JP7585581B2 - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-directional input device that allows pressing and sliding operations with an operating object.

JP 2007-227337 A

However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not allow the pressing operation of the operating body when the operating body is moved horizontally by a sliding operation.

A multi-directional input device according to one embodiment includes a case having an upper opening, an operating body that is inserted through the upper opening and can be pressed and slid, a holding member that holds the operating body inside the case so that it can move up and down and is movable horizontally together with the operating body, a press detection unit that is provided inside the case at a position facing the bottom of the operating body and is pressed by a press operation, and a plate-shaped biasing member provided inside the case between the bottom of the operating body and the press detection unit, the biasing member having a flat portion that is provided in the center of the biasing member and that presses the press detection unit when a press operation is performed and applies a return force to the operating body, and a plurality of elastic arms that are provided extending from the flat portion along the outer periphery of the flat portion and have their tips supported by the inner wall of the case.

According to a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment, a pressing operation of an operating body can be performed in a state where the operating body has been slid, and the variation in the operating load associated with the pressing operation of the operating body depending on the sliding position can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an upper surface side of a biasing member according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a lower surface side of a biasing member according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a biasing member and a lower case portion according to an embodiment;

Below, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Overview of the multi-directional input device 100)
1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. In the following description, for convenience, the Z-axis direction in the drawing is taken as the up-down direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis directions in the drawing are taken as the horizontal directions.

The multi-directional input device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used in a controller for a game machine, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-directional input device 100 has a columnar lever 120 (one example of an "operation body") that is inserted through an upper opening 110A of a case 110. The multi-directional input device 100 is capable of sliding the lever 120 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) and pressing the lever 120 downward (Z-axis negative direction). In particular, the multi-directional input device 100 is configured to be able to press the lever 120 when the lever 120 has been slid, and to reduce the variation in the operating load associated with the pressing operation of the lever 120 depending on the sliding direction and sliding amount (sliding position) of the lever 120.

(Configuration of multi-directional input device 100)
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the multi-directional input device 100 includes a case 110, a lever 120, a holding member 130, an annular coil spring 140, a first slider 151, a first slider 152, a second slider 153, a second slider 154, a third slider 155, a biasing member 160, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 170, and a frame 180.

The case 110 is a container-like member in which each component part is assembled. The case 110 is made of a resin material. An upper opening 110A having a circular shape in a plan view is formed in the center of the upper wall of the case 110. The lever 120 is inserted into the upper opening 110A. In this embodiment, the case 110 has an octagonal shape in a plan view. However, this is not limited to this, and the case 110 may have other shapes (e.g., a circular shape, a square shape, etc.) in a plan view.

The case 110 has an upper case part 111, an intermediate case part 112, and a lower case part 113, and has a laminated structure in which these three case parts are combined. The upper case part 111, the intermediate case part 112, and the lower case part 113 are all thin plate-like members having an octagonal shape in a plan view.

The upper case part 111 is provided on top of the intermediate case part 112. The upper case part 111 has a number of positioning pins 111B that protrude downward. The upper case part 111 is accurately positioned relative to the intermediate case part 112 by fitting each of the positioning pins 111B into each of the positioning holes 112B of the intermediate case part 112. An opening 111A that is circular in plan view is formed in the center of the upper case part 111. The opening 111A overlaps with the opening 112A of the intermediate case part 112, and together with the opening 112A, forms the upper opening 110A of the case 110.

The intermediate case portion 112 is provided on top of the lower case portion 113. The intermediate case portion 112 has a number of positioning pins 112C that protrude downward. The intermediate case portion 112 is accurately positioned relative to the lower case portion 113 by fitting each of the positioning pins 112C into each of the positioning holes 113B of the lower case portion 113. An opening 112A that is circular in plan view is formed in the center of the intermediate case portion 112. The opening 112A overlaps with the opening 111A of the upper case portion 111, and together with the opening 111A, forms the upper opening 110A of the case 110.

The lower case part 113 is provided on the lower side of the intermediate case part 112. The lower case part 113 has positioning holes 113B formed at each of the four corners for accurately positioning the intermediate case part 112. The lower case part 113 has an opening 113A formed in a square shape in a plan view in the center. A biasing member 160 having a substantially square shape in a plan view is disposed in the opening 113A. The lower case part 113 has a pair of slide grooves 113E in the X-axis direction with the opening 113A sandwiched therebetween. The pair of slide grooves 113E extend linearly in the Y-axis direction and are formed to accommodate both ends of the first slider 151 protruding downward so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. The lower case part 113 also has a pair of slide grooves 113F in the Y-axis direction with the opening 113A sandwiched therebetween. The pair of slide grooves 113F extend linearly in the X-axis direction and are formed to accommodate both ends of the second slider 153 protruding downward so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. In the lower case part 113, the wall between the slide groove 113E and the opening 113A is a partition part 113G that separates the area where the metal contact 172 of the FPC 170 is provided from the area where the first resistor 174 of the FPC 170 is provided. In the lower case part 113, the wall between the slide groove 113F and the opening 113A is a partition part 113G that separates the area where the metal contact 172 of the FPC 170 is provided from the area where the second resistor 176 of the FPC 170 is provided.

The lever 120 is a member that is pressed down and slid by the operator. The lever 120 has a lever portion 121 and a base portion 122. The lever portion 121 is a generally cylindrical portion that extends upward from the upper opening 110A of the case 110, and is the portion that is pressed down and slid by the operator. The base portion 122 is a cylindrical portion with a larger diameter than the lever portion 121 that supports the lower end of the lever portion 121 inside the case 110. The lever portion 121 has a smaller diameter than the small diameter portion 133A of the through hole 133 of the holding member 130, and passes through the through hole 133. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the lever portion 121 has its lower end supported by the small diameter portion 133A when inserted through the small diameter portion 133A. The base 122 has a larger diameter than the small diameter portion 133A of the through hole 133 of the holding member 130, and a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 133B of the through hole 133 of the holding member 130. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the base 122 is fitted into the large diameter portion 133B without penetrating the small diameter portion 133A, and is supported by the large diameter portion 133B. The lever 120 is limited in its upward movement relative to the holding member 130 to a predetermined upper limit position (see FIG. 3) by the base 122 abutting against the ceiling surface of the large diameter portion 133B. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the small diameter portion 133A of the through hole 133 and the cross-sectional shape of the lever portion 121 inserted into the small diameter portion 133A are not completely circular, but have a so-called side-cut circular shape. This prevents the lever portion 121 from rotating inside the small diameter portion 133A of the through hole 133. In other words, the lever portion 121 is designed not to rotate relative to the holding member 130.

The holding member 130 holds the lever 120 inside the case 110 so that it can move in the vertical direction, and can move horizontally together with the lever 120. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the holding member 130 has a holding portion 131 and a flange portion 132. The holding portion 131 is a roughly cylindrical portion provided in the center of the holding member 130. A through hole 133 that penetrates the holding portion 131 in the vertical direction is formed in the center of the holding portion 131. The holding portion 131 holds the lower portion of the lever 120 so that it can move in the vertical direction by inserting the lever 120 into the through hole 133. The flange portion 132 is formed so as to expand radially outward from the outer peripheral side surface of the holding portion 131, and is a disk-shaped portion that has a circular ring shape in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 3, the flange 132 enters the gap 110B formed between the inner wall of the opening 111A of the upper case part 111 and the inner wall of the opening 112A of the intermediate case part 112. As a result, the flange 132 is biased radially inward by the annular coil spring 140 arranged outside the gap 110B. Note that the flange 132 enters the gap 110B, allowing the holding member 130 to move horizontally and restricting movement in the up and down directions. Therefore, when the lever 120 is slid, the holding member 130 can slide horizontally together with the lever 120, and when the lever 120 is pressed down, the holding member 130 can move the lever 120 downward without moving downward.

The annular coil spring 140 is an elastic member having a circular ring shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the annular coil spring 140 is provided outside the gap 110B formed between the inner wall of the opening 111A of the upper case portion 111 and the inner wall of the opening 112A of the intermediate case portion 112 so as to surround the gap 110B. As a result, the annular coil spring 140 is arranged so as to surround the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange portion 132 of the holding member 130, which enters the gap 110B from the inside of the gap 110B. The annular coil spring 140 biases the flange portion 132 of the holding member 130 inward in the radial direction. When the lever 120 is slid, the annular coil spring 140 is elastically deformed by the force applied from the flange 132 of the holding member 130 toward the radially outward direction, and applies a returning force toward the flange 132 of the holding member 130 toward the radially inward direction. This causes the annular coil spring 140 to return the holding member 130 to its initial position. In addition, when the holding member 130 is in its initial position, the annular coil spring 140 applies pressure evenly to the entire circumference of the outer circumferential edge of the flange 132, thereby maintaining the holding member 130 in its initial position.

The first slider 151 is a thin plate-like member having a rectangular shape with the X-axis direction as the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The first slider 151 is stacked on the upper side of the second slider 153 so as to be perpendicular to the second slider 153 in the case 110, and is provided so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction. A first slider 152 made of metal is provided at the bottom of the end of the first slider 151 on the positive side of the X-axis. An opening 151A is formed in the center of the first slider 151. The opening 151A has a rectangular shape (long hole shape) with the X-axis direction as the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The holding portion 131 of the holding member 130 is inserted into the opening 151A. As a result, the first slider 151 slides in the Y-axis direction together with the holding member 130 as the holding member 130 slides. This changes the electrical connection state between the first slider 152 held at the bottom of the first slider 151 and the first resistor 174 provided on the FPC 170, and an operation signal is output from the connection part 170C of the FPC 170 with a resistance value that corresponds to the sliding operation (sliding direction and sliding amount) of the lever 120 in the Y-axis direction.

The second slider 153 is a thin plate-like member having a rectangular shape with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The second slider 153 is stacked on the upper side of the lower case part 113 in the case 110 and is provided so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. A metal second slider 154 is provided at the bottom of the end part of the second slider 153 on the positive side of the Y-axis. An opening 153A is formed in the center of the second slider 153. The opening 153A has a rectangular shape (long hole shape) with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The holding part 131 of the holding member 130 is inserted into the opening 153A. As a result, the second slider 153 slides in the X-axis direction together with the holding member 130 as the holding member 130 slides in the X-axis direction. This changes the electrical connection state between the second slider 154 held at the bottom of the second slider 153 and the second resistor 176 provided on the FPC 170, and an operation signal is output from the connection part 170C of the FPC 170 with a resistance value that corresponds to the sliding operation (sliding direction and amount) of the lever 120 in the X-axis direction.

The third slider 155 is a thin plate-like member having a rectangular shape with the Y-axis direction as a longitudinal direction in a plan view. The third slider 155 is stacked on the upper side of the first slider 151 so as to be perpendicular to the first slider 151 in the case 110, and is provided so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction together with the second slider 153. The third slider 155 has legs 155A protruding downward at each of both ends in the Y-axis direction. The legs 155A abut against the upper surface of the second slider 153, forming a space between the second slider 153 and the third slider 155 in which the first slider 151 can slide. An opening 155B is formed in the center of the third slider 155. The opening 155B has a rectangular shape (long hole shape) with the Y-axis direction as a longitudinal direction in a plan view. The holding portion 131 of the holding member 130 is inserted into the opening 155B. As a result, the third slider 155 slides in the X-axis direction together with the holding member 130 and the second slider 153 as the holding member 130 slides in the X-axis direction.

The biasing member 160 is a thin plate-like member formed from a metal plate and having a roughly square shape in a plan view. The biasing member 160 is disposed within the opening 113A of the lower case portion 113 (i.e., inside the case 110, between the bottom of the lever 120 and the metal contact 172). When the lever 120 is pressed down, the biasing member 160 presses down the metal contact 172 and applies a return force to the lever 120. The detailed configuration of the biasing member 160 will be described later with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

The FPC 170 is a film-like wiring member having flexibility. The FPC 170 has a main part 170A, an extension part 170B, and a connection part 170C. The main part 170A is a part that is provided on the lower side of the lower case part 113 and has an octagonal shape in a plan view. Two fixed contacts (not shown) are provided in the center of the main part 170A, and a dome-shaped metal contact 172 is provided on the upper side of the two fixed contacts. The two fixed contacts and the metal contact 172 constitute a push switch, which is an example of a "push detection part". The configuration of the "push detection part" is not limited to a push switch that can be switched on and off, and may be an analog detection part whose output value gradually changes depending on the amount of depression. In addition, a first resistor 174 and a second resistor 176 are provided in the main part 170A. The first resistor 174 is an example of a "slide detector" and is provided extending linearly in the Y-axis direction. When the first slider 152 held at the bottom of the first slider 151 slides in the Y-axis direction, the resistance value changes, thereby detecting the slide operation of the lever 120 in the Y-axis direction. The second resistor 176 is an example of a "slide detector" and is provided extending linearly in the X-axis direction. When the second slider 154 held at the bottom of the second slider 153 slides in the X-axis direction, the resistance value changes, thereby detecting the slide operation of the lever 120 in the X-axis direction. The extension portion 170B is a portion that extends from the main portion 170A to the side of the case 110 (Y-axis negative direction in the figure). The connection portion 170C is provided at the tip of the extension portion 170B and is connected to an external connector or the like. The FPC 170 transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operation (pressing operation and sliding operation) of the lever 120 to the outside. The FPC 170 is constructed by covering both surfaces of a strip-shaped conductor wiring (e.g., copper foil, etc.) with a flexible, insulating film-like material (e.g., polyimide resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.).

The frame 180 is a metal, flat member that closes the opening on the bottom side of the case 110. For example, the frame 180 is formed by performing various processing methods (for example, punching, bending, etc.) on a metal plate. The frame 180 has a pair of locking pieces 181 that are vertically erected on each of the edges on the positive side of the X-axis and the negative side of the X-axis. The frame 180 is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 110 with the FPC 170 sandwiched between the bottom surface of the case 110 and the locking pieces 181 by engaging with the claws 111C (see FIG. 2) provided on the side of the upper case part 111 and the claws 112D (see FIG. 2) provided on the side of the intermediate case part 112. As a result, the frame 180 fixes the upper case part 111, the intermediate case part 112, and the lower case part 113 in a state where they are joined together (see FIG. 1).

(Detailed Configuration of the Urging Member 160)
Next, a detailed configuration of the urging member 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing the upper surface side of the urging member 160 according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view showing the lower surface side of the urging member 160 according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of the urging member 160 and the lower case portion 113 according to one embodiment.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the biasing member 160 has a flat portion 161 and four elastic arm portions 162.

The flat surface portion 161 is a portion that is provided in the center of the biasing member 160 and has a square shape in a plan view. A protrusion 161A that protrudes downward is formed in the center of the flat surface portion 161. The protrusion 161A has a circular shape in a plan view. The protrusion 161A is formed by pressing. The size of the flat surface portion 161 is set to cover the entire sliding range of the lever 120. This allows the flat surface portion 161 to be pressed down by the lever 120 regardless of the sliding position of the lever 120.

Each of the four elastic arms 162 is an arm-shaped (straight strip-shaped with a certain width in a planar view) portion that extends from the flat portion 161 in parallel to each of the four sides of the flat portion 161 (i.e., along the outer periphery of the flat portion 161). The end of each elastic arm 162 is connected to the outer periphery of the flat portion 161, and an engagement portion 162A is provided at the tip. The four elastic arms 162 are provided so as to be point symmetrical with respect to the center of the flat portion 161. In other words, each of the four elastic arms 162 is provided extending in the same direction with respect to the corresponding side of the flat portion 161.

As shown in FIG. 6, the biasing member 160 has a generally square shape in plan view that is generally the same size as the opening 113A of the lower case part 113, and is placed in the opening 113A of the lower case part 113 (an example of a "case opening"). At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the engagement parts 162A of the four elastic arms 162 are placed on the upper surface of the base part 113C that protrudes inward from each of the four corners of the opening 113A, and further, the notches 162B of the engagement parts 162A engage with the positioning pins 113D that protrude from the upper surface of the base part 113C. As a result, the biasing member 160 is supported at four points by the lower case part 113.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower end of the lever 120 abuts against the upper surface at the center of the flat portion 161. In addition, a metal contact 172 is disposed below the center of the flat portion 161. As a result, when the lever 120 is pressed down, the biasing member 160 moves downward while the flat portion 161 maintains a substantially horizontal state while the multiple elastic arm portions 162 are elastically deformed, and the lower surface of the protrusion portion 161A of the flat portion 161 presses down the metal contact 172 constituting the push switch. As a result, the metal contact 172 is elastically deformed into a concave shape, and two fixed contacts provided on the FPC 170 are electrically connected via the metal contact 172, and an operation signal (switch-on signal) corresponding to the pressing operation is output from the connection portion 170C of the FPC 170. Then, the biasing member 160 applies an upward return force to the lever 120 on the upper surface of the flat portion 161 by the elastic force of the multiple elastic arm portions 162. This allows the biasing member 160 to return the lever 120 to its initial position (the upper limit position shown in FIG. 3) when the depression of the lever 120 is released.

In addition, in the initial state where the lever 120 is not depressed, the lever 120 is urged upward by the flat portion 161 of the urging member 160, and the base portion 122 of the lever 120 is pressed against the ceiling surface of the large diameter portion 133B of the through hole 133 of the holding member 130. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can suppress rattling of the lever 120 in the up-down direction in the initial state where the lever 120 is not depressed.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment employs a configuration in which the lever 120 is held by the holding member 130 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the metal contact 172 is pressed down via the flat surface portion 161 of the biasing member 160. Therefore, even if the lever 120 is pressed down when the lever 120 is in a state in which the lever 120 has been slid (i.e., when the lever 120 and the holding member 130 have slid horizontally from the initial position), the lever 120 moves downward relative to the holding member 130, and the bottom of the lever 120 can press down the metal contact 172 via the flat surface portion 161 of the biasing member 160.

In particular, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment employs a configuration in which the biasing member 160 elastically supports the planar portion 161 at four points using four elastic arms 162, so that the planar portion 161 can be moved downward while maintaining a substantially horizontal state while elastically deforming the four elastic arms 162. As a result, the metal contact 172 can be pressed down with a substantially equal operating load regardless of the sliding position of the lever 120.

Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the biasing member 160 can concentrate the operating load received from the lever 120 on the protrusion 161A formed in the center of the flat surface portion 161, so that the protrusion 161A can more reliably press down the metal contact 172 with approximately the same operating load regardless of the sliding position of the lever 120.

As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, each of the elastic arms 162 has a step 162C for varying the height position of the engagement portion 162A. In this embodiment, as an example, the height position of the engagement portion 162A of each of the elastic arms 162 is raised by the step 162C. This makes it possible for the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment to have a longer length (i.e., spring length) of the elastic arms 162 than when the elastic arms 162 do not have a step.

In addition, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment is suspended by a pedestal 113C that protrudes inward from the inner wall that forms the opening 113A of the lower case part 113, with the tip end (engagement part 162A) of each of the multiple elastic arms 162 being placed on the pedestal 113C. This allows the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment to be in a state in which the urging member 160 is supported by the pedestal 113C simply by dropping the urging member 160 from above into the opening 113A. Therefore, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can improve the ease of assembly of the urging member 160 to the lower case part 113.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the multiple elastic arms 162 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the planar portion 161. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can press the metal contact 172 with approximately the same operating load, regardless of the sliding direction of the lever 120.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, each elastic arm 162 has a length that is approximately equal to the length of the corresponding side of the outer periphery of the planar portion 161. That is, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, each elastic arm 162 extends from the vicinity of one corner of the planar portion 161 to the vicinity of the other corner of the planar portion 161 along the side connecting these two corners. As a result, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the length (i.e., the spring length) of the elastic arm 162 can be maximized without increasing the size of the outer shape of the biasing member 160.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the flat surface portion 161 of the biasing member 160 has an area larger than the range in which the bottom of the lever 120 can slide. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can press the metal contact 172 via the flat surface portion 161 even when the lever 120 is slid to its maximum extent.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the biasing member 160 is formed integrally with the planar portion 161 and the multiple elastic arm portions 162. As a result, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the planar portion 161 and the multiple elastic arm portions 162 can be formed collectively by press processing, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment further includes a first resistor 174 and a second resistor 176 that detect the sliding operation of the lever 120 by a change in resistance value. This allows the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment to detect the sliding operation direction and amount of the lever 120 with a relatively simple configuration and with high accuracy.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the case 110 (lower case portion 113) has a partition portion 113G that separates the area where the metal contact 172 of the FPC 170 is provided from the area where the first resistor 174 and the second resistor 176 of the FPC 170 are provided. This allows the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment to prevent, for example, metal powder generated by the sliding of the first resistor 174 and the second resistor 176 from entering the area where the metal contact 172 of the FPC 170 is provided.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment further includes a horizontal biasing member that biases the holding member 130 toward an initial position in the horizontal direction when a sliding operation is performed with the lever 120. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can return the lever 120 to its initial position when the sliding operation with the lever 120 is released.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the horizontal biasing member is an annular coil spring 140. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can apply a return force toward the initial position for sliding operations in all directions by the lever 120 with a small number of parts. In addition, by using the annular coil spring 140, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can prevent the structure for returning the lever 120 to the initial position from becoming too large.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the holding member 130 has a holding portion 131 through which the lever 120 is inserted to hold the lever 120 so as to be movable in the up and down direction, and a flange portion 132 that is provided by expanding horizontally outward from the outer circumferential surface of the holding portion 131, and the annular coil spring 140 is arranged to surround the flange portion 132 of the holding member 130, and when the lever 120 is slid, the flange portion 132 of the holding member 130 is urged toward the initial position in the horizontal direction. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can apply a return force toward the initial position to the slide operation of the lever 120 in all directions with a small number of parts. In addition, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can suppress the increase in size of the configuration for returning the lever 120 to the initial position by using the annular coil spring 140. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the multi-directional input device 100, when the lever 120 is in its initial position in the horizontal direction, pressure is applied to the flange 132 of the holding member 130 from all directions, so that the lever 120 can be stably maintained in its initial position in the horizontal direction.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the vertical movement of the flange 132 of the holding member 130 is restricted by the case 110, thereby restricting the vertical movement of the holding member 130 relative to the case 110 and the tilting of the holding member 130 relative to the case 110. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment allows the lever 120 to be pressed and slid while maintaining the lever 120 in an upright position.

The multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment also has a dome-shaped metal contact 172 that serves as a push switch and elastically deforms into a concave shape when pressed by the flat surface portion 161 of the biasing member 160, thereby bringing the multiple fixed contacts of the FPC 170 into a mutually conductive state. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can exert an actuation force and a return force in response to the depression of the lever 120 not only due to the elastic deformation of the biasing member 160 but also due to the elastic deformation of the metal contact.

In addition, in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the metal contact 172 has an area smaller than the area of the flat surface portion 161 of the biasing member 160. As a result, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can concentrate the operating load of the pressing operation applied from the lever 120 to the flat surface portion 161 on the metal contact 172 regardless of the sliding position of the lever 120, and therefore can more reliably press the metal contact 172 via the flat surface portion 161.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Multi-directional input device 110 Case 110A Upper opening 110B Gap 111 Upper case part 111A Opening 111B Positioning pin 111C Claw part 112 Middle case part 112A Opening 112B Positioning hole 112C Positioning pin 112D Claw part 113 Lower case part 113A Opening 113B Positioning hole 113C Pedestal part 113D Positioning pin 113E Slide groove 113F Slide groove 113G Partition part 120 Lever 121 Lever part 122 Base part 130 Holding member 131 Holding part 132 Flange part 133 Through hole 133A Small diameter part 133B Large diameter part 140 Annular coil spring 151 First slider 151A Opening 152 First slider 153 Second slider 153A Opening 154 Second slider 155 Third slider 155A Leg 155B Opening 160 Urging member 161 Flat surface 161A Projection 162 Elastic arm 162A Engagement 162B Notch 162C Step 170 FPC
170A Main portion 170B Extension portion 170C Connection portion 172 Metal contact 174 First resistor 176 Second resistor 180 Frame 181 Locking piece

Claims (15)

a case having an upper opening;
an operating body that is provided through the upper opening and that can be pressed and slid;
a holding member that holds the operation body so as to be movable in a vertical direction within the case and is horizontally movable together with the operation body;
a pressing detection unit provided inside the case at a position facing a bottom of the operation body and pressed by the pressing operation;
a plate-shaped biasing member provided inside the case between the bottom of the operation body and the depression detection unit,
The biasing member is
a flat surface portion provided at a center of the biasing member, the flat surface portion pressing the pressing detection portion when the pressing operation is performed and applying a return force to the operating body;
a plurality of elastic arms extending from the flat portion along an outer periphery of the flat portion, the distal ends of the elastic arms being supported by an inner wall of the case ;
A rectangular opening is formed inside the case,
The biasing member is suspended by a base portion provided at a corner of the opening so that the tip end of the elastic arm portion is placed on the base portion and the biasing member is suspended by the base portion.
A multi-directional input device comprising: The elastic arm portion is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , further comprising a step portion for varying the height position of the tip portion. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elastic arms are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a center of the planar portion. The elastic arm portion is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the length of each of the first and second sides is approximately equal to the length of a corresponding side of the outer periphery of the planar portion. The planar portion of the biasing member is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , further comprising a surface area larger than a slidable range of the bottom of the operation body. The planar portion of the biasing member is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the input device provides a substantially equal operational feel in response to a pressing operation of the operating body, regardless of a slide position of the operating body. The biasing member is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the planar portion and the plurality of elastic arms are integrally formed. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , further comprising a resistor that detects a sliding operation of the operation body by a change in resistance value. The case is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 8 , further comprising a partition wall that separates an area in which the depression detection section is provided from an area in which the resistor is provided. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , further comprising a horizontal biasing member that biases the holding member toward an initial position in a horizontal direction when the sliding operation is performed. The multi-directional input device according to claim 10 , wherein the horizontal biasing member is an annular coil spring. The holding member is
a holding portion that holds the operation body so as to be movable in the up and down direction by inserting the operation body;
a flange portion extending outward in a horizontal direction from an outer circumferential surface of the holding portion;
The annular coil spring is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 11, characterized in that the movable member is disposed so as to surround the flange of the holding member, and when the sliding operation is performed, the movable member urges the flange of the holding member toward an initial position in the horizontal direction. The holding member is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 12, wherein the vertical movement of the flange is restricted by the case, thereby restricting the vertical movement of the holding member and the tilting of the holding member. The press detection unit is
The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a dome-shaped metal contact that elastically deforms into a concave shape when pressed by the flat portion of the biasing member, thereby bringing the multiple fixed contacts into a conductive state with each other. The metal contact is
The multi-directional input device according to claim 14 , wherein the area of the projection is smaller than the area of the flat surface of the biasing member.

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