Multi-directional input device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-directional input device, comprising a push switch, wherein two opposing side surfaces of the push switch each have a first protrusion formed thereon, and a base having two base side surfaces disposed opposite the two opposing side surfaces, each of the two opposing base side surfaces having a second protrusion formed thereon, wherein one of the second protrusions engages with one of the first protrusions to secure the push switch. The technical solution of the present invention can simplify the installation process of the push switch of the multi-directional input device and improve installation efficiency of the push switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of input devices, and in particular to a multi-directional input device. Background Art

[0002] A multi-directional input device generally includes a housing, an operating body rotatably mounted on the housing, two rocker arms that rotate in response to the tilting action of the operating body, and a detection device that detects the amount of rotation of the rocker arms and outputs a corresponding signal based on the amount of rotation of the rocker arms. In order to allow the operating body to input signals through a pressing action, a push switch may also be provided on the housing, which can be triggered when the operating body is driven. However, in the related art, the push switch in the multi-directional input device is locked and fixed with multiple screws, so that when disassembling the push switch, multiple screws need to be aligned with the threaded holes and screwed in or out one by one. Since this process is relatively complicated, the installation efficiency of the push switch is reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device, aiming to simplify the installation process of a push switch of the multi-directional input device and improve the installation efficiency of the push switch.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a multi-directional input device comprising:

[0005] a cover, wherein the cover is provided with an opening;

[0006] an operating body, the operating body protruding upward from the opening and capable of performing a tilting action;

[0007] a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm, wherein the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm rotate in response to the tilting operation of the operating body, and the rotation axes of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are perpendicular to each other;

[0008] a first rotating electrical component and a second rotating electrical component, wherein the first rotating electrical component and the second rotating electrical component detect the rotational motion of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm respectively;

[0009] A push switch, which has a square structure and controls the electrical switch action by pressing the operating body;

[0010] a base, the base fixing the push switch and the cover;

[0011] Two opposing sides of the push switch are each formed with a first protrusion, the base is formed with two base side surfaces respectively disposed opposite to the two opposing side surfaces, and the two opposing base side surfaces are respectively formed with a second protrusion, one of the second protrusions being engaged with one of the first protrusions to fix the push switch;

[0012] The operating body includes an operating part and an upper hemispherical part connected to the lower end of the operating part; the operating part passes through the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm, and passes through the opening of the cover to the outside world; the upper hemispherical part is hemispherical and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the operating part, and the surface of the upper hemispherical part away from the operating part is formed as a hemispherical plane part, and the hemispherical plane part is convexly provided with a lower hemispherical part, the centers of the lower hemispherical part and the upper hemispherical part coincide, and the diameter of the lower hemispherical part is smaller than that of the upper hemispherical part; at this time, the multi-directional input device also includes a lower support body and an upper support body that is roughly cylindrical, the lower support body is provided on the base and located in the cover, and the upper end of the lower support body is provided with a hemispherical recess The upper support body is located in the cover and is covered on the outer side of the lower support body. A hemispherical hole is provided at the position corresponding to the opening of the upper support body. The upper support body is also provided with a through hole connected to the upper hemispherical hole above the hemispherical hole. The diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the operating part. Part of the upper hemispherical part abuts against the hole wall of the hemispherical hole, and part of it protrudes from the through hole. In this way, the hole wall of the hemispherical hole of the upper support body abuts against the upper hemispherical part, and the upper end of the lower support body abuts against the lower hemispherical part, thereby realizing the spherical rotation fit of the operating body, that is, it can be rotated arbitrarily in the direction of 360°.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the surfaces on which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are engaged with each other are both inclined surfaces.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the second convex portion, the interference between the second convex portion and the first convex portion is maximum at the center of the interference range, and the first convex portion is mounted on both sides of the interference range to reduce the interference amount.

[0015] The push switch of the multi-directional input device of the technical solution of the present invention is provided with a first protrusion, and the base is provided with a second protrusion, and the push switch is fixed by the first protrusion and the second protrusion being engaged with each other. Compared with the push switch of the multi-directional input device in the prior art, which requires the screws to be aligned with the threaded holes and screwed in one by one during installation, making the installation process of the push switch more complicated, the push switch in this solution only needs to be pressed during installation so that the first protrusion is engaged with the second protrusion and engaged with each other. This simplifies the installation process of the push switch, thereby improving the installation efficiency of the push switch. In addition, because the first protrusion and the second protrusion are located on opposite sides, the clamping force on the opposite sides of the push switch is equal, thereby ensuring that the push switch is evenly stressed and more stably fixed to the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of an embodiment of a multi-directional input device of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the multi-directional input device without the cover;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the push switch and base of the multi-directional input device;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the push switch and base of the multi-directional input device;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a base of a multi-directional input device;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a partial structure of a multi-directional input device;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of another partial structure of the multi-directional input device.

[0024] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0025]

[0026]

[0027] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0030] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connection" and "fixation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can mean fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0031] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0032] The present invention provides a multi-directional input device.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 as well as Figure 4In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-directional input device includes a cover 10, an operating body 20, a first rocker arm 31, a second rocker arm 33, a first rotary electrical component 41, a second rotary electrical component 43, a push switch 50, and a base 60; wherein the cover 10 has an opening 11; the operating body 20 protrudes upward from the opening 11 and can be tilted; the first rocker arm 31 and the second rocker arm 33 rotate with the tilting operation of the operating body 20, and the rotation axes of the first rocker arm 31 and the second rocker arm 33 are perpendicular to each other; the first rotary electrical component 41 and the second rotary electrical component 43 are arranged on the same axis. 3 respectively detects the rotation of the first rocker arm 31 and the second rocker arm 33; the push switch 50 has a square structure, and the electrical switch is controlled by pressing the operating body 20; the base 60 fixes the push switch 50 and the cover 10; the two opposing side surfaces 51 of the push switch 50 are each formed with a first protrusion 53, and the base 60 is formed with two base side surfaces 61 respectively disposed opposite to the two opposing side surfaces 51, and each of the two opposing base side surfaces 61 is formed with a second protrusion 63, and one second protrusion 63 is engaged (engaged) with one first protrusion 53 to fix the push switch 50.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 10 can primarily be used to shield the first rocker arm 31, the second rocker arm 33, and a portion of the operating body 20 (i.e., the first rocker arm 31 and the second rocker arm 33 can be disposed within the cover 10 and spaced apart in the vertical direction), thereby reducing the possibility of damage from foreign objects, thereby facilitating a longer service life of the multi-directional input device. The projection of the cover 10 on a horizontal plane can be generally square. The cover 10 can specifically include a bottom wall and side walls, the bottom wall being disposed opposite the base 60 and defining an opening 11. The side walls are disposed around the periphery of the bottom wall and extending in a direction facing the base 60, with one end of the side wall away from the top wall being connected to the base 60. To facilitate maintenance and replacement of components within the cover 10, the side walls of the cover 10 can be removably connected to the base 60, specifically by screws, snaps, or magnetic fastening, to simplify assembly and disassembly of the cover 10. Of course, the present application is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the cover 10 may also be fixedly connected to the base 60. The operating body 20 can be mainly used for driving by the user and performing corresponding tilting actions to realize the input of corresponding action signals. For example, the operating body 20 can be driven to tilt forward, backward, left or right, and the corresponding forward, backward, left or right action signals can be input. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 6 as well as Figure 7The operating body 20 may include an operating portion 21 and an upper hemispherical portion 23 connected to the lower end of the operating portion 21. The operating portion 21 passes through the first rocker arm 31 and the second rocker arm 33 and is exposed to the outside through the opening 11 of the cover 10. The upper hemispherical portion 23 is hemispherical in shape and has a diameter greater than that of the operating portion 21. The surface of the upper hemispherical portion 23 facing away from the operating portion 21 is formed as a hemispherical flat portion 25, on which a lower hemispherical portion 27 is protruded. The center of the lower hemispherical portion 27 coincides with that of the upper hemispherical portion 23, and the diameter of the lower hemispherical portion 27 is smaller than that of the upper hemispherical portion 23. At this time, the multi-directional input device can also include a lower support body 71 and an upper support body 73 that is roughly cylindrical. The lower support body 71 is arranged on the base 60 and is located inside the cover 10. The upper end of the lower support body 71 is provided with a hemispherical concave portion 711, and the hemispherical concave portion 711 is abutted and supported on the lower hemispherical portion 27; the upper support body 73 is located inside the cover 10 and is covered on the outside of the lower support body 71. The upper support body 73 is provided with a hemispherical hole 731 at the position corresponding to the opening portion 11. The upper support body 73 is also provided with a through hole 733 connecting to the upper hemispherical hole 731 above the hemispherical hole 731. The diameter of the through hole 733 is larger than the diameter of the operating part 21. Part of the upper hemispherical portion 23 abuts against the hole wall of the hemispherical hole 731, and part protrudes from the through hole 733. In this way, the wall of the hemispherical hole 731 of the upper support body 73 abuts against the upper hemispherical portion 23, and the upper end of the lower support body 71 abuts against the lower hemispherical portion 27, thereby achieving spherical rotation of the operating body 20, that is, it can rotate arbitrarily in the direction of 360°. Of course, it should be noted that the present application is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the operating body 20 can also be provided with a rotating section below the operating portion 21, one end of the rotating section is rotationally connected to the operating portion 21, and the other end is rotationally connected to the base 60, and the rotation axis of the rotating section and the operating portion 21 is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating section and the base 60, that is, one rotation axis is parallel to the first rocker arm 31, and the other rotation axis is parallel to the second rocker arm 33. The first rocker arm 31 and the second rocker arm 33 can be mainly used to drive the operating portion 21 of the operating body 20 to rotate accordingly, and the first rotary electrical component 41 and the second rotary electrical component 43 respectively detect the amount of their rotation, so as to output a corresponding signal based on the amount of rotation. When mutually perpendicular X and Y directions are defined on a horizontal plane, the rotation axis of the first rocker arm 31 can be along one of the X and Y directions, and the rotation axis of the second rocker arm 33 can be along the other of the X and Y directions. The first and second rocker arms 31, 33 are positioned relative to the upper support body 73 so that the first and second rocker arms 31, 33 are positioned above the upper support body 73. The first and second rotary electrical components 41, 43 are primarily used to detect the rotation of the first and second rocker arms 31, 33. Since this operating principle is conventional, it will not be described in detail here.The first rotary electrical component 41 can be located on the outside of the cover 10 and connected to the first rocker arm 31; the second rotary electrical component 43 can also be located on the outside of the cover 10 and connected to the first rocker arm 31. The push switch 50 can be primarily used to be abutted and triggered when the operating body 20 is pressed, thereby controlling the operation of the electrical switch. The operating principle of the push switch 50 is conventional, so it will not be described in detail here. The push switch 50 can be triggered by the operating body 20 directly abutting and pressing it; it can also be triggered by the operating body 20 directly abutting and pressing it. For example, a push bracket 80 can be provided, one end of which is located between the operating body 20 and the base 60, and the other end is located above the push switch 50, so that the push bracket 80 can deform downward and abut the push switch 50 when pressed by the operating body 20. When a lower support body 73 is provided, the lower support body is configured to be movable relative to the base 60, and the pressing bracket 80 can be located below the lower support body 71 so as to be pressed when the operating body 20 drives the lower support body 71 downward. The base 60 is primarily used to secure components such as the cover 10, the lower support body 71, and the upper support body 73, providing load-bearing support.

[0035] The push switch 50 of the multi-directional input device of the present invention is provided with a first protrusion 53, and the base 60 is provided with a second protrusion 63. The first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 engage with each other to secure the push switch 50. Compared to conventional multi-directional input devices, which require screws to be aligned with threaded holes and screwed in one by one during installation, the push switch 50 of the present invention only requires pressing the first protrusion 53 to engage with the second protrusion 63 and secure them. This simplifies the installation process of the push switch 50 and improves its efficiency. Furthermore, because the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 are located on opposite sides, the clamping force on the two opposing sides of the push switch 50 is equal, ensuring that the force is evenly applied to all parts of the push switch 50 and that it is more stably secured to the base 60.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the surfaces on which the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 are engaged are both inclined surfaces.

[0037] It is understood that the surfaces of the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 that cooperate are both inclined surfaces, which can make the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 abut more tightly and have a larger abutment area, thereby reducing the possibility of the push switch 50 loosening in the vertical direction, thereby further improving the installation stability of the push switch 50. The surfaces of the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 that cooperate refer to the upper surface of the first protrusion 53 and the lower surface of the second protrusion 63. In addition, it should be noted that the present application is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the surfaces of the first protrusion 53 and the second protrusion 63 that cooperate and engage can also be flat surfaces.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the second convex portion 63 , the interference between the second convex portion 63 and the first convex portion 53 is maximum at the center of the interference range, and the first convex portion 53 is mounted on both sides of the interference range to reduce the interference.

[0039] It can be understood that the amount of interference between the second protrusion 63 and the first protrusion 53 is the largest at the center of the interference range and gradually decreases toward both sides (it can also be said that on the horizontal projection plane, the second protrusion 63 is an outward convex arc structure). In this way, when the first protrusion 53 is inserted into the second protrusion 63, the deformation of the base 60 at the portion where the base side 61 is formed can be reduced. At this time, the first protrusion 53 can be inserted into the second protrusion 63 more smoothly, thereby further improving the installation efficiency of the push switch 50. Of course, it should be noted that the present application is not limited to this. In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 On the horizontal projection plane, the second protrusion 63 may also be a straight line segment structure.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the base 60 has a base bottom surface 65 connected to the base side surface 61 , and the base bottom surface 65 and the base side surface 61 together form a receiving portion 67 , and at least a portion of the push switch 50 is embedded in the receiving portion 67 .

[0041] As can be appreciated, the provision of the accommodating portion 67 provides sufficient installation space for the push switch 50, enabling a more compact installation of the push switch 50 on the base 60. This helps reduce the overall size of the multi-directional input device, making it easier to manage and carry. Furthermore, the accommodating portion 67 also serves as a position limiter around the sides of the push switch 50, reducing the possibility of the push switch 50 moving forward and backward or left and right on the base 60, thereby further improving the stability of the installation of the push switch 50.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent of the present invention.

[0043] The scope of the invention is based on the inventive concept of the present invention and the contents of the present invention and the drawings.

[0044] Equivalent structural transformations, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields include

[0045] Within the scope of patent protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device, comprising: a cover, wherein the cover is provided with an opening; an operating body, the operating body protruding upward from the opening and capable of performing a tilting action; a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm, wherein the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm rotate in response to the tilting operation of the operating body, and the rotation axes of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are perpendicular to each other; a first rotating electrical component and a second rotating electrical component, wherein the first rotating electrical component and the second rotating electrical component detect the rotational motion of the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm respectively; A push switch, which has a square structure and controls the electrical switch action by pressing the operating body; A base, wherein the base fixes the push switch and the cover; characterized in that: Two opposing side surfaces of the push switch are respectively formed with a first protrusion, the base is formed with two base side surfaces respectively disposed opposite to the two opposing side surfaces, and the two opposing base side surfaces are respectively formed with a second protrusion, one of the second protrusions is engaged with one of the first protrusions to fix the push switch; The operating body includes an operating part and an upper hemispherical part connected to the lower end of the operating part; the operating part passes through the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm, and passes through the opening of the cover to the outside world; the upper hemispherical part is hemispherical and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the operating part, and the surface of the upper hemispherical part away from the operating part is formed as a hemispherical plane part, and the hemispherical plane part is convexly provided with a lower hemispherical part, the centers of the lower hemispherical part and the upper hemispherical part coincide, and the diameter of the lower hemispherical part is smaller than that of the upper hemispherical part; at this time, the multi-directional input device also includes a lower support body and an upper support body that is roughly cylindrical, the lower support body is provided on the base and located in the cover, and the upper end of the lower support body is provided with a hemispherical recess The upper support body is located in the cover and is covered on the outer side of the lower support body. A hemispherical hole is provided at the position corresponding to the opening of the upper support body. The upper support body is also provided with a through hole connected to the upper hemispherical hole above the hemispherical hole. The diameter of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the operating part. Part of the upper hemispherical part abuts against the hole wall of the hemispherical hole, and part of it protrudes from the through hole. In this way, the hole wall of the hemispherical hole of the upper support body abuts against the upper hemispherical part, and the upper end of the lower support body abuts against the lower hemispherical part, thereby realizing the spherical rotation fit of the operating body, that is, it can be rotated arbitrarily in the direction of 360°.

2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein: The surfaces where the first convex portion and the second convex portion are matched and engaged are both inclined surfaces.

3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein: In the second convex portion, the interference amount between the second convex portion and the first convex portion is the largest at the center position of the interference range. The first convex portion is hung on both sides of the interference range to reduce the interference amount.

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