Handling device

Abstract

To stabilize the sliding motion of a return member and suppress variation in the return of a handling member to its neutral position.SOLUTION: The handling device includes a housing, a handling member having a shaft portion extending in one direction and capable of tilting motion and rotating around a rotation axis intersecting an extending direction the shaft portion, a return member that applies the return force to the handling member to return it to the neutral position, a biasing member that applies the return force to the handling member via the return member, and a detection unit that detects the tilting motion of the handling member. The return member includes a bottom portion in contact with one end of the handling member in its extending direction and a receiving portion provided around the bottom portion to receive one end of the biasing member. The biasing member applies the return force to the handling member and elastically engages a plurality of engagement portions provided on the outer periphery of the receiving portion with the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device in which an input is made by tilting an operating member in a desired direction. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-directional input device for operating a control device that performs input by tilting an operating member such as a control lever. The multi-directional input device includes a first interlocking member that is rotatable and has a long groove, a second interlocking member that is rotatable and has a long groove and is disposed perpendicular to the first interlocking member, a frame that houses the first and second interlocking members, an operating shaft that is inserted into the long groove of the first interlocking member and pivotally supported by the second interlocking member and tiltable around the pivotal portion, and multiple electrical components that are driven via the first and second interlocking members by operating the operating shaft, the operating shaft being formed from a plate material with a substantially rectangular cross section. In this multi-directional input device, a dish-shaped return member that is larger than the operating member is disposed below the operating member. A lower frame is also disposed with a cylindrical retaining wall that vertically movably holds the return member. A return spring is disposed in a compressed state between the return member and the lower frame, and elastically urges the return member upward.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a composite switch that is multifunctional, easy to operate, and can be made compact. This composite switch is configured to include a multidirectional switch means that sends a predetermined control signal according to the tilting direction and tilting angle when an operating part is tilted, and stops the control signal when the operating part returns to its initial position, and a push button switch means that is arranged around the multidirectional switch means and on the movement path of the operating part when tilted, and that opens and closes when pressed and released by tilting the operating part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-053995 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-123690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, an operating device may be provided with a return member that returns a tilted operating member to a neutral position. A return force is applied to the operating member from a biasing member via this return member. When the operating member is tilted, the biasing member is pressed by the return member, and when the tilt of the operating member is released, the biasing force of the biasing member is applied to the operating member via the return member. The return member slides in one direction relative to the housing when the operating member is tilted and released.

[0006] If there is any rattle in the sliding movement of the returning member, the position of the returning member is likely to be lost when the operating member is returned to the neutral position, which hinders the sliding movement of the returning member.Furthermore, if the sliding movement of the returning member becomes unstable, the operating member is likely to return to the neutral position inconsistently.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described situation, and aims to provide an operating device that can stabilize the sliding action of the return member and suppress variation in the return of the operating member to the neutral position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an operating device comprising: a housing; an operating member having an axis portion extending in one direction and capable of tilting to rotate around a first rotation axis that intersects the extension direction of the axis portion; a first interlocking member having a first pivot support portion supported on the housing so as to be rotatable around the first rotation axis and rotating in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a return member that applies a return force to the operating member to return the operating member to a neutral position; a biasing member that applies the return force to the operating member via the return member; and a first rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the first interlocking member, wherein the return member has a bottom that contacts one end of the operating member in the extension direction, and a receiving portion provided around the bottom that receives one end of the biasing member, and the biasing member applies a return force to the operating member and elastically engages multiple engagement portions provided on the outer periphery of the receiving portion with the housing.

[0009] With this configuration, when the biasing member applies a restoring force to the operating member, the engaging portion elastically engages with the housing. This elastic engagement alleviates the tilt recovery force applied to the restoring member, thereby realizing accurate return of the operating member to the neutral position.

[0010] In the operating device, at least one of the engaging portion and the engagement-receiving portion that engages with the engaging portion on the housing may have a surface that is inclined with respect to the biasing direction of the biasing member. As a result, when the engaging portion elastically engages with the housing, the contact position between the engaging portion and the engagement-receiving portion is displaced in the biasing direction in response to the engagement pressure, so that the returning member that is inclined with respect to the biasing direction is more likely to return to the direction along the biasing direction.

[0011] In the above-described operating device, the housing may have an elastic deformation portion so that the engaging portion elastically engages with the housing, or the returning member may have an elastic deformation portion so that the engaging portion elastically engages with the housing, thereby realizing reliable elastic engagement between the engaging portion and the housing by the elastic deformation portion.

[0012] In the above operating device, the elastic deformation portion may have a plate-like member extending in the biasing direction of the biasing member, the engaging portion being provided on the outer periphery of the plate-like member, and when the engaging portion engages with the housing, the plate-like member may bend and the engaging portion may move toward the inner periphery of the restoring member. This allows the engaging portion to move toward the inner periphery of the restoring member due to the engagement pressing force caused by the bending of the plate-like member, thereby realizing reliable elastic engagement between the engaging portion and the housing.

[0013] In the operating device, when viewed in the extension direction when the operating member is in the neutral position, the plurality of engagement portions may be provided on the same circumference centered on the center of the bottom portion, and when elastic engagement occurs, the bottom portion may receive a force in one direction along the circumference due to movement of the plurality of engagement portions. As a result, the engagement pressure when the plurality of engagement portions elastically engage acts as a force that rotates the bottom portion in an in-plane direction as a whole, gradually eliminating variations in the engagement pressure due to the plurality of engagement portions and suppressing offset of the bottom portion in the in-plane direction.

[0014] In the operating device, it is preferable that three or more engaging portions are provided. By providing three or more engaging portions in this way, the engaging pressing forces of the multiple engaging portions are generated in at least three directions, and offset in the in-plane direction of the bottom of the restoring member is suppressed.

[0015] In the operating device, the operating member and the first interlocking member may be in contact with each other, and the first pivot support of the first interlocking member may be pressed against the housing by the biasing force of the biasing member transmitted from the operating member to the first interlocking member. This makes it less likely that play will occur in the movements of the operating member and the first interlocking member.

[0016] In the operating device, the first interlocking member may be configured to be elastically deflected by the biasing force of the biasing member. In this way, the first interlocking member is configured to be elastically deflected, which prevents the biasing force of the biasing member from being entirely applied to the returning member, and prevents an increase in the resistance load due to elastic engagement of the engagement portion with the housing.

[0017] The above operating device may further include a second pivot support portion supported on the housing so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis that intersects the first rotation axis, a second interlocking member that rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member, and a second rotation detection portion that detects the rotation of the second interlocking member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operating device that can stabilize the sliding action of the return member and suppress variations in the return of the operating member to the neutral position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operating member is in a neutral position. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operating member is tilted. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a restoring member. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the engagement relationship between a restoring member and a first interlocking member. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement relationship between a restoring member and a first interlocking member. FIG. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating engagement between an engagement portion and a housing. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating engagement between an engagement portion and a housing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of the layout of a plurality of engagement portions. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating load absorption by a first interlocking member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same components will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of components that have already been described will be omitted as appropriate.

[0021] (Configuration of the operation device) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an operating device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the operating device according to this embodiment. The operating device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that receives input by tilting an operating member 20 relative to a housing 10. In the description of this embodiment, among the rotation axes in the tilting operation of the operating member 20, the first rotation axis AX1 is parallel to the X axis, the second rotation axis AX2 is parallel to the Y axis, and the axis in the neutral position of the operating member 20 (neutral axis AX3) is parallel to the Z axis. In addition, in the Z axis direction, the side from which the operating member 20 in the neutral position extends is referred to as the upper side in the Z axis direction (upward, upward), and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side in the Z axis direction (downward, downward).

[0022] The operating device 1 includes a housing 10, an operating member 20, a first interlocking member 30, a second interlocking member 40, a biasing member 51, a first rotation detector 60, and a second rotation detector 70. The housing 10 is generally box-shaped with an opening at the bottom. A hole 10h is provided in the center of the top of the housing 10, in which the operating member 20 is disposed. A bottom plate member 15 is provided as part of the housing 10 in the opening at the bottom. Non-limiting examples of the material of the housing 10 include resin-based materials such as polyesters (e.g., polybutylene terephthalate) and polyamides, and metal-based materials such as iron-based materials, aluminum-based materials, and copper-based materials. The bottom plate member 15 may be made of the same material as the housing 10, or may be made of a different material. A specific example of a case where the two materials are different is when the housing 10 is made of a resin-based material and the bottom plate member 15 is made of a metal-based material.

[0023] The operating member 20 has a tubular portion 21 disposed inside the housing 10, and an axle portion 22 extending from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside through a hole 10h. When the operating member 20 is in a neutral position, the extension direction D of the axle portion 22 is parallel to the Z axis. On the other hand, when the operating member 20 is tilted, the extension direction D of the axle portion 22 is non-parallel to the Z axis. In addition, the operating member 20 is capable of tilting relative to the housing 10 around a first rotation axis AX1 and a second rotation axis AX2.

[0024] The first interlocking member 30 has a first pivot support portion 31 that is supported on the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis AX1, and is arranged to rotate in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 20. The first interlocking member 30 is arranged in a frame shape with a hole 30h in its center. The operating member 20 is inserted into the central hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30. A fitting protrusion 23 protrudes from the tubular portion 21 of the operating member 20, and this fitting protrusion 23 slidably fits into a fitting hole 30a provided in the first interlocking member 30. Non-limiting examples of the constituent material of the first interlocking member 30 include resin-based materials such as polyacetal, polyester, and polyamide.

[0025] The second interlocking member 40 has a second pivot support portion 41 that is supported on the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis AX2, and is provided so as to rotate in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 20. The second interlocking member 40 has an arch portion 42 that is curved in an arch shape. A hole 42h is provided in the center of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40. The shaft portion 22 of the operating member 20 is inserted into the hole 42h in the center of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40. A convex portion 22a is provided on the shaft portion 22 of the operating member 20, and when the operating member 20 is inserted into the hole 42h of the arch portion 42, the convex portion 22a abuts against the arch portion 42, and the shaft portion 22 is slidably fitted into the hole 42h.

[0026] The second interlocking member 40 is disposed so as to straddle the first interlocking member 30 in the Y-axis direction. With the second interlocking member 40 straddling the first interlocking member 30 and the shaft portion 22 of the operating member 20 inserted through the hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30 and the hole 42h of the second interlocking member 40, these are assembled inside the housing 10. Non-limiting examples of the constituent material of the second interlocking member 40 include resin-based materials such as polyacetal, polyester, and polyamide.

[0027] The biasing member 51 biases the operating member 20 to press the first pivot support portion 31 of the first interlocking member 30 against the housing 10, and also applies a return force to the operating member 20 that returns the operating member 20 to the neutral position. The biasing member 51 is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing member 51 biases the operating member 20 via the return member 45.

[0028] The return member 45 is disposed below the operating member 20 (closer to the bottom plate member 15 than the first interlocking member 30) and is pushed downward by tilting the operating member 20. The biasing member 51 is incorporated between the return member 45 and the receiving bottom portion 151 that abuts against the bottom plate member 15.

[0029] The returning member 45 has a bottom portion 451 that contacts the first end portion 25, which is one end portion (lower end portion) of the operating member 20 in the extension direction, and a receiving portion 452 that is provided around the bottom portion 451 and receives one end of the biasing member 51. That is, one end (upper end portion) of the biasing member 51 is received in the receiving portion 452, and the other end (lower end portion) is received in the receiving bottom portion 151. As a result, the biasing member 51 biases the operating member 20 upward via the returning member 45.

[0030] Furthermore, a plurality of engagement portions 453 are provided on the outer periphery of the receiving portion 452. The engagement portions 453 engage with the housing 10. This serves as a guide when the returning member 45 slides up and down relative to the housing 10. In this embodiment, the plurality of engagement portions 453 are configured to elastically engage with the housing 10. The engagement between the engagement portions 453 and the housing 10 will be described later.

[0031] The first rotation detector 60 detects the rotation of the first interlocking member 30, and the second rotation detector 70 detects the rotation of the second interlocking member 40. The first rotation detector 60 has, for example, an electrical resistance sensor 61 and a brush 62. The second rotation detector 70 has, for example, an electrical resistance sensor 71 and a brush 72. The electrical resistance sensors 61, 71 are formed on a circuit board 90 such as a flexible printed circuit board. The brushes 62, 72 are attached to holders 63, 73, respectively, and the brushes 62, 72 are provided slidably on the electrical resistance sensors 61, 71 together with the holders 63, 73.

[0032] Holder 63 to which brush 62 is attached is slidable by the swinging of claw portion 301 provided on first interlocking member 30. As a result, claw portion 301 swings as first interlocking member 30 rotates about first rotation axis AX1, and this swinging causes holder 63 to slide on electrical resistance sensor 61. Because the electrical resistance value changes depending on the position of brush 62 on electrical resistance sensor 61, the rotation of first interlocking member 30 about first rotation axis AX1 can be detected from the electrical resistance value.

[0033] Furthermore, holder 73 to which brush 72 is attached is slidable by the swinging of claw portion 401 provided on second interlocking member 40. As a result, claw portion 401 swings as second interlocking member 40 rotates about second rotation axis AX2, and this swinging causes holder 73 to slide on electrical resistance sensor 71. Because the electrical resistance value changes depending on the position of brush 72 on electrical resistance sensor 71, the rotation of second interlocking member 40 about second rotation axis AX2 can be detected from the electrical resistance value.

[0034] The displacement detection unit 80 is attached to a circuit board 90. The displacement detection unit 80 has, for example, a contact pattern 81 formed on the circuit board 90 and a contact sheet 82 placed on the contact pattern 81. The displacement detection unit 80 detects displacement of the operating member 20 in a direction different from both around the first rotation axis AX1 and the second rotation axis AX2. In this embodiment, the displacement detection unit 80 detects displacement along the extension direction of the operating member 20.

[0035] The first interlocking member 30 is provided with an arm portion 33 that extends above the displacement detection unit 80 from the side opposite to the side where the first pivot support portion 31 is provided. For example, when the operating member 20 is pushed in the direction opposite to the direction in which the operating member 20 extends from the housing 10 (hereinafter, this pushing action will also be referred to as a "push action"), a fulcrum is located on the first pivot support portion 31 side, and the pressing force pushes the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 toward the displacement detection unit 80. The displacement of the arm portion 33 presses the contact sheet 82, and the displacement detection unit 80 becomes conductive due to contact between the contact sheet 82 and the contact pattern 81. This makes it possible to detect the push action of the operating member 20.

[0036] (Tilt and return movements) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operating member is in a neutral position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the operating member is tilted. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views taken in the X direction (cross-sectional views on the YZ plane). As shown in FIG. 3, when the operating member 20 is in the neutral position, the return member 45 is biased by the biasing member 51 and is placed in a pushed-up position.

[0037] The first end 25 of the operating member 20 has a bottom contact portion 251 that comes into contact with the bottom 451 of the returning member 45. The bottom contact portion 251 protrudes toward the bottom 451 in the Z direction more than the central portion of the first end 25. The bottom contact portion 251 is provided in a cylindrical shape with the axis of the operating member 20 as its center.

[0038] The bottom 451 that the bottom contact portion 251 abuts has a central portion that is raised higher than other portions. When the operating member 20 is in the neutral position, the bottom contact portion 251 abuts at the lowest position of the bottom 451 in the Z direction. Then, a biasing force from the biasing member 51 is applied to the operating member 20 via the returning member 45. This biasing force causes the bottom contact portion 251 to abut so as to be drawn to the lowest position of the bottom 451 in the Z direction. As a result, a return force to the neutral position is applied to the operating member 20.

[0039] 4, when the operating member 20 is tilted, the contact position of the bottom contact portion 251 on the tilted side with the bottom 451 moves toward the center. Because the periphery of the center portion of the bottom 451 is raised higher than other portions, the contact between this raised portion and the bottom contact portion 251 causes the returning member 45 to be pushed down, overcoming the biasing force of the biasing member 51. When the returning member 45 is pushed down, the biasing member 51 is compressed.

[0040] When the tilting action of the operating member 20 is released, the compressed biasing member 51 expands, pushing up the return member 45. As a result, the contact position of the bottom contact portion 251 with the bottom portion 451 moves from the raised portion around the center to a lower position on the outside. The force that moves the contact position of the bottom contact portion 251 to the lowest position of the bottom portion 451 in the Z direction becomes a return force, and the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position.

[0041] In such tilting and returning operations of the operating member 20, the returning member 45 moves in the vertical direction relative to the housing 10. The vertical movement of the returning member 45 is guided by the positional relationship between the housing 10 and the engaging portion 453.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the restoring member. The returning member 45 receives the operating member 20 above the bottom portion 451, and receives the biasing member 51 below the receiving portion 452. The outer shape of the returning member 45 as viewed in the Z direction is approximately square, and an engaging portion 453 is provided at each of the four corners.

[0043] Elastic deformation portions 47 are provided at the four corners of the returning member 45. The elastic deformation portions have a plate-like member 471 extending in the Z direction, and an engaging portion 453 is provided on the outer periphery of the plate-like member. As a result, when the engaging portion 453 engages with the housing 10, the plate-like member bends and the engaging portion 453 moves to the inner periphery of the returning member 45, thereby elastically engaging the engaging portion 453 with the housing 10.

[0044] The elastic engagement of the four engagement portions 453 with the housing 10 makes it easier to maintain balance when the returning member 45 moves up and down. Although four engagement portions 453 are provided on the returning member 45 as shown in FIG. 5, three or more may be provided. By providing three or more engagement portions 453, the engagement pressing forces of the multiple engagement portions 453 are generated in at least three directions (directions along a plane perpendicular to the extension direction), and offset in the plane direction of the bottom portion 451 of the returning member 45 is suppressed. This allows the operating member 20 to be accurately returned to the neutral position.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the engagement relationship between the return member and the first interlocking member. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement relationship between the return member and the first interlocking member, taken along the X direction in Fig. 6 (a cross-sectional view on the YZ plane). The operating member 20 is inserted into the central hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30. The fitting protrusion 23 of the operating member 20 slidably fits into the fitting hole 30a of the first interlocking member 30, allowing the operating member 20 to tilt about the second rotation axis AX2 relative to the first interlocking member 30. The first interlocking member 30 is pivotally supported on the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis AX1. As a result, when the operating member 20 is tilted about the first rotation axis AX1, the first interlocking member 30 rotates together with the operating member 20 about the first rotation axis AX1.

[0046] A part of the lower central portion of the first interlocking member 30 is disposed inside the bottom 451 of the returning member 45. In this embodiment, the lower portion 35 of the fitting hole 30a in the first interlocking member 30, which fits with the fitting protrusion 23 of the operating member 20, is disposed inside the bottom 451 of the returning member 45. The upper surface of the bottom 451 is recessed from the outer periphery to the inner periphery, and the lower portion 35 is disposed within the recess of the bottom 451.

[0047] With this configuration, for example, when a torsional force is applied around the axis of the operating member 20 (see arrow a1 in the figure), a force acts to disengage the fitting protrusion 23 from the fitting hole 30a, and this force widens the hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30. At this time, because the lower portion 35 of the fitting hole 30a is surrounded by the bottom 451, the outward movement of the lower portion 35 is restricted, and the widening of the hole 30h is suppressed. This makes it possible to prevent the fitting protrusion 23 from disengaging from the fitting hole 30a even when a torsional force is applied to the operating member 20.

[0048] (Engagement between engagement portion and housing) 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating the engagement between the engagement portion and the housing. 8 shows the positional relationship between the engaging portion 453 and the housing 10 when the returning member 45 is pushed down (an enlarged schematic view of part B shown in FIG. 4). As described above, the engaging portion 453 is provided on the outer periphery side of the receiving portion 452 of the returning member 45, and is configured to elastically engage with the housing 10. An elastic deformation portion 47 that is elastically deformable toward the inner periphery side of the returning member 45 is provided at a corner of the returning member 45. The elastic deformation portion 47 has, for example, a piece-like member 471 formed in a substantially U-shape, and the engaging portion 453 is provided on the outer periphery side of this piece-like member 471.

[0049] The housing 10 is provided with an engagement receiving portion 101 that engages with the engagement portion 453. At least one of the engagement portion 453 and the engagement receiving portion 101 has a surface that is inclined with respect to the biasing direction (Z direction) of the biasing member 51. In this embodiment, inclined surfaces S1, S2 are provided on both the engagement portion 453 and the engagement receiving portion 101. The inclined surfaces S1, S2 are inclined upward as they proceed toward the inner periphery of the returning member 45.

[0050] 8, when the returning member 45 is pressed down, the engaging portion 453 and the engaging receiving portion 101 do not engage with each other, and no elastic deformation occurs in the elastic deformation portion 47. Therefore, when the returning member 45 is pressed down, and before the pressed-down returning member 45 moves upward and the engaging portion 453 and the engaging receiving portion 101 engage with each other, no engagement pressure is applied between the engaging portion 453 and the engaging receiving portion 101, and therefore no large resistance is applied to the up and down movement of the returning member 45.

[0051] FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship between the engaging portion 453 and the housing 10 when the returning member 45 is pushed up by the biasing force of the biasing member 51 (an enlarged schematic view of portion A shown in FIG. 3). When the returning member 45 is pushed up, the engaging portion 453 comes into contact with the engagement receiving portion 101, and the engaging portion 453 slides along the inclined surface S2 (see arrow a2 in the figure). As a result, the engaging portion 453 moves toward the inner periphery of the returning member 45 (see arrow a3 in the figure). This causes the plate-like member 471 of the elastic deformation portion 47 to bend, generating an engagement pressure, and elastically engaging the engaging portion 453 with the housing 10. This elastic engagement between the engaging portion 453 and the housing 10 alleviates the tilt recovery force applied to the returning member 45, thereby achieving accurate return of the operating member 20 to the neutral position.

[0052] Here, when the operating member 20 is displaced from the neutral position and presses the return member 45, the operating member 20 does not press the center of the return member 45, but rather the bottom contact portion 251 of the operating member 20 presses a portion of the return member 45 that is displaced from the center in accordance with the inclination of the operating member 20. Therefore, when the position (initial position) when the operating member 20 is in the neutral position is taken as the reference position, the return member 45 not only moves downward in the biasing direction, but also displaces so as to incline relative to the biasing direction. This causes variations in the degree of compression of the biasing member 51.

[0053] When the force of the operating member 20 pressing the return member 45 is released from this state, the elastic recovery force (biasing force) of the biasing member 51 directly reflects the variation in the degree of compression of the biasing member 51. Therefore, the biasing force not only includes an upward force along the biasing direction, but also a tilt recovery force for restoring the return member 45 to its tilted state. This tilt recovery force contributes to returning the operating member 20 to the neutral position, but its direction and magnitude vary depending on the position of the operating member 20 when the force pressing the return member 45 is released, which can hinder accurate return of the return member 45 to the neutral position. In particular, when the tilt angle of the operating member 20 is large and the degree of uneven compression of the biasing member 51 via the return member 45 is large, the variation in the biasing force of the biasing member 51 becomes large, which raises the concern that the tilt recovery force will become strong and move the operating member 20 to a position beyond the neutral position.

[0054] In order to prevent such a malfunction from occurring, it is preferable that the operating member 20 has a structure that appropriately alleviates the effect of the tilt recovery force applied to the return member 45 when the force pressing the return member 45 is released.

[0055] In this regard, the multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a sliding structure formed by a retaining wall of a lower frame and a return member. In this sliding structure, the retaining wall of the lower frame restricts the return member's tilt relative to the biasing direction. That is, in the multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the sliding structure limits the degree of tilt of the return member, preventing excessive tilt recovery force. However, with this configuration, as the tilt angle of the operating member 20 increases, the force with which the retaining wall of the lower frame supports the return member 45 against tilt increases. This inevitably results in localized strong contact between the retaining wall of the lower frame and the return member. If this contact is excessively strong, the return member will get caught in the retaining wall, preventing the sliding structure from operating normally.

[0056] Therefore, the operating device 1 according to this embodiment does not have a sliding structure like the multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Document 1, and instead allows the return member 45 to tilt, thereby eliminating the possibility of the above-mentioned failure occurring, while elastically engaging the engagement portion 453 with the housing 10 when the biasing member 51 applies a return force to the operating member 20. Due to this elastic engagement, part of the biasing force of the biasing member 51 is used for elastic deformation of the contact portion between the engagement portion 453 and the housing 10, thereby attenuating the force transmitted from the biasing member 51 to the return member 45. This also reduces the tilt recovery force applied to the return member 45, thereby achieving accurate return of the operating member 20 to the neutral position.

[0057] Furthermore, the elastic engagement between the engaging portion 453 and the housing 10 also has the function of absorbing manufacturing variations in the operating device 1. Since the operating member 20 is made up of multiple movable members (such as the operating member 20, the returning member 45, and the first interlocking member 30), variations in the manufacturing stage of each movable member and variations in the assembly stage of the multiple movable members inevitably exist.

[0058] Due to these variations, the positional relationship in the biasing direction (vertical direction) between the engaging portion 453 and the engagement receiving portion 101 that engages with the engaging portion 453 in the housing 10 in the operating member 20 varies slightly for each individual unit. Therefore, by elastically contacting the engaging portion 453 with the engagement receiving portion 101, it is possible to provide a range in the position in the biasing direction (vertical direction) when the engaging portion 453 and the engagement receiving portion 101 engage. This stabilizes the engagement between the engaging portion 453 and the engagement receiving portion 101, and reduces the variation in engagement between each individual unit in the operating device 1. In particular, when the operating device 1 has four or more engaging portions 453, the engagement state between the engaging portion 453 and the engagement receiving portion 101 inevitably varies, so the presence of such an engagement relaxation mechanism is particularly effective.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of the layout of a plurality of engagement portions. When multiple engaging portions 453 are provided on the outer periphery of the receiving portion 452 of the return member 45, it is preferable to use a layout that suppresses variations in the engaging pressing force of the multiple engaging portions 453. For example, when viewed in the Z direction when the operating member 20 is in the neutral position, the multiple engaging portions 453 are provided on the same circumference (the circle indicated by the dashed dotted line in the figure) centered on the center of the bottom portion 451, and when elastic engagement occurs, the bottom 451 receives a force in one direction along the circumference (see arrow a4 in the figure) due to movement of the multiple engaging portions 453.

[0060] As an example, when engagement portions 453-1 to 453-4 are provided at the four corners of the returning member 45, engagement portion 453-1 is provided so as to move in the direction indicated by arrow Y2 when engaged with the housing 10. Engagement portion 453-3 provided at a position diagonal to engagement portion 453-1 is provided so as to move in the direction indicated by arrow Y1 (the direction opposite to arrow Y2) when engaged with the housing 10. Engagement portion 453-2 adjacent to engagement portion 453-1 in the Y direction is provided so as to move in the direction indicated by arrow X1 when engaged with the housing 10. Engagement portion 453-4 adjacent to engagement portion 453-1 in the X direction (provided at a position diagonal to engagement portion 453-2) is provided so as to move in the direction indicated by arrow X2 (the direction opposite to arrow X1) when engaged with the housing 10.

[0061] That is, adjacent engaging portions 453 are arranged to move in directions that differ by 90 degrees from each other, and the engaging pressure generated by the movement of the four engaging portions 453-1 to 453-4 as a whole causes the bottom portion 451 of the returning member 45 to receive a force in one direction along the circumference (counterclockwise in the example shown in FIG. 10). This gradually eliminates variations in the engaging pressure caused by the multiple engaging portions 453-1 to 453-4, and suppresses offset of the bottom portion 451 in the in-plane direction.

[0062] That is, when a biasing force is applied from the biasing member 51 to the returning member 45, which has been pushed by the tilted operating member 20 and is now tilted relative to the biasing direction, the biasing force includes a force (tilt recovery force) that returns the returning member 45 to a position along the biasing direction. This tilt recovery force causes variations in the pressing force (engagement pressing force) on the housing 10 when each of the multiple engaging portions 453 engages with the housing 10. If variations in the engagement pressing force of the multiple engaging portions 453 cause an in-plane offset of the bottom portion 451 of the returning member 45, the neutral position of the operating member 20 will shift. This will cause errors in measuring the tilting operation in the operating device 1. Therefore, by making the engagement pressing force when the multiple engaging portions 453 elastically engage as a whole a force that rotates the bottom portion 451 in the in-plane direction (for example, a force in the direction indicated by arrow a4 in the figure), the variations in the engagement pressing force of the multiple engaging portions 453 will gradually be eliminated. By eliminating the variations in the engagement pressing force, offset in the in-plane direction of the bottom portion 451 of the returning member 45 is suppressed, and the operating member 20 can be accurately returned to the neutral position.

[0063] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating load absorption by the first interlocking member. In the operating device 1 according to this embodiment, when the force maintaining the tilt of the operating member 20 is released, the biasing member 51, which is compressed when the operating member 20 is tilted, generates a biasing force to return to its pre-compression state. This biasing force is first applied to the return member 45 and then transmitted to the operating member 20, which is in contact with the bottom 451 of the return member 45. In the operating device 1, because the operating member 20 and the first interlocking member 30 are in contact with each other, the biasing force is transmitted from the operating member 20 to the first interlocking member 30, and the first pivotal support portion 31 of the first interlocking member 30 presses against the housing 10. That is, in the operating device 1, the first pivotal support portion 31 serves as a stopper that stops the movement of the member based on the biasing force. The configuration in which the first pivotal support portion 31 is pressed against the housing 10 by the biasing force makes it less likely that play will occur in the movement of the operating member 20 or the first interlocking member 30.

[0064] As described above, in the operating device 1 according to this embodiment, the return member 45 has an engagement portion 453, and the biasing force of the biasing member 51 is partially attenuated by the elastic engagement between the engagement portion 453 and the housing 10. The degree of this attenuation must be appropriately controlled. The biasing force of the biasing member 51 is also partially attenuated by the contact resistance of the contact portion between the return member 45 and the operating member 20, and the contact resistance of the contact portion between the operating member 20 and the first interlocking member 30. For this reason, in order for the first pivot support portion 31 of the first interlocking member 30 to properly press the housing 10, the biasing force must remain even after being attenuated by the above-mentioned elastic engagement and these frictional resistances. This can be expressed by the following equation: The biasing force of the biasing member 51 > damping due to the elastic engagement of the engagement portion 453 + frictional resistance of each portion (1)

[0065] If this relational expression cannot be maintained, the return force when returning the operating member 20 to the neutral position will not be generated appropriately, and the operating member 20 will not return to the neutral position. In particular, if the tilt angle of the operating member 20 is small, the pressing depth of the return member 45 is shallow and the biasing force of the biasing member 51 is small. Therefore, if the biasing force is attenuated by the elastic engagement of the engaging portion 453, there is a concern that the above formula (1) will not be satisfied.

[0066] Therefore, in the operating device 1 according to this embodiment, the degree of damping due to the elastic engagement of the engaging portion 453 is not excessively increased, and the first interlocking member 30 is given a certain degree of elasticity when it abuts against the housing 10. As a result, when the biasing force of the biasing member 51 is applied to the first interlocking member 30 via the returning member 45 and the operating member 20, when the first interlocking member 30 is pressed toward the housing 10 (upward), the first interlocking member 30 is elastically deformed as shown in Fig. 11. Note that Fig. 11 emphasizes the degree of deformation of the first interlocking member 30.

[0067] When first interlocking member 30 elastically deforms in this manner, part of the biasing force of biasing member 51 is accumulated as this elastic deformation. As a result, part of the biasing force of biasing member 51 is not only attenuated as elastic deformation in the elastic engagement of engaging portion 453 of returning member 45, but is also dispersed and attenuated by the elastic deformation of first interlocking member 30. In other words, all of the biasing force is prevented from being applied to returning member 45, and the burden on returning member 45 is alleviated. This suppresses an increase in the resistance load when engaging portion 453 elastically engages with housing 10, and ensures a stable return force to the neutral position of operating member 20.

[0068] In this way, according to the operating device 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to stabilize the sliding action of the return member 45 and suppress variations in the return of the operating member 20 to the neutral position.

[0069] In this embodiment, the returning member 45 is provided with the elastic deformation portion 47, but the housing 10 may be provided with an elastic deformation portion (not shown). This causes the engaging portion 453 to elastically engage with the housing 10 in the same manner as described above. The elastic engagement between the engaging portion 453 and the housing 10 may be achieved by a configuration other than the elastic deformation portion 47. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a member having an elastic material is provided at the position where the engaging portion 453 and the housing 10 engage.

[0070] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the first rotation detection unit 60 and the second rotation detection unit 70 may be of a type other than an electrical resistance change type (e.g., a magnetic change type), and the displacement detection unit 80 may be of a type other than contact detection (e.g., an optical detection type or a capacitive detection type). Furthermore, while the example in which the operating member 20 is tiltable about both the first rotation axis AX1 and the second rotation axis AX2 has been described, it may be configured to be tiltable only about the first rotation axis AX1 (or only about the second rotation axis AX2). Furthermore, the scope of the present invention also includes any combination of features of the configuration examples of the above-described embodiments, as long as they incorporate the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1...Operating device 10...Housing 10h…hole 15...Bottom plate member 20...Operating member 21...Cylinder part 22...Shaft part 22a...Convex part 23...Mating protrusion 25...First end 30...First interlocking member 30a...Fitting hole 30h…hole 31…1st axis branch 33...Arm section 35…lower part 40...Second interlocking member 41…Second axis branch 42...Arch section 42h…hole 45...Restoring member 47...Elastic deformation part 51... Urging member 60...First rotation detection unit 61, 71...Electrical resistance sensor 62,72...Brush 63, 73...Holder 70...Second rotation detection unit 80...Displacement detection unit 81...Contact Pattern 82...Contact sheet 90...Circuit board 101...engagement receiving portion 151...receptor bottom 251…Bottom contact part 301, 401...Claws 451…bottom 452...Receptor 453...Engagement part 453-1 to 453-4...Engagement part 471...Flat-shaped member AX1: First rotating axis AX2: Second rotating axis AX3…neutral axis D…Extending direction S1, S2...inclined surfaces X1, X2, Y1, Y2, a1, a2, a3, a4...arrows

Claims

1. The housing and an operating member having a shaft portion extending in one direction and capable of tilting and rotating around a rotation axis intersecting the extending direction of the shaft portion; a return member that applies a return force to the operating member to return the operating member to a neutral position; a biasing member that applies the return force to the operating member via the return member; a detection unit that detects a tilting operation of the operating member, the restoring member includes a bottom portion that contacts one end of the operating member in the extension direction, and a receiving portion that is provided around the bottom portion and receives one end of the biasing member, The operating device is characterized in that the biasing member applies the return force to the operating member and elastically engages a plurality of engaging portions provided on the outer periphery of the receiving portion with the housing.

2. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engaging portion and an engagement receiving portion of the housing that engages with the engaging portion has a surface that is inclined with respect to the biasing direction of the biasing member.

3. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has an elastically deformable portion, so that the engaging portion elastically engages with the housing.

4. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein the return member has an elastically deformable portion, so that the engagement portion elastically engages with the housing.

5. the elastic deformation portion has a plate-like member extending along the biasing direction of the biasing member, the engaging portion is provided on the outer periphery of the piece-like member, The operating device according to claim 4 , wherein when the engaging portion engages with the housing, the piece-like member is bent and the engaging portion moves to an inner peripheral side of the restoring member.

6. When viewed in the extending direction when the operating member is in the neutral position, the plurality of engaging portions are provided on the same circumference with the center of the bottom portion as the center, The operating device according to claim 5 , wherein when the elastic engagement occurs, the bottom portion receives a force in one direction along the circumference due to movement of the plurality of engagement portions.

7. The operating device according to claim 6 , wherein the number of the engagement portions is three or more.

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