JP3954784B2

JP3954784B2 - Multi-directional input device

Info

Publication number: JP3954784B2
Application number: JP2000255748A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 尚登下村
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-22
Filing date: 2000-08-22
Publication date: 2007-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-22
Also published as: CN1194289C; CN1339737A; KR100489998B1; KR20020021986A; JP2002062985A; TW509833B

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ゲーム機等の電子機器に使用して好適な多方向入力装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のジョイスティック型の多方向入力装置を図１４に基づいて説明すると、金属板が折り曲げられて形成された筺体３１は、大きな孔３１ａを有する上面板３１ｂと、この上面板３１ｂの四方から下方に折り曲げされた側面板３１ｃとを有する。
【０００３】
回転型の可変抵抗器からなる複数の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂは、箱形のケース３３と、このケース３３の開放部に取り付けられ、抵抗体（図示せず）を設けた絶縁基板３４と、この絶縁基板３４に回転可能に取り付けられ、抵抗体上を摺動する摺動子（図示せず）を取り付けた回転体３５とで構成されて、それぞれが単体の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂとして形成されている。
そして、隣り合う側面板３１ｃにケース３３を取り付けて、２個の電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂが互いに直角状態に取り付けられている。
【０００４】
第１，第２連動部材３６，３７は、中央部にスリット３６ａ、３７ａを有し、この第１，第２連動部材３６、３７は、互いに十字状になるように配置された状態で、筺体３１の対向する側面板３１ｃ間に回転可能に取り付けられている。
即ち、第１連動部材３６の両端部は、側面板３１ｃの対向する孔３１ｄに嵌合されると共に、その一端部が一つの電気部品３２ａの回転体３５と係合し、また、第２連動部材３７の両端部は、側面板３１ｃの対向する孔３１ｅに嵌合されると共に、その一端部がもう一つの電気部品３２ｂの回転体３５と係合している。そして、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７が同時、或いは単独に回転した時、回転体３５も回転し、これによって、摺動子が抵抗体上を摺動して、抵抗値を可変し、電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂが操作されるようになっている。
【０００５】
孔３８ａを有する操作体３８は、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７のスリット３６ａ、３７ａに挿通され、第２連動部材３７に設けた孔３７ｂと操作体３８の孔３８ａに挿通された止め棒３９によって、第２連動部材３７に回動可能に取り付けられると共に、操作体３８の上部は、孔３１ａから上方に突出して、先端部には摘み４０が取り付けられている。
【０００６】
そして、操作体３８がスリット３７ａに沿って矢印Ｘ方向に回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８は、第１連動部材３６を押圧して、第１連動部材３６を回転して電気部品３２ａを操作し、また、操作体３８がスリット３６ａに沿って矢印Ｙ方向に回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８は、第２連動部材３７を押圧して、第２連動部材３７を回転して電気部品３２ｂを操作し、更に、操作体３８が矢印Ｘ方向と矢印Ｙ方向の間で回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８は、第１、第２連動部材３６、３７を押圧して、第１、第２連動部材３６、３７を回転して電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂを同時に操作するようになっている。
【０００７】
金属板からなる底板４１は、中部に設けられた筒状の膨出部４１ａを有し、この底板４１は、筺体３１の下部の開放部を塞ぐように、筺体３１の下部に取り付けられている。
金属板を絞り加工等して形成された第１揺動部材４２は、底壁４２ａを有する筒状部４２ｂと、筒状部４２ｂの上端に設けられた鍔部４２ｃとを有し、また、金属板を絞り加工等して形成された第２揺動部材４３は、底壁４３ａを有する筒状部４３ｂを有する。
【０００８】
そして、第１揺動部材４２の筒状部４２ｂ内に、第２揺動部材４３を位置した状態で、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３が筺体３１内に配置されると共に、底板４１と第１揺動部材４２の鍔部４２ｃ間には、コイルバネ４４を介在させ、このコイルバネ４４によって、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３を上方に弾圧し、第２揺動部材４３の底壁４３ａを操作体３８の下端部に弾圧している。
【０００９】
この構成によって、第１揺動部材４２は、コイルバネ４４によって、常に水平状態を維持するようになっているため、第１揺動部材４２の底壁４２ａ上に、底壁４３ａが載置された第２揺動部材４３も水平状態を維持するようになっている。
そして、通常時は、操作体３８の下端部が第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３の中心部に位置して、操作体３８を直立状態で維持するようになっているが、操作体３８を回転（傾倒）した時、操作体３８の下端部が第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３の中心から外れて、その結果、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３は水平状態が崩れて、傾いた状態となる。
【００１０】
また、操作体３８の傾倒動作を解除すると、コイルバネ４４によって、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３が水平状態に戻るようになると共に、この動作で、操作体３８も直立状態に戻されるようになっている。
即ち、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３とコイルバネ４４によって、操作体３８の自動復帰を行わしめるための復帰手段が形成されている。
【００１１】
このような構成を有する従来の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、先ず、摘み４０を摘んで操作体３８を傾倒させると、操作体３８は止め棒３９を支点として傾倒し、その結果、操作体３８が第１連動部材３６，又は／及び第２連動部材３７を押圧して、これを回転させる。
すると、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７がそれぞれ電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂの回転体３５を回転させて、電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂを操作する。
【００１２】
また、操作体３８の傾倒動作によって、操作体３８の下端部が第２揺動部材４３の中心位置から外れて、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３が傾いた状態となる。次に、操作体３８への傾倒動作を解除すると、コイルバネ４４によって、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３が水平状態に戻るようになると共に、この動作で、操作体３８も直立状態の元の状態に戻される。
このようにして、従来の多方向入力装置の動作が行われるものである。
【００１３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の多方向入力装置は、操作体３８の傾倒動作によって電気部品３２ａ、３２ｂの操作を行うために、縦方向に大型となるという問題がある。
また、操作体３８の他に、第１，第２連動部材３６，３７と、第１，第２揺動部材４２，４３と、底板４１，及びコイルバネ４４の部品を必要とし、部品点数が多くなって、コスト高であるばかりか、これ等の部品によって大型になるという問題がある。
【００１４】
そこで、本発明は小型で、部品点数が少なく、安価な多方向入力装置を提供することを目的とする。
【００１５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するための第１の解決手段として、多方向にスライド可能に保持された操作部材と、この操作部材の外周部に配設された導電性の複数の可動接触部と、抵抗体が設けられ、前記操作部材の周囲に配置された複数の絶縁基板とを備え、前記操作部材は、前記可動接触部を外周部に設けた作動体と、この作動体の中心部にはめ合わされた駆動体とを有し、複数の前記可動接触部のそれぞれが複数の前記抵抗体に対向して配置され、前記駆動体のスライド移動時に前記作動体が変形し前記可動接触部が移動して、前記可動接触部が前記抵抗体に対して接触面積を可変すると共に、前記駆動体への操作力が解除された時、前記作動体によって前記駆動体が移動前の状態に復帰するようにした構成とした。
【００１６】
また、第２の解決手段として、二つの前記絶縁基板は、両者で成す角が直角となるように配置され、前記操作部材の軸線と対向する前記絶縁基板の面に前記抵抗体を設けた構成とした。
また、第３の解決手段として、四つの前記絶縁基板を四角状に配置し、前記操作部材の軸線と対向する前記絶縁基板の面に前記抵抗体を設けた構成とした。
【００１７】
また、第４の解決手段として、前記作動体は、ゴム材で形成されると共に、中心部に前記駆動体を配置したリング状部と、このリング状部から四方に延びた脚部とを有し、この脚部間に位置する前記リング状部の外周部に前記可動接触部を配置すると共に、前記脚部の先端部を保持した構成とした。
【００１８】
また、第５の解決手段として、前記操作部材は、前記駆動体の中心部で上下動可能な操作体を有すると共に、この操作体の下部には、プッシュスイッチが配置され、前記操作体の下方への押圧操作によって、前記プッシュスイッチを操作すると共に、前記操作体の横方向へのスライド移動によって、前記駆動体を駆動するようにした構成とした。
【００１９】
また、第６の解決手段として、固定接点が埋設された絶縁基体と、この絶縁基体の凹部内に配置された可動接点とを有し、前記固定接点と前記可動接点とで前記プッシュスイッチが構成されると共に、前記絶縁基体が前記操作体の下部に配置され、前記操作体の押圧操作によって前記可動接点が押されて、前記プッシュスイッチを操作するようにした構成とした。
【００２０】
また、第７の解決手段として、前記絶縁基体の外周部には、前記絶縁基板が配置され、この絶縁基板と前記絶縁基体とが筺体で取り付けられると共に、前記操作体の一部が前記筺体の上面板に設けられた孔から外方に突出した状態で、前記駆動体が前記上面板と前記絶縁基体との間でスライド可能に保持された構成とした。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の多方向入力装置の図面を説明すると、図１は本発明の多方向入力装置の拡大断面図、図２は本発明の多方向入力装置に係り、筺体を取り除いた状態を示す平面図、図３は本発明の多方向入力装置の要部の拡大断面図、図４は本発明の多方向入力装置に係り、絶縁基体の製造方法を示す平面図、図５は図４の５−５線における断面図である。
【００２３】
また、図６は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る作動体の平面図、図７は図６の７−７線における断面図、図８は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る駆動体の平面図、図９は図８の９−９線における断面図、図１０は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作体の平面図、図１１は図１０の１１−１１線における断面図、図１２は本発明の多方向入力装置に係る筺体の平面図、図１３は図１２の１３−１３線における断面図である。
【００２４】
次に、本発明の多方向入力装置の構成を図１〜図１３に基づいて説明すると、合成樹脂の成型品からなる絶縁基体１は、特に図４，図５に示すように、四角形状の平板状をなし、外周部の各辺に設けられた４個の凹部１ａと、中央部に設けられた円弧状の一対の突壁１ｂとを有する。
金属板からなる第１，第２固定接点２，３は、インサート成型によって絶縁基体１に埋設されて取り付けられている。
【００２５】
そして、第１固定接点２は、突壁１ｂ内の中央部において接点部２ａが露出すると共に、端子部２ｂが絶縁基体１の外周部から突出し、また、第２固定接点３は、突壁１ｂ内において、接点部２ａを囲んだ状態で接点部３ａが露出すると共に、端子部３ｂが絶縁基体１の外周部から突出している。
【００２６】
また、この突壁１ｂ内には、図１に示すように、金属バネ板からなるドーム状の可動接点４が配置されている。
そして、この可動接点４は、周縁部の下端が常時、接点部３ａに接触すると共に、中央部が接点部２ａと対向した状態にあり、可動接点４の中央部が押されると、中央部がクリック感を持って反転して接点部２ａに接触し、第１，第２固定接点２，３がＯＮ状態となり、また、可動接点４の押圧が解除されると、可動接点４が自己復帰して第１，第２固定接点２，３間がＯＦＦ状態となる。
このように、第１，第２固定接点２，３と可動接点４とでプッシュスイッチＰが形成されている。
【００２７】
合成樹脂の成型品からなる絶縁基板５は、特に図４，図５に示すように、矩形状をなす基部５ａと、基部５ａの一側部から突出する凹部５ｃを有する凸部５ｂとを有する。
また、この絶縁基板５は、絶縁基体１の４辺にそれぞれ位置すると共に、絶縁基板５と絶縁基体１とにインサート成型により埋設された金属板からなる一対の金属体６により、それぞれの絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に連結されている。
【００２８】
そして、この絶縁基板５に埋設された一対の金属体６の一端は、絶縁基板５の表面から露出した状態となっており、この絶縁基板５の表面に抵抗体７が塗布、或いは吹き付け等の方法により形成されて、抵抗体７の両端側がそれぞれ金属体６の一端に接触した状態となっている。
【００２９】
このような構成を有する絶縁基板５は、外側に突出するように金属体６を折り曲げて、凸部５ｂを凹部１ａにはめ合わせると共に、基部５ａの側部を絶縁基体１の表面に載置して、抵抗体７の面が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板５を絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に取り付ける。
そして、絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に取り付けられた際、抵抗体７の面は、絶縁基体１の中央部方向に向いた状態になると共に、折り曲げられた金属体６は、抵抗体７の端子としての役目をなしている。
【００３０】
このような状態で、四つの絶縁基板５が絶縁基体１に対して四角状に配置されており、この時、隣り合う絶縁基板５間の絶縁基体１の隅部には、空間部１ｃ（図４参照）が存在したものとなっている。
なお、この実施例では、四つの絶縁基板５を四角状に配置したもので説明したが、二つの絶縁基板５を直角状に配置したものでも良い。
また、絶縁基体１を八角形状とし、絶縁基板５を八角状に配置しても良い。
【００３１】
次に、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５の製造方法を図４，図５に基づいて説明すると、絶縁基体１には、１枚の金属板を所定の形状に折り曲げ、或いは打ち抜いた第１，第２固定接点２，３、及び金属体６の一部がインサート成型され、また、四つの絶縁基板５には、金属体６の一部がインサート成型されて、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５とが同時に成型加工される。
【００３２】
そして、成型加工された四つの絶縁基板５は、それぞれが一対の金属体６によって、絶縁基体１から離れた状態で絶縁基体１に連結された状態となっている。
次に、絶縁基板５の表面に、塗布等の方法によって抵抗体７を形成した後、外側に突出するように金属体６を折り曲げて、凸部５ｂを凹部１ａにはめ合わせると共に、基部５ａの側部を絶縁基体１の表面に載置して、抵抗体７の面が絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態になるように、絶縁基板５を絶縁基体１に対して垂直状態に取り付けると、絶縁基体１と絶縁基板５の製造が完了する。
【００３３】
絶縁性のゴム材からなる作動体８は、特に図６，図７に示すように、中央部に矩形状の孔８ａを有する四角状のリング状部８ｂと、このリング状部８ｂの四方から放射状に延びる４個の脚部８ｃとを有する。
また、導電ゴム材、或いは金属バネ板等からなる可動接触部９は、作動体８の脚部８ｃ間に位置するリング状部８ｂの外周部に配設されている。
この可動接触部９は、作動体８を成型加工する際に、同時に成型加工されて、作動体８と一体化されており、本実施例では両者の材質が同一のもので形成されている。
【００３４】
そして、この作動体８は、図２に示すように、リング状部８ｂよりも厚みの大きな脚部８ｃが絶縁基体１の空間部１ｃに載置され、リング状部８ｂが絶縁基体１から若干離れた状態で取り付けられる。
この時、可動接触部９は、抵抗体７と僅かに離れた状態で対向した状態になると共に、孔８ａは、絶縁基体１の中央部に位置して、孔８ａから第１，第２固定接点２，３と突壁１ｂが露出した状態となっている。
【００３５】
合成樹脂の成型品等からなる駆動体１０は、特に図８，図９に示すように、平板で矩形状の基部１０ａと、基部１０ａの中央部から上方に突出する凸部１０ｂと、基部１０ａの中央部に設けられた小判型の孔１０ｃと、凸部１０ｂの中央部に設けられ、孔１０ｃに連通する円形の孔１０ｄとを有する。
そして、この駆動体１０は、作動体９の孔８ａ内に基部１０ａがはめ合わされると共に、基部１０ａの下面が突壁１ｂ上に当接した状態で配置されている。
【００３６】
この駆動体１０は、多方向にスライド可能となっており、図２に示すように、矢印Ａ１方向にスライド移動させた時、リング状部８ｂから放射状に延びる脚部８ｃ、及び矢印Ａ１方向に延びるリング状部８ｂの桟部を変形させて、可動接触部９を抵抗体７に押し付けるようになる。
そして、この駆動体１０のスライドの移動量によって、可動接触部９は、抵抗体７に対して接触面積が変化し、その結果、端子である一対の金属体６間の抵抗値が可変されるようになる。
また、駆動体１０のスライド動作を解除すると、脚部８ｃの自己の弾性によって、駆動体１０が移動前の状態に復帰すると共に、可動接触部９も抵抗体７と非接触状態の移動前の状態に戻される。
【００３７】
また、矢印Ａ２、Ａ３，Ａ４方向に駆動体１０をスライドされた時も、上記と同様に原理により、それぞれ単一の抵抗体７の抵抗値が可変されるようになっている。
このように、１個の抵抗体７と１個の可動接触部９とで、１個の可変抵抗器からなる電気部品Ｄが構成され、この実施例では４個の電気部品Ｄが形成されたものとなっている。
【００３８】
また、隣り合う絶縁基板５間方向である放射方向に駆動体１０をスライドさせると、二つの可動接触部９がそれぞれの抵抗体７に押しつけれらるようになって、その結果、二つの抵抗体７に対する接触面積が同時に可変して、二つの電気部品Ｄが操作されるようなる。
【００３９】
合成樹脂の成型品等からなる操作体１１は、特に図１０，図１１に示すように、円柱状の軸部１１ａと、軸部１１ａの下部に設けられた小判型の非円形状の鍔部１１ｂと、下端部に設けられた凸部１１ｃとを有する。
そして、この操作体１１は、駆動体１０の下方から孔１０ｃ、１０ｄに挿通されて、図１に示すように、軸部１１ａが孔１０ｄから上方に突出すると共に、鍔部１１ｂが孔１０ｃ内に位置して、係止された状態で、上下動可能であるが回転不能に駆動体１０に取り付けられている。
この操作体１１と、駆動体１０、及び作動体８とによって、可動接触部９を駆動するための操作部材Ｓが構成されている。
【００４０】
また、この操作体１１が取り付けられた際、下部の凸部１１ｃが可動接点４の中央部に当接し、可動接点４のバネ性により、操作体１１が上方に弾圧されて、鍔部１１ｂが駆動体１０に弾接された状態となっている。
そして、操作体１１を下方に押圧すると、可動接点４が押されて反転し、プッシュスイッチＰが操作されると共に、操作体１１の押圧動作を解除すると、可動接点４のバネ性により、操作体１１が元の位置に戻されるようになる。
更に、軸部１１ａを摘んで、操作体１１を横方向へスライドすると、操作体１１で駆動体１０をスライド移動するようになっている。
【００４１】
金属板を折り曲げ加工する等して形成された矩形状の筺体１２は、特に図１２，図１３に示すように、矩形状の上面板１２ａと、この上面板１２ａの中央部に設けられた円形の孔１２ｂと、上面板１２ａの四方から下方に折り曲げて形成された側面板１２ｃと、この側面板１２ｃの下端から外方に折り曲げて形成され、プリント基板（図示せず）への取付部となる複数の取付片１２ｄと、側面板１２ｃの下辺の中間部に位置し、この側面板１２ｃの下端から下方に延びて形成された取付部１２ｅとを有する。
【００４２】
そして、この筺体１２内には、絶縁基板５，作動体８，及び駆動体１０を収納した状態で、取付部１２ｅを前記凸部５ｂに設けた凹部５ｃ内に位置した状態で、絶縁基体１の下面側に折り曲げして、それらが一体的に組み合わされている。
このように筺体１２が取り付けられた際、孔１２ｂから駆動体１０の凸部１０ｂと操作体１１の軸部１１ａが突出すると共に、駆動体１０の基部１０ａが上面板１２ａと突壁１ｂとの間で挟持されて、この間で、駆動体１０のスライド移動時のガイドが構成されている。
【００４３】
また、脚部８ｃの先端部は四角形であり、隣接する絶縁基板５の端面の間に挟まれて、平面方向の移動が規制され、更に、筺体１２が取り付けられると、厚みの大きな脚部８ｃの先端部が上面板１２ａによって絶縁基体１に押し付けられて支持され、この支持によって脚部８ｃの先端部の動きを防いで、リング状部８ｂの桟部、及び脚部８ｃの変形を容易にして、中立位置への自動復帰を容易にすると共に、可動接触部９が上面板１２ａと絶縁基体１とに接触しない状態で配置されており、更に、抵抗体７は、操作体１１の軸線Ｇと対向した状態となっている。
【００４４】
次に、上記のような構成を有する本発明の多方向入力装置の動作を説明すると、先ず、操作体１１を、例えば、矢印Ａ１方向に横方向にスライドさせると、この操作体１１に伴って駆動体１０がスライド移動して、リング状部８ｂの桟部を押圧し、移動方向に沿って形成されたリング状部８ｂの桟部、及び脚部８ｃを変形させる。
すると、可動接触部９が抵抗体７に押し付けられ、この駆動体１０のスライドの移動量によって、可動接触部９は、抵抗体７に対して接触面積が変化し、その結果、端子である一対の金属体６間の抵抗値が可変されるようになる。
また、操作体１１のスライド動作を解除すると、作動体８の自己の弾性によって、駆動体１０、及び操作体１１が移動前の状態に復帰すると共に、可動接触部９も抵抗体７と非接触状態の移動前の状態に戻される。
【００４５】
次に、隣り合う絶縁基板５間方向である放射方向に操作体１１をスライドさせると、駆動体１０を介して移動方向と反対側に位置する隣り合う二つのリング状部８ｂの桟部と脚部８ｃが同時に変形して、二つの可動接触部９がそれぞれの抵抗体７に押しつけれらるようになって、その結果、二つの抵抗体７に対する接触面積が同時に可変して、二つの電気部品Ｄが操作されるようなる。
また、操作体１１のスライド動作を解除すると、前述と同様に、作動体８の自己の弾性によって、駆動体１０、及び操作体１１が移動前の状態に復帰すると共に、二つの可動接触部９も抵抗体７と非接触状態の移動前の状態に戻される。
【００４６】
次に、操作体１１を下方向に押圧すると、操作体１１は駆動体１０にガイドされて下方に移動し、可動接点４が押されて反転し、プッシュスイッチＰが操作されて、ＯＮ状態になり、また、操作体１１の押圧動作を解除すると、可動接点４のバネ性により、操作体１１が元の位置に戻されると共に、プッシュスイッチＰがＯＦＦ状態となる。
このようにして、本発明の多方向入力装置の操作が行われるものである。
【００４７】
なお、前記実施例では、操作部材Ｓが作動体８，駆動体１０，及び操作体１１のそれぞれが別部品で形成されたもので説明したが、これ等の三つの部品をゴム材によって一体的に形成して操作部材Ｓを構成して、この操作部材Ｓによって、横方向のスライド動作と、上下方向の動作とを行うようにしても良い。
また、上記実施例においては、可動接触部９と作動体８を、一つの材料により同時に形成したが、可動接触部９と導電ゴムで形成し、作動体８を絶縁ゴムで形成しても良い。
【００４８】
更には、上記実施例においては、絶縁基体１上にプッシュスイッチＰを設けたもので説明したが、単品からなるプッシュスイッチＰを使用しても良く、更に、このプッシュスイッチＰは、必要に応じて無くしても良い。
【００４９】
【発明の効果】
本発明の多方向入力装置において、操作部材Ｓのスライド動作によって、可動接触部９が移動して、可動接触部９が抵抗体７に対して接触面積を可変するようにしたため、従来の操作体を傾倒動作するものに比して、縦方向が著しく小さくでき、小型の多方向入力装置が提供できる。
また、従来に比して部品点数を少なくできて、生産性の良好で、安価な小型の多方向入力装置が提供できる。
【００５０】
また、二つの絶縁基板５は、両者で成す角が直角となるように配置され、操作部材Ｓの軸線Ｇと対向する絶縁基板５の面に抵抗体７を設けたため、その構成が簡単となり、生産性が良く、安価な多方向入力装置が提供できる。
【００５１】
また、四つの絶縁基板５を四角状に配置し、操作部材Ｓの軸線Ｇと対向する絶縁基板５の面に抵抗体７を設けたため、その構成が簡単となり、生産性が良く、安価な多方向入力装置が提供できる。
【００５２】
また、操作部材Ｓは、可動接触部９を外周部に設けた作動体８と、この作動体８の中心部にはめ合わされた駆動体１０とを有し、駆動体１０のスライド移動時に作動体８が変形して、可動接触部９が抵抗体７に対して接触面積を可変すると共に、駆動体１０への操作力が解除された時、作動体８によって駆動体１０が移動前の状態に復帰するようにしたため、従来の復帰構造に比して、部品点数が少なく、生産性が良く、安価で小型の多方向入力装置が提供できる。
【００５３】
また、作動体８は、ゴム材で形成されると共に、中心部に駆動体１０を配置したリング状部８ｂと、このリング状部８ｂから四方に延びた脚部８ｃとを有し、この脚部８ｃ間に位置するリング状部８ｂの外周部に可動接触部９を配置すると共に、脚部８ｃの先端部を保持したため、この支持によって脚部８ｃの先端部の動きを防いで、リング状部８ｂの桟部の変形を容易にできるものが得られる。
【００５４】
また、操作部材Ｓは、駆動体１０の中心部で上下動可能な操作体１１を有すると共に、この操作体１１の下部には、プッシュスイッチＰが配置され、操作体１１の下方への押圧操作によって、プッシュスイッチＰを操作すると共に、操作体１１の横方向へのスライド移動によって、駆動体１０を駆動するようにしたため、操作体１１で電気部品Ｄの操作とプッシュスイッチＰの操作ができて、操作性の良好な多方向入力装置が提供できる。
【００５５】
また、固定接点２，３が埋設された絶縁基体１と、この絶縁基体１の凹部内に配置された可動接点４とを有し、固定接点２，３と可動接点４とでプッシュスイッチＰが構成されると共に、絶縁基体１が操作体１１の下部に配置され、操作体１１の押圧操作によって可動接点４が押されて、プッシュスイッチＰを操作するようにしたため、その構成が簡単となり、生産性が良く、安価な多方向入力装置が提供できる。
【００５６】
また、矩形状をなした絶縁基体１の外周部には、絶縁基板５が配置され、この絶縁基板５と絶縁基体１とが筺体１２で取り付けられると共に、操作体１１の一部が筺体１２の上面板１２ａに設けられた孔から外方に突出した状態で、駆動体１０が上面板１２ａと絶縁基体１との間でスライド可能に保持されたため、駆動体１０が上面板１２ａと絶縁基体１との間で挟持されて、この間で、駆動体１０のスライド移動時のガイドが構成されて、駆動体１０のスライド移動が確実で、スムースなものが得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の多方向入力装置の拡大断面図。
【図２】本発明の多方向入力装置に係り、筺体を取り除いた状態を示す平面図。
【図３】本発明の多方向入力装置の要部の拡大断面図。
【図４】本発明の多方向入力装置に係り、絶縁基体の製造方法を示す平面図。
【図５】図４の５−５線における断面図。
【図６】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る作動体の平面図。
【図７】図６の７−７線における断面図。
【図８】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る駆動体の平面図。
【図９】図８の９−９線における断面図。
【図１０】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る操作体の平面図。
【図１１】図１０の１１−１１線における断面図。
【図１２】本発明の多方向入力装置に係る筺体の平面図。
【図１３】図１２の１３−１３線における断面図。
【図１４】従来の多方向入力装置の分解斜視図。
【符号の説明】
１絶縁基体
１ａ凹部
１ｂ突壁
１ｃ空間部
２第１固定接点
２ａ接点部
２ｂ端子部
３第２固定接点
３ａ接点部
３ｂ端子部
４可動接点
Ｐプッシュスイッチ
５絶縁基板
５ａ基部
５ｂ凸部
５ｃ凹部
６金属体（端子）
７抵抗体
８作動体
８ａ孔
８ｂリング状部
８ｃ脚部
９可動接触部
１０駆動体
１０ａ基部
１０ｂ凸部
１０ｃ孔
１０ｄ孔
１１操作体
１１ａ軸部
１１ｂ鍔部
１１ｃ凸部
１２筺体
１２ａ上面板
１２ｂ孔
１２ｃ側面板
１２ｄ取付片
１２ｅ取付部
Ｄ電気部品
Ｇ軸線
Ｓ操作部材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device suitable for use in an electronic device such as a game machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional joystick-type multi-directional input device will be described with reference to FIG. 14. A casing 31 formed by bending a metal plate includes an upper surface plate 31b having a large hole 31a, and downward from four sides of the upper surface plate 31b. And a bent side plate 31c.
[0003]
A plurality of electric components 32a and 32b made of a rotary variable resistor include a box-shaped case 33, an insulating substrate 34 attached to an open portion of the case 33 and provided with a resistor (not shown), The rotating body 35 is rotatably attached to the insulating substrate 34 and is attached with a slider (not shown) that slides on the resistor, and each is formed as a single electric component 32a, 32b. Yes.
And the case 33 is attached to the adjacent side surface board 31c, and the two electric components 32a and 32b are attached to each other at a right angle.
[0004]
The first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 have slits 36a and 37a at the center, and the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 are arranged in a cross shape so that they are in a casing. It is rotatably attached between the side plates 31c facing each other.
That is, both end portions of the first interlocking member 36 are fitted into the opposing holes 31d of the side plate 31c, and one end portion thereof is engaged with the rotating body 35 of one electric component 32a, and the second interlocking member is engaged. Both end portions of the member 37 are fitted into opposing holes 31e of the side plate 31c, and one end portions thereof are engaged with the rotating body 35 of another electrical component 32b. When the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 are rotated simultaneously or independently, the rotating body 35 is also rotated, whereby the slider slides on the resistor and the resistance value is varied. The electric parts 32a and 32b are operated.
[0005]
The operating body 38 having the hole 38a is inserted into the slits 36a and 37a of the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37, and is stopped inserted into the hole 37b provided in the second interlocking member 37 and the hole 38a of the operating body 38. The rod 39 is rotatably attached to the second interlocking member 37, the upper portion of the operating body 38 protrudes upward from the hole 31a, and a knob 40 is attached to the tip.
[0006]
When the operating body 38 rotates (tilts) in the direction of the arrow X along the slit 37a, the operating body 38 presses the first interlocking member 36 and rotates the first interlocking member 36 so that the electrical component 32a is moved. When the operation body 38 is operated and rotated (tilted) in the direction of the arrow Y along the slit 36a, the operation body 38 presses the second interlocking member 37 and rotates the second interlocking member 37 to electrically When the component 32b is operated and the operating body 38 rotates (tilts) between the arrow X direction and the arrow Y direction, the operating body 38 presses the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 to The first and second interlocking members 36 and 37 are rotated to simultaneously operate the electrical components 32a and 32b.
[0007]
The bottom plate 41 made of a metal plate has a cylindrical bulging portion 41 a provided in the middle. The bottom plate 41 is attached to the lower portion of the housing 31 so as to close the open portion of the lower portion of the housing 31. .
The first swing member 42 formed by drawing a metal plate or the like includes a cylindrical portion 42b having a bottom wall 42a, and a flange portion 42c provided at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 42b. The second rocking member 43 formed by drawing a metal plate has a cylindrical portion 43b having a bottom wall 43a.
[0008]
The first and second swing members 42 and 43 are disposed in the housing 31 with the second swing member 43 positioned in the cylindrical portion 42b of the first swing member 42, and the bottom plate A coil spring 44 is interposed between 41 and the flange portion 42 c of the first swing member 42, and the first and second swing members 42 and 43 are elastically pressed upward by the coil spring 44, and the second swing member 43. The bottom wall 43a is pressed against the lower end of the operating body 38.
[0009]
With this configuration, the first rocking member 42 is always maintained in a horizontal state by the coil spring 44, so the bottom wall 43 a is placed on the bottom wall 42 a of the first rocking member 42. The second swing member 43 is also maintained in a horizontal state.
In the normal state, the lower end portion of the operating body 38 is positioned at the center of the first and second swinging members 42 and 43 so that the operating body 38 is maintained in an upright state. When 38 is rotated (tilted), the lower end portion of the operating body 38 is disengaged from the center of the first and second swing members 42 and 43. As a result, the first and second swing members 42 and 43 are in a horizontal state. Collapses and becomes tilted.
[0010]
When the tilting operation of the operating body 38 is released, the first and second swinging members 42 and 43 are returned to the horizontal state by the coil spring 44, and the operating body 38 is also returned to the upright state by this operation. It is like that.
That is, the first and second swinging members 42 and 43 and the coil spring 44 form a return means for automatically returning the operating body 38.
[0011]
The operation of the conventional multi-directional input device having such a configuration will be described. First, when the operation body 38 is tilted by picking the knob 40, the operation body 38 is tilted with the stop bar 39 as a fulcrum, and as a result, the operation body 38 is operated. The body 38 presses the first interlocking member 36 and / or the second interlocking member 37 to rotate it.
Then, the 1st, 2nd interlocking members 36 and 37 rotate the rotary body 35 of the electrical components 32a and 32b, respectively, and operate the electrical components 32a and 32b.
[0012]
In addition, the lower end portion of the operation body 38 is deviated from the center position of the second swing member 43 by the tilting operation of the operation body 38, and the first and second swing members 42 and 43 are tilted. Next, when the tilting operation to the operation body 38 is released, the first and second swing members 42 and 43 are returned to the horizontal state by the coil spring 44, and the operation body 38 is also in the upright state by this operation. The original state is restored.
In this way, the operation of the conventional multidirectional input device is performed.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional multidirectional input device operates the electrical components 32 a and 32 b by the tilting operation of the operating body 38, there is a problem that it becomes large in the vertical direction.
Further, in addition to the operating body 38, the first and second interlocking members 36 and 37, the first and second swinging members 42 and 43, the bottom plate 41, and the coil spring 44 are required, and the number of parts is large. Thus, not only is the cost high, but there is a problem that the size of these parts increases.
[0014]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device that is small in size, has a small number of parts, and is inexpensive.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem, an operation member that is slidably held in multiple directions, a plurality of conductive movable contact portions disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the operation member, and a resistor A plurality of insulating substrates disposed around the operation member, and the operation member is fitted to an operating body provided with the movable contact portion on an outer peripheral portion and a center portion of the operating body. and a drive member, each of the plurality of the movable contact portion is arranged opposite to the plurality of resistors, said actuation body deforms said movable contact unit is moved during the sliding movement of the drive member, A configuration in which the movable contact portion changes a contact area with respect to the resistor, and when the operating force to the drive body is released, the drive body is returned to a state before movement by the operating body. It was.
[0016]
As a second solution, the two insulating substrates are arranged so that the angle formed by the two is a right angle, and the resistor is provided on the surface of the insulating substrate facing the axis of the operation member. It was.
As a third solution, the four insulating substrates are arranged in a square shape, and the resistor is provided on the surface of the insulating substrate facing the axis of the operation member.
[0017]
As a fourth solving means, the operating body is formed of a rubber material, and has a ring-shaped portion in which the driving body is disposed at a central portion, and a leg portion extending in four directions from the ring-shaped portion. The movable contact portion is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the ring-shaped portion located between the leg portions, and the tip end portion of the leg portion is held .
[0018]
As a fifth solving means, the operating member has an operating body that can move up and down at the center of the driving body, and a push switch is disposed below the operating body, below the operating body. The push switch is operated by a pressing operation, and the driving body is driven by sliding the operating body in the lateral direction .
[0019]
As a sixth solution, the push switch includes an insulating base in which a fixed contact is embedded and a movable contact disposed in a recess of the insulating base, and the fixed contact and the movable contact constitute the push switch. together are, the insulating substrate is disposed below the operating body, said movable contact is pressed by the pressing operation of the operating member, it has a structure which is adapted to operate the push switch.
[0020]
Further, as a seventh solving means, the insulating substrate is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the insulating base, the insulating substrate and the insulating base are attached by a casing, and a part of the operating body is a part of the casing. The driving body is slidably held between the upper surface plate and the insulating base in a state of projecting outward from a hole provided in the upper surface plate .
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the multidirectional input device of the present invention with the housing removed. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a method of manufacturing an insulating substrate according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. It is sectional drawing in 5 lines.
[0023]
6 is a plan view of an operating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of a driving body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a plan view of an operating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a housing according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG.
[0024]
Next, the configuration of the multi-directional input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The insulating base 1 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. It has a flat plate shape, and has four concave portions 1a provided on each side of the outer peripheral portion, and a pair of arc-shaped protruding walls 1b provided in the central portion.
The first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 made of a metal plate are embedded and attached to the insulating base 1 by insert molding.
[0025]
The first fixed contact 2 has the contact portion 2a exposed at the central portion in the protruding wall 1b, the terminal portion 2b protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base 1, and the second fixed contact 3 has the protruding wall 1b. Inside, the contact portion 3 a is exposed in a state of surrounding the contact portion 2 a, and the terminal portion 3 b protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the insulating base 1.
[0026]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a dome-shaped movable contact 4 made of a metal spring plate is disposed in the protruding wall 1b.
And this movable contact 4 has the lower end of a peripheral part always contacting the contact part 3a, and the center part is in the state facing the contact part 2a. When the center part of the movable contact 4 is pushed, the center part is It reverses with a click and touches the contact part 2a, the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 are turned on, and when the movable contact 4 is released, the movable contact 4 self-resets. Thus, the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 are turned off.
Thus, the push switch P is formed by the first and second fixed contacts 2 and 3 and the movable contact 4.
[0027]
The insulating substrate 5 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a rectangular base portion 5a and a convex portion 5b having a concave portion 5c protruding from one side of the base portion 5a, as shown in FIGS. .
The insulating substrate 5 is located on each of the four sides of the insulating substrate 1 and each insulating substrate 5 includes a pair of metal bodies 6 made of a metal plate embedded in the insulating substrate 5 and the insulating substrate 1 by insert molding. 5 is connected to the insulating substrate 1.
[0028]
One end of the pair of metal bodies 6 embedded in the insulating substrate 5 is exposed from the surface of the insulating substrate 5, and a resistor 7 is applied to the surface of the insulating substrate 5 or sprayed. It is formed by the method, and both ends of the resistor 7 are in contact with one end of the metal body 6, respectively.
[0029]
The insulating substrate 5 having such a structure is formed by bending the metal body 6 so as to protrude outward, fitting the convex portion 5b to the concave portion 1a, and placing the side portion of the base portion 5a on the surface of the insulating substrate 1. Thus, the insulating substrate 5 is attached to the insulating substrate 1 so that the surface of the resistor 7 is perpendicular to the insulating substrate 1.
When the insulating substrate 5 is attached to the insulating substrate 1 in a vertical state, the surface of the resistor 7 is in a state of being directed toward the central portion of the insulating substrate 1, and the bent metal body 6 is It serves as a terminal for the resistor 7.
[0030]
In such a state, the four insulating substrates 5 are arranged in a square shape with respect to the insulating base 1, and at this time, a space 1c (see FIG. 4)).
In this embodiment, the four insulating substrates 5 are arranged in a square shape. However, the two insulating substrates 5 may be arranged in a right angle shape.
Alternatively, the insulating substrate 1 may be octagonal and the insulating substrate 5 may be octagonal.
[0031]
Next, a method for manufacturing the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The insulating base 1 is formed by bending or punching a single metal plate into a predetermined shape. 2 A part of the fixed contacts 2 and 3 and the metal body 6 are insert-molded, and a part of the metal body 6 is insert-molded on the four insulating substrates 5, so that the insulating base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 are Molded at the same time.
[0032]
The four insulating substrates 5 that have been molded are in a state of being connected to the insulating substrate 1 by a pair of metal bodies 6 while being separated from the insulating substrate 1.
Next, after the resistor 7 is formed on the surface of the insulating substrate 5 by a method such as coating, the metal body 6 is bent so as to protrude outward, the convex portion 5b is fitted into the concave portion 1a, and the base portion 5a When the insulating substrate 5 is mounted in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1 such that the side portion is placed on the surface of the insulating base 1 and the surface of the resistor 7 is in a vertical state with respect to the insulating base 1, insulation The manufacture of the base 1 and the insulating substrate 5 is completed.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the operating body 8 made of an insulating rubber material has a rectangular ring-shaped portion 8b having a rectangular hole 8a at the center and four sides of the ring-shaped portion 8b. And four leg portions 8c extending radially.
Further, the movable contact portion 9 made of a conductive rubber material or a metal spring plate is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the ring-shaped portion 8b located between the leg portions 8c of the operating body 8.
The movable contact portion 9 is molded simultaneously with the working body 8 when the working body 8 is molded, and is formed of the same material in the present embodiment.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating body 8 has a leg portion 8 c thicker than the ring-shaped portion 8 b placed in the space portion 1 c of the insulating base 1, and the ring-shaped portion 8 b slightly extends from the insulating base 1. Can be installed remotely.
At this time, the movable contact portion 9 is opposed to the resistor 7 in a slightly separated state, and the hole 8a is located at the center of the insulating base 1 and is fixed to the first and second fixed portions from the hole 8a. The contacts 2 and 3 and the protruding wall 1b are exposed.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the driving body 10 made of a synthetic resin molding or the like has a flat base 10a that is a flat plate, a protrusion 10b that protrudes upward from the center of the base 10a, and a base 10a. An oval-shaped hole 10c provided in the central portion of the projection 10b and a circular hole 10d provided in the central portion of the convex portion 10b and communicating with the hole 10c.
The driving body 10 is arranged in a state in which the base portion 10a is fitted in the hole 8a of the operating body 9 and the lower surface of the base portion 10a is in contact with the protruding wall 1b.
[0036]
The drive body 10 is slidable in multiple directions. As shown in FIG. 2, when the drive body 10 is slid in the direction of the arrow A1, the leg portions 8c extending radially from the ring-shaped portion 8b and the direction of the arrow A1 are provided. The crosspiece of the extending ring-shaped portion 8 b is deformed to press the movable contact portion 9 against the resistor 7.
The movable contact portion 9 changes in contact area with the resistor 7 depending on the amount of movement of the slide of the driving body 10, and as a result, the resistance value between the pair of metal bodies 6 as terminals is varied. It becomes like this.
When the sliding motion of the driving body 10 is canceled, the driving body 10 returns to the state before the movement due to its own elasticity of the leg portion 8c, and the movable contact portion 9 also moves before the movement in the non-contact state with the resistor 7. Return to state.
[0037]
Also, when the drive body 10 is slid in the directions of arrows A2, A3, and A4, the resistance value of each single resistor 7 can be varied according to the principle as described above.
As described above, one resistor 7 and one movable contact portion 9 constitute an electrical component D composed of one variable resistor. In this embodiment, four electrical components D are formed. It has become a thing.
[0038]
Further, when the driving body 10 is slid in the radial direction that is the direction between the adjacent insulating substrates 5, the two movable contact portions 9 can be pressed against the respective resistance bodies 7, and as a result, the two resistances The contact area with the body 7 is changed at the same time, and the two electrical components D are operated.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the operation body 11 made of a synthetic resin molded product or the like has a cylindrical shaft portion 11 a and an oval non-circular collar portion provided at the lower portion of the shaft portion 11 a. 11b and the convex part 11c provided in the lower end part.
The operating body 11 is inserted into the holes 10c and 10d from below the driving body 10, and as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft portion 11a protrudes upward from the hole 10d, and the flange portion 11b extends into the hole 10c. It is attached to the drive body 10 so that it can move up and down, but cannot rotate in the locked state.
The operating body 11, the driving body 10, and the operating body 8 constitute an operating member S for driving the movable contact portion 9.
[0040]
Further, when the operating body 11 is attached, the lower convex portion 11c comes into contact with the central portion of the movable contact 4, and the operating body 11 is elastically pressed upward by the spring property of the movable contact 4, so that the collar portion 11b is It is in a state of being elastically contacted with the driving body 10.
When the operating body 11 is pressed downward, the movable contact 4 is pressed and reversed, the push switch P is operated, and when the pressing operation of the operating body 11 is released, the operating body is caused by the spring property of the movable contact 4. 11 is returned to the original position.
Further, when the operating body 11 is slid in the horizontal direction by holding the shaft portion 11a, the driving body 10 is slid by the operating body 11.
[0041]
A rectangular housing 12 formed by bending a metal plate or the like includes a rectangular upper surface plate 12a and a circular shape provided at the center of the upper surface plate 12a, as shown in FIGS. Holes 12b, a side plate 12c formed by bending downward from four sides of the upper surface plate 12a, a bent portion formed outwardly from the lower end of the side plate 12c, and a mounting portion for a printed circuit board (not shown). A plurality of mounting pieces 12d, and a mounting portion 12e that is located at the middle of the lower side of the side plate 12c and extends downward from the lower end of the side plate 12c.
[0042]
Then, the insulating substrate 1 is positioned in the recess 5c provided in the convex portion 5b with the insulating substrate 5, the actuating body 8 and the driving body 10 accommodated in the housing 12. They are bent together on the lower surface side of them and are combined together.
When the housing 12 is attached in this manner, the convex portion 10b of the driving body 10 and the shaft portion 11a of the operating body 11 protrude from the hole 12b, and the base portion 10a of the driving body 10 is formed between the top plate 12a and the protruding wall 1b. In between, the guide at the time of the sliding movement of the drive body 10 is comprised.
[0043]
Further, the leg portion 8c has a quadrangular tip, and is sandwiched between the end surfaces of the adjacent insulating substrates 5 to restrict movement in the plane direction. Further, when the housing 12 is attached, the leg portion 8c having a large thickness is attached. The top end portion is pressed against and supported by the insulating base 1 by the upper surface plate 12a, and the support prevents the tip end portion of the leg portion 8c from moving, thereby facilitating deformation of the crosspiece of the ring-shaped portion 8b and the leg portion 8c. Thus, the automatic return to the neutral position is facilitated, the movable contact portion 9 is disposed in a state where it does not contact the upper surface plate 12 a and the insulating base 1, and the resistor 7 further has the axis G of the operating body 11. It is in a state of facing.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described. First, when the operating body 11 is slid laterally in the direction of the arrow A1, for example, the operating body 11 is accompanied. The driving body 10 slides and presses the crosspiece of the ring-shaped portion 8b, thereby deforming the crosspiece of the ring-shaped portion 8b and the leg portion 8c formed along the moving direction.
Then, the movable contact portion 9 is pressed against the resistor 7, and the contact area of the movable contact portion 9 changes with respect to the resistor 7 according to the amount of slide movement of the drive body 10, and as a result, a pair of terminals serving as terminals. The resistance value between the metal bodies 6 becomes variable.
When the sliding motion of the operating body 11 is released, the driving body 10 and the operating body 11 return to the state before the movement due to the elasticity of the operating body 8, and the movable contact portion 9 is not in contact with the resistor 7. The state is returned to the state before the movement.
[0045]
Next, when the operating body 11 is slid in the radial direction that is the direction between the adjacent insulating substrates 5, the crosspieces and legs of the two adjacent ring-shaped parts 8 b located on the opposite side to the moving direction via the driving body 10. The portion 8c is deformed at the same time, so that the two movable contact portions 9 can be pressed against the respective resistors 7, and as a result, the contact area with respect to the two resistors 7 can be changed at the same time. The part D is operated.
When the sliding motion of the operating body 11 is released, the driving body 10 and the operating body 11 return to the state before the movement due to the elasticity of the operating body 8 as described above, and the two movable contact portions 9 Is also returned to the state before the movement in a non-contact state with the resistor 7.
[0046]
Next, when the operating body 11 is pressed downward, the operating body 11 is guided by the driving body 10 to move downward, the movable contact 4 is pushed and reversed, and the push switch P is operated to be turned on. When the pressing operation of the operating body 11 is released, the operating body 11 is returned to the original position due to the spring property of the movable contact 4, and the push switch P is turned off.
In this way, the multi-directional input device of the present invention is operated.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, the operation member S has been described in which the operating body 8, the drive body 10, and the operation body 11 are formed as separate parts. However, these three parts are integrally formed of a rubber material. The operation member S may be formed to form a horizontal slide operation and a vertical operation by the operation member S.
Moreover, in the said Example, although the movable contact part 9 and the action | operation body 8 were simultaneously formed with one material, you may form with the movable contact part 9 and conductive rubber, and the action | operation body 8 may be formed with insulating rubber. .
[0048]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the push switch P is provided on the insulating substrate 1. However, a single push switch P may be used, and the push switch P may be used as necessary. It may be lost.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
In the multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the movable contact portion 9 is moved by the sliding movement of the operation member S, and the movable contact portion 9 changes the contact area with respect to the resistor 7. The vertical direction can be remarkably reduced as compared with the one that tilts, and a small multi-directional input device can be provided.
Further, it is possible to provide a small multi-directional input device that can reduce the number of parts as compared with the conventional one, has good productivity, and is inexpensive.
[0050]
Further, the two insulating substrates 5 are arranged so that the angle formed between them is a right angle, and the resistor 7 is provided on the surface of the insulating substrate 5 facing the axis G of the operation member S. A multi-directional input device with good productivity and low cost can be provided.
[0051]
Further, since the four insulating substrates 5 are arranged in a square shape and the resistor 7 is provided on the surface of the insulating substrate 5 facing the axis G of the operation member S, the configuration becomes simple, the productivity is high, and the cost is low. A direction input device can be provided.
[0052]
Further, the operation member S includes an operating body 8 having a movable contact portion 9 provided on the outer peripheral portion, and a driving body 10 fitted to the central portion of the operating body 8. 8 is deformed, and the movable contact portion 9 changes the contact area with respect to the resistor 7, and when the operating force to the drive body 10 is released, the drive body 10 is brought into a state before the movement by the operating body 8. Since the return is performed, the number of parts is smaller than that of the conventional return structure, the productivity is good, and the inexpensive and small multi-directional input device can be provided.
[0053]
The actuating body 8 is formed of a rubber material, and has a ring-shaped portion 8b in which the driving body 10 is disposed at the center, and a leg portion 8c extending from the ring-shaped portion 8b in four directions. Since the movable contact portion 9 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the ring-shaped portion 8b located between the portions 8c and the tip portion of the leg portion 8c is held, the support prevents the tip portion of the leg portion 8c from moving, and the ring shape What can easily deform the crosspiece of the portion 8b is obtained.
[0054]
The operation member S has an operation body 11 that can move up and down at the center of the drive body 10, and a push switch P is disposed below the operation body 11, so that the operation body 11 is pressed downward. Thus, the push switch P is operated, and the driving body 10 is driven by the lateral movement of the operating body 11, so that the operating body 11 can operate the electrical component D and the push switch P. A multidirectional input device with good operability can be provided.
[0055]
Further, it has an insulating base 1 in which the fixed contacts 2 and 3 are embedded, and a movable contact 4 disposed in the recess of the insulating base 1, and the push switch P is connected between the fixed contacts 2 and 3 and the movable contact 4. In addition, since the insulating base 1 is disposed below the operating body 11 and the movable contact 4 is pushed by the pressing operation of the operating body 11 and the push switch P is operated, the structure becomes simple and production is possible. It is possible to provide an inexpensive multi-directional input device with good performance.
[0056]
In addition, an insulating substrate 5 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the rectangular insulating base 1, and the insulating substrate 5 and the insulating base 1 are attached by a casing 12, and a part of the operating body 11 is a part of the casing 12. Since the driving body 10 is slidably held between the upper surface plate 12a and the insulating base 1 in a state of protruding outward from the hole provided in the upper surface plate 12a, the driving body 10 is supported by the upper surface plate 12a and the insulating base 1 Between these, a guide for the sliding movement of the driving body 10 is formed, and the sliding movement of the driving body 10 is ensured and a smooth one can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the housing is removed according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a method of manufacturing an insulating substrate according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a driving body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an operating body according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a housing according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insulation base | substrate 1a Recessed part 1b Projection wall 1c Space part 2 First fixed contact 2a Contact part 2b Terminal part 3 Second fixed contact 3a Contact part 3b Terminal part 4 Movable contact P Push switch 5 Insulating substrate 5a Base part 5b Convex part 5c Concave part 6 Metal body (terminal)
7 Resistor 8 Actuator 8a Hole 8b Ring-shaped part 8c Leg part 9 Movable contact part 10 Driver 10a Base part 10b Protrusion part 10c Hole 10d Hole 11 Operation body 11a Shaft part 11b Protrusion part 11c Protrusion part 12 Body 12a Top plate 12b Hole 12c Side plate 12d Mounting piece 12e Mounting portion D Electrical component G Axis S Operation member

Claims

An operation member that is slidably held in multiple directions, a plurality of conductive movable contact portions disposed on the outer periphery of the operation member, and a plurality of resistors disposed around the operation member. The operating member includes an operating body having the movable contact portion provided on an outer peripheral portion thereof, and a driving body fitted to a central portion of the operating body, and a plurality of the movable contact portions. Each of them is arranged to face the plurality of resistors, and when the driving body slides, the operating body is deformed and the movable contact portion is moved, so that the movable contact portion has a contact area with respect to the resistor. The multi-directional input device is characterized in that, when the operating force to the driving body is released, the driving body is returned to the state before the movement by the operating body .

The two insulating substrates are arranged so that an angle formed by the two is a right angle, and the resistor is provided on a surface of the insulating substrate facing the axis of the operation member. Multi-directional input device.

The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the four insulating substrates are arranged in a square shape, and the resistor is provided on a surface of the insulating substrate facing the axis of the operation member.

The actuating body is formed of a rubber material, and has a ring-shaped portion in which the driving body is disposed at a center portion, and a leg portion extending in four directions from the ring-shaped portion, and is located between the leg portions. 4. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable contact portion is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the ring-shaped portion, and a tip end portion of the leg portion is held . 5.

The operating member has an operating body that can move up and down at the center of the driving body, and a push switch is disposed at a lower portion of the operating body, and the push switch is operated by a downward pressing operation of the operating body. with manipulating, by a sliding movement in the transverse direction of the operating body, multi-directional input device according to any one of 4 from claim 1, characterized in that so as to drive the driving body.

An insulating base in which a fixed contact is embedded; and a movable contact disposed in a recess of the insulating base. The push switch is configured by the fixed contact and the movable contact. 6. The multi-directional input device according to claim 5 , wherein the multi-directional input device is arranged at a lower portion of an operating body, and the movable contact is pressed by a pressing operation of the operating body to operate the push switch .

The insulating substrate is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the insulating base, and the insulating substrate and the insulating base are attached with a casing, and a part of the operation body is removed from a hole provided in the upper surface plate of the casing. The multidirectional input device according to claim 6 , wherein the driving body is slidably held between the upper surface plate and the insulating base in a state of protruding in the direction.