Input device

Abstract

Provided is an input device that detects the movement state of a movable body on the basis of changes in the direction of a magnetic field, said input device being capable of obtaining a sufficient S / N ratio by means of a magnetic sensor. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an input device is provided with: a fixed base; a housing provided on an upper side, which is one side in the normal direction of the fixed base; a movable body supported by the housing so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the normal direction on the upper side of the fixed base; a magnetic field generation mechanism that is attached to the movable body and generates a magnetic field that faces downward in the other direction in the normal direction; and a magnetic field direction detection mechanism that is provided on the fixed base at a position away from an imaginary center line of the magnetic field when the movable body is at the reference position, and that detects the direction of a magnetic field component along an imaginary plane that intersects the vertical direction. The magnetic field generation mechanism includes a permanent magnet having one pole facing downward, and a magnetic portion disposed outside an imaginary center line of the magnetic field across a space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device using a magnetic sensor. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an orientation sensor capable of stably detecting a two-dimensional orientation in a non-contact manner. The orientation sensor comprises: an operating unit that indicates a two-dimensional orientation by performing a tilting operation; an opposing magnet that is provided on the operating unit and is magnetized in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tilting operation is performed; a magnetic sensor that arranges a half-bridge circuit composed of a first and a second magnetoresistive element with orthogonal magnetic sensing directions as first to fourth half bridges at the vertices of the cross, and outputs a first output voltage from the opposing first and third half bridges and a second output voltage from the opposing second and fourth half bridges according to a change in the direction of a magnetic field based on the tilting operation; and a detection unit that detects the two-dimensional orientation indicated by the tilting operation based on the first and second output voltages output from the magnetic sensor.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-139252 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In an input device that detects the moving state of a movable body using a magnetic sensor based on a change in the direction of a magnetic field, if the amount of the magnetic field component along an imaginary plane intersecting the imaginary center line of the magnetic field is small, the S / N ratio of the output signal of the magnetic sensor becomes small. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the amount of the magnetic field component along the imaginary plane intersecting the imaginary center line of the magnetic field so as to effectively detect the moving state of the movable body using the magnetic sensor.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can obtain a sufficient S / N ratio using a magnetic sensor in an input device that detects a moving state of a movable body based on a change in the direction of a magnetic field.

[0009] Means for solving technical problems

[0010] One technical solution of the present invention is an input device, characterized in that it comprises: a fixed base; a shell located on one side, i.e., the upper side, of the normal direction of the fixed base; a movable body supported by the shell so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the normal direction on the upper side of the fixed base; a magnetic field generating mechanism installed on the movable body, which generates a magnetic field toward the other side of the normal direction, i.e., downward; and a magnetic field direction detecting mechanism, which is arranged on the fixed base at a position avoiding an imaginary center line of the magnetic field when the movable body is in a reference position, and detects the direction of a magnetic field component along an imaginary plane intersecting the up and down directions, the magnetic field generating mechanism including a permanent magnet with one pole facing downward, and a magnetic portion arranged outside the imaginary center line of the magnetic field across a space.

[0011] According to such a structure, among the permanent magnets and magnetic parts constituting the magnetic field generating mechanism, the magnetic parts are arranged on the outside of the imaginary center line of the magnetic field via a space, so that the amount of the magnetic field component along the imaginary plane intersecting the imaginary center line of the magnetic field increases, and the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic field direction detection mechanism becomes higher.

[0012] In the above input device, the magnetic field generating mechanism may be a structure composed of a yoke component and a permanent magnet, the yoke component being composed of a disk-shaped top plate portion and an annular magnetic portion extending downward from the outer periphery of the disk-shaped top plate portion, and the permanent magnet being mounted on the lower surface of the disk-shaped top plate portion. Thus, leakage of the magnetic field on the opposite side of the detection area of ​​the magnetic field direction detection mechanism is suppressed by the yoke component composed of the annular magnetic portion, and the magnetic flux density in the detection area becomes high.

[0013] In the input device, the annular magnetic part is extended downward in a shape with a terminal expansion. By configuring the annular magnetic part to be in a shape with a terminal expansion downward, that is, the ring diameter increases downward, the annular magnetic part can be easily manufactured.

[0014] In the above input device, the diameter of the disk-shaped top plate portion is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of the permanent magnet. By making the diameter of the disk-shaped top plate portion substantially equal to the diameter of the permanent magnet, positioning of the permanent magnet with respect to the annular magnetic portion becomes easy.

[0015] In the above input device, it is preferred that a limiting mechanism for limiting the movable range of the movable body is further provided; the movable range is a range in which the magnetic field direction detection mechanism is located between the imaginary center line of the magnetic field and the magnetic portion when viewed from above. Thus, within the movable range of the movable body, the magnetic field direction detection mechanism is always located between the imaginary center line of the magnetic field and the magnetic portion when viewed from above.

[0016] Another technical solution of the present invention is an input device, characterized in that it comprises: a fixed base; a shell, which is arranged on one side of the normal direction of the fixed base, i.e., the upper side; a movable body, which is supported by the shell so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the normal direction on the upper side of the fixed base; a magnetic field generating mechanism, which is installed on the movable body and generates a magnetic field toward the other side of the normal direction, i.e., downward; and a magnetic field direction detection mechanism, which is arranged on the fixed base at a position avoiding the imaginary center line of the magnetic field when the movable body is in a reference position, and detects the direction of the magnetic field component along an imaginary plane intersecting the up and down directions, the magnetic field generating mechanism including a permanent magnet with one pole facing downward, and a magnetic portion installed on the front end of one pole in a manner overlapping with the imaginary center line of the magnetic field.

[0017] According to such a structure, in the permanent magnet and magnetic part constituting the magnetic field generating mechanism, by arranging the magnetic part on the front end of one pole of the permanent magnet in a manner overlapping with the imaginary center line of the magnetic field, the amount of the magnetic field component along the imaginary plane intersecting the imaginary center line of the magnetic field increases, and the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic field direction detection mechanism becomes higher.

[0018] In the above input device, the movable body may be composed of a rocker supported so as to be able to swing with a direction intersecting the up-down direction as a central axis and a plane slider that follows the movement of the rocker and slides along a plane intersecting the up-down direction, and the permanent magnet is mounted on the plane slider. Thus, even if the rocker is swung, the distance between the magnetic field generating mechanism and the magnetic field direction detecting mechanism in the up-down direction does not change, and the linearity of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic field direction detecting mechanism relative to the swinging operation becomes higher.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an input device that detects the movement state of a movable body based on a change in the direction of a magnetic field and that can obtain a sufficient S / N ratio using a magnetic sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the input device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the input device according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a top view illustrating the arrangement of the magnetic sensor.

[0024] Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnetic field caused by the permanent magnet.

[0025] Figure 4BIt is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating mechanism.

[0026] Figure 5A Schematic diagram for explaining detection of the direction of a magnetic field by a magnetic sensor.

[0027] Figure 5B Schematic diagram for explaining detection of the direction of a magnetic field by a magnetic sensor.

[0028] Fig. 6A Schematic diagram for explaining detection of the direction of a magnetic field by a magnetic sensor.

[0029] Figure 6B Schematic diagram for explaining detection of the direction of a magnetic field by a magnetic sensor.

[0030] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a yoke component.

[0031] Fig. 8A It is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device according to the second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8B This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the input device according to the second embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating mechanism of an input device according to the second embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 10A It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the magnetic field generating mechanism.

[0035] Fig. 10B It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the magnetic field generating mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description of the components that have been described once will be appropriately omitted.

[0037] (First embodiment)

[0038] Figure 1 It is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the input device according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the input device according to the first embodiment.

[0040] The input device 1A related to the first embodiment is a device that detects the rotation operation of the joystick 31 as an example of an operating member. The input device 1A includes a fixed base 10 and a housing 20 located on one side (Z2 side) of the normal direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the fixed base 10. In the present embodiment, the normal direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the fixed base 10 is set as the up-down direction, the Z2 side as one side of the Z1-Z2 direction is set as the upper side, and the Z1 side as the other side of the Z1-Z2 direction is set as the lower side. In addition, one of the directions intersecting (for example, orthogonal) with the normal direction (Z1-Z2 direction) is set as the X1-X2 direction, and the direction intersecting (for example, orthogonal) with the Z1-Z2 direction and the X1-X2 direction is set as the Y1-Y2 direction.

[0041] The input device 1A includes: a movable body 30 supported by a housing 20 on the upper side of a fixed base 10 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the normal direction (Z1-Z2 direction); a magnetic field generating mechanism 40 mounted on the movable body 30 and generating a magnetic field directed downward (Z1 side of the Z1-Z2 direction); and a magnetic sensor 51 provided on the upper side of the fixed base 10. The movable body 30 includes a rocker 31 supported so as to be swingable with a direction intersecting the up-down direction as a central axis. In the present embodiment, the rocker 31 is supported so as to be swingable with a rotation axis AX1 parallel to the X1-X2 direction and a rotation axis AX2 parallel to the Y1-Y2 direction as central axes. Since the rocker 31 can be tilted simultaneously with the rotation axes AX1 and AX2 as central axes, it can be tilted in a direction of 360° relative to the normal direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the fixed base 10.

[0042] The rocker 31 is erected in the Z1-Z2 direction when not being operated, which is the neutral position. When a force is applied to the rocker 31, the rocker 31 tilts around the central axis, and when the applied force is released, the rocker 31 returns to the neutral position. The neutral position of the rocker 31 is the reference position.

[0043] The rocker 31 may be supported so as to be movable in the up-down direction (push action). The downward movement of the rocker 31 is transmitted to the switch 60 provided on the fixed base 10 and detected by the switch 60 .

[0044] The magnetic sensor 51 is an example of a magnetic field direction detection mechanism. The magnetic sensor 51 is provided on the fixed base 10 and is aligned with the virtual center line P (refer to Figure 3 ) avoids the position, detects the virtual plane F (reference Figure 4A )'s magnetic field component.

[0045] In the input device 1A according to the present embodiment, the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 includes a permanent magnet 41 and a first magnetic portion 42. The permanent magnet 41 is arranged so that one pole (e.g., the N pole) faces downward. The permanent magnet 41 is arranged, for example, at the lower end side of the extension direction of the rocker 31. The first magnetic portion 42 is arranged outside the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field across a space. The details of the first magnetic portion 42 will be described later.

[0046] Figure 3 It is a top view illustrating the arrangement of the magnetic sensor.

[0047] exist Figure 3 2 shows the arrangement of the magnetic sensor 51 arranged on the fixed base 10 .

[0048] In the present embodiment, the magnetic sensor 51 includes two magnetic sensors 51, namely a first magnetic sensor 51A and a second magnetic sensor 51B. For convenience of description, the first magnetic sensor 51A and the second magnetic sensor 51B are collectively referred to as the magnetic sensor 51 without being distinguished from each other.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the rocker 31 is supported so as to be able to swing with the rotation axis AX1 parallel to the X1-X2 direction and the rotation axis AX2 parallel to the Y1-Y2 direction as the center axis. Therefore, the first magnetic sensor 51A detects the direction of the magnetic field that changes with respect to the tilting of the rocker 31 with the rotation axis AX1 as the center (tilting toward the Y1 or Y2 side), and the second magnetic sensor 51B detects the direction of the magnetic field that changes with respect to the tilting of the rocker 31 with the rotation axis AX2 as the center (tilting toward the X1 or X2 side).

[0050] The rocker 31 can be tilted in a 360° direction relative to the normal direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of the fixed base 10. Therefore, for the change in the direction of the magnetic field that changes according to the tilting direction and tilting angle of the rocker 31, the first magnetic sensor 51A detects the change in the direction of the magnetic field relative to the X1-X2 direction, and the second magnetic sensor 51B detects the change in the direction of the magnetic field relative to the Y1-Y2 direction, and the tilting direction and tilting angle of the rocker 31 are detected based on these.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the first magnetic sensor 51A and the second magnetic sensor 51B are respectively disposed on the fixed base 10 at positions away from the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field when the rocker 31 is in the reference position. Figure 3 As indicated by the two-dot chain line, the first magnetic portion 42 is arranged outside the virtual center line P of the magnetic field with a space therebetween. Figure 3The double-dashed line in FIG. 4 represents the outer shape of the first magnetic portion 42 observed in the Z1-Z2 direction. Figure 4B ) increases, which can improve the S / N ratio of the magnetic field components detected by the first magnetic sensor 51A and the second magnetic sensor 51B.

[0052] Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnetic field caused by the permanent magnet.

[0053] Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating mechanism.

[0054] like Figure 4A As shown in the figure, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 41 as the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 is generated in such a way that the magnetic force lines draw an arc from the N pole to the S pole. When the magnetic sensor 51 is arranged at a position away from the virtual center line P of the magnetic field relative to the permanent magnet 41, the magnetic force lines passing through the magnetic sensor 51 become obliquely downward (refer to Figure 4A Therefore, the intensity of the magnetic force along the imaginary plane F orthogonal to the imaginary center line P that can be detected by the magnetic sensor 51 becomes the intensity of the component along the imaginary plane F among the magnetic force lines in the oblique direction passing through the magnetic sensor 51 (refer to Figure 4A Arrow D1x).

[0055] In contrast, Figure 4B As shown, in the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 of the present embodiment, the first magnetic portion 42 is arranged with a space outside the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field. For example, the first magnetic portion 42 is a yoke component 420 composed of a disk-shaped top plate portion 421 and an annular magnetic portion 422 formed in a circular shape from the outer periphery of the disk-shaped top plate portion 421 toward the bottom.

[0056] By providing such a yoke component 420, in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 41 as the magnetic field generating mechanism 40, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic lines of force from the end of the N pole toward the end of the yoke component 420 becomes higher. In addition, the leakage of the magnetic field on the opposite side of the detection area of ​​the magnetic sensor 51 (Z2 side in the Z1-Z2 direction) is suppressed by the disk-shaped top plate portion 421 of the yoke component 420. Therefore, the magnetic flux density of the component of the magnetic field along the imaginary plane F becomes higher. In the case where the magnetic sensor 51 is arranged at a position away from the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field relative to the magnetic field generating mechanism 40, the detection area is different from that in the case where the yoke component 420 is not provided. Figure 4A Compared with the case shown in FIG. 1 , the magnetic force along the imaginary plane F becomes stronger (refer to Figure 4B As shown in the arrow D2, the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic sensor 51 becomes higher.

[0057] In addition, the annular magnetic portion 422 may not necessarily be continuous in the circumferential direction. For example, the annular magnetic portion 422 may be a C-shaped ring or a half-ring with a portion missing in the circumferential direction.

[0058] FIG. 5A to FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating the detection of the magnetic field direction by a magnetic sensor. Figure 5A FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the rocker 31 is in a reference position (neutral position). Figure 5B , the positional relationship of the magnetic sensor 51, the permanent magnet 41, and the yoke member 420 when the rocker 31 is in the reference position (neutral position) as viewed from the Z1-Z2 direction. Fig. 6A A schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the rocker 31 is tilted in one direction is shown in FIG. Figure 6B 3 shows the positional relationship of the magnetic sensor 51 , the permanent magnet 41 , and the yoke member 420 when the rocker 31 is tilted in one direction as viewed from the Z1 - Z2 direction.

[0059] The first magnetic sensor 51A and the second magnetic sensor 51B are each arranged at a position away from the virtual center line P of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 and inside the outer shape of the yoke member 420 when viewed in the Z1 - Z2 direction.

[0060] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, when the rocker 31 is in the reference position (neutral position), the first magnetic sensor 51A is on a line parallel to the X1-X2 direction and passing through the center of the permanent magnet 41, and the second magnetic sensor 51B is on a line parallel to the Y1-Y2 direction and passing through the center of the permanent magnet 41. Therefore, the angle of the magnetic force line G1 passing through the first magnetic sensor 51A is parallel to the X1-X2 direction, and the angle of the magnetic force line G2 passing through the second magnetic sensor 51B is parallel to the Y1-Y2 direction.

[0061] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, when the upper side of the rocker 31 is tilted toward the X2 side of the X1-X2 direction, the permanent magnet 41 and the yoke component 420 arranged on the lower side of the rocker 31 move toward the X1 side of the X1-X2 direction. At this time, the angle of the magnetic force line G1 passing through the first magnetic sensor 51A is parallel to the X1-X2 direction, but the angle of the magnetic force line G2 passing through the second magnetic sensor 51B becomes an inclined direction with a predetermined angle difference relative to the Y1-Y2 direction. By detecting the angle change of the magnetic field detected by the second magnetic sensor 51B (relative to the Figure 5A and Figure 5B The tilt angle of the joystick 31 in the X1 - X2 direction can be detected by using the angle change of the magnetic field detected at the reference position shown in FIG.

[0062] Although not shown in the figure, when the upper side of the rocker 31 is tilted in the Y1-Y2 direction, the angle of the magnetic force line G2 passing through the second magnetic sensor 51B is parallel to the Y1-Y2 direction, but the angle of the magnetic force line G1 passing through the first magnetic sensor 51A is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the X1-X2 direction. By detecting the angle change of the magnetic field detected by the first magnetic sensor 51A (relative to the Figure 5A and Figure 5B The tilt angle of the joystick 31 in the Y1-Y2 direction can be detected by using the angle change of the magnetic field detected at the reference position shown in FIG.

[0063] When the upper side of the joystick 31 is tilted obliquely (in a direction other than the X1-X2 direction and the Y1-Y2 direction) as viewed from the Z1-Z2 direction, the angle of the magnetic field changes in each of the first magnetic sensor 51A and the second magnetic sensor 51B. The tilt angle of the joystick 31 can be detected by performing calculations based on the amount of angle change of the magnetic field detected by each of the first magnetic sensor 51A and the second magnetic sensor 51B.

[0064] Here, the limiting mechanism for limiting the movable range of the rocker 31 may be set so that when viewed along the Z1-Z2 direction, the magnetic sensor 51 is located between the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field and the first magnetic portion 42 regardless of the position of the rocker 31 within the movable range. Thus, within the movable range of the rocker 31, the magnetic sensor 51 is always located between the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field and the first magnetic portion 42 when viewed from above, and the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic sensor 51 can be improved regardless of the tilting angle of the rocker 31.

[0065] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a yoke component.

[0066] The yoke component 420 has a disk-shaped top plate portion 421 disposed on the upper side of the permanent magnet 41, and an annular magnetic portion 422 extending downward from the outer periphery of the disk-shaped top plate portion 421. The annular magnetic portion 422 can also be extended downward in an end-expanded shape. Since the annular magnetic portion 422 is configured to expand downward, that is, the ring diameter expands downward, the manufacture of the annular magnetic portion 422 becomes easy. That is, when the yoke component 420 is formed of a metal material, it is not necessary to form the annular magnetic portion 422 with an end-expanded shape by deep drawing, and it can be formed by simple press working.

[0067] In addition, in the yoke member 420, it is preferable to make the diameter of the disk-shaped top plate portion 421 The diameter of the permanent magnet 41 The diameter of the disc-shaped top plate portion 421 is approximately equal. The diameter of the permanent magnet 41 The permanent magnet 41 is substantially equal to the yoke member 420 , and is aligned with the disk-shaped top plate portion 421 , which is a recess, so that the permanent magnet 41 can be easily positioned with respect to the yoke member 420 .

[0068] (Second embodiment)

[0069] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B It is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device according to the second embodiment.

[0070] exist Fig. 8A A cross-sectional view of an input device 1B according to a second embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 8B Schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the input device 1B according to the second embodiment are shown in FIG.

[0071] In the input device 1B according to the second embodiment, the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 includes: a permanent magnet 41 with one pole facing downward, and a second magnetic portion 43 mounted on the front end of one pole of the permanent magnet 41 so as to overlap with the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field. Specifically, the second magnetic portion 43 is arranged on the lower side of the rocker 31, and the second magnetic portion 43 is arranged on the lower side of the permanent magnet 41.

[0072] The movable body 30 of the input device 1B includes a joystick 31 and a planar slider 32 that slides along a plane (eg, XY plane) intersecting the vertical direction following the movement of the joystick 31. The permanent magnet 41 and the second magnetic portion 43 are attached to the planar slider 32.

[0073] The magnetic sensor 51 is the same as the input device 1A according to the first embodiment, and includes a first magnetic sensor 51A and a second magnetic sensor 51B. Figure 8B As shown, when the upper side of the rocker 31 is tilted, for example, toward the X2 side in the X1-X2 direction, the lower side of the rocker 31 moves toward the X1 side in the X1-X2 direction. The plane slider 32 is pushed toward the X1 side in the X1-X2 direction by the movement of the lower side of the rocker 31. The plane slider 32 moves parallel to the X1 side in the X1-X2 direction along the surface of the sliding plate 33.

[0074] Since the permanent magnet 41 and the second magnetic portion 43 are mounted on the planar slider 32, the permanent magnet 41 and the second magnetic portion 43 also move in parallel to the X1 side in the X1-X2 direction due to the parallel movement of the planar slider 32. By such an action, in the input device 1B, even if the rocker 31 is swung, the vertical distance between the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 and the magnetic sensor 51 does not change, and the linearity of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic sensor 51 with respect to the swing operation becomes higher.

[0075] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating mechanism of an input device according to the second embodiment.

[0076] like Fig. 9 As shown, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 41 as the magnetic field generating mechanism 40 is generated in a manner that the magnetic force lines draw an arc from the N pole toward the S pole. By providing the second magnetic portion 43 at a position below the permanent magnet 41 and overlapping with the imaginary center line P of the magnetic field in the vertical direction, the N pole of the permanent magnet 41 is induced by the side of the second magnetic portion 43, and the amount of the component from the side of the second magnetic portion 43 along the imaginary plane F intersecting the imaginary center line P toward the S pole increases. As a result, the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic sensor 51 becomes higher than when the second magnetic portion 43 is not provided.

[0077] (Other examples of magnetic field generating mechanism)

[0078] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the magnetic field generating mechanism.

[0079] Fig. 10A The magnetic field generating mechanism 40 shown has a permanent magnet 41, a first magnetic portion 42, and a second magnetic portion 43. That is, the first magnetic portion 42 is provided on the upper side of the permanent magnet 41, and the second magnetic portion 43 is provided on the lower side of the permanent magnet 41. The first magnetic portion 42 is a yoke component 420 composed of a disk-shaped top plate portion 421 and an annular magnetic portion 422 formed in a circular shape from the outer periphery of the disk-shaped top plate portion 421 toward the bottom. By providing both the first magnetic portion 42 and the second magnetic portion 43 in the magnetic field generating mechanism 40, the magnetic force along the imaginary plane F becomes stronger than when only one of them is provided (refer to Fig. 10A As shown in the arrow D3, the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic sensor 51 becomes higher.

[0080] Fig. 10BThe magnetic field generating mechanism 40 shown has a permanent magnet 41 and a third magnetic portion 44. The third magnetic portion 44 is provided in a ring shape so as to surround the lower pole (e.g., the N pole) of the permanent magnet 41. In addition, the ring shape of the third magnetic portion 44 may not necessarily be continuous in the circumferential direction. For example, the third magnetic portion 44 may also be a C-shaped ring or a semi-ring shape with a portion missing in the circumferential direction. By providing such a third magnetic portion 44, the magnetic lines of force from the end (lower end) of the N pole toward the S pole are guided by the third magnetic portion 44 toward the S pole. As a result, compared with the case where the third magnetic portion 44 is not provided (refer to Figure 4A ) is stronger along the imaginary plane F (refer to Fig. 10B As shown in the arrow D4, the S / N ratio of the magnetic field component detected by the magnetic sensor 51 becomes higher.

[0081] According to the present embodiment, in the input devices 1A and 1B that detect the movement state of the movable body 30 based on the change in the direction of the magnetic field, a sufficient S / N ratio can be obtained by the magnetic sensor 51 .

[0082] In addition, although the present embodiment is described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, in the present embodiment, the rocker 31 is configured to be tiltable with the rotation axes AX1 and AX2 as the center axis, respectively, but the rocker 31 may be configured to be tiltable with 1 axis as the center axis. In addition, the plane slider 32 applied to the input device 1B related to the second embodiment may be applied to the input device 1A related to the first embodiment. In this case, the plane slider 32 may also be used as the yoke component 420. In addition, the form obtained by the technicians in this field by appropriately adding, deleting, and changing the design of the constituent elements of the above-mentioned embodiments, or the form obtained by appropriately combining the features of the structural examples of each embodiment, is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it has the main purpose of the present invention.

[0083] Description of Reference Numerals

[0084] 1A, 1B…Input device

[0085] 10…Fixed abutment

[0086] 20…Housing

[0087] 30…Movable

[0088] 31… Joystick

[0089] 32…Flat Slider

[0090] 33…Sliding plate

[0091] 40…Magnetic field generating mechanism

[0092] 41…Permanent magnet

[0093] 42…1st Magnetic Section

[0094] 43…Second Magnetic Section

[0095] 44…Part 3 Magnetism

[0096] 51…Magnetic sensor

[0097] 51A…1st magnetic sensor

[0098] 51B…Second magnetic sensor

[0099] 60…Switch

[0100] 420…Yoke parts

[0101] 421…Disc-shaped top plate

[0102] 422…Annular magnetic part

[0103] D1, D1x, D2, D3, D4…arrow

[0104] F…imaginary plane

[0105] G1, G2…magnetic lines of force

[0106] AX1, AX2…Rotation axis

[0107] P…Imaginary center line

[0108] diameter…

Claims

1. An input device, characterized in that: have: Fixed abutment; A housing, located on one side, i.e., the upper side, of the normal direction of the fixed base; A movable body supported by the housing so as to be movable on the upper side of the fixed base in a direction intersecting the normal direction; A magnetic field generating mechanism is installed on the movable body and generates a magnetic field in the other direction of the normal line, that is, downward. as well as The magnetic field direction detection mechanism is provided on the fixed base at a position away from the imaginary center line of the magnetic field when the movable body is in the reference position, and detects the direction of the magnetic field component along the imaginary plane intersecting the up-down direction. The magnetic field generating mechanism includes a permanent magnet having one pole facing downward, and a magnetic portion disposed outside a virtual center line of the magnetic field via a space.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnetic field generating mechanism is composed of a yoke component and the permanent magnet. The yoke component is composed of a disk-shaped top plate portion and an annular magnetic portion extending downward from the outer periphery of the disk-shaped top plate portion. The permanent magnet is mounted on the lower surface of the disk-shaped top plate portion.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that The annular magnetic portion is formed by extending downward in a manner that the distal end thereof is expanded.

4. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that The diameter of the disk-shaped top plate portion is substantially equal to the diameter of the permanent magnet.

5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein: It also has a limiting mechanism for limiting the movable range of the movable body. The movable range is a range in which the magnetic field direction detection mechanism is located between the virtual center line of the magnetic field and the magnetic portion in a plan view.

6. An input device, characterized in that: have: Fixed abutment; A housing, located on one side, i.e., the upper side, of the normal direction of the fixed base; A movable body supported by the housing so as to be movable on the upper side of the fixed base in a direction intersecting the normal direction; A magnetic field generating mechanism is installed on the movable body and generates a magnetic field in the other direction of the normal line, that is, downward. as well as The magnetic field direction detection mechanism is provided on the fixed base at a position away from the imaginary center line of the magnetic field when the movable body is in the reference position, and detects the direction of the magnetic field component along the imaginary plane intersecting the up-down direction. The magnetic field generating mechanism includes a permanent magnet having one pole directed downward, and a magnetic portion attached to a tip of the one pole so as to overlap with an imaginary center line of the magnetic field.

7. The input device according to claim 6, characterized in that The movable body is composed of a rocker and a plane slider. The rocker is supported to be able to swing with a direction intersecting the up-down direction as a central axis. The plane slider follows the movement of the rocker and slides along a plane intersecting the up-down direction. The permanent magnet is mounted on the planar slider.

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