JP7235630B2 - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to multi-directional input devices.

Conventionally, an operation member is provided that protrudes upward from the inside of the case to the outside and can be operated in any direction around the case. A multi-directional input device is known that can turn on/off a switch circuit in response to the input. As such a multi-directional input device, for example, first and second interlocking members that are rotated by an operation member and are held in the case with their axial directions perpendicular to each other; A proposal has been made that includes first and second variable resistors that are operated via two interlocking members, and a push-down switch that is pushed down by one end of the second interlocking member in response to a push-down operation on the operating member (for example, , see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-523274

However, in the conventional multi-directional input device, since the first and second interlocking members rattle in the vertical direction, the followability to the operating member is poor and the hysteresis of the output is large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device with high output accuracy.

A multi-directional input device according to the present invention includes a case, an operating member that protrudes upward from the inside of the case to the outside and can be tilted in any direction around the case, and moves according to the tilting operation of the operating member. A first interlocking member and a second interlocking member that extend orthogonally to each other and are held in the case; and a first detector and a second detector that detect movement of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member A multi-directional input device comprising: a first spring portion and a second spring portion that bias the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member downward. According to this configuration, the first spring portion and the second spring portion urge the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member downward, thereby suppressing the rattling of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member in the vertical direction. Therefore, the followability to the operating member is improved, and the hysteresis of the output can be reduced. This improves the accuracy of the output of the multi-directional input device.

Also, the first spring portion and the second spring portion are formed in the case. According to this configuration, there is no increase in the number of parts of the multidirectional input device due to the first spring portion and the second spring portion, and an increase in cost and size can be prevented.

The case includes a resin case main body including a first guide portion and a second guide portion that support the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member from below, and a resin upper cover fixed to the case main body. and the upper cover is formed with the first spring portion and the second spring portion. According to this configuration, the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are pressed against the first guide portion and the second guide portion by the first spring portion and the second spring portion, and the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member are vertically moved. Since the backlash is suppressed, the followability of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member to the operating member is further improved, and the hysteresis of the output can be further reduced. This further improves the accuracy of the output of the multi-directional input device.

The first detection unit detects a movement direction and a movement amount of a first slider that is engaged with one end of the first interlocking member and held in the case so as to be interlockable with the first interlocking member. wherein the second detector is engaged with one end of the second interlocking member and held in the case so as to be interlockable with the second interlocking member. A second variable resistor for detecting a movement direction and a movement amount, wherein the first spring portion downwardly urges one end portion of the first interlocking member engaged and connected to the first slider. It is preferable that the second spring portion urges downward one end portion of the second interlocking member engaged and connected to the second slider. According to this configuration, the first spring portion downwardly urges the one end portion of the first interlocking member engaged and connected to the first slider, and the second spring portion is engaged and connected to the second slider. Since one end portion of the second interlocking member is biased downward, the first and second spring portions are effectively used to provide hysteresis of the outputs of the first and second variable resistors. can be made smaller.

Further, it is preferable to provide a drive member held in the case so as to be able to be pressed and moved in response to a pressing operation of the operating member, and a press switch that is pressed as the drive member is pressed. According to this configuration, for example, when the drive member is pushed down by the second interlocking member extending directly under the first interlocking member and perpendicular to the first interlocking member, the second spring portion is pushed by the second interlocking member. Since the rattling in the vertical direction is suppressed, the followability of the driving member to the operating member is improved.

and an elastic member provided between the operating member and the operating member for biasing the operating member toward the bottom surface of the case. The member includes a downwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion whose diameter decreases downward, a shaft portion vertically provided on the spherical trapezoidal portion, and an upper portion with a lower portion passing through the spherical trapezoidal portion and the shaft portion. has a metal core member projecting upward from the shaft portion, and the operation member is a hollow portion into which the shaft portion of the operating member and the upper portion of the core member are inserted so as to be axially movable. It is preferred to have According to this configuration, since the operating member has a metal core member, the strength of the operating member is improved, and when the operating member is tilted, the portion of the operating member inserted into the hollow portion of the operating member deforms. It is possible to improve the upright accuracy and return accuracy of the operating member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device with high output accuracy.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a plane side perspective view of an upper cover. It is a bottom side perspective view of an upper cover. It is a bottom side perspective view of an operating shaft. Fig. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the actuating member; FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a body and an actuating member; 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the frame and upper cover of FIG. 7 in a transparent state; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a state in which the upper arm and the lower arm of FIG. 8 are made transparent; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which the body of FIG. 9 is made transparent; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the operating shaft, first and second sliders, and pushers of FIG. 10 in a transparent state; 1 is a plan view of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FE of FIG. 12; FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 18; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 12; 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH of FIG. 12; FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 12;

A multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the Y1-Y2 direction shown in FIG. 1 is the front-back direction (depth direction) of the multi-directional input device, the X1-X2 direction shown in FIG. 1 is the left-right direction (width direction) of the multi-directional input device, The Z1-Z2 direction shown in FIG. 1 is the vertical direction (height direction) of the multi-directional input device.

1 to 19, a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 100, an upper arm 200 as a first interlocking member, a lower arm 300 as a second interlocking member, An operating shaft 400 as an operating member, an operating member 500, a compression coil spring 600 as an elastic member, a first slider 700, a second slider 800, a pusher 900, and a first variable resistor as a first detector. 1000 , a second variable resistor 1100 as a second detection section, a push-down switch 1200 as a third detection section, and a substrate 1300 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 to 9, and 12 to 19, the case 100 includes a body 110, which is a rectangular parallelepiped case main body made of insulating synthetic resin, and a body 110 made of insulating synthetic resin. An upper cover 120, which has an upward convex dome shape with a diameter that decreases upward, is provided with a circular opening 121 at the top for inserting the operating shaft 400, and is placed on the upper surface of the body 110, and is made of sheet metal. A frame 130 having a rectangular bottom plate 131 covering the lower surface of the body 110 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 to 9, 13 to 17, and 19, the body 110 includes an operating shaft accommodating portion 111 for rotatably accommodating the lower end portion of the operating shaft 400, an operating shaft A receiving portion 112 for rotatably supporting the lower end portion of the operating shaft 400 while also preventing the operating shaft 400 from coming off, and a guide groove for restricting rotation of the operating shaft 400 around the axis via the operating member 500. 113, a first slider accommodating portion 114 for accommodating the first slider 700 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, a second slider accommodating portion 115 for accommodating the second slider 800 so as to be movable in the lateral direction, A push switch housing portion 116 for housing the switch 1200, a pusher housing portion 117 for housing the pusher 900 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a pair of left and right arms for moving the upper arm 200 in an arc shape in the front-rear direction. It includes first guide portions 118a and 118b and a pair of front and rear second guide portions 119a and 119b for moving the lower arm 300 in the left-right direction in an arc shape.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 13 to 14, and 19, the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 is a cylindrical hole vertically penetrating the central portion of the body 110. As shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 9, 13 to 14 and 19, the receiving portion 112 is provided at the lower end portion of the operating shaft 400 projecting downward from the lower arm 300, and the diameter of the receiving portion 112 decreases toward the upper side. It is a receiving portion for the upwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion 410 , and is formed in an upwardly concave spherical trapezoidal shape that protrudes inward from the upper end opening edge of the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 and has a diameter that decreases upward. A receiving surface composed of a spherical zone surface having the same diameter as the radius of curvature of the spherical zone 411 on the side portion of the spherical trapezoidal part 410, and the spherical zone 411 of the upwardly convex spherical zone 410 acts as a compression coil spring. It has a receiving surface 112a that is pressed from below by 600, and supports the operating shaft 400 so as to be rotatable about the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a while also preventing the operating shaft 400 from coming off.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the guide groove 113 is a U-shaped groove provided in the peripheral wall of the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 so as to extend in the vertical direction. A plurality of guide grooves 113 are provided on the peripheral wall of the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. One guide groove 113 is provided in each of the four diagonal directions of the body 110 .

The first slider housing portion 114 is provided between the operation shaft housing portion 111 of the body 110 and the left side surface of the body 110, as shown in FIGS. , a first lower movement path 114a and a first upper movement path 114b. The first lower movement path 114 a is provided on the lower surface of the body 110 between the operation shaft accommodating portion 111 of the body 110 and the left side surface of the body 110 . The first lower movement path 114a is a rectangular bottomed hole whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction. is provided with a first upper movement path 114b. The first upper movement path 114b is a rectangular hole whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction. .

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 9, 14, and 16, the second slider accommodating portion 115 is provided between the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 of the body 110 and the rear side surface of the body 110. It has a lower movement path 115a and a second upper movement path 115b. The second lower movement path 115 a is provided on the lower surface of the body 110 between the operation shaft accommodating portion 111 of the body 110 and the rear side surface of the body 110 . The second lower movement path 115a is a rectangular bottomed hole whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. is provided with a second upper movement path 115b. The second upper movement path 115b is a rectangular hole whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. .

As shown in FIGS. 6, 14, and 17, the push-down switch accommodating portion 116 is provided on the lower surface of the body 110 between the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 of the body 110 and the front side surface of the body 110. As shown in FIGS. The push-down switch accommodating portion 116 is a rectangular shallow hole with a bottom extending in the left-right direction.

The pusher housing portion 117 is provided between the operation shaft housing portion 111 of the body 110 and the front side surface of the body 110, as shown in FIGS. The pusher housing portion 117 is provided on the rectangular bottom surface of the hole that is the push-down switch housing portion 116 , that is, on the top surface of the push-down switch housing portion 116 . The pusher housing portion 117 is a rectangular hole whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 13, 15 and 19, the left and right first guide portions 118a and 118b are raised from both left and right ends of the upper surface of the body 110, and are a pair of left and right first guides facing each other in the left and right direction. An arcuate stepped surface that is upwardly convex provided on the inner surfaces of the plates 118c and 118d, and is a single horizontal axis (hereinafter referred to as the "X-axis") that passes through the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a and extends in the left-right direction. ) consists of an upwardly convex arc-shaped stepped surface provided along a cylindrical surface coaxially disposed thereon. The left and right first guide portions 118 a and 118 b and the left and right first guide plates 118 c and 118 d are formed integrally with the body 110 . A first upper movement path 114b is opened in the upper surface of the body 110 along the inner surface of the left first guide plate 118c.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 14 and 17, the front and rear second guide portions 119a and 119b are raised from both front and rear end portions of the upper surface of the body 110, and are a pair of front and rear second guides facing each other in the front and rear direction. An arcuate stepped surface with an upward convex shape provided on the inner surfaces of the plates 119c and 119d, which is a single horizontal axis (hereinafter referred to as the "Y-axis") that passes through the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a and extends in the front-rear direction. ) consists of an upwardly convex arc-shaped stepped surface provided along a cylindrical surface coaxially disposed thereon. The rear second guide portion 119 b and the front and rear second guide plates 119 c and 119 d are formed integrally with the body 110 . On the upper surface of the body 110, a second upper movement path 115b is opened along the inner surface of the rear second guide plate 119d, and a pusher accommodating portion 117 is opened along the inner surface of the front second guide plate 119c. The front second guide portion 119a is the upper end surface of the pusher 900 projecting from the pusher accommodating portion 117 along the inner surface of the front second guide plate 119c to the upper surface of the body 110, that is, the upper end surface of the pusher 900. As shown in FIG.

1 to 3, 7, 13 to 14, and 19, when the upper cover 120 is placed on the upper surface of the body 110, the left and right first guide plates 118c and 118d It has a pair of right and left first cutouts 121a and 121b to be fitted, and a pair of front and rear second cutouts 122a and 122b into which the front and rear second guide plates 119c and 119d are fitted.

The case 100 is configured such that the left and right end portions of the upper arm 200 are arranged in an arc shape in the front-rear direction between the left and right first guide plates 118c and 118d and the left and right first cutout portions 121a and 121b via the left and right first guide portions 118a and 118b. A pair of left and right first guide grooves 101a, 101b opened in the case 100 for movably inserting into the case 100 is formed, and front and rear second guide plates 119c, 119d are formed via front and rear second guide portions 119a, 119b. A pair of front and rear second guide grooves 102a opened in the case 100 for inserting the front and rear end portions of the lower arm 300 between the front and rear second notch portions 122a and 122b so as to be movable in the lateral direction in an arc shape; 102b.

Inside the case 100 configured as described above, there are an upper arm 200, a lower arm 300, a lower portion of the operating shaft 400, an operating member 500, a compression coil spring 600, a first slider 700, and a second slider 800. , the pusher 900, the first variable resistor 1000, the second variable resistor 1100, the push switch 1200, and the board 1300, and the upper part of the operating shaft 400 extends from the inside of the case 100 to the upper cover 120. It protrudes outside the case 100 through the opening 121 .

1, 10 to 11, 13 to 17, and 19, the substrate 1300 is a rectangular flexible printed circuit (FPC) and is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the body 110 and the bottom plate 131. It is arranged in a state of being positioned with respect to the body 110 . A circular opening 1310 is provided in the central portion of the substrate 1300 to expose the central portion of the bottom plate 131 to the operation shaft accommodating portion 111 . The substrate 1300 is provided with a tail portion 1320 for external connection. The tail portion 1320 extends rightward from the central portion of the right edge of the substrate 1300 in a strip shape and is pulled out to the right side of the case 100 .

As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 13 to 15, and 19, the upper arm 200 is an upwardly convex arch-shaped member (an arc-shaped member when viewed from the front-rear direction) made of insulating synthetic resin. The upper arm 200 has an elongated hole 210 , a pair of left and right leg portions 220 a and 220 b , a pair of left and right slide portions 230 a and 230 b , and an engaging convex portion 240 .

The long hole 210 has the same width as the diameter of the operation shaft 400 and is provided in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) of the arched portion of the upper arm 200 . The arcuate portion of the upper arm 200 is provided along a cylindrical surface coaxially arranged on the Y axis. The left and right legs 220 a and 220 b are portions extending downward from the left and right ends of the arched portion of the upper arm 200 . The left and right slide portions 230a and 230b are arc-shaped protrusion portions that protrude left and right outside from the lower ends of the left and right leg portions 220a and 220b, respectively, when viewed in the left and right direction. The left and right slide portions 230a and 230b are provided along cylindrical surfaces coaxially arranged on the X-axis. The engagement protrusion 240 is a projection having an Ω-shaped cross section that protrudes downward from the front-rear central portion of the lower surface of the left slide portion 230a.

The upper arm 200 is horizontally mounted at the uppermost portion of the case 100 by inserting the left and right slide portions 230a and 230b into the left and right first guide grooves 101a and 101b. , 118b so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 13 to 14, 16, and 19, the lower arm 300 is a member made of insulating synthetic resin and shaped like an upwardly convex bow (a bow when viewed in the left-right direction). The lower arm 300 has an elongated hole 310 , a pair of front and rear slide portions 320 a and 320 b , and an engaging protrusion 330 .

The long hole 310 has the same width as the diameter of the operation shaft 400 and is provided in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the arcuate portion of the lower arm 300 . The upper surface of the arcuate portion of the lower arm 300 is provided along a cylindrical surface that is coaxially arranged on the X-axis, and the lower arm 300 has an upper surface of the arcuate portion that is coaxial with the X-axis. It has a curved upper surface 300a provided along a cylindrical surface located at the . The front-rear slide portions 320a and 320b are protruding portions that protrude front-rear and outside from both front-rear ends of the arcuate portion of the lower arm 300 and are arc-shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction. The front-rear slide portions 320a and 320b are provided along cylindrical surfaces that are coaxially arranged on the Y-axis. The front slide portion 320a is formed thicker than the rear slide portion 320b. The engaging convex portion 330 is a projection having an Ω-shaped cross section that protrudes downward from the left-right central portion of the lower surface of the rear slide portion 320b.

The lower arm 300 can be moved in the front-rear direction in a state perpendicular to the upper arm 200 directly below the upper arm 200 in the case 100 by inserting the front-rear slide portions 320a, 320b into the front-rear second guide grooves 102a, 102b. In this state, it is supported so as to be movable in an arc shape in the left-right direction along the front and rear second guide portions 119a and 119b.

The lower arm 300 is configured so that the front slide portion 320a can be pushed downward with the rear slide portion 320b as a fulcrum.

As described above, the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 are supported movably in two directions perpendicular to each other in the case 100 having the bottom plate 131, and each have long holes 210 and 310 extending in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction. ing.

1, 4, 7 to 10, 12 to 14, and 18 to 19, the operating shaft 400 has the same diameter as the width of the elongated holes 210, 310 of the upper and lower arms 200, 300. It is a round bar-shaped member made of insulating synthetic resin. By inserting the axial intermediate portion of the operating shaft 400 through the long holes 210 and 310 of the upper and lower arms 200 and 300, the upper end portion of the operating shaft 400 protruding upward from the upper arm 200 is inserted through the opening 121 of the upper cover 120. The lower end of the operation shaft 400 projecting outside the case 100 and projecting downward from the lower arm 300 is inserted through the inner diameter of the receiving portion 112 of the body 110 and inserted into the operation shaft accommodating portion 111 of the body 110. And the operating shaft 400 is arranged in the case 100 .

The operating shaft 400 includes a spherical trapezoidal portion 410 for rotatably supporting the lower end of the operating shaft 400 while also preventing the operating shaft 400 from coming off, and an operating member 500 attached to the lower end of the operating shaft 400. A stepped shaft which is a hollow portion for supporting the operation shaft 400 so as to be movable in the axial direction while restricting rotation around the shaft, and providing a compression coil spring 600 between the operation shaft 400 and the operating member 500. A hole 420, a pair of right and left engaging portions 430a and 430b for pushing and moving the lower arm 300 when the operating shaft 400 is pushed and moved, and a disk-shaped key top for screwing to the upper end portion of the operating shaft 400. It has a mounting hole 440 and a two-sided cut portion 450 for preventing rotation of the key top.

The spherical trapezoidal portion 410 is arranged within the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 of the case 100 . The truncated spherical portion 410 is formed at the lower end of the operating shaft 400 in an upwardly convex truncated spherical shape whose diameter decreases upward, and the radius of the upper surface of the truncated spherical portion 410 is equal to the radius of the operating shaft 400 . , the spherical zone 411 of the side portion of the spherical trapezoidal portion 410 can be fitted to the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 from below.

The stepped shaft hole 420 is provided in the axial center portion of the operation shaft 400 coaxially with the operation shaft 400, and is a hole that opens at the lower end surface of the truncated spherical portion 410 (the lower end surface of the operation shaft 400). is. The stepped shaft hole 420 includes, from bottom to top, a shaft hole 421 with a square cross section, a shaft hole 422 with a square cross section smaller (smaller diameter) than the shaft hole 421 and longer than the shaft hole 421, A shaft hole 423 having the same diameter as the shaft hole 422 and approximately the same length as the shaft hole 422 and having a circular cross section capable of accommodating the compression coil spring 600 , and a shaft hole 424 having a circular cross section smaller in diameter than the shaft hole 423 and shorter than the shaft hole 423 . Downward stepped surfaces 425, 426, and 427 are provided between the shaft holes 421 and 422, between the shaft holes 422 and 423, and between the shaft holes 423 and 424, respectively. there is

The left and right engaging portions 430a and 430b are protrusions having a right-angled triangular cross-section that protrude leftward and rightward from the outer surface of the axially intermediate portion of the operating shaft 400 in the elongated hole 210 of the upper arm 200, and the bottom portions thereof. Engagement surfaces 431a and 431b are provided on the curved upper surface 300a of the lower arm 300 at the left and right side edge portions of the elongated hole 310 to face each other with a slight clearance from above. Each engaging surface 431a, 431b is provided along a cylindrical surface arranged coaxially on the X-axis line, curved along the curved upper surface 300a of the lower arm 300, and downward when the operation shaft 400 is rotated. It is a downward engaging surface that can move along the curved upper surface 300a of the arm 300 and causes the lower arm 300 to move downward as the operating shaft 400 moves downward.

The mounting hole 440 is a bottomed hole that is provided in the axial center portion of the operating shaft 400 coaxially with the operating shaft 400 and that opens at the upper end surface of the operating shaft 400 . The two-sided cut portion 450 is provided at the upper end portion of the operation shaft 400 and forms the upper end portion of the operation shaft 400 into a shaft portion having an oval cross section and a width across flats.

Actuating member 500 has a spherical portion 510, a stepped shaft portion 520, and a protrusion 530, as shown in FIGS. ing.

The spherical trapezoidal portion 510 is provided at the lower end portion of the operating member 500 and placed in the central portion of the bottom plate 131 exposed in the operating shaft accommodating portion 111 of the case 100 . The truncated sphere portion 510 is formed in a downwardly convex truncated truncated shape whose diameter decreases toward the bottom, and the operation shaft 400 is positioned so that its axial direction is perpendicular to the bottom plate 131 of the case 100 in FIGS. 10. When the case 100 is rotated about the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 from the neutral state shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 19, when the spherical zone 511 of the side portion of the spherical trapezoidal portion 510 abuts against the bottom plate 131 of the case 100 and the operating shaft 400 returns to its neutral state, FIGS. 12 to 14, the flat lower surface 512 of the spherical trapezoidal portion 510 abuts against the bottom plate 131 of the case 100. As shown in FIGS.

The stepped shaft portion 520 is provided vertically at the center of the upper surface of the truncated spherical portion 510 and is inserted into the shaft hole 420 of the operating shaft 400 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the operating shaft 400 . The shaft portion 520 includes, from the bottom to the top, a square shaft portion 521 having a square cross section which is inserted into the shaft hole 421 so as to be axially movable, and a cross section which is inserted into the shaft hole 422 so as to be axially movable. It is a spring guide that is inserted into the shaft hole 423 together with the square shaft portion 522 and the compression coil spring 600 while being inserted into the inner diameter of the compression coil spring 600, and the upper end portion is inserted into the shaft hole 424 so as to be axially movable. A round shaft portion 523 having a circular cross section is provided, and upward stepped surfaces 524 and 525 are provided between the square shaft portion 521 and the square shaft portion 522 and between the square shaft portion 522 and the round shaft portion 523, respectively. there is

The actuating member 500 has a downwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion 510 having a downwardly decreasing diameter at the lower end of a shaft portion 520 . By inserting and movably arranging in the axial direction of the operation shaft 400 , the downwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion 510 is provided at the lower end portion of the operating shaft 400 via the shaft portion 520 . It is supported so that it can be moved to The four protrusions 530 project radially outward at 90° intervals from the upper end of the downwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion 510 . , restricts the rotation of the operating member 500 around the operating shaft 400 .

The compression coil spring 600 is made of a metal wire, and as shown in FIGS. 500 is inserted into the shaft hole 420 of the operating shaft 400 together with the shaft portion 520 of the operating shaft 400 and is housed in the shaft hole 423 thereof. The operating member 500 is moved along the axial direction of the operating shaft 400 so as to press the spherical zone 511 and the lower surface 512 of the spherical trapezoidal portion 510 of the operating member 500 against the bottom plate 131 of the case 100 from above by bringing them into contact with the stepped surfaces 525 . At the same time, the operating shaft 400 is attached upward along its axial direction so as to press the spherical band 411 of the spherical trapezoidal portion 410 of the operating shaft 400 against the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 from below. I am gaining momentum.

As described above, the operating shaft 400 is rotatable while being inserted through the elongated holes 210 and 310 of the upper and lower arms 200 and 300, as shown in FIGS. The trapezoidal portion 510 is pressed against the bottom plate 131 of the case 100 from above, and the spherical zone 411 of the trapezoidal portion 410 of the operating shaft 400 is pressed against the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 from below, thereby supporting the case 100. While being retained by the portion 112, it is supported so as to be rotatable about the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 together with the operating member 500 and to be pushed down in the axial direction.

The first slider 700 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 to 10, 13, 15, and 19, the first slider 700 includes a first slider body 710, a first engaging piece 720, and a first engaging groove 730. , and a first engaging protrusion 740 . The first slider main body 710 is a rectangular parallelepiped block. The first engagement piece 720 is erected at the central portion of the flat upper surface of the first slider body 710 . The first engaging groove 730 is provided in the upper end portion of the first engaging piece 720 . The first engagement protrusion 740 is a cylinder that protrudes downward from the central portion of the flat lower surface of the first slider body 710 .

The first slider 700 accommodates the first slider main body 710 in the first lower movement path 114a, inserts the first engagement piece 720 into the first upper movement path 114b, and extends the upper end of the first engagement piece 720. It is arranged in the first slider accommodating portion 114 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction while protruding inside the upper cover 120 . Further, when the engaging protrusion 240 of the upper arm 200 is engaged with the first engaging groove 730 and the upper arm 200 moves in an arc in the front-rear direction, the engaging protrusion 240 of the upper arm 200 is engaged with the first engaging groove 730 . By pressing the joining piece 720, the first slider 700 can move in the front-rear direction.

The second slider 800 is made of insulating synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 to 10, 14 and 16, the second slider 800 includes a second slider body 810, a second engagement piece 820, a second engagement groove 830, and a second and an engaging protrusion 840 . The second slider main body 810 is a rectangular parallelepiped block. The second engaging piece 820 is erected at the central portion of the flat upper surface of the second slider body 810 . The second engagement groove 830 is provided at the upper end portion of the second engagement piece 820 . The second engaging convex portion 840 is a cylinder that protrudes downward from the central portion of the flat lower surface of the second slider body 810 .

The second slider 800 accommodates the second slider main body 810 in the second lower movement path 115a, inserts the second engagement piece 820 into the second upper movement path 115b, and extends the upper end of the second engagement piece 820. It is arranged in the second slider accommodating portion 115 so as to be movable in the left-right direction while protruding inside the upper cover 120 . Further, when the engaging protrusion 330 of the lower arm 300 is engaged with the second engaging groove 830 and the lower arm 300 moves in the left-right direction in an arc, the engaging protrusion 330 of the lower arm 300 is engaged with the second engaging groove 830 . By pressing the joining piece 820, the second slider 800 can move in the left-right direction.

The first variable resistor 1000 can detect the direction and amount of movement of the upper arm 200 by detecting the direction and amount of movement of the first slider 700 as a change in resistance value. The first variable resistor 1000 has a first contactor 1010 and a first resistance circuit 1020, as shown in FIGS. A first resistor circuit 1020 is formed on the substrate 1300 . The first contact 1010 is a metal leaf spring piece. The first contactor 1010 is fixed to the lower surface of the first slider body 710 via the first engagement protrusion 740 . The first contactor 1010 is in contact with the first resistance circuit 1020 and makes the first resistance circuit 1020 conductive. The first contactor 1010 can slide on the first resistance circuit 1020 according to the movement of the first slider 700 in the front-rear direction. As the first contactor 1010 slides on the first resistance circuit 1020 in this way, the resistance value of the first variable resistor 1000 changes.

The second variable resistor 1100 can detect the direction and amount of movement of the lower arm 300 by detecting the direction and amount of movement of the second slider 800 as a change in resistance value. The second variable resistor 1100 has a second contactor 1110 and a second resistance circuit 1120, as shown in FIGS. A second resistor circuit 1120 is formed on the substrate 1300 . The second contact 1110 is a metal leaf spring piece. The second contactor 1110 is fixed to the lower surface of the second slider body 810 via the second engagement protrusion 840 . The second contactor 1110 is in contact with the second resistance circuit 1120 and makes the second resistance circuit 1120 conductive. The second contactor 1110 can slide on the second resistance circuit 1120 according to the horizontal movement of the second slider 800 . As the second contactor 1110 slides on the second resistance circuit 1120 in this way, the resistance value of the second variable resistor 1100 changes.

The push switch 1200 detects the push movement of the operating shaft 400 . The push switch 1200 has a metal dome sheet 1210 and a switch circuit 1220 as shown in FIGS. The metal dome sheet 1210 has a cover sheet 1211 and a metal dome 1212 . The cover sheet 1211 is a single-sided adhesive sheet. A metal dome 1212 is a movable contact made of a dome-shaped metal plate that protrudes upward. A metal dome sheet 1210 is formed by attaching the upper surface of a metal dome 1212 to the lower surface of a cover sheet 1211 . The switch circuit 1220 has a central stationary contact 1221 and an outer stationary contact 1222 . The central fixed contact 1221 has a circular shape and is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 1300 that serves as the lower surface of the push switch accommodating portion 116 . The central fixed contact 1221 is arranged directly below the pusher accommodating portion 117 . The outer fixed contact 1222 has a horseshoe shape surrounding the central fixed contact 1221 with a space therebetween, and is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 1300 .

The press switch 1200 has a metal dome sheet 1210 attached to the upper surface of the substrate 1300 that serves as the lower surface of the press switch housing portion 116, and the metal dome 1212 is fixed on the outer fixed contact 1222 while straddling the central fixed contact 1221. Both ends of the metal dome 1212 in the left-right direction are in contact with the outer fixed contact 1222, and the top of the metal dome 1212 is separated from the central fixed contact 1221 directly below with a gap therebetween.

Pusher 900 is a driving member for transmitting the downward movement of operating shaft 400 to the top of metal dome 1212 together with lower arm 300 . As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 to 10, 14, and 17, the pusher 900 is made of insulating synthetic resin and formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is slidable on the front slide portion 320a of the lower arm 300. and a pressing portion 920 for pressing the push switch 1200 . Pusher 900 is supported in case 100 so as to be vertically movable. The pusher 900 is fitted and held in the pusher accommodating portion 117 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. While facing the portion 122 a , the lower end surface of the pusher 900 is exposed in the push switch accommodating portion 116 and faces the metal dome sheet 1210 . An upper end surface 910 of the pusher 900 is provided along a cylindrical surface coaxially arranged on the Y-axis and curved in an upwardly convex circular arc shape to constitute the front second guide portion 119a. The pressing portion 920 is provided at the center of the lower end surface of the pusher 900 and is a truncated conical boss whose diameter decreases downward. abutted. The pusher 900 is interposed between the front slide portion 320 a of the lower arm 300 and the push switch 1200 .

The operation of the multi-directional input device according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described.

First, when no operating force is applied to the upper end of the operating shaft 400, as shown in FIGS. The flat lower surface 512 of the trapezoidal portion 510 is pressed against the bottom plate 131 of the case 100 and becomes horizontal with respect to the bottom plate 131, and the axial direction of the operating shaft 400 is perpendicular to the bottom plate 131 of the case 100. It is held neutral.

When the upper end of the operating shaft 400 in this neutral state is pressed rightward along the elongated hole 210 of the upper arm 200, the operating shaft 400 moves to the receiving portion of the case 100 as shown in FIGS. 112, it rotates about the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 together with the operating member 500, and tilts rightward along the elongated hole 210 of the upper arm 200.

Then, the lower arm 300 is pushed in the right direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long hole 310 by the operating shaft 400, and the lower arm 300 slides the front and rear slide portions 320a and 320b on the front and rear second guide portions 119a and 119b. It moves (rotates) rightward in an arc shape along the front and rear second guide portions 119a and 119b. At this time, since the operating shaft 400 moves leftward in the elongated hole 210 of the upper arm 200, the upper arm 200 and the first slider 700 are held at their respective neutral positions (initial positions).

On the other hand, as the lower arm 300 moves, the second engaging piece 820 of the second slider 800 is pushed rightward by the engaging protrusion 330 of the lower arm 300 , and the second slider 800 moves toward the second slider accommodating portion 115 . to move (slide) to the right.

Then, as the second slider 800 moves rightward, the second contactor 1110 of the second variable resistor 1100 slides rightward on the second resistance circuit 1120, so that the second variable resistor The resistance value of 1100 changes. Thereby, the second variable resistor 1100 detects the direction and amount of movement of the second slider 800 as the direction and amount of movement of the lower arm 300 . This is input from the tail portion 1320 of the substrate 1300 to the control unit of the electronic device through the connector, and detected by the control unit as the rotation direction (tilt direction) and the rotation amount (tilt amount) of the operation shaft 400 .

When the rightward pressing of the operating shaft 400 is released, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 600 restores the flat lower surface 512 of the downwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion 510 of the operating member 500 to a horizontal state, and the operating shaft 400 is rotated. returns to the neutral state together with the actuating member 500 .

When the operating shaft 400 returns to the neutral position, the lower arm 300 returns to the neutral position, and when the lower arm 300 returns to the neutral position, the second slider 800 returns to the neutral position. do.

When the upper end of the neutral operating shaft 400 is pressed forward along the elongated hole 310 of the lower arm 300, the operating shaft 400 is retained by the receiving portion 112 of the case 100. It rotates around the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112 a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 together with the operating member 500 and tilts forward along the elongated hole 310 of the lower arm 300 .

Then, the upper arm 200 is pushed forward by the operating shaft 400 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long hole 210, and the upper arm 200 slides the left and right slide portions 230a and 230b on the left and right first guide portions 118a and 118b. It moves (rotates) forward in an arc shape along the left and right first guide portions 118a and 118b. At this time, since the operating shaft 400 moves forward in the elongated hole 310 of the lower arm 300, the lower arm 300 and the second slider 800 are held at their respective neutral positions (initial positions).

On the other hand, as the upper arm 200 moves, the first engaging piece 720 of the first slider 700 is pushed forward by the engaging convex portion 240 of the upper arm 200, and the first slider 700 moves toward the first slider accommodating portion 114. move (slide) forward guided by

Then, as the first slider 700 moves forward, the first contactor 1010 of the first variable resistor 1000 slides forward on the first resistance circuit 1020, so that the first variable resistor The resistance value of 1000 changes. Thereby, the first variable resistor 1000 detects the movement direction and movement amount of the first slider 700 as the movement direction and movement amount of the upper arm 200 . This is input from the tail portion 1320 of the substrate 1300 to the control unit of the electronic device through the connector, and detected by the control unit as the rotation direction (tilt direction) and the rotation amount (tilt amount) of the operation shaft 400 .

When the forward pressure of the operating shaft 400 is released, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 600 restores the flat lower surface 512 of the downwardly convex spherical trapezoidal portion 510 of the operating member 500 to a horizontal state, and the operating shaft 400 moves forward. returns to the neutral state together with the actuating member 500 .

When the operating shaft 400 returns to the neutral position, the upper arm 200 returns to the neutral position, and when the upper arm 200 returns to the neutral position, the first slider 700 returns to the neutral position. do.

Furthermore, while being retained by the receiving portion 112 of the case 100, the operating shaft 400 extends along the center of curvature of the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100 along with the operating member 500 in all directions of 360° around the operating shaft 400. , and in the tilted state, the tilting position can be changed in the direction along the opening 121 of the upper cover 120 to rotate.

At this time, the ends of the protrusions 530 of the operating member 500 move vertically in the guide grooves 113 of the case 100, and the spherical band 511 of the downward convex spherical trapezoidal portion 510 of the operating member 500 moves. It rolls and contacts the bottom plate 131 of the case 100 without slipping.

Further, when the upper end portion of the operating shaft 400 is pushed downward, the shaft portion 520 of the operating member 500 is pushed into the shaft hole 420 of the operating shaft 400 against the compression coil spring 600, and the trapezoidal shape of the operating shaft 400 is pushed. The operating shaft 400 is pushed down so as to separate the spherical band 411 of the portion 410 from the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100, and the left and right engaging surfaces 431a and 431b of the left and right engaging portions 430a and 430b of the operating shaft 400 move downward. Left and right side edge portions of the long hole 310 on the curved upper surface 300a of the arm 300 are pressed downward.

As a result, the front second guide portion 119a formed of the upper end surface of the pusher 900 is moved around the rear slide portion 320b on the rear end side of the lower arm 300 supported from below by the rear second guide portion 119b of the case 100 as a fulcrum. The front slide portion 320a on the front end side of the slidably mounted lower arm 300 is pushed and moved. Accordingly, the pusher 900 moves downward.

Then, as the pusher 900 moves downward, the top of the metal dome 1212 of the push switch 1200 is pushed down by the pressing portion 920 of the pusher 900, and the top of the metal dome 1212 elastically projects downward with a click feeling. It deforms and comes into contact with the central fixed contact 1221 of the switch circuit 1220 of the push switch 1200, and the central fixed contact 1221 and the outer fixed contact 1222 are electrically connected via the metal dome 1212, resulting in a switch-on state. A push movement of the axis 400 is detected.

At this time, the lower arm 300 functions as a "lever", and the fulcrum (the rear slide portion 320b of the lower arm 300) is the point of effort (the left and right engagement portions 430a and 430b of the operation shaft 400) and the point of action (the front slide of the lower arm 300). By placing it on the outside of portion 320a) and close to the point of force, a small movement applied to the point of force results in a large movement at the point of action and a smaller force is transmitted than the applied force. As a result, it is possible to reduce the pressing movement amount of the operating shaft 400 for operating the pressing switch 1200, and obtain a good click feeling.

When the pressing of the operating shaft 400 is released, the urging force of the compression coil spring 600 pulls the shaft portion 520 of the operating member 500 out of the shaft hole 420 of the operating shaft 400 , while the spherical zone 411 of the trapezoidal portion 410 of the operating shaft 400 is pulled out. against the receiving surface 112a of the receiving portion 112 of the case 100, and returns to the state before the pressing movement.

On the other hand, the top of the metal dome 1212 returns to its original upward convex shape. As a result, the top of the metal dome 1212 separates from the central fixed contact 1221 of the switch circuit 1220, and the central fixed contact 1221 and the outer fixed contact 1222 are electrically disconnected, resulting in a switch-off state. The pusher 900 moves upward and returns to its original position by the biasing force of the metal dome 1212, and the lower arm 300 returns to its original horizontal state.

As described above, the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a case 100 and an operation shaft 400, which is an operation member that protrudes upward from the inside of the case 100 and can be tilted in any direction. , an upper arm 200 as a first interlocking member and a lower arm 300 as a second interlocking member, which move in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating shaft 400 and extend perpendicularly to each other and held in the case 100. , a first variable resistor 1000 and a second variable resistor 1100, which are first and second detection units for detecting the movement of the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300, respectively. 2, 3, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, and 19, the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 123 that bias the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 downward. It has two spring parts 124 .

Also, the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 are formed in the case 100 .

Further, the case 100 includes a body 110 which is a resin-made case main body provided with first guide portions 118a and 118b and second guide portions 119a and 119b that support the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 from below; A first spring portion 123 and a second spring portion 124 are formed on the top cover 120 .

Also, the first detection unit is engaged with one end of the upper arm 200 and is held in the case 100 so as to be interlockable with the upper arm 200 . A resistor 1000 and a second detector detect the direction and amount of movement of the second slider 800 engaged with one end of the lower arm 300 and held in the case 100 so as to be interlockable with the lower arm 300 . The first spring portion 123 downwardly urges one end of the upper arm 200 engaged with the first slider 700, and the second spring portion 124 is the second slider 700. One end of the lower arm 300 engaged with 800 is biased downward.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, and 20-22, the first slider 700 is engaged with the A clearance ( On the other hand, the end surface of the right first notch 121b of the upper cover 120 forms a clearance ( The first spring portion 123 extends in the front-rear direction at a position inside (to the right of) the left first notch portion 121a of the upper cover 120 by a predetermined distance, and extends in the front-rear direction. By providing a notch 123a having substantially the same length as the width of the notch 121a, both front and rear ends extending in the front-rear direction are connected to the upper cover 120, and the front-rear central portion is fixed at both ends so as to be flexibly deformable in the vertical direction. It has a beam structure and is formed integrally with the upper cover 120 so as to face the upper surface of the left slide portion 230a of the upper arm 200 with a clearance therebetween.

The first spring portion 123 has a pressing portion 123b that presses the upper surface of the left slide portion 230a of the upper arm 200 downward. The pressing portion 123b is provided at the front-rear central portion of the lower surface of the first spring portion 123 and protrudes downward.

Further, on the upper surface of the rear slide portion 320b, which is the rear end portion of the lower arm 300 engaged and connected to the second slider 800 via the engagement protrusion 330 and the second engagement groove 830, the rear slide portion 320b of the upper cover 120 is provided. While the end faces of the two notch portions 122b are opposed to each other with a gap (clearance), the upper surface of the front slide portion 320a, which is the front end portion of the lower arm 300 that is not engaged and connected to the second slider 800, is provided with the front second slide portion 320a of the cover 120. The end surfaces of the notch portion 122a are opposed to each other with a clearance therebetween, and the second spring portion 124 is positioned inside (frontward) of the rear second notch portion 122b of the upper cover 120 by a predetermined distance. By providing the notch 124a extending in the direction and having substantially the same length as the width of the rear second notch portion 122b, the left and right ends extending in the left and right direction are connected to the upper cover 120, and the left and right central portion is connected to the upper cover 120. It has a beam structure with both ends fixed so that it can bend and deform in the vertical direction, and is integrally formed with the upper cover 120 so as to face the upper surface of the rear slide portion 320b of the lower arm 300 with a clearance provided therebetween.

The second spring portion 124 has a pressing portion 124b that presses the upper surface of the rear slide portion 320b of the lower arm 300 downward. The pressing portion 124b is provided in the left-right central portion of the lower surface of the second spring portion 124 and protrudes downward.

The first spring portion 123 configured as described above presses the left slide portion 230a of the upper arm 200 downward via the pressing portion 123b, and the operation shaft 400 moves the upper arm 200 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long hole 210. When the upper arm 200 is pressed in the front-rear direction, the left slide portion 230a of the upper arm 200 is pressed against the left first guide portion 118a, and is slid over the left first guide portion 118a, while sliding in the front-rear direction along the left and right first guide portions 118a, 118b. The upper arm 200 is moved (rotated) in an arc to suppress the upper arm 200 from rattling in the vertical direction. When the lower arm 300 is pressed by the shaft 400 in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long hole 310, the rear slide portion 320b of the lower arm 300 is slid on the rear second guide portion 119b while being pressed thereon. While moving (rotating) in the left-right direction in an arc shape along the front and rear second guide portions 119a and 119b, the lower arm 300 is prevented from rattling in the vertical direction.

As described above, the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a case 100 and an operation shaft 400, which is an operation member that protrudes upward from the inside of the case 100 and can be tilted in any direction. , an upper arm 200 as a first interlocking member and a lower arm 300 as a second interlocking member, which move in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating shaft 400 and extend perpendicularly to each other and held in the case 100. , a first variable resistor 1000 as a first detection unit and a second variable resistor 1100 as a second detection unit for detecting the movement of the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300. By having the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 that bias the arm 200 and the lower arm 300 downward, the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 push the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 downward. Since the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 can be energized and the rattling in the vertical direction can be suppressed, the followability to the operation shaft 400 is improved, and the hysteresis of the output can be reduced. This improves the accuracy of the output of the multi-directional input device.

In addition, since the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 are formed in the case 100, the number of parts of the multi-directional input device due to the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 does not increase, and the cost is reduced. It is possible to prevent ups and downsizing.

Further, the case 100 includes a body 110 which is a resin-made case main body provided with first guide portions 118a and 118b and second guide portions 119a and 119b that support the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 from below; Since the upper cover 120 is formed with the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 , the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 cause the upper arm 200 to move. and the lower arm 300 is pressed against the first guide portions 118a, 118b and the second guide portions 119a, 119b, and the operating shafts of the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 are adjusted to suppress the upper arm 200 and the lower arm 300 from rattling in the vertical direction. The followability to 400 is further improved, and the hysteresis of the output can be further reduced. This further improves the accuracy of the output of the multi-directional input device.

Also, the first detection unit is engaged with one end of the upper arm 200 and is held in the case 100 so as to be interlockable with the upper arm 200 . A resistor 1000 and a second detector detect the direction and amount of movement of the second slider 800 engaged with one end of the lower arm 300 and held in the case 100 so as to be interlockable with the lower arm 300 . The first spring portion 123 downwardly urges one end of the upper arm 200 engaged with the first slider 700, and the second spring portion 124 is the second slider 700. Since the one end of the lower arm 300 engaged and connected to the first slider 700 is biased downward, the first spring portion 123 pushes the one end of the upper arm 200 engaged and connected to the first slider 700 downward. Since the second spring portion 124 urges downward one end of the lower arm 300 engaged and connected to the second slider 800, the first spring portion 123 and the second spring portion 124 are effectively hysteresis of each output of the first variable resistor 1000 and the second variable resistor 1100 can be reduced.

Further, as described above, the multi-directional input device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the pusher 900 which is a driving member held in the case 100 so as to be able to be pushed and moved according to the pushing operation of the operation shaft 400, and the pusher 900. By providing the push-down switch 1200 that is pushed down along with the push movement of the second Since the spring portion 124 suppresses the rattling of the lower arm 300 in the vertical direction, the followability of the pusher 900 to the operating shaft 400 is improved.

Further, as described above, the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a resin operating member 500 that tilts together with the operating shaft 400, and an operating member that is provided between the operating shaft 400 and the operating member 500. Compression coil spring 600, which is an elastic member that urges 500 toward the bottom surface of case 100, is provided. It has a vertical shaft portion 520 and a metal core member 540 whose upper portion protrudes upward from the shaft portion 520 while its lower portion passes through the truncated spherical portion 510 and the shaft portion 520. 400 has a stepped shaft hole 420 which is a hollow portion into which the shaft portion 520 of the operating member 500 and the upper portion of the core member 540 are axially movably inserted. Since the operating member 500 has the metal core member 540, the strength of the operating member 500 is improved, and when the operating shaft 400 is tilted, the portion of the operating member 500 that is inserted into the shaft hole 420 of the operating shaft 400. is prevented from being deformed, and the upright accuracy and return accuracy of the operating shaft 400 can be improved.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 11, 13, 14, and 19, the core member 540 extends from the lower end of the actuating member 500 (the lower surface of the truncated spherical portion 510) to the actuating member 500. It consists of a round bar-shaped metal rod having a length corresponding to the distance to the upper end (the end surface of the round shaft portion 523) and the same diameter as the diameter of the round shaft portion 523, and the lower portion extends from the lower surface of the spherical trapezoidal portion 510. The upper portion of the square shaft portion 522 protrudes upward from the upper end surface of the square shaft portion 522 to form a metallic round shaft portion 523 while the inside of the square shaft portion 522 is inserted through the upper end surface of the square shaft portion 522 . The operating member 500 is formed by molding a semi-finished product of the operating member 500, in which only the round shaft portion 523 is unmolded and has a core member press-fit hole penetrating from the lower surface of the truncated spherical portion 510 to the upper end surface of the square shaft portion 522. Then, the core member 540 is press-fitted into the core member press-fitting hole of the semi-finished product of the operating member 500 to manufacture the finished product of the operating member 500. Alternatively, the resin and metal (core member 540) may be combined. Actuating member 500, which is a composite product, may be manufactured by insert molding. Since the core member 540 is obtained by cutting a standard metal bar to length, it is economical. Also, when the multi-directional input device is free-falled with the operation shaft 400 side downward, all the impact is applied to the operation shaft 400, but the core member 540 of the operating member 500 serves as a support, so that the operation shaft 400 can be relieved, and the impact resistance of the multi-directional input device is improved.

100 case 110 body (case body)
120 upper cover 118a, 118b first guide portion 119a, 119b second guide portion 123 first spring portion 124 second spring portion 200 upper arm (first interlocking member)
300 lower arm (second interlocking member)
400 operating shaft (operating member)
420 Shaft hole 500 Operating member 510 Trapezoidal portion 520 Shaft portion 540 Core member 600 Compression coil spring (elastic member)
700 first slider 800 second slider 900 pusher (driving member)
1000 first variable resistor (first detection unit)
1100 Second variable resistor (second detection unit)
1200 push switch

Claims (5)

a case, an operating member that protrudes upward from the inside of the case to the outside and can be tilted in any direction around the case; A multidirectional input device comprising a first interlocking member and a second interlocking member that are held in the case, and a first detection unit and a second detection unit that detect movement of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member. The device has a first spring portion and a second spring portion for urging the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member downward , the first spring portion and the second spring portion being formed in the case. A multi- directional input device. The case includes a resin case main body having a first guide portion and a second guide portion that support the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member from below, and a resin upper cover fixed to the case main body. 2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper cover is formed with the first spring portion and the second spring portion. The first detector detects a movement direction and a movement amount of a first slider that is engaged with one end of the first interlocking member and held in the case so as to be interlockable with the first interlocking member. 1 variable resistor, wherein the second detector is engaged with one end of the second interlocking member and is held in the case in a manner interlockable with the second interlocking member in the moving direction of the second slider. and a second variable resistor for detecting the amount of movement, wherein the first spring portion downwardly urges one end portion of the first interlocking member engaged and connected to the first slider, and the second spring portion 3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the portion urges downward one end of the second interlocking member engaged and connected to the second slider. 4. The drive member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a driving member held in the case so as to be able to be pushed down in response to a pushing operation of the operating member; and a push switch pushed down as the driving member is pushed down. The multi-directional input device according to . an operating member made of resin that tilts together with the operating member; and an elastic member that is provided between the operating member and the operating member and biases the operating member toward the bottom surface of the case, wherein the operating member a downwardly convex truncated sphere portion whose diameter decreases downward; a shaft portion vertically provided on the truncated sphere portion; a metal core member protruding upward from the shaft portion, and the operating member has a hollow portion into which the shaft portion of the operating member and the upper portion of the core member are inserted so as to be axially movable. A multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

Images