Multi-directional input device

Abstract

Provided is a multi-directional input device capable of suppressing breakage of a component caused by a pressing operation. The multi-directional input device includes a housing having an opening; an operating member having an operating portion provided outside the housing and performing an operation and a shaft portion extending from the operating portion and inserted into the opening, the operating member being capable of performing an operation of tilting relative to the housing and an operation of pressing into the housing; and a cover member covering the periphery of the shaft portion and abutting against the housing when the operating member is subjected to the pressing operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a joystick structure for construction machinery, which includes a lever member, a spool pushing flange provided at the lower end of the lever member, and a pilot valve having a plurality of spools that are pressed according to the tilting movement of the spool pushing flange on the upper surface of the spool flange. The joystick structure of the construction machinery is characterized in that the outer diameter of the spool pushing flange is formed larger than the outer diameter of the upper surface of the spool flange of the pilot valve (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-285580 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the conventional joystick structure, the operation of axially pressing the lever member cannot be performed. In the case where such an operation can be performed, in order to suppress damage to components and the like existing in the pressing direction, it is preferable to be able to limit the operation amount of the pressing operation of the lever member.

[0008] Therefore, an object is to provide a multi-directional input device that can suppress damage to components caused by the pressing operation.

[0009] Means for Solving the Technical Problem

[0010] The multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having an opening; an operating member having an operating portion provided outside the housing and performing an operation, and a shaft portion extending from the operating portion and inserted into the opening, the operating member being capable of performing an operation of tilting with respect to the housing and an operation of pressing into the housing; and a cover member covering the periphery of the shaft portion, and when the operating member is subjected to the pressing operation, abutting against the housing.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] It is possible to provide a multi-directional input device that can suppress damage to components caused by the pressing operation. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] Figure 1 It is an exemplary diagram showing the multi-directional input device 100 of the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2FIG. is an exemplary diagram showing the state of the multi-directional input device 100 disassembled.

[0015] Figure 3 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of

[0016] Figure 4 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of

[0017] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the multi-directional input device 100.

[0018] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the multi-directional input device 100.

[0019] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the multi-directional input device 100.

[0020] Figure 8 is a diagram of the multi-directional input device 100M showing a modified example of the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 is a diagram of the multi-directional input device 100M showing a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the multi-directional input device to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0023] <EMBODIMENT>

[0024] Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram of the multi-directional input device 100 of the embodiment. Figure 2 FIG. is an exemplary diagram showing the state of the multi-directional input device 100 disassembled. Figure 3 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Figure 4 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of

[0025] Hereinafter, an XYZ coordinate system will be defined for the description. In addition, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a top view is referred to as an XY-plane view, the negative side of the Z-axis is referred to as the lower side or the bottom, and the positive side of the Z-axis is referred to as the upper side or the top, but this does not represent a general up-and-down relationship.

[0026] The multi-direction input device 100 includes a housing 110, a frame 120, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits), a metal contact 130A, a magnetic sensor 130B, a core column 140, a board 150, actuators 160A, 160B, a spring 160C, a magnet 170, a cover 180, a rod 190, and a lid 195.

[0027] The multi-direction input device 100 is an input device capable of performing an operation of tilting the rod 190 and an operation of pressing the rod 190 in the downward direction. Such a multi-direction input device 100 can be used, for example, for an operation unit of a game machine.

[0028] The housing 110 is made of resin as an example and has a main body 111 and a dome top 112. The main body 111 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and bottomless member. The main body 111 becomes a bottomed member in a state where the frame 120 is mounted from the lower side. The housing 110 and the frame 120 are an example of a housing, and the main body 111 and the frame 120 are an example of a housing main body.

[0029] The dome top 112 is a portion that protrudes upward in a dome shape from the central portion of the upper surface of the main body 111 and has an opening 112A at the top. The upper surface of the dome top 112 has a spherical shape.

[0030] The frame 120 is made of metal as an example and has an opening 121 and a engaging portion 122. The engaging portion 111A protruding from the side surface of the main body 111 of the housing 110 is inserted into the opening 121, and the engaging portion 122 is bent and engaged with the main body 111 in a state of being mounted on the main body 111 as Figure 1 shown.

[0031] The FPC 125 is disposed on the upper surface of a portion parallel to the XY plane at the center of the frame 120. The FPC 125, the metal contact 130A, the magnetic sensor 130B, the core column 140, the board 150, a part of the actuator 160A, a part of the actuator 160B, and a part of the magnet 170 are accommodated in a space enclosed by the frame 120 and the housing 110.

[0032] The frame 120 may be any member that is mounted on the main body 111 of the housing 110 from the lower side and can realize the above-described accommodation space, and the mounting structure for mounting on the housing 110 may be any structure.

[0033] The FPC 125 is a member having a wiring pattern formed on a surface such as polyimide as an example and has a wiring portion 125A. Electronic components 125B, the metal contact 130A, and the magnetic sensor 130B are mounted on the FPC 125.

[0034] The metal contact 130A is mounted on the -X direction side of the upper surface of the FPC 125. The metal contact 130A has a metal dome capable of performing a reverse action. The dome has a shape convex in the upward direction. When pressed downward by the core post 140, it becomes convex in the downward direction due to the reverse action, thereby detecting the pressing operation in the Z direction.

[0035] The magnetic sensor 130B is mounted approximately at the center of the upper surface of the FPC 125. The magnetic sensor 130B incorporates a sensor for detecting changes in the magnetic field in the X direction and a sensor for detecting changes in the magnetic field in the Y direction, and detects the displacement of the detection magnet 170 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0036] The core post 140 is a resin-made component as an example and is provided to press the metal contact 130A downward.

[0037] The plate 150 is made of metal as an example and has a base portion 151, leg portions 152, and an extension portion 153. The base portion 151 is located at the center of the plate 150 and mounts the actuator 160B. The leg portions 152 extending downward are provided on the four sides of the base portion 151. By the lower ends of the leg portions 152 abutting against the upper surface of the FPC 125, the base portion 151 is located at a position higher than the FPC 125 by the amount of the height of the leg portions 152. It is configured such that a part of the magnetic sensor 130B and the electronic component 125B are arranged below the base portion 151, and the magnetic sensor 130B etc. can be protected even when the actuator 160B is pressed downward. The plate 150 is fixed to the housing 110 by the extension portion 153 extending outward from the base portion 151 when viewed from above.

[0038] The actuator 160A is made of resin as an example and is an example of a movable part. The actuator 160A has a base portion 161A, an opening portion 162A, shaft portions 163A, 164A, side portions 165A, and a through hole 166A.

[0039] The actuator 160A holds the rod 190 so as to be able to tilt in the X-axis direction, and the actuator 160A can tilt in the Y-axis direction with respect to the housing 110. The X-axis is an example of the first axis, and the Y-axis is an example of the second axis. Being able to tilt in the X-axis direction means that, as shown by the arrow, the rod 190 can be tilted in the X direction with the Y-axis as the rotation axis. Being able to tilt in the Y direction means that the actuator 160A can tilt in the Y direction with the X-axis as the rotation axis, as shown by the arrow. Figure 3 shown by the arrow, and being able to tilt in the Y direction means that the actuator 160A can tilt in the Y direction with the X-axis as the rotation axis, as shown by the arrow. Figure 4 shown by the arrow.

[0040] The base 161A is the main body of the actuator 160A and has a dome-like shape. The dome shape of the base 161A corresponds to the spherical surface on the lower surface side of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110. An opening 162A is provided at the top of the base 161A. The Figure 4 length in the X direction shown is longer than the Figure 3 length in the Y direction shown.

[0041] A shaft portion 163A is provided on the -X direction side of the base 161A, and a shaft portion 164A is provided on the +X direction side. In addition, the side surfaces on the ±Y direction sides of the base 161A are side surfaces parallel to the XZ plane and have a shape like cutting the dome shape. A through hole 166A is provided in the side portion 165A.

[0042] The shaft portions 163A and 164A are provided so that the actuator 160A can tilt in the Y direction with respect to the housing 110. The upper surfaces of the shaft portions 163A and 164A are curved into the side surfaces of a cylinder centered on the X axis.

[0043] As Figure 4 shown, the shaft portion 163A is inserted into the concave portion 111B inside the main body 111 of the housing 110. The width in the Y-axis direction of the concave portion 111B is the same as the width in the Y-axis direction of the shaft portion 163A. The shaft portion 163A is held by the concave portion 111B so as to be able to rotate about the X axis in the YZ plane.

[0044] As Figure 4 shown, the shaft portion 164A is inserted into the concave portion 111C inside the main body 111 of the housing 110. As Figure 4 shown, the shaft portion 164A is longer than the shaft portion 163A in the Z direction.

[0045] The upper surface of the shaft portion 164A is curved into the side surface of a cylinder centered on the X axis. The width in the Y-axis direction of the concave portion 111C is the same as the width in the Y-axis direction of the shaft portion 164A. The shaft portion 164A is held by the concave portion 111C so as to be able to rotate about the X axis in the YZ plane.

[0046] The shaft portion 193 of the rod 190 is inserted into the through hole 166A, and the rod 190 is held so as to be able to tilt in the X direction about the Y axis.

[0047] In addition, when the rod 190 is pressed downward (pushed), the actuator 160A moves in such a way that the Figure 4 shaft portion 163A in the central axis deflects obliquely downward, pressing the core column 140 downward. As a result, the metal contact 130A performs a reverse action.

[0048] The actuator 160B is a component that supports the rod 190 with respect to the bottom of the housing 110. The actuator 160B has a cylindrical portion 161B and a base portion 162B. The cylindrical portion 161B has a through hole inside which can insert the magnet 170, and is fixed to the inside of the rod 190. The base portion 162B is provided on the lower side of the cylindrical portion 161B.

[0049] The base portion 162B is a disk-shaped part having a diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 161B, and has a through hole in the central portion that communicates with the through hole of the cylindrical portion 161B. The base portion 162B is disposed on the plate 150 and abuts against the upper surface of the plate 150.

[0050] The spring 160C is provided between the rod 190 and the actuator B with the magnet 170 inserted therein. Specifically, inside the rod 190, it is provided on the upper side of the actuator 160B. The spring 160C applies a force to the rod 190 in the upward direction with respect to the actuator 160B.

[0051] The magnet 170 is a rod-shaped permanent magnet. As an example, the upper half is an S pole and the lower half is an N pole. The upper end of the magnet 170 is inserted into the operation portion 191 of the rod 190 and fixed, and the lower half is inserted into the inside of the through hole of the actuator 160B. Between the interval where the upper end inserted into the rod 190 and the inside of the through hole inserted into the actuator 160B, the spring 160C is inserted.

[0052] The cover 180 is an example of a cover member and is configured to have a higher strength than the rod 190. The cover 180 has a base portion 181 and a dome portion 182. The base portion 181 is a cylindrical part and has a through hole 181A that penetrates in the Z direction. As Figure 2 shown, the through hole 181A has a shape that is shorter in the X-axis direction and longer in the Y-axis direction.

[0053] The through hole 181A is inserted through the shaft portion 192 of the rod 190. The dome portion 182 is provided on the lower side of the base portion 181. The base portion 181 and the top of the dome portion 182 are continuously provided.

[0054] The base portion 181 has a convex portion 181B that is fitted into the concave portions 194 on the ±X direction sides provided on the upper side of the shaft portion 192 of the rod 190 (refer to Figure 4 ). The convex portion 181B is a part that protrudes inward in the X direction side of the through hole 181A. Due to having the convex portion 181B, the through hole 181A has a shape that is shorter in the X-axis direction and longer in the Y-axis direction.

[0055] The cover 180 is mounted on the lower side of the operation portion 191 of the rod 190 by fitting the convex portion 181B of the base portion 181 into the concave portion 194 of the shaft portion 192 of the rod 190.

[0056] The circular top portion 182 is an example of the abutting portion. The upper surface (+Z-direction side curved surface) and the lower surface (-Z-direction side curved surface) of the circular top portion 182 have a spherical shape. The circular top portion 182 and the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110 have a shape corresponding to a part of two concentric spheres. Two concentric spheres refer to two spheres with the same center. The circular top portion 182 and the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110 have a shape corresponding to a part of such two hollow spheres.

[0057] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, when the rod 190 is in the neutral position, there is a gap between the circular top portion 182 of the cover 180 and the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110. The neutral position refers to the position when the rod 190 is in a state of not tilting in either the X direction or the Y direction and not being pressed downward.

[0058] If the rod 190 is pressed downward, the lower surface of the circular top portion 182 of the cover 180 abuts against the upper surface of the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110. Since the cover 180 is mounted on the lower surface of the operating portion 191 of the rod 190, if the rod 190 is pressed downward, the cover 180 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the operating portion 191 and the upper surface of the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110. At this time, the rod 190 presses the actuator 160A downward, the core column 140 presses the metal contact 130A, and the metal contact 130A is reversed. In addition, at this time, the spring 160C contracts, and the actuator 160B remains in a state of abutting against the upper surface of the plate 150.

[0059] By the lower surface of the circular top portion 182 of the cover 180 abutting against the upper surface of the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110, and the cover 180 being sandwiched between the lower surface of the operating portion 191 and the upper surface of the circular top portion 112 of the outer shell 110, the rod 190 cannot be pressed downward to the extent that the metal contact 130A is reversed. Therefore, breakage of the magnetic sensor 130B, the electronic component 125B, etc. can be suppressed.

[0060] In addition, since the cover 180 has a higher strength than the rod 190, the thickness of the circular top portion 182 can be made thinner. As an example, this kind of cover 180 can be made of a synthetic resin with a higher hardness.

[0061] Since the diameter of the operating portion 191 is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 192, the rod 190 and the cover 180 cannot be integrally manufactured by forming, but are manufactured independently. If the rod 190 and the cover 180 are made independent, they can be made of different materials. Therefore, by making the cover 180 of a material with a higher strength than the rod 190, compared with the case of integral manufacturing, it can be made thinner and lighter without reducing the strength of the cover 180.

[0062] The rod 190 is an example of an operating component, having an operating portion 191 and a shaft portion 192. The operating portion 191 is a disk-shaped component and has a larger diameter than the shaft portion 192. A cover portion 195 is mounted on the upper surface of the operating portion 191.

[0063] The shaft portion 192 is a cylindrical portion extending downward from the center of the lower surface of the operating portion 191. As Figure 3 shown, the shaft portion 192 has protruding portions 192A protruding from both sides in the Y direction on the lower side. A shaft portion 193 protruding in the Y direction in a cylindrical shape is provided on the protruding portion 192A. In addition, as Figure 4 shown, recesses 194 are provided on both sides in the X direction on the upper side of the shaft portion 192.

[0064] As Figure 2 shown, the shaft portion 192 positions the protruding portions 192A on the Y-direction side of the through-hole 181A of the cover 180 and is inserted into the through-hole 181A from above. Thus, the convex portion 181B is fitted into the recess 194, and the cover 180 and the rod 190 are fixed.

[0065] In addition, the shaft portion 193 is inserted into the through-hole 166A of the actuator 160A and is held by the through-hole 166A so as to be rotatable about the Y axis. Thus, the rod 190 is mounted on the actuator 160A and can be tilted with respect to the actuator 160A in the X direction ( Figure 3 the direction of the arrow shown).

[0066] In addition, since the magnet 170 is mounted on the rod 190, when the rod 190 is not pressed downward and is tilted in the X direction and the Y direction, the distance between the magnetic sensor 130B and the magnet 170 does not change, and the direction in which the magnet 170 tilts can be accurately detected by the magnetic sensor 130B. The direction in which the magnet 170 tilts is the same as the direction in which the shaft portion 192 of the rod 190 tilts.

[0067] The reason for accurately detecting the direction in which the magnet 170 tilts by the magnetic sensor 130B is as follows. When the rod 190 is in a neutral state, the magnetic field of the magnet 170 is directed in the Z-axis direction, and there is no magnetic field in the X-axis and Y-axis components. If the rod 190 is tilted, according to the tilt angle, the magnetic field in the X-axis component or the Y-axis component becomes larger, and thus the tilt angle can be accurately detected by the magnetic sensor 130B.

[0068] For example, when the distance between the magnet 170 and the magnetic sensor 130B changes when the rod 190 is tilted, due to the changes in both the tilt angle and the distance, the intensity of the magnetic field in the X-axis component or the Y-axis component changes, and thus the tilt angle cannot be accurately detected.

[0069] For this reason, in the embodiment, the magnet 170 is mounted on the rod 190.

[0070] In addition, the length of the opening portion 162A in the Figure 3 shown Y direction is shorter than the length in the Figure 4 shown X direction. The protruding portion 192A of the shaft portion 192 protrudes toward the Y-direction side, so that the shaft portion 192 cannot be disengaged from the actuator 160A in the upward direction.

[0071] The cover portion 195 is a disk-shaped member as an example and is made of resin. The cover portion 195 is attached to the operation portion 191 of the lever 190.

[0072] Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 100 will be described using Figures 5 to 7 . Figures 5 to 7 FIG. is a diagram for explaining the operation of the multi-directional input device 100. In Figure 5 , a state in which the lever 190 is tilted in the -X direction without being pressed downward is shown in an XZ cross section.

[0073] When the lever 190 is tilted in the -X direction, the shaft portion 192 abuts against the opening portion 112A of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110, thereby restricting the movement of the lever 190. The same applies when the lever 190 is tilted in the +X direction.

[0074] In addition, according to Figure 3 , when the lever 190 is tilted in the ±Y direction, the shaft portion 192 abuts against the opening portion 112A of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110, thereby restricting the movement of the lever 190.

[0075] In Figure 6 , a state in which the lever 190 is pressed downward is shown. In Figure 6 , an XZ cross section is shown. As an example, when the lever 190 is pressed downward from the neutral position by a certain amount, the spring 160C is compressed, the lever 190 moves downward, and the actuator 160A moves in a manner of shifting obliquely downward in the XZ cross section, pressing the core column 140 downward. As a result, the metal contact 130A performs a reverse operation.

[0076] In addition, when the lever 190 is pressed by a certain amount as described above, the lower surface of the dome portion 182 of the cover 180 abuts against the upper surface of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110, so that the lever 190 cannot be pressed downward by more than a certain amount. Therefore, breakage of the magnetic sensor 130B, the electronic component 125B, etc. can be suppressed.

[0077] In addition, the operation of pressing the rod 190 downward as described above can be performed from any state in which the rod 190 is tilted in two-axis directions. Even if the rod 190 is tilted, the same as when it is in the neutral position, if the rod 190 is pressed downward by a certain amount, the spring 160C is compressed, the rod 190 moves downward, and the actuator 160A moves in a manner of offsetting obliquely downward in the XZ section, pressing the core column 140 downward. As a result, the metal contact 130A performs a reverse operation.

[0078] In addition, when the lower surface of the dome portion 182 of the cover 180 abuts on the upper surface of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110, as Figure 7 shown, the lower surface 182A of the dome portion 182 having a radius larger than that of the dome portion 112 abuts on the upper surface 112B of the dome portion 112. With this configuration, even if the rod 190 is pressed downward from the neutral position, or is pressed downward from a state of tilting in either of the two-axis directions, the lower surface of the dome portion 182 abuts on the upper surface of the dome 112.

[0079] Therefore, when the rod 190 is pressed downward, the operation amount of the rod 190 can be made a certain amount, and the operation amount can be stably restricted. In addition, the situation where the rod 190 is pressed downward by more than a certain amount can be effectively suppressed.

[0080] As described above, when the rod 190 is pressed downward, since the lower surface 182A of the dome portion 182 of the cover 180 abuts on the upper surface 112B of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110, the rod 190 cannot be pressed downward to an extent that the metal contact 130A is reversed. Therefore, breakage of the magnetic sensor 130B, the electronic component 125B, etc. can be suppressed.

[0081] Therefore, a multi-directional input device 100 that can suppress breakage of components caused by the pressing operation can be provided.

[0082] In addition, as described above, the magnet 170 is installed on the rod 190, and the tilting of the rod 190 is detected by the magnetic sensor 130B. However, a resistive sensor can also be used, and the resistive sensor utilizes a change in the resistance value caused by a change in the position where the lower end of the rod 190 or the like contacts a resistor on the FPC 125 when the rod 190 is tilted.

[0083] In addition, instead of the multi-directional input device 100, a configuration such as that of the multi-directional input device 100M shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 can be adopted. Figure 8 and Figure 9 is a diagram of the multi-directional input device 100M showing a modification of the embodiment. In Figure 8The cross-section showing the state where no pressing operation is performed is shown in Figure 9 The cross-section showing the state where the pressing operation is performed is shown in

[0084] In the multi-directional input device 100M, a convex portion 191A protruding downward is provided at the central portion of the lower surface of the operation portion 191. The concave portion 194 of the lever 190 of the multi-directional input device 100M is formed to be longer downward in the Z direction than the concave portion 194 of the lever 190 of the multi-directional input device 100. In the multi-directional input device 100M, the length of the concave portion 194 in the Z direction is longer than the length of the convex portion 181B in the Z direction, and the position of the lower end of the concave portion 194 is lower. Further, a concave portion 181C corresponding to the convex portion 191A is provided at the central portion of the upper surface of the cover 180.

[0085] According to this configuration, in the state where no pressing operation is performed, as Figure 8 shown, the lever 190 is urged upward by the spring 160C with respect to the actuator 160B, the convex portion 181B is located at the lower end of the concave portion 194, and there is a gap between the lower surface of the convex portion 191A and the upper surface of the concave portion 181C.

[0086] Further, in the state where the pressing operation is performed, as Figure 9 shown, the spring 160C contracts, the convex portion 181B is located at the upper end of the concave portion 194, the lower surface of the convex portion 191A abuts against the upper surface of the concave portion 181C, and the lever 190 presses the cover 180 downward. In other words, in this state, the cover 180 is sandwiched between the dome portion 112 of the housing 110 and the lever 190.

[0087] In the multi-directional input device 100M having this configuration, when the lever 190 is pressed downward, the lower surface 182A of the dome portion 182 of the cover 180 also abuts against the upper surface 112B of the dome portion 112 of the housing 110, and the lower surface of the convex portion 191A abuts against the upper surface of the concave portion 181C, so that the lever 190 cannot be pressed downward by more than the reverse of the metal contact 130A. Therefore, breakage of the magnetic sensor 130B, the electronic component 125B, etc. can be suppressed.

[0088] Therefore, a multi-directional input device 100M that can suppress breakage of components caused by the pressing operation can be provided. Further, in this configuration, Figure 8 and Figure 9 the shapes of the convex portion 181B and the concave portion 194 are not limited to this, and as long as there is a gap between the lower surface of the convex portion 191A and the upper surface of the concave portion 181C, and the gap is reduced by the pressing operation and they abut against each other to perform the same function, the shapes of the convex portion 181B and the concave portion 194 may also be Figure 6 the shapes shown in

[0089] The multi-directional input device according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments and uses, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the claims. As an example, the multi-directional input device of the present invention can be used for a game controller.

[0090] In addition, this international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-002742 filed on January 10, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated into this international application by reference herein.

[0091] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 100 Multi-directional input device

[0093] 110 Housing

[0094] 120 Frame

[0095] 130A Metal contact

[0096] 130B Magnetic sensor

[0097] 160A, 160B Actuator

[0098] 180 Cover

[0099] 190 Rod

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device, comprising: A housing having an opening; An operating member having: an operating portion provided outside the housing for operation, and a shaft portion extending from the operating portion and inserted into the opening, the operating member being capable of performing an operation of tilting relative to the housing and an operation of pressing into the housing; and a cover member that covers the periphery of the shaft portion, the cover member having: a base portion mounted on the lower side of the operation portion; and a contact portion extending from the base portion in a direction away from the operation portion, the housing having: a housing main body; and a dome top protruding from the surface of the housing main body and having the opening portion at the top, the contact portion having a dome shape corresponding to the dome top, a gap existing between the contact portion and the dome top in a state where the operation member is not operated, the contact portion and the dome top having a shape corresponding to a part of two concentric spheres, the contact portion and the dome top not contacting when the pressing operation on the operation member is not performed and contacting when the pressing operation is performed.

2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, When the operating member is tilted, the shaft portion abuts against the edge of the opening.

3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 or 2, The strength of the cover member is higher than that of the operating member.

4. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 or 2, The cover member is fixed to the operating member.

5. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 or 2, Further comprising a movable portion that holds the shaft portion so as to be tiltable in a first axial direction and tiltable relative to the housing in a second axial direction.

6. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 or 2, The operating portion is larger than the shaft portion in a plan view.

7. A multi-directional input device, comprising: A housing having an opening; An operating member having: an operating portion provided outside the housing for operation, and a shaft portion extending from the operating portion and inserted into the opening, the operating member being capable of performing an operation of tilting relative to the housing and an operation of pressing into the housing; and A cover member that covers the periphery of the shaft portion and abuts against the housing when the pressing operation is performed on the operating member. The multi-directional input device further includes: A support portion that supports the operating member on the bottom of the housing; and A spring provided between the support portion and the operating member, and biases the operating member in a direction opposite to the direction of the pressing operation with respect to the support portion. The cover member is movable along the shaft portion in the direction of expansion and contraction of the spring. In a state where the pressing operation is not performed on the operating member, there is a gap between the operating portion and the cover member. In a state where the pressing operation is performed on the operating member, the operating portion abuts against the cover member.

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