JPH1050178A - Multi-directional actuation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To build up one actuating shaft in such a way that various actions such as a tilting action, a pressing action and a revolving action to a given direction, can be very smoothly and accurately actuated as the multi-directional actuation switch suitable to an on-vehicle navigation system for an automobile, a multi-functional control switch and the like. SOLUTION: The multi-directional actuation switch is so constituted that a knob 3 is mounted on one end part, and the other end part enables one actuating shaft 2 to be supported in such a way that it can be tilted to a given direction by means of an upper rocking dome and a lower rocking dome 7, wherein firstly the one actuating shaft 2 is connected with the rotating shaft 5 of a rotary switch 4 capable of being pressed so as to be driven, and concurrently being revolved so as to be driven by way of an universal joint 6, and secondly both the rocking domes are so brought into contact with a plurality of first projection shafts 11b and second projection shafts 11d as to be freely slidable, which are provided for the inner and outer wall surfaces of a fixed dome member 11 within a case 1 respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch for controlling different functions by tilting one operating shaft in the entire circumferential direction around a tilting center point, driving it by pressing, or driving it to rotate. For example, the present invention relates to a multi-directional operation switch suitable for, for example, a car navigation system or a multi-function control switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a switch for controlling a plurality of types of functions applied to an in-vehicle navigation system or a multi-function control switch mounted on an automobile or the like is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6-150778. What has been proposed. What is disclosed in this publication is
This is a multi-function control switch capable of controlling a plurality of types of functions by operating one operation lever having various operation modes.

In the above-described multi-function control switch, one operation lever having various operation modes is supported in the housing so as to be swingable, rotatable, and vertically movable, and is provided outside the housing of the operation lever. By tilting the protruded shaft in a specific direction, a specific tilt detection switch arranged in that direction is pressed and driven, and by rotating the shaft of the operation lever, the rotation detection switch is turned on. The lowering detection switch is configured to be pressed and driven by being pressed and driven, and by lowering the shaft of the operation lever.

[0004]

However, in the conventional multi-function control switch proposed as described above, one operating lever can be swung, rotated, and raised and lowered in the housing. In order for the operating lever to be in a non-operating state, it is necessary to maintain the shaft of the operating lever upright with respect to the housing and to hold the operating lever in a posture that does not cause play in any direction. there were.

For this purpose, the driving body of the operating lever is formed in a hemispherical shape, and the driving body is elastically and slidably contacted on the inner wall surface of the upper case of the housing without causing backlash. Required additional parts. In addition, the lower surface of the driving body of the operation lever is a swing fulcrum and has a rotation center, and when the operation lever is not operated,
The return spring in the lowering detection switch must support the operation lever from below, the elastic piece restricts the inclination of the operation lever, and the return spring in the rotation detection switch needs to restrict the rotation of the operation lever.

As described above, in the conventional multi-function control switch, one operating lever is supported in the housing so as to be swingable, rotatable, and vertically movable, and when the operating lever is not operated, In order to keep the shaft of the operating lever upright with respect to the housing and to maintain the position without rattling in any direction, specially shaped parts and many accessory parts are required. Therefore, there are problems that the assembling structure becomes complicated, and the assembling process and adjustment are very troublesome and a skilled technique is required in order to make the structure to perform a reliable operation. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a knob attached to one end and a rotary shaft for pressing and rotating a rotary switch at the other end. One operation shaft connected via a joint is provided, and this operation shaft is slidably contacted with a plurality of first and second projections respectively provided on the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the fixed dome member in the case. The upper swing dome member and the lower swing dome member are supported so as to be able to tilt in any direction, and when the operation shaft is tilted in a specific direction, the pressing drive switch is operated at the outer peripheral edge of the upper swing dome member. Also, when the operation shaft is pressed or rotated, the rotary switch is pressed or rotated, so that a relatively simple and small number of parts can be assembled. The operation shaft can be supported so as to be swingable, rotatable, and vertically movable, so that each operation can be performed smoothly and reliably, and the assembling process and adjustment can be performed easily and easily. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a multi-directional actuating switch that can be operated.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-directional switch, wherein a knob is attached to one end of the switch.
The other end is provided with one operation shaft connected via a universal joint to a rotation shaft for pressing and rotating the rotation switch, and this operation shaft is provided on the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the fixed dome member in the case. An upper swing dome member and a lower swing dome member that slidably contact the plurality of first and second protrusions respectively provided are supported so as to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction, and the operation shaft is moved in a specific direction. When tilted,
The pressing drive switch is operated by the upper swing dome member, and when the operating shaft is driven to rotate, the rotary switch is pressed or rotated. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multidirectional operation switch according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of first direction switches provided on the outer wall surface of the fixed dome member.
The protrusion and the inner wall surface of the upper rocking dome member are slidably contacted with each other, and the plurality of second protrusions provided on the inner wall surface of the fixed dome member and the outer wall surface of the lower rocking dome member And a supporting mechanism configured to slidably support the operation shaft configured to be slidably contacted in any direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multidirectional operation switch according to the first or second aspect, wherein a plurality of protrusions provided on an outer peripheral edge of the upper swing dome member. Are provided with a plurality of pressing drive switches provided on the printed circuit board so as to contact with each other via the corresponding push rods.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multidirectional operation switch according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein the operating shaft operated by the knob is a center of rotation of the universal joint. It is characterized in that it is configured to be tiltable in all circumferential directions around a tilt center point corresponding to a point.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multidirectional operation switch according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the printed circuit board has a 90 ° angle around the operation axis. Four pressing drive switches are provided at intervals, and when the operation shaft is tilted in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, the operation shaft is located in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction by the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member. When one of the pressing drive switches is operated, and the operation shaft is tilted in the upper diagonal left and right direction and the lower diagonal left and right direction, the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member causes a corresponding left and right direction. It is characterized in that the two pressing drive switches located adjacent to each other are operated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multidirectional operation switch according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein when the operating shaft is pressed or rotated by the knob. The rotary shaft of the rotary switch is pressed or rotated via the universal joint connected to the operating shaft, and a push switch or a rotary encoder in the rotary switch is operated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multidirectional operation switch according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein the upper swing dome member has an edge on the lower surface of the second cylindrical body. The protruding hook member penetrates through the opening of the fixed dome member and locks into a hole provided in the lower swing dome member, so that the upper swing dome member and the lower swing dome It is characterized in that it is configured to swing integrally with the member.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A multi-directional operation switch according to the present invention tilts one operation shaft having various operation forms in the entire circumferential direction around a tilt center point, or drives it by pressing.
Alternatively, since it is configured to be able to control a plurality of types of functions by rotating and driving, it is necessary to control different types of functions such as a vehicle-mounted navigation system and a multi-function control switch. This is extremely suitable for use in switches that need to be implemented.

That is, in the multidirectional operation switch of the present invention, a knob is attached to one end, and the other end is connected to a rotary shaft for pressing and rotating the rotary switch via a universal joint. This operation shaft is relatively simple, and is swingably and rotatably supported by an assembling configuration with a small number of components, so that it is supported so as to be able to move up and down. When applied, the operator can move the map displayed on the display by tilting one operation axis, enlarge or reduce the map by rotating the operation axis, or press on the map by pressing the operation axis. Can be easily controlled to input the current position.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a multi-directional operation switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view schematically showing an enlarged configuration of a part of the multi-directional operation switch of FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an enlarged sectional configuration of an upper swing dome member, which is a part of the components of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a part of the components of FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an enlarged sectional configuration of a fixed dome member.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of a lower swing dome member which is a part of the lower swing dome member, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a universal joint which is a part of FIG. FIG.

1 to 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a case, 2 denotes an operation shaft, and the operation shaft 2 has a knob 3 attached to one end protruding out of the case 1, and the other end is built in the case 1. Rotary switch (rotary encoder with push switch)
Are connected via a universal joint 6 to a rotating shaft 5 that drives the pressure and also rotates.

The rotary switch 4 is a small rotary switch having, for example, a brush made of a conductive metal leaf spring on a rotary shaft 5 and a fixed contact contacting the brush. still,
The rotary switch 4 may be a rotary encoder or the like, and the structure is not particularly limited.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a lower swing dome member provided on the lower surface of the first cylindrical body 8 through which the operation shaft 2 is inserted, and 9 fits into the first cylindrical body 8 of the lower swing dome member 7. An upper swing dome member 11 provided on the lower surface of the second cylindrical body 10 and formed so as to surround the lower swing dome member 7 is an upper swing dome member 9 and a lower swing dome member 7. And the interposed portion is a fixed dome member formed in a dome shape.

The four first protrusions 11b provided on the outer wall surface 11a of the fixed dome member 11 and the upper swing dome member 9
And the inner wall surface 9a of the lower dome member 7 slides between the four second protrusions 11d provided on the inner wall surface 11c of the fixed dome member 11 and the outer wall surface 7a of the lower swing dome member 7. The support mechanism is configured so as to be movably in contact with each other, whereby a support mechanism configured to support the operation shaft 2 so as to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction is configured. The operation shaft 2 is configured to be tiltable in all circumferential directions around a tilt center point 6 a corresponding to a rotation center point of the universal joint 6.

Four protrusions 9b are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the upper swing dome member 9, and these protrusions 9b are provided on the printed circuit board 12 via the corresponding push rods 9c. Each of the pressing drive switches 13 is elastically in contact with a built-in return spring (not shown). The pressing drive switch 13 is, for example, a small push button switch such as a tact switch or a push button switch formed of a rubber contact.

A hook member 10a projecting from an edge of the lower surface of the second cylindrical body 10 of the upper swing dome member 9 penetrates through the opening 11e of the fixed dome member 11, and the lower swing dome member 7
The upper swinging dome member 9 and the lower swinging dome member 7 are integrally rocked without rattling.

As shown in FIG. 6, the universal joint 6 is composed of an upper member 6b connected to the operation shaft 2, a relay member 6c, and a lower member 6d integrated or connected to the rotary shaft 5 of the rotary switch 4. You. The upper member 6b is provided with a semicircular hole 6e provided in the upper member 6b.
f, this relay member 6c is inserted into a split groove 6h provided in the lower member 6d, and a stop pin 6j is inserted into the hole 6g of the relay member 6c and the through hole 6i of the lower member 6d. Insert. Thus, the universal joint 6 is assembled.

The multi-directional operation switch of the present invention is configured as described above, and tilts or pushes one operating shaft 2 operated by the knob 3 in the entire circumferential direction around the tilt center 6a. A plurality of types of control can be performed by driving or rotating.

When the operating shaft 2 is tilted in the left-right direction and the front-back direction by the knob 3, the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member 9 causes the operating shaft 2 to move 90 ° centering on the printed circuit board 12 around the operating shaft 2.
Of the four pressing drive switches 13 provided at equal intervals, one pressing drive switch 13 located in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the upper swing dome member 9. Of the four protruding parts 9b, it is operated via the corresponding protruding part 9b and the corresponding push rod 9c.

When the operating shaft 2 is tilted in the upper oblique left / right direction and in the lower oblique left / right direction, the upper swing dome member 9 is tilted in the corresponding left and right directions in the same manner as described above. Two pressed drive switches 13 located
Correspond to two corresponding projections 9b of the upper swing dome member 9.
And two corresponding push rods 9c.

When the operating shaft 2 is pressed or rotated by the knob 3, the rotating shaft 5 of the rotary switch 4 is pressed or rotated via the universal joint 6 connected to the operating shaft 2. Thereby, the push switch or the rotary encoder (both not shown) in the rotary switch 4 is operated.

[0029]

As described above, according to the multidirectional operation switch of the first aspect of the present invention, the knob is attached to one end,
The other end is provided with one operation shaft connected via a universal joint to a rotation shaft for pressing and rotating the rotation switch, and when the operation shaft is tilted in a specific direction,
When the upper swing dome member operates a predetermined pressing drive switch, and when the operation shaft is driven by pressing or rotating, the rotating switch is configured to press or rotate. The tilting operation, the pressing operation, and the rotating operation of the two operating shafts in any directions can be reliably performed, and the structure can be assembled with relatively simple and small parts, so that the number of parts is reduced and the size is reduced. In addition, the assembly process and adjustment are simplified, the product price can be reduced, and excellent effects such as improvement in assembly quality can be achieved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the multi-directional operation switch according to the first aspect, the plurality of first projections provided on the outer wall surface of the fixed dome member and the upper swing dome member are provided. The inner wall surface is slidably contacted, and the plurality of second protrusions provided on the inner wall surface of the fixed dome member and the outer wall surface of the lower swing dome member are slidably contacted. By providing a support mechanism configured to support the operation shaft configured to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction, each operation of the operation shaft can be made extremely smooth.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the multidirectional operation switch according to the first or second aspect, a plurality of protrusions provided on an outer peripheral edge of the upper swing dome member correspond. By providing a plurality of pressing drive switches provided on the printed circuit board so as to make contact with each other via each push rod, the plurality of pressing driving switches provided can be operated smoothly.

According to claim 4 of the present invention, claim 1
In the multidirectional operation switch according to 2 or 3, since the operation shaft operated by the knob is configured to be tiltable in all circumferential directions around a tilt center point corresponding to a rotation center point of the universal joint, Since the tilting center point of the operating axis is located at the universal joint,
There is an effect that the operation of tilting the operation shaft in an arbitrary direction can be performed extremely smoothly.

According to claim 5 of the present invention, claim 1,
5. The multi-directional operation switch according to 2, 3, or 4, wherein four pressing drive switches are provided on the printed circuit board at equal intervals of 90 ° about the operation axis, and the operation axis is moved in the left-right direction. When tilted in the front-back direction, the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member activates one of the pressing drive switches located in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction, respectively, and the operation shaft is tilted in the upper-right diagonal direction. When tilted in the lower oblique left and right direction, the upper swinging dome member is configured to actuate two corresponding pressing drive switches positioned adjacent to each other in the left and right directions by the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member. With one operation shaft tilting operation in an arbitrary direction, one of the four pressing drive switches is switched to one pressing driving switch or two adjacent pressing and tilting switches corresponding to the tilting direction. There is an effect that it is possible to selectively actuate the pitch.

According to claim 6 of the present invention, claim 1,
In the multidirectional operation switch according to 2 or 3, when the operation shaft is pressed or rotated by the knob,
The rotary shaft of the rotary switch is pressed or rotated via the universal joint connected to the operating shaft, and the push switch or rotary encoder in the rotary switch is configured to be operated. Since the pressing operation or rotating operation of the rotating shaft is performed via the universal joint connected to the operating shaft, the rotating shaft is pressed or rotated very smoothly, and the push switch or the rotary encoder is reliably operated. There is an effect that can be made.

According to claim 7 of the present invention, claim 1,
4. The multidirectional operation switch according to 2 or 3, wherein a hook member protruding from an edge of a lower surface of the second cylindrical body of the upper swing dome member penetrates an opening of the fixed dome member, and The upper swinging dome member and the lower swinging dome member are configured to swing integrally with the fixed swinging dome member by being locked in a hole provided in the side swinging dome member. The upper swinging dome member and the lower swinging dome member have an effect that they can smoothly swing together as a unit without generating backlash.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a multi-directional operation switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an enlarged configuration of a part of the multi-directional operation switch of FIG. 1;

3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a sectional configuration of an upper swing dome member which is a part of the components shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a sectional configuration of a fixed dome member which is a part of the components shown in FIG. 2;

5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a sectional configuration of a lower swing dome member which is a part of the components shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing, on an enlarged scale, a configuration of a universal joint which is a part of the components shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Operation shaft 3 Knob 4 Rotation switch 5 Rotation shaft 6 Universal joint 6a Tilting center point 6b Upper member 6c Relay member 6d Lower member 6e Hole 6f Shaft 6g Hole 6h Split groove 6i Through hole 6j Lock pin 7 Lower swing dome member 7a Outer wall surface 7b Hole 8 First cylindrical body 9 Upper swing dome member 9a Inner wall surface 9b Projection 9c Push rod 10 Second cylindrical body 10a Hook member 11 Fixed dome member 11a Outer wall surface 11b First protrusion 11c Inner wall surface 11d Second protrusion 11e Opening 12 Printed circuit board 13 Press drive switch

Claims (7)

[Claims] A knob is attached to one end protruding out of the case, and the other end is connected via a universal joint to a rotating shaft for pressing and rotating a rotary switch built in the case. An operating shaft, a lower swing dome member provided on a lower surface of the first tubular body fitted to the operating shaft, and a first swingable dome member fitted to the first tubular body of the lower swing dome member. An upper swing dome member provided on the lower surface of the two cylindrical bodies and formed so as to surround the lower swing dome member;
The upper swing dome member and the lower swing dome member are interposed between the upper swing dome member and the lower swing dome member, and the interposed portion is operated by swinging the fixed swing dome member and the lower swing dome member. And a plurality of push drive switches. 2. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first switches provided on an outer wall surface of said fixed dome member.
The protrusion and the inner wall surface of the upper rocking dome member are slidably contacted with each other, and the plurality of second protrusions provided on the inner wall surface of the fixed dome member and the outer wall surface of the lower rocking dome member And a support mechanism configured to slidably support the operating shaft configured to be slidably contacted with the operating shaft. 3. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of protrusions provided on an outer peripheral edge of said upper swing dome member abut via corresponding push rods. And a plurality of press drive switches provided on a printed circuit board. 4. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation shaft operated by the knob has a full circumference around a tilt center point corresponding to a rotation center point of the universal joint. A multidirectional operation switch characterized in that it can be tilted in any direction. 5. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein four pressing drive switches are provided on the printed circuit board at equal intervals of 90 ° about the operation axis. And
When the operation shaft is tilted in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, one pressing drive switch located in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction is operated by the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member. When the shaft is tilted in the upper diagonal left / right direction and the lower diagonal left / right direction, two tilting drive switches located adjacent to each other in the left / right direction are operated by the tilting operation of the upper swing dome member. A multidirectional operation switch, characterized in that: 6. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the operating shaft is pressed or rotated by the knob via the universal joint connected to the operating shaft. A multidirectional operation switch, wherein a rotation shaft of the rotation switch is pressed or rotated, and a pressing switch or a rotary encoder in the rotation switch is operated. 7. The multi-directional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the hook member protruding from an edge of a lower surface of the second cylindrical body of the upper swing dome member is the fixed dome member. The upper swinging dome member and the lower swinging dome member are configured to swing integrally with each other by passing through the opening of the lower swinging dome member and engaging with the hole provided in the lower swinging dome member. Multi-directional operation switch characterized by the following.