JPH07282689A - Multi-directional input switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of part items and assembling manhours by forming a single body of a center protruded part to resiliently energize a key top at a center part of a rubber sheet 7 having peripheral movable contacts. CONSTITUTION:A rubber sheet 7 having peripheral movable contacts 9a-9d is inclined by a key top 3 to bring the contacts 9a-9d into contact with fixed contacts 5a-5d on a base board 6. A single body of a center protruded part 8 is formed at a center part of this sheet 7, and the key top 3 is resiliently energized by the center part 8, so by lowering of the key top 3, the movable contacts 9a-9d in a lower surface of the center part 8 one brought into contact with a center fixed contact 4 on the board 6. The constitution is thus simplified, thereby the number of part items and assembling manhours can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multidirectional input switch that outputs an electric signal by pressing a central portion of an operating body and outputs another electric signal according to a tilting direction of the operating body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a multi-directional input switch of this type, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-121852, an operating body is held in a state in which it can be tilted in multiple directions with respect to a housing. In addition, it is proposed that a shaft member is slidably inserted into the operating body via a return spring, and a plurality of switch elements such as push switches are soldered to a substrate arranged inside the housing. . In the multi-directional input switch configured as described above, when the operating body is tilted in an arbitrary direction, the switch element located in the tilting direction is selectively pressed to output an electric signal, and the shaft member is opposed to the return spring. When it is pushed in, another switch element arranged below the shaft member is pushed to output an electric signal, and the switching operation can be performed not only by the tilting operation but also by the push operation.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional multidirectional input switch, it is necessary to solder a plurality of relatively large switch elements, such as push switches, on the substrate, and the central switch is required. Since a shaft member for pushing the element and parts such as a return spring for urging the shaft member in the housing direction are required, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps increase, and the cost increases. there were.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a multidirectional input switch which can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembling steps and is inexpensive. is there.

[0005]

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is to provide a housing having an opening, a part of the housing exposed from the opening, and an operating body which can be lifted and tilted in multiple directions. A plurality of sets of peripheral fixed contacts and peripheral movable contacts that can be brought into contact with and separated from each other, and a central input section that performs a switching operation by a pressing operation, and the peripheral fixed contacts and the peripheral movable contacts are tilted by the operation body. In a multidirectional input switch that outputs an electric signal by making contact with the central portion of the operating body and outputs another electric signal from the central input portion, the peripheral fixed contact is provided on the substrate, A rubber sheet is provided between the operating body and the operating body, the peripheral movable contact is provided on the rubber sheet, and a hollow central convex portion for urging the central portion of the operating body toward the housing is provided. Body molded, and is achieved by placing the central input portion inside of the center convex portion.

Further, the above-mentioned object of the present invention is such that a housing having an opening and a manipulating body which is partially exposed from the opening and which is held so as to be able to move up and down and tilt in multiple directions can be contacted and separated from each other. A plurality of sets of peripheral fixed contacts and peripheral movable contacts, and a central input unit for performing a switching operation by a pressing operation, and the peripheral fixed contacts and the peripheral movable contacts come into contact with each other by tilting operation of the operating body to generate electric power. In a multi-directional input switch that outputs a signal and outputs another electric signal from the central input portion by pressing the central portion of the operating body, the peripheral fixed contact is provided on a substrate, and the substrate and the operating body are provided. A rubber sheet is provided between the operating body and the peripheral movable contact, the position corresponding to the central portion of the operating body is surrounded in a circle, and the operating body is oriented in the housing direction. Integrally formed an annular convex portion for biasing,
Further, it is also achieved by disposing the central input portion at the inner center of the annular convex portion.

The central input section may be composed of a central fixed contact provided on the substrate and a central movable contact provided on the rubber sheet so as to face the central fixed contact. It may be configured by a push switch mounted.

[0008]

When the operating body is tilted in an arbitrary direction, the operating body is tilted with one end as a fulcrum, and the peripheral movable contact provided on the other end side of the operating body comes into contact with the peripheral fixed contact on the opposite substrate side. An electric signal corresponding to the tilting direction of the operating body is output by switching between the peripheral fixed contact and the peripheral movable contact. Further, when the tilting pressing force on the operating body is released, the operating body returns toward the housing due to the elastic biasing force of the central convex portion or the annular convex portion integrally formed on the rubber sheet, so that the peripheral movable contact is surrounded. It separates from the fixed contact and returns to the original switch-off state. On the other hand, if the central part of the operating body is pressed against the elastic force of the rubber sheet,
The central input portion is switched through the central convex portion or the annular convex portion, and an electric signal is output according to the push operation of the operating body. Here, when the central input portion is composed of a central movable contact provided on the rubber sheet and a central fixed contact provided on the substrate, the central movable contact comes into contact with the central fixed contact to perform switching. If the central input section is composed of a push switch mounted on the substrate, the push switch is pressed by the rubber sheet to perform switching.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a multi-directional input switch according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multi-directional input switch, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the multidirectional input switch, and FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a state when the key top included in the multidirectional input switch in FIG. 1 is tilted. Note that FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

The multidirectional input switch of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mainly composed of a housing 2 forming an outer shell and having an opening 1, and a part of the housing 2 exposed from the opening 1 so that it can be raised and lowered and tilted in multiple directions. An operation body that can be held, for example, the key top 3
And a pair of central fixed contacts 4 facing the central portion of the key top 3, and 90 ° equidistant intervals around the central fixed contact 4, and facing the peripheral portion of the key top 3, respectively. Substrate 6 with 4 sets of peripheral fixed contacts 5a-5d
And a rubber sheet 7 interposed between the substrate 6 and the key top 3. The rubber sheet 7 is located above the central convex portion 8 that elastically contacts the central portion of the key top 3 and biases the key top 3 toward the housing 2, and the peripheral fixed contacts 5a to 5d. Four peripheral projections 9a to 9d projecting to the side are integrally formed, and the central projection 8 is formed.
Has a large height dimension with respect to each of the peripheral protrusions 9a to 9d.

A hollow portion is formed below the central convex portion 8 as shown in FIG. 3, and a central movable contact 11 facing the central fixed contact 4 is provided on the lower surface of the central convex portion 8. , The central fixed contact 4 and the central movable contact 11
A central input unit that faces the central portion of the key top 3 is configured by. A hollow portion is formed below the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d as shown in FIG. 4A, and the lower surface of the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d faces the peripheral fixed contacts 5a to 5d. Peripheral movable contacts 12a, 12c and the like are provided. The lower surface of the central convex portion 8 and the substrate 6
The distance a from the upper surface of the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d is the sum of the distance b between the lower surface of the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d and the upper surface of the substrate 6 and the distance c between the upper surface of the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d and the lower surface of the key top 3. Is also set small (that is, a <b + c).

In the vicinity of the opening 1 on the rear surface side of the housing 2, four columnar protrusions 13a to 13 mounted on the substrate 6 are provided.
d is integrally provided, and between the columnar projections 13a to 13d and the opening 1, there are formed projections 14a to 14d which project downward and come into contact with the key top 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral protrusions 9a to 9d and the columnar protrusions 13a to 13d are alternately arranged at equal intervals of 45 degrees with the center protrusion 8 as the center.

The key top 3 has a flange portion 3a which projects in the outer peripheral direction and faces the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d, and a concave portion 3b which is fitted over the central convex portion 8. When the protrusions 14a to 14d of the housing 2 come into contact with the upper surface of the flange 3a, a gap having a predetermined size is formed between the upper surface of the flange 3a and the lower surface of the housing 2. When the peripheral portion of the key top 3 is pressed, one end of the collar portion 3a is pressed as shown in FIG. 4C while the collar portion 3a is in point contact with any one or two of the protrusions 14a to 14d. The key top 3 is tilted as a fulcrum, and the initial size of the gap shown in FIG. 4A is set so that the collar portion 3a of the tilted key top 3 does not interfere with the lower surface of the housing 2. Has been done. Then, the columnar protrusions 13a to 13 are formed in the four notches 15a to 15d provided on the peripheral edge of the collar portion 3a.
When the key tops 3 are engaged with each other, the key tops 3 are positioned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the key tops 3 are guided so as to move along the columnar protrusions 13a to 13d when the key tops 3 are moved up and down.

Next, the operation of the multidirectional input switch having such a configuration will be described.

When the operator pushes the central portion of the key top 3 against the elastic force of the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7 from the non-operating state shown in FIG. ), The key top 3 descends along the columnar protrusions 13a to 13d, and the pushing force of the operator is applied to the central convex portion 8. Therefore, the lower peripheral edge of the central convex portion 8 buckles and deforms. At the time when the central movable contact 11 comes into contact with the central fixed contact 4, the pair of central fixed contacts 4 become conductive (turn on) via the central movable contact 11 and a predetermined electric signal is output. It Then, when the hand is released from the key top 3 thus pushed, the elasticity of the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7 causes the key top 3 to project to the protrusions 14a to 14a.
Since it is pushed up to the height of which the position is regulated by 4d, the central convex portion 8 returns to the non-operating state shown in FIG.
Away from the central fixed contact 4 and the central movable contact 11
Becomes non-conducting (off) again.

When the peripheral portion of the key top 3 is pushed in against the elastic force of the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7, the pressing side of the key top 3 descends as shown in FIG. 4 (c). Then, the protrusion 14 of the housing 2 is provided on the opposite side of the collar 3a.
When the a and 14d come into contact with each other and the peripheral portion of the key top 3 is further pushed in, the key top 3 with the one end of the collar part 3a as a fulcrum with the collar part 3a in point contact with the protrusions 14a and 14d.
Is inclined. Therefore, since the pushing force of the operator is applied to the peripheral convex portion 9c on the pressing side, the peripheral convex portion 9c is pressed.
At the time when the peripheral movable contact 12c comes into contact with the pair of peripheral fixed contacts 5c while the lower peripheral edge of the c buckles and deforms, a pair of the peripheral fixed contacts 5c pass through the peripheral movable contact 12c. And conducts, and a predetermined electric signal is output. Then, when the hand is released from the tilted key top 3, the elastic force of the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7 causes
The descending side of the tilted key top 3 is a protrusion 14a.
Since it is pushed up to the height of which the position is regulated by ~ 14d, the peripheral convex portion 9c also returns to the initial state due to its own elastic force, and as a result, the peripheral movable contact 12c in the contact state is separated from the peripheral fixed contact 5c. The peripheral fixed contact 5c becomes non-conductive again.

Next, the repulsive force and the pressing stroke when the two parts P1 and P2 having the same distance from the center of the key top 3 are pressed will be described. For example, when the first portion P1 located on the left side of FIG. 5 is pressed, the key top 3 is tilted around the protrusions 14a and 14b on the right side of FIG. 5 as fulcrums, and the central convex portion 8 and the peripheral convex portion 9d are pressed. It On the other hand, when the second portion P2 located diagonally upper right in FIG. 5 is pressed, the protrusion 14 diagonally lower left in FIG.
The key top 3 is tilted around c as a fulcrum and the central convex portion 8 and the two peripheral convex portions 9a and 9b are pressed. as a result,
The repulsive force when pressing the first part P1 is smaller than the repulsive force when pressing the second part P2. In addition, the distance L between the action point and the force point when the first portion P1 is pressed
1 is almost equivalent to the distance L3 between the fulcrum and the fulcrum when the second part P2 is pressed, but the distance L2 between the fulcrum and the fulcrum when the first part P1 is pressed is equal to the second part P
It is smaller than the distance L4 between the force point and the fulcrum when 2 is pressed. Therefore, the pressing stroke at the first part P1 is shorter than the pressing stroke at the second part P2.
In this way, since the repulsive force and the pressing stroke are different when the first part P1 is pressed and when the second part P2 is pressed, the operator can obtain a unique operating feeling. In this type of multi-directional input switch, the operation of pressing each of the upper, lower, left and right parts of FIG. 5 like the first part P1 is mainly performed, and the operation of the second part P2 as shown in FIG. Since the operation of pressing each part located in the direction is subordinate, the operator can clearly distinguish the difference in the operational feeling between the main operation and the subordinate operation.

Next, the operation when the multidirectional input switch according to the above embodiment is applied as a menu selection input switch of a CRT will be described. In this case, by tilting the key top 3 in, for example, 4 directions or 8 directions, the menu displayed on the CRT is selected by the cursor, and then the central portion of the key top 3 is pressed to confirm the selected menu. Has become. When the center top of the rubber sheet 7 is buckled by pressing the key top 3 to the center, the center fixed contact 4 is conducted through the center movable contact 11 to output a predetermined electric signal, and then the key top 3 is further pressed. When the central portion of the is pressed, the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d are buckled, the peripheral fixed contacts 5a to 5d are conducted, and other electric signals are output, but the microcomputer program is set to give priority to the electric signal output first. The same applies when the key top 3 is tilted.

As described above, in the first embodiment, an electric signal corresponding to the tilt direction of the key top 3 and an electric signal corresponding to the push operation of the key top 3 can be output.
Since it is possible to automatically return to the initial state by the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7 if the hand is released from the key top 3 in the tilted state or the pushed state, a plurality of switch elements and return springs are incorporated as in the conventional product. Even if it is not necessary, the desired switching can be performed by the tilting operation or the push operation, and the number of parts of the multidirectional input switch and the number of assembling steps can be significantly reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, in the above embodiment, the key top 3 is guided by the columnar projections 13a to 13d which engage with the notches 15a to 15d at the peripheral edge of the key top 3, respectively. You can move up and down without causing lateral shake,
Therefore, the central movable contact 11 can be brought into stable contact with the central fixed contact 4. Further, in the above embodiment, since the rubber sheet 7 is interposed between the key top 3 and the substrate 6, the set of the central fixed contact 4 and the central movable contact 11 and other peripheral fixed contacts 5a to 5d and the peripheral movable contact are provided. 12
The set of a, 12c, etc. can be protected from dust and the like.

Although a gap of a predetermined size is formed between the upper surface of the collar portion 3a of the key top 3 and the lower surface of the housing 2, the housing 2 is sealed by sealing the gap with an elastic member such as sponge. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside. If necessary, the protrusions 14a to 14d may be omitted from the lower surface of the housing 2, and an annular protrusion may be provided to the lower surface of the housing 2 instead of the rod-shaped protrusions 14a to 14d. Further, instead of providing the protrusion on the lower surface side of the housing 2, it may be provided on the collar portion 3a of the key top 3. Further, the central convex portion 8 is fitted in the concave portion 3b on the lower surface side of the key top 3, but this is mainly for the purpose of positioning the key top 3, and it is not always necessary to fit it in the central convex portion 8. There is no.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the housing provided in the first embodiment. In FIG.
1 is a housing, and 21a to 21d are protrusions.
Members and parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals. This modification is different from the first embodiment described above in that
Projections 21a protruding downward from the rear surface of the housing 20
21d are respectively arranged above the peripheral convex portions 9a to 9d, and the other configurations are basically the same.

In the multidirectional input switch having such a structure, for example, the first portion P1 located on the left side of FIG.
When the key is pressed, the key top 3 tilts around the protrusion 21b on the right side of FIG. 6 as a fulcrum, and the central convex portion 8 and the peripheral convex portion 9d
Is pressed. On the other hand, the second one located diagonally upper right in FIG.
When the portion P2 is pressed, the key top 3 is tilted with the lower protrusion 21c and the left protrusion 21d in FIG. 6 as fulcrums, and the central convex portion 8 and the two peripheral convex portions 9a and 9b are pressed. The distance L5 between the action point and the fulcrum when the first portion P1 is pressed is larger than the distance L7 between the action point and the fulcrum when the second portion P2 is pressed, and the first portion P
Since the distance L6 between the power point and the fulcrum when pressing 1 is also larger than the distance L8 between the power point and the fulcrum when pressing the second portion P2, the ratio L5 / L6 is almost equal to the ratio L7 / L8. Become. As a result, the pressing stroke at the first part P1 and the pressing stroke at the second part P2 become substantially the same, and the difference in the operational feeling is alleviated compared to the first embodiment described above.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the central input section provided in the first embodiment, in which FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a push switch, and members and parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals. This modification is different from the above-described first embodiment in that the central input section is composed of the push switch 22 mounted on the substrate 6, and the other configurations are basically the same.

In the multidirectional input switch having the above-described structure, when the central portion of the key top 3 is pushed in against the elastic force of the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7, the lower peripheral edge of the central convex portion 8 is pushed. While buckling and causing a click feeling,
The central convex portion 8 presses the push switch 22, the push switch 22 is turned on, and a predetermined electric signal is output. When the key top 3 thus pushed is released, the key top 3 is pushed up by the elasticity of the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7, so that the push switch 22 returns to the non-operating state by its own restoring force.
It is turned off again. Push switch 22
The operability is improved because the operation feeling when pressing the center is different from that when pressing the peripheral.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a modified example of the biasing means of the key top provided in the first embodiment, in which 23 is a key top and 24 is a coil spring.
Members and parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals. This modified example is different from the above-described first embodiment in that the key top 23 is elastically biased toward the housing 2 by the central convex portion 8 of the rubber sheet 7 and is also elastically biased by the coil spring 24. The other configurations are basically the same. As a result, rattling of the key top 23 can be reliably prevented. An elastic member such as sponge may be used instead of the coil spring 24.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the multidirectional input switch according to the present invention. In FIG.
Is a key top, 26 is a central operating portion, 27 is an annular convex portion,
Reference numeral 28 denotes a rubber sheet, and members and parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 7 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The multidirectional input switch shown in FIG. 9 encloses a central operating portion 26 for operating the push switch 22 when the central portion of the key top 25 is pressed and a position corresponding to the central portion of the key top 25 in a circle. An annular protrusion 27 that elastically biases the key top 25 toward the housing 2 is integrally formed with the rubber sheet 28, and a hollow portion is formed inside the annular protrusion 27.

In the second embodiment, when the key top 25 is pushed in, the annular convex portion 27 is buckled and deformed to generate a click feeling, and an electric signal or push depending on the tilting direction of the key top 25 is generated. An electric signal corresponding to the operation can be output, and the annular projection 27 of the rubber sheet 28 can automatically return to the initial state when the key top 25 in the tilted state or the pushed state is released. When the central portion of the key top 25 is pressed, the push switch 22 is operated via the central operating portion 26.

Also in the second embodiment constructed as described above, desired switching can be performed by tilting operation or push operation without incorporating a plurality of switch elements and return springs as in the conventional product, and multidirectional The number of parts of the input switch and the number of assembly steps can be significantly reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, in the second embodiment, the key top 25 is elastically biased by the annular protrusion 27, so that the range of supporting the key top 25 is widened, and the key top 25 is
The stability of can be increased. The configuration of the second embodiment, which is not particularly described, and the operation during the push operation are the same as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the rubber sheet and the central input section provided in the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rubber sheet, in which 29 is a rubber sheet, Reference numeral 30 denotes a key top, and reference numerals 31 and 32 denote annular convex portions, and the members and parts corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 9 are designated by the same reference numerals. The rubber sheet 29 shown in FIG. 10 has a central convex portion 31 elastically contacting the central portion of the key top 30 and a circular portion surrounding a position corresponding to the central portion of the key top 30. Ring-shaped convex part 3 that touches
2, and the key top 30 is elastically biased toward the housing 2 by these two types of the central convex portion 31 and the annular convex portion 32, and the key top 30 is centered on the substrate 6 located below the central convex portion 31. Fixed contacts 11 are provided.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the operating body is pushed in any direction and tilted, the peripheral movable contact provided around the rubber sheet comes into contact with the peripheral fixed contact provided on the substrate, thereby performing switching according to the tilting direction of the operating body. When the central part of the operating body is pressed right below, the central input section operates to perform switching according to the push operation of the operating body. When the pressing force on the operating body is removed, the operating body is integrally molded on the rubber sheet. Since the elastic biasing force of the convex portion or the annular convex portion returns to the initial position, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be significantly reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a multidirectional input switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multidirectional input switch.

3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the multidirectional input switch.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state when a key top included in the multidirectional input switch of FIG. 1 is tilted.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the housing provided in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the central input section provided in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the biasing means of the keytop provided in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the multidirectional input switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the rubber sheet and the central input section provided in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rubber sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Opening 2 Housing 3 Key top (operation body) 4 Central fixed contact 5a-5d Peripheral fixed contact 6 Board 7 Rubber sheet 8 Central convex part 11 Central movable contact 12a, 12c Peripheral movable contact 13a-13d Columnar protrusion 14a-14d Protrusion 21a to 21d Protrusion 22 Push switch (central input part) 23 Key top 24 Coil spring 25 Key top 26 Central actuating part 27 Circular convex part 28 Rubber sheet 29 Rubber sheet 30 Key top 31 Central convex part 32 Circular convex part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A housing having an opening, a part of the operating body which is exposed from the opening and is held so as to be able to move up and down and tilt in multiple directions, and a plurality of sets of peripheral fixed contacts which can be contacted and separated from each other. A peripheral movable contact and a central input unit that performs a switching operation by a pressing operation are provided, and the peripheral fixed contact and the peripheral movable contact are brought into contact with each other by a tilting operation of the operating body to output an electric signal, and the operation is performed. In a multidirectional input switch that outputs another electric signal from the central input section by pressing the central part of the body, the peripheral fixed contact is provided on a substrate, and a rubber sheet is interposed between the substrate and the operating body. The rubber sheet is provided with the peripheral movable contact, and a hollow central convex portion for urging the central portion of the operating body toward the housing is integrally formed, and the central convex portion is provided inside the central convex portion. A multi-directional input switch having a central input section. 2. A housing having an opening, a part of the operating body which is exposed from the opening and is held so as to be able to move up and down and tilt in multiple directions, and a plurality of sets of peripheral fixed contacts which can be contacted and separated from each other. A peripheral movable contact and a central input unit that performs a switching operation by a pressing operation are provided, and the peripheral fixed contact and the peripheral movable contact are brought into contact with each other by a tilting operation of the operating body to output an electric signal, and the operation is performed. In a multidirectional input switch that outputs another electric signal from the central input section by pressing the central part of the body, the peripheral fixed contact is provided on a substrate, and a rubber sheet is interposed between the substrate and the operating body. And the peripheral movable contact is provided on the rubber sheet, a position corresponding to the central portion of the operating body is surrounded in a circle, and an annular convex portion for urging the operating body toward the housing is integrally formed. The multi-directional input switch is characterized in that the central input portion is arranged at the center of the inside of the annular convex portion. 3. The central input unit according to claim 1, wherein the central input section is provided on the substrate,
A multidirectional input switch comprising a central movable contact provided on the rubber sheet so as to face the central fixed contact. 4. The multidirectional input switch according to claim 1, wherein the central input section is a push switch mounted on the substrate. 5. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cutouts are provided on a peripheral edge of the operation body, and the backside of the housing is engaged with the cutouts to guide the operation body in a vertical direction. A multidirectional input switch characterized by having columnar protrusions.