Multi-directional input device

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-directional input device which can reduce the direction dependence of the click feeling of a push switch when a tilting operation and a pressing operation are performed on an operation shaft, and can realize low profile. A multidirectional input device (1) is provided with: a first rotating member (81); a second rotating member (82); an operation shaft (83) that rotates and displaces the first rotating member (81) and the second rotating member (82) downward; a holding mechanism (7) that elastically holds the operation shaft (83); the holding mechanism (7) is provided with a lifting slider (72) that supports the operation shaft (83) from below and engages with the actuator (51). The operation shaft (83) is provided with: an annular skirt section (835) that extends outward from the lower portion of the connection section (832); and a through-hole (836) that passes through the skirt section (835).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a multi-directional input device, and more particularly to a multi-directional input device that provides input of direction information and pressing information corresponding to a tilting operation and a pressing operation performed on an operation shaft, respectively. Background Art

[0002] Currently, as a multi-directional input device used in electronic devices such as game consoles, there is known a multi-directional input device capable of performing a tilting operation on an operating shaft. In such a multi-directional input device, which is called a joystick or a stick controller, a user tilts the operating shaft from a neutral state toward any direction and can input direction information corresponding to the tilting operation performed on the operating shaft.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses Figure 1 The multi-directional input device 500 is shown. The multi-directional input device 500 includes: a housing 520 fixed to a base plate 510; a first rotating member 530 held by the housing 520 so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction (Y direction); a second rotating member 540 held by the housing 520 so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first axial direction; an operating shaft 550 inserted through a cutout hole 531 of the first rotating member 530 and a cutout hole 541 of the second rotating member 540, and capable of tilting the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 according to a tilting operation applied by a user. The first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 are rotated and can be displaced downward according to a pressing operation from the user; the action member 560, which is arranged at the lower end of the operating shaft 550 and can be moved along the axial direction of the operating shaft 550; the coil spring 570, which is arranged between the operating shaft 550 and the action member 560; the sensor 580, which is arranged on the housing 520 to detect the rotation angle of the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540; and the push switch 590, which is arranged in the component mounting portion 510a protruding outward from a side wall of the bottom plate 510.

[0004] If the user applies a tilting operation to the operating shaft 550 in any direction, the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 rotate along with the tilting action of the operating shaft 550. The rotation angles of the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 are detected by the sensor 580, and the input of the direction information corresponding to the tilting operation performed by the user on the operating shaft 550 is provided. In addition, if the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 550, the second rotating member 540 engaged with the operating shaft 550 is displaced downward, and the second rotating member 540 presses the pressing switch 590. Thus, the input of the pressing information corresponding to the pressing operation performed by the user on the operating shaft 550 is provided.

[0005] The user sometimes applies a tilting operation and a pressing operation to the operating shaft 550 at the same time. In the case where the multi-directional input device 500 is used as a controller of a game machine, the click feeling of the required pressing switch 590 does not change according to the tilting direction of the operating shaft 550. However, in the multi-directional input device 500, the pressing switch 590 is arranged in a component mounting portion 510a protruding outward from one side wall of the bottom plate 510. Therefore, when the operating shaft 550 is pressed in a state where the operating shaft 550 is tilted toward one side of the pressing switch 590, a good click feeling is obtained. On the other hand, when the operating shaft 550 is pressed in a state where the operating shaft 550 is tilted toward the opposite side of the pressing switch 590, a sufficient click feeling cannot be obtained.

[0006] Regarding the problem of the directional dependence of the click feeling when such a tilting operation and a pressing operation are applied, Patent Document 2 discloses Figure 2 The multi-directional input device 600 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a housing 610 fixed to a substrate; a first rotating member 620 held by the housing 610 so as to be rotatable about a first rotating axis (in the X direction); a second rotating member 630 held by the housing 610 so as to be rotatable about a second rotating axis (in the Y direction) orthogonal to the first rotating axis; an operating shaft 640 which can be tilted by a tilting operation from a user and can be displaced downward by a pressing operation from a user; a holding mechanism 650 which elastically holds the operating shaft 640 in a neutral state in the housing 610; and a push switch 700 which is provided on the substrate so as to be located directly below the operating shaft 640. The holding mechanism 650 includes a coil spring 660 and a lifting slider 670 which is stacked on the coil spring 660 and supports the operating shaft 640 from below.

[0007] In the structure of the multi-directional input device 600, the push switch 700 is located directly below the operating shaft 640, which greatly reduces the direction dependence of the click feeling of the push switch 700 when the operating shaft 640 is tilted and pressed. However, in the structure of the multi-directional input device 600, in order to apply a vertical pressing force to the push switch 700 even when the operating shaft 640 is tilted, it is necessary to provide an actuator 710 and a spacer 720 to prevent the actuator 710 from tilting between the operating shaft 640 and the push switch 700. The actuator 710 is supported by the spacer 720 so as to be displaceable in the height direction. Moreover, the actuator 710 is prevented from tilting by the engagement of the actuator 710 and the spacer 720. In addition, in order to reliably prevent the actuator 710 from tilting by the engagement of the actuator 710 and the spacer 720, it is necessary to ensure the height of the actuator 710 and the spacer 720 to a certain extent. As a result, a space must be secured between the operating shaft 640 and the push switch 700 for arranging the spacer 720 and the actuator 710 protruding upward from the spacer 720 , which increases the height of the multi-directional input device 600 .

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-305650

[0011] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-103253 Summary of the invention

[0012] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device that can reduce the direction dependency of the click feeling of a push switch when the operating shaft is tilted and pressed and can achieve low-profile.

[0014] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0015] Such an object is achieved by the present invention defined by the following (1).

[0016] (1) A multi-directional input device, characterized in that it comprises:

[0017] A housing fixed on the base plate;

[0018] A first rotating member having a first cutout hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction;

[0019] a second rotating member having a second cutout hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction orthogonal to the first axial direction;

[0020] an operating shaft inserted through the first cutout hole and the second cutout hole, rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation performed by a user, and displacing downward in response to a pressing operation performed by the user;

[0021] A holding mechanism, which is disposed in the housing and elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state;

[0022] A detection mechanism, which is used to detect the rotation angle of each of the first rotating component and the second rotating component;

[0023] A push switch is provided on the substrate so as to be located directly below the operating shaft; and

[0024] an actuator disposed between the operating shaft and the push switch, and when the operating shaft is displaced downward, the actuator is pressed by the operating shaft to press the push switch,

[0025] The holding mechanism includes an elastic member provided on the substrate, and an elevating slider placed on the elastic member and supporting the operating shaft from below and engaging with the actuator.

[0026] The operating shaft includes an operating portion to which the user applies the tilting operation and the pressing operation, a connecting portion extending linearly downward from the operating portion, an annular skirt extending outward from a lower portion of the connecting portion, and a through hole penetrating the skirt.

[0027] The lower surface of the skirt of the operating shaft has a spherical shape.

[0028] The lower surface of the skirt portion of the operating shaft is in contact with the lifting slider.

[0029] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0030] In the multi-directional input device of the present invention, the actuator disposed between the operating shaft and the push switch can be engaged with the lifting slider to prevent the actuator from tilting in the housing. Therefore, in the multi-directional input device of the present invention, there is no need to provide a spacer on the substrate to prevent the actuator from tilting as in the prior art, so the multi-directional input device can be made thinner.

[0031] Moreover, in the multi-directional input device of the present invention, the skirt of the operating shaft is placed on the lifting slider, and a through hole is formed in the skirt of the operating shaft. Therefore, when the skirt of the operating shaft is placed on the lifting slider, air can flow into the internal space of the skirt through the through hole. Therefore, when the operating shaft performs a tipping action and the volume of the internal space of the skirt increases, it is possible to prevent the generation of an air pressure difference between the internal space of the skirt and the outside, thereby preventing the rapid inflow of air into the internal space of the skirt caused by the air pressure difference between the internal space of the skirt and the outside. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormal noise when the user applies a tipping operation to the operating shaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is a simplified cross-sectional view of a conventional multi-directional input device.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a simplified cross-sectional view of another existing multi-directional input device.

[0034] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device shown.

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device shown.

[0037] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the push switch shown.

[0038] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the actuator assembly is shown.

[0039] Figure 8 Observed from other angles Figure 7 A perspective view of the actuator shown.

[0040] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the actuator assembly is shown.

[0041] Fig.10 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the lower housing shown is shown as viewed from another angle.

[0042] Fig.11 It is a diagram for explaining a state where the actuator assembly is fixed to the base plate.

[0043] Fig.12Observed from other angles Figure 5 A perspective view of the upper housing is shown.

[0044] Fig.13 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the lifting slider shown.

[0045] Fig.14 Observed from other angles Fig.13 A three-dimensional view of the lifting slider shown.

[0046] Fig.15 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the operating shaft assembly is shown.

[0047] Fig.16 Observed from other angles Fig.15 A stereoscopic view of the operating shaft is shown.

[0048] Fig.17 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the operation when a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft in a state where the operating shaft is upright.

[0049] Fig.18 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the operation when a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft in a state where the operating shaft is tilted.

[0050] Fig.19 Graphs showing curves of feeling of a push switch when the operating axis is tilted in various directions.

[0051] Explanation of symbols

[0052] 1—multi-directional input device, 2L—lower cover, 21—bottom plate, 22—through hole, 23—welding piece, 231—welding surface, 232—hook, 2U—upper cover, 24—upper plate, 25—opening, 251—positioning recess, 26—welding piece, 261—welding surface, 262—engaging recess, 3—substrate, 31—terminal pin, 32—circuit pattern, 33—opening, 4—press switch, 41—central contact, 42—outer contact, 43—movable contact, 431—central movable portion, 432—outer edge portion, 44—cover belt, 441—central portion, 442—flange portion, 5—actuator assembly, 51—actuator, 511—main body portion, 512—guide shaft, 513—pressing portion, 514—extension , 515—seat portion, 516—locking protrusion, 5161—cylindrical portion, 5162—conical portion, 52—elastic supporting member, 521—main body, 522—circular opening, 523—foot portion, 5231—outer extension portion, 5232—lower extension portion, 5233—locking portion, 524—installation portion, 5241—first outer extension portion, 5242—upper extension portion, 5243—second outer extension portion, 5244—loading portion, 5245—locking hole, 6—housing, 6L—lower housing, 61—main body, 611—conical surface, 612—arc surface, 613—receiving portion, 614a—storage portion, 614b—storage portion, 615—fitting portion, 616—rotation prevention portion, 617— Retreat portion, 62—circular recess, 63—insertion hole, 64—guide piece, 641—upper extension portion, 642—guide groove, 65—bearing portion, 651—engagement protrusion, 652—lower receiving portion, 6U—upper shell, 66—main body, 661—receiving portion, 662—circular protrusion, 663—positioning protrusion, 664—contact portion, 67—insertion hole, 68—bearing portion, 681—engagement recess, 682—upper receiving portion, 7—holding mechanism, 71—elastic component, 72—lifting slider, 721—main body, 7211—conical surface, 7212—arc surface, 722—storage recess, 723—guide hole, 724—guide piece, 7241—upper extension portion, 7242—guide rail, 725—receiving portion part, 726—lubricant, 8—operating shaft assembly, 81—first rotating component, 811—main body, 812—cut hole, 813—insertion hole, 814—axis, 815—lower extension, 816—rotation shaft, 817—magnetic bracket, 82—second rotating component, 821—arched portion, 822—cut hole, 823—horizontal extension, 824—lower extension, 825—rotation shaft, 826—magnetic bracket, 83—operating shaft, 831—operating portion, 832—connecting portion, 833—long hole, 834—lower surface, 835—skirt, 8351—groove, 836—through hole, 9—detection mechanism, 91—magnetic sensor, 92—magnet, 500—multi-directional input device, 510—bottom plate,510a—component mounting portion, 520—housing, 530—first rotating component, 531—cut hole, 540—second rotating component, 541—cut hole, 550—operating shaft, 560—acting component, 570—coil spring, 580—sensor, 590—press switch, 600—multi-directional input device, 610—housing, 620—first rotating component, 630—second rotating component, 640—operating shaft, 650—holding mechanism, 660—coil spring, 670—lifting slider, 700—press switch, 710—actuator, 720—spacer. , DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the figures referred to below are schematic diagrams prepared for illustrating the present invention. The dimensions (length, width, thickness, etc.) of the various components shown in the accompanying drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions. Moreover, in each figure, the same or corresponding elements are marked with the same symbols. In the following description, the positive direction of the Z axis of each figure is sometimes referred to as "above", and the negative direction of the Z axis is referred to as "below".

[0054] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device shown. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the push switch shown. Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the actuator assembly is shown. Figure 8 Observed from other angles Figure 7 A perspective view of the actuator shown. Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the actuator assembly is shown. Fig.10 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the lower housing shown is shown as viewed from another angle. Fig.11 It is a diagram for explaining a state where the actuator assembly is fixed to the base plate. Fig.12 Observed from other angles Figure 5 A perspective view of the upper housing is shown. Fig.13 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the lifting slider shown. Fig.14 Observed from other angles Fig.13 A three-dimensional view of the lifting slider shown. Fig.15 yes Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the operating shaft assembly is shown. Fig.16Observed from other angles Fig.15 A stereoscopic view of the operating shaft is shown. Fig.17 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the operation when a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft in a state where the operating shaft is upright. Fig.18 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the operation when a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft in a state where the operating shaft is tilted. Fig.19 Graphs showing curves of feeling of a push switch when the operating axis is tilted in various directions.

[0055] Figure 3 to Figure 5 The multi-directional input device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention shown is mounted on a substrate of any electronic device. If a user applies a tilting operation and a pressing operation to the multi-directional input device 1, the multi-directional input device 1 inputs direction information corresponding to the tilting operation and pressing information corresponding to the pressing operation to the electronic device. Typically, the multi-directional input device 1 is used as a joystick of a handheld controller of a game console.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the multi-directional input device 1 includes: a lower cover 2L, which is placed on a substrate of any electronic device; an upper cover 2U, which is connected to the lower cover 2L; a substrate 3, which carries the electronic components of the multi-directional input device 1; a push switch 4, which is arranged on the substrate 3; an actuator assembly 5, which is arranged on the substrate 3 in a manner of being located on the upper side of the push switch 4; a housing 6, which includes a lower housing 6L and an upper housing 6U and is fixed to the substrate 3; a holding mechanism 7, which is arranged in the housing 6 in a manner of being located on the upper side of the actuator assembly 5; an operating shaft assembly 8, which includes a first rotating member 81 held by the housing 6 so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction (Y direction), a second rotating member 82 held by the housing 6 so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first axial direction, and an operating shaft 83 held in a neutral state by the holding mechanism 7 and subjected to a tilting operation and a pressing operation by a user; and a detection mechanism 9, which is used to detect the respective rotation angles of the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82. The “neutral state” of the operating shaft 83 mentioned here refers to a state in which the operating shaft 83 is stationary in a normal position in an upright posture in which the axial direction and the height direction of the operating shaft 83 are substantially aligned.

[0057] The lower cover 2L has the function of supporting the substrate 3 from below and supporting the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 from top and bottom together with the upper cover 2U. The lower cover 2L is made of a hard non-magnetic material such as stainless steel. The lower cover 2L includes a bottom plate 21, a plurality of insertion holes 22 formed on the bottom plate 21, and four welding pieces 23 extending upward from the bottom plate 21. The bottom plate 21 is a plate-shaped portion that supports the substrate 3 from below. When the multi-directional input device 1 is mounted on a substrate of an electronic device, the bottom plate 21 is located between the substrate 3 and the substrate of the electronic device. The plurality of insertion holes 22 are formed to penetrate the bottom plate 21 in the height direction. The lower cover 2L is mounted on the substrate 3 from below by any fixing method such as an adhesive in such a manner that the plurality of terminal pins 31 of the substrate 3 are respectively penetrated through the corresponding insertion holes 22.

[0058] The four welding pieces 23 are plate-like parts extending linearly upward from two opposite sides of the bottom plate 21. The four welding pieces 23 are connected to the four welding pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U by welding and snapping, and the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U are firmly formed as one body. The four welding pieces 23 each include a welding surface 231 welded to the welding surface 261 of the welding piece 26 of the upper cover 2U, and a hook-shaped member 232 snapped to the snapping recess 262 of the welding piece 26. The welding surface 231 is the inner side surface of the welding piece 23 and is a flat surface orthogonal to the lateral direction (X direction or Y direction). The hook-shaped member 232 is a protruding piece protruding inwardly formed by bending one lateral end of the upper end of the welding piece 23 inwardly. The amount of the hook-shaped member 232 protruding inwardly is substantially equal to the thickness of the welding piece 26. The welding surface 231 of each welding piece 23 is welded to the welding surface 261 of the corresponding welding piece 26, and the hook-shaped piece 232 of each welding piece 23 is engaged with the engaging recess 262 of the corresponding welding piece 26, so that the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U are firmly formed as one. In this way, since the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 is supported from top to bottom by the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U that are firmly formed as one, the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 can be reliably prevented from swinging (shaking) in the height direction.

[0059] The upper cover 2U has the function of supporting the shell 6 from above and supporting the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 from top to bottom together with the lower cover 2L. The upper cover 2U includes an upper plate 24, an opening 25 formed on the upper plate 24, and four welding pieces 26 extending downward from the upper plate 24. The upper plate 24 is a plate-like portion having a planar shape corresponding to the upper surface of the main body 66 of the upper shell 6U, and supports the shell 6 from above. The opening 25 is a circular opening formed in the center portion of the upper plate 24. The opening 25 has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 662 formed on the upper surface of the main body 66 of the upper shell 6U. Furthermore, the opening 25 includes four positioning recesses 251 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the opening 25. As shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, when the upper cover 2U is mounted on the upper housing 6U from above, the annular protrusion 662 protrudes upward from the opening 25 , and the four positioning protrusions 663 of the upper cover 2U are respectively located in the four positioning recesses 251 .

[0060] Back to Figure 5 The four welding pieces 26 are plate-like parts extending linearly downward from the outer edge of the upper plate 24 at equal angles of 90 degrees. The four welding pieces 26 are respectively provided with a welding surface 261 welded to the welding surface 231 of the welding piece 23 of the lower cover 2L, and an engaging recess 262 engaged with the hook-shaped member 232 of the welding piece 23. The welding surface 261 is the outer side surface of the welding piece 26, and is a flat surface orthogonal to the lateral direction (X direction or Y direction). The engaging recess 262 is a recess formed in one of a pair of sides extending linearly downward from the welding piece 26 in a manner extending inward. As described above, the welding surface 261 is welded to the welding surface 231 of the corresponding welding piece 23, and the engaging recess 262 is engaged with the hook-shaped member 232 of the corresponding welding piece 23.

[0061] The substrate 3 is a flat circuit board formed of known materials and known structures in the field of electronic equipment. Typically, a rigid circuit board can be used as the substrate 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) formed by insert molding in a manner that a resin material and a circuit are formed as one can also be used as the substrate 3. The substrate 3 has a plurality of terminal pins 31 inserted through the substrate 3, a circuit pattern 32 formed on the substrate 3, and three openings 33 formed on the substrate 3. Two magnetic sensors (for example, Hall IC sensors) 91 and a push switch 4 of a detection mechanism 9 are mounted on the substrate 3, and the two magnetic sensors 91 and the push switch 4 are electrically connected to the corresponding terminal pins 31 via the circuit pattern 32. In addition, the terminal pins 31 corresponding to the two magnetic sensors 91 and the push switch 4 are connected to the corresponding terminals of the circuit board of the electronic device. According to such a structure, the electronic device can receive input from the multi-directional input device 1. The three openings 33 are through holes provided to fix the actuator assembly 5 on the substrate 3.

[0062] The push switch 4 is a switch that is pressed as the operating shaft 83 moves downward. If the user applies a pressing force to the operating shaft 83 that exceeds the operating force of the push switch 4, the push switch 4 is turned on. Thereafter, if the pressing force applied by the user is released, the push switch 4 is turned off. Figure 4 As shown, in the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the push switch 4 is provided on the substrate 3 so as to be located directly below the operating shaft 83, and is pressed when the operating shaft 83 is displaced downward in response to a pressing operation by the user.

[0063] like Figure 6 As shown, the push switch 4 comprises: a central contact 41, which is formed to be exposed on the substrate 3; an annular outer contact 42, which is formed to surround the central contact 41 in a state separated from the central contact 41 on the substrate 3; a dome-shaped movable contact 43; and a cover band 44, which covers the movable contact 43 from the upper side to fix the movable contact 43 on the substrate 3.

[0064] The central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are formed on the substrate 3 in a mutually insulated manner. The central contact 41 is formed to have a circular shape in the substantially central portion of the substrate 3 and is arranged concentrically with the outer contact 42. The state in which the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are not electrically connected is the off state of the push switch 4. On the other hand, the state in which the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are electrically connected via the movable contact 43 is the on state of the push switch 4. The movable contact 43 is a dome-shaped member protruding upward and formed of a conductive material. For example, the movable contact 43 is obtained by punching and bending a thin metal plate. The movable contact 43 includes a central movable portion 431 and an outer edge portion 432 surrounding the outer edge of the central movable portion 431.

[0065] The central movable portion 431 is a portion that has a circular dome shape that bulges upward in a natural state, and elastically deforms in a manner that bulges downward when receiving a pressing force from above. The outer edge portion 432 is a circular ring-shaped portion that extends linearly from the edge of the central movable portion 431 toward the outside and downward. The outer edge portion 432 has an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter and less than the outer diameter of the outer contact 42 when viewed from a height direction. The movable contact 43 is provided on the substrate 3 in a manner that is concentric with the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 and that the outer edge portion 432 contacts the outer contact 42.

[0066] The cover band 44 is a band with an adhesive applied on the lower surface, and fixes the movable contact 43 to the substrate 3 while covering the movable contact 43 from above. The cover band 44 is made of an elastic material, and elastically deforms following the elastic deformation of the central movable portion 431 of the movable contact 43. The cover band 44 includes a central portion 441 having a circular dome shape corresponding to the movable contact 43, and a flange portion 442 extending linearly from the edge of the central portion 441 toward the outside. The lower surface of the central portion 441 is bonded to the upper surface of the movable contact 43, and the lower surface of the flange portion 442 is bonded to the substrate 3, thereby fixing the movable contact 43 to the substrate 3. The central contact 41, the outer contacts 42, the movable contact 43, and the cover band 44, which are components of the push switch 4, are all configured to be rotationally symmetrical and are all concentrically arranged.

[0067] like Figure 4As shown, when the operating shaft 83 is in the neutral state, the outer edge portion 432 is in contact with the outer contact 42. The central movable portion 431 is opposed to the central contact 41 via the gap and does not contact the central contact 41. Therefore, when the operating shaft 83 is in the neutral state, the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are not connected, and the push switch 4 is in the off state. On the other hand, if the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 83, a downward pressing force is applied to the central movable portion 431 via the operating shaft 83 and the actuator assembly 5. If the pressing force applied to the central movable portion 431 is greater than a predetermined magnitude, the central movable portion 431 is elastically deformed rapidly in a downward convex manner and contacts the central contact 41. In this state, the movable contact 43 functions as an electrical path between the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42, so that the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are connected. Through such an action, the push switch 4 is in the on state.

[0068] Back to Figure 5 The actuator assembly 5 has the function of applying a uniform pressing force to the central movable portion 431 of the movable contact 43. Figure 7 As shown, the actuator assembly 5 includes an actuator 51 that presses the push switch 4 , and an elastic support member 52 that is fixed to the substrate 3 and elastically supports the actuator 51 on the upper side of the push switch 4 .

[0069] The actuator 51 is a component made of a hard non-magnetic material. When the operating shaft 83 is displaced downward according to the pressing operation applied by the user, the actuator 51 is pressed by the operating shaft 83 and presses the push switch 4. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the actuator 51 comprises: a disc-shaped main body 511; a guide shaft 512, which protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main body 511; a pressing portion 513, which protrudes downward from the lower surface of the main body 511; three extension portions 514, which extend from the main body 511 along the radial direction of the main body 511; a base portion 515, which extends from the lower surface of the front end portion of the extension portion 514 along the circumferential direction of the main body 511; and a locking protrusion 516, which protrudes upward from the base portion 515.

[0070] The main body 511 is a disk-shaped portion located between the movable contact 43 of the push switch 4 and the operating shaft 83. The upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 511 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the height direction. In addition, the diameter of the main body 511 is smaller than the diameter of the central portion 441 of the cover band 44. In addition, the actuator assembly 5 is fixed to the substrate 3 in a manner that the main body 511 and the cover band 44 are concentric.

[0071] The guide shaft 512 is a cylindrical portion extending linearly upward from the upper surface of the main body 511. The guide shaft 512 is set to be concentric with the main body 511. In addition, the outer diameter of the guide shaft 512 is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body 511. The upper surface of the guide shaft 512 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the height of the guide shaft 512 is set so that when the operating shaft 83 is in a neutral state, the upper end of the guide shaft 512 is inserted into the guide hole 723 of the lifting slider 72 of the holding mechanism 7. In addition, the upper surface of the guide shaft 512 is opposite to the operating shaft 83 via a gap. The engagement between the guide shaft 512 and the guide hole 723 prevents the actuator 51 in the housing 6 from tilting. Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown, when the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 83 and the operating shaft 83 moves downward, the lifting slider 72 moves downward along the guide shaft 512 and the operating shaft 83 presses the guide shaft 512 .

[0072] Back to Figure 8 The pressing portion 513 is a cylindrical portion that extends linearly downward from the lower surface of the main body 511. The pressing portion 513 is arranged concentrically with the main body 511. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the pressing portion 513 is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body 511 and larger than the outer diameter of the guide shaft 512. The lower surface of the pressing portion 513 is a flat surface that is orthogonal to the height direction. In addition, since the positioning between the actuator 51 and the elastic support member 52 is achieved by fitting the pressing portion 513 into the circular opening 522 of the elastic support member 52 (see Figure 7 ), so the pressing portion 513 has a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the case where the positioning between the actuator 51 and the elastic support member 52 is performed by other methods, the pressing portion 513 can have a flat shape that does not protrude downward from the lower surface of the main body 511, or it can have an arbitrary shape (such as an elliptical cylinder shape, a polygonal column shape) that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the main body 511. For example, in the case where the guide shaft 512 is supported by the engagement with the guide hole 723, the actuator 51 can also be set to a cylindrical shape without the main body 511. According to such a structure, the shape of the actuator 51 can be simpler.

[0073] like Figure 4As shown, in the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the pressing portion 513 is opposite to the push switch 4, and if the operating shaft 83 is displaced downward, the operating shaft 83 presses the guide shaft 512, and the pressing portion 513 applies a pressing force to the central movable portion 431 of the movable contact 43 via the cover belt 44. Since the lower surface of the pressing portion 513 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction, the pressing portion 513 is in point contact with the central movable portion 431 via the cover belt 44, and a uniform pressing force is applied to the central movable portion 431. According to such a structure, the deformation characteristics of the movable contact 43 can be stabilized.

[0074] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the three extension portions 514 are portions extending from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 511 at equal angles of 120 degrees along the radial direction of the main body 511. The extension portion 514 has a tapered shape with a width gradually increasing from the base end side connected to the main body 511 toward the front end side. The thickness of the extension portion 514 is the same as the thickness of the main body 511, so the upper surface and the lower surface of the extension portion 514 are respectively continuous with the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 511. The base portion 515 is an arc portion extending in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the main body 511. The base portion 515 is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the extension portion 514, and a part of the upper surface of the base portion 515 is exposed upward. The upper surface of the base portion 515 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. The locking protrusion 516 is a protrusion protruding upward from the upper surface of the base portion 515. The locking protrusion 516 includes a cylindrical portion 5161 extending linearly upward from the upper surface of the base portion 515, and a tapered portion 5162 protruding upward from the cylindrical portion 5161. The cylindrical portion 5161 has a constant diameter in the height direction. The tapered portion 5162 has a truncated cone shape extending upward from the cylindrical portion 5161 and having a diameter gradually decreasing in the height direction. The upper surface of the tapered portion 5162 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction.

[0075] The elastic support member 52 is a member that elastically supports the actuator 51 from below between the cover band 44 of the push switch 4 and the operating shaft 83. The elastic support member 52 is made of a non-magnetic spring material such as stainless steel, and functions as a leaf spring that elastically supports the actuator 51 from below. Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the elastic support member 52 includes a plate-shaped main body 521, a circular opening 522 formed in the main body 521, three leg portions 523 extending outward from the main body 521, and three mounting portions 524 extending outward from the main body 521. The main body 521 is a plate-shaped portion having a shape corresponding to the main body 511 of the actuator 51, and supports the main body 511 from the bottom. The circular opening 522 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pressing portion 513 of the actuator 51.

[0076] The three legs 523 are portions extending outward at equal angles of 120 degrees from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 521. The legs 523 include an outer extension portion 5231 extending linearly from the main body 521, a lower extension portion 5232 extending linearly from the outer extension portion 5231 toward the lower outside, and a locking portion 5233 extending linearly from the lower end of the lower extension portion 5232 toward the outside.

[0077] The outer extension portion 5231 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 521 toward the outside. The width of the outer extension portion 5231 is constant along the extension direction of the outer extension portion 5231. The upper surface and the lower surface of the outer extension portion 5231 are continuous with the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body portion 521. The lower extension portion 5232 is a plate-like portion that extends obliquely from the front end portion of the outer extension portion 5231 toward the outside and downward. The locking portion 5233 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly from the front end portion of the lower extension portion 5232 toward the outside. Fig.11 As shown, in the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the lower extension portion 5232 is inserted into the opening 33 of the base plate 3, and the locking portion 5233 is clamped between the bottom plate 21 of the lower cover 2L mounted on the base plate 3 from below and the lower housing 6L. According to such a structure, the actuator assembly 5 can be fixed relative to the base plate 3.

[0078] Back to Figure 7 The three mounting portions 524 are portions extending outward at equal angles of 120 degrees from the outer circumferential surface of the main body 521 and connecting the elastic support member 52 to the actuator 51. Each mounting portion 524 is located between the two leg portions 523 on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 521. Therefore, the three leg portions 523 and the three mounting portions 524 are alternately arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 521. The mounting portion 524 includes a first outer extension portion 5241 extending outward from the main body 521, an upper extension portion 5242 extending upward and outward from the first outer extension portion 5241, a second outer extension portion 5243 extending outward from the upper extension portion 5242, a receiving portion 5244 formed at the front end of the second outer extension portion 5243, and a locking hole 5245 formed in the receiving portion 5244.

[0079] The first outer extension portion 5241 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 521 toward the outside on the same plane as the main body 521. The upper surface and the lower surface of the first outer extension portion 5241 are continuous with the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 521. The length of the first outer extension portion 5241 is set so that the length from the center of the main body 521 to the front end of the first outer extension portion 5241 is greater than the diameter of the main body 511 of the actuator 51. The upper extension portion 5242 is a plate-like portion that extends obliquely from the front end of the first outer extension portion 5241 toward the upper outside. The amount of the upper extension portion 5242 extending upward is substantially equal to the thickness of the pedestal portion 515 of the actuator 51. The second outer extension portion 5243 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly from the front end of the upper extension portion 5242 toward the outside. The carrier portion 5244 is a plate-like portion provided at the front end of the second outer extension portion 5243. The mounting portion 5244 has a shape corresponding to the exposed upper surface of the pedestal portion 515, and is mounted on the pedestal portion 515. The locking hole 5245 is a circular through hole formed on the pedestal portion 515. The locking hole 5245 has a diameter substantially equal to that of the cylindrical portion 5161 of the locking protrusion 516 of the actuator 51, and the locking protrusion 516 is inserted through the locking hole 5245.

[0080] Fig. 9 5 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the elastic support member 52 is mounted on the actuator 51. Fig. 9 As shown, the elastic support member 52 is mounted on the actuator 51 from below. In this state, the pressing portion 513 of the actuator 51 is inserted through the circular opening 522 of the elastic support member 52 from above, and the three locking protrusions 516 of the actuator 51 are respectively inserted through the three locking holes 5245 of the elastic support member 52 from below. According to such a structure, the elastic support member 52 elastically supports the actuator 51 in a manner that enables the actuator 51 to be displaced in the height direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the pressing portion 513 of the actuator 51 is Figure 6 Even when the push switch 4 is supported as shown, or elastically supported via the movable contact 43, the elastic supporting member 52 can be omitted. According to such a structure, the shape of the actuator assembly 5 can be simplified.

[0081] Back to Figure 5 The housing 6 has the function of being fixed on the substrate 3 and holding the holding mechanism 7 and the operating shaft assembly 8. The housing 6 includes a lower housing 6L fixed on the substrate 3 and an upper housing 6U mounted on the lower housing 6L from the upper side. The lower housing 6L and the upper housing 6U are respectively made of a hard non-magnetic material such as polybutylene terephthalate. Fig.10As shown, the lower shell 6L includes: a circular plate-shaped main body 61; a circular recess 62 formed on the upper surface of the main body 61; an insertion hole 63 formed to pass through the circular recess 62 in the height direction; four guide pieces 64 extending upward from the upper surface of the main body 61; and four bearing portions 65 protruding upward from the upper surface of the main body 61.

[0082] The main body 61 is a disk-shaped portion placed on the substrate 3. The upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 61 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the height direction. The main body 61 includes: a tapered surface 611 extending obliquely downward from the upper end of the main body 61; an arc surface 612 extending downward from the tapered surface 611 with a constant diameter; four receiving portions 613 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 61; two storage portions 614a and 614b formed on the +Y direction side and -X direction side of the main body 61, respectively; three interlocking portions 615 protruding inward from the area adjacent to the insertion hole 63 on the lower surface of the main body 61; three anti-rotation portions 616 protruding upward from the front ends of the three interlocking portions 615, respectively; and a retreat portion 617 formed on the -Y direction side of the upper surface of the main body 61.

[0083] The four receiving portions 613 are recessed portions open to the outside formed at equal angles of 90 degrees on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 61. The upper and lower ends of the receiving portions 613 are not closed and are open to the outside. The bottom surface of the receiving portion 613 (the surface facing the outside) is a flat surface orthogonal to the horizontal direction (X direction or Y direction). Figure 3 As shown, in the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the welding piece 26 of the upper cover 2U and the welding piece 23 of the lower cover 2L are located in the receiving portion 613. The bottom surface of the receiving portion 613 is in surface contact with the inner side surface of the welding piece 26, so that the upper cover 2U clamps the lower housing 6L from the outside. According to such a structure, the lower housing 6L on the substrate 3 can be prevented from swinging (shaking) in the lateral direction. In addition, in the receiving portion 613, the welding surface 261 of the welding piece 26 and the welding surface 231 of the welding piece 23 are in surface contact and welded to each other, so that the upper cover 2U and the lower cover 2L are firmly formed as one body.

[0084] Back to Fig.10 The storage portion 614a is formed as an opening that passes through the main body 61 and the circular recess 62 on the +Y direction side in the height direction. Similarly, the storage portion 614b is formed as an opening that passes through the main body 61 and the circular recess 62 on the -X direction side in the height direction. The magnetic bracket 817 of the first rotating member 81 (see Fig.15) can be stored in the storage portion 614a so as to be rotatable around the Y axis. Similarly, the magnetic bracket 826 of the second rotating member 82 can be stored in the storage portion 614b so as to be rotatable around the X axis.

[0085] The three fitting parts 615 are plate-like parts that protrude inward at equal angular intervals of 120 degrees in a region adjacent to the insertion hole 63 on the lower surface of the main body 61 and are partially exposed in the insertion hole 63. Fig.11 As shown, the fitting portion 615 has a shape corresponding to the opening 33 of the substrate 3, and the fitting portion 615 is fitted into the opening 33 to position the lower housing 6L relative to the substrate 3 and prevent the lower housing 6L from rotating relative to the substrate 3. In addition, since the locking portion 5233 of the elastic support member 52 is clamped between the bottom plate 21 of the lower cover 2L mounted on the substrate 3 from below and the fitting portion 615, the actuator assembly 5 is fixed relative to the substrate 3.

[0086] The three anti-rotation parts 616 are arc-shaped parts protruding upward from the front end surfaces of the three engaging parts 615. Fig.11 As shown, the anti-rotation portion 616 protrudes upward from the opening 33 of the substrate 3. In addition, the locking portion 5233 of the elastic support member 52 and the front end portion of the lower extension portion 5232 are located between the anti-rotation portion 616 and the inner side surface of the opening 33. The anti-rotation portion 616 and the front end portion of the lower extension portion 5232 are engaged to prevent the actuator assembly 5 on the substrate 3 from rotating. Return to Fig.10 The retreat portion 617 is a recessed portion formed on the -Y direction side of the upper surface of the main body 61 and open to the upper side. In the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the lower extension portion 815 (see FIG. 1 ) on the -Y direction side of the first rotating member 81 Fig.15 ) has a lower end portion that is rotatable about the Y-axis and is located within the retreat portion 617.

[0087] The circular recess 62 is formed concentrically with the main body 61 at the center of the upper surface of the main body 61. The insertion hole 63 is a circular opening formed to penetrate the substantially central portion of the circular recess 62 in the height direction. The four guide pieces 64 are arc-shaped portions that protrude upward at equal angles of 90 degrees from the upper surface of the main body 61 and the area adjacent to the circular recess 62. The guide piece 64 has a function of preventing the lifting slider 72 from tilting. The guide piece 64 includes an arc-shaped upper extension portion 641 that extends linearly upward from the upper surface of the main body 61, and a guide groove 642 formed on the inner side surface of the upper extension portion 641. The upper extension portion 641 has an arc-shaped inner side surface that is continuous with the inner side surface of the circular recess 62. The guide groove 642 is an arc groove that extends linearly in the height direction from the upper end of the upper extension portion 641 to the bottom surface of the circular recess 62. In the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the guide rail 7242 (see Figure 5 ) is located in the guide groove 642, thereby preventing the lifting slider 72 from tilting and allowing the lifting slider 72 to be lifted and lowered parallel to the height direction.

[0088] The four bearing portions 65 are portions that protrude upward at equal angles of 90 degrees from an area adjacent to the tapered surface 611 on the upper surface of the main body 61. Furthermore, each bearing portion 65 is located between two guide pieces 64. Therefore, four guide pieces 64 and four bearing portions 65 are alternately arranged along the circumference of the main body 61. The bearing portion 65 located on the +Y direction side and the bearing portion 65 located on the -Y direction side are opposed to each other via a gap. Similarly, the bearing portion 65 located on the +X direction side and the bearing portion 65 located on the -X direction side are opposed to each other via a gap.

[0089] The bearing portion 65 includes a snap-fit ​​protrusion 651 protruding upward from the upper surface of the main body 61, and a lower receiving portion 652 formed on the snap-fit ​​protrusion 651. The snap-fit ​​protrusion 651 is a block-shaped portion extending linearly upward from the upper surface of the main body 61. The upper surface of the main body 61 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. The lower receiving portion 652 is an arc groove extending linearly along the radial direction of the main body 61 on the snap-fit ​​protrusion 651. The outer end and the inner end of the lower receiving portion 652 are open to the outside.

[0090] Back to Figure 5 The upper housing 6U is a component mounted on the lower housing 6L from above. Figure 5 and Fig.12As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper housing 6U includes a cylindrical main body 66, an insertion hole 67 formed on the upper surface of the main body 66, and four bearings 68 formed at the lower end of the main body 66. The main body 66 is a cylindrical portion having an upper plate and open toward the bottom, and is placed on the main body 61 of the lower housing 6L. The upper surface of the main body 66 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. The main body 66 includes four receiving portions 661 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 66, an annular protrusion 662 formed on the upper surface of the main body 66, four positioning protrusions 663 protruding outward from the annular protrusion 662, and four abutment portions 664 protruding inward from the inner peripheral surface of the main body 66.

[0091] The four receiving portions 661 are recessed portions formed at equal angles of 90 degrees on the outer circumference of the main body 66. The upper end of the receiving portion 661 is open upward, and the lower end of the receiving portion 661 is open downward. Figure 3 As shown, four receiving portions 661 are formed at positions corresponding to the four receiving portions 613 of the lower housing 6L. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the four welding pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U are located in the four receiving portions 661, respectively.

[0092] Back to Figure 5 The annular protrusion 662 is an annular portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the main body 66. The annular protrusion 662 is formed in a region adjacent to the insertion hole 67 so as to completely surround the insertion hole 67. The four positioning protrusions 663 are portions formed to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 662. Figure 3 As shown, the upper cover 2U is mounted relative to the upper housing 6U in such a manner that the annular protrusion 662 is fitted into the opening 25 of the upper cover 2U and the four positioning protrusions 663 are respectively located in the four positioning recesses 251 of the upper cover 2U, thereby positioning the upper cover 2U relative to the upper housing 6U and preventing rotation.

[0093] Back to Fig.12 The four abutting portions 664 are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body 66 at equal angles of 90 degrees and protrude toward the inside. The four abutting portions 664 are formed at positions corresponding to the four receiving portions 661. The inner side surface of the abutting portion 664 is an arc surface. When the upper housing 6U is mounted on the lower housing 6L, the four abutting portions 664 contact the four guide pieces 64 of the lower housing 6L from the outside, respectively, and support the four guide pieces 64 from the outside.

[0094] The insertion hole 67 is a circular opening formed in the center of the upper surface of the main body 66. The insertion hole 67 is formed concentrically with the main body 66. The four bearing portions 68 are recesses formed at equal angles of 90 degrees at the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the main body 66. The bearing portion 68 has a rectangular engaging recess 681 extending upward from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the main body 66, and an upper receiving portion 682 formed on the engaging recess 681. The engaging recess 681 has a shape corresponding to the engaging protrusion 651 of the bearing portion 65 of the lower shell 6L. When the upper shell 6U is installed on the lower shell 6L, the engaging protrusion 651 is engaged with the engaging recess 681. The upper receiving portion 682 is an arc groove formed on the engaging recess 681. The outer end and the inner end of the upper receiving portion 682 are open to the outside. As shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, when the upper housing 6U is mounted on the lower housing 6L, the upper receiving portion 682 and the lower receiving portion 652 of the lower housing 6L together form a bearing hole for receiving the rotating shaft 816 of the first rotating member 81 or the rotating shaft 825 of the second rotating member 82 .

[0095] Back to Figure 5 The holding mechanism 7 has a function of elastically holding the operating shaft 83 in a neutral state in the housing 6. The holding mechanism 7 includes an elastic component 71 placed on the substrate 3, and a lifting slider 72 placed on the elastic component 71. The elastic component 71 has a cylindrical shape and is not particularly limited as long as it can elastically support the lifting slider 72 from below. Typically, a coil spring formed of a non-magnetic spring material can be used as the elastic component 71. In addition to the coil spring, a wave spring formed by spirally winding a plate-shaped steel wire and applying waves thereto can also be used as the elastic component 71. In this case, the inclination of the elastic component 71 can be eliminated, and the tipping of the elastic component 71 and the directionality of the pressing load can be eliminated. As Figure 4 As shown, the elastic member 71 has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the insertion hole 63 of the lower housing 6L and an inner diameter longer than the outer diameter of the outer contact 42. When the elastic member 71 is placed on the substrate 3, the push switch 4 and the actuator assembly 5 are located inside the elastic member 71.

[0096] Back to Figure 5 The lifting slider 72 has the function of supporting the operating shaft 83 from below. Fig.13 and Fig.14As shown, the lifting slider 72 includes a disk-shaped main body 721 on which the operating shaft 83 is placed, a receiving recess 722 formed on the upper surface of the main body 721, a guide hole 723 formed to penetrate the main body 721 and the receiving recess 722 in the height direction, four guide pieces 724 protruding upward from the outer portion of the main body 721, a circular ring-shaped receiving portion 725 formed on the lower surface of the main body 721, and a lubricant 726 applied to the bottom surface of the receiving recess 722. Figure 4 As shown, the main body 721 is a disc-shaped portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 63 of the lower shell 6L and smaller than the inner diameter of the circular recess 62 of the lower shell 6L. The upper surface and the lower surface of the main body 721 are flat surfaces orthogonal to the height direction. In addition, the lower end of the portion of the lower surface of the main body 721 that is closer to the outside than the receiving portion 725 is cut in the height direction. Therefore, the lower end of the portion of the lower surface of the main body 721 that is closer to the outside than the receiving portion 725 is located above the lower end of the portion of the lower surface of the main body 721 that is closer to the inside than the receiving portion 725. In addition, the main body 721 has a tapered surface 7211 whose diameter gradually increases from the top to the bottom, and an arc surface 7212 that extends linearly from the tapered surface 7211 to the bottom with a constant diameter.

[0097] Back to Fig.13 The storage recess 722 is a circular recess formed on the upper surface of the main body 721. The storage recess 722 is formed concentrically with the main body 721. The bottom surface of the storage recess 722 is a flat surface orthogonal to the height direction. Figure 4 As shown, the diameter of the storage recess 722 gradually decreases from the top to the bottom, and the connection between the side wall and the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 is in an arc shape. In the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the operating shaft 83 is placed on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722. In addition, a lubricant 726 for reducing the friction between the operating shaft 83 and the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 is roughly evenly applied on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722. As such a lubricant 726, a viscous substance such as grease and oil can be used.

[0098] Back to Fig.13 and Fig.14 The guide hole 723 is a circular through hole formed in the center of the bottom surface of the receiving recessed portion 722 in a manner that penetrates in the height direction. Figure 4 As shown, the guide hole 723 has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51, and the guide shaft 512 is inserted into the guide hole 723. In this way, the guide shaft 512 is inserted into the guide hole 723, and thus the actuator 51 is prevented from tilting by the engagement between the guide shaft 512 and the guide hole 723.

[0099] Back to Fig.13 and Fig.14 The four guide pieces 724 have a function of preventing the lifting slider 72 from tilting in cooperation with the four guide pieces 64 of the lower shell 6L. The four guide pieces 724 are formed as parts extending upward from the outer part of the main body 721 at equal angles of 90 degrees. The guide piece 724 includes an upper extension part 7241 extending upward from the outer part of the main body 721 and a guide rail 7242 formed on the outer side surface of the upper extension part 7241. The upper extension part 7241 is an arc-shaped part protruding upward from the upper surface of the main body 721, the tapered surface 7211, and the arc surface 7212. The guide rail 7242 is a protrusion that extends linearly in the height direction from the upper end to the lower end of the outer side surface of the upper extension part 7241 and protrudes outward and is long in the height direction.

[0100] In the assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the lifting slider 72 is arranged in the lower housing 6L in such a manner that the four guide pieces 724 are opposed to the four guide pieces 64 of the lower housing 6L via gaps. More specifically, the upper extension 7241 is opposed to the upper extension 641 of the guide piece 64 via gaps, and the guide rail 7242 is located in the guide groove 642 of the guide piece 64 in a state separated from the guide groove 642. If the lifting slider 72 is tilted, the guide rail 7242 contacts the guide groove 642 to correct the tilt of the lifting slider 72. According to such a structure, the tilt of the lifting slider 72 is prevented.

[0101] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the lifting slider 72 is provided with a storage recess 722, and the operating shaft 83 is placed on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In a state where the storage recess 722 is omitted and the operating shaft 83 is placed on the upper surface of the main body 721, such an embodiment that the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51 is inserted into the guide hole 723 is also within the scope of the present invention. In this case, the guide hole 723 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the main body 721 so as to penetrate the main body 721 in the height direction, and the main body 721 has a generally plate-like overall shape.

[0102] Back to Figure 5 The operating shaft assembly 8 is configured to rotate the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 according to a tilting operation applied to the operating shaft 83 by the user, and to displace the operating shaft 83 downward according to a pressing operation applied to the operating shaft 83 by the user. Fig.15 As shown, the operating shaft assembly 8 includes a first rotating part 81 held by the shell 6 and capable of rotating around a first axial direction (Y direction), a second rotating part 82 held by the shell 6 and capable of rotating around a second axial direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first axial direction, and an operating shaft 83 for tilting and pressing operations performed by the user.

[0103] The first rotating component 81 includes: a plate-shaped main body 811, which extends linearly along the Y direction; a cutout hole 812, which is formed on the main body 811; a pair of insertion holes 813, which are respectively formed on the two side surfaces of the main body 811 in the X direction and are connected to the cutout hole 812; a shaft 814, which is supported by the pair of insertion holes 813 and crosses the cutout hole 812 in the X direction; a pair of lower extension parts 815, which respectively extend downward from the two end parts of the main body 811 in the Y direction; a pair of rotating shafts 816, which protrude outward from the outer side surfaces of the pair of lower extension parts 815; and a magnetic bracket 817, which extends downward from the lower end of the lower extension part 815 on the +Y direction side.

[0104] The main body 811 is a plate-like portion that is longer in the Y direction. The cutout hole 812 is a through hole that is formed to extend in the length direction of the main body 811 and penetrate in the height direction. The operating shaft 83 is inserted into the cutout hole 812, allowing the operating shaft 83 to be tilted in the length direction of the main body 811. A pair of insertion holes 813 are formed to penetrate the side surface of the main body 811 in the X direction in a straight line in the X direction. The cylindrical shaft 814 is inserted through the pair of insertion holes 813 and the long hole 833 of the operating shaft 83, whereby the operating shaft 83 is supported by the first rotating member 81. A pair of lower extension portions 815 are portions that extend linearly downward from both ends of the main body 811 in the Y direction.

[0105] The pair of rotating shafts 816 are cylindrical parts extending linearly from the outer side surfaces of the pair of lower extensions 815 toward the outside. The pair of rotating shafts 816 are formed so that the axis centers of each other are located on the same straight line. The pair of rotating shafts 816 are clamped by the bearings 65 located on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the lower housing 6L and the bearings 68 located on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the upper housing 6U, and function as the rotating shafts of the first rotating member 81. In addition, the pair of rotating shafts 816 are clamped by the bearings 65 and the bearings 68, so that the first rotating member 81 is held by the housing 6 so as to be rotatable.

[0106] The magnetic bracket 817 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly downward from the lower end of the lower extension portion 815 located on the +Y direction side. The magnetic bracket 817 holds the magnet 92 of the detection mechanism 9 inside. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the magnetic bracket 817 is stored in the storage portion 614a of the lower housing 6L so as to be rotatable around the Y axis.

[0107] The second rotating component 82 includes: an arch portion 821, which protrudes upward; a cutout hole 822, which is formed in the arch portion 821; a pair of horizontal extension portions 823, which extend from the two end portions of the arch portion 821 respectively; a pair of lower extension portions 824, which extend downward from the pair of horizontal extension portions 823 respectively; a pair of rotating shafts 825, which protrude outward from the outer side surfaces of the pair of lower extension portions 824 respectively; and a magnetic bracket 826, which extends downward from the lower end portion of the lower extension portion 824 on the -X direction side.

[0108] The arched portion 821 is a portion having a curved shape protruding upward and being longer in the X direction. The cutout hole 822 is a through hole formed as a long strip extending in the length direction of the arched portion 821 and penetrating in the height direction. The operating shaft 83 is inserted into the cutout hole 822, allowing the operating shaft 83 to be tilted in the length direction of the arched portion 821. The pair of horizontal extension portions 823 are plate-like portions extending linearly from the ends of the arched portion 821 toward the outside. The pair of lower extension portions 824 are plate-like portions extending linearly from the ends of the horizontal extension portions 823 toward the bottom.

[0109] The pair of rotating shafts 825 are cylindrical parts extending linearly from the outer side surfaces of the pair of lower extensions 824 toward the outside. The pair of rotating shafts 825 are formed so that the axis centers of each other are located on the same straight line. The pair of rotating shafts 825 are clamped by the bearings 65 located on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the lower housing 6L and the bearings 68 located on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the upper housing 6U, and function as the rotating shafts of the second rotating member 82. In addition, the pair of rotating shafts 825 are clamped by the bearings 65 and the bearings 68, so that the second rotating member 82 is held by the housing 6.

[0110] The magnetic bracket 826 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly downward from the lower end of the lower extension portion 824 located on the -X direction side. The magnetic bracket 826 holds the magnet 92 of the detection mechanism 9 inside. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the magnetic bracket 826 is stored in the storage portion 614b of the lower housing 6L so as to be rotatable around the X axis.

[0111] The operation shaft 83 has the following functions: according to the tilting operation applied by the user, the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 are rotated, and according to the pressing operation applied by the user, the operation shaft 83 is displaced downward. Fig.15 and Fig.16As shown, the operating shaft 83 is a rod-shaped component extending in the height direction. The operating shaft 83 includes: an operating portion 831, which protrudes upward from the insertion hole 67 of the upper housing 6U and is subjected to a tilting operation and a pressing operation by the user; an octagonal column-shaped connecting portion 832, which extends downward from the lower end of the operating portion 831; a long hole 833, which is formed to penetrate the two side surfaces of the connecting portion 832 in the X direction; a lower surface 834, which has a spherical shape; a skirt 835, which extends from the lower part of the connecting portion 832 toward the outside; and a plurality of (four in the illustrated embodiment) through holes 836, which penetrate the above-mentioned skirt 835.

[0112] The operating portion 831 is a cylindrical portion extending linearly in the height direction. The connecting portion 832 is connected to the lower end of the operating portion 831. The connecting portion 832 is an octagonal column-shaped portion extending linearly downward from the lower end of the operating portion 831. The long hole 833 is a through hole formed to penetrate the two side surfaces on the X-direction side of the connecting portion 832 in the X-direction and is longer in the extension direction (height direction) of the connecting portion 832. The shaft 814 of the first rotating member 81 is inserted into the long hole 833, and the operating shaft 83 is supported by the first rotating member 81. And, as Figure 4 As shown, the width of the long hole 833 in the height direction is larger than the diameter of the shaft 814. Therefore, the operation shaft 83 is supported by the first rotating member 81 in a manner that allows displacement along the length direction of the long hole 833.

[0113] Back to Fig.16 , the lower surface 834 is the lower surface of the connecting portion 832, and is a curved surface protruding downward. More specifically, the lower surface 834 has a spherical shape in which the amount of protrusion protruding downward gradually decreases from the center toward the outside. Therefore, even if the operating shaft 83 tilts in any direction, the height of the lowest point of the lower surface 834 of the operating shaft 83, that is, the point closest to the upper surface of the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51, is constant. Therefore, when the operating shaft 83 is in an upright neutral state, the amount of displacement of the operating shaft 83 downward required to turn the push switch 4 into an on state is approximately equal to the amount of displacement of the operating shaft 83 downward required to turn the push switch 4 into an on state when the operating shaft 83 tilts.

[0114] The skirt 835 is an annular portion extending outward from the lower portion of the connecting portion 832. The portion of the upper surface of the skirt 835 that is closer to the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side than the connecting portion 832 becomes an inclined surface that is inclined toward the outer side and downward. In addition, the portion of the upper surface of the skirt 835 other than the above-mentioned portion becomes a flat surface that is orthogonal to the height direction. In addition, a pair of grooves 8351 extending linearly along the X direction are formed in the approximately central portion of the upper surface of the skirt 835 in the Y direction in such a manner that the connecting portion 832 is sandwiched from both sides of the X direction. The pair of grooves 8351 are respectively formed on the upper surface of the skirt 835 in such a manner that they extend linearly from the connecting portion 832 toward the outside. One end of each of the pair of grooves 8351 is connected to the connecting portion 832, and the other end is open to the outside.

[0115] The lower surface of the skirt 835 is located below the lower surface 834, and the lower surface 834 is located inside the inner circumference of the skirt 835. The lower surface of the skirt 835 is spherical in shape, the outer diameter of which decreases gradually from the top to the bottom. Also, the inner diameter of the skirt 835 increases gradually from the top to the bottom. The inner circumference of the skirt 835, the lower surface 834, and the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 of the lifting slider 72 (the upper surface of the lifting slider 72) define the tapered internal space of the skirt 835 extending toward the outside and downward. Also, as Fig.18 As shown, the skirt portion 835 is configured so that even when the operation shaft 83 is tilted to the maximum tilt angle, the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion 835 does not come into contact with the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51 .

[0116] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the operating shaft 83 is in a neutral state, the lower surface of the skirt 835 contacts the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 of the lifting slider 72. When the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 83, the skirt 835 presses the lifting slider 72 downward to displace it. Furthermore, when the user applies a tilting operation to the operating shaft 83, the skirt 835 slides on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722, and the operating shaft 83 tilts. At this time, the skirt 835 presses the lifting slider 72 downward to displace it.

[0117] If the tilting operation applied by the user to the operating shaft 83 is released, the storage recess 722 lifts the lower surface of the skirt 835 from below. At this time, due to the spherical shape of the lower surface of the skirt 835, a torque is generated to restore the operating shaft 83 from the tilted state to the upright state, and the operating shaft 83 slides on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 and restores to the upright state. In addition, in the case where the storage recess 722 of the lifting slider 72 is omitted, when the operating shaft 83 is in the neutral state, the lower surface of the skirt 835 contacts the upper surface of the main body 721 of the lifting slider 72.

[0118] As described above, the lubricant 726 is applied to the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 to reduce the friction between the skirt 835 of the operating shaft 83 and the bottom surface of the storage recess 722. When the user performs a tilting operation on the operating shaft 83, the skirt 835 can slide easily on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722. In this way, the lubricant 726 is present between the lower surface of the skirt 835 and the bottom surface of the storage recess 722, and the lower surface of the skirt 835 and the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 are airtightly sealed by the lubricant 726. In this state, if the user performs a tilting operation on the operating shaft 83, the operating shaft 83 tilts, and the volume of the internal space of the skirt 835 increases, and the air pressure of the internal space of the skirt 835 decreases, resulting in an air pressure difference between the internal space of the skirt 835 and the outside. If the viscosity of the lubricant 726 is not as high as the air pressure difference, the lubricant 726 will break, and air will flow into the internal space of the skirt 835 rapidly. The rupture of lubricant 726 due to the air pressure difference between the interior space and the exterior of skirt 835 and the rapid inflow of air into the interior space of skirt 835 cause an abnormal sound (cracking sound) when the user performs a tilting operation on operating shaft 83 .

[0119] In the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, in order to prevent the pressure difference between the inner space and the outer space of the skirt 835, as shown in FIG. Fig.15 and Fig.16 As shown, a plurality of through holes 836 are formed in the skirt 835. The plurality of through holes 836 are formed to penetrate from the upper surface of the skirt 835 to the inner peripheral surface in a linear shape in a mutually separated state. Therefore, the plurality of through holes 836 connect the internal space of the skirt 835 with the outside. In the illustrated embodiment, four through holes 836 are formed in the skirt 835 at equal angles of 90 degrees. The through holes 836 located on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side are respectively formed on the inclined surfaces located on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the upper surface of the skirt 835 and in the region adjacent to the connecting portion 832. The through holes 836 located on the +X direction side and the -X direction side are respectively formed in a pair of grooves 8351 located on the upper surface of the skirt 835 and in the region adjacent to the connecting portion 832.

[0120] The plurality of through holes 836 function as paths that allow air to flow from the outside of the skirt 835 into the internal space of the skirt 835. Therefore, when the operating shaft 83 is tilted by the tilting operation performed by the user on the operating shaft 83 and the volume of the internal space of the skirt 835 increases, air flows from the outside of the skirt 835 into the internal space of the skirt 835 through the plurality of through holes 836. Thus, it is possible to prevent the air pressure difference between the internal space and the outside of the skirt 835 from being generated when the operating shaft 83 is tilted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lubricant 726 from being broken due to the air pressure difference between the internal space and the outside of the skirt 835 and the rapid inflow of air into the internal space of the skirt 835, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormal noise (cracking sound) when the user performs the tilting operation on the operating shaft 83.

[0121] Back to Figure 5 The detection mechanism 9 has a function of detecting the rotation angles of the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82. The detection mechanism 9 has: two magnetic sensors 91, which are arranged on the substrate 3; and two magnets 92, which are respectively embedded in the magnetic bracket 817 of the first rotating member 81 and the magnetic bracket 826 of the second rotating member 82 in a manner opposite to the two magnetic sensors 91 when the operating shaft 83 is maintained in a neutral state.

[0122] If the first rotating member 81 rotates, the positional relationship between the magnet 92 of the magnetic bracket 817 embedded in the first rotating member 81 and the corresponding magnetic sensor 91 changes. As a result, the corresponding magnetic sensor 91 can detect the rotation angle of the first rotating member 81. Similarly, if the second rotating member 82 rotates, the positional relationship between the magnet 92 of the magnetic bracket 826 embedded in the second rotating member 82 and the corresponding magnetic sensor 91 changes. As a result, the corresponding magnetic sensor 91 can detect the rotation angle of the second rotating member 82.

[0123] Next, the operation when the user performs a pressing operation on the operating shaft 83 of the multi-directional input device 1 having the above-described structure will be described in detail. Fig.17 FIG. 2 shows the operation when a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft 83 in a state where the operating shaft 83 is upright. Fig.17As shown in FIG. 1 , when the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 83, the skirt 835 of the operating shaft 83 presses the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 of the lifting slider 72, and the lifting slider 72 is displaced downward. Thereafter, the lower surface 834 of the operating shaft 83 contacts the upper surface of the guide shaft 512, and the actuator 51 is displaced downward. As a result, the pressing portion 513 of the actuator 51 presses the cover belt 44 of the push switch 4 downward. If the pressing force applied from the pressing portion 513 to the movable contact 43 of the push switch 4 via the cover belt 44 exceeds the operating force of the push switch 4, the movable contact 43 is elastically deformed sharply in a convex downward manner. As a result, the central contact 41 of the push switch 4 is connected to the outer contact 42 via the movable contact 43, and the push switch 4 is turned on. When the pressing operation of the operating shaft 83 by the user is released, the operating shaft 83 returns to the neutral state due to the restoring force of the elastic member 71 and the shape of the lower surface of the skirt 835 .

[0124] Fig.18 FIG. 2 shows the operation when a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft 83 while the operating shaft 83 is tilted due to the tilting operation. Fig.18 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the user performs a tilting operation on the operating shaft 83, the operating shaft 83 tilts, and the skirt 835 of the operating shaft 83 slides on the bottom surface of the storage recess 722 of the lifting slider 72, and presses the bottom surface of the storage recess 722. At this time, due to the action of the guide piece 724 of the lifting slider 72 and the guide piece 64 of the lower housing 6L, the lifting slider 72 moves downward in parallel along the guide shaft 512. In addition, as the operating shaft 83 tilts, the volume of the internal space of the skirt 835 increases, but air flows into the internal space of the skirt 835 through the multiple through holes 836 formed in the skirt 835. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an air pressure difference between the internal space of the skirt 835 and the outside. As a result, the rupture of the lubricant 726 caused by the pressure difference between the internal space and the outside of the skirt 835 and the rapid influx of air into the internal space of the skirt 835 can be prevented, and the generation of abnormal noise (cracking sound) when the user performs a tipping operation on the operating shaft 83 can be prevented.

[0125] When the operating shaft 83 is tilted, if the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 83, the operating shaft 83 is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the long hole 833 (the axial direction of the operating shaft 83), and the lower surface 834 of the operating shaft 83 presses the upper surface of the guide shaft 512. As a result, a pressing force in the tilting direction is applied from the operating shaft 83 to the guide shaft 512, but since the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51 is inserted into the guide hole 723 of the lifting slider 72, the actuator 51 is prevented from tilting, and the actuator 51 is displaced downward in parallel. Thereafter, if the pressing force applied from the pressing portion 513 of the actuator 51 to the movable contact 43 of the push switch 4 exceeds the operating force of the push switch 4, the push switch 4 is turned on. When the tilting operation and the pressing operation applied to the operating shaft 83 by the user are released, the operating shaft 83 is restored to the neutral state due to the restoring force of the elastic member 71 and the shape of the lower surface of the skirt 835.

[0126] Furthermore, as described above, when the operating shaft 83 is tilted by the tilting operation, if the operating shaft 83 is pressed, the operating shaft 83 is displaced downward along the length direction of the long hole 833 (the axial direction of the operating shaft 83). Therefore, the displacement direction of the operating shaft 83 when the tilting operation and the pressing operation are applied is limited to the length direction of the long hole 833, so that the displacement movement of the operating shaft 83 is stable.

[0127] Fig.19 The figure shows the feeling curve (FS characteristic) of the push switch 4 when the operating shaft 83 is tilted at various angles. Fig.19 As shown, the +Y direction is set to the tilting direction of 0 degrees, the -X direction is set to the tilting direction of 90 degrees, the -Y direction is set to the tilting direction of 180 degrees, and the +X direction is set to the tilting direction of 270 degrees. Fig.19 As shown in the curve graph, even when the operating shaft 83 is tilted in various tilting directions, the shape of the feeling curve does not change significantly. This means that the dependence of the click feeling of the push switch 4 on the tilting direction of the operating shaft 83 is greatly reduced. Moreover, the shape of the feeling curve when the operating shaft 83 is tilted in various tilting directions becomes a shape similar to the shape of the feeling curve when only the pressing operation is applied. This means that even when the tilting operation and the pressing operation are applied to the operating shaft 83, it is possible to provide a click feeling equivalent to the click feeling when only the pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft 83.

[0128] Thus, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51 is inserted into the guide hole 723 of the lifting slider 72. Therefore, even when the tilting operation and the pressing operation are applied to the operating shaft 83, the actuator 51 is prevented from tilting, and the actuator 51 is displaced downward in parallel. As a result, even when the operating shaft 83 is tilted, the pressing portion 513 of the actuator 51 can uniformly press the movable contact 43 of the push switch 4, and the deformation characteristics of the movable contact 43 can be stabilized. According to such a structure, even when the tilting operation and the pressing operation are applied to the operating shaft 83, a click feeling equivalent to the click feeling when only the pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft 83 can be provided.

[0129] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, the actuator 51 can be prevented from tilting in the housing 6 by utilizing the engagement between the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51 and the guide hole 723 of the lifting slider 72. Therefore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a spacer on the substrate 3 to prevent the actuator 51 from tilting as in the prior art, so that the multi-directional input device 1 can be made low-profile.

[0130] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U are firmly integrated by welding the welding piece 23 of the lower cover 2L and the welding piece 26 of the upper cover 2U. Therefore, the housing 6 can be firmly supported from the upper and lower directions by the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U, and the housing 6 can be reliably prevented from swinging (shaking) in the height direction. Since the housing 6 is prevented from swinging in the height direction, the separation distance from the lower surface 834 of the operating shaft 83 to the upper surface of the guide shaft 512 of the actuator 51 is stable, and the feeling curve of the push switch 4 can be stabilized. In addition, by preventing the housing 6 from swinging in the height direction, the product life of the multi-directional input device 1 can be extended.

[0131] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, in order to prevent the occurrence of an air pressure difference between the internal space and the outside of the skirt 835, a plurality of through holes 836 are formed in the skirt 835. Therefore, when the operating shaft 83 is tilted by the tilting operation applied to the operating shaft 83 by the user and the volume of the internal space of the skirt 835 increases, air flows from the outside of the skirt 835 into the internal space of the skirt 835 through the plurality of through holes 836. Thus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an air pressure difference between the internal space and the outside of the skirt 835 when the operating shaft 83 is tilted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the lubricant 726 from being broken due to the air pressure difference between the internal space and the outside of the skirt 835 and the rapid inflow of air into the internal space of the skirt 835, and further, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormal sound (cracking sound) when the user performs a tilting operation on the operating shaft 83.

[0132] The multi-directional input device of the present invention is described above based on the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each structure of the embodiments of the present invention may be replaced with any structure that can perform the same function, or any structure may be added to each structure of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0133] For those skilled in the art in the field and technology to which the present invention belongs, it is possible to perform structural changes to the multi-directional input device of the embodiment of the present invention without significantly departing from the principle, idea, and scope of the present invention, and the multi-directional input device with the changed structure is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0134] and, Figures 3 to 18 The number and types of components of the multi-directional input device shown are merely examples for illustration, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Without departing from the principle and intent of the present invention, any addition or combination of components or deletion of any components is also within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device, characterized in that: have: A housing fixed on the base plate; A first rotating member having a first cutout hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second cutout hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction orthogonal to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first cutout hole and the second cutout hole, rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation performed by a user, and displacing downward in response to a pressing operation performed by the user; a holding mechanism disposed in the housing and elastically holding the operating shaft in a neutral state; A detection mechanism, which is used to detect the rotation angle of each of the first rotating component and the second rotating component; A push switch is provided on the substrate so as to be located directly below the operating shaft; and an actuator disposed between the operating shaft and the push switch, and when the operating shaft is displaced downward, the actuator is pressed by the operating shaft to press the push switch, The holding mechanism includes an elastic member provided on the substrate, and an elevating slider placed on the elastic member and supporting the operating shaft from below and engaging with the actuator. The operating shaft includes an operating portion to which the user applies the tilting operation and the pressing operation, a connecting portion extending linearly downward from the operating portion, an annular skirt extending outward from a lower portion of the connecting portion, and a through hole penetrating the skirt. The lower surface of the skirt of the operating shaft has a spherical shape. The lower surface of the skirt portion of the operating shaft is in contact with the lifting slider.

2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A lubricant is applied on the lifting slider. The lubricant is used to seal the lower surface of the skirt portion of the operating shaft and the lifting slider.

3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The above-mentioned lubricant is grease or oil.

4. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the skirt portion of the operating shaft is located below the lower surface of the connecting portion of the operating shaft. The through hole of the operating shaft allows air to flow into an internal space of the skirt defined by the inner peripheral surface of the skirt, the lower surface of the connecting portion, and the upper surface of the lifting slider.

5. The multi-directional input device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the skirt increases gradually from top to bottom. The inner space of the skirt has a tapered shape.

6. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the user performs the tilting operation or the pressing operation on the operating shaft, the skirt portion presses the lifting slider downward.

7. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting slider includes a plate-shaped main body on which the skirt of the operating shaft is placed, and a guide hole formed to penetrate the main body in the height direction. The actuator includes a pressing portion facing the pressing switch, and a guide shaft extending linearly upward on the upper side of the pressing portion. The guide shaft of the actuator is inserted into the guide hole of the lifting slider.

8. The multi-directional input device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lifting slider further includes a storage recess formed on the upper surface of the main body. The skirt portion of the operating shaft is placed on a bottom surface of the housing recess.

9. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first rotating member includes a shaft that crosses the first cutout hole in a direction perpendicular to the height direction. The operating shaft includes a long hole that penetrates the connecting portion in the direction orthogonal to the height direction and is long in the height direction. The width of the long hole of the operating shaft in the height direction is larger than the diameter of the shaft of the first rotating member. The shaft of the first rotating member is inserted into the long hole of the operating shaft, so that the operating shaft is supported by the first rotating member so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the long hole.

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