 3 are released. Then, the operation member 3 returns to the initial position (the state shown in FIG. 2) by the biasing force of the coil spring 91. That is, when the tilting operation or pressing operation on the operation member 3 is released, the operation member 3 is pushed back upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 91 and returns to the initial position.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 10, and 11, the operation member 3 is tilted along the opening 43 of the first interlocking member 4 and the slit hole 51 b of the second interlocking member 5. When the operation is performed, a part of the spherical shape portion 951b provided on the seat portion 951 of the driving member 95 is in a state of riding on the inclined surface portion of the convex portion 211a of the lower case 21. When the tilting operation on the operation member 3 is released, the urging force of the coil spring 91 acts on a part of the spherical surface portion 951b that rides on the inclined surface portion of the convex portion 211a and slides down the inclined surface portion of the convex portion 211a. To slide. As a result, the operating member 3 moves in a direction to stand up and returns to the initial position. The return mechanism 9 that returns the operation member 3 to the initial state includes a receiving member 92, a coil spring 91, a drive member 95, and a bottom surface portion 211 (convex portion 211 a) of the lower case 21. .

  In the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, the drive member 95 that tilts together with the operation member 3 and the drive member 95 that is disposed between the operation member 3 and the drive member 95 are attached to the bottom surface side of the housing 2. And an elastic member 91 made of a coil spring. As the operation member 3 is tilted, the elastic member 91 is compressed by the drive member 95. In addition, the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment moves integrally with the operation member 3, and receives the receiving member 92 that receives one end of the elastic member 91 and the receiving force in the direction in which the urging force of the elastic member 91 changes. And an adjusting unit 110 that adjusts the position of the member 92. Further, the operation member 3 has a through-portion 321 extending in a direction from the distal end portion of the projecting portion 32 as an operation portion toward the drive member 95, and the distal end portion (upper end portion) of the thin shaft portion 922 b of the receiving member 92. The adjustment part 110 is provided on the side, and the adjustment part 110 has a male screw part 112 that is screwed to a female screw part (not shown) formed in the penetrating part 321. Here, the direction in which the urging force of the elastic member 91 changes is the direction in which the penetrating part 321 extends, and the direction in which the protruding part 32 of the operating member 3 protrudes. This direction can also be referred to as the axial direction of the thin shaft portion 922b that is the shaft portion.

  In the assembled state of the multidirectional input device 101, as shown in FIG. 2, the male screw portion 112 of the adjusting portion 110 is not screwed into the female screw portion of the penetrating portion 321 of the operating member 3, and the flange portion of the receiving member 92. 93 is biased by the coil spring 91 to the upper end of the accommodating portion 311 of the operation member 3. Even if the male screw portion 112 of the adjusting portion 110 is slightly screwed into the female screw portion of the penetrating portion 321, the flange portion 93 is in contact with the upper end portion of the housing portion 311. In this initial state, when the operator or the like tilts the operation member 3 and feels that the biasing force of the initial state of the elastic member 91 is light, it is formed on the head of the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment unit 110. A tool such as a screwdriver is mounted in the mounting groove 113, and the male thread 112 of the adjustment section 110 is rotated (usually clockwise) to increase the amount screwed into the female thread of the penetrating section 321 as shown in FIG. Can do. When the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment portion 110 is screwed in a large amount into the female screw portion, the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 is lowered accordingly, and the urging force of the coil spring 91 is increased.

  On the other hand, when the operator or the like tilts the operation member 3 and feels that the urging force of the elastic member 91 in the state shown in FIG. 4 is heavy, the head of the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment unit 110 is placed on the head. When a tool is mounted on the formed mounting groove 113 and the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment portion 110 is reversely rotated (usually counterclockwise) to loosen the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment portion 110, the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 is provided. Rises and the urging force of the coil spring 91 decreases. In other words, according to the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, the position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 that receives one end of the elastic member 91 can be adjusted by the adjusting portion 110, and the operator or the like can respond to his / her preference. Thus, the biasing force of the elastic member 91 in the initial state where the operation member 3 is not tilted can be changed.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, the position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 that receives one end of the elastic member 91 can be adjusted by the adjusting unit 110. Even after the assembly, the biasing force in the initial state of the elastic member 91 can be changed according to the use and preference. Therefore, the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment exhibits an excellent effect that the operating force during the tilting operation of the operation member can be changed even after assembly.

  Further, in the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, the operation member 3 has a penetrating portion 321 extending in the direction from the distal end portion of the projecting portion 32 that is the operation portion toward the driving member 95, and the receiving member 92. Since the adjustment portion 110 is provided on the distal end side of the thin shaft portion 922b, the adjustment portion 110 has a male screw portion 112 that is screwed to a female screw portion (not shown) formed in the through portion 321. 110, the operating position of the tilting operation of the operating member 3 can be changed by easily changing the height position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92. Further, since the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment portion 110 is screwed to the female screw portion formed in the through portion 321 of the operation member 3, the position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 can be easily adjusted, and The height position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 once adjusted and set is less likely to change.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, the receiving member 92 has a thick shaft portion (projecting portion) 922 a extending toward the driving member 95, and the driving member 95 is a projecting portion 922 a of the receiving member 92. Therefore, the backlash of the receiving member 92 can be suppressed by the hollow portion 952 of the drive member 95. In the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, the strength of the receiving member 92 can be ensured by forming the receiving member 92 from metal.

  In addition, since the knob member 120 can be attached to the operation member 3 of the multidirectional input device 101 according to the present embodiment, and the hole member 121 that communicates with the adjustment unit 110 from the outside is formed in the knob member 120, Without removing the knob member 120, the adjustment unit 110 can be adjusted from the outside. Even when the knob member 120 is provided, a female thread portion is formed in the penetrating portion 321 of the operation member 3, and the male thread portion 112 of the adjusting portion 110 is screwed to the female thread portion. The height position of the flange portion 93 of the receiving member 92 once adjusted and set is unlikely to change.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and alternatives regarding the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or an equivalent scope thereof.

  In the above-described embodiment, the internal thread portion (not shown) is formed in the penetrating portion 321 of the operation member 3, but the hole portion 121 of the knob member 120 is, for example, like the multidirectional input device 201 shown in FIG. 12. The female screw part 121a may be formed on the upper part. The male screw portion 112 of the adjusting portion 110 is screwed to the female screw portion 121 a of the hole portion 121 of the knob member 120. Since the male screw portion 112 of the adjusting portion 110 is screwed to the female screw portion 121a of the hole portion 121 provided in the knob member 120, the position of the receiving member 92 can be easily adjusted, and the receiving member 93 once adjusted and set can be adjusted. The height position becomes difficult to change. In addition, the upper part of the hole 121 is formed with an enlarged diameter part 121b for introducing the head 112b of the male screw part 112 into the hole 121.

In the above embodiment, the drive member 95 has the hollow portion 952 protruding upward, and the protruding portion (thick shaft portion) 922a of the receiving member 92 is inserted into the hollow portion 952 and guided. On the contrary, the protruding portion 922a of the receiving member 92 is formed as a cylindrical hollow portion, and the protruding portion protruding upward of the driving member 95 is inserted into the protruding portion 922a. You may comprise.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the adjustment part 110 and the receiving member 92 are comprised by another member, you may form the adjustment part 110 and the receiving member 92 integrally. In this case, the upper end portion (head) of the adjustment portion 110 in which the mounting groove portion 113 is formed is set to a size that can be inserted into the penetration portion 321 of the operation member 3.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the female screw portion 121a is formed in the hole portion 121 of the knob member 120 and the male screw portion 112 of the adjustment portion 110 is screwed to the female screw portion 121a is illustrated. You may make it fix a cylindrical adjustment part with the frictional force between the internal peripheral surface of the hole 121, and the outer peripheral surface of an adjustment part.
Further, the knob member attached to the operation member 3 may be integrally provided with a protrusion that pushes the tip of the thin shaft portion 922b of the receiving member 92, and the protrusion may be an adjustment portion that changes the height position of the receiving member 92. It is. That is, a protrusion whose protrusion amount is set so that the operation force when the operation member 3 is tilted is a desired operation force is formed on the knob member, and the knob member may be attached to the operation member. .

2 ... Housing 3 ... Operation member 32 ... Operation part (protrusion part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... 1st interlocking member 5 ... 2nd interlocking member 6 ... 1st rotation detection part 7 ... 2nd rotation detection part 91 ... Elastic member (coil spring)
92 ... receiving member 93 ... receiving part (flange part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 95 ... Drive member 101, 201 ... Multi-directional input device 110 ... Adjustment part 112 ... Male screw part 120 ... Knob member 121 ... Hole part 121a ... Female screw part 321 ... Through part 922a ... Projection part (thick shaft part)
922b ... Shaft (thin shaft)
952: Hollow part

Claims (7)

An operation member that can be tilted;
A first interlocking member and a second interlocking member that rotate according to the tilting operation of the operation member and extend so that the axial directions thereof are orthogonal to each other and held by the housing;
A first rotation detection unit and a second rotation detection unit for detecting rotation operations of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, respectively;
A drive member that tilts together with the operation member;
An elastic member disposed between the operation member and the drive member and urging the drive member toward the bottom surface of the housing with a predetermined urging force. In a multidirectional input device in which a member is compressed by the drive member,
A receiving member that moves with the operating member and receives one end of the elastic member;
A multidirectional input device comprising: an adjustment unit capable of adjusting a position of the receiving member in a direction in which the urging force of the elastic member changes. The operation member has an operation portion provided to project outside the housing, and a penetrating portion extending in a direction from the distal end portion of the operation portion toward the drive member,
The receiving member includes a receiving portion that receives one end of the elastic member so as to face the driving member via the elastic member, and a shaft portion that is inserted into the penetrating portion. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit is provided on a part side. The receiving member has a protrusion that extends toward the driving member;
The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the driving member has a hollow portion that accommodates the protruding portion of the receiving member. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving member is made of metal. The operation member can be attached with a knob member,
The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the knob member has a hole portion that communicates with the adjustment portion from the outside. 6. The multi-direction according to claim 2, wherein an internal thread portion is formed in the penetrating portion of the operation member, and an external thread portion provided in the adjustment portion is screwed to the internal thread portion. Input device. The multidirectional input device according to claim 5, wherein the knob member is provided with a hole portion having a female screw portion, and a male screw portion provided in the adjustment portion is screwed to the female screw portion of the hole portion.

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