Multidirectional input device

Abstract

To provide a multidirectional input device which achieves stable sensibility of an electrostatic detection electrode.SOLUTION: A multidirectional input device includes: a housing made of an insulator; a control lever which is supported in a tiltable manner by the housing; a tilting detection sensor which detects an inclination of the control lever; and an electrostatic detection circuit which detects electrostatic capacitance formed between an electrostatic detection electrode and an object in a surrounding area. The housing has: a dome-like dome part; and an opening provided on a top part of the dome part. The control lever is inserted into the opening and the electrostatic detection electrode has an annular part which is disposed so as to enclose the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an operating device that includes a housing having a conductive portion on its surface, an operating portion that is supported by the housing so as to be movable based on operation by an operating body and that is capacitively coupled to each of the operating body and the conductive portion, and a detection portion that detects the proximity state of the operating body to the operating portion based on a change in electrostatic capacitance in the conductive portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 031501 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional operating devices, the conductor part of the housing and the board on which the control unit that performs control in response to the operation of the operating part (operating lever) are mounted are arranged on top of each other, which may affect the capacitance of the conductive part.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-directional input device in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrodes is stable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating housing, an operating lever tiltably supported on the housing, a tilt detection sensor that detects the tilt of the operating lever, and an electrostatic detection circuit that detects the capacitance formed between an electrostatic detection electrode and a surrounding object, wherein the housing has a dome-shaped dome portion and an opening provided at the top of the dome portion, the operating lever is inserted into the opening, and the electrostatic detection electrode has a circular ring portion arranged to surround the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0007] It is possible to provide a multi-directional input device in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrodes is stable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] Exploded view showing multi-directional input knob removed [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure of a knob and an electrostatic detection electrode. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment (with the housing removed); [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an FPC included in a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a contact state of a slider included in a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing output characteristics of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the multi-directional input device of the present invention is applied will be described.

[0010] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-directional input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the knob 50, the housing 102, the frame 110, the FPC 112, the electrostatic detection electrode 130, the electrostatic detection circuit 140, and the motherboard 150 of the multi-directional input device 100. Among the components shown in FIG. 1, the housing 102, the frame 110, and the FPC 112 are components of an operating device 100A included in the multi-directional input device 100, so the reference numeral 100A is written in parentheses. In FIG. 1, the connection portion 112B of the FPC 112 is not connected to the motherboard 150, but in reality, the connection portion 112B is connected to the connection portion of the motherboard 150 and is connected to a control unit mounted on the motherboard 150 and performing tilt detection.

[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing a state where the knob 50 of the multi-directional input device 100 is removed. Fig. 2 shows the operating lever 120, and omits the electrostatic detection circuit 140 and the motherboard 150 shown in Fig. 1. The operating lever 120 is a component of the operating device 100A, and is therefore indicated by the reference symbol 100A in parentheses.

[0012] For convenience in the following description, the Z direction in the figure is the up-down direction, the X direction in the figure is the front-back direction, and the Y direction in the figure is the left-right direction. In Fig. 1, the knob 50 is in a neutral position, and in Fig. 2, the operating lever 120 is in a neutral position. The neutral position is the position when the knob 50 or the operating lever 120 is not being operated in the front-back, left-right or right directions.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the knob 50 and the electrostatic detection electrode 130. Fig. 3 shows a cross section parallel to the YZ plane including the central axis C of the knob 50, and the outline of the operating device 100A included in the multi-directional input device 100 is shown by a dashed line. In Fig. 3, the knob 50 and the operating lever 120 are in a neutral position. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the operating device 100A.

[0014] <Outline of the multi-directional input device 100> As an example, the multi-directional input device 100 is used in a controller for a game machine or the like. The multi-directional input device 100 includes a knob 50, an operation device 100A, an electrostatic detection electrode 130, an electrostatic detection circuit 140, and a motherboard 150. Here, the multi-directional input device 100 will be described as including the knob 50, but the multi-directional input device 100 may be treated as one excluding the knob 50.

[0015] Knob 50 is fixed to the upper end side of operating lever 120. Knob 50 is a conductive knob that covers dome portion 102A of housing 102 of operating device 100A, and has hemispherical portion 51 which is a hemispherical portion provided on the lower side, and operating portion 52 provided on the upper side of hemispherical portion 51. Knob 50 has a rotationally symmetric three-dimensional shape with central axis C shown in FIG. 3 as the axis of symmetry.

[0016] 3, knob 50 has a semispherical recess 51A corresponding to the shape of dome portion 102A on the inner surface side facing dome portion 102A. Knob 50 also has a recess 52A recessed upward from the top of recess 51A. The upper end of operating lever 120 is inserted and fixed in recess 52A.

[0017] When the multi-directional input device 100 is used as a controller for a game machine or the like, the knob 50 is a part that an operator touches with a hand or the like to perform an operation. The knob 50 is capacitively coupled to the electrostatic detection electrode 130.

[0018] The electrostatic detection electrode 130 is attached to the periphery of the dome portion 102A of the housing 102. The electrostatic detection electrode 130 is connected to the electrostatic detection circuit 140 via the motherboard 150.

[0019] The electrostatic detection circuit 140 can detect the proximity or contact of the operator's hand or the like with respect to the knob 50 based on a change in electrostatic capacitance detected by the electrostatic detection electrode 130. "Proximity" means that the operator's hand or the like is close to the knob 50 in a non-contact state, and "contact" means that the operator's hand or the like is touching the knob 50.

[0020] 4, the multi-directional input device 100 has a columnar tiltable operation lever 120 extending upward from an opening 102A1 of the housing 102. The multi-directional input device 100 is supported tiltably with respect to the housing 102, and can be tilted not only in the front-rear direction (the directions of arrows D1 and D2 in the figure) and the left-right direction (the directions of arrows D3 and D4 in the figure) by the operation lever 120, but also in all directions between these directions. The multi-directional input device 100 can output an operation signal corresponding to the tilt operation (tilt direction and tilt angle) of the operation lever 120 to the outside via an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 112.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the operation device 100A will be described. The operation device 100A will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 in addition to Fig. 4. The electrostatic detection electrodes 130, electrostatic detection circuit 140, and motherboard 150 of the multi-directional input device 100 will be described in detail after the configuration of the operation device 100A has been described.

[0022] <Configuration of operation device 100A> Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of the operating device 100A (with the housing 102 removed) according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device 100A according to one embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device 100A according to one embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the operating device 100A includes a housing 102, an operating lever 120, an actuator 104, a holder 105, an actuator 106, an actuator 103, a spring 108, a holder 107, a pressing member 109, a frame 110, an FPC 112, and a metal sheet 113.

[0024] Housing 102 has dome portion 102A that is dome-shaped and protrudes upward, and base portion 102B provided below dome portion 102A. Housing 102 may be made of any insulating material, such as resin. The lower portion of housing 102 where base portion 102B is provided is an example of a portion of housing 1102 opposite to the side where dome portion 102A is located.

[0025] The housing 102 has each component (operation lever 120, actuators 103, 104, 106, and holders 105, 107) assembled in the internal space. The housing 102 has an opening 102A1 that is circular in plan view from above formed at the top of the dome portion 102A. The operation lever 120 is inserted into the opening 102A1.

[0026] Furthermore, the housing 102 has fixing holes 102B1 for inserting fixing members 60 (see FIG. 2) at the ends of the base 102B on the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side. The fixing holes 102B1 are an example of a first fixing hole. The fixing members 60 are, for example, screws, and when fixing the multi-directional input device 100 to a housing of a game controller or the like, the housing 102 may be fixed to the housing of a game controller or the like by inserting the screws into the fixing holes 102B1 and tightening them.

[0027] The housing 102 also has cutouts 102A2 provided at the four outer corners of the dome portion 102A in a plan view. The cutouts 102A2 are provided for fixing the electrostatic detection electrodes 130.

[0028] The operating lever 120 is a member that is tilted by an operator. The operating lever 120 may be made of any insulating material, and is made of resin as an example. The operating lever 120 has a lever portion 120A and a base portion 120B. The lever portion 120A is a roughly cylindrical portion that extends upward from the opening 102A1 of the housing 102, and is a portion that is tilted by the operator via the knob 50. The base portion 120B is a roughly cylindrical portion that supports the lower end of the lever portion 120A inside the housing 102 and rotates in response to the tilting operation of the lever portion 120A.

[0029] The actuator 104 has a dome shape that is curved convexly upward, and has an elongated hole-shaped opening 104A that extends in the left-right direction (Y direction in the figure) along the curved shape. The actuator 104 has a rotation shaft 104B that protrudes outward from each of both ends in the left-right direction, and the rotation shaft 104B is supported by the housing 102, so that the actuator 104 is rotatable in the front-rear direction (X direction in the figure) about the rotation shaft 104B.

[0030] Actuator 106 is provided above actuator 104. Actuator 106 has a shape that is curved to convex upward, and has an elongated hole-shaped opening 106A that extends in the front-rear direction (X direction in the figure) along the curved shape. Actuator 106 has a rotation shaft 106B that protrudes outward from each of both ends in the front-rear direction, and is provided so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction (Y direction in the figure) about rotation shaft 106B as a result of the rotation shaft 106B being supported by housing 102.

[0031] Holder 105 holds slider 105A on the lower side. Holder 105 has a longitudinal shape extending in the sliding direction (X direction) of slider 105A. Holder 105 is provided so as to be slidable in the sliding direction (X direction) of slider 105A. A protrusion 105B is provided at the center of the side surface of holder 105.

[0032] Holder 107 holds slider 107A on the lower side. Holder 107 has a longitudinal shape extending in the sliding direction (Y direction) of slider 107A. Holder 107 is provided so as to be slidable in the sliding direction (Y direction) of slider 107A. A protrusion 107B is provided at the center of the side surface of holder 107.

[0033] The actuator 104, the actuator 106, the holder 105, and the holder 107 may be made of any insulating material, for example, resin.

[0034] 5 to 7, the actuators 104 and 106 overlap each other such that the openings 104A and 106A intersect each other. With the actuators 104 and 106 overlapping each other, the lever portion 120A of the operating lever 120 passes through the openings 104A and 106A and is assembled to the base portion 120B of the operating lever 120. The actuators 104 and 106 are assembled into the housing 102 together with the base portion 120B.

[0035] The actuator 104 has an engagement portion 104C protruding downward from a rotation shaft 104B on the +Y direction side. The engagement portion 104C engages with a protrusion 105B provided at the center of a side surface of a holder 105 provided on the FPC 112 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (X direction). When the operation lever 120 is tilted in the front-rear direction (X direction) by the operation lever 120, the actuator 104 rotates in the front-rear direction together with a base portion 120B of the operation lever 120, and slides the holder 105 in the front-rear direction. This changes the electrical connection state between a slider 105A (see FIG. 9) held at the bottom of the holder 105 and resistors 116 and 117 provided on the FPC 112, and an operation signal is output from a connection portion 112B of the FPC 112 with a resistance value according to the tilt operation (tilt direction and tilt angle) of the operation lever 120 in the front-rear direction.

[0036] The actuator 106 has an engagement portion 106C protruding downward from a rotation shaft 106B on the +X direction side. The engagement portion 106C engages with a protrusion 107B provided at the center of a side surface of a holder 107 provided on an FPC 112 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction (Y direction). When an operation lever 120 is tilted in the left-right direction (Y direction), the actuator 106 rotates in the left-right direction together with a base portion 120B of the operation lever 120, causing the holder 107 to slide in the left-right direction. This changes the electrical connection state between a slider 107A (see FIG. 9) held at the bottom of the holder 107 and resistors 115 and 117 provided on the FPC 112, and an operation signal is output from a connection portion 112B of the FPC 112 with a resistance value according to the left-right tilt operation (tilt direction and tilt angle) of the operation lever 120.

[0037] The sliders 105A and 107A and the resistors 115, 116, and 117 are an example of a tilt detection sensor that outputs a resistance value according to the tilt operation of the operating lever 120 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0038] The actuator 103 has a shaft portion 103A and a bottom plate portion 103B. The shaft portion 103A is a round bar-shaped portion that is inserted into the through-hole 120C of the operating lever 120. The bottom plate portion 103B is a disk-shaped portion that is integrally provided at the lower end portion of the shaft portion 103A.

[0039] With the shaft portion 103A of the actuator 103 inserted, the spring 108 is incorporated into an opening (see FIG. 7) on the bottom side (-Z direction side) of the operating lever 120 together with the actuator 103. The spring 108 urges the operating lever 120 upward and urges the bottom plate portion 103B of the actuator 103 downward. As a result, when the operator releases the tilting operation of the operating lever 120, the spring 108 presses the bottom plate portion 103B of the actuator 103 against the upper surface and center of the frame 110, causing the bottom plate portion 103B to be in a horizontal state, thereby returning the operating lever 120 to the neutral position.

[0040] When the operating lever 120 is pressed downward, the pressing member 109 is pressed downward by the rotating shaft 104B on the -Y direction side of the actuator 104, thereby pressing downward the metal sheet 113 provided on the FPC 112 and elastically deforming the metal sheet 113, thereby bringing the switch circuit formed on the FPC 112 into a conductive state. As a result, a switch-on signal indicating that the operating lever 120 has been pressed downward is output from the FPC 112.

[0041] The spring 108 is made of metal. The pressing member 109 may be made of any insulating material, for example, resin.

[0042] The frame 110 is a metal and flat member that closes the opening on the bottom surface side of the housing 102. For example, the frame 110 is formed by performing various processing methods (such as punching, bending, etc.) on a metal plate. The frame 110 is provided with a pair of claw portions 110A at each of the front edge (+X direction side) and the rear edge (-X direction side). The frame 110 is fixedly coupled to the housing 102 by engaging each claw portion 110A with the edge of the housing 102.

[0043] The FPC 112 is an example of a wiring board and is a flexible film-like wiring member. The FPC 112 is disposed below the housing 102. The lower side of the housing 102 is an example of the second side with respect to the housing 102, which is opposite to the upper side (an example of the first side) where one end protruding from the opening 102A1 of the operation lever 120 is located with respect to the housing 102.

[0044] The FPC 112 has an extending portion 112A that extends from the upper surface of the frame 110 to the side (-Y direction) of the frame 110, and is connected to the outside by a connection portion 112B provided at the tip of the extending portion 112A. The FPC 112 transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operation (tilting operation and pressing operation) of the operation lever 120 to the outside. The FPC 112 is configured by covering both surfaces of a strip-shaped conductor wiring (such as copper foil, etc.) with a film-like material (such as polyimide resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.) having flexibility and insulation.

[0045] <Configuration of FPC 112> FIG. 8 is a plan view of the FPC 112 provided in the operation device 100A according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, on the surface of the FPC 112, planar and strip-shaped resistors 115, resistors 116, and resistors 117 are provided. For example, each of the resistors 115, resistors 116, and resistors 117 is formed by printing a carbon fiber material in a thin film shape.

[0046] The resistor 115 is provided near the edge on the +X direction side of the FPC 112. The resistor 115 has a strip shape that extends linearly in the Y direction.

[0047] The resistor 116 is provided near the edge on the +Y direction side of the FPC 112. The resistor 116 has a strip shape that extends linearly in the X direction.

[0048] Resistor 117 is provided near a corner on the +X direction side and the +Y direction side of FPC 112. Resistor 117 has an L-shape made up of straight line portion 117A and straight line portion 117B. Straight line portion 117A has a strip shape that extends linearly in the Y direction. Straight line portion 117B has a strip shape that extends linearly in the X direction.

[0049] <Contact state of sliders 105A and 107A> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a contact state between sliders 105A and 107A included in an operating device 100A according to one embodiment.

[0050] 9, on the surface of the FPC 112, the straight portion 117A of the resistor 117 and the resistor 115 are spaced apart from each other and are linearly arranged in the Y direction. A metallic leaf spring-like slider 107A held at the lower part of the holder 107 slides in the Y direction on the surfaces of the straight portion 117A and the resistor 115. Specifically, a contact portion 107Aa provided at an end of the slider 107A on the -Y direction side slides on the surface of the resistor 115. In addition, a contact portion 107Ab provided at an end of the slider 107A on the +Y direction side slides on the surface of the straight portion 117A.

[0051] 9, on the surface of the FPC 112, the straight portion 117B of the resistor 117 and the resistor 116 are spaced apart from each other and are arranged linearly in the X direction. A metallic leaf spring-like slider 105A held at the lower part of the holder 105 slides in the X direction on the straight portion 117B and the surfaces of the resistor 116. Specifically, a contact portion 105Aa provided at an end of the slider 105A on the -X direction side slides on the surface of the resistor 116. Also, a contact portion 105Ab provided at an end of the slider 105A on the +X direction side slides on the surface of the straight portion 117B.

[0052] With this configuration, in the operating device 100A according to one embodiment, the slider 107A slides in the Y direction on the surfaces of the straight section 117A and the resistor 115 as the operating lever 120 is tilted in the Y direction. As a result, the resistance value between the terminal connected to the resistor 117 and the terminal connected to the resistor 115 changes according to the amount of movement of the slider 107A (i.e., the tilt angle of the operating lever 120). An external device can detect the tilt operation and the tilt angle of the operating lever 120 in the Y direction based on the change in the resistance value between the two terminals.

[0053] In addition, in the operating device 100A according to one embodiment, the slider 105A slides in the X direction on the surfaces of the straight portion 117B and the resistor 116 as the operating lever 120 is tilted in the X direction. As a result, the resistance value between the terminal connected to the resistor 117 and the terminal connected to the resistor 116 changes according to the amount of movement of the slider 105A (i.e., the tilt angle of the operating lever 120). An external device can detect the tilt operation and the tilt angle of the operating lever 120 in the X direction based on the change in the resistance value between the two terminals.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the linear portion 117A of the resistor 117 has a low resistance portion 117Aa. The low resistance portion 117Aa is a portion with a lower resistance value than the other portions of the linear portion 117A. Also, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the low resistance portion 117Aa is a portion with which the contact portion 107Ab of the slider 107A abuts when the operation lever 120 is in the neutral position. In this embodiment, the low resistance portion 117Aa has a larger number of layers of the resistor 117 (i.e., a larger thickness) than the other portions of the linear portion 117A, so that the resistance value is lower than the other portions of the linear portion 117A. For example, in the example shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the resistor 117 is formed in two layers in the low resistance portion 117Aa, and the resistor 117 is formed in one layer in the other portions of the linear portion 117A. Specifically, in low resistance portion 117Aa, a resistor covering only low resistance portion 117Aa in straight portion 117A and a resistor covering the entire straight portion 117A overlap each other, forming two layers of resistor 117. As a result, in the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the resistance value of low resistance portion 117Aa is half the resistance value of the other portions of straight portion 117A.

[0055] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the linear portion 117B of the resistor 117 has a low resistance portion 117Ba. The low resistance portion 117Ba is a portion with a lower resistance value than the other portions of the linear portion 117B. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the low resistance portion 117Ba is a portion with which the contact portion 105Ab of the slider 105A abuts when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position. In this embodiment, the low resistance portion 117Ba has a larger number of layers of the resistor 117 (i.e., a larger thickness) than the other portions of the linear portion 117B, and therefore has a lower resistance value than the other portions of the linear portion 117B. For example, in the example shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the resistor 117 is formed in two layers in the low resistance portion 117Ba, and the resistor 117 is formed in one layer in the other portions of the linear portion 117B. Specifically, in low resistance portion 117Ba, a resistor covering only low resistance portion 117Ba in straight portion 117B and a resistor covering the entire straight portion 117B overlap each other, forming two layers of resistor 117. As a result, in the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the resistance value of low resistance portion 117Ba is half the resistance value of the other parts of straight portion 117B.

[0056] <Output characteristics> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the output characteristics of the operating device 100A according to an embodiment. The graph shown in FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the length of the resistor 117 (the length of the straight portions 117A and 117B) and the output voltage value. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the maximum length of the resistor 117 is set to "5 mm", and the length of the resistor 117 when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position is set to "2.5 mm". The length of the low resistance portions 117Aa and 117Ba is set to "1.0 mm". The resistance value of the low resistance portions 117Aa and 117Ba is set to half the resistance value of the other portions of the straight portions 117A and 117B. In FIG. 10, the output voltage when the low resistance portions 117Aa and 117Ba are provided is represented by a solid line, and the output voltage when the low resistance portions 117Aa and 117Ba are not provided is represented by a dashed line as a comparative example.

[0057] As indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 10, when the low resistance portions 117Aa, 117Ba are not provided in the straight line portions 117A, 117B, the slope of the output voltage value is constant over the entire range of the straight line portions 117A, 117B.

[0058] On the other hand, as shown by the solid lines in Figure 10, when low resistance sections 117Aa and 117Ba are provided in straight line sections 117A and 117B, the slope is constant in other parts of straight line sections 117A and 117B, but the slope of the output voltage value is gentler in low resistance sections 117Aa and 117Ba than in other parts.

[0059] As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, within a range of 1.0 mm centered when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position, when the low resistance sections 117Aa, 117Ba are not provided, the range width of the output voltage value is "1.0 V", whereas when the low resistance sections 117Aa, 117Ba are provided, the range width of the output voltage value is "0.5 V" (i.e., half the range when the low resistance sections 117Aa, 117Ba are not provided).

[0060] In this way, the operating device 100A according to one embodiment can reduce the inclination of the output voltage value near the neutral position of the operating lever 120 by lowering the resistance values ​​of the low resistance parts 117Aa and 117Ba, thereby narrowing the range of the output voltage value near the neutral position of the operating lever 120. As a result, the operating device 100A according to one embodiment can bring the output voltage value closer to a predetermined output voltage value corresponding to the neutral position of the operating lever 120 even if a physical return error of the operating lever 120 occurs. Therefore, the operating device 100A according to one embodiment can further increase the accuracy of the return of the operating lever 120 to the neutral position in the output voltage value output by the operating device 100A without relying on signal processing.

[0061] In low resistance portions 117Aa, 117Ba, a resistor covering the entire area of ​​straight portions 117A, 117B may be placed on top of a resistor covering only low resistance portions 117Aa, 117Ba in straight portions 117A, 117B. This makes it possible to prevent sliders 107A, 105A from getting caught at the boundaries between low resistance portions 117Aa, 117Ba and other portions.

[0062] Next, the electrostatic detection electrode 130, the electrostatic detection circuit 140, and the motherboard 150 will be described.

[0063] <Electrostatic detection electrode 130> 2, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 has an annular portion 131, leg portions 132, and a connection portion 133. As an example, two leg portions 132 are provided. Note that the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is made of metal, and can be produced by subjecting a metal plate such as copper, aluminum, or iron to processing such as punching or bending.

[0064] The annular portion 131 is a portion having an annular shape in a plan view, and has four claws 131A protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential side. The four claws 131A are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 131, and aligned with the positions of the notches 102A2 of the dome portion 102A of the housing 102. Furthermore, the claws 131A have a convex shape that matches the concave shape of the notches 102A2.

[0065] In addition, the two legs 132 extend downward from the +Y direction side and -Y direction side portions of the outer periphery of the annular portion 131, and the connection portion 133 extends downward from the -X direction side portion of the outer periphery of the annular portion 131.

[0066] The position where leg 132 on the +Y direction side is connected to ring portion 131 is between two claw portions 131A on the +Y direction side, and the position where leg 132 on the -Y direction side is connected to ring portion 131 is between two claw portions 131A on the -Y direction side. The position where connection portion 133 is connected to ring portion 131 is between two claw portions 131A on the -X direction side.

[0067] Circular ring portion 131 is disposed on the outer surface of the upper portion of dome portion 102A of housing 102 so as to surround opening 102A1, and is fixed to dome portion 102A with claw portions 131A engaged with notches 102A2 of dome portion 102A. Circular ring portion 131 is located on the upper portion of housing 102, and is disposed sufficiently apart from FPC 112 located on the lower side of housing 102 so as not to be affected by noise or the like.

[0068] Since the annular portion 131 is disposed on the outer surface of the upper part of the dome portion 102A, it faces the surface of the recessed portion 51A, which is the inner surface of the knob 50, as shown in Fig. 3, and has a large radial width so that the facing area is large. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the annular portion 131 is located below the lower end of the knob 50 in the Z direction when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position. Therefore, when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position, the annular portion 131 is located outside the recessed portion 51A of the knob 50, and is not located inside the recessed portion 51A.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 3, when the operating lever 120 is tilted in the +Y direction from a state in which the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position, the lower end of the knob 50 on the +Y direction side comes to cover the portion of the annular portion 131 on the +Y direction side. At this time, the portion of the annular portion 131 on the -Y direction side is further away from the lower end of the annular portion 131 on the -Y direction side of the knob 50 than in the state shown in Fig. 3. Such a change in the positional relationship between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 is also the same when the operating lever 120 is tilted in the -Y direction in Fig. 3. Also, due to the symmetry of the three-dimensional shape of the knob 50, the same is true when the operating lever 120 is tilted in the ±X directions, and also when tilted in all directions between the ±X directions and the ±Y directions.

[0070] Therefore, even if the knob 50 is tilted in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and all directions between these directions, the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50 does not change much and is approximately constant. Furthermore, when the operating lever 120 is tilted, the capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 increases in the direction in which the operating lever 120 is tilted, but the capacitance decreases in the opposite direction, so that the change in capacitance due to the difference in the tilt amount of the operating lever 120 is small. Furthermore, the difference between the capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position and the capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 when the operating lever 120 is tilted in any direction is also configured to be small.

[0071] In this way, the configuration of the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 is adopted which can reduce the amount of change in capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 depending on the direction and amount of tilt of the operating lever 120, and the amount of variation in capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 when tilted and in the neutral position. This is to enable accurate detection of a state in which the operator's hand, etc. is close to or in contact with the knob 50 and a state in which the operator's hand, etc. is away from the knob 50, regardless of the state of the operating lever 120.

[0072] Leg portion 132 extends downward from the ends of ring portion 131 in the ±Y direction, and is bent so that the lower end side is L-shaped when viewed from the YZ plane. The portion bent into an L shape is configured to sandwich the side surface of base portion 102B of housing 102 between the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side. Furthermore, a fixing hole 132A is formed in the portion of leg portion 132 bent into an L shape (the tip of leg portion 132). Fixing hole 132A is an example of a second fixing hole.

[0073] The fixing hole 132A is formed in alignment with the fixing hole 102B1 of the base 102B of the housing 102, and when fixing the multi-directional input device 100 to a housing such as a game controller, the multi-directional input device 100 can be fixed by inserting the same screw into the fixing holes 102B1 and 132A and tightening it.

[0074] The connection portion 133 extends downward from the end of the annular portion 131 in the -X direction, and is bent so that the lower end 133A side is L-shaped when viewed from the XZ plane. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower end 133A of the connection portion 133 is connected to a pad 151 on the surface of the motherboard 150. The pad 151 is connected via a wiring 152 to the electrostatic detection circuit 140 mounted on the surface of the motherboard 150.

[0075] Furthermore, the lower end 133A of the connection portion 133 is sufficiently separated in the X direction from the frame 110 and the FPC 112. Being sufficiently separated means that the connection portion 133 is spaced far enough from the frame 110 and the FPC 112 so as not to pick up noise from them.

[0076] As described above, the electrostatic detection circuit 140 is connected to the electrostatic detection electrode 130 via the wiring 152 and the pad 151 of the motherboard 150. The electrostatic detection circuit 140 is, for example, configured with an IC (Integrated Circuit), applies an AC voltage to the electrostatic detection electrode 130, and performs AD (Analog to Digital) conversion of a current value according to a change in the electrostatic capacitance of the electrostatic detection electrode 130. Then, the electrostatic detection circuit 140 detects the proximity state of the operator's hand or the like to the knob 50 based on a change in the current value after AD conversion according to the change in the electrostatic capacitance of the electrostatic detection electrode 130. In this way, the electrostatic detection circuit 140 detects the electrostatic capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50, which is a surrounding object.

[0077] The electrostatic detection circuit 140 is disposed at a sufficient distance from the FPC 112 and the frame 110. The FPC 112 is provided with sliders 105A, 107A and resistors 115, 116, 117, etc., which serve as an example of a tilt detection sensor, and generates a signal in response to the tilting operation of the operating lever 120. In addition, the frame 110 is disposed overlapping the FPC 112 and has a portion that is capacitively coupled, so that a signal component originating from the signal generated in the FPC 112 is present in the frame 110. From the perspective of the electrostatic detection circuit 140, the signal generated in the FPC 112 and the signal component generated in the frame 110 are noise.

[0078] For this reason, the electrostatic detection circuit 140 is disposed sufficiently away from the FPC 112 and the frame 110 to prevent the electrostatic detection circuit 140 from receiving noise from the FPC 112 or the frame 110. This is to enable stable detection of the proximity or contact of the operator's hand or the like with the knob 50.

[0079] The motherboard 150 is housed in a housing of a game controller or the like, and is equipped with a microcomputer and other electronic components that control the operation of the game controller, etc. The electrostatic detection circuit 140 may be mounted on the motherboard 150 in a state where it is not affected by noise or the like from these microcomputers and other electronic components.

[0080] As described above, the annular portion 131 of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is provided so as to surround the opening 102A1 of the dome portion 102A of the housing 102, and the proximity or contact of the operator's hand or the like to the knob 50 is detected based on the change in the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50. Since the annular portion 131 surrounds the opening 102A1 of the dome portion 102A, even if the knob 50 is tilted in the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and all directions between these directions, the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50 does not change much and is approximately constant. In addition, the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50 does not change much even depending on the amount of tilt. Furthermore, the amount of change in the capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 when tilted and in the neutral position is small.

[0081] Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect a state in which the operator's hand or the like is close to or in contact with the knob 50 and a state in which the operator's hand or the like is away from the knob 50, and the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 becomes stable.

[0082] Therefore, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device 100 in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrodes 130 is stable.

[0083] In addition, since the FPC 112 provided on the underside of the housing 102 has resistors 115, 116, and 117 for tilt detection, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is less susceptible to signals related to tilt detection from the FPC 112. Since signals related to tilt detection become noise for the electrostatic detection electrode 130, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device 100 that has high noise resistance and can stably detect the proximity or contact of an operator's hand or the like.

[0084] Moreover, electrostatic detection electrode 130 has leg portion 132 extending from annular portion 131 to the side opposite to the side where dome portion 102A of housing 102 is located and fixed to housing 102, and connection portion 133 extending from annular portion 131 to the side opposite to the side where dome portion 102A of housing 102 is located and connected to electrostatic detection circuit 140, and electrostatic detection circuit 140 is disposed apart from FPC 112. Since annular portion 131 is fixed so as not to move and electrostatic detection circuit 140 connected to electrostatic detection electrode 130 via connection portion 133 is less susceptible to the influence of the signal from FPC 112, it is possible to provide multidirectional input device 100 that can detect electrostatic capacitance with high accuracy and stably detect the proximity or contact of an operator's hand or the like.

[0085] Moreover, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is disposed so as to overlap the fixing hole 102B1 of the housing 102, and has a fixing hole 132A through which a common fixing member 60 is inserted, so that the fixing member 60 can be shared. Moreover, the housing 102 and the electrostatic detection electrode 130 can be stably fixed.

[0086] Furthermore, since fixing hole 102B1 is provided in the lower part of housing 102 and fixing hole 132A is provided in the tip part of leg 132, housing 102 and electrostatic detection electrode 130 can be stably fixed to the lower part of housing 102.

[0087] In addition, since the connection portion 133 is separated from the FPC 112, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is less susceptible to noise from the tilt detection sensor mounted on the FPC 112, and a multidirectional input device 100 can be provided in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is more stable.

[0088] In addition, the housing 102 has a cutout portion 102A2 provided around the dome portion 102A, and the electrostatic detection electrode 130 has a claw portion 131A that engages with the cutout portion 102A2. Therefore, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 can be stabilized by engaging with the dome portion 102A, and a multidirectional input device 100 can be provided in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is more stable.

[0089] The multidirectional input device 100 further includes a conductive knob 50 that is fixed to the operating lever 120 and covers the dome portion 102A, and the knob 50 has a hemispherical recess 51A on its inner surface facing the dome portion 102A, which corresponds to the shape of the dome portion 102A. As a result, a stable capacitance can be obtained between the annular portion 131 of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50, and a multidirectional input device 100 can be provided in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is more stable.

[0090] Since the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is located outside the recess 51A of the knob 50 when the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position, it is possible to reduce the amount of variation in the electrostatic capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 due to differences in the tilt direction or amount of tilt, thereby making it possible to provide a multidirectional input device 100 in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is more stable.

[0091] Although the above describes a multi-directional input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0092] This international application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2021-185853, filed on November 15, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 50 Knob 51 Hemisphere 51A Recess 52 Operation section 52A Recess 60 Fixing parts 100 Multi-directional input device 100A operating device 102 Case 102A Dome section 102A1 opening 102A2 Notch 102B base 102B1 Fixing hole (an example of a first fixing hole) 103 Actuator 103A Shaft 103B Bottom plate part 104 Actuator 104C Engagement part 105 Holder 105A Slider 105B Protrusion 106 Actuator 106C Engagement part 107 Holder 107A Slider 107B Protrusion 108 Spring 109 Pressing member 110 Frames 112 FPC (an example of a wiring board) 113 Metal Sheet 117 Resistor 117A, 117B Straight section 117Aa, 117Ba low resistance part 120 Operating lever 120A Lever section 120B base 120C through hole 130 Electrostatic detection electrode 131 Circular Ring 131A Claw part 132 Legs 132A Fixing hole (an example of a second fixing hole) 133 Connection 133A bottom end 140 Electrostatic detection circuit 150 Motherboard 151 Pad 152 Wiring

Claims

1. An insulating housing; an operating lever supported on the housing in a tiltable manner; a tilt detection sensor that detects the tilt of the operating lever; an electrostatic detection circuit that detects electrostatic capacitance formed between the electrostatic detection electrode and a surrounding object; Including, The housing has a dome-shaped portion and an opening provided at a top of the dome portion, The operating lever is inserted through the opening, the electrostatic detection electrode is disposed so as to surround the opening, a wiring board provided on a second side of the housing opposite to a first side where one end of the operating lever protruding from the opening is located with respect to the housing, The tilt detection sensor is provided on the wiring board, The electrostatic detection electrode is a leg portion extending on a side of the housing opposite to a side on which the dome portion is located and fixed to the housing; a connection portion extending on a side of the housing opposite to a side on which the dome portion is located and connected to the electrostatic detection circuit; The electrostatic detection circuit is disposed apart from the wiring board.

2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the tilt detection sensor includes a resistor for detecting tilt that is provided on the wiring board.

3. the electrostatic detection electrode has a ring-shaped portion disposed so as to surround the opening, The housing has a first fixing hole through which a fixing member is inserted, The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrostatic detection electrode is provided on the leg portion, and has a second fixing hole disposed so as to overlap the first fixing hole and through which the fixing member is inserted.

4. the first fixing hole is provided in a portion of the housing opposite to a side on which the dome portion is located, The multi-directional input device according to claim 3 , wherein the second fixing hole is provided at a tip end of the leg portion.

5. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion is spaced apart from the wiring board.

6. An insulating housing; an operating lever supported on the housing in a tiltable manner; a tilt detection sensor that detects the tilt of the operating lever; an electrostatic detection circuit that detects electrostatic capacitance formed between the electrostatic detection electrode and a surrounding object; Including, The housing has a dome-shaped portion and an opening provided at a top of the dome portion, The operating lever is inserted through the opening, the electrostatic detection electrode has an annular portion disposed so as to surround the opening, the housing has a notch provided around the dome portion, The electrostatic detection electrode has a claw portion that protrudes inward from an inner periphery side of the annular portion and engages with the cutout portion.

7. The multi-directional input device of claim 6 , wherein the annular portion of the electrostatic sensing electrode has a circular ring shape.

8. An insulating housing; an operating lever supported on the housing in a tiltable manner; a tilt detection sensor that detects the tilt of the operating lever; an electrostatic detection circuit that detects electrostatic capacitance formed between the electrostatic detection electrode and a surrounding object; Including, The housing has a dome-shaped portion and an opening provided at a top of the dome portion, The operating lever is inserted through the opening, the electrostatic detection electrode is disposed so as to surround the opening, The control lever further includes a conductive knob that is fixed to the control lever and covers the dome portion. The knob has a hemispherical recess corresponding to the shape of the dome portion on an inner surface side facing the dome portion, in a multi-directional input device.

9. The multi-directional input device according to claim 8 , wherein the electrostatic detection electrode is located outside the recess of the knob when the operating lever is in a neutral position.

10. The multi-directional input device according to claim 9 , wherein the electrostatic detection electrode has a circular ring-shaped portion disposed so as to surround the opening.

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