JP2013242972A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve output precision of a variable resistor operated via an interlocking member interlocked with an operating member even if the interlocking member is turned to drive a push switch.SOLUTION: In a multidirectional input device in which the first interlocking member (4) holds the operating member pivotable, and has one end portion engaged with the first rotary variable resistor (6) and an opposite end portion drivingly opposed to the push switch, the first rotary variable resistor (6) has a slider receiver (62) having a hole portion (624) with which the one end portion of the first interlocking member (4) is engaged, a slider (61) disposed on the slider receiver (62), and an insulating substrate (63) provided with a resistor pattern with which the slider (61) is in sliding contact, and has a resilient piece (625) in the hole portion (624) of the slider receiver (62), and the resilient piece (625) resiliently holds the slider receiver (62) at the one end portion of the first interlocking member (4) while permitting the first interlocking member (4) to be moved axially.

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device, and more particularly to a multidirectional input device that inputs various signals in response to an operation in an arbitrary surrounding direction with respect to an operation member.

  Conventionally, an operation member that can be operated in an arbitrary surrounding direction has been provided, and a signal is output according to an operation direction and an operation amount with respect to the operation member, and an internal switch circuit is provided according to a pressing operation on the operation member Multi-directional input devices that can be turned on / off are known. As such a multidirectional input device, for example, first and second interlocking members rotated by an operation member, a first variable resistor operated via the first interlocking member, and a second interlocking member are used. And a second variable resistor that is operated in response to a pressing switch that is pressed at one end of the second interlocking member in response to a pressing operation on the operating member has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-112552, FIG.

  However, the conventional multidirectional input device described above employs a configuration in which the push switch is driven by rotating the other end of the second interlocking member on the second variable resistor side as a rotation fulcrum. For this reason, it is necessary to engage the other end of the second interlocking member and the second variable resistor via a clearance. In general, the output accuracy of the second variable resistor deteriorates due to the dimensional accuracy of the second interlocking member and the second variable resistor and the influence of the clearance between these members. In particular, when the second interlocking member is made of a material that expands due to moisture absorption or the like, it is necessary to provide a clearance in consideration of the dimensions after the expansion. When such a clearance is provided, the output accuracy of the second variable resistor is significantly degraded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and improves the output accuracy of a variable resistor operated via the interlocking member even in a configuration in which the push switch is driven by the interlocking member interlocking with the operating member. An object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device that can perform the above-described operation.

  The multi-directional input device according to the present invention includes a housing having an opening, an operation member having a protrusion protruding outward from the opening and capable of being tilted, and rotating according to the tilting operation of the operating member. First and second interlocking members that extend so that their axial directions are orthogonal to each other and are held by the housing, and first rotations that detect the rotational movements of the first and second interlocking members, respectively. Type variable resistor and second rotary variable resistor, and return the operating member to the initial state before the tilting operation and return the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member to the initial state via the operating member. An urging member; and a push switch that is driven by an operation of pushing the protrusion into the housing. The first interlocking member rotatably holds the operation member, and one end portion of the first switch is the first switch. In the multidirectional input device that engages with the rotary variable resistor and the other end faces the push switch so that the push switch can be driven, the first rotary variable resistor includes the first interlocking member. A slider receiver having a hole with which one end of the slider engages, a slider provided on the slider receiver, and an insulating substrate provided with a resistor pattern on which the slider slides. An elastic piece is provided in the hole of the slider receiver, and the elastic piece allows the first interlocking member to move in the axial direction, while the sliding piece is provided at one end of the first interlocking member. The moving element receiver is elastically held.

  According to the multidirectional input device described above, the slider receiver can move the first interlocking member while allowing the first interlocking member to move in the axial direction by the elastic piece provided in the hole of the slider receiver. Since it is elastically held at one end, the first interlocking member and the slider receiver of the first rotary variable resistor can be engaged without interposing a clearance. Even in the configuration of driving the push switch, it is possible to improve the output accuracy of the first rotary variable resistor operated via the first interlocking member.

  In the multidirectional input device, the second rotary variable resistor includes a slider receiver having a hole portion with which one end of the second interlocking member is engaged, and a slide provided on the slider receiver. And an insulating substrate provided with a resistor pattern with which the slider is slidably contacted. An elastic piece is provided in the hole portion of the slider receiver, and the elastic piece serves as a second interlocking member. The slider receiver is elastically held at one end of the second interlocking member while allowing movement in the axial direction, and the first interlocking is performed on the housing by the biasing force from the biasing member. A taper portion for moving the member to one side along the axial direction is provided, and the first interlocking member is provided with a contact portion that contacts the taper portion and restricts movement to the one side. It is preferable that a regulating part is provided. In this case, the abutting portion is brought into contact with the tapered portion provided in the housing using the urging force from the urging member, and the first interlocking member is moved to one side along the axial direction. At the same time, since the movement can be restricted by the restricting portion, the position of the operating member can be stabilized via the first interlocking member, and therefore the output of the second rotary variable resistor operated via the second interlocking member The accuracy can be improved.

  In the multidirectional input device, the housing includes an upper case made of metal, a lower case, and an intermediate member made of a synthetic resin provided between the upper case and the lower case. It is conceivable that the taper portion is provided on the surface. In this case, since the taper portion is provided in the synthetic resin intermediate member, the first interlocking member can be moved to the first rotary variable resistor side by a part of the synthetic resin material. It is possible to suppress the situation of scraping and smoothly move the first interlocking member to the first rotary variable resistor side.

  Particularly, in the multi-directional input device, the lower case is provided with the placement portion of the push switch, while the intermediate member has a holding portion that presses the push switch toward the placement portion. Is preferred. In this case, since the push switch can be pressed to the mounting portion side by a part of the intermediate member that moves the first interlocking member to the first rotary variable resistor side, the first interlocking member and the push switch are Since the positional relationship can be maintained, the push switch can be reliably driven by the first interlocking member.

  In the multidirectional input device, the intermediate member is provided with a held piece held by the upper case, and the held piece is attached to the lower case when the upper case is attached to the lower case. It is preferable to be held by the upper case. In this case, since the intermediate member is held only by attaching the upper case to the lower case, the intermediate member can be integrated with the lower case and the upper case without requiring a complicated work process. Is possible.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device, a planar portion along a projecting direction of the projecting portion of the operation member in an initial state is disposed at one end of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, and the opposite of the planar portion. And a contact portion that is elastically contacted by the elastic piece, and the hole portion is provided with a support surface portion formed of a flat surface facing the flat portion on the side facing the elastic piece. Preferably it is. In this case, one end of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member is provided with a planar portion along the projecting direction of the projecting portion of the operation member, and a support surface portion facing the planar portion is provided in the hole. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the slider receiver when the push switch is driven, and it is possible to make the output signal from the first rotary variable resistor difficult to fluctuate.

  Further, in the multidirectional input device, the first rotary variable resistor and the second rotary variable resistor are attached to an outer surface of the housing, and the slider receiver holds the slider. And a base portion that faces the outer surface of the housing and a shaft portion that protrudes outward from the base portion, the hole portion is formed in the shaft portion, and the insulating substrate includes the shaft portion. Preferably, the elastic piece has a through hole that is rotatably held, and the elastic piece extends to the base side with a distal end portion of the shaft portion inserted through the through hole of the insulating substrate as a connecting portion. In this case, since the elastic piece extends to the base side with the tip portion of the shaft portion inserted into the through hole of the insulating substrate as the connecting portion, the length of the elastic piece can be secured, so that a good elastic force can be obtained for a long time. Can be ensured over the entire range.

  Furthermore, in the said multi-directional input device, it is preferable that the base part of the said slider receptacle is provided with the protrusion which can contact | abut with the outer surface of the said housing. In this case, since the protrusion that can contact the outer surface of the housing is provided at the base of the slider receiver, a force that tilts the slider receiver due to friction or the like acts when driving the push switch. Even in this case, the protrusion can abut against the outer surface of the housing and the inclination of the slider receiver can be suppressed, so that the output accuracy of the first rotary variable resistor can be stabilized.

  Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device, the shaft portion is formed with a plurality of notches at positions different from the elastic piece, and is latched in the through hole between the plurality of notches. Preferably, a pair of claw portions is provided, and the pair of claw portions are arranged to face each other with the hole portion interposed therebetween. In this case, since the pair of claw portions that are latched in the through holes are provided on the shaft portion, assembly work or the like is performed with the slider receiver holding the slider held on the insulating substrate. Therefore, handling of the rotary variable resistor can be simplified. Further, since the pair of claw portions are provided at positions different from the elastic piece, the length of the elastic piece can be ensured, and a good elastic force can be ensured over a long period of time.

  According to the present invention, even in a configuration in which the push switch is driven by the first interlocking member interlocked with the operation member, it is possible to improve the output accuracy of the variable resistor operated via the interlocking member.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st interlocking member and 1st rotation type variable resistor which the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment has. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st interlocking member and 1st rotation type variable resistor which the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment has. It is a perspective view of the positioning member which the multidirectional input device concerning the above-mentioned embodiment has. It is a perspective view of the state which assembled the multidirectional input device concerning the above-mentioned embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the 1st interlocking member and 1st rotation type variable resistor which the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment has. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the multidirectional input device which concerns on the said embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multidirectional input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as “vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1” and “horizontal direction of the multidirectional input device 1”, respectively. 1 is referred to as “the front side of the multidirectional input device 1”, and the back side of the paper illustrated in FIG. 1 is referred to as “the rear side of the multidirectional input device 1”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation member 3 extending in a vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1 in a generally box-shaped housing 2, and an operation member 3. A first interlocking member 4 and a second interlocking member 5 that rotate in response to a tilting operation are provided. In addition, the multidirectional input device 1 includes a first rotary variable resistor (hereinafter referred to as “first variable resistor”) 6 that detects the rotational movement of the first interlocking member 4 accompanying the tilting of the operation member 3, A second rotary variable resistor (hereinafter referred to as “second variable resistor”) 7 that detects the rotational movement of the second interlocking member 5 accompanying the tilting of the operation member 3 and a pressing operation on the operation member 3. And a push switch 8 to be driven. Furthermore, the multidirectional input device 1 includes a coil spring 91 that returns the operating member 3 to the initial state before the operation and returns the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5 to the initial state via the operating member 3. A return mechanism 9 and a positioning member 10 that positions the first interlocking member 4 at a predetermined position using a biasing force from a coil spring 91 of the return mechanism 9 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 includes a lower case 21 that constitutes a bottom surface portion of the apparatus body, an upper case 22 that covers the lower case 21 from above, and a positioning member 10 that will be described later. Yes. For example, the lower case 21 is formed by molding an insulating resin material. The lower case 21 is generally provided with a rectangular bottom surface portion 211 having a flat plate shape, a side wall portion 212 provided on an outer edge portion of the bottom surface portion 211, and a front side wall portion 212 extending forward. The switch mounting portion 213 and support pieces 214 to 216 provided to extend upward from the side wall portions 212 on the rear side, the left side, and the right side. A wall portion 217 used for positioning the upper case 22 is provided outside the support piece 215.

  A circular recess 211 a is formed at the center of the bottom surface portion 211. The recess 211a has a shape that can accommodate the lower end of a support column 312 of the operation member 3 to be described later. The recess 211a plays a role of suppressing the deformation of the lower end of the support column 312 even when the operation member 3 is pushed into the housing 2 by an excessive pressing force. Around the recess 211a, an inclined surface portion 211b having a ring shape is provided. The inclined surface portion 211b has an inclined surface that is inclined downward in the radial direction from a portion that defines the recess 211a. The inclined surface portion 211b plays a role of returning the driving body 92 that has received a biasing force of a coil spring 91 of the return mechanism 9 described later to an initial position.

  The switch mounting portion 213 constitutes a mounting portion, and includes a bottom surface portion 213a disposed on the same plane as the bottom surface portion 211, and outer edge portions (front side, left side, and right side) of the bottom surface portion 213a. Side wall portion 213b provided on the outer edge portion on the side. The switch mounting portion 213 is configured such that the push switch 8 can be mounted in a recess formed by these side wall portions 213 b and the side wall portion 212 on the front side of the lower case 21. In the vicinity of the four corners of the bottom surface portion 213a, slits into which terminal portions 83 of the push switch 8 described later can be inserted are formed.

  The upper end of the support piece 214 is provided with a recess 214a having an arc shape that opens upward. This recessed part 214a supports the connection piece 422 of the 1st interlocking member 4 mentioned later so that rotation is possible in the state which the multi-directional input device 1 was assembled. In addition, a part of the recess 214 a functions as a vertical pivot point of the first interlocking member 4 when a pressing operation is performed on the operation member 3.

  Similarly, concave portions 215a and 216a each having an arc shape opened upward are provided at the upper ends of the support pieces 215 and 216, respectively. These concave portions 215a and 216a rotatably support a protruding piece 523 and a plate-like portion 521a of the second interlocking member 5 described later in a state where the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled. Moreover, these recessed parts 215a and 216a play a role of restricting the downward movement of the second interlocking member 5 when a pressing operation is performed on the operation member 3.

  The upper case 22 is configured, for example, by punching and bending a metal plate material, and is generally provided in a box shape that opens downward. The upper case 22 has an upper surface portion 221 in which a circular opening 221 a is formed, and four side surface portions 222 provided to hang from the outer edge portion of the upper surface portion 221.

  An opening 222 a that opens downward is formed at the center of a side surface portion (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “front surface portion”) 222 disposed on the front side. The opening 222 a accommodates the positioning member 10 and sandwiches the positioning member 10 with the lower case 21. A pair of engagement pieces 222b are provided on the side of the opening 222a and at the lower end of the front surface 222. These engagement pieces 222 b are bent to the lower surface side of the lower case 21 to integrate the upper case 22 with the lower case 21. In addition, in FIG. 1, the engagement piece 222b of the bent state is shown.

  At the center of a side surface portion (hereinafter referred to as “rear surface portion” hereinafter) 222 disposed on the rear side, an opening 222 c that opens downward is formed. The opening 222c is configured to be able to accommodate one end of the first interlocking member 4 described later on the connection piece 422 side. A pair of engagement pieces 222d are provided on the side of the opening 222c and at the lower end of the rear surface 222. Together with the above-described engagement piece 222b, these engagement pieces 222d are bent to the lower surface side of the lower case 21 to integrate the upper case 22 with the lower case 21. Further, a pair of slits 222e are formed at predetermined positions on the rear surface portion 222 (the right side slit 222e is not shown in FIG. 1). These slits 222e are configured such that an engaging piece 641 of the first variable resistor 6 to be described later can be snap-in engaged. Further, a plurality of circular positioning holes 222 f are formed at predetermined positions on the rear surface portion 222. A positioning piece 642 of the first variable resistor 6 to be described later is inserted into these positioning holes 222f.

  An opening 222g that opens downward is formed at the center of a side surface portion (hereinafter referred to as “right side surface portion”) 222 arranged on the right side. The opening 222g is configured to accommodate a plate-like portion 521a of the second interlocking member 5 described later. A pair of insertion pieces 222h is provided on the side of the opening 222g and at the lower end of the right side surface 222. These insertion pieces 222h are inserted into the positioning holes of the board on which the multidirectional input device 1 is mounted, and are used for positioning the apparatus main body. In addition, a pair of slits 222 i are formed at predetermined positions on the right side surface portion 222. These slits 222i are configured such that an engagement piece 741 of the second variable resistor 7 described later can be snap-in engaged. Furthermore, a plurality of circular positioning holes 222j are formed at predetermined positions on the right side surface portion 222. A positioning piece 742 of the second variable resistor 7 to be described later is inserted through these positioning holes 222j.

  An opening 222k that opens downward is formed in the center of a side surface portion (hereinafter referred to as “left side surface portion” as appropriate) 222 arranged on the left side. The opening 222k is configured to accommodate the wall 217 of the lower case 21. A pair of insertion pieces 222l is provided on the side of the opening 222k and at the lower end of the left side surface 222. These insertion pieces 222l are inserted into the positioning holes of the board on which the multidirectional input device 1 is mounted, and are used for positioning of the apparatus main body, like the insertion pieces 222h described above.

  For example, the operation member 3 is formed by molding an insulating resin material. The operation member 3 includes a generally cylindrical base 31, a protrusion 32 protruding upward from the upper end of the base 31, and an outer peripheral surface of the base 31. It has a pair of axial part 33 which protrudes to the side. Inside the base 31, a housing 311 for housing a coil spring 91 of the return mechanism 9 to be described later is provided, and a support column 312 extending in the vertical direction at the center of the housing 311 is provided (FIG. 1 (not shown, see FIG. 6). The protrusion 32 is formed with an insertion hole 321 into which a part of an operation knob (not shown) can be inserted. The shaft portion 33 protrudes in the left-right direction and is configured to be able to be inserted into an insertion hole 41a of the first interlocking member 4 described later. On the upper side of the side surface of the shaft portion 33, a tapered surface is formed to facilitate insertion into the insertion holes 41a.

  The first interlocking member 4 is formed by molding an insulating resin material (for example, nylon), for example, and a pair of long side portions 41 disposed opposite to each other, and both end portions of these side portions 41. It has the connection part 42 which connects mutually (refer FIG. 2). A rectangular opening 43 is provided inside the side surface portion 41 and the coupling portion 42 in a top view. In the center of each side surface portion 41, an insertion hole 41a is formed through which the shaft portion 33 of the operation member 3 described above is inserted. When the shaft portion 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 41a, the first interlocking member 4 holds the operation member 3 in a rotatable manner.

  The connecting portion 42 disposed on the front side is provided with a pressing piece 421 that protrudes to the front side of the multidirectional input device 1. The pressing piece 421 is used for driving the push switch 8. On the other hand, the connecting portion 42 on the rear side is provided with a connecting piece 422 that protrudes to the rear side of the multidirectional input device 1. The connecting piece 422 is used for connecting the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6. The connecting piece 422 transmits the rotation of the first interlocking member 4 accompanying the tilting operation of the operation member 3 to the first variable resistor 6. In the 1st interlocking member 4, the press piece 421 and the connection piece 422 are arrange | positioned along the axial direction.

  Here, the configuration of the pressing piece 421 and the connecting piece 422 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams of the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6 included in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. 2 and 3, the first variable resistor 6 is shown in an exploded manner for convenience. Moreover, in FIG.2 and FIG.3, the 1st interlocking member 4 and the 1st rotation type variable resistor 6 are shown from the front side and back side of the multidirectional input device 1, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing piece 421 includes a shaft portion 421a disposed on the lower surface side, a contact portion 421b that is disposed at a base end portion of the shaft portion 421a, and has a generally truncated cone shape, and a shaft portion 421a. And a protruding portion 421c that protrudes upward. The abutting portion 421b has a configuration that decreases in diameter toward the tip of the pressing piece 421. In a state where the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled, the contact portion 421b is configured to contact and be guided by a tapered portion 104a of the positioning member 10 described later. That is, the contact portion 421b is a guided portion that is guided by the taper portion 104a to move to one side of the first interlocking member 4 along the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting piece 422 has a plate shape and is provided extending in the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1. On one surface of the connecting piece 422 (the right side surface in FIG. 3), a flat surface portion constituted by a flat surface along the projecting direction of the projecting portion 32 of the operating member 3 in the initial state (the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1). 422a is provided. On the other hand, on the other surface of the connecting piece 422 (the left side surface in FIG. 3), a contact portion 422b configured by a plane parallel to the plane portion 422a is provided. The contact portion 422b is configured such that an elastic piece 625 provided on a slider receiver 62 of the first variable resistor 6 described later can be elastically contacted.

  A pair of projecting portions 423 that slightly project rearward are provided on the rear surface of the connecting portion 42 provided with the connecting piece 422. These protruding pieces 423 function as restricting portions, and when the first interlocking member 4 moves rearward in response to the urging force from the coil spring 91 of the return mechanism 9, the upper case 22 (more specifically, Specifically, it abuts against the inner wall surface of the rear surface portion 222) and serves to regulate the movement of the first interlocking member 4. In addition, although the case where the protruding piece 423 contacts the inner wall surface of the upper case 22 to restrict the movement of the first interlocking member 4 is described here, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to restrict the movement of the first interlocking member 4 in contact with a portion other than the upper case 22.

  The second interlocking member 5 is disposed so that the axial direction is orthogonal to the first interlocking member 4. The second interlocking member 5 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material. The second interlocking member 5 is curved in an arch shape toward the upper side shown in FIG. 1 by molding or the like, and a slit hole 51 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the arched portion. The slit hole 51 is provided with a dimension that allows the protruding portion 32 of the operation member 3 to be inserted.

  A pair of side surface parts 52 are provided at both ends of the second interlocking member 5 in the longitudinal direction. On the outside of these side surface portions 52, plate-like portions 521a and 521b protruding downward are provided. The lower surface of the plate-like portion 521a has an arc shape, and is disposed on the concave portion 216a of the support piece 216 of the lower case 21 in a state where the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled. A connecting piece 522 having a rectangular cross section is provided on the plate-like portion 521a disposed to face the second variable resistor 7. The connecting piece 522 transmits the rotation of the second interlocking member 5 accompanying the tilting operation of the operation member 3 to the second variable resistor 7. On the other hand, a plate-like portion 521b opposite to the second variable resistor 7 is provided with a generally circular protruding piece 523. The protruding piece 523 is disposed on the concave portion 215a of the support piece 215 of the lower case 21 in a state where the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled.

  The connecting piece 522 included in the second interlocking member 5 has the same configuration as the connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting piece 522 has a plate shape and is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1. One surface (rear surface) of the connecting piece 522 is provided with a flat surface portion 522a constituted by a flat surface along the protruding direction of the protruding portion 32 of the operating member 3 in the initial state (the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1). Yes. On the other hand, the other surface (front surface) of the connecting piece 522 is provided with an abutting portion 522b configured by a plane parallel to the plane portion 522a. The contact portion 522b is configured such that an elastic piece 725 provided on a slider receiver 72 of the second variable resistor 7 described later can be elastically contacted.

  The 1st variable resistor 6 is connected with the 1st interlocking member 4, and detects the rotation operation | movement. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first variable resistor 6 includes a slider 61 that rotates as the first interlocking member 4 rotates, and a slider receiver that holds the slider 61. 62, the insulating substrate 63 provided with the resistor pattern 631 and the current collector pattern 632, which are in sliding contact with the slider 61, and the insulating substrate 63 are integrated, and the slider receiver on which the slider 61 is held. And a case 64 configured to accommodate 62.

  The slider 61 is formed by punching and bending a conductive metal plate material. The slider 61 is provided in an annular portion 611 having a generally annular shape, an elastic contact portion 612 provided above the annular shape portion 611, and an opening 611a of the annular shape portion 611. And a pair of sliding contact pieces 613 formed. The elastic contact portion 612 and the sliding contact piece 613 are provided so as to extend slightly rearward from the annular shape portion 611, and are configured to be slidable to the resistor pattern 631 and the current collector pattern 632 of the insulating substrate 63, respectively. ing. A plurality of attachment holes 614 for attaching the slider 61 to the slider receiver 62 are formed at predetermined positions of the annular portion 611.

  The slider receiver 62 is formed, for example, by molding an insulating resin material, and includes a base portion 621 having a generally disc shape, and a shaft portion 622 provided to protrude rearward from the center of the base portion 621. Consists of including. A projection 623 having an annular shape is provided on the front surface of the base 621. The protrusion 623 is provided to protrude slightly forward from the front surface of the base 621. In a state where the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled, the protrusion 623 is configured to be able to contact the outer surface of the upper case 22 (more specifically, the rear surface portion 222).

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the protrusion 623 that can contact the outer surface of the housing 2 (upper case 22) is provided on the base 621 of the slider receiver 62. Even when a force that tilts the slider receiver 62 due to friction or the like is applied when the push switch 8 is driven, the protrusion 623 comes into contact with the outer surface of the housing 2 to suppress the inclination of the slider receiver 62. As a result, the output accuracy of the first variable resistor 6 can be stabilized.

  The shaft portion 622 is provided on an inner portion of the projecting portion 623 having an annular shape. The shaft portion 622 is formed with a hole portion 624 that passes through the slider receiver 62 in the front-rear direction (axial direction). An elastic piece 625 extending in the front-rear direction is disposed in the hole 624. The elastic piece 625 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 622 by a connecting portion 625 a (see FIG. 8) provided at the front end portion (rear end portion) of the shaft portion 622. The elastic piece 625 is formed so that a part of the shaft portion 622 is folded back to the front side, and the distal end portion (free end portion) extends forward while the coupling portion 625a is the base end portion. It has become. That is, the elastic piece 625 is formed in a cantilever manner on the shaft portion 622, and a part of the first interlocking member 4 side constitutes a free end portion.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic piece 625 has a plate shape and is provided extending in the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1. In the shaft portion 622, a support surface portion 624a is provided to face the elastic piece 625. The support surface portion 624 a is configured by an inner wall surface that defines the hole portion 624. The support surface portion 624a is configured as a flat surface along the protruding direction of the protruding portion 32 of the operation member 3 in the initial state (the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1). In a state where the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled, the support surface portion 624a is disposed to face the flat portion 422a of the connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4, while the elastic piece 625 is the inner side surface (left side surface). 1 The contact part 422b of the connection piece 422 of the interlocking member 4 is comprised so that elastic contact is possible.

  Thus, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the elastic piece 625 extends toward the base portion 621 with the distal end portion of the shaft portion 622 inserted into the through hole 63a of the insulating substrate 63 as the connecting portion 625a. take. Thereby, since the length of the elastic piece 625 can be ensured, it is possible to ensure a good elastic force over a long period of time. In addition, since the elastic piece 625 is provided at a position different from a pair of claw parts 627a and 627b described later, the length of the elastic piece 625 is compared with a case where these claw parts 627a and 627b are provided at positions where they interfere. It is possible to ensure a good elastic force over a long period of time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of notches 626 are formed at an upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 622 so as to be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. A claw portion 627a extending forward is provided between the notches 626. By being provided between the pair of cutout portions 626, the claw portion 627a is configured to be slightly swingable in the radial direction of the shaft portion 622 (the vertical direction shown in FIG. 3). Similarly, a pair of notch portions 626 are formed at a lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 622, and a claw portion 627b is provided therebetween. The claw portion 627b is also configured to be slightly swingable in the radial direction of the shaft portion 622 (vertical direction shown in FIG. 3).

  These claw portions 627 a and 627 b are arranged at a certain distance apart in the vertical direction of the multidirectional input device 1. In particular, the claw portions 627a and 627b are disposed to face each other with a hole 624 provided in the shaft portion 622 interposed therebetween. The tips of the claw portions 627a and 627b have a shape that protrudes outward, and are configured to be latched in a through hole 63a of an insulating substrate 63 described later. As described above, by being hooked on the insulating substrate 63 by the claw portions 627a and 627b, the slider receiver 62 to which the slider 61 is fixed and the case 64 in which the insulating substrate 63 is incorporated can be unitized. That is, the first variable resistor 6 is unitized.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the pair of claw portions 627 a and 627 b that are hooked on the through hole 63 a of the insulating substrate 63 are provided on the shaft portion 622 of the slider receiver 62. Thus, assembly work or the like can be performed with the slider receiver 62 holding the slider 61 held on the insulating substrate 63. Thereby, handling of the first variable resistor 6 can be simplified.

  A plurality of protrusions 628 are provided at predetermined positions on the front surface of the base 621. These protrusions 628 are arranged at positions corresponding to the mounting holes 614 of the slider 61. The slider 61 can be fixed to the slider receiver 62 by inserting these protrusions 628 into the mounting holes 614 and thermally deforming the tip portions thereof, for example. In this case, the slider 61 is fixed to the slider receiver 62 with the shaft portion 622 passing through the opening 611a and the elastic contact portion 612 and the sliding contact piece 613 extending to the insulating substrate 63 side. The

  The insulating substrate 63 is made of, for example, a glass epoxy material. In the center of the insulating substrate 63, as shown in FIG. 2, a circular through-hole 63a that rotatably holds the shaft portion 622 of the slider receiver 62 is formed. A resistor pattern 631 and a current collector pattern 632 are provided on the front surface of the insulating substrate 63 and around the through hole 63a. For example, the resistor pattern 631 is configured by a carbon layer provided on the insulating substrate 63, and the current collector pattern 632 is configured by overlapping a carbon layer on a silver print layer provided on the insulating substrate 63. The resistor pattern 631 has a generally arc shape (substantially C shape), while the current collector pattern 632 has a generally annular shape, and is provided on the insulating substrate 63.

  The insulating substrate 63 is configured to be electrically connected to both ends of the resistor pattern 631, and is configured to be electrically connected to a current collector pattern 632 and a pair of terminals 633 that can apply a voltage to the resistor pattern 631. A terminal 634 for outputting an electrical signal (detection voltage) externally is provided. These terminals 633 and terminals 634 are led out below the case 64 integrated with the insulating substrate 63, and are connected to the substrate on which the multidirectional input device 1 is mounted. Note that the configurations of the resistor pattern 631 and the current collector pattern 632, and the terminal 633 and the terminal 634 provided on the insulating substrate 63 are not limited to these, and can be changed as appropriate.

  The case 64 is configured by molding an insulating resin material, for example, and is generally provided in a box shape opened to the front side (first interlocking member 4 side). A pair of engagement pieces 641 are provided on the side surface of the case 64. These engagement pieces 641 are used to attach the first variable resistor 6 to the upper case 22. More specifically, it is configured to be capable of snap-in engagement with a slit 222e formed in the rear surface portion 222 of the upper case 22. A plurality of positioning pieces 642 are provided on the front surface of the case 64. These positioning pieces 642 are used for positioning the first variable resistor 6 with respect to the upper case 22. More specifically, it is configured to be able to be inserted into a positioning hole 222 f formed in the rear surface portion 222 of the upper case 22.

  A circular recess 643 is provided inside the pair of engagement pieces 641. The recess 643 is provided with a size that can accommodate the slider receiver 62 to which the slider 61 is fixed. An insulating substrate 63 is disposed at a position corresponding to the bottom of the recess 643. The insulating substrate 63 is integrated with the case 64 by, for example, insert molding. In this case, the insulating substrate 63 is incorporated in the case 64 with the resistor pattern 631 and the current collector pattern 632 exposed forward in the recess 643.

  The second variable resistor 7 has the same configuration as that of the first variable resistor 6, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted. That is, the second variable resistor 7 includes a slider 71 that rotates as the second interlocking member 5 rotates, a slider receiver 72 to which the slider 71 is fixed, and a slider 71. An insulating substrate 73 provided with a resistor pattern and a current collector pattern in sliding contact with each other, and a case 74 configured to accommodate a slider receiver 72 with the insulating substrate 73 integrated and a slider 71 fixed thereto. have.

  These slider 71, slider receiver 72, insulating substrate 73, and case 74 have the same configuration as the slider 61, slider receiver 62, insulating substrate 63, and case 64 of the first variable resistor 6, respectively. Have In the following, for convenience of explanation, the reference numerals of the constituent parts of the slider 71, the slider receiver 72, the insulating substrate 73 and the case 74 will be referred to as the slider 61, the slider receiver 62, the insulating substrate 63 and the case 64. It is assumed that “6” at the beginning of the component part code is replaced with “7” and used for the description.

  The push switch 8 includes a housing 81 having a generally cubic shape, a switch portion 82 that is a pressing portion disposed in a state of being partially exposed from the upper surface of the housing 81, and a switch circuit accommodated in the housing 81. And a terminal portion 83 connected to the terminal. The push switch 8 is placed on the switch placement portion 213 of the lower case 21. The terminal portion 83 is led out downward from a slit formed in the bottom surface portion 213a of the switch mounting portion 213. The terminal portion 83 is connected to a substrate on which the multidirectional input device 1 is mounted, and is configured to be able to output a signal corresponding to a pressing operation on the operation member 3 to the outside.

  The return mechanism 9 includes a coil spring 91 that constitutes an urging member, and a drive body 92. The coil spring 91 has an outer diameter dimension that is accommodated in an accommodating portion 311 provided in the base portion 31 of the operation member 3 and an inner diameter dimension that can accommodate a small diameter portion 922b of the drive body 92 described later. The coil spring 91 provides an urging force for returning the operating member 3 to the initial state before the operation and returning the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5 to the initial state via the operating member 3. The driving body 92 includes a disk-shaped portion 921 and a cylindrical-shaped portion 922 that protrudes from the upper surface of the disk-shaped portion 921. A concave portion 921a having a circular shape in a bottom view is formed on the lower surface of the disk-shaped portion 921, and a spherical shape portion 921b is provided around the concave portion 921a (see FIG. 6). The recess 921a is configured to accommodate an inclined surface portion 211b provided on the bottom surface portion 211 of the lower case 21 in an initial state. When the operation member 3 is tilted, the spherical shape portion 921b is biased to the inclined surface portion 211b of the lower case 21 by the biasing force of the coil spring 91, so that the driver 92 (the operation member coupled thereto) 3) plays a role of returning to the initial position.

  The cylindrical portion 922 has a large diameter portion 922a provided on the upper surface of the disk shape portion 921, and a small diameter portion 922b provided on the upper end of the large diameter portion 922a. A cam portion 922c including a plurality of concave portions and convex portions is provided on the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 922a. The cam portion 922 c engages with a rib (not shown) provided on the inner wall surface of the base portion 31 of the operation member 3 to restrict the rotation of the driving body 92. A through hole 923 extending in the vertical direction is formed inside the large diameter portion 922a and the small diameter portion 922b. The through hole 923 is provided so as to penetrate the disk-shaped portion 921. The through hole 923 is provided with a size that allows the support column 312 provided in the base 31 of the operation member 3 to be inserted.

  The positioning member 10 constitutes an intermediate member, and is formed, for example, by molding an insulating resin material. Hereinafter, the configuration of the positioning member 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the positioning member 10 included in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4A, the positioning member 10 is shown from the front side of the multidirectional input device 1, and in FIG. 4B, the positioning member 10 is shown from the rear side of the multidirectional input device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the positioning member 10 includes a plate-like portion 101 extending in the vertical direction and a pair of leg portions 102 provided at the lower end portion of the plate-like portion 101. The plate-like portion 101 has a rectangular shape when viewed generally from the front. At the center of the upper end of the plate-like portion 101, a protruding piece 103 that protrudes rearward and bends upward is provided. The protruding piece 103 constitutes a held piece that is held by the upper case 22. On the other hand, a concave portion 104 having an arc shape opened downward is formed at the lower end of the plate-like portion 101.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a protruding wall portion 101a is provided on the rear surface of the plate-like portion 101 so as to protrude rearward. The protruding wall portion 101 a has a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper end portion of the opening 222 a of the front surface portion 222 of the upper case 22. Further, the protruding wall portion 101 a is provided with a tapered portion 104 a continuous with the concave portion 104. The tapered portion 104a has a generally truncated cone shape, and has a configuration that increases in diameter toward the rear side. In addition, the inclined surface which comprises this taper part 104a has a shape corresponding to the contact part 421b of the 1st interlocking member 4. FIG.

  The pair of leg portions 102 are provided so as to extend downward from the lower end portion of the plate-like portion 101 on the side of the recess 104. These leg portions 102 are provided so as to extend in a vertical direction on a plane orthogonal to the plate-like portion 101 at a position on the front side of the plate-like portion 101 (see FIG. 4A). The leg portion 102 is provided with a flat portion 105 extending forward from the lower end portion of the plate-like portion 101. The flat portion 105 constitutes a pressing portion of the push switch 8 and is provided so as to extend in parallel with the upper surface of the casing 81 of the push switch 8. In addition, the leg portion 102 is provided with a pair of engagement pieces 106 that extend vertically at a position on the rear side of the plate-like portion 101. These engaging pieces 106 constitute held pieces held by the upper case 22.

  Hereinafter, the assembled state of the multidirectional input device 1 having such a configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. 5 to 7 show the multidirectional input device 1 in an initial state before operation. 6 shows a cross section that passes through the centers of the operation member 3 and the first interlocking member 4, and FIG. 7 shows a cross section that passes through the centers of the operation member 3 and the second interlocking member 5.

  In the multidirectional input device 1 in a state in which the above structural members are assembled, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation member 3, the first interlocking member 4, and the like are formed in a space formed inside the lower case 21 and the upper case 22. The second interlocking member 5 and the return mechanism 9 are accommodated. In this case, the operation member 3 is housed in the housing 2 in a state where the protruding portion 32 is exposed upward from the opening 221 a of the upper case 22. Moreover, the 1st interlocking member 4 is accommodated in the housing 2 in the state which exposed the press piece 421 and the connection piece 422 (refer FIG. 6). Similarly, the 2nd interlocking member 5 is accommodated in the housing 2 in the state which exposed the connection piece 522 and the protrusion piece 523 (refer FIG. 7).

  The push switch 8, the first variable resistor 6, and the second variable resistor 7 are disposed outside the housing 2. The push switch 8 is mounted on a switch mounting portion 213 disposed on the front side of the housing 2 (upper case 22). In this case, the push switch 8 is pressed downward by the flat surface portion 105 of the positioning member 10 disposed between the front surface portion 222 of the upper case 22 and the switch placement portion 213 of the lower case 21. Is arranged in. In this case, the pressing piece 421 of the first interlocking member 4 is arranged in a state of being placed on the switch unit 82.

  The positioning member 10 is fixed in a state where the protruding piece 103 provided at the upper end portion of the plate-like portion 101 and the engaging piece 106 provided at the pair of leg portions 102 are held by the upper case 22. That is, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the positioning member 10 is held only by attaching the upper case 22 to the lower case 21, so that a complicated work process is not required. The positioning member 10 can be integrated with the lower case 21 and the upper case 22.

  The first variable resistor 6 is attached to the housing 2 in a state in which a pair of engaging pieces 641 are snap-in engaged with a slit 222e formed in the rear surface portion 222 of the upper case 22. Similarly, the second variable resistor 7 is attached to the housing 2 with a pair of engaging pieces 741 snap-engaged with a slit 222 i formed in the right side surface portion 222 of the upper case 22. The multi-directional input device 1 according to the present embodiment is integrated with the lower case 21 by bending the engagement pieces 222b and 222d of the upper case 22 with the constituent members housed in the housing 2 as described above. This is completed by attaching the first variable resistor 6 and the second variable resistor 7 to the upper case 22.

  Inside the housing 2, the operation member 3 is accommodated in a state of being inserted through the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The operation member 3 is disposed in a state where the shaft portion 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 41 a of the first interlocking member 4, while the protruding portion 32 is disposed in a state of being inserted into the slit hole 51 of the second interlocking member 5. In this case, the second interlocking member 5 is disposed above the first interlocking member 4. Further, the first interlocking member 4 and the second interlocking member 5 are arranged in a state in which their axial directions are orthogonal to each other.

  A housing 311 formed on the base 31 of the operating member 3 houses a part of the drive body 92 in a state where the coil spring 91 is held by the small diameter portion 922b. The driving body 92 is placed on the bottom surface portion 211 of the lower case 21. The lower end portion of the coil spring 91 held by the small diameter portion 922b is locked to the upper end of the large diameter portion 922a, and the upper end portion of the coil spring 91 is on the inner wall surface (ceiling surface) of the base portion 31 that defines the accommodating portion 311. It is locked. In the initial state, the coil spring 91 is housed in the housing portion 311 in a state where it is slightly compressed. For this reason, in the initial state, the urging force that urges the operating member 3 upward from the coil spring 91 is applied.

  The support column 312 provided on the base 31 of the operation member 3 is inserted into the through hole 923 of the drive body 92. In this case, a certain clearance is interposed between the support column 312 and the through hole 923. For this reason, the vertical movement accompanying the pressing operation with respect to the operation member 3 is not restricted. Further, the driving body 92 is in a state in which the inclined surface portion 211b provided on the bottom surface portion 211 is accommodated by the concave portion 921a provided on the lower surface of the disk-shaped portion 921. The support column 312 inserted through the through hole 923 is disposed at a position facing the recess 211 a formed in the bottom surface 211.

  The first interlocking member 4 inserted through the operation member 3 has a pressing piece 421 disposed so as to face the switch portion 82 of the push switch 8 and can be rotated by a support piece 214 at one end where the connecting piece 422 is formed. It is supported by. In this case, the contact portion 421b of the pressing piece 421 is in contact with the tapered portion 104a of the positioning member 10. As described above, the urging force is applied to the operation member 3 upward. Since the operating member 3 is rotatably held by the first interlocking member 4 by the shaft portion 33, the upward biasing force acting on the operating member 3 is biased backward by the tapered portion 104a. Is converted to For this reason, the urging force which moves to the back side (right side shown in FIG. 6) is acting on the first interlocking member 4. By pressing the first interlocking member 4 rearward by the biasing force of the coil spring 91 in this way, the first interlocking member 4 is prevented from rattling in the front-rear direction.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the contact portion 421b is brought into contact with the taper portion 104a provided in the positioning member 10, and the first interlocking member 4 is moved along the axial direction thereof. Further, since it can move to the one side (in the present embodiment, the first variable resistor 6 side), the position of the operation member 3 can be stabilized via the first interlocking member 4. Thereby, it is possible to improve the output accuracy of the second variable resistor 7 operated via the second interlocking member 5. In addition, the movement to the 1st variable resistor 6 side of the 1st interlocking member 4 is controlled because the protrusion piece 423 of the 1st interlocking member 4 contact | abuts with the inner wall surface of the upper case 22 (rear surface part 222). .

  In particular, in the multi-directional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, since the tapered portion 104a is provided in the synthetic resin positioning member 10, the first variable resistor 6 side is partly made of the synthetic resin material. The interlocking member 4 can be moved. Thereby, while suppressing the situation where the 1st interlocking member 4 is scraped with the movement to the 1st variable resistor 6 side, it is possible to move the 1st interlocking member 4 to the 1st variable resistor 6 side smoothly. It becomes.

  In addition, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the switch case 213 is provided on the lower case 21, while the flat part 105 that holds the push switch 8 on the positioning member 10 toward the switch placement part 213. Is provided. Accordingly, the push switch 8 can be pressed to the switch mounting portion 213 side by a part (the flat surface portion 105) of the positioning member 10 that moves the first interlocking member 4 to the first variable resistor 6 side. Since the interlocking member 4 and the push switch 8 can be maintained in a fixed positional relationship, the push switch 8 can be reliably driven by the first interlocking member 4.

  The connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4 is inserted into a hole 624 formed in the shaft portion 622 of the slider receiver 62 included in the first variable resistor 6. In the first variable resistor 6, the slider receiver 62 is disposed to face the insulating substrate 63. The slider 61 is fixed to the front surface of the slider receiver 62, and a part thereof is in sliding contact with the resistor pattern 631 and the current collector pattern 632 of the insulating substrate 63. The slider receiver 62 is in contact with the rear surface portion 222 of the upper case 22 at the protrusion 623.

  Here, the connection state of the 1st interlocking member 4 and the 1st variable resistor 6 is demonstrated, referring FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6 included in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, only the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6 are shown for convenience of explanation. Further, FIG. 8 shows a cross section passing horizontally through the centers of the pressing piece 421 and the connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting piece 422 inserted into the hole 624 of the shaft portion 622 is elastically contacted by the elastic piece 625 with the flat portion 422a supported by the support surface portion 624a. . That is, the connecting piece 422 is sandwiched between the support surface portion 624 a and the elastic piece 625 in the shaft portion 622. By elastically contacting the support surface portion 624a side by the elastic piece 625 in this way, the connecting piece 422 is connected to the slider receiver 62 without a clearance. For this reason, when the 1st interlocking member 4 rotates with tilting operation with respect to the operation member 3, the rotation operation | movement can be transmitted to the 1st variable resistor 6 appropriately.

  Thus, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first interlocking member 4 is allowed to move in the axial direction by the elastic piece 625 provided in the hole 624 of the slider receiver 62. However, since the slider receiver 62 is elastically held by the connecting piece 422 provided at one end of the first interlocking member 4, the slider receiver 62 of the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6 is retained. Can be engaged without a clearance, even when the first interlocking member 4 interlocked with the operating member 3 is rotated to drive the push switch 8, the first interlocking member 4 is operated via the first interlocking member 4. 1 The output accuracy of the variable resistor 6 can be improved.

  In particular, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, a flat portion 422a along the protruding direction of the protruding portion 32 of the operating member 3 is formed on the connecting piece 422 provided at one end of the first interlocking member 4. On the other hand, a hole 624 formed in the shaft portion 62 of the slider receiver 62 is provided with a support surface portion 624a facing the flat portion 422a. Thus, the moving direction when the pressing operation is performed on the operating member 3 matches the extending direction of a part of the first interlocking member 4 engaged with the slider receiver 62. Therefore, the rotation of the slider receiver 62 when the push switch 8 is driven can be suppressed, and the output signal from the first variable resistor 6 can be made difficult to fluctuate.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second interlocking member 5 inserted through the operation member 3 has one end formed with a protruding piece 523 rotatably supported by a support piece 215 and a connection piece 522 formed therein. The other end is rotatably supported by a support piece 216. The connecting piece 522 is inserted into a hole portion 724 formed in the shaft portion 722 of the slider receiver 72 included in the second variable resistor 7. In the second variable resistor 7, the slider receiver 72 is disposed to face the insulating substrate 73. The slider 71 is fixed to the slider receiver 72, and a part of the slider 71 is in sliding contact with the resistor pattern 731 and the current collector pattern 732 of the insulating substrate 73. Further, the slider receiver 72 is in contact with the right side surface 222 of the upper case 22 at the protrusion 723.

  The connection state between the second interlocking member 5 and the second variable resistor 7 is the same as the connection state between the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6. That is, the connecting piece 522 inserted into the hole 724 of the shaft portion 722 is elastically contacted with the elastic piece 725 while the flat surface portion 522a is supported by the support surface portion 724a. That is, the connecting piece 522 is sandwiched between the support surface portion 724 a and the elastic piece 725 in the shaft portion 722. By elastically contacting the support surface portion 724a side by the elastic piece 725 in this manner, the connecting piece 522 is connected to the slider receiver 72 without a clearance. For this reason, when the 2nd interlocking member 5 rotates with tilting operation with respect to the operation member 3, the rotation operation | movement can be transmitted to the 2nd variable resistor 7 appropriately.

  Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-11 is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the multidirectional input device 1 which concerns on this Embodiment, respectively. FIG. 9 shows the operating state of the multidirectional input device 1 when a pressing operation is performed on the operating member 3. 10 and 11 show the operating state of the multidirectional input device 1 when a tilting operation is performed on the operating member 3. 10 shows an operation state when the tilting operation is performed on the right side of the multidirectional input device 1, and FIG. 11 shows an operation state when the tilting operation is performed on the rear side of the multidirectional input device 1. ing. 9 to 11, the upper case 22 is omitted for convenience of explanation. Further, in FIG. 10, the second variable resistor 7 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  When a pressing operation is performed on the operation member 3, the first interlocking member 4 connected by the shaft portion 33 moves downward in the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the 1st interlocking member 4 moves so that it may rotate using the contact part of the one end part in which the connection piece 422 was formed, and the support piece 214 as a fulcrum. Accordingly, when the pressing piece 421 also moves downward, the switch portion 82 of the push switch 8 on which the pressing piece 421 is placed is pressed downward. As a result, for example, an ON signal of the push switch 9 is externally output from the switch circuit accommodated in the push switch 8 via the terminal portion 83.

  Thus, when the pressing operation is performed on the operation member 3, the operation member 3 does not contact the second interlocking member 5. For this reason, the second interlocking member 5 is supported by the lower case 21 (more specifically, the support pieces 215 and 216), and maintains the initial position. Further, since the operation member 3 is pushed down into the housing 2, the first interlocking member 4 does not rotate around its axial direction. For this reason, the slider 61 of the 1st variable resistor 6 connected with the 1st interlocking member 4 is in the state which maintained the initial position, without rotating.

  When the tilting operation is performed on the operation member 3 toward the right side of the multidirectional input device 1, the first interlocking member 4 connected by the shaft portion 33 is moved into the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 10. To rotate. In this case, the first interlocking member 4 rotates with a part of the recess 214a of the support piece 214 of the lower case 21 as a rotation fulcrum in a state where the pressing piece 421 is placed on the switch 82 of the push switch 8. When the connecting piece 422 rotates as the first interlocking member 4 rotates, the slider receiver 62 connected to the connecting piece 422 and the slider 61 fixed thereto rotate. The elastic contact portion 612 and the sliding contact piece 613 slide on the resistor pattern 631 and the current collector pattern 632, respectively, according to the rotation operation of the slider 61. As a result, a signal corresponding to the sliding contact position of the elastic contact portion 612 and the sliding contact piece 613 is output to the outside via the terminal 634.

  Thus, when the tilting operation is performed on the operation member 3, the operation member 3 does not contact the second interlocking member 5. For this reason, the second interlocking member 5 is supported by the lower case 21 (more specifically, the support pieces 215 and 216), and maintains the initial position. Further, since the operation member 3 only tilts at the initial position in the housing 2, the first interlocking member 4 is not pushed down. For this reason, the push switch 8 is in a state of maintaining the initial position without the switch portion 82 being pushed down.

  Furthermore, when the tilting operation is performed on the operation member 3 toward the rear side of the multidirectional input device 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the projecting portion 32 comes into contact with the second interlocking member 5 in the slit hole 51. Rotates within the housing 2. In this case, the second interlocking member 5 rotates using a part of the recesses 215a and 216a of the support pieces 215 and 2164 of the lower case 21 as a rotation fulcrum. When the connecting piece 522 rotates with the rotation of the second interlocking member 5, the slider receiver 72 connected to the connecting piece 522 and the slider 71 fixed thereto rotate. The elastic contact portion 712 and the sliding contact piece 713 slide on the resistor pattern 731 and the current collector pattern 732, respectively, according to the rotation operation of the slider 71. As a result, a signal corresponding to the sliding contact position of the elastic contact portion 712 and the sliding contact piece 713 is output to the outside via the terminal 734.

  Thus, when the tilting operation is performed on the operation member 3, the operation member 3 does not contact the first interlocking member 4. More specifically, the shaft portion 33 of the operation member 3 only rotates within the insertion hole 41a of the first interlocking member 4, and the first interlocking member 4 does not rotate. For this reason, the first interlocking member 4 is supported by the lower case 21 (more specifically, the support piece 214) and is in a state of maintaining the initial position. Further, since the operation member 3 only tilts at the initial position in the housing 2, the first interlocking member 4 is not pushed down. For this reason, the push switch 8 is in a state of maintaining the initial position without the switch portion 82 being pushed down.

  In any of the states shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, when the operation (pressing operation, tilting operation) on the operation member 3 is released, the operation member 3 is moved to the initial position (see FIG. 5) by the biasing force of the coil spring 91. To the state shown). That is, when the pressing operation on the operating member 3 is released from the state shown in FIG. 9, the operating member 3 is pushed back upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 91 and returns to the initial position. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a part of the spherical surface portion 921 b provided on the disk-shaped portion 921 of the driving body 92 is on the inclined surface portion 211 b of the lower case 21. When the tilting operation on the operating member 3 is released from the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the urging force of the coil spring 91 acts on a part of the spherical surface portion 921b riding on the inclined surface portion 211b, and the inclined surface portion 211b is moved. Slide in the sliding direction. As a result, the operation member 3 tilts to the opposite side to the tilting operation direction and returns to the initial position.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the elastic member 625 provided in the hole 624 of the slider receiver 62 causes the first interlocking member 4 to move in the axial direction. Since the slider receiver 62 is elastically held by the connecting piece 422 provided at one end of the first interlocking member 4 while allowing the movement, the sliding of the first interlocking member 4 and the first variable resistor 6 is performed. Since the child receiver 62 can be engaged without any clearance, the push switch 8 is driven by the first interlocking member 4 interlocking with the operation member 3. 1 The output accuracy of the variable resistor 6 can be improved.

  In particular, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the slider receiver 62 is elastically held by the connecting piece 422 of the first interlocking member 4 by the elastic piece 625, so that the first interlocking member 4 is Even in the case of a material that expands due to moisture absorption or the like, there is no need to provide a clearance in consideration of the expansion. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the work load at the time of designing the multidirectional input device 1 and to reduce the manufacturing cost thereof.

  Moreover, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the abutting portion 421b is brought into contact with the tapered portion 104a provided in the positioning member 10 by using the biasing force from the coil spring 91. Since the first interlocking member 4 is moved to the first variable resistor 6 side, the position of the operation member 3 can be stabilized via the first interlocking member 4. Thereby, it is possible to improve the output accuracy of the second variable resistor 7 operated via the second interlocking member 5.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change and implement variously. In the above-described embodiment, the size, shape, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed within a range in which the effect of the present invention is exhibited. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the positioning member 10 is described as a component member independent of the lower case 21 and the upper case 22. However, the configuration of the housing 2 is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed. For example, the positioning member 10 may be configured as a part of the lower case 21 or the upper case 22 constituting the housing 2. In this case, it can be considered that the positioning member 10 is provided integrally with the upper case 22. Thus, even when the positioning member 10 is included in a part of the case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the 1st interlocking member 4 moves to the 1st variable resistor 6 side along the axial direction by the taper part 104a, and is demonstrated. However, the moving direction of the first interlocking member 4 is not limited to this. That is, the first interlocking member 4 may be moved to the push switch 8 side opposite to the first variable resistor 6 by the tapered portion 104a. In this case, it can be configured by reversing the inclination directions of the tapered portion 104a and the contact portion 421b. In this case, the restricting portion that restricts the movement of the first interlocking member 4 along the axial direction can be provided in the vicinity of the contact portion 421 b that is the other end of the first interlocking member 4. In addition, the shape of the taper part 104a and the contact part 421b is not limited to a truncated cone shape, and may be, for example, a semicircular arc shape or other shapes.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where the coil spring 91 and the drive body 92 are provided is demonstrated as an example of the return mechanism 9 which returns the operation member 3 to an initial position. However, the configuration of the return mechanism 9 that returns the operation member 3 to the initial position is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. That is, any configuration may be used as long as the operation member 3 can be returned to the initial position from the state where the pressing operation or the tilting operation is performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multidirectional input device 2 Housing 21 Lower case 211 Bottom surface part 211a Recessed part 211b Inclined surface part 212 Side wall part 213 Switch mounting part 214-216 Support piece 22 Upper case 221 Upper surface part 221a Opening part 222 Side part 222a, 222c, 222g, 222k Opening 222e, 222i Slit 3 Operation member 31 Base 311 Storage part 312 Supporting part 32 Projection part 33 Shaft part 4 First interlocking member 41 Side face part 41a Insertion hole 42 Connection part 421 Pressing piece 421a Shaft part 421b Contact part 421c Projection Part 422 Connection piece 422a Flat part 422b Contact part 5 Second interlocking member 51 Slit hole 52 Side part 521a, 521b Plate-like part 522 Connection piece 523 Projection piece 6 First variable resistor (first rotation type variable resistor)
61 Slider 611 Ring-shaped portion 612 Elastic contact portion 613 Slide contact piece 62 Slider receiver 621 Base portion 622 Shaft portion 623 Projection portion 624 Hole portion 624a Support surface portion 625 Elastic piece 625a Connection portion 626 Notch portion 627a, 627b Claw Portion 63 Insulating substrate 63a Through hole 631 Resistor pattern 632 Current collector pattern 64 Case 641 Engagement piece 642 Positioning piece 643 Recess 7 Second variable resistor (second rotary variable resistor)
71 Slider 711 Ring-shaped part 712 Elastic contact part 713 Slide contact piece 72 Slider receiver 721 Base part 722 Shaft part 723 Projection part 724 Hole part 724a Support surface part 725 Elastic piece 725a Connection part 726 Notch part 727a, 627b Claw Part 73 Insulating substrate 73a Through-hole 731 Resistor pattern 732 Current collector pattern 74 Case 741 Engagement piece 742 Positioning piece 743 Recess 8 Push switch 81 Housing 82 Switch part 83 Terminal part 9 Return mechanism 91 Coil spring 92 Driver 921 Disc Shaped part 921a Recessed part 921b Spherical shaped part 922 Cylindrical shaped part 923 Through hole 10 Positioning member 101 Plate-like part 101a Projecting wall part 102 Leg part 103 Projecting piece 104 Recessed part 104a Taper part 105 Planar part 106 Engagement piece

Claims (9)

A housing having an opening, an operation member having a projecting portion protruding outward from the opening and capable of being tilted, and rotating according to the tilting operation of the operation member and extending so that the axial directions thereof are orthogonal to each other. A first interlocking member and a second interlocking member that are held in the housing, and a first rotational variable resistor and a second rotational type that detect the rotational motions of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, respectively. A variable resistor, an urging member for returning the operating member to the initial state before the tilting operation and returning the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member to the initial state via the operating member; and A push switch that is driven by a push-in operation into the housing, and the first interlocking member rotatably holds the operation member and one end of the first interlocking member engages with the first rotary variable resistor. Shi In the multidirectional input device and the other end portion is facing the said push switch capable of driving the push switch,
The first rotary variable resistor includes a slider receiver having a hole portion with which one end of the first interlocking member is engaged, a slider provided in the slider receiver, and the slider And an insulating substrate provided with a resistor pattern that is in sliding contact, and an elastic piece is provided in the hole of the slider receiver, and the elastic piece allows the first interlocking member to move in the axial direction. The multi-directional input device, wherein the slider receiver is elastically held at one end of the first interlocking member while allowing.   The second rotary variable resistor includes a slider receiver having a hole portion with which one end of the second interlocking member is engaged, a slider provided in the slider receiver, and the slider And an insulating substrate provided with a resistor pattern in which the sliding contact is provided, and an elastic piece is provided in the hole portion of the slider receiver, and the elastic piece allows the second interlocking member to move in the axial direction thereof. The slider receiver is elastically held at one end of the second interlocking member while allowing the first interlocking member along the axial direction of the housing by the biasing force from the biasing member. The first interlocking member is provided with a contact portion that contacts the taper portion and a restriction portion that restricts the movement toward the one side. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1.   The housing includes a metal upper case, a lower case, and an intermediate member made of a synthetic resin provided between the upper case and the lower case, and the taper portion is provided on the intermediate member. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein:   4. The multi-purpose device according to claim 3, wherein the lower case is provided with a mounting portion for the push switch, and the intermediate member has a pressing portion for pressing the push switch toward the mounting portion. Direction input device.   The intermediate member is provided with a held piece held by the upper case, and the held piece is held by the upper case when the upper case is attached to the lower case. The multidirectional input device according to claim 3 or 4.   At one end of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, a planar portion along the projecting direction of the projecting portion of the operation member in the initial state, and the elastic piece are located on the opposite side of the planar portion. 3. A support surface portion made of a flat surface facing the flat surface portion is provided on the side facing the elastic piece in the hole portion. The multidirectional input device according to claim 5.   The first rotary variable resistor and the second rotary variable resistor are attached to an outer surface of the housing, and the slider receiver holds the slider and faces the outer surface of the housing. A base portion and a shaft portion that protrudes outward from the base portion, and the hole portion is formed in the shaft portion, and the insulating substrate has a through hole that rotatably holds the shaft portion. 7. The elastic piece according to claim 2, wherein the elastic piece extends toward the base portion with a distal end portion of the shaft portion inserted through the through hole of the insulating substrate as a connecting portion. 8. Multi-directional input device.   The multidirectional input device according to claim 7, wherein a protrusion capable of abutting against an outer surface of the housing is provided at the base portion of the slider receiver.   The shaft portion is provided with a plurality of notch portions at positions different from the elastic piece, and a pair of claw portions that are latched to the through hole between the plurality of notch portions, The multidirectional input device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pair of claw portions are disposed to face each other with the hole portion interposed therebetween.

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