Input device

Abstract

To make it possible to apply a load from an accurate direction to an accurate position in a simple inspection of four strain sensors for detecting horizontal operation.SOLUTION: An input device includes: a strain body having a base unit and a columnar unit extending in a vertical direction from the base unit; and four strain sensors provided on the base unit of the strain body. The four strain sensors are provided in four directions different from each other by 90° with the center of the columnar portion as a reference. The columnar unit has a plurality of protrusions protruding in a horizontal direction on a peripheral surface at a tip portion. The plurality of protrusions includes two protrusions protruding in directions opposite to each other with the center of the columnar portion as a reference. The two protrusions are provided in a direction different from four directions in which the four strain sensors are provided with the center of the columnar portion as a reference.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a coordinate input device that is configured so that when a horizontal load is applied to a stick that is attached upright from the base of a strain body, a strain detection sensor attached to the base of the strain body detects the strain of the base of the strain body, thereby enabling the device to detect the direction and magnitude of the load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-338919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the coordinate input device of Patent Document 1, when applying a load to the stick to inspect the output of the distortion detection sensor, it is difficult to apply the load at a fixed position from a fixed direction, and there is a risk that the direction and position at which the load is applied will vary for each inspection, which may affect the output of the detection sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An input device in one embodiment includes a strain generating body having a base and a columnar portion extending vertically from the base, and four strain sensors provided at the base of the strain generating body, the four strain sensors being provided in four directions differing by 90° from the center of the columnar portion, the columnar portion having a plurality of protrusions protruding horizontally from the outer peripheral surface at the tip, the plurality of protrusions including two protrusions protruding in opposite directions from each other with the center of the columnar portion as the reference, and the two protrusions being provided in directions different from the four directions in which the four strain sensors are provided with respect to the center of the columnar portion. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to an input device according to an embodiment, a load can be applied to a correct position from a correct direction in a simple test of four strain sensors for detecting a horizontal operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment, as viewed from below; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an input device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system included in an input device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration of a columnar portion of a strain generating body included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a columnar portion of a strain generating body included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a columnar portion of a strain generating body included in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an arrangement of strain sensors in an input device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are diagrams each showing a schematic diagram of a manufacturing process of a strain generating body included in an input device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An embodiment will be described below. For the sake of convenience, in the following description, the X-axis direction in the figure is the front-rear direction, the Y-axis direction in the figure is the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction in the figure is the up-down direction. However, the positive X-axis direction is the forward direction, the positive Y-axis direction is the rightward direction, and the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction. These indicate the relative positional relationship within the device, and do not limit the installation direction or operation direction of the device. Anything that has the same relative positional relationship within the device, even if the installation direction or operation direction is different, is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0009] [One embodiment] (Configuration of input device 100) Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of an input device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment, as viewed from above. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment, as viewed from below. Fig. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0010] 1 to 3, the input device 100 is used in, for example, a game controller, a notebook computer, etc., and is capable of horizontal operation in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) and pressing operation downward (positive direction of the Z-axis). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the input device 100 includes a substrate 110, a movable contact 120, a flexible substrate 130, a strain generating body 140, and an operating member 150.

[0011] The substrate 110 is a horizontal, flat, resin member provided at the bottom (Z-axis negative side) of the input device 100. As an example, in this embodiment, the substrate 110 has a square shape when viewed from above (Z-axis positive direction) in a plan view.

[0012] Provided at the center of upper surface 110A of substrate 110 are a circular first fixed contact 111 and an annular second fixed contact 112 surrounding first fixed contact 111. Both first fixed contact 111 and second fixed contact 112 are thin metal plates.

[0013] The substrate 110 is secured to an arbitrary installation surface by four screws 161 that pass through the substrate 110 and the base 141 of the flexure body 140 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) while overlapping the base 141 of the flexure body 140.

[0014] The movable contact 120 is a thin metal plate that is overlapped on the upper sides of the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112 of the substrate 110. The movable contact 120 has, at the center thereof, a dome-shaped dome portion 121 that protrudes upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis).

[0015] The movable contact 120, together with the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112, constitutes a "switch section." The movable contact 120 is always in contact with the second fixed contact 112 at the outer edge of the dome section 121. When the operation member 150 is not pressed, the center of the dome section 121 is separated from the first fixed contact 111. When the operation member 150 is pressed, the dome section 121 is pressed by the pressing section 152A of the operation member 150, so that the dome section 121 reverses and the center of the dome section 121 comes into contact with the first fixed contact 111. This allows the movable contact 120 to make the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112 mutually conductive via the movable contact 120. The movable contact 120 generates a clicking sensation due to the reverse operation of the dome section 121.

[0016] Flexible substrate 130 is a flexible film-like wiring member provided in recess 143 formed on the lower surface of base 141 of flexure body 140 and fixed to the ceiling surface of recess 143. Flexible substrate 130 is attached to the ceiling surface of recess 143 within recess 143 of flexure body 140 by any bonding means (for example, adhesive). Flexible substrate 130 has base 130A and lead-out portion 130B.

[0017] The base 130A is a portion having an annular shape and disposed at the center of the lower surface of the base 141 of the strain body 140. A circular central opening 131 is formed at the center of the base 130A. A shaft 152 of the operating member 150 is inserted into the central opening 131.

[0018] Lead portion 130B is a strip-shaped portion that extends outward in an L-shape from the outer periphery of base portion 130A. Lead portion 130B has a tip that is electrically connected to the outside.

[0019] In the flexible substrate 130, four strain sensors 132 are provided around a central opening 131 on the underside of the base 130A on the same circumference and at equal intervals (i.e., 90 degree intervals). Each of the four strain sensors 132 is a resistor printed on the underside of the base 130A. The four strain sensors 132 are an example of a "load sensor" and are provided to detect a horizontal load applied to the columnar portion 142 of the strain body 140.

[0020] Specifically, strain sensors 132 are provided on the lower surface of base 130A of flexible substrate 130 in four directions (right (positive Y-axis direction), left (negative Y-axis direction), front (positive X-axis direction), and rear (negative X-axis direction)) based on central opening 131. That is, the four strain sensors 132 are arranged in a cross shape around central opening 131.

[0021] Furthermore, the detection direction of each of the four strain sensors 132 is set in a radial direction centered on the columnar portion 142. For this reason, when the operating member 150 is operated horizontally and a distortion occurs in the base 141 (around the base portion of the columnar portion 142) via the columnar portion 142, each of the four strain sensors 132 changes its resistance value by deforming (expanding or contracting) in response to the distortion of the base 141. As a result, each of the four strain sensors 132 can detect the distortion of the base 141 due to the horizontal operation of the columnar portion 142, and therefore can detect the horizontal load applied to the columnar portion 142 by the horizontal operation of the operating member 150.

[0022] The flexible substrate 130 can output a load detection signal (analog signal) representing the horizontal load applied to the columnar portion 142 detected by each of the four strain sensors 132 to the outside (control device 170) via the pull-out portion 130B.

[0023] Specifically, the two strain sensors 132 arranged in front (positive direction of the X-axis) and behind (negative direction of the X-axis) with respect to the central opening 131 are electrically connected in series with each other. When a load in the X-axis direction is applied to the columnar portion 142, one expands and the other contracts, causing a change in the voltage value at the midpoint between the two strain sensors 132. Therefore, an external device (control device 170) (output destination of the load detection signal) can detect the load in the X-axis direction applied to the columnar portion 142 based on the voltage value (load detection signal) at the midpoint.

[0024] Furthermore, the two strain sensors 132 arranged on the right (positive Y-axis direction) and left (negative Y-axis direction) of the central opening 131 are electrically connected in series with each other. When a load in the Y-axis direction is applied to the columnar portion 142, one expands and the other contracts, causing a change in the voltage value at the midpoint between the two strain sensors 132. Therefore, an external device (control device 170) (output destination of the load detection signal) can detect the load in the Y-axis direction applied to the columnar portion 142 based on the voltage value (load detection signal) at the midpoint.

[0025] The flexure body 140 is a resin member that is distorted by receiving an operational load from the operating member 150 when the operating member 150 is horizontally operated. The flexure body 140 has a base portion 141 and a columnar portion 142.

[0026] The base 141 is a horizontal plate-like portion having a constant thickness in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The base 141 has the same shape as the substrate 110 when viewed from above (Z-axis positive direction) in a plan view, that is, has a square shape.

[0027] A recess 143 that is recessed upward is formed on the lower surface of the base 141. The recess 143 has the same shape as the flexible substrate 130 (the base 130A and a part of the lead-out portion 130B) in a plan view from below (the negative direction of the Z axis). This allows the flexible substrate 130 (the base 130A and a part of the lead-out portion 130B) to be disposed inside the recess 143 of the flexure body 140.

[0028] The pillar-shaped portion 142 is a columnar portion that is suspended upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) from the center of the upper surface of the base portion 141. The pillar-shaped portion 142 transmits a load to the base portion 141 when a horizontal operation is performed on the operating member 150 (i.e., when a load is applied in the horizontal direction). The load transmitted via the pillar-shaped portion 142 causes distortion in the portion of the base portion 141 surrounding the pillar-shaped portion 142.

[0029] At the center of the flexure body 140, a circular through-hole 144 is formed, which passes through the base 141 and the columnar portion 142 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). A shaft portion 152 of the operating member 150 is inserted into the through-hole 144. This allows the flexure body 140 to support the operating member 150 so as to be movable in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0030] The operating member 150 is a resin member provided on the upper part of the columnar portion 142 of the strain generating body 140. The operating member 150 has an operating portion 151 and a shaft portion 152.

[0031] The operating portion 151 is a cylindrical portion provided at the upper end of the operating member 150 and having a larger diameter than the columnar portion 142 of the strain generating body 140. The operating portion 151 is disposed above the columnar portion 142. The operator touches the operating portion 151 to perform horizontal operation and pressing operation.

[0032] The shaft portion 152 is a cylindrical portion that is provided hanging downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) from the center of the lower surface of the operating portion 151, and has a smaller diameter than the columnar portion 142 of the flexure body 140. The operating member 150 has the shaft portion 152 inserted into the through hole 144 of the flexure body 140. This allows the operating member 150 to be supported by the flexure body 140 so as to be movable in the up-down direction (Z axis direction). When the operator presses the operating member 150 (i.e., an operation in which a load is applied downward), the operating member 150 moves downward. When the operator operates the operating member horizontally (i.e., an operation in which a load is applied horizontally), the shaft portion 152 applies a load to the columnar portion 142 of the flexure body 140 from the inside.

[0033] A cylindrical pressing portion 152A is provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 152. The pressing portion 152A is provided above (on the positive side of the Z axis) the central portion of the movable contact 120 so as to face the central portion of the movable contact 120. When a pressing operation is performed by the operating member 150, the pressing portion 152A presses the central portion of the movable contact 120, thereby elastically deforming the central portion of the movable contact 120 and bringing the central portion of the movable contact 120 into contact with the first fixed contact 111.

[0034] In the input device 100 configured as described above, when a load is applied horizontally to the operation member 150, the load is transmitted to the columnar portion 142 of the strain body 140 via the shaft portion 152, causing a distortion around the columnar portion 142 at the base portion 141 of the strain body 140. The input device 100 detects this distortion with the four strain sensors 132, thereby enabling it to detect a horizontal operation by the operation member 150.

[0035] Furthermore, when a pressing operation is performed with operating member 150, pressing portion 152A of operating member 150 presses dome portion 121 of movable contact 120, causing dome portion 121 of movable contact 120 to perform an inverted motion, and the center portion of dome portion 121 comes into contact with first fixed contact 111. As a result, input device 100 can detect the pressing operation with operating member 150 by connecting first fixed contact 111 and second fixed contact 112 to each other via movable contact 120.

[0036] Here, the input device 100 according to one embodiment includes an operating member 150 provided on the upper part of a columnar portion 142 and having an axis portion 152 that penetrates the columnar portion 142 vertically (in the Z-axis direction), a movable contact 120 provided below the axis portion 152 (negative side of the Z-axis), and a first fixed contact 111 provided below the movable contact 120 (negative side of the Z-axis).

[0037] As a result, when an operator operates the operating member 150 horizontally, the input device 100 according to one embodiment transmits a load to the columnar portion 142 of the strain body 140 via the shaft portion 152, thereby detecting the horizontal operation.

[0038] In addition, in one embodiment, when an operator presses the operating member 150, the input device 100 can detect the pressing operation by pressing the movable contact 120 with the operating member 150 and bringing the movable contact 120 into contact with the first fixed contact 111.

[0039] In other words, the input device 100 according to one embodiment is provided with an axis portion 152 that penetrates the columnar portion 142 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) on the operating member 150, thereby enabling detection of horizontal operations and pressing operations to be realized with a relatively simple configuration.

[0040] (Configuration of the control system included in the input device 100) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the control system of the input device 100 includes a first fixed contact 111, a second fixed contact 112, four strain sensors 132, and a control device 170.

[0042] The control device 170 is an example of a "control unit." The control device 170 is electrically connected to the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112. This allows the control device 170 to detect whether the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112 are conductive with each other. The control device 170 can detect that the switch unit is on by detecting that the first fixed contact 111 and the second fixed contact 112 are conductive with each other via the movable contact 120, that is, can detect a pressing operation by the operating member 150.

[0043] Moreover, the control device 170 is electrically connected to each of the four strain sensors 132. Specifically, the control device 170 is connected to a bridge circuit configured including the four strain sensors 132.

[0044] The control device 170 can detect the load in the X-axis direction applied to the columnar portion 142 accompanying horizontal operation of the operating member 150 based on the voltage value at the midpoint between the two strain sensors 132 (strain sensor (X+) and strain sensor (X-)) arranged in the X-axis direction.

[0045] In addition, the control device 170 can detect the load in the Y-axis direction applied to the columnar portion 142 accompanying horizontal operation of the operating member 150 based on the voltage value at the midpoint between two strain sensors 132 (strain sensor (Y+) and strain sensor (Y-)) arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0046] The control device 170 includes a processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)), a memory (e.g., a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory)), etc. The control device 170 realizes each function of the control device 170 by the processor executing a program stored in the memory. For example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) is used as the control device 170.

[0047] (Configuration of columnar portion 142 of strain generating body 140) Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the columnar portion 142 of the flexure body 140 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of the columnar portion 142 of the flexure body 140 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the columnar portion 142 of the flexure body 140 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the strain sensor 132 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the columnar portion 142 of the flexure body 140 has a cylindrical shape that is vertically extended upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) from the center of the upper surface of the base portion 141 of the flexure body 140.

[0049] 6 to 9, the columnar portion 142 has a plurality of protrusions 145 protruding in the horizontal direction on the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion 142A (the end portion on the Z-axis positive side). Each of the plurality of protrusions 145 is provided at a position where a load is to be applied when inspecting the output of the strain sensor 132. That is, the columnar portion 142 of this embodiment is provided with the protrusions 145 in each of a plurality of predetermined directions so that a load can be applied at an accurate position from a plurality of predetermined directions.

[0050] In this embodiment, the columnar portion 142 has eight protrusions 145 (protrusions 145-1 to 145-8) provided on the outer circumferential surface of the tip portion 142A of the columnar portion 142 at equal angular intervals (that is, 45° intervals).

[0051] Four of the eight protrusions 145 (protrusions 145-1, 145-3, 145-4, 145-7) are provided in the same four directions (i.e., the positive X-axis direction, the negative X-axis direction, the positive Y-axis direction, and the negative Y-axis direction) as the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided, with respect to the center of the columnar portion 142.

[0052] The other four of the eight protrusions 145 (protrusions 145-2, 145-4, 145-6, 145-8) are provided in four directions that are 45 degrees different from the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided, with respect to the center of the columnar portion 142.

[0053] As a result, when testing the four strain sensors 132, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can apply a load to the columnar portion 142 at an accurate position from each of eight predetermined directions.

[0054] For example, the input device 100 of one embodiment can inspect the four strain sensors 132 with high accuracy by applying a load to the columnar portion 142 from each of the four directions (i.e., the positive X-axis direction, the negative X-axis direction, the positive Y-axis direction, and the negative Y-axis direction) that are the same as the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided, and measuring the changes in the four strain sensors 132.

[0055] In this case, for example, in the first inspection, the positive direction of the X-axis is set as the first inspection direction, and a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from the first inspection direction against the protrusion portion 145-1 (see FIG. 9) provided in the first inspection direction, thereby inspecting the outputs of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the X-axis.

[0056] Subsequently, in the second inspection, the negative direction of the X-axis is set as the second inspection direction, and a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from the second inspection direction against the protrusion portion 145-5 (see FIG. 9) provided in the second inspection direction, thereby inspecting the outputs of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the X-axis.

[0057] Next, in the third inspection, the positive direction of the Y axis is set as the third inspection direction, and a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from the third inspection direction against the protrusion portion 145-3 (see Figure 9) provided in the third inspection direction, thereby inspecting the output of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the Y axis.

[0058] Next, in the fourth inspection, the negative direction of the Y axis is set as the fourth inspection direction, and a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from the fourth inspection direction against the protrusion portion 145-7 (see Figure 9) provided in the fourth inspection direction, thereby inspecting the output of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the Y axis.

[0059] By carrying out these four inspections, it is possible to distinguish between good and defective products. Furthermore, based on the results of these four inspections, it is possible to write a coefficient for adjusting sensitivity to the control device 170. By using the coefficient for adjusting sensitivity, even if the sensitivity of each strain sensor 132 is different, it is possible to adjust the value output by the control device 170 to the same sensitivity. This reduces the number of products that are discarded as defective, and also makes it possible to adjust the sensitivity to be the same in all directions.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can easily inspect the four strain sensors 132 by applying a load to the columnar portion 142 from two mutually opposite directions that are 45 degrees apart from the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided, and measuring the changes in the four strain sensors 132.

[0061] In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, in the first inspection, the direction between the positive X-axis direction and the positive Y-axis direction is set as the first inspection direction, and a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from the first inspection direction for the protrusion portion 145-2 provided in the first inspection direction (arrow A shown in FIG. 9). By vector decomposition of the load, it can be regarded as if the load was applied from both the positive X-axis direction and the positive Y-axis direction, and therefore the outputs of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the X-axis and the outputs of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the Y-axis can be inspected simultaneously.

[0062] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, in the second inspection, the direction between the negative X-axis direction and the negative Y-axis direction, which is the opposite direction to the first inspection direction, is set as the second inspection direction, and a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from the second inspection direction for the protrusion portion 145-6 provided in the second inspection direction (arrow B shown in FIG. 9).By vector decomposing the load, it can be considered that the load is applied from both the negative X-axis direction and the negative Y-axis direction, and therefore the outputs of the two strain sensors 132 provided on the X-axis and the two strain sensors 132 provided on the Y-axis can be inspected simultaneously.

[0063] In this test, output values ​​in four directions are obtained in two tests, so that sensitivity adjustment coefficients for adjusting the sensitivity in each direction can be calculated.

[0064] In other words, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can perform testing of the four strain sensors 132 with high accuracy by performing testing four times, and can perform testing of the four strain sensors 132 simply by performing testing two times.

[0065] As described above, the input device 100 according to one embodiment includes two protrusions 145 that protrude in opposite directions (first inspection direction and second inspection direction in the above example) with respect to the center of the columnar portion 142. The two protrusions 145 are provided in a direction with respect to the center of the columnar portion 142 that is different from the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided.

[0066] As a result, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can inspect the outputs of the four strain sensors 132 in two simple inspections by applying a load to the two protrusions 145. In this case, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can use the two protrusions 145 as a guide for the direction in which to apply the load in the two simple inspections, and therefore can apply a load to the columnar portion 142 from a correct direction and at a correct position in the two simple inspections.

[0067] Moreover, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the multiple protrusions 145 are eight protrusions 145 provided at equal angular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the tip 142A of the columnar portion 142, and four of the eight protrusions 145 are provided in the same four directions as the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided, based on the center of the columnar portion 142, and the other four of the eight protrusions 145 are provided in four directions that are 45 degrees different from the four directions in which the four strain sensors 132 are provided, based on the center of the columnar portion 142.

[0068] As a result, the input device 100 of one embodiment has eight protrusions 145, and thus can apply a load to the columnar portion 142 from a precise direction and at a precise position in both two simple tests and four high-precision tests.

[0069] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the columnar portion 142 has a shape that is rotationally symmetrical at 45°. In particular, the eight protrusions 145 provided on the tip portion 142A of the columnar portion 142 have the same shape.

[0070] As a result, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, even if a load is applied to the columnar portion 142 from any of the four operation directions (positive X-axis direction, negative X-axis direction, positive Y-axis direction, and negative Y-axis direction), the same amount of strain can be generated in the base 141 of the strain body 140, and therefore the deformation amounts of the four strain sensors 132 can be made equal, thereby improving the accuracy of the inspection.

[0071] In the input device 100 according to an embodiment, the pillar portion 142 is cylindrical. As a result, the input device 100 according to an embodiment can generate the same amount of distortion in the base portion 141 of the strain body 140 regardless of the direction from which a load is applied during use, thereby making the operation sensitivity uniform in all directions.

[0072] (Non-undercut shape of tip 142A) FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing process of the strain body 140 included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0073] 10, the die 11 is for forming the right half (positive side of the Y-axis) of the flexure body 140. The die 12 is for forming the left half (negative side of the Y-axis) of the flexure body 140.

[0074] In the manufacturing process of the flexure body 140, with the mold 11 and the mold 12 joined together, resin is injected into a space of the same shape as the flexure body 140 formed between the mold 11 and the mold 12 to form the flexure body 140. Then, the mold 11 is slid to the right (positive direction of the Y-axis) (arrow C shown in FIG. 10) and the mold 12 is slid to the left (negative direction of the Y-axis) (arrow D shown in FIG. 10), whereby the molds 11 and 12 can be released from the flexure body 140.

[0075] Here, the tip 142A of the columnar portion 142 of the strain body 140 has a non-undercut shape that allows it to be separated from the two molds 11, 12 that slide in opposite directions (positive Y-axis direction and negative Y-axis direction) based on the center of the columnar portion 142.

[0076] In particular, the inclination angle of the triangular second inclined surface 145C of the tip portion 142A is set so that each of the eight protrusions 145 does not become an undercut shape when the two molds 11, 12 are released from each other.

[0077] 10, the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis positive side of the protrusion 145-8 and the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis negative side of the protrusion 145-6, which are provided on the left side (Y-axis negative side) of the tip 142A, each have an inclination angle of 0° or more with respect to the Y-axis. As a result, when the mold 12 is slid leftward (Y-axis negative direction), the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis positive side of the protrusion 145-8 and the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis negative side of the protrusion 145-6 do not interfere with each other, and the mold 12 can be released from the strain body 140.

[0078] 10, the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis positive side of the protrusion 145-2 and the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis negative side of the protrusion 145-4, which are provided on the right side (Y-axis positive side) of the tip 142A, each have an inclination angle of 0° or more with respect to the Y-axis. As a result, when the mold 11 is slid to the right (Y-axis positive direction), the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis positive side of the protrusion 145-2 and the second inclined surface 145C on the X-axis negative side of the protrusion 145-4 do not interfere with each other, and the mold 11 can be released from the strain body 140.

[0079] In this manner, in the input device 100 according to the embodiment, the flexure body 140 can be manufactured using the two molds 11 and 12, and therefore the cost associated with manufacturing the flexure body 140 can be reduced.

[0080] In the input device 100 according to one embodiment, each of the eight protrusions 145 has a mountain shape when viewed horizontally, consisting of a pair of trapezoidal first inclined surfaces 145B arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) with a horizontal linear apex 145A located at the center therebetween, and a pair of triangular second inclined surfaces 145C arranged opposite each other in the horizontal direction with the apex 145A therebetween.

[0081] As a result, in one embodiment of the input device 100, when inspecting the four strain sensors 132, a load can be applied to the center of the protrusion 145 by applying a load to the top of the protrusion 145, and therefore a load can be applied stably to the columnar portion 142.

[0082] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 11,12 Mold 100 Input Device 110 Substrate 111 1st fixed contact 112 2nd fixed contact 120 Movable contact 121 Dome section 130 Flexible PCB 130A base 130B Drawer section 131 Central opening 132 Strain sensor (load sensor) 140 Strain body 141 Base 142 Columnar part 142A Tip 143 Recess 144 Through hole 145,145-1~145-8 Projection 145A Top 145B First Slope 145C 2nd slope 150 Operating member 151 Operation section 152 Shaft 152A Pressing part 161 Screw 170 Control device (control unit)

Claims

1. A strain generating body having a base and a columnar portion extending vertically from the base; Four strain sensors provided on the base of the strain generating body; Equipped with The four strain sensors are provided in four directions that are different by 90° with respect to the center of the columnar portion, The columnar portion has a plurality of protrusions protruding in a horizontal direction on an outer circumferential surface at a tip end portion, The plurality of protrusions include The rod-shaped portion includes two protrusions protruding in opposite directions from each other with respect to a center of the rod-shaped portion, The two protrusions are provided in a direction different from the four directions in which the four strain sensors are provided, with the center of the columnar portion as a reference.

1. An input device comprising:

2. The plurality of protrusions include eight protrusions provided at equal angular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the tip of the columnar portion; Four of the eight protrusions are The four strain sensors are provided in four directions that are the same as the four directions in which the four strain sensors are provided, with the center of the columnar portion as a reference, The other four protrusions of the eight protrusions are: The four strain sensors are provided in four directions that are 45 degrees different from the four directions in which the four strain sensors are provided, with the center of the columnar portion as a reference.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

3. The columnar portion has a 45° rotational symmetry.

3. The input device according to claim 2.

4. The tip of the columnar portion is The rod-shaped portion has a non-undercut shape that allows two dies that slide in opposite directions to each other based on the center of the rod-shaped portion to be separated from each other.

4. The input device according to claim 3.

5. When viewed from a horizontal direction, each of the eight protrusions has: a pair of trapezoidal first inclined surfaces disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction with a central apex therebetween; a pair of triangular second inclined surfaces disposed opposite each other in the horizontal direction with the apex therebetween; It has a mountain shape consisting of 5. The input device according to claim 4.

6. The columnar portion is cylindrical.

6. The input device according to claim 5.

7. an operating member provided on an upper portion of the columnar portion and having a shaft portion passing through the columnar portion in the vertical direction; A movable contact provided below the shaft portion; a fixed contact provided below the movable contact; 7. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

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