Multi-directional input device

Abstract

The multi-directional input device includes: an operating button that can be moved in the horizontal direction and pressed in the vertical direction; an operating direction detection switch that switches to an on state as the operating button is moved; and a common switch that is pressed when either the operating button is moved or pressed, produces an operating feel different from that of the operating direction detection switch, and switches to an on state.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-directional input device including: a plurality of rubber dome switches for detecting movement of an operation button in a plurality of sliding operation directions or tilting operations; and a metal dome switch for generating a tactile feel (click feeling) different from that of the rubber dome switches.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 198371 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in order to further enable a vertical pressing operation on the operating button, the multi-directional input device described in Patent Document 1 needs to additionally provide a pressing operation detection switch in addition to the metal dome switch that produces a tactile sensation (clicking sensation) different from that of the rubber dome switch. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve miniaturization and low price of the multi-directional input device.

[0008] Solutions to Problems

[0009] A multi-directional input device in one embodiment includes: an operating button that can be moved in the horizontal direction and pressed in the vertical direction; an operating direction detection switch that switches to an on state as the operating button is moved; and a common switch that is pressed when either the operating button is moved or pressed, produces an operating touch different from that of the operating direction detection switch, and switches to an on state.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to one embodiment, the number of switches for generating a tactile operational feeling can be reduced, thereby achieving miniaturization and low cost of the multi-directional input device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the appearance of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the appearance of a multi-directional input device (with the housing removed) according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3This is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment, taken along the XZ plane.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a button included in the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side).

[0017] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a bottom cover and various components provided on the upper surface side of the bottom cover included in the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side) of the inclined plate.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the electrical connection structure of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a determination pattern of operation content used by a control device according to one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device (in a non-operated state) according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device (in a state where a pressing operation is performed) according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment (a sliding operation is performed and only the rubber dome switch 137 is in the on state).

[0024] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device according to one embodiment (a sliding operation is performed and the metal dome switch 135 is also in the on state). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (Overview of Multi-directional Input Device 100)

[0027] Figure 1This is a perspective view of the appearance of a multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment. It should be noted that, for convenience, in the following description, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z-axis direction, and the horizontal directions are referred to as the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The X-axis direction is referred to as the front-to-back direction, and the Y-axis direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction.

[0028] Figure 1 The multi-directional input device 100 is installed in a vehicle such as a car, for example, at a location where the driver of the vehicle can operate the device (for example, a center console). Figure 1 As shown, the multi-directional input device 100 includes a housing 110 and a cylindrical operation button 120 protruding upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) from the housing 110 .

[0029] The operating button 120 can be slid in a first sliding direction D1 (positive X-axis direction), a second sliding direction D2 (negative X-axis direction), a third sliding direction D3 (negative Y-axis direction), and a fourth sliding direction D4 (positive Y-axis direction) (an example of a "horizontal movement operation"). Furthermore, the operating button 120 can be pressed in a pressing direction D7 (negative Z-axis direction). Furthermore, the operating button 120 can be rotated in a first rotational direction D5 (clockwise) and a second rotational direction D6 (counterclockwise) about the rotational axis AX.

[0030] The multi-directional input device 100 can control an in-vehicle device (e.g., a navigation device, an audio device, an air conditioner, etc.) electrically connected to the multi-directional input device 100 by the driver sliding, pressing, or rotating the operation button 120. It should be noted that the multi-directional input device 100 is not limited to use in vehicles and can also be used in devices other than vehicles (e.g., aircraft, railway vehicles, game consoles, remote controls, etc.).

[0031] (Structure of Multi-directional Input Device 100)

[0032] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the appearance of the multi-directional input device 100 (with the housing removed) according to one embodiment. Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, taken along the XZ plane. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the operation button 120 included in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side (Z-axis negative side). Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the bottom cover 130 and various components provided on the upper surface side of the bottom cover 130 included in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 7This is a perspective view of the cam member 140 included in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, as viewed from the bottom surface side (Z-axis negative side).

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment includes an operation button 120 , a holder 150 , a cam member 140 , a housing 110 , and a bottom cover 130 in this order from the top of the figure.

[0034] <Housing 110>

[0035] The housing 110 is a box-shaped member with openings on both the top and bottom. The bottom opening of the housing 110 is sealed by the bottom cover 130. Thus, the various components (such as the push rod 138 and the rubber dome switch 137) located on the top surface of the bottom cover 130 are housed within the internal space 110A of the housing 110. For example, the housing 110 is formed by injection molding a resin material such as ABS resin (ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or polycarbonate. The housing 110 has a circular opening 110B centered on the rotational axis AX and an annular region 110C surrounding the opening 110B. The disc portion 142 of the cam member 140 is placed on the top surface of the region 110C. The bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140 extends through the opening 110B. The outer diameter of the bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 110B. In addition, the outer diameter of the disc portion 142 of the cam member 140 is smaller than the outer diameter of the region 110C. Thus, the cam member 140 is configured to be able to move horizontally in each moving operation direction (sliding operation direction) relative to the opening portion 110B and the region 110C. In the region 110C, a plurality of through holes 110D are formed in a manner arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference. The push rod 138 passes through the through hole 110D from the lower side. Thus, the through hole 110D enables the upper end portion 138A of the push rod 138 to protrude from the upper surface of the region 110C. In the present embodiment, the eight through holes 110D corresponding to the eight push rods 138 are formed in a manner arranged at equal intervals (i.e., 45° intervals) on the same circumference.

[0036] <Operation button 120>

[0037] The operating button 120 is a cylindrical operating member that is slid, pressed, and rotated by the operator. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, a cylindrical shaft portion 121 is provided in a downwardly extending manner at the center of the bottom surface 120A of the operating button 120. The shaft portion 121 is disposed within the cylinder of a bearing portion 141 provided in the cam member 140 and reciprocates in the cylinder of the bearing portion 141 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) as the operating button 120 is pressed.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the operating button 120, a cam 122 is provided at the center of the cylinder of the shaft portion 121 (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX). The cam 122 is an example of a "first cam portion that moves integrally with the movement and pressing of the operating button." When the operating button 120 is slid or pressed, the hemispherical upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 disposed on the lower side of the cam 122 is pressed downward (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 6 ), the metal dome switch 135 provided on the lower side of the actuator 136 can be pressed via the actuator 136.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, cam 122 is formed into an upwardly concave shape. Cam 122 has a center portion 122X and four first cam surfaces 123 corresponding to the four sliding operation directions D1 to D4 of operating knob 120. First cam surfaces 123 are an example of "first cam surfaces that press the first pressing member as the operating knob is moved." Center portion 122X presses hemispherical upper end portion 136A of actuator 136 as operating knob 120 is pressed.

[0040] The four first cam surfaces 123 extend from the center portion 122X at a descending slope in each movement direction (four sliding directions) of the operating button 120. The four first cam surfaces 123 press down the hemispherical upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 as the operating button 120 slides.

[0041] The four first cam surfaces 123 have the same shape as each other, that is, they all have a fan shape with an angle of 90° with respect to the rotation center axis AX when viewed from below. Figure 5 In the illustrated example, all four first cam surfaces 123 are curved surfaces, whereby the depression amount of the actuator 136 increases nonlinearly according to the sliding amount of the operation button 120 .

[0042] It should be noted that the operating button 120 has a rotational operating mechanism that allows for rotational operation. Specifically, the shaft 121 of the operating button 120 is not a member that rotates relative to the housing 110. Instead, the operating button 120 is configured to be rotationally operated by a single, generally cylindrical member located above the shaft 121. Therefore, when the operating button 120 is rotated, the cam 122 provided on the shaft 121 does not rotate relative to the housing 110. It should be noted that when the operating button 120 is rotated, a rotational operation detection signal is output to the circuit board 132 via a wiring harness (not shown).

[0043] <Bottom cover 130>

[0044] The bottom cover 130 is a flat plate-shaped member that covers the opening on the lower side of the housing 110. Figure 6 As shown in detail, a flat plate-shaped circuit board 132 is superimposed on the upper surface of the bottom cover 130. Also, a flat plate-shaped rubber pad 134 formed of an elastic material (such as rubber or silicon) is superimposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 132.

[0045] A circular opening 134A centered on the rotation axis AX is formed in the rubber pad 134. A portion of the circuit board 132 is exposed through the opening 134A, and a metal dome switch 135 is provided on the portion of the circuit board 132 at a position aligned with the rotation axis AX. The metal dome switch 135 is a push switch having a metal dome that provides a clicky feel.

[0046] The actuator 136 is provided above the metal dome switch 135 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The actuator 136 is an example of a "first pressing member" and is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The upper end 136A of the actuator 136 is hemispherical. The lower end 136B of the actuator 136 is disc-shaped. When the operation button 120 is operated (sliding operation and pressing operation), the actuator 136 is provided on the cam 122 (refer to Figure 5 ) is pressed. Thus, when operating button 120 is operated (sliding or pressing), actuator 136 can press metal dome switch 135 located on the lower side, thereby switching metal dome switch 135 to the on state. It should be noted that metal dome switch 135 is an example of a "common switch." That is, when operating button 120 is moved horizontally or pressed vertically, actuator 136 presses metal dome switch 135, producing a different operational feel from rubber dome switch 137 and switching it to the on state.

[0047] Furthermore, on the rubber pad 134, in an annular region 134B surrounding the opening 134A, a plurality of rubber dome switches 137 are arranged on a common circumference centered on the rotational axis AX. Each of the plurality of rubber dome switches 137 is an example of an "operation direction detection switch." Above each of the plurality of rubber dome switches 137, a generally cylindrical push rod 138 is provided for vertical movement (in the Z-axis direction). Push rod 138 is an example of a "second pressing member" and is a round rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction (in the Z-axis direction). The upper end 138A of push rod 138 is hemispherical. The lower end 138B of push rod 138 is disc-shaped.

[0048] When the operation button 120 is operated (sliding operation), the multiple push rods 138 are respectively pressed by the cam member 140. Therefore, when the operation button 120 is operated (sliding operation), the multiple push rods 138 can respectively press the rubber dome switch 137 provided on the lower side, thereby switching the rubber dome switch 137 to the on state. The rubber dome switch 137 has a convex shape protruding upward, and is elastically deformed by being pressed by the push rod 138, so that the movable contact (omitted from the figure) of the rubber dome switch 137 can be brought into contact with two fixed contacts (omitted from the figure) provided on the upper surface of the circuit substrate 132 directly below the rubber dome switch 137, thereby switching the two fixed contacts to a mutually conductive state (i.e., the on state). It should be noted that, in Figure 6 In the example shown, eight rubber dome switches 137 are arranged at equal intervals (ie, 45° intervals) in the region 134B. Figure 6 In the example shown, eight push rods 138 are arranged at equal intervals (ie, 45° intervals) on the same circumference centered around the rotational axis AX.

[0049] <Cam Member 140>

[0050] The cam member 140 is an example of a "second cam portion". The cam member 140 is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction relative to the housing 110 together with the operating button 120. In addition, the cam member 140 supports the operating button 120 so as to be movable in the up and down directions. The cam member 140 has a bearing portion 141 and a disc portion 142. The disc portion 142 is placed on an annular area 110C formed around the opening portion 110B of the housing 110. At this time, the bearing portion 141 passes through the opening portion 110B. Thus, the cam member 140 is configured to be movable horizontally in each sliding operation direction relative to the opening portion 110B and the area 110C.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, a second cam surface 143 having an annular shape and centered on the rotation center axis AX when viewed from below is provided on the bottom surface side of the disk portion 142 of the cam member 140. The second cam surface 143 is an example of a "second cam surface that moves integrally with the horizontal movement of the operating button." The second cam surface 143 is an inclined surface that is inclined so that the radius from the rotation center axis AX gradually increases as it moves upward. Figure 7As shown, below the second cam surface 143, a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of push rods 138 are arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at 45° intervals) on the same circumference centered on the rotational axis AX. The hemispherical upper end 138A of each of the plurality (eight in this embodiment) of push rods 138 abuts against the second cam surface 143. Consequently, when the operating button 120 is slid, the cam member 140 moves along with the operating button 120 in the sliding direction, thereby enabling the push rods 138 positioned in that sliding direction to be pressed downward by the second cam surface 143.

[0052] <Cage 150>

[0053] The retainer 150 is a generally annular member having a circular opening 150A centered on the rotational axis AX. The retainer 150 is threadedly fixed to the housing 110. When the cam member 140 is positioned within the opening 110B of the housing 110, the retainer 150 slidably abuts against the upper surface of the cam member 140. Thus, the retainer 150 holds the cam member 140 so that it can slide within the opening 110B. It should be noted that the shaft 121 of the operating button 120 and the bearing 141 of the cam member 140 extend through the opening 150A of the retainer 150.

[0054] (Electrical Connection Structure of Multi-directional Input Device 100)

[0055] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrical connection structure of a multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the multi-directional input device 100 includes a control device 160. The control device 160 is electrically connected to four rubber dome switches 137 and one metal dome switch 135, each corresponding to the four sliding operation directions D1 to D4 of the operation button 120. The control device 160 can detect the state (on or off) of each of the multiple switches 137 and 135. Furthermore, the control device 160 can determine the content of the operator's operation on the operation button 120 based on the detection results of the multiple switches 137 and 135, and execute predetermined processing corresponding to the determination result.

[0056] It should be noted that the multi-directional input device 100 of one embodiment includes eight rubber dome switches 137 corresponding to the eight sliding operation directions of the operating button 120. However, the multi-directional input device 100 of one embodiment is configured so that the cam 122 of the operating button 120 has four cam surfaces 123 corresponding to the four sliding operation directions, thereby being able to detect sliding operations in each of the four sliding operation directions of the operating button 120. Therefore, the multi-directional input device 100 of one embodiment is configured so that the cam 122 of the operating button 120 has eight cam surfaces 123 corresponding to the eight sliding operation directions, thereby being able to detect sliding operations in each of the eight sliding operation directions of the operating button 120.

[0057] (An example of a determination pattern of operation contents)

[0058] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a determination pattern of operation content used by the control device 160 according to one embodiment.

[0059] like Figure 9 As shown, when metal dome switch 135 is detected to be on after rubber dome switch 137 is detected to be on, control device 160 ignores the on-statement of metal dome switch 135 and determines that a slide operation of operation button 120 has been performed. Control device 160 then executes a predetermined process corresponding to the slide operation of operation button 120. In this case, if the predetermined process corresponding to the slide operation is executed after metal dome switch 135 is detected to be on, the operator can recognize that the slide operation has been reliably performed through the sound and click feeling produced by metal dome switch 135.

[0060] Furthermore, if rubber dome switch 137 is detected to be on within a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) after metal dome switch 135 is detected to be on, control device 160 disregards the on-statement of metal dome switch 135 and determines that a slide operation of operation button 120 has been performed. Control device 160 then executes a predetermined process corresponding to the slide operation of operation button 120. This assumes that the operator performs a slide operation while applying weight to operation button 120. The initial on-statement of metal dome switch 135 is not an intentional press operation by the operator and is therefore disregarded.

[0061] Furthermore, if a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed after detecting the turning-on of metal dome switch 135 without detecting the turning-on of rubber dome switch 137, control device 160 determines that a pressing operation has been performed on operation button 120. Control device 160 then executes a predetermined process corresponding to the pressing operation of operation button 120.

[0062] (Operation of the Multi-directional Input Device 100 During Press Operation)

[0063] Next, refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the operation of the multi-directional input device 100 when the operation button 120 is pressed will be described. Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device 100 (in a non-operated state) according to one embodiment. Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional input device 100 (in a state where a pressing operation is performed) taken along the XZ plane according to one embodiment.

[0064] The multi-directional input device 100 has a Figures 1 to 9 With the structure described above, when the operator performs a pressing operation of pressing the operation button 120 downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis), the operation is performed as described below.

[0065] First, if Figure 11 As shown, the shaft portion 121 of the operating button 120 moves downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) in the tube of the bearing portion 141 of the cam member 140, and the cam 122 arranged at the center of the tube of the shaft portion 121 of the operating button 120 (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX) presses the upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 downward at its center portion 122X.

[0066] Actuator 136 uses the bottom surface of its disc-shaped lower end 136B to press down metal dome switch 135, which is located below actuator 136, turning on metal dome switch 135. At this time, the sound and click feeling produced by metal dome switch 135 are transmitted to the operator's hand via actuator 136 and operating button 120.

[0067] Then, the control device 160 (see Figure 8 ) detects that the metal dome switch 135 has switched to the on state, determines that the operation button 120 has been pressed, and performs the prescribed processing corresponding to the pressing operation of the operation button 120 (for example, outputting a signal indicating that the pressing operation of the operation button 120 has been performed relative to the vehicle-mounted device of the control object).

[0068] When the operator releases the pressing operation of the operation button 120, the metal dome switch 135 switches to the off state. The operation button 120 is pushed upward by the restoring force of the metal dome switch 135 generated at this time, and the operation button 120 is restored to its original position. Figure 10 The specified initial position is shown.

[0069] It should be noted that when the operating button 120 is pressed, the shaft portion 121 of the operating button 120 moves downward independently of the cam member 140. Therefore, when the operating button 120 is pressed, the cam member 140 does not move downward, and the plurality of rubber dome switches 137 are not pressed.

[0070] (Operation of Multi-directional Input Device 100 During Slide Operation)

[0071] Next, refer to Figure 10 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the operation of the multi-directional input device 100 when the operation button 120 is slid is described. Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment (a slide operation is performed and only the rubber dome switch 137 is in the on state). Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the XZ plane of the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment (a slide operation is performed and the metal dome switch 135 is also in the on state).

[0072] The multi-directional input device 100 has a Figures 1 to 9 With the structure described above, when the operator slides the operation button 120 in any of the four sliding operation directions D1 to D4 , the operation is performed as described below.

[0073] It should be noted that, below, as an example, the action of the multi-directional input device 100 when a sliding operation is performed in the first sliding operation direction D2 (negative direction of the X-axis) is described, but the multi-directional input device 100 also acts in the same way when a sliding operation is performed in other sliding operation directions D1, D3, and D4.

[0074] First, if Figure 12 As shown, the cam member 140 moves together with the shaft portion 121 of the operating button 120 in the first sliding operation direction D2 (negative direction of the X-axis), and the second cam surface 143 provided on the bottom side of the disc portion 142 of the cam member 140 presses the upper end portion 138A of the push rod 138 on the negative side of the X-axis downward.

[0075] The push rod 138 on the negative side of the X axis presses down the rubber dome switch 137 provided below the push rod 138 on the negative side of the X axis with the bottom surface of its disc-shaped lower end portion 138B, thereby switching the rubber dome switch 137 to the on state.

[0076] Then, the control device 160 (see Figure 8 ) detects that the rubber dome switch 137 is switched to the on state. In addition, at the same time, Figure 12As shown, when cam member 140 moves in first sliding direction D2 (negative X-axis direction) along with shaft portion 121 of operating button 120, cam 122, located at the center of the cylinder of shaft portion 121 of operating button 120 (i.e., on rotational axis AX), presses upper end portion 136A of actuator 136 downward at first cam surface 123 on the positive X-axis side. Actuator 136 presses metal dome switch 135, located below it, via the bottom surface of its disc-shaped lower end portion 136B. However, because the shape of first cam surface 123 is designed so that even at the time rubber dome switch 137 is switched on, the amount of movement of actuator 136 is less than the stroke required to switch metal dome switch 135 on, preventing metal dome switch 135 from switching on.

[0077] Then, if Figure 13 As shown, when the cam member 140 and the shaft portion 121 of the operating button 120 are further moved in the first sliding operation direction D2 (negative direction of the X-axis) when the rubber dome switch 137 is in the on state, the cam 122 provided at the center of the tube of the shaft portion 121 of the operating button 120 (i.e., on the rotation center axis AX) presses the upper end portion 136A of the actuator 136 further downward at the first cam surface 123 on the positive side of the X-axis.

[0078] Actuator 136 presses down metal dome switch 135, located below actuator 136, with the bottom surface of its disc-shaped lower end 136B, thereby switching metal dome switch 135 to the on state. At this time, the sound and click feeling produced by metal dome switch 135 are transmitted to the operator's hand via actuator 136 and operating button 120.

[0079] Then, the control device 160 (see Figure 8 ) detects that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched to the on state. Based on the detection that the rubber dome switch 137 has been switched to the on state and the detection that the metal dome switch 135 has been switched to the on state, the control device 160 determines that the operation button 120 has been slid in the first sliding operation direction D2 (the negative direction of the X-axis), and performs a predetermined process corresponding to the sliding operation of the operation button 120 in the first sliding operation direction D2 (the negative direction of the X-axis) (for example, outputting a signal indicating that the sliding operation of the operation button 120 in the first sliding operation direction D2 has been performed to the in-vehicle device to be controlled).

[0080] When the sliding operation of the operating button 120 by the operator is released, the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135 are switched to the OFF state. The operating button 120 is pushed upward by the restoring force of the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135 generated at this time, and the operating button 120 is restored to its original position. Figure 10 The specified initial position is shown.

[0081] In this manner, when the operation button 120 is slid in the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the rubber dome switch 137 is first pressed down by the push rod 138 and turned on, and then the metal dome switch 135 is pressed down by the actuator 136 and turned on. Thus, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can provide the operator with a sound and a click feel through the metal dome switch 135 even when the operation button 120 is slid. It should be noted that the difference in the timing of pressing the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135 and the timing of transitioning to the on state can be achieved by, for example, setting the inclination angles of the cam surfaces 123 and 143, taking into account the strokes of the rubber dome switch 137 and the metal dome switch 135.

[0082] As described above, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment includes: an operation button 120 that can be slid in the horizontal direction and pressed in the vertical direction; a rubber dome switch 137 that switches to an on state in response to the sliding operation of the operation button 120; and a metal dome switch 135 that is pressed when either the sliding operation of the operation button 120 or the pressing operation of the operation button 120 is performed, thereby generating an operational tactile sensation different from that of the rubber dome switch 137 and switching to an on state.

[0083] Thus, the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment can generate a sound and a click feeling when both sliding and pressing the operation button 120 using a single metal dome switch 135. Therefore, according to the multi-directional input device 100 according to one embodiment, the number of switches used to generate the tactile feeling can be reduced, thereby achieving a smaller and lower-priced multi-directional input device 100.

[0084] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0085] For example, the multi-directional input device 100 of one embodiment uses a sliding operation to move the operation button 120 in the horizontal direction. However, a tilting fulcrum may be provided on the rotation center axis AX of the operation button 120 to perform a tilting operation.

[0086] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-076668, filed on April 23, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0087] Description of reference numerals:

[0088] 100 Multi-directional input device

[0089] 110 housing

[0090] 110A Interior Space

[0091] 110B opening

[0092] 110C area

[0093] 110D through hole

[0094] 120 operation buttons

[0095] 120A Bottom

[0096] 121 shaft

[0097] 122 cam (first cam portion)

[0098] 123 First cam surface

[0099] 130 bottom cover

[0100] 132 circuit board

[0101] 134 rubber pad

[0102] 134A Opening

[0103] Area 134B

[0104] 135 Metal Dome Switch

[0105] 136 actuator (first pressing member)

[0106] 136A upper end

[0107] 136B lower end

[0108] 137 Rubber Dome Switch (Operation Direction Detection Switch)

[0109] 138 push rod (second pressing member)

[0110] 138A upper end

[0111] 138B lower end

[0112] 140 Cam member (second cam portion)

[0113] 141 Bearing

[0114] 142 disc

[0115] 143 Second cam surface

[0116] 150 Cage

[0117] AX is the center axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device, characterized in that: The multi-directional input device comprises: An operating button capable of being moved horizontally and pressed vertically; an operating direction detection switch, which is switched to an on state in response to the movement operation of the operating button; a common switch that is pressed when either the operation of moving the operation button or the operation of pressing the operation button is performed, produces an operational tactile sensation different from that of the operation direction detection switch, and is switched to an on state; a first cam portion that moves integrally with the movement operation of the operation button in the horizontal direction and the pressing operation in the vertical direction; and a first pressing member that presses the common switch as the first cam portion moves in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction; The first cam portion has: a center portion that presses the first pressing member in response to the pressing operation of the operating button; as well as A first cam surface extends from the central portion at a descending slope in the direction of the movement operation in the horizontal direction and depresses the first pressing member in accordance with the movement operation of the operation button in the horizontal direction.

2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein: The multi-directional input device further comprises: a second cam portion having a second cam surface that moves integrally with the movement operation of the operation button in the horizontal direction; and The second pressing member is pressed down by the second cam surface as the second cam portion moves in the horizontal direction, thereby pressing down the operation direction detection switch.

3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, wherein: When the operation button is pressed, the first cam portion moves in the pressing operation direction, and the first cam portion presses the first pressing member, thereby pressing the common switch. When the operating button is moved along the horizontal direction, the first cam portion and the second cam portion move together in the direction of the movement operation along the horizontal direction, so that the second cam portion presses the second pressing member, thereby the operation direction detection switch is pressed and switched to the on state, and then the first cam portion further presses the first pressing member, thereby the common switch is pressed and switched to the on state.

4. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The common switch is a metal dome switch.

5. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The operation direction detection switch is a rubber dome switch.

6. A multi-directional input device, characterized in that: The multi-directional input device comprises: An operating button capable of being moved horizontally and pressed vertically; an operating direction detection switch, which is switched to an on state in response to the movement operation of the operating button; a common switch that is pressed when either the operation of moving the operation button or the operation of pressing the operation button is performed, produces an operational tactile sensation different from that of the operation direction detection switch, and is switched to an on state; as well as Control Department, The control unit, when detecting that the operation direction detection switch is turned on during the period from detection of the common switch being turned on to a lapse of a predetermined time, disregards the turning on of the common switch and determines that the movement operation of the operation button has been performed, and The control unit determines that the pressing operation of the operation button has been performed if the control unit does not detect the operation direction detection switch being turned on during the period from the detection of the common switch being turned on to the lapse of the predetermined time.

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