JP7407012B2 - Operating device and method for manufacturing the operating device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an operating device and a method of manufacturing the operating device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, controllers for game machines and the like have used operating devices that allow operation information to be input by tilting a lever such as a joystick. With such an operating device, in addition to the operation of tilting the lever in a two-dimensional direction, the operation of pushing the lever downward is possible.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-116084 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-242972

By the way, when playing a game using a game machine controller or the like, operations such as tilting a lever are frequently performed. The operating device is provided with a substrate on which wiring of a conductor pattern and a resistor pattern is formed, and a rotating member having a slider that rotates in response to an operation of tilting a lever. With a part of the rotating member inserted into the circular through hole provided in the board, the conductor pattern and resistor pattern formed on the substrate come into contact with the slider provided on the rotating member. are doing. Therefore, by tilting the lever, the rotating member rotates in conjunction with the lever tilting operation, and the conductor pattern and resistor pattern provided on the board and the rotating member are connected to each other. The contact position with the slider changes, and the value of resistance detected via the slider changes. By detecting such a change in resistance, the angle at which the lever is tilted can be detected.

Therefore, each time the lever is operated, the rotating member rotates inside the circular through hole provided in the board, but when the rotating member rotates, the rotating member comes into contact with the through hole in the board. This may cause wear particles on the substrate, etc., to be generated. If the abrasion powder thus generated adheres to the conductor pattern and resistor pattern of the substrate, the resistance value changes, making it impossible to accurately detect the angle at which the lever is tilted.

Therefore, there is a need for an operating device that does not generate abrasion powder of the board even when the rotating member rotates in the through hole of the board by tilting the lever.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, a lever that can be tilted, an actuator that rotates around a rotation axis when the lever is tilted, and a rotating member that rotates when the actuator rotates; It has a substrate provided with a through hole, and a cover that covers a part of the substrate and is integrated with the substrate, and an edge of the through hole of the substrate is covered with a resin layer of the cover. The rotating member rotates while being placed inside a through hole of the cover whose edge is the resin layer, and the resin layer has a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of penetration of the through hole. It is characterized by the fact that it is provided.

According to the disclosed operating device, even if the rotating member rotates in the through hole of the substrate by tilting the lever, it is possible to prevent the generation of abrasion powder of the substrate.

A perspective view of the operating device in this embodiment Exploded perspective view of the operating device in this embodiment A perspective view of the internal structure of the operating device in this embodiment A perspective view of the first rotary variable resistor of the operating device in this embodiment An explanatory diagram of the movement of the first rotary variable resistor of the operating device in this embodiment Perspective view (1) of a board used in the operating device in this embodiment Perspective view (2) of a board used in the operating device in this embodiment A plan view of a board used in the operating device in this embodiment A cross-sectional view of a board used in the operating device in this embodiment A perspective view of a rotating member used in the operating device in this embodiment Perspective view (1) of the board and cover used in the operating device in this embodiment Perspective view (2) of the board and cover used in the operating device in this embodiment A plan view of the board and cover used in the operating device in this embodiment Back view of the board and cover used in the operating device in this embodiment A cross-sectional view of a board and cover used in the operating device in this embodiment Enlarged view of main parts in Figure 11 Enlarged view of main parts in Figure 13 Enlarged view of main parts in Figure 15 (1) Enlarged view of main parts in Figure 15 (2) A sectional view of a modified example of the operating device in this embodiment Explanatory diagram (1) of a method of integrally molding a substrate and a cover Explanatory diagram (2) of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover Explanatory diagram of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover (3) Explanatory diagram (4) of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover Explanatory diagram of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover (5) Cross-sectional view of the convex part of the second mold Explanatory diagram of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover (6) Explanatory diagram (7) of a method of integrally molding a substrate and a cover Explanatory diagram (8) of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover Explanatory diagram of the method of integrally molding the substrate and cover (9) Explanatory diagram (10) of a method of integrally molding a substrate and a cover Explanatory diagram (11) of a method of integrally molding a substrate and a cover Explanatory diagram (12) of a method of integrally molding a substrate and a cover Explanatory diagram (13) of a method of integrally molding a substrate and a cover An explanatory diagram of molding burrs that occur when integrally molding the board and cover An explanatory diagram of a method of forming a modified example of the operating device according to the present embodiment Explanatory diagram (1) of a modification of the operating device in this embodiment Explanatory diagram (2) of a modified example of the operating device in this embodiment

The embodiment will be described below. Note that the same members and the like are given the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted. In this application, the X1-X2 direction, the Y1-Y2 direction, and the Z1-Z2 direction are defined as mutually orthogonal directions. In addition, the plane including the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction is described as the XY plane, the plane including the Y1-Y2 direction and the Z1-Z2 direction is described as the YZ plane, and the Z1-Z2 direction and the X1-X2 direction The plane including the ZX plane is referred to as the ZX plane.

[First embodiment]
The operating device in the first embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 3. The operating device in this embodiment can be used as a controller for a home game machine, a wireless control device, or the like. Note that FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the operating device in this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside with the upper case removed.

The operating device in this embodiment includes an upper case 10, a first actuator 20, a second actuator 30, a lever 40, a coil spring 50, a third actuator 60, a lower case 70, and a first rotary variable resistor 81. , a second rotary variable resistor 82, a push switch 83, and the like. In this application, the coil spring 50 may be referred to as an elastic member.

The upper case 10 has an opening 11 in the center thereof, and an operating part 41 of a lever 40 that can be tilted is inserted through the opening 11 and exits from the upper case 10.

The first actuator 20 is elongated in the Y1-Y2 direction, has an opening 21 in the center, and has a structure in which both sides of the opening 21 in the X1 direction and the X2 direction contact the lever 40. It has become. Further, the first actuator 20 is formed with a shaft portion 22 on the Y2 side, and by tilting the operating portion 41 of the lever 40 in the X1-X2 direction, the first actuator 20 is The slider of the first rotary variable resistor 81 rotates around the Y2 direction, and the slider of the first rotary variable resistor 81 rotates through the shaft portion 22, so that the contact position with the resistance of the first rotary variable resistor 81 is adjusted. The resistance value changes as the resistance changes. As a result, information indicating that the operating portion 41 of the lever 40 is tilted in the X1-X2 direction is input.

The second actuator 30 is formed to be long in the X1-X2 direction, and has an opening 31 in the center, and both sides of the opening 31 in the Y1 and Y2 directions are connected to the operating part 41 of the lever 40. It has a contact structure. Further, the second actuator 30 is formed with a shaft portion 33 on the X1 side and a shaft portion 32 on the X2 side. By tilting the operation part 41 of the lever 40 in the Y1-Y2 direction, the second actuator 30 rotates around the X1-X2 direction, and the second rotary variable resistor is rotated through the shaft part 32. As the slider of the device 82 rotates, the contact position with the resistance of the second rotary variable resistor 82 changes, and the resistance value changes. As a result, information indicating that the operating portion 41 of the lever 40 is tilted in the Y1-Y2 direction is input.

The second actuator 30 is attached so as to cover the wider part of the lever 40 on the Z2 side, and the operating part 41 extends out from the opening 31 of the second actuator 30. As shown, the lever 40 is inserted. When the operating portion 41 of the lever 40 is tilted toward the X1 side and the X2 side, the lever 40 is movable within the opening 31 of the second actuator 30.

The first actuator 20 is attached to cover the second actuator 30, and a lever 40 is inserted into the opening 21 of the first actuator 20 so that the operating part 41 can come out. . When the operating portion 41 of the lever 40 is tilted toward the Y1 side and the Y2 side, the lever 40 is movable within the opening 21 of the first actuator 20.

Therefore, the first actuator 20 rotates around the rotation axis along the Y1-Y2 direction, and the second actuator 30 rotates around the rotation axis along the X1-X2 direction.

Next, the first rotary variable resistor 81 will be explained in more detail. Note that the second rotary variable resistor 82 also has the same structure as the first rotary variable resistor 81.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first rotary variable resistor 81 is provided with a substrate 110, a cover 120, and a rotating member 130. The substrate 110 and the cover 120 are integrally formed by insert molding or the like, and the rotating member 130 is inserted into a circular through hole in the substrate 110 and the cover 120. The substrate 110 is formed of an insulator substrate made of glass epoxy resin or the like, and the insulator substrate is provided with conductor pattern and resistor pattern wiring along the periphery of the through hole.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the first rotary variable resistor 81, the shaft portion 22 of the first actuator 20 is inserted into the center portion of the rotating member 130, and the lever 40 is moved to the X1 side or to the X2 side. By performing the operation of tilting to the side, the first actuator 20 rotates around the rotation axis along the Y1-Y2 direction, and accordingly, the first actuator 20 is connected to the shaft portion 22 of the first actuator 20. The rotating member 130 that is located rotates. The rotating member 130 is provided with a slider that slides on the conductor pattern and the resistor pattern of the substrate 110. The slider is made of a conductive material such as metal, and is in contact with the conductor pattern or resistor pattern of the substrate 110.

By rotating the rotating member 130 in this manner, the contact position between the slider provided on the rotating member 130 and the conductor pattern and resistor pattern provided on the substrate 110 changes. The resistance value obtained through the slider in contact with the conductor pattern and the resistor pattern also changes, and the angle at which the lever 40 is tilted can be detected.

By the way, if the edge of the through-hole in the board is in contact with the rotating member, and if the rotating member is rotated frequently, the edge of the through-hole in the board and the rotating member will rub, causing wear particles on the board. etc. may occur.

However, in the operating device according to the present embodiment, the edge of the through hole in the substrate 110 is covered by a part of the cover 120 formed of a resin material, and the through hole in the substrate 110 and the rotating member 130 are directly connected. Not in contact.

The operating device in this embodiment will be explained in more detail. 6 to 9 show a substrate 110 used in the first rotary variable resistor 81 and the second rotary variable resistor 82 of the operating device in this embodiment. 6 is a perspective view of the substrate 110 viewed from the Y2 side, FIG. 7 is a perspective view viewed from the Y1 side, FIG. 8 is a plan view viewed from the Y1 side, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view viewed from the YZ plane. FIG. A circular through hole 111 is provided in the center of the substrate 110, and a concentric conductor pattern 112 and a resistor pattern are formed on the Y1 side surface along the shape of the edge 111a of the circular through hole 111. 113 is formed. An electrode terminal 115 is connected to the conductor pattern 112, and electrode terminals 114 and 116 are connected to both ends of the resistor pattern 113.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rotating member 130 is provided with sliders 131, 132, etc. that slide on the conductor pattern 112 and the resistor pattern 113 of the substrate 110. The sliders 131, 132, etc. are made of a conductive material such as metal, and are in contact with the conductor pattern 112 or the resistor pattern 113 of the substrate 110.

By rotating the rotating member 130, the contact positions between the sliders 131, 132, etc. provided on the rotating member 130 and the conductor pattern 112 and resistor pattern 113 provided on the substrate 110 are adjusted. Change. As a result, the resistance value obtained through the sliders 131, 132, etc. that are in contact with the conductor pattern 112 and the resistor pattern 113 also changes, so that the angle at which the lever 40 is tilted can be detected.

In the operating device according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 19, a cover 120 is attached to cover the substrate 110, and the resin layer 121 of the cover 120 is attached to the edge of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110. 111a. Note that FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the board 110 with the cover 120 attached, as seen from the Y2 side, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the board 110 as seen from the Y1 side, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view as seen from the Y2 side. FIG. 14 is a plan view seen from the Y1 side, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the YZ plane. 16 is an enlarged view of the through hole 122 in FIG. 11, FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the through hole 122 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the Z1 side of the through hole 122 in FIG. , FIG. 19 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 18.

A through hole 122 is formed in the cover 120 with the resin layer 121 as the edge. The edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 is covered with the resin layer 121 of the cover 120, and the edge 111a of the through hole 111 is not exposed. In other words, the through hole 122 is formed by the resin layer 121 that is part of the cover 120 and is provided on the edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110, that is, on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 111. As shown in FIG. 16 and the like, a plurality of grooves 123 are formed in the resin layer 121 of the cover 120 along the Y1-Y2 direction, which is the direction through which the through hole 111 passes. A tapered portion 124 is provided on the Y1 side of each groove 123, and in the tapered portion 124, the thickness of the resin layer 121 is formed to gradually increase from the Y2 side toward the Y1 side. As shown in FIG. 17, the shape of the through hole 122 viewed from the Y2 side may be a polygon, for example, an octagon. By forming the through hole 122 into a polygonal shape, the area of contact with the rotating member 130 can be reduced, and the rotating member 130 can be rotated smoothly.

The rotating member 130 rotates while being placed inside the through hole 122 of the cover 120 covered with the resin layer 121. Since the rotating member 130 rotates in contact with the substrate 110, the rotating member 130 does not come into contact with the substrate 110. Therefore, generation of abrasion powder on the substrate 110 when the rotating member 130 repeatedly rotates can be suppressed.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the end of the tapered portion 124 on the Y1 side has a recessed burr so that molding burrs generated when molding the cover 120 can enter therein. An escape recess 125 may be provided. When the cover 120 is molded from a resin material, molding burrs may occur due to the resin, especially at the corner portions. When such molding burrs occur, the burrs and the rotating member 130 may come into contact with each other, which may impede the rotation of the rotating member 130.

In this embodiment, by providing the burr relief recess 125 in the tapered portion 124, even if molding burrs are generated, the molding burr enters the burr relief recess 125, thereby impeding the rotation of the rotating member 130. This can be prevented. Thereby, smooth rotation of the rotating member 130 can be ensured.

(Formation method)
Next, a method of integrally forming the substrate 110 and the cover 120 will be described. In this embodiment, the substrate 110 is first produced, and the substrate 110 and the cover 120 are integrally formed by insert molding using the produced substrate 110.

First, as shown in FIG. 21, a substrate 110 provided with a circular through hole 111 is prepared.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 25, the substrate 110 is sandwiched between a first mold 210 from the Y1 side of the substrate 110 and a second mold 220 from the Y2 side. The first mold 210 has a flat surface on the Y2 side and is in contact with one surface 110a of the substrate 110 on the Y1 side. The second mold 220 is provided with a cylindrical convex portion 221 that fits into the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 in the central portion. As shown in FIG. 26, a protrusion 222 that extends toward the substrate 110 side, that is, toward the edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110, is provided around the side surface of the cylindrical convex portion 221. Note that FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken at a portion of the convex portion 221 where the protrusion 222 is provided, and FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken at a portion of the convex portion 221 where the protrusion 222 is not provided. be. 24 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 22, and FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the convex portion 221 of the second mold 220 taken along a plane parallel to the ZX plane. When the convex portion 221 of the second mold 220 is inserted into the through hole 111 of the substrate 110, the edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 and the protrusion around the convex portion 221 of the second mold 220 The tip of the portion 222 comes into contact with the tip.

Thereby, the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 and the convex portion 221 of the second mold 220 are aligned. Note that the protrusion 222 provided on the protrusion 221 of the second mold 220 is provided with an inclined portion 223 that is inclined so that the height of the protrusion is lower on the Y1 side.

As shown in FIGS. 22 to 25, a space 230 is formed surrounded by the edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110, the first mold 210, and the second mold 220. If it is formed up to the Y1 end of the convex portion 221, the resin material for forming the cover 120 cannot be poured properly. Therefore, by forming the inclined part 223 at the end of the protrusion 222 in the direction in which the convex part 221 protrudes (the end in the Y1 direction), the first mold 210 and the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 A space 231 is formed between the edge 111a and the inclined portion 223. This space 231 becomes a flow path through which the supplied resin material flows.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 30, a resin material is supplied to spaces 230 and 231, which are gaps between the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 and the second mold 220, and is cured. Since the flow path formed by the inclined portion 223 is formed in the circumference along the edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110, the resin material flows along the flow path formed in the circumference. The entire edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110 can be covered with a resin material. Note that FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken at a portion where the protrusion 222 is provided in this state, and FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken at a portion where the protrusion 222 is not provided. 29 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 27, and FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 28.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, by removing the first mold 210 and the second mold 220, the integrally formed substrate 110 and cover 120 are taken out. A tapered portion 124 is formed in the portion of the cover 120 where the groove 123 is formed. Further, a resin layer 121 is formed in a portion where the groove 123 is not formed to cover the edge 111a of the through hole 111 of the substrate 110. Note that FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken at a portion where the groove 123 is provided, and FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken at a portion where the groove 123 is not provided. 33 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 31, and FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 32.

By the way, when the cover 120 is formed using the first mold 210 and the second mold 220, as shown in FIG. Molding burrs 124a may occur in some cases. When such a molding burr 124a occurs, smooth rotation of the rotary member 130 is hindered when the molding burr 124a and the rotary member 130 come into contact.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 36, the first mold 210 may be provided with a protrusion 211 for forming the burr relief recess 125. As shown in FIG. 36, the protruding portion 211 of the first mold 210 partially enters the portion where the tapered portion 124 of the cover 120 is formed.

In this way, by using the first mold 210 provided with the protrusion 211, as shown in FIG. A burr escape recess 125 is formed. Therefore, even if a molding burr 125a is generated when forming the cover 120, the molding burr 125a will be removed from the burr relief recess provided on the cover 120 as shown in FIG. 38 when the rotating member 130 is attached. 125, contact with the rotating member 130 can be suppressed.

Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments are not limited to specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

10 Upper case 11 Opening 20 First actuator 21 Opening 22 Shaft 30 Second actuator 31 Opening 32 Shaft 40 Lever 41 Operating section 50 Coil spring 60 Third actuator 70 Lower case 71 Bottom part 81 First Rotating variable resistor 82 Second rotating variable resistor 83 Push switch 110 Substrate 111 Through hole 111a Edge 112 Conductor pattern 113 Resistor patterns 114, 115, 116 Electrode terminal 120 Cover 121 Resin layer 122 Through hole 123 Groove 124 Tapered portion 125 Burr relief recess 130 Rotating member 210 First mold 220 Second mold 221 Convex portion 222 Projecting portion 223 Inclined portion 230 Space 231 Space

Claims (6)

A lever that can be tilted,
an actuator that rotates around a rotation axis when the lever is tilted;
a rotating member that rotates due to rotation of the actuator;
A board with a through hole,
a cover that covers a part of the substrate and is integrated with the substrate;
has
The edge of the through hole of the substrate is covered with a resin layer of the cover,
The rotating member rotates while being inserted inside a through hole of the cover whose edge is the resin layer,
The operating device characterized in that the resin layer is provided with a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of penetration of the through hole. 2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein an end of the groove is provided with a tapered portion in which the thickness of the resin layer gradually increases. 3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein a concave portion is provided in the tapered portion on a surface of the cover where the tapered portion is provided. The substrate is provided with a resistor pattern around the through hole,
4. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member rotates while the resistor pattern and a part of the rotating member are in contact with each other. A lever that can be tilted, an actuator that rotates around a rotation axis when the lever is tilted, a rotating member that rotates when the actuator rotates, a substrate provided with a through hole, and the substrate. a cover that covers a part of the substrate and is integral with the substrate, an edge of the through hole of the substrate is covered with a resin layer of the cover, and the rotating member is Manufacture of an operating device that rotates while being placed inside the through hole of the cover having a layer as an edge, and the resin layer is provided with a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of penetration of the through hole. A method,
The substrate is sandwiched between a first mold and a second mold, and the through hole of the substrate has a protrusion provided in the second mold around the through hole that extends toward the edge of the through hole of the substrate. inserting a convex portion and bringing the edge of the through hole of the substrate into contact with the protrusion provided on the mold for alignment;
By supplying a resin material to the gap between the substrate, the first mold, and the second mold, and curing it, the edges of the through hole of the substrate, the first mold, and the second mold are A step of forming a cover having a resin layer between it and the mold integrally with the substrate;
A method of manufacturing an operating device, comprising: An inclined part is provided at the end of the protrusion, and the height of the protrusion is lowered.
6. A space between the mold and an edge of the through hole of the substrate in the portion where the inclined portion is provided serves as a flow path through which the resin material flows. A method of manufacturing an operating device.

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