JPH11312442A - Multidirectional switch and electronic apparatus using same multidirectional switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional switch having the number of part items less than before and giving satisfactory operation feeling. SOLUTION: In a multidirectional switch S, when a stem 19 is tilted, a contact part 18b of a second movable contact 18 is pressed by a second press part 19g standing on the tilting side of the stem 19, the contact part 18b makes contact with a second fixed contact 14, the second fixed contact 14 is caused to conduct to a common contact 13, and, when the stem 19 is vertically pressed in its upright state, a first movable contact 17 is displaced by a first press part 19d and makes contact with a first fixed contact 12, and the first fixed contact 12 is caused to conduct to the common contact 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-directional switch, and more particularly to a multi-directional switch capable of outputting a switching signal by one of a tilt operation and a push operation of a stem.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of this type of multi-directional switch will be described with reference to the one proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-35079. Such a multi-directional switch is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a housing 1 having an open top and an inner bottom 1a.
Is disposed below the figure. A central fixed contact 2, a common contact 3 surrounding the central fixed contact 2, and peripheral fixed contacts 4 located at four front, rear, left and right sides around the common contact 3 are exposed at the inner bottom portion 1 a. Terminals 5 connected to the central fixed contact 2, the common contact 3, and the peripheral fixed contact 4 are formed to protrude from the side surface of the housing 1. Also, four protrusions 1b are provided upright on the inner bottom portion 1a of the housing, and the housing 1 opposing the respective protrusions 1b.
A positioning portion 1c and a boss 1d are respectively formed at the four corners.

[0003] Above the central fixed contact 2, a circular dome-shaped central tact spring 6 and outside the central tact spring 6 and above the peripheral fixed contact 4, four peripheral tacts each having a rectangular outer shape. The springs 7 are arranged in four directions facing each other. The center tact spring 6 and the peripheral tact spring 7 are formed of a material having high elasticity such as SUS. The four peripheral tact springs 7 have a bulging portion 7 whose central portion sandwiched between two parallel slits bulges upward.
a is provided with elasticity. The four peripheral tact springs 7 are connected to the inner wall of the housing 1 and each projection 1b so that the bulging portion 7a is located on the peripheral fixed contact 4 with a part thereof always in contact with the common contact 3. It is positioned on the outside and is placed on the inner bottom part 1a.

The center tact spring 6 and the peripheral fixed contact 4
A first stem 8 is disposed above the first stem 8, and the first stem 8 is formed with a columnar portion 8a and a tapered skirt portion 8b. Also, four projections 8c are integrally formed on the lower surface of the skirt 8b at substantially equal intervals of 90 degrees, and these projections 8c come into contact with the bulging portions 7a of the peripheral tact springs 7 to bulge. The first stem 8 is pushed upward by the elastic force of the portion 7a. A guide hole 8e penetrating in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 8a, and four projecting pieces 8b are formed integrally at the lower peripheral edge of the skirt 8b so as to project outward. Is the positioning portion 1c of the housing 1.
The first stem 8 is slidably fitted on the inner bottom portion 1 a of the housing 1.

The guide hole 8e of the first stem 8 has a second
When the stem 9 is slidably inserted and the second stem 9 is inclined, the first stem 8 is also inclined in the same direction. When the first stem 8 is in the vertical state,
The second stem 9 is slidable up and down in the guide hole 8e of the first stem 8. Therefore, the second stem 9
And the guide hole 8e are loosely fitted. A substantially rectangular flange 9a is formed at the lower end of the second stem 9, and the flange 9a prevents upward removal. Also collar 9
A pressing projection 9b is formed at the center of the lower surface of a, and the tip of the pressing projection 9b contacts the top of the center tact spring 6 on the dome, and the second stem 9 moves upward by the elastic force of the center tact spring 6. It has been pushed up.

As described above, a cover 10 is attached from above the housing 1 in a state in which the central tact spring 6, the peripheral tact spring 7, and the first and second stems 8, 9 are respectively housed. . The lid 10 has a central hole 10a having a tapered peripheral edge that is circular and spreads downward in the center, and mounting holes 10b at four corners. A boss 1d inserted through the mounting hole 10b of the lid 10 is swaged with the skirt portion 8b of the first stem 8 penetrating the center hole 10a of the lid 10, thereby forming a conventional multidirectional switch. Have been.

The operation of the conventional multidirectional switch having such a configuration will be described. When the second stem 9 is inclined in the direction of arrow G, for example, the first stem 8 is also inclined in the same direction. The right projection 8c of the first stem 8 pushes the bulging portion 7a of the peripheral movable contact 7 downward, and the bulging portion 7a comes into contact with the peripheral fixed contact 4 to conduct electricity. When the weight applied to the second stem 9 in the direction of the arrow G is released, the first and second stems 8 and 9 are set in the upright state, and the second stem 9 in this state is pressed in the direction of the arrow J. The tip of the projection 9b presses the central portion of the central movable contact 6 on the dome, the central movable contact 6 is deformed, and the central portion contacts the central fixed contact 2 to conduct. As described above, the conventionally proposed multidirectional switch can perform a plurality of switching operations in accordance with the inclination direction of the stem, and can perform switching by a push operation of the stem.

[0008]

However, in the conventional multidirectional switch as described above, the first
Second stem 9 inserted into guide hole 8e of stem 8
However, since the back stem is fitted so that it can move up and down smoothly, when the second stem 9 is tilted, backlash occurs between the first and second stems 8 and 9 and the second stem 9 is operated. There is a problem that the operation feeling when performing is poor.
In addition, the conventionally proposed multidirectional switch has a problem that the strength of the stopper when the second stem 9 is inclined is weak because each component is downsized in response to the demand for downsizing. . Also, the first and second stems 8,
Since the nine or four peripheral tact springs 7 are individually disjointed, the number of parts is large, the assembly is complicated, and the cost is increased. The present invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost multi-directional switch which solves the above-described problems, has a good operation feeling, has a strong stopper strength, and has a small number of parts.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multidirectional switch comprising: a housing having an inner bottom; and a first fixed contact located at a center of the inner bottom. A common contact and a plurality of second fixed contacts located on the periphery of the first fixed contact; a first pressing portion located in the housing and having a central portion protruding toward the inner bottom portion; A swingable stem having a plurality of second pressing portions provided on a peripheral edge of the pressing portion and protruding in the direction of the inner bottom portion; and a slidable stem constantly connected to the common contact and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the first fixed contact. 1 movable contact, and a second movable contact having a plurality of contact portions that are always conductive to the common contact and can be brought into contact with and separated from the second fixed contact. When the stem is inclined in a predetermined direction, the stem Is inclined at the second pressing portion on the inclined side. Pressing the contact portion, the contact portion contacts the second fixed contact, conducts the second fixed contact and the common contact, and presses the stem vertically in the upright state. Then, the first movable contact is displaced by the first pressing portion to come into contact with the first fixed contact, thereby making the first fixed contact and the common contact conductive.

As a second means for solving the above problems, a stem guide portion for guiding the stem in a vertical direction is provided on an inner bottom portion of the housing, and one of the stem guide portions is provided. A convex portion is also formed on the stem on the side opposite to the portion, and when the stem is pressed vertically and moved vertically, the convex portion of the stem is guided by a part of the stem guide portion. Restricting the tilting movement of the stem, and when the stem is tilted, a part of the stem guide portion and the convex portion of the stem are opposed to each other, and the stem is directed toward the inner bottom portion. It was designed to restrict movement.

As a third means for solving the above problems, a lid having an opening is attached to the housing, and a knob protruding from the opening of the lid is attached to the stem. A stopper is provided at the base of the knob, and when the stem is inclined, the stopper comes into contact with the end surface of the opening to stop the movement of the stem. .

As a fourth solution for solving the above-mentioned problem, the second movable contact having the plurality of contact portions is formed integrally with a single spring member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided in the center of the second movable contact, and a bent portion is provided around the opening. The second movable contact is configured to be always conductive to the common contact.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the contact portion of the second movable contact includes a slit portion and a second pressing portion of the stem near the opening of the slit portion. The contact portion is configured to have an abutting portion, and an arm portion that can be in contact with and separated from the second fixed contact outside the slit portion. When the stem is inclined, the second pressing portion connects the abutting portion. The arm is displaced while being pressed, and the arm is brought into contact with the second fixed contact so as to conduct the second movable contact and the common contact.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus using a multi-directional switch according to the present invention.
A housing for housing the multidirectional switch therein, and an operating member attached to the knob of the multidirectional switch and exposed to the outside of the housing, and when the stem is tilted, the operating member is The movement of the stem is stopped by contacting a part of the housing.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus using the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, wherein the housing has an opening and a cylindrical shape is provided around the opening. When the knob or the operating member is located in the opening and the stem is tilted, either the operating member or the knob is moved inside the wall. The configuration was such that it was in contact with the peripheral surface.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus using a multi-directional switch according to the present invention, wherein the operation member has a bowl-shaped operation wall, The operation member is attached to the knob so as to close the opening of the housing, and when the stem is inclined, the inner peripheral surface of the operation wall is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion. The configuration was adopted.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a multidirectional switch according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional switch of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of a housing of the other-directional switch of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a main part of the multi-directional switch of the present invention, FIGS. FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of an essential part for explaining the operation of the multidirectional switch of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an essential part showing a part of a stem and a movable contact of the multidirectional switch of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part of an electronic device using the multidirectional switch of FIG.

The multi-directional switch S of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially circular first concave portion 11 having an open upper portion is provided.
a is formed, and a housing 11 in which an inner bottom portion 11b having a predetermined depth is formed is disposed in the first concave portion 11a below the drawing. The housing 11 is made of an insulating material such as a resin material, and has a circular second concave portion 11c formed by lowering a central portion of the inner bottom portion 11b by a predetermined dimension, and a second concave portion 11c is formed at a central portion of the second concave portion 11c. The first fixed contact 12 is exposed on the same plane as the bottom surface of the first fixed contact 12. A substantially arc-shaped common contact 13 is exposed and disposed on the same plane as the inner bottom portion 11b outside the second recess 11c.

4 directions around the common contact 13
Second fixed contacts 14 are separated from each other,
1b, it is exposed and arranged on the same plane. The first and second fixed contacts 12, 14 and the common contact 13 are:
Each is formed of a conductive member such as a metal plate, and is integrated with the housing 11 by insert molding or the like. Also, from the left and right side surfaces of the housing 11 in the figure, a terminal 15 a connected to the first fixed contact 12, a terminal 15 b connected to the common contact 13, and four terminals connected to the four second fixed contacts 14, respectively. A plurality of terminals 15 including the individual terminals 15c are formed so as to protrude and are bent downward.

A substantially circular first corner at four corners of the housing 11
The positioning groove 11d and the upper surface 1
A boss 11e projecting upward from 1f is formed. Further, four stem guide portions 16 are provided upright in four directions on the diagonal line of the housing 11 at positions equidistant from the first fixed contact 12. The four stem guide portions 16 are formed at one location on the inner bottom 11b and at three locations on the surface of the common contact 13 as shown in FIG. The stem guide portion 16 has an inner peripheral portion formed in two steps, and is provided with a guide surface 16a on the lower side and a projection 16b which is a part of the stem guide portion 16 on the outer side above the guide surface 16a. . A substantially spherical outer wall 16c is formed on the outside, and a stem guide portion 16 having a predetermined height is provided.

Above the first fixed contact 12, the 4
A dome-shaped first movable contact 17 having a circular outer shape and a central portion bulging upward is provided, the periphery of which is positioned on the guide surface 16 a of each of the stem guide portions 16. The first movable contact 17 is made of a spring member such as phosphor bronze or SUS. The outer peripheral portion is placed on the common contact 13 and is always in conduction with the common contact 13. And
When a central portion expanded in a dome shape is pressed by a stem 19 described later, the central portion is displaced and inverted, so that the first fixed contact 12 and the common contact 13 are conducted through the first movable contact 17. It has become.

At the four stem guides 16 outside the first movable contact 17, a second movable contact 18 having a central portion punched into a substantially rectangular shape and having an opening 18a is attached. The second movable contact 18 is made of a single spring member such as phosphor bronze or SUS, has an external shape formed in a petal shape, and has an arc-shaped contact portion 18b protruding outward from four directions of the outer peripheral portion. Have been. This respective contact part 1
8b includes a slit portion 18f, a contact portion 18e inside the slit portion 18f, which contacts a stem 19 described later near the opening 18a, and a second portion outside the slit portion 18f.
It is composed of a fixed contact 14 and an arm portion 18c that can be brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contact 14. At the center of the arm portion 18c, a convex portion 18d having a minute height protruding downward in the figure is formed, and the convex portion 18d can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the second fixed contact 14.

The contact portion 18b is in a state where the arm portion 18c and the contact portion 18e are separated from each other by the slit portion 18f. Further, a bent portion 18g which is bent downward at a predetermined height is provided on an inner side surface composed of four surfaces constituting the opening 18a. Then, the four corners of the opening 18 a of the second movable contact 18 are inserted into the stem guide 16, and the lower end of the bent portion 18 g contacts the surface of the common contact 13, and the common contact 13 and the second contact
The movable contact 18 is always in conduction.

A stem 19 for operating the first and second movable contacts 17 and 18 is provided above the first and second movable contacts 17 and 18. This stem 19
Is formed of a resin material or the like, and has a prismatic knob 19a protruding upward from the center portion, and a circular stopper 19b formed at a root of the knob 19a with a predetermined step. A spherical skirt portion 19c which extends obliquely downward and outward is formed below the stopper portion 19b.
The inside of the skirt portion 19c is hollow. A first pressing portion 19d is formed such that a center portion of the inside of the cavity of the skirt portion 19c protrudes in the direction of the inner bottom portion 11b, and a center of a lower end of the first pressing portion 19d for pressing the first movable contact 17 is provided. The protrusion 19e is formed to protrude.

Around the first pressing portion 19d, on the side facing the projection 16b which is a part of the stem guide portion 16,
A projection 19f projecting in the direction of the inner bottom 11b is formed at a predetermined height. On the lower surface side of the skirt portion 19c, four second pressing portions 19g protruding in the direction of the inner bottom portion 11b are formed on the peripheral edge of the first pressing portion 19d at regular intervals of substantially 90 degrees. When the outer periphery of the first pressing portion 19d of the stem 19 is positioned on the guide surfaces 16a of the four stem guide portions 16, the protrusion 19e of the first pressing portion 19d is formed.
Are located on the first movable contact 17 and the four second pressing portions 19
g is located on the four contact portions 18 b of the second movable contact 18. Four protrusions 19h having a predetermined width are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the lower portion of the skirt portion 19b so as to protrude outward. The protrusions 19h are slidably engaged with the positioning grooves 11d of the housing 11. Thereby, the stem 19 is prevented from rotating in the concave portion 11a.

Above the housing 11, there is provided a lid 20, which houses the first and second movable contacts 17, 18 and the stem 19 as described above in the recess 11a of the housing 11 and presses the same from above. Installed. The lid 20 is made of a metal plate or the like, and has an outer shape formed in a substantially rectangular shape.
Is formed. The peripheral wall 20a is formed in substantially the same shape as the spherical shape of the skirt 19c of the stem 19. At four corners of the lid 20, mounting holes 2 through which the bosses 11e of the housing 11 are inserted.
0c are respectively formed. Then, the knob 19 a of the stem 19 is projected upward from the opening 20 b of the lid 20, and four mounting holes 20 c are formed in a state where the inner surface of the peripheral wall 20 a presses the spherical skirt 19 c of the stem 19. And the tip of the boss 11e is caulked to form the multi-directional switch S of the present invention.

The operation of the multi-directional switch S of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Explanation will be given based on FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state before the stem 19 is operated, and the first pressing portion 19d of the stem 19 is shown.
Are located on the first movable contact 17, and the second pressing portion 19 g is located on the contact portion 18 b of the second movable contact 18. And the stem 19 is made up of the first and second movable contacts 17 and 18.
It is pressed by the upper lid 20 and is in an upright state. At this time, the multidirectional switch S is connected to the first and second movable contacts 1.
Reference numerals 7 and 18 are in a neutral state away from the first and second fixed contacts 12 and 14. In this neutral state, the outer peripheral surface of the first pressing portion 19d of the stem 19 is guided by the guide surfaces 16a of the four stem guide portions 16,
It guides the inclination and vertical vertical movement of the stem 19.

Next, the stem 19 in the neutral state and the upright state.
Is moved in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.
The protrusion 19e of the pressing portion 19d presses the center of the first movable contact 17, the first movable contact 17 is reversed and displaced, and comes into contact with the first movable contact 12 to be electrically conducted. The stem 1
9 is moved in the vertical direction in the direction of arrow A, the protrusion 16f of the stem 19 is guided by the projection 16b which is a part of the stem guide portion 16, so that even if a load in the direction of arrow B is applied to the stem 19, The stem 19 restricts the tilting movement.

For this reason, when the first movable contact 17 is electrically connected to the first fixed contact 12 and is turned on, the stem 19 does not tilt, so that the contact portion 18b of the second movable contact 18 is connected to the second fixed contact 14 It does not come into contact with and conduct.
When the stem 19 moves in the direction of arrow A and the first movable contact 17 and the first fixed contact 12 are ON, the second
The movable contact 18 is, as shown in FIG.
Presses the contact portion 18b to move the arm portion 18c slightly downward. However, the contact portion 18b does not contact the second fixed contact 14 to conduct electricity. The first fixed contact 1
When the switch 2 and the common contact 13 are electrically connected via the first movable contact 17 and turned on, an external control unit (not shown) can detect this ON signal.

Next, the weight applied to the stem 19 in the direction of the arrow A is released, and the stem 19 is returned to the neutral state. Then, as shown in FIG. Is pressed, the stem 19 is inclined in the direction of arrow B with the first pressing portion 19d guided by the four stem guides 16 as a fulcrum. At this time, the second pressing portion 19g on the side where the stem 19 is inclined presses the contact portion 18b of the second movable contact 18, and the contact portion 18b comes into contact with the second fixed contact 14, and the second fixed contact 14 And the common contact 13 are conducted through the second movable contact 18 to be turned on. When the stem 19 is tilted, the projection 16b, which is a part of the stem guide portion 16, and the convex portion 19f of the stem 19 face each other, so that the movement of the stem 19 toward the inner bottom portion 11b is restricted. ing. Therefore, when the stem 19 is tilted and the second movable contact 18 is in contact with the second fixed contact 14 and is turned ON, the stem 19 is attached to the inner bottom portion 11b.
Even if a pressing force in the direction is applied, the movement of the stem 19 is regulated, and the first movable contact 17 is pressed, so that the first fixed contact 1
There is no such thing as contact with 2 and conduction.

The detailed movement of the contact portion 18b of the second movable contact 18 when the stem 19 is tilted in the direction of arrow B will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6C. . First, when the stem 19 is in the upright state and in the neutral state in which none of the contact portions are ON, the stem 19 is also in the upright state. FIG. 6A shows the second movable contact 18 and a part of the stem 19 when such a stem 19 is in a neutral state. The stem 19 in the neutral state is indicated by an arrow B shown in FIG.
When tilted in the direction, the second pressing portion 19g
Is pressed.

Then, the arm portion 18 having the convex portion 18d
6c is displaced downward in conjunction with the movement of the contact portion 18e, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the projection 18d contacts one of the second fixed contacts 14 to conduct. At this time, the stem 19 is in a state inclined to the inclination angle D shown in FIG. When the stem 19 tilted to the tilt angle D is further moved in the direction of arrow B and overstroke by the angle E, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7C, the second pressing portion 19g further contacts the contact portion 18d.
Is pressed in the direction of the inner bottom portion 11b, the stopper portion 19b of the stem 19 comes into contact with the end surface of the opening 20b of the lid 20, and the arrow B of the stem 19 of the multidirectional switch S before being incorporated into an electronic device H described later. Movement in the direction can be stopped. In the multidirectional switch S of the present invention, the stem 19
Since the second movable contact 18 comes into contact with the second fixed contact 14 to be turned ON after contact with the second fixed contact 14, the overstroke can be further performed by the angle E. Therefore, it is assumed that the height dimension of the contact portion 18b varies. Also, the second movable contact 18 can be securely connected to the second fixed contact 1 within the range of the angle E of the overstroke.
4 to be turned on.

The multi-directional switch S of the present invention has the following features.
It is widely used for electronic devices such as a remote control for a car navigator or a game pad for a NES. An electronic device H using the multidirectional switch S of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the electronic device H is provided with a housing 21 for housing the multi-directional switch SS of the present invention inside.
A circular opening 21a is provided in an upper portion of the housing 21, and a cylindrical wall 21b is provided around the opening 21a with an inner peripheral surface 21c. The multi-directional switch S is mounted on the printed circuit board 2 in a state where the neutral knob 19a of the stem 19 is positioned substantially at the center of the opening 21a.
2 attached. The printed circuit board 22 has the multi-directional switch S of the present invention, a plurality of other electronic components, and the like attached thereto and is housed in the housing 21.

An operation member 23 is attached to the knob 19a of the multi-directional switch S attached to the printed circuit board 22. The operation member 23 is formed with a bowl-shaped operation wall 23a having an inner peripheral surface 23b.
The boss 23c of the operation member 23 is attached to the knob 19a by press fitting or the like so as to close the opening 21a of the housing 21 with 3a. As shown in FIG. 8, when the operating member 23 is moved in the direction of arrow B and the stem 19 is tilted to the angle D, the second movable contact 18 comes into contact with the second fixed contact 14 and turns ON. Further, the stem 19 is overstroke in the direction of arrow B and is moved by the angle F so that the outer periphery of the boss 23c of the operating member 23 contacts the inner peripheral surface 21c of the wall 21b constituting the opening 21a. Stem 19
In the direction of arrow B can be stopped.

The angle F of the overstroke of the stem 19 when the multi-directional switch S is incorporated in the electronic device H.
Is set to be smaller than the angle E of the overstroke when the multi-directional switch S shown in FIG. 5 is used alone. Therefore, before the stopper inside the multi-directional switch S works, the stopper works on the electronic device H side. Therefore, the multi-directional switch S of the present invention does not receive the operation load for tilting the stem 19. Therefore, it is possible to provide the multi-directional switch S with a long life and high accuracy. Further, since the operation load for tilting the stem 19 is received by the inner peripheral surface 21c of the wall 21b of the housing 21, the stopper load when the stem 19 is tilted can be increased.

In the electronic device H using the multi-directional switch S of the present invention, the boss 23c of the operating member 23 has been described as being in contact with the inner peripheral surface 21c of the wall 21b.
The knob 19a is extended, and the knob 19a is attached to the wall 21b.
May be in contact with the inner peripheral surface 21c. That is, when the knob 19a or the operating member 23 is positioned in the opening 21a and the stem 19 is tilted, either the operating member 23 or the knob 19a is moved to the wall 21.
b is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface 21c.

The stopper when the stem 19 is tilted is moved to the inner peripheral surface 23b of the operation wall 23a of the operation member 23.
May be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface 21d of the wall 21b of the housing 21. At the same time, the inner peripheral surface 23b of the operation wall 23a of the operation member 23 contacts the outer peripheral surface 21d of the wall 21b of the housing 21, and at the same time, the boss 23c is moved to the inner peripheral surface 2 of the wall 21b.
1c may be used. In the multidirectional switch S of the present invention, the slit 18f is provided between the arm 18c of the contact 18b and the contact 18e. However, the slit 18f is not provided, and the contact 18b is not provided. May be one in which an abutment portion 18e is continuously provided near the inside of the arm portion 18c.

[0039]

According to the multidirectional switch of the present invention, when the stem is inclined in a predetermined direction, the second stem on the inclined side is tilted.
The pressing portion presses the contact portion of the second movable contact, so that the contact portion comes into contact with the second fixed contact to make the second fixed contact and the common contact conductive, and that the stem is vertically upright. When pressed in the direction, the first movable contact is displaced by the first pressing portion of the stem and comes into contact with the first fixed contact, so that the first fixed contact and the common contact are electrically connected. The movement in the vertical direction and the operation of inclining by moving in the lateral direction can be performed separately, and the first movement can be reliably performed.
And the second movable contact can be turned on separately, and a highly accurate multi-directional switch can be provided.

Further, a stem guide portion for guiding the stem in the vertical direction is provided on the inner bottom of the housing, and a protruding portion is also formed on the stem on the side facing a part of the stem guide portion. When the stem is pressed in the vertical direction, the stem is guided by the stem guide portion to move the stem in the vertical direction, and when the stem is inclined, a part of the stem guide portion and the stem When the first movable contact is turned ON by vertically pressing the stem, the stem is inclined because the protrusion is opposed to the stem and restricts the movement of the stem toward the inner bottom. And the second movable contact cannot be turned on. Further, when the second movable contact is turned on by inclining the stem, the stem cannot be pressed downward, and the first movable contact cannot be turned on. First,
It is possible to provide a high-performance multi-directional switch in which the second movable contact is not turned on at the same time and which is free from erroneous operation.

Further, a lid provided with an opening is attached to the housing, a knob protruding from the opening of the lid is provided on the stem, and a stopper is provided at the root of the knob. When the stem is tilted, the stopper comes into contact with the end face of the opening, so that the movement of the stem can be stopped. Therefore, the stem is tilted by the multi-directional switch before being attached to the electronic device. Even if a lateral force is applied, the inclination of the stem can be regulated by the stopper portion, and the handleability is good.

Further, since the second movable contact having a plurality of contact portions is integrally formed by a single spring member, the number of parts can be reduced, the assemblability can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the second movable contact is provided with an opening in the center and a bent portion is provided around the opening so that the bent portion always connects the second movable contact to the common contact. Therefore, it is possible to provide a multidirectional switch with a small number of parts and good assemblability.

The contact portion of the second movable contact includes a slit portion, a contact portion where the second pressing portion of the stem comes into contact with the opening portion of the slit portion, and the contact portion outside the slit portion. When the stem is tilted, the second pressing portion presses the contact portion and displaces the arm portion, and the arm portion displaces the arm portion. Since the second movable contact and the common contact are brought into conduction with the second fixed contact,
Even if you overstroke when tilting the stem,
The load applied to the contact portion can be absorbed by the slit portion, and unreasonable load is not applied to the arm portion, and the contact life of the second movable contact can be improved.

Further, in claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, the housing for accommodating the multidirectional switch therein, and the operation of being attached to the knob of the multidirectional switch and exposed to the outside of the housing. When the stem is tilted, the operating member comes into contact with a part of the housing to stop the movement of the stem, so that the weight of the stopper when the stem is tilted is large. It does not participate in the direction switch. Therefore, the life of the multidirectional switch attached inside the housing can be extended.

In addition, an opening is provided in the housing, a cylindrical wall is provided around the opening, and the knob or the operating member is located in the opening, and the stem is inclined. At this time, either the operation member or the knob is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the wall, so that the life of the multidirectional switch attached inside the housing can be extended.

Further, a bowl-shaped operation wall is formed on the operation member, and the operation member is attached to the knob so that the operation wall covers the opening of the housing, and the stem is inclined. At this time, since the inner peripheral surface of the operation wall is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wall portion, the life of the multidirectional switch attached inside the housing can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the housing of the other-way switch of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a main part of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an essential part for explaining the operation of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an essential part for explaining the operation of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a part of a stem and a movable contact of the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of an electronic device using the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of an electronic device using the multidirectional switch of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of a main part of a conventional multidirectional switch.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S Multidirectional switch 11 of the present invention 11 Housing 11a First concave portion 11b Inner bottom portion 12 First fixed contact 13 Common contact 14 Second fixed contact 15 Terminal 16 Stem guide portion 16a Guide surface 16b Projection 16c Outer wall 17 First movable contact 18 Second Movable contact 18a Opening 18b Contact 18c Arm 18d Convex 18e Contact 18f Slit 18g Bend 19 Stem 19a Knob 19b Stopper 19d First press 19f Convex 19g Second press 20 Lid 20a Peripheral edge Wall 20b Opening H Electronic device 21 Lid 21a Opening 21b Wall 21c Inner peripheral surface 21d Outer peripheral surface 22 Printed circuit board 23 Operation member 23a Operation wall 23b Inner peripheral surface 23c Boss

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A housing having an inner bottom portion, a first fixed contact located at a center of the inner bottom portion, a common contact and a plurality of second fixed contacts located at a periphery of the first fixed contact, and the housing A first pressing portion whose central portion protrudes in the direction of the inner bottom portion, and a plurality of second pressing portions provided on a peripheral edge of the first pressing portion and protruding in the direction of the inner bottom portion.
A swingable stem having a pressing portion, a first movable contact that is always conductive to the common contact, and is capable of contacting and separating with the first fixed contact, and is always conductive to the common contact, and has a second fixed contact. A second movable contact having a plurality of contact portions that can be contacted and separated, and when the stem is inclined in a predetermined direction, the stem presses the contact portion with the second pressing portion on the inclined side, The contact portion contacts the second fixed contact and the second fixed contact;
When the fixed contact and the common contact are conducted, and when the stem is pressed vertically in the upright state,
A multidirectional switch, wherein the first movable contact is displaced by the first pressing portion to come into contact with the first fixed contact, thereby making the first fixed contact and the common contact conductive. 2. A stem guide portion for guiding movement of the stem in a vertical direction is provided on an inner bottom portion of the housing, and a convex portion is formed on a stem on a side facing a part of the stem guide portion. When the stem is pressed in the vertical direction and moved in the vertical direction, a part of the stem guide portion guides the convex portion of the stem to regulate the tilting movement of the stem, and also tilts the stem. A part of said stem guide portion and said convex portion of said stem are in a state of opposition to each other, so that movement of said stem toward an inner bottom portion is restricted. Multidirectional switch as described. 3. A lid provided with an opening is attached to the housing, a knob protruding from the opening of the lid is provided on the stem, and a stopper is provided at a root of the knob. 3. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein when the stem is tilted, the stopper comes into contact with an end surface of the opening to stop the movement of the stem. . 4. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein the second movable contact having the plurality of contact portions is integrally formed by a single spring member. 5. The second movable contact is provided with an opening at a central portion and a bent portion is provided around the opening so that the second movable contact is always connected to the common contact at the bent portion. Claim 1, characterized in that:
The multidirectional switch according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. The contact portion of the second movable contact includes a slit portion, an abutting portion where the second pressing portion of the stem abuts near the opening of the slit portion, and an outer portion of the slit portion. When the stem is inclined, the second pressing portion presses the contact portion and displaces the arm portion, and the arm portion is displaced. 6. The multi-directional switch according to claim 5, wherein said second fixed contact makes contact with said second movable contact and said common contact. 7. The multi-directional switch according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the multi-directional switch is housed therein, and the multi-directional switch is attached to the knob and exposed to the outside of the housing. An electronic member, wherein when the stem is inclined, the operation member is brought into contact with a part of the housing to stop the movement of the stem. 8. An opening is provided in the housing, a cylindrical wall is provided around the opening, and the knob or the operating member is located in the opening, and the stem is inclined. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein when operated, one of the operation member and the knob is brought into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the wall. 9. The operation member has a bowl-shaped operation wall formed thereon, and the operation member is attached to the knob so as to cover the opening of the housing with the operation wall, and the stem is inclined. 9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the operation wall is brought into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the wall portion.