JPH117867A - Multidirectional switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operating feeling of a multidirectional switch. SOLUTION: In this switch, a key top member has a longitudinal key top member 100 as a first key top member and a lateral key top member 200 as a second key top member different from it. The longitudinal key top member 100 has a first protruding part 121 protruded on the lower surface side in a position where the longitudinal key top member 100 crosses the lateral key top member 200, and the lateral key top member 200 has a through-hole part 222 for inserting the first protruding part 121 from the upper surface side and second protruding parts 22a, 22a protruded on the lower surface on both sides of the through-hole part 222. Both protruding parts 121, 221 preferably have curved surfaces on the top end side. The lateral key top member 200 is preferably prevented from being deflected by a deflection preventing member 300 to be set from above it.

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 mainly used in electronic game machines and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional multidirectional switch, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-76228,
Some have a key top member in which a vertical key top member and a horizontal key top member are integrally formed (hereinafter, referred to as a key top member).
This multidirectional switch is referred to as a “first multidirectional switch”. ). As another conventional multidirectional switch, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-68272, a vertical key top member and a horizontal key top member are formed as separate members, and they are combined. There is a switch having a key top member (hereinafter, this multi-directional switch is referred to as a “second multi-directional switch”).

[0003]

However, in the first conventional multi-directional switch, the key top portion pressed by the operator has a vertical key top member for operating the vertical direction, and a key top portion for operating the vertical direction. Since the lateral key top member for operation is integrally molded, the operator presses the right key part from the state of pressing the upward key part, for example, when pressing the right key part. Since the right key portion has already been slightly pressed at the stage where the key portion is pressed, the so-called click feeling when shifting to the pressing stage of the right key portion was small. Therefore, a good operation feeling could not be obtained.

In the second conventional multidirectional switch, the vertical key top member and the horizontal key top member are formed as separate members, and the vertical key top member is separated from the center. It is supported by the protrusion formed at the position. For this reason, when a force is applied to the entire vertical key top member from above, only the clearance (gap) to the horizontal key top member located below the vertical key top member is obtained. The entire vertical key top member sinks. Therefore, a so-called click feeling was small even if only the key portion in any direction of the vertical key top member was pressed next time. Therefore, a good operation feeling could not be obtained. Further, since the vertical key top member is supported by a protrusion formed at a position distant from the center, the vertical key top member is vulnerable to being pushed from above at the center.

[0005] A main object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional switch with an improved operability.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a multidirectional switch according to the present invention comprises a key top member comprising a first key top member and a second key top member separate from the first key top member. Wherein the first key-top member and the second key-top member intersect each other at a position where the first key-top member protrudes from a lower surface of the first key-top member. The second key top member includes a through hole into which the first protrusion is inserted from an upper surface side thereof, and a second key top member provided on both lower surfaces of both sides of the through hole. And a projection.

Therefore, by this means, the multi-directional switch of the present invention can provide a position where the first key-top member and the second key-top member intersect each other (that is, this position is usually near the center of the multi-directional switch). ), The first key top member is supported by the first convex portion projecting from the lower surface side. In addition, the second key top member is also supported by the second protrusion projecting from the lower surface side.

[0008] Further, the biconvex portion is characterized in that one or both of the distal ends has a curved surface. By this means, in the multidirectional switch of the present invention, the first key-top member and / or the second key-top member is smoothly inclined along the curved surface.

Further, the second key top member is characterized in that it has a deflection preventing member which is installed from above the first key top member. By this means, in the multidirectional switch of the present invention, since the bending preventing member is provided for the second key top member, the bending of the second key top member is prevented.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a part provided with a multi-directional switch when the multi-directional switch according to the present invention is implemented as a part of a video game apparatus, that is, in a video game apparatus, the multi-directional switch is normally a left-hand switch. An embodiment of the left side portion of the video game device provided with a multi-directional switch to be operated by the thumb will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vertical key top member, a horizontal key top member, and a deflection preventing member which form a part of a multidirectional switch according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal key according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows a top member, (A) is a top view,
(B) is a front view, (C) is a bottom view, FIG. 3 is a view showing a lateral key top member according to the present invention, (A) is a plan view,
4 (B) is a front view, FIG. 4 (C) is a bottom view, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which a horizontal key top member, a vertical key top member, and a deflection preventing member forming a part of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention are combined. (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view,
(C) is a bottom view, FIG. 5 is a view showing a cover part of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a bottom view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a click rubber portion of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, wherein FIG.
7B is a front view, FIG. 7C is a bottom view, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a substrate part of the multidirectional switch, FIG. 8 is a view showing a bottom case part of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, and FIG. Plan view,
(B) is a front view, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a multi-directional switch α according to the present invention includes a vertical key top member 100 as a first key top member and a horizontal key top member 100 as a second key top member. The direction key top member 200, the deflection preventing member 300, and the cover portion 4 positioned from the upper side thereof
00, a click rubber portion 5 located below the vertical key top member 100 and the horizontal key top member 200.
00, a substrate section 600 located below the click rubber section 500, and a bottom case section 700 located below the substrate section 600.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical key top member 100 includes two substantially cylindrical key portions 110 and 11.
0, a substantially prismatic connecting portion 120 for connecting the bottom sides of the key portions 110 and 110 to each other,
121 as a first protrusion protruding from the lower surface side of
And on the extension of the connecting portion 120, the key portion 110,
Hook-up prevention projections 130 and 13 protruding from the outer edge of
0. In addition, the convex part 121 has a curved surface on the tip side. The key portion 110 has a curved surface with a tapered upper edge.

As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal key top member 200 includes two substantially cylindrical key portions 210 and 21.
0 (the shape is the same as 110), these key portions 210,
A connecting portion 220 that connects the bottom surface side of each other to each other via a curved portion 220a; a through-hole portion 222 having a substantially rectangular opening provided at the center of the connecting portion 220;
The projections 221 and 2 as second projections projecting from both sides of the through hole 222 (both sides orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lateral key top member 200) on the lower surface side of the central portion of the projection 20.
21, a key portion 210 on the upper surface side of the connecting portion 220,
Holes 223 and 223 for inserting the deflection preventing member 300 formed on the side of the connecting part 220 and the (curved part 2
The protrusion 23 protruding from the outer edge of the key portion 210 on the extension of the upper portion (excluding the portion 20a).
0, 230.

The projections 221 and 221 of the connecting portion 220
Has a curved surface on the tip side. The width y1 of the concave space portion 220b located on the upper side of the curved portion 220a of the connecting portion 220 (see FIG. 3B) is the width x1 of the connecting portion 120 of the vertical key top member 100 [FIG. Reference]. The opening of the through-hole portion 222 is formed in such a size that the convex portion 121 of the vertical key top member 100 can be inserted with a margin. The sum y2 (see FIG. 3B) of the height of the protrusion 221 of the connection part 220 and the height of the connection part 220 located above the connection part 220 is the height x2 of the protrusion 121 of the vertical keytop member 100 [ 2 (B)]. The horizontal key top member 200 has a height y3 (that is, a vertical distance from the upper surface of the key portion 210 to the tip end of the convex portion 221) [FIG.
(B)) but the height x of the vertical key top member 100.
3 (that is, the vertical distance from the upper surface side of the key portion 110 to the tip end side of the convex portion 121) (see FIG. 2B).

The deflection preventing member 300 is formed in a substantially U-shape as shown in FIG. The material is preferably a metal.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 400 is a housing on the upper side of the multi-directional switch α, and has a top surface portion 401 and a columnar column portion 402 protruding from the lower surface side of the top surface portion 401. , 402, 402, 402, and the support portions 402, 402, 40 on the lower surface side of the top surface portion 401.
A click rubber pressing frame portion 403 protruding in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape from the inside of the second and the second 402 is provided.

The top surface portion 401 is provided with four substantially elliptical through-hole portions 410, 410, 410, 410. The size and interval of the through-holes 410, 410, 410, 410 are determined by the tip side of the key portions 110, 110 of the horizontal key top member 100 and the vertical key top member 200.
The key portions 210, 210 have a size and an interval that can be inserted into the leading ends of the key portions 210, 210, respectively, and the key portions 110, 11
After the front end sides of 0, 210, 210 are pressed, the size and the interval are set so as not to be caught on the outer edges of the through-hole portions 410, 410, 410, 410 when the click rubber portion 500 described later pushes back again. Have been.

The column portion 402 has a height a1
The height a2 of the click rubber holding frame portion 403 and the thickness b1 of the bottom surface portion 500a of the click rubber portion 500 described later.
It is formed so as to be slightly lower than a value (a2 + b1) obtained by adding [see FIG. 6B]. That is, when the below-described substrate unit 600 is installed on the lower surface side of the cover unit 400, the distance a3 between the upper surface side of the substrate unit 600 and the lower surface side of the click rubber pressing frame 403 is the click rubber unit described later. The thickness is slightly smaller than the thickness b1 of the bottom surface portion 500a of the 500 (thus, the bottom surface portion 500a of the click rubber portion 500 is pressed and fixed at the interval a3). Further, the support portion 402 has a screw hole 402a formed from the lower surface side.

As shown in FIG. 6, the click rubber section 500 is a single substantially square rubber sheet having insulating properties. The click rubber section 500 is provided with the key section 11.
This is for giving a click feeling when 0, 110, 210, 210 are pressed. Click rubber section 500
The four click projections 501, 501, 50
1, 501 are formed. Click convex parts 501,5
01, 501, 501 are the vertical key top members 100
Are provided at positions where the lower surfaces of the key portions 110 and 110 and the lower surfaces of the key portions 210 and 210 of the lateral key top member 200 can come into contact with each other.

The click projections 501, 501, 50
The conductive rubbers 511, 511, 511, and 511 in a substantially circular sheet shape are adhered and fixed to the lower surfaces of the first and the first 501. The lower surface position of the conductive rubber 511 is set higher than the lower surface position of the bottom surface portion 500a of the click rubber portion 500. Also, the click projections 501, 501, 50
A plurality of shallow grooves 520 are formed on the lower surface side of 1, 501 toward the periphery thereof. The shallow groove portion 520 is for bleeding air on the lower surface side when the click convex portion 501 is pressed. Click rubber part 50
0, the convex portion 1 of the vertical key top member 100
21 and the projections 221, 2 of the lateral key top member 200.
21 having at least a size that can be inserted thereinto.
Is provided.

On the upper surface of the substrate section 600, a switch pattern (not shown) and a circuit pattern connected to the switch pattern are formed. From the circuit pattern to a predetermined position on the right side of the video game device (not shown in FIG. 9). They are connected by a wiring member (not shown). The substrate section 600 has screw holes 600a, 600a, 6 at the four corners.
00a and 600a are provided.

The bottom case 700 is a lower housing corresponding to the cover 400, as shown in FIG. On the upper surface side, the support portion 40 of the cover portion 400 is provided.
2, 402, 402, 402, the substrate support pillars 702, 702, 702, 702 protrudingly provided at positions on the lower surface side, and a click rubber portion inside the substrate support pillars 702, 702, 702, 702. 500 click protrusions 50
1, 501, 501, and 501, and a substrate center support pillar 703 protruding from a position on the lower surface side. The substrate support column 702 has screw holes 702a, 702a, 702a, 7
02a is formed. These substrate support pillars 702,
702, 702, 702 and substrate center support pillar 703
Is set so that the thickness of the substrate part 600 is accommodated.

A method of assembling the multi-directional switch α formed by the above components will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
Then, the protrusion 121 of the vertical key top member 100 is inserted. Next, the bending prevention member 300 is inserted into the holes 223 and 223 of the lateral key top member 200.
At this time, the deflection preventing member 300 is fixed to the lateral key top member 200 using fixing means such as an adhesive (not shown). The state at this stage is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this state, the deflection preventing member 300 is attached to the horizontal key top member 20.
Even if two key parts 210, 210 of 0 are pressed simultaneously,
It functions so that the lateral key top member 200 is unlikely to be bent. Also, as can be seen from FIG. 4B and the like, in this state, the vertical key top member 100
When 0 is pressed, the convex portion 1 of the vertical key top member 100 is pressed.
With the fulcrum 21 as a fulcrum, it can swing smoothly like a seesaw. When the key portion 210 is pressed, the lateral key top member 200 is also pressed.
With the convex portions 221 and 221 as fulcrums, they can swing smoothly like a seesaw.

Next, a combination of the vertical key top member 100, the horizontal key top member 200, and the deflection preventing member 300 is set from the lower surface side of the cover 400. Therefore, the front ends of the key portions 110, 110, 210, 210 are exposed from the through-hole portions 410, 410, 410, 410 provided in the top surface portion 401 of the cover portion 400. At this time, the protrusions 130 and 130 for preventing the vertical key top member 100 from coming off and the horizontal key top member 20
0 are the protrusions 230, 230 for the through holes 410,
410, 410, and 410 are in contact with lower surface side edges.

Next, the lower surface side of the key portions 110, 110 of the vertical key top member 100 and the horizontal key top member 20
0 key portions 210, 210, and click convex portions 501, 501, 50 of click rubber portion 500 with respect to the lower surface side.
1, 501, the upper surface side is brought into contact. At this time, the periphery of the upper surface of the click rubber portion 500 is in contact with the lower surface of the click rubber pressing frame portion 403 of the cover portion 400.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom case part 700 is placed on the cover part 40 while the top side of the substrate part 600 is in contact with the bottom side of the click rubber part 500.
Abut against 0. At the same time, a screw (not shown) is inserted into the screw hole 402 through the screw hole 702a and the screw hole 600a.
By being screwed into a, the cover part 400, the substrate part 600, and the bottom case part 700 are fixed to each other.
Thus, the assembly of the multi-directional switch α is completed.

In this state, between the lower surface of the click rubber pressing frame 403 and the upper surface of the substrate 600,
The click rubber portion 500 is fixedly pressed. Also,
The click rubber part 500 supports the key parts 110 and 110 of the vertical key top member 100 and the key parts 210 and 210 of the horizontal key top member 200 which are located on the click rubber part 500.

Therefore, the vertical key top member 100
Key portions 110, 110 and a lateral key top member 200
When any one of the key portions 210, 210 is pressed, the click convex portion 50 of the click rubber portion 500 is pressed.
1 is deformed to give a click feeling to the operator, and the conductive rubber 511 comes into contact with a switch pattern (not shown) to be turned on. When the pressing is released, the click protrusion 501 returns to the original shape, the conductive rubber 511 and the switch pattern (not shown) are separated, and the switch is turned off.

The vertical key-top member 100 has a convex portion 121 functioning as a supporting portion provided on the lower side of the center of the vertical key-top member 100.
It is difficult to bend even if two key parts 110, 110 are pressed simultaneously. Also in the horizontal key top member 200, the convex portions 221 and 221 functioning as supporting portions are provided on the lower side near the center of the horizontal key top member 200, and the bending prevention member 300 is provided. It is difficult to bend even if two key parts 210, 210 are pressed simultaneously. Further, the protrusion 121 of the vertical key top member 100
And the projections 221 and 221 of the lateral key top member 200
Is not provided so as to be overlapped with each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the key portions 110, 110, 210, and 210 are simultaneously pressed, the vertical key top member 100 and the horizontal key top member 200 sink. Never.

Therefore, the two key portions 110, 110
, Or the key units 210, 210, or the four key units 110, 110, 210, 2
After the simultaneous pressing of 10 has been attempted (although the simultaneous pressing cannot be actually performed), the four key portions 110 and 11 are pressed.
Even if any one of the key portions 0, 210, 210 or two key portions 110, 210 (that is, so-called oblique pressing) is pressed, a so-called click feeling can be reliably obtained. Therefore, the operation feeling of the multidirectional switch α is good. Further, the operator presses the two key portions 110, 110 simultaneously, or presses the key portions 210, 210 simultaneously.
Alternatively, four key portions 110, 110, 210, 210
Can not be simultaneously pressed, so that the key portion in the desired direction can be reliably operated.

In the above configuration, the structure of the vertical key top member 100 may be replaced by the structure of the horizontal key top member, and the structure of the horizontal key top member 200 may be replaced by the structure of the vertical key top member. . Further, the vertical key-top member 100 and the horizontal key-top member 200 may be formed, for example, in an X shape instead of being formed orthogonally. In addition, the shape and fixing means appearing in the multi-directional switch α, such as the shape of the key portion 110, are merely examples, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to those described above.

[0034]

As described above, the multidirectional switch of the present invention has a keytop member including a first keytop member and a second keytop member separate from the first keytop member. Wherein the first key-top member and the second key-top member intersect with each other, the first key-top member has a first protrusion projecting from the lower surface thereof,
In addition, the second key top member has a through hole into which the first protrusion is inserted from the upper surface side thereof, and second protrusions protruding from lower surfaces on both sides of the through hole. It is characterized by:

Therefore, by this means, the multi-directional switch of the present invention is provided with a position where the first key-top member and the second key-top member intersect each other (that is, this position is usually near the center of the multi-directional switch). ), The first key top member is supported by the first convex portion projecting from the lower surface side. In addition, the second key top member is also supported by the second protrusion projecting from the lower surface side.
Therefore, the key portions of the first key-top member or the key portions of the second key-top member of the multi-directional switch are hardly bent even if they are simultaneously pressed. That is, simultaneous pressing of keys can be prevented, and the operator can reliably operate the key portion in a desired direction. Also, after being pushed simultaneously,
Even when any key portion is pressed, a click feeling can be reliably felt. Therefore, the operation feeling of the multidirectional switch is good. Furthermore, since the first key top member and the second key top member are each provided with a convex portion near the center thereof, the first key top member is resistant to pushing from the center.

Further, one of the two convex portions has a curved surface on one or both of the distal ends. By this means, in the multidirectional switch of the present invention, the first key-top member and / or the second key-top member is smoothly inclined along the curved surface. Therefore, a smooth key operation can be performed.

Further, the second key-top member is characterized in that it has a deflection preventing member which is installed from above the first key-top member. By this means, in the multidirectional switch of the present invention, since the bending preventing member is provided for the second key top member, the bending of the second key top member is prevented. Therefore, it is harder to bend even if the key portions of the multi-directional switch are pressed simultaneously. That is, simultaneous pressing of the keys can be prevented, and the operator can reliably operate the key portion in the desired direction. Further, even when any of the key portions is pressed after being simultaneously pressed, a click feeling can be more reliably felt. Therefore, the operation feeling of the multidirectional switch is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vertical key top member, a horizontal key top member, and a deflection preventing member that form part of a multidirectional switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a vertical key top member according to the present invention, wherein (A) is a plan view, (B) is a front view, and (C) is a bottom view.

3A and 3B are views showing a lateral key top member according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIG. 3C is a bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a horizontal key top member, a vertical key top member, and a deflection preventing member forming a part of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention are combined, FIG.
(B) is a front view, and (C) is a bottom view.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing a cover part of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a bottom view.

6A and 6B are views showing a click rubber portion of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a plan view, FIG.
(C) is a bottom view.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a substrate part of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a bottom case portion of the multidirectional switch according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a front view.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the multi-directional switch according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 vertical key top member (first key top member) 121 convex portion (first convex portion) 200 horizontal key top member (second key top member) 221 convex portion (second convex portion) 222 transparent Hole 223 Hole 300 Deflection prevention member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A multidirectional switch in which a keytop member has a first keytop member and a second keytop member separate from the first keytop member, wherein the first keytop member and the second keytop member are provided. The first key top member is located at a position where the first key top member intersects the first key top member.
And the second key top member has a through hole into which the first protrusion is inserted from an upper surface thereof, and a second key top member projecting from the lower surface on both sides of the through hole. A multi-directional switch comprising: 2. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the two convex portions has a curved surface. 3. The multidirectional switch according to claim 1, wherein the second key top member has a deflection preventing member which is installed from above the first key top member. .