JPH11297164A - Multiple contact input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the pickup reliability of a single signal, easily accelerate a whole device to be small and thin and restrict the looseness of a keytop. SOLUTION: A first switch 2 and second switches located at four places around the first switch 2 are provided. A first operating member 4A for operating the first switch 2 and second operating members 4B for operating the second switches are independently actuated without influencing each other. A first pressing portion 49 of the first operating member 4A is held between a spring plate 5 and a snap plate for the first switch 2. Second pressing portions 44 of the second operating members 4A are held between the spring plate 5 and each snap plate for the second switch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a multi-contact input device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a multi-contact input device including a first switch and a plurality of second switches that are operated through a pressing operation of an operation member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 6-9025 discloses that a click plate is provided at the center of a substrate and four click plates are arranged at equal angles around the click plate. And a circular key top plate for pressing the four surrounding click plates separately to perform a snap operation, wherein the key top is an opening at the center of the key top plate. And a paddle switch whose key top is hooked on a key top plate and prevented from falling off. In the paddle switch described in this publication,
A leaf spring is interposed between the bottom plate of the case accommodating the substrate so as to be vertically movable and the substrate, the leaf spring supports the key top plate, and utilizes the force of the leaf spring. The key top plate is returned from the pressed position. The return of the key top from the pressed position is performed by an inversion return operation of the click plate at the center of the substrate.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-307124 discloses that four outer contacts are arranged at equal intervals around a center contact, and a projection for operating the center contact and four outer contacts are separately operated. There is a description of a switch in which four protruding portions are provided on one flange portion, and an operation shaft is protruded from the flange portion.

The paddle switches and switches described in these two publications can be used as multi-contact input devices. For example, in the former, a coordinate signal is output through a swing operation of a key top plate. It is possible to output a point setting signal through a pressing operation of the key top inserted into the opening of the key top plate.

[0005]

However, in the former, that is, in the paddle switch described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-9025, an opening at the center of the key top plate for causing four click plates to snap around. Then, a key top for performing a snap operation is inserted into the central click plate, and the key top is hooked on the key top plate to be prevented from being removed. Therefore, when the key top plate is rocked and any one of the four click plates is snapped, the center key top is forcibly followed by the movement of the key top plate. There is a risk that the plate will snap with the surrounding click plate against the operator's will, and if such a case occurs, a false signal may occur.

The latter, ie, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-30712
In the switch described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4 (1999) -1995, the projection for operating the center contact and the projection for operating the four outer contacts are provided on one flange, so that the center contact operates. When you push in the protrusion to make it
The protrusions for operating the four outer contacts are also pushed along with it, and when the flange is swung to operate the four outer contacts, the protrusion for operating the center contact also follows. In this switch, the center contact and the outer contact may operate simultaneously to generate an erroneous signal.

As described above, the conventional multi-contact input device has a problem of lacking reliability in extracting a single signal, and is therefore used as a pointing device used in a navigation system such as an automobile. Was unsuitable for

The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and the first switch and a plurality of second switches arranged around the first switch can be operated by separate operation members. By performing the operation of the first operation member corresponding to the switch and the operation of the second operation member corresponding to the second switch individually, high reliability is obtained in that a single signal is extracted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-contact input device that can be used.

Further, according to the present invention, the operating member is divided into two parts, a first operating member and a second operating member.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-contact input device capable of holding the attitude of the two operating members at the non-pushed position by using a common spring material.

Further, according to the present invention, the backlash of the first operating member or the second operating member at the non-pressed position utilizes the force of the movable portion provided in the first switch or the second switch or the force of the spring material. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-contact input device that can be surely suppressed by doing so.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device comprising: a first switch which is opened and closed through a snap operation of a first movable portion; and a plurality of peripheral portions which are equally spaced from the first switch. A base provided with a second switch, which is opened and closed through a snap operation of the second movable portion, and a first pressing portion capable of performing a push-in return operation for pressing the first movable portion to perform a snap operation. And a plurality of second pressing portions for separately pressing each of the second movable portions to perform a snap operation, and the first operating member is separately pressed and returned. A second operating member, and the first pressing portion of the first operating member cooperating with the first movable portion to elastically clamp the first operating portion at a non-pressed position of the first movable portion; A plurality of the second pushing Comprises a single spring member elastically presses sandwiching a non-pushed-in position of the second movable portion thereof in cooperation with the second movable portion corresponding to part them, and, is that.

According to the present invention, when the first operating member is located at the non-pressing position, the first pressing portion is moved to the first pressing position.
When the second operation member is located at the non-pushed position, the second operation member is pressed by the elastic force between the movable portion and the spring material.
Since the pressing portion is elastically clamped by the second movable portion and the spring member, rattling of the first operating member and the second operating member at the non-pushed position is suppressed.

In the multi-contact input device according to the present invention, the first
When the first pressing portion of the operation member is pushed in, the first movable portion performs a snap operation and switches between opening and closing of the first switch. Further, when any one of the second pressing portions of the second operating member is pressed, the second movable portion corresponding to the second pressing portion performs a snap operation to switch between opening and closing of the second switch. In this case, since the second operating member is pressed and returned separately from the first operating member, when the first pressing portion is pressed, the second pressing portion is pressed, When the pressing portion is pressed, the situation where the first pressing portion is pressed does not occur. Therefore, high reliability is exhibited in terms of extracting a single signal. The second
By opening and closing the switch, for example, the above-described coordinate signal can be output. Further, for example, the above-described point setting can be performed through opening and closing of the first switch.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second operating member and the first operating member are housed in a case integrally including the base and a side wall raised around the base. A cover body for closing the opening is attached, and a first keytop provided on the first operating member is projected through a first opening provided at a central portion of the cover body, and the first keytop provided on the first operation member is protruded. A plurality of second keytops provided in each of the plurality of second pressing portions of the second operating member are protruded through second openings provided at a plurality of locations around one opening.

According to the present invention, the first key top provided on the first pressing portion of the first operating member and the second key top provided on the plurality of second pressing portions of the second operating member are provided.
Since the first key tops and the plurality of second key tops are projected simultaneously to the outside of the cover through the respective openings, the possibility of simultaneously pushing the first key tops and the plurality of second key tops is reduced, and the reliability of extracting a single signal is accordingly increased.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second operating member is provided with the second pressing portion having the second key top at a plurality of locations around a plate-like portion having an opening at a central portion, The first key top of the first operation member has a projecting piece projecting from the outer periphery thereof, which is loosely fitted in the opening of the first operation member.

According to the present invention, the second operating member having the plurality of second pressing portions can be formed by one member, so that the number of components is reduced accordingly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
4. The spring member according to claim 3, wherein the spring member is formed of a spring plate having a fitting hole that is loosely fitted to the first keytop, and a hole edge of the fitting hole of the spring plate. To
A contact pressure portion elastically contacting the projecting piece of the first operation member and an edge of the opening of the second operation member is formed, and the contact pressure portion cooperates with the first movable portion. To press and hold the first pressing portion at the non-pressed position of the first movable portion.
The plurality of second pressing portions of the operating member cooperate with the corresponding second movable portions to pinch and hold the second movable portions at the non-pressed position, and the peripheral edge of the spring plate is It is supported by the inner surface of the cover body.

According to the present invention, since the edge of the fitting hole of the spring plate used as the spring material is in elastic contact with the projecting piece of the first operating member, the first operating member is formed by the spring body. It is stopped. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a portion for retaining the first operation member in another member such as the cover body.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising a second engagement mechanism for preventing rotation of the second operation member about an axis. According to the invention, the second operation member is provided by the second engagement mechanism. Of the second operating member is securely positioned with respect to the second movable portion of the second switch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
The base according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the base includes a single first switch and four switches arranged at 90-degree intervals. And the second switch is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to output a coordinate signal through the pressing operation of the first pressing portion of the first operating member and to set a point through the pressing operation of the second pressing portion of the second operating member. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
7. The second switch according to claim 6, wherein the second switch includes a second normally open contact formed of a curved plate and a second piece of second plate that is curved in a direction opposite to the second normally open contact. A rectangular second movable portion in which a normally closed contact is provided via a slit and both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second normally open contact and the second normally closed contact are connected to each other via a short circuit portion. A second normally closed fixed contact buried in the base and to which the second normally closed contact is normally connected; and a second normally closed fixed contact buried in the base and
And a second normally-open fixed contact corresponding to the normally-open contact.

According to the present invention, even if the play in the rotation direction of the second operating member is formed in the second engagement mechanism for preventing the rotation of the second operating member around the axis, the second operating member can be prevented from rotating. The second normally open contact of the second switch can always be reliably pushed in by the two pressing portions.

The multi-contact input device according to the invention according to claim 8 is:
8. The first switch according to claim 7, wherein the first switch is a circular first dome-shaped snap plate having a first normally open contact formed at a center portion and a first normally closed contact formed at an outer peripheral portion. A movable portion, a first normally closed fixed contact buried in the base and the first normally closed contact is normally in contact, a first normally open fixed contact buried in the base and corresponding to the first normally open contact, And the second movable portion of the second switch is configured such that a longitudinal direction of the second normally open contact and the second normally closed contact coincides with a direction orthogonal to a radial direction of the first movable portion. It is arranged to be. According to the present invention, the installation space for the first switch and the second switch can be reduced, which is useful for promoting downsizing of the multi-contact input device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-contact input device.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein at four positions at 90 degrees on the base, partitions are formed so as to project the surface of the base into four sections around the installation location of the first switch, protruding from the surface of the base. The space surrounded by the inner end faces of these partitions is allocated to the location where the first movable portion is provided, and the two partitions adjacent to each other in the direction in which the four partitions are arranged around the location where the first switch is installed. A space between the two partition portions is allocated to a location where the second movable portion is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably dispose the first movable portion of the first space and the second movable portion of the second switch at predetermined positions of the base.

[0028]

FIG. 1 is an external view schematically showing an embodiment of a multi-contact input device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a case 1, and FIG. ) Is a plan view of the second operation member 4B as viewed from the back side, and FIG.
5 (a) is a plan view of the first operation member 4A, FIG. 5 (b) is a side view of the second operation member, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second movable portion 33, 7 is a layout view showing the first movable portion 23 and the second movable portion 33, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a non-operation state of the multi-contact input device according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state when the multi-contact input device is operated, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a state when the multi-contact input device according to the present invention is operated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 8 to 10, the case 1 of the multi-contact input device has a polygonal (specifically, octagonal) base 11 and a periphery of the base 11. It is formed of a synthetic resin molded body integrally provided with the side wall 12 raised up. The base 11 of the case 1 is provided with a single first switch 2 and four second switches 3.

The first switch 2 is embedded in the center of the base 11 and has a first normally closed fixed contact 21 whose surface is exposed in a substantially C-shape. The first switch 2 is embedded in the base 11 and is fixed to the first normally closed position. It has a first normally open fixed contact 22 whose surface is exposed at the center of the contact 21, and a first movable portion 23. The first movable portion 23 is a snap plate having a circular dome shape, a first normally closed contact 24 is formed on the outer peripheral portion, and a spherical first normally open contact 25 bulging upward is formed in the center portion. I have. The first movable portion 23 is mounted on the center of the base 11 so that the first normally closed contact 24 is always in contact with the first normally closed fixed contact 21. It is opposed to the normally open fixed contact 22. The first switch 2 is configured such that the first normally open contact 25 comes into contact with the first normally open fixed contact 22 with a snap operation when the top of the first movable portion 23 made of a snap plate is pushed downward, and When the normally-open fixed contact 22 and the first normally-closed fixed contact 21 are electrically connected to each other via the first movable portion 23 to be in a closed state, and when the pushing force on the first movable portion 23 is released, the snap With the operation, the first normally open contact 25 separates from the first normally open fixed contact 22,
The normally-open fixed contact 22 and the first normally-closed fixed contact 21 are electrically disconnected to be in an open state. Then, at the time of such open / close switching, a sound and a touch are generated by the snap operation of the snap plate.

The second switch 3 is provided at a position spaced from the first switch 2. Specifically, a second normally closed fixed contact 31 buried in the base 11 and the surface thereof is exposed, a second normally open fixed contact 32 buried in the base 11 and the surface is exposed, and a second movable portion. 33. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the second movable portion 33 is formed in a rectangular shape, and is opposite to the second normally open contact 35 on both sides of the second normally open contact 35 formed by a curved plate portion. The second normally closed contacts 34, 34, which are composed of curved plate pieces, are provided with slits 3.
The second normally-open contacts 35 and the second normally-closed contacts 34, 34 are provided via the short-circuit portions 37, 37. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the second movable portion 33 is mounted on the base 11 such that the second normally closed contact 34 is always in contact with the second normally closed fixed contact 31. The open contact 35 faces the second normally open fixed contact 32. This second switch 3
The second normally open contact 35 comes into contact with the second normally open fixed contact 32 with a snap operation when the top of the second normally open contact 35 is pushed in, and the second normally open fixed contact 32 and the second normally closed When the fixed contact 31 is electrically connected to the fixed contact 31 via the second movable portion 33 to be in a closed state, and when the pushing force on the second normally open contact 35 is released, the second normally open contact is accompanied by a snap operation. 35 is separated from the second normally-open fixed contact 32, and the second normally-open fixed contact 32 and the second normally-closed fixed contact 31 are electrically disconnected to be in an open state. Then, at the time of such opening / closing switching, a click sound or a touch is generated by the snap operation of the snap plate. The click sound and the touch due to the snap operation of the snap plate are bent at the boundary portions between the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second normally closed contacts 34, 34 and the short-circuit portions 37, 37 as shown in FIG. By providing the curve S, it will occur more clearly.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 7, the second switch 3 is provided at a plurality of locations around the first switch 2 at equal intervals, specifically, four locations around the first switch 2.
Deployed every other time. Also, four second switches 3
, The longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 6) of the second normally open contact 35 and the second normally closed contact 34 is the first switch 2.
Are arranged so as to coincide with a direction orthogonal to the radial direction R of the first movable portion 23.

In this embodiment, the first switch 2
The first normally closed fixed contact 21 and the second normally closed fixed contact 31 of the second switch 3 are formed as being electrically short-circuited by punching a single metal plate.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the base 11 of the case 1 has
A partition 13 that divides the surface of the base 1 into four around the installation location of the first switch 2 is formed so as to project from the surface of the base 11. The space S1 surrounded by the inner end faces 14 of the partitioning portions 13 is allocated to the location where the first movable portion 23 of the first switch 2 is provided.
Also, two partitions 1 adjacent to each other in the direction in which the four partitions 13 are arranged around the location where the first switch 2 is installed.
The space S2 between the third and the third 13 is allocated to the location where the second movable portion 33 of the second switch 3 is provided. For this reason,
The first movable portion 23 is positioned by the inner end faces 14 of the four partition portions 13, and the second movable portion 33 is positioned by two adjacent partition portions 13, 13. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes an electrically insulating synthetic resin sheet. The sheet 10 holds the first movable portion 23 and the second movable portion 33 via an adhesive layer as shown in FIGS. ing. When the first movable portion 23 and the second movable portion 33 are held by the sheet 10 in this manner, the positional relationship between the first movable portion 23 and the second movable portion 33 is more reliably maintained.

The first operation member 4A shown in FIGS. 2 and 5
The first key top 47 has a cylindrical stem shape, a projecting piece 48 protruding from the outer periphery of the lower end of the first key top 47 in four directions, and a first projection 47 provided on the lower surface of the first key top 47. The first pressing portion 49 has a substantially spherical surface. On the other hand, the second operation member 4B shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is a synthetic resin molded body having a polygonal (specifically, octagonal) plate-shaped portion 41, and the plate-shaped portion 41 is a case. Housed in one. The plate-shaped portion 41 has an opening 42 at the center thereof, and has projecting second pressing portions 44 at four 90-degree intervals at equal intervals around the opening. Each second pressing portion 44 is provided with a second keytop 43 protruding above the plate-shaped portion 41. The opening 42
The convex holes 42a are continuously provided at four places around the periphery. As can be seen from FIGS. 8 to 10, the first operation member 4 </ b> A
The pressing portion 49 is provided corresponding to the first movable portion 23 of the first switch 2, and each of the four second pressing portions 44 of the second operation member 4 </ b> B is the fourth pressing portion 44 of the second switch 3. The second movable contact 33 is provided corresponding to each of the second normally open contacts 35.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIGS. 8 to 10, the first operation member 4A is loosely fitted into the opening 42 provided in the plate-shaped portion 41 of the second operation member 4B. Are combined. Specifically, the projecting piece 48 of the first operating member 4A is loosely fitted into the convex hole 42a of the opening 42 while maintaining a slight gap.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 5 denotes a spring material. The spring member 5 is a polygonal (specifically, an octagon) dish-shaped spring plate in a plan view, and is fitted at its central portion into the first keytop 47 of the first operating member 4A so as to be loosely fitted. In addition to having the mating hole 51, it has rectangular openings 53 respectively fitted to the four second key tops 43 of the second operation member 4 </ b> B at four positions at equal angles on the outer peripheral portion. A circular contact pressure portion 52 is formed at the edge of the fitting hole 51. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the spring member 5 is inserted into the case 1 housing the first operation member 4A and the second operation member 4B. The fitting hole 51 is provided in the first operating member 4A.
The key top 47 is loosely fitted, the four openings 53 are separately fitted to the four second key tops 43 of the second operation member 4B, and the outer peripheral portion 54 thereof is formed on the upper end surface of the side wall 12 of the case 1. Are superimposed.

In FIGS. 2 and 8 to 10, reference numeral 6 denotes a cover body. The cover body 6 engages a locking piece 61 provided therearound with the engaging projection 17 on the case 1 side. Attached to the case 1 by the case 1
Of the spring member 5 by the inner surface of the cover body 6.
Is slidably pressed against the upper end surface of the. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a first opening 62 provided at the center of the cover body 6.
The first key top 47 of the first operation member 4A is projected through the second operation member 4B through the second openings 63 provided at four places around the cover body 6.
Two second key tops 43 are separately projected.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the first operating member 4A has a first pressing portion 49 mounted on the first movable portion 23, and a protruding piece 48 of the first operating member 4A. Contact pressure part 52
Is in contact with For this reason, the first pressure member 52 of the first operating member 4A is cooperated with the contact pressure portion 52 of the spring member 5 and the first movable portion 23.
The pressing portion 49 is pressed and held at the non-pressed position of the first movable portion 23. In the second operation member 4A, the second pressing portion 44 is mounted on the second normally open contact 35 of the second movable portion 33, and the edge 42b of the opening 42 (see FIG. 2).
Are in contact with the contact pressure portion 52 of the spring member 5. Therefore, by the cooperation of the contact portion 52 of the spring member 5 and the second movable portion 33,
The second pressing portion 44 of the second operating member 4 </ b> B is resiliently clamped at the non-pressed position of the second normally open contact 35 of the second movable portion 33. With this configuration, the first operation member 4A and the second
The rattling of the operation member 4B at the non-pushed position is suppressed or eliminated in some cases. In addition, the contact pressure portion 52 elastically contacts the protruding piece 48 of the first operation member 4A and serves to prevent the first operation member 4A from being pulled out.

In the above multi-contact input device, FIG.
As can be seen from the figure, the concave portions 46 formed at two places around the plate-shaped portion 41 of the second operation member 4B are fitted to the two convex portions 18 provided on the side wall 12 of the case 1 to perform the second operation. The rotation of the member 4B around the axis is prevented. Therefore,
The second operating member 4 is formed by these concave portions 46 and convex portions 18.
A second engagement mechanism 7 for preventing rotation about the axis of B is formed. Further, the projection 48 of the first operation member 4A is fitted into the convex hole 42a of the second operation member 4B, so that the second
The rotation of the first operation member 4A around the axis with respect to the operation member 4B is prevented. Therefore, the first engaging mechanism 8 that prevents the first operating member 4A from rotating around the axis is formed by the protruding pieces 48 and the convex holes 42a.

In the multi-contact input device described above, the first key top 47 and the second operation member 4 of the first operation member 4A are provided.
When the pressing force is not applied to the second key top 43 of B, the first operating member 4A and the second operating member 4B are maintained at the non-pressed position by the action of the spring member 5 as shown in FIG. Has become.

In this state, when any one of the second key tops 43 of the second operation member 4B is pushed in as shown by an arrow F2 as shown in FIG. 9, the entire second operation member 4B is tilted with the pushing. , The second pressing portion 44 corresponds to the second
The second normally open contact 35 of the movable portion 33 is turned over and brought into contact with the second normally open fixed contact 32. For this reason, the second switch 3 switches from open to closed. At this time, the second normally open contact 35
The feel of the snap action is transmitted to the hand, and at the same time, a click sound is generated. When the pressing force applied to the second operation member 4B is released, the second normally open contact 35 separates from the second normally open fixed contact 32 with a snap operation, and the second switch 3 switches from closed to open. . Also at this time, the second normally open contact 35
The feel of the snap action is transmitted to the hand, and at the same time, a click sound is generated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the first keytop 47 of the first operation member 4A is pushed in as indicated by an arrow F1, the first pressing portion 49 causes the corresponding first movable portion 23 of the first movable portion 23 to move. The normally open contact 25 is inverted and brought into contact with the first normally open fixed contact 22. Therefore, the first switch 2 switches from open to closed. At this time, the feeling accompanying the snap operation of the first normally open contact 25 is transmitted to the hand, and at the same time, a click sound is generated. When the pressing force applied to the first operation member 4A is released, the first normally open contact 25 separates from the first normally open fixed contact 22 with a snap operation, and the first switch 2 switches from closed to open. . Also at this time, the feeling accompanying the snap operation of the first normally open contact 25 is transmitted to the hand, and at the same time, a click sound is generated.

By the way, in this multi-contact input device, the second
Since the first key top 47 of the first operation member 4A is loosely fitted into the opening 42 of the operation member 4B, the first operation member 4A
And the push-in return operation of the second operation member 4B are performed individually with almost no influence. For this reason, when the first pressing portion 49 is pushed in, the second pressing portion 44 is pushed in by following it, or when the second pressing portion 44 is pushed in, the first pressing portion 49 follows in pushing. The situation of being pushed does not occur. This exhibits high reliability in extracting a single signal. In particular, in this embodiment, the first key top 4
7 and the second key tops 43 are separate first openings 6 respectively.
Since it is projected outside the cover body 6 through the second and second openings 63, the possibility that the first key top 47 and the plurality of second key tops 43 are simultaneously pushed is reduced, and the reliability of taking out a single signal is further increased.

FIG. 2 shows the first movable portion 23 formed by stacking two snap plates.
Of course, the first movable portion 23 can be formed by only one snap plate. However, when the first movable portion 23 is formed by overlapping two snap plates, the first movable portion 23
There is an advantage that the click sound accompanying the snap operation is more clearly generated, and at the same time, the feeling transmitted to the hand becomes more clear. In the multi-contact input device according to the present invention, the plurality of second pressing portions may be formed by separate members, respectively.
It may be provided at a plurality of locations other than the one.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the operation of the first operating member corresponding to the first switch and the operation of the second operating member corresponding to the second switch are separately performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a multi-contact input device exhibiting high reliability in terms of extracting a single signal. In addition, although the operating member is divided into two parts, a first operating member and a second operating member, the posture holding of the two operating members at the non-pushed-in position is common to them.
Since the two spring members are used, the effect of reducing the number of parts is exhibited, and at the same time, it is easy to promote the miniaturization and thinning of the entire device. In addition, according to the present invention, various beneficial effects such as rattling of the first operating member and the second operating member at the non-pushed-in position are surely suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view schematically showing an embodiment of a multi-contact input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-contact input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a case.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of the second operation member as viewed from the back side, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb of FIG.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of a first operation member, and FIG.
It is a side view of an operation member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second movable section.

FIG. 7 is a layout diagram showing a first movable section and a second movable section.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a non-operation state of the multi-contact input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state during operation of the multi-contact input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a state during operation of the multi-contact input device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 1st switch 3 2nd switch 4A 1st operating member 4B 2nd operating member 5 Spring material 6 Cover body 7 2nd engaging mechanism 11 Base 12 Side wall 13 Partition part 14 Inner end face of partition part 21 1st normally closed Fixed contact 22 First normally open fixed contact 23 First movable part 24 First normally closed contact 25 First normally open contact 31 Second normally closed fixed contact 32 Second normally open fixed contact 33 Second movable part 34 Second normally closed Contact 35 Second normally open contact 36 Slit 37 Short circuit part 41 Plate part 42 Opening 43 Second key top 44 Second pressing part 47 First key top 48 Protrusion piece 49 First pressing part 51 Fitting hole 52 Contact pressure part 54 Peripheral edge of spring plate 62 First opening 63 Second opening L Longitudinal direction of second normally open contact and second normally closed contact R Radial direction of first movable portion S1, S2 Void

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A first switch which is opened and closed by a snap operation of a first movable portion, and a second switch which is provided at a plurality of peripheral positions at equal intervals from the first switch and is opened and closed by a snap operation of a second movable portion. A base including a switch, a first operating member having a first pressing portion capable of performing a press-return operation for pressing the first movable portion to perform a snap operation, and each of the second movable portion. A second operating member having a plurality of second pressing portions for separately pressing and performing a snap operation and being pressed and returned separately from the first operating member; and the first pressing of the first operating member Cooperating with the first movable portion to clamp the portion at the non-pushed position of the first movable portion,
And a single spring member which cooperates the plurality of second pressing portions of the second operation member with the corresponding second movable portions to elastically clamp the non-pushed positions of the second movable portions. A multi-contact input device, comprising: 2. A case integrally including the base and a side wall raised around the base, wherein the second operation member and the first operation member are accommodated, and an opening of the case is closed by the case. A cover body is attached, a first keytop provided on the first operating member projects through a first opening provided at a central portion of the cover body, and a periphery of the first opening of the cover body is provided. 2. The multi-contact input device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of second keytops provided on each of the plurality of second pressing portions of the second operation member project through second openings provided at a plurality of locations. 3. . 3. The second operating member is provided with the second pressing portion having the second keytop at a plurality of locations around a plate-like portion having an opening at a central portion, and the first operating member is provided. 3. The multi-contact input device according to claim 2, wherein the first key top has a projection protruding from an outer periphery thereof, which is loosely fitted into the opening of the first operation member. 4. 4. The spring member is formed of a spring plate having a fitting hole that is loosely fitted to the first keytop, and the spring plate is provided at the edge of the fitting hole with the first keytop. A contact pressure portion elastically contacting the projecting piece of the first operation member and an edge of the opening of the second operation member is formed, and the contact pressure portion cooperates with the first movable portion to form the contact pressure portion. The first pressing portion is resiliently clamped at the non-pressed position of the first movable portion, and the plurality of second pressing portions of the second operating member cooperate with the corresponding second movable portions to form the second pressing portions. 4. The multi-contact input device according to claim 3, wherein the multi-contact input device is elastically clamped at a non-pressed position of the second movable portion, and a peripheral edge of the spring plate is supported by an inner surface of the cover body. 5. 5. The multi-contact input device according to claim 4, further comprising a second engagement mechanism for preventing rotation of the second operation member about an axis. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with a single first switch and four second switches arranged at 90-degree intervals.
The multi-contact input device according to claim 4. 7. A switch according to claim 6, wherein said second switch includes a second normally-open contact formed of a curved plate portion and a second normally-closed contact formed of a plate portion curved in a direction opposite to said second normally-open contact. A rectangular second movable portion which is provided through a slit and has both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second normally open contact and the second normally closed contact connected to each other via a short-circuit portion; And a second normally closed fixed contact embedded in the base and to which the second normally closed contact is normally in contact, and a second normally open fixed contact embedded in the base and corresponding to the second normally open contact. Item 7. A multi-contact input device according to Item 6. 8. The first switch, wherein the first switch is a circular first movable portion formed of a dome-shaped snap plate having a first normally open contact formed at a central portion and a first normally closed contact formed at an outer peripheral portion; A first buried in the base and in which the first normally closed contact is in normal contact;
The first switch is formed by a normally closed fixed contact and a first normally open fixed contact buried in the base and corresponding to the first normally open contact. 8. The multi-contact input device according to claim 7, wherein the two normally-open contacts and the second normally-closed contacts are arranged such that longitudinal directions thereof coincide with a direction orthogonal to a radial direction of the first movable portion. 9. 9. A partition part which divides the surface of the base into four parts around the installation position of the first switch is formed at four places at 90 ° intervals of the base so as to protrude from the surface of the base. A space surrounded by the inner end face of the partition portion is assigned to the location where the first movable portion is arranged,
9. The space according to claim 8, wherein a space between two adjacent partitions in the direction in which the four partitions are arranged around the installation location of the first switch is allocated to a location where the second movable portion is provided. The multi-contact input device described.