Control stick assembly and input device

Abstract

The present invention provides an operating stick assembly that can detect both pushing and tilting operations, and can also detect the tilt angle of the operating stick with high accuracy even after prolonged use. [Solution] The operating stick assembly 100 includes an operating stick 20 having a detected portion 29a, a ball support portion 51a having an inner surface 51b that supports the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 and the inner surface 51b is formed to allow tilting of the operating stick 20, and a movable portion 50 that can move up and down together with the supported portion, a tilt operation sensor 14a for non-contact detection of the movement of the detected portion 29a caused by tilting of the operating stick 20, and a push operation sensor 15 that is pressed when the movable portion 50 moves downward.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation stick assembly and an input device.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an input device used for game operations. The input device has an operation stick that can be tilted. The operation stick is supported by two intersecting support shafts and can be tilted in any radial direction including the front-back direction, left-right direction, and diagonal directions therebetween. The tilt direction and tilt angle of the operation stick are detected by two variable resistors that output signals corresponding to the rotation of the support shafts. The variable resistors have a movable part that rotates together with the support shaft supporting the operation stick and a contact that contacts the movable part. Further, in the input device of Patent Document 1, the operation stick can move up and down (push operation). The push operation of the operation stick is detected by a tact switch mounted on a circuit board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One object of the present disclosure is to provide an operation stick assembly and an input device that can detect the tilt angle of an operation stick with high accuracy even during long-term use and enable the push operation of the operation stick.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The operating stick assembly proposed in this disclosure includes an operating stick having a supported portion and a detected portion, a movable portion having an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported portion and the inner surface is formed to allow tilting of the operating stick, and which is movable up and down together with the supported portion, a tilt operation sensor for non-contact detection of the movement of the detected portion caused by tilting of the operating stick, and a push operation sensor that is pressed when the movable portion moves downward.

[0006] The input device proposed in this disclosure has the aforementioned operating stick assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1A] This is a plan view showing an example of the input device proposed in this disclosure. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A is a side view of the input device shown. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a first example of the control stick assembly proposed in this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control stick assembly. [Figure 4A] This is a perspective view showing the top and cover components of the control stick, as well as the housing, removed. [Figure 4B] This is a perspective view showing the state after removing the second receiving part of the lower spring receiving part from the state shown in Figure 4A. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the control stick assembly. [Figure 6A] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view along the VI-VI line, indicating that the control stick is not being operated. [Figure 6B] This cross-sectional view is obtained from the same cross-section as Figure 6A and shows the tilting operation being performed on the control stick. [Figure 6C] This cross-sectional view is obtained from the same cross-section as Figure 6A and shows the operation of the control stick being pressed. [Figure 7]It is a diagram enlarging a part of FIG. 6A. [Figure 8A] It is an exploded perspective view of a housing, a first movable body, and a second movable body, showing the rear sides of these. [Figure 8B] It is an exploded perspective view of a housing, a first movable body, and a second movable body, showing the front sides of these. [Figure 9] It is an exploded perspective view of a stick body of an operation stick, a first receiving part, and a second receiving part. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of the first movable body and the second movable body obtained by the X-X line shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing a second example of the operation stick assembly proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 12] It is an exploded perspective view of the operation stick assembly shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a plan view of the operation stick assembly shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is an exploded perspective view of a lower spring receiving part and a first housing that the operation stick assembly shown in FIG. 11 has. [Figure 15] It is an exploded perspective view of a first movable body, a second movable body, and an FPC that the operation stick assembly shown in FIG. 11 has. <00000A79>It is a cross-sectional view of the operation stick assembly obtained by the XVI-XVI line shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 16B] It is an enlarged view of FIG. 16A. [Figure 16C] It is a cross-sectional view obtained by the same cut surface as FIG. 16A, showing a state where a tilting operation is performed on the operation stick. [Figure 17] It is a cross-sectional view of the operation stick assembly obtained by the XVII-XVII line shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing a third example of the operation stick assembly proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 19] It is a cross-sectional view of the operation stick assembly obtained by the XIX-XIX line shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 20]It is a plan view showing a fourth example of the operation stick assembly proposed in the present disclosure. [Figure 21A] It is a cross-sectional view of the operation stick assembly obtained by the XX I-XX I line shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 21B] It is a cross-sectional view obtained by the same cutting plane as in FIG. 21A, showing a state where a tilting operation is performed on the operation stick. [Figure 22] It is a cross-sectional view of the operation stick assembly obtained by the XX II-XX II line shown in FIG. 20.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the operation stick assembly and the input device proposed in the present disclosure will be described.

[0009] In the following description, the direction shown by X1-X2 in FIG. 1A is referred to as the left-right direction, and the directions shown by Y1 and Y2 in FIG. 1A are referred to as the front and rear directions, respectively. Also, the directions shown by Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 1B are referred to as the upward and downward directions, respectively. The Z1-Z2 direction is, for example, a direction perpendicular to the substrate to which the operation stick assembly is attached, and the X1-X2 direction and Y1-Y2 are directions along the substrate.

[0010] These directions are defined for explaining the relative positions and shapes of the components, parts, and members constituting the input device and the operation stick assembly, and do not limit the posture of the input device during use or the position and orientation of the operation stick assembly in the input device.

[0011] [Input Device] As shown in FIG. 1A, the input device 10 has, for example, a right holding portion 101R for the user to hold with the right hand and a left holding portion 101L for the user to hold with the left hand. The input device 10 has a central portion 101C between the holding portions 101R and 101L. The input device 10 may have a rear protruding portion 101d extending rearward from the rear edge of the central portion 101C in the holding portions 101R and 101L.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1A, the upper surfaces of the held parts 101L and 101R are provided with multiple operating members for user operation with fingers. Specifically, multiple operating buttons 111 are provided on the upper surface of the front part of the right held part 101R. For example, four operating buttons 111 are arranged at the ends of a cross. Also, a directional key (cross button) 112 is arranged on the upper surface of the front part of the left held part 101L. As shown in Figure 1A, the input device 10 may have an operation pad 113 located between the directional key 112 and the operating buttons 111, and two operating buttons 114 located to the right and left of the operation pad 113, respectively. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1B, the held parts 101R and 101L may have operating buttons 115 and 116 arranged vertically on their front surfaces. The lower operating button 116 may be, for example, a trigger button supported so as to be able to move back and forth around a shaft.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the input device 10 has an operation stick assembly 100. The input device 10 may have two operation stick assemblies 100 that are separated in the left-right direction. The operation stick assemblies 100 may be positioned, for example, behind the operation pad 113.

[0014] The input device 10 is used as an input device for an information processing device (e.g., a game device) that has functions such as executing game programs, playing video, and communicating via the internet. The input device 10 is capable of wired or wireless communication with the information processing device and transmits signals to the information processing device in response to operations performed by the user on the control stick assembly 100, control buttons 111, etc. The input device 10 may also have various sensors (such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope) used to detect the orientation and movement of the input device 10, as well as a battery built in.

[0015] The shape of the input device 10 and the layout of the operation stick assembly 100 in the input device 10 are not limited to the examples shown in Figures 1A and 1B. For example, the operation stick assembly 100 may be mounted on an input device that is operated with one hand. Also, the number of operation stick assemblies 100 in the input device 10 may be one. Furthermore, in the input device 10, the operation stick assembly 100 may be positioned at the location of the operation button 111 (or directional key 112).

[0016] [Control Stick] The control stick assembly 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 10.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the control stick assembly 100 has a control stick 20. The control stick 20 may include a stick body 21, a top member 23 attached to the upper part of the stick body 21, and a cover member 24 also attached to the upper part of the stick body 21.

[0018] In the following, the axis Ax1 of the control stick 20 (see Figure 6A) will be referred to as the "stick axis." The direction along the control stick 20 and the direction along the stick axis Ax1 will be referred to as the "stick axis direction."

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the stick body 21 has a supported ball portion 21a at its lower part, which is supported by the housing 30 and the movable part 50, which will be described later. The stick body 21 may also have a shaft portion 21b extending upward from the supported ball portion 21a.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the cover member 24 may have an umbrella-shaped cover portion 24b that covers the housing 30 and the lower spring receiving portion 40, which will be described later. The diameter of the cover portion 24b is larger than the opening 121a (an opening formed in the exterior member 121, see Figure 1A) in the input device 10 where the operating stick 20 is placed. This prevents the housing 30 and the like from being exposed to the outside of the input device 10.

[0021] Furthermore, the cover member 24 may have a mounting body portion 24d (see Figure 3) located in the center of the cover portion 24b. The mounting body portion 24d may be attached to the stick body 21. For example, as shown in Figure 6A, a mounting hole 24f may be formed in the mounting body portion 24d, passing through it in the direction of the stick axis. The shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21 may then be inserted into this mounting hole 24f, thereby attaching the mounting body portion 24d to the stick body 21.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the top member 23 may have a disc-shaped top portion 23c that the user's fingers touch, and a mounting cylinder portion 23d that extends downward from the top portion 23c. The mounting cylinder portion 23d may be fitted to the outside of the mounting body portion 24d of the cover member 24, for example, and attached to the mounting body portion 24d. This makes it possible to replace the top member 23 with another top member 23 of a different size.

[0023] The cover member 24 may have a plurality of fitting holes 24e (see Figure 6A) arranged circumferentially along the outer surface of the mounting body 24d, with the axis Ax1 of the operating stick 20 as the center. A plurality of fitting projections 23b (see Figure 6A) that fit into these fitting holes 24e may be formed at the lower end of the mounting cylinder 23d.

[0024] The stick body 21 may be made of a different material than the top member 23 and the cover member 24. For example, the stick body 21 may be made of a material that has higher rigidity than the top member 23 and the cover member 24. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of tilt angle detection by the tilt operation sensor 14a, which will be described later, due to the bending of the stick body 21. The stick body 21 may be made of resin or metal.

[0025] Note that the structure of the operating stick 20 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3, etc. For example, the top member 23 and the cover member 24 may be integrally molded. In this case, this integrally molded member may have an upper spring receiving portion 24a that supports the upper end of the spring 11, which will be described later.

[0026] [Tilt of the control stick and tilt control sensor] As shown in Figure 6B, the control stick 20 can be tilted radially from its reference position. The reference position is the position to which the control stick 20 returns when the user is not applying radial force to the control stick 20, as shown in Figure 6A. Hereafter, this reference position will be referred to as the "stick reference position". When the control stick 20 is in the stick reference position, the stick axis Ax1 may be substantially perpendicular to the substrate 12. The control stick 20 can be tilted in any radial direction from the stick reference position (for example, forward / backward, left / right, and diagonally thereto). The control stick 20 may also be rotated around a vertical line passing through the stick reference position while it is tilted radially.

[0027] [Tilt control sensor] The control stick assembly 100 has a tilt control sensor 14a (see Figures 3 and 6A). The tilt control sensor 14a is a sensor for detecting the tilt of the control stick 20 (specifically, the angle from the stick's reference position and the direction of tilt). The tilt control sensor 14a may be a non-contact sensor. That is, the tilt control sensor 14a may be a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the tilt angle of the control stick 20 without contacting the control stick 20.

[0028] As a non-contact sensor, for example, a magnetic sensor can be used. In this case, the operating stick 20 may have a magnet as the detected part 29a. The magnetic sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the magnetic field formed by this magnet. More specifically, the tilt operation sensor 14a may be an MR sensor (Magnetic Resistance Sensor). The tilt operation sensor 14a may be another type of magnetic sensor, a TMR sensor (Tunnel Magneto Resistance Sensor). The tilt operation sensor 14a may be any other type of magnetic sensor.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6A, the detected part 29a (magnet) may be attached, for example, to the bottom of the stick body 21. When the operating stick 20 is in the stick reference position, the tilt operation sensor 14a may be positioned to face the detected part 29a in the vertical direction.

[0030] A recess 21g (see Figure 9) that opens downwards may be formed at the lower end of the stick body 21. The magnet, which is the detected part 29a, may be placed in this recess 21g. This structure makes it easy to ensure a distance between the detected part 29a and the tilt operation sensor 14a. The position of the detected part 29a may be higher than the lower edge of the recess 21g. This makes it even easier to ensure a distance between the detected part 29a and the tilt operation sensor 14a.

[0031] [Press operation sensor] The control stick 20 may be supported so that it can also move in the vertical direction (see Figure 6C). That is, the control stick 20 may be supported so that it can be pushed downwards. This support structure will be described in detail later.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the operating stick assembly 100 has a push operation sensor 15 for detecting a push operation (up and down movement of the operating stick 20) ​​on the operating stick 20. The push operation sensor 15 may be, for example, a tact switch that switches between an on state and an off state in response to a push operation on the operating stick 20. The push operation sensor 15 may also be a pressure sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the push force acting on the operating stick 20.

[0033] [Other elements of the control stick assembly] The control stick assembly 100 has a spring 11 positioned along the stick body 21, as shown in Figure 3. When the user's tilting operation is released, the control stick 20 returns to the stick reference position by the elastic force of the spring 11. The control stick assembly 100 may have a lower spring receiving portion 40, a housing 30, and a movable portion 50. The lower spring receiving portion 40 may have a first receiving portion 41 and a second receiving portion 42. The movable portion 50 may have a first movable body 51 and a second movable body 52. ​​The lower spring receiving portion 40 and the spring 11 are positioned on the upper side of the housing 30, and the movable portion 50 is positioned inside the housing 30.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the control stick assembly 100 may have a circuit board 12 at its lowest point. The housing 30 is fixed to the circuit board 12. The housing 30 may have side walls 32R and 32L (see Figure 8B) facing each other in the left-right direction. The side walls 32R and 32L are fixed to the circuit board 12 by fastening members (for example, screws 16 shown in Figure 3).

[0035] The substrate 12 may be a circuit board on which circuits (conductor patterns) are formed. A connector 12a (see Figure 3) for electrically connecting the operation stick assembly 100 to other components of the input device 10 (e.g., the main circuit board) may be mounted on this substrate 12. Circuits for electrically connecting this connector 12a to sensors 14a and 15 may be formed on the substrate 12. When the operation stick assembly 100 is mounted on the input device 10, the connector 12a may be mated (connected) to a mating connector mounted on the main circuit board of the input device 10. This structure makes it easy to attach the operation stick assembly 100 to the input device 10 or to remove the operation stick assembly 100 from the input device 10.

[0036] The control stick assembly 100 does not necessarily have to have a circuit board 12. In this case, the housing 30 may be directly fixed to the main circuit board (not shown) that the input device 10 incorporates.

[0037] [Return mechanism] The control stick assembly 100 has a return mechanism that returns the control stick 20 to the stick reference position when the user's tilting operation is released. The return mechanism includes the spring 11 and the lower spring receiving portion 40 described above.

[0038] The control stick assembly 100 has a stage portion 31. As shown in Figure 8A, the stage portion 31 may be formed, for example, on the upper part of the housing 30. In a plan view of the control stick assembly 100, the stage portion 31 is circular, and the aforementioned side wall portions 32R and 32L hang down from the outer edge of the stage portion 31. The housing 30 is a box shape that opens downwards. As described above, the housing 30 is fixed to the base plate 12, and the stage portion 31 is immovable relative to the base plate 12. A spring 11 and a lower spring receiving portion 40 (see Figure 3) are arranged on the upper side of this stage portion 31.

[0039] The operating stick 20 (more specifically, the stick body 21) may have a supported ball portion 21a (see Figure 9) at its lower end. As shown in Figure 6A, the supported ball portion 21a is positioned such that at least its lower end is located below the stage portion 31. An opening 31a (see Figure 8A) is formed in the stage portion 31. The stick body 21 is positioned inside the opening 31a. The stick body 21 extends upward through the inside of the opening 31a.

[0040] [Upper spring receiving section] As shown in Figure 6A, the operating stick 20 has an upper spring support portion 24a at its top that supports the upper end of the spring 11. The operating stick 20 also has a mounting body portion 24d (see Figure 3) at its top. The mounting body portion 24d may be, for example, the central part of the cover member 24 (the center of the cover portion 24b). A recess opening downwards may be formed in this mounting body portion 24d. The upper end of the spring 11 may be positioned inside this recess. The upper end of this recess may function as the upper spring support portion 24a that supports the upper end of the spring 11.

[0041] [Lower spring support section] The stage portion 31 may have a receiving portion support surface 31b (see Figure 8A) on its upper surface. As shown in Figure 6A, the lower spring receiving portion 40 is positioned above this receiving portion support surface 31b and supports the lower end of the spring 11.

[0042] The lower spring support portion 40 may have a first support portion 41 and a second support portion 42 (see Figure 9). The first support portion 41 and the second support portion 42 are combined in a direction along the stick body 21 (i.e., in the direction of the stick axis). The second support portion 42 is positioned above the first support portion 41 and supports the lower end of the spring 11.

[0043] The first receiving portion 41 and the second receiving portion 42 have holes 41a and 42a (see Figure 9) that penetrate them in a direction along the stick body 21, and the shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21 is inserted inside these holes 41a and 42a. The first receiving portion 41 and the second receiving portion 42 are movable relative to the stick body 21 in a direction along the stick body 21.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7, a cylindrical biasing member 43 is positioned between the first receiving portion 41 and the second receiving portion 42. This biasing member 43 pushes the stick body 21 in a direction perpendicular to the stick axis direction. This suppresses rattling of the operating stick 20 (slight positional changes relative to the lower spring receiving portion 40). The functions of the receiving portions 41 and 42 and the biasing member 43 will be explained in detail later.

[0045] When the control stick 20 is in the stick reference position (Figure 6A), the lower spring receiver 40 may be positioned horizontally on the receiver support surface 31b of the stage 31. Hereinafter, the position of the lower spring receiver 40 when the control stick 20 is in the stick reference position will be referred to as the "receiver reference position". When the lower spring receiver 40 is in the receiver reference position, it may be substantially parallel to the base plate 12. In other words, when the lower spring receiver 40 is in the receiver reference position, it may be perpendicular to the axis Ax1 of the control stick 20 in the stick reference position.

[0046] [Spring] As shown in Figure 6A, the spring 11 is positioned along the control stick 20. The spring 11 is a coil spring and may be fitted to the outside of the shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21 (the portion extending upward from the supported ball portion 21a). The spring 11 is located between the upper spring receiving portion 24a and the lower spring receiving portion 40.

[0047] When the control stick 20 is in the stick reference position, the spring 11 presses the lower spring receiving portion 40 (receiving portions 41 and 42) against the receiving portion support surface 31b of the stage portion 31, and biases the upper spring receiving portion 24a upward. That is, the spring 11 may be positioned between the spring receiving portions 24a and 40 in a compressed state, in other words, in a preloaded state.

[0048] [Support structure that allows tilting of the control stick] As shown in Figure 7, the supported ball portion 21a is located inside the opening 31a of the stage portion 31. The inner surface 31c of the opening 31a may be formed such that the diameter of the opening 31a gradually decreases towards the top. The supported ball portion 21a is located inside this inner surface 31c.

[0049] The operating stick 20 is biased upward by the elastic force of the spring 11. When no pushing operation is performed on the operating stick 20, the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a and the inner surface 31c of the opening 31a of the stage portion 31 are in contact with each other due to the elastic force of the spring 11. Hereinafter, the inner surface 31c of the opening 31a will be referred to as the "ball support surface".

[0050] The ball support surface 31c is formed to allow movement of the supported ball portion 21a caused by the tilting of the operating stick 20. In other words, the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a and the ball support surface 31c are formed to allow tilting of the operating stick 20. Specifically, the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a and the ball support surface 31c are curved surfaces that allow tilting of the operating stick 20.

[0051] The control stick 20 is tiltable around a point Cp (see Figure 6B) located at its lower part (supported ball portion 21a). Hereinafter, this point Cp will be referred to as the "tilting center." The outer surface of the upper part of the supported ball portion 21a may be part of a sphere centered on this tilting center Cp. The supported ball portion 21a may be substantially ball-shaped. Similarly, the ball support surface 31c (inner surface of the opening 31a) may be part of a sphere centered on the tilting center Cp. This structure allows the control stick 20 to tilt around the tilting center Cp.

[0052] Furthermore, the shapes of the supported ball portion 21a and the ball support surface 31c are not limited to the examples described above, as long as they allow the tilting of the operating stick 20 to occur. For example, the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a and the ball support surface 31c are curved surfaces that allow the tilting of the operating stick 20, but they do not have to be part of the spherical surface described above. In yet another example, only the upper outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a may constitute part of a spherical surface centered on the tilting center Cp, and the ball support surface 31c may not have to be part of this spherical surface. Conversely, only the lower surface of the ball support surface 31c may constitute part of a spherical surface centered on the tilting center Cp, and the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a may not have to be part of this spherical surface.

[0053] [Tilt of the control stick] As shown in Figure 6B, the lower spring support portion 40 supports the control stick 20 so as to tilt together with the control stick 20. More specifically, a support cylinder portion 41d is formed in the lower spring support portion 40 (first support portion 41), and the shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21 is inserted inside this support cylinder portion 41d. Therefore, when the control stick 20 tilts, the lower spring support portion 40 also tilts accordingly.

[0054] The operating stick 20 is supported by the support cylinder portion 41d of the first receiving portion 41. A spring 11 is fitted to the outside of the support cylinder portion 41d. The support cylinder portion 41d extends upward. The upper end of the support cylinder portion 41d is higher than the lower end of the spring 11. This improves the support stability of the operating stick 20 by the lower spring receiving portion 40.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6B, when the operating stick 20 is tilted, only a portion of the outer circumference of the lower spring receiving portion 40 contacts the receiving portion support surface 31b of the stage portion 31, while the remaining portion is lifted away from the receiving portion support surface 31b of the stage portion 31. At this time, a moment is generated around the contact point between the lower spring receiving portion 40 and the receiving portion support surface 31b due to the elastic force of the spring 11. In other words, the elastic force of the spring 11 acts to return the posture of the lower spring receiving portion 40 to the receiving portion reference posture (horizontal posture). Therefore, when the user's tilting operation on the operating stick 20 is released, the lower spring receiving portion 40 returns to the receiving portion reference posture, and the operating stick 20 returns to the stick reference posture.

[0056] Furthermore, when the lower spring receiving portion 40 is tilted from the receiving portion reference position, the distance between the upper spring receiving portion 24a and the lower spring receiving portion 40 may be reduced. Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, when the operating stick 20 is in the stick reference position (Figure 6A), the distance between the lower spring receiving portion 40 and the upper spring receiving portion 24a in the direction of the operating stick axis is L1. When the operating stick 20 is tilted (Figure 6B), the distance between the lower spring receiving portion 40 and the upper spring receiving portion 24a in the direction of the operating stick axis is L2. This distance L2 is smaller than the distance L1. With this structure, when the user tilts the operating stick 20, the reaction force to the tilting operation can be gradually increased, improving the comfort of the tilting operation.

[0057] [Position of the upper end of the spring] As shown in Figure 6A, a recess is formed in the mounting body 24d, and the upper part of the spring 11 is positioned inside this recess. This makes it easy to ensure the correct length of the spring 11.

[0058] As described above, the operating stick 20 (specifically, the cover member 24) has an umbrella-shaped cover portion 24b (see Figure 3). The upper end of the spring 11 (the upper end of the recess formed in the mounting body portion 24d) may be higher than the cover portion 24b. More specifically, the upper end of the spring 11 may be higher than the upper edge 24c (see Figure 3) of the cover portion 24b. This makes it easier to ensure the length of the spring 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress excessive changes in the elastic force of the spring 11 caused by changes in the tilt angle of the operating stick 20.

[0059] [Support surface formed on the stage] As shown in Figure 8A, the receiving support surface 31b has an inner circumference 31e that is relatively close to the axis Ax1 of the operating stick 20 (the center of the opening 31a), and an outer circumference 31f that is formed outside the inner circumference 31e in the radial direction of the operating stick 20. The inner circumference 31e and the outer circumference 31f form an annular shape surrounding the opening 31a in a plan view of the operating stick 20.

[0060] The height of the support surface 31b of the stage section 31 may vary in the radial direction of the operating stick 20. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the height of the outer periphery 31f (distance from the substrate 12 to the outer periphery 31f) may be lower than that of the inner periphery 31e.

[0061] Unlike the control stick assembly 100, in a structure where the receiving support surface 31b is horizontal throughout, the distance between the lower spring receiving portion 40 and the upper spring receiving portion 24a decreases significantly as the tilt angle of the control stick 20 increases. Therefore, increasing the tilt angle may result in an excessive reaction force to the tilt operation. In contrast, in the control stick assembly 100, the height of the outer circumference portion 31f is lower than the inner circumference portion 31e, which helps to suppress an excessive reaction force to the tilt operation.

[0062] As shown in Figure 7, the outer circumference 31f is a slope and may gradually slope downward from the outer edge of the inner circumference 31e toward the radially outward direction of the operating stick 20. This helps to prevent the reaction force to tilt operation from becoming excessive. The angle of the outer circumference 31f with respect to the stick axis Ax1 may change in the radial direction. That is, in a cross-sectional view of the operating stick 20, the outer circumference 31f may be curved.

[0063] The ball support surface 31c and the upper part of the supported ball portion 21a are located radially inward from the outer circumference 31f. That is, a certain horizontal line (a line H1 parallel to the substrate 12, see Figure 7) can intersect the outer circumference 31f, the ball support surface 31c, and the supported ball portion 21a. The upper end 21n of the supported ball portion 21a is higher than the outer edge 31h (lower end) of the outer circumference 31f. With this structure, the position of the operating stick 20 is higher compared to a structure where the upper end 21n of the supported ball portion 21a is lower than the outer edge 31h (lower end) of the outer circumference 31f. As a result, it becomes easier to place other components 17 (see Figure 3) below the operating stick 20.

[0064] The height and inclination of the outer circumference 31f may be set so that the outer circumference 31f does not come into contact with the lower surface of the lower spring receiving portion 40. This allows the reaction force to the tilting operation to be determined by the diameter of the inner circumference 31e (the distance from the center of the opening 31a to the outer edge of the inner circumference 31e). For example, reducing the diameter of the inner circumference 31e reduces the reaction force to the tilting operation, while increasing the diameter of the inner circumference 31e increases the reaction force to the tilting operation. In Figure 6B, the tilting angle of the operating stick 20 is at its maximum. During the process in which the operating stick 20 changes from the stick reference position to the maximum tilting angle, the lower surface of the lower spring receiving portion 40 does not need to come into contact with the outer circumference 31f.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the height of the inner circumference 31e of the receiving support surface 31b may be constant toward the radially outward direction of the operating stick 20. In other words, the inner circumference 31e may be a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical line (a line perpendicular to the substrate 12).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, a corner portion 31g may be formed between the inner peripheral portion 31e and the outer peripheral portion 31f. When the operation stick 20 is tilted, the lower surface (the lower surface of the first receiving portion 41) of the lower spring receiving portion 40 contacts a point on the corner portion 31g (the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e) and floats from the other portions of the receiving portion support surface 31b. That is, when the operation stick 20 is tilted, the lower spring receiving portion 40 is supported only at a point on the corner portion 31g (the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e). In the process of tilting the operation stick 20, the lower surface of the lower spring receiving portion 40 slides on the corner portion 31g (the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e).

[0067] The supported ball portion 21a of the operation stick 20 is located below the inner peripheral portion 31e. In other words, the tilting center Cp (see FIG. 6B) of the operation stick 20 is located below the inner peripheral portion 31e. Therefore, as the tilting angle of the operation stick 20 increases, the distance between the inner peripheral portion 31e (the corner portion 31g) and the upper spring receiving portion 24a in the stick axis direction decreases. In the state shown in FIG. 6A, a distance L3 is secured between the inner peripheral portion 31e and the upper end of the upper spring receiving portion 24a, and in the state shown in FIG. 6B, a distance L4 (L4 < L3) is secured between the inner peripheral portion 31e (the corner portion 31g) and the upper end of the upper spring receiving portion 24a. Thereby, as the tilting angle of the operation stick 20 increases, the distance between the lower spring receiving portion 40 and the upper spring receiving portion 24a decreases, and as a result, the reaction force against the tilting operation increases.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e may be smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the lower spring receiving portion 40 (the first receiving portion 41). Thereby, it is possible to effectively suppress the reaction force against the tilting operation of the operation stick 20 from becoming excessive. The diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e may be further smaller than half of the diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral portion 31f. The diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e may be larger than the diameter of the spring 11.

[0069] Note that the shape of the receiving support surface 31b is not limited to the example shown in Figure 7, etc. For example, the inner circumference 31e does not necessarily have to be a horizontal surface perpendicular to the vertical line. For example, the inner circumference 31e may be inclined such that its height gradually increases toward the radially outward direction. In this case, the height of the outer circumference 31f may gradually decrease toward the radially outward direction, as in the example shown in Figure 7, etc.

[0070] As yet another example, a corner portion 31g does not necessarily have to be formed between the inner circumference portion 31e and the outer circumference portion 31f. In this case, a curved surface is formed between the inner circumference portion 31e and the outer circumference portion 31f, and the height of the receiving portion support surface 31b may gradually decrease toward the radially outward direction.

[0071] As yet another example, both the inner circumference 31e and the outer circumference 31f may be inclined to gradually slope downward toward the radially outward direction of the control stick 20. In this case, the slope of the outer circumference 31f may be greater than the slope of the inner circumference 31e.

[0072] [Stopper surface] The stage section 31 has a stopper surface 31i (see Figure 8A) on the outer periphery of the receiving support surface 31b. As shown in Figure 6B, the stopper surface 31i restricts the radial movement of the lower spring receiving section 40 relative to the operating stick 20. When the tilt angle of the operating stick 20 reaches its maximum θm, the outer periphery of the lower spring receiving section 40 (the outer periphery of the first receiving section 41) contacts the stopper surface 31i. The stopper surface 31i then restricts further movement of the operating stick 20 and the lower spring receiving section 40.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, the stopper surface 31i may extend upward from the outer edge of the outer circumference 31f in a cross-sectional view of the operating stick 20. The height of the upper end of the stopper surface 31i may be higher than that of the inner circumference 31e. In a plan view of the operating stick 20, the stopper surface 31i may be annular.

[0074] The stopper surface 31i may be inclined with respect to the stick axis Ax1. The angle of the stopper surface 31i may correspond to the maximum tilt angle θm. In other words, the stopper surface 31i may be formed to be substantially parallel to the stick axis Ax1 of the control stick 20 when tilted to the maximum tilt angle θm. This allows for more reliable restriction of the movement of the control stick 20 beyond the maximum tilt angle θm.

[0075] As described above, the outer peripheral portion 31f gradually slopes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral portion 31e toward the radially outward direction of the operating stick 20. The stopper surface 31i may extend upward from the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral portion 31f. This allows the position of the upper end of the stopper surface 31i to be lowered, making it easier to avoid the stopper surface 31i interfering with other parts (for example, the cover portion 24b).

[0076] Note that the structure of the stopper surface 31i is not limited to the example shown in Figure 6B, etc. For example, the operating stick assembly 100 may have a stopper portion in a part other than the stage portion 31.

[0077] [Structure that provides momentum to the control stick] The lower spring receiving portion 40 (specifically, the receiving portions 41 and 42) has a support hole 41a (see Figure 7) into which the stick body 21 (more specifically, the shaft portion 21b) is inserted. A small clearance may be maintained between the shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21 and the inner surface of the support hole 41a. This clearance allows for smooth relative movement of the lower spring receiving portion 40 relative to the stick body 21 in the direction of the stick axis.

[0078] This clearance allows for changes in the relative position of the operating stick 20 and the lower spring receiver 40 in a direction perpendicular to the stick axis Ax1. Such changes in relative position are undesirable from the standpoint of operating comfort. Furthermore, these changes in relative position affect the accuracy of tilt angle detection by the tilt operation sensor 14a. For example, even when the lower spring receiver 40 is in the receiver reference position, the tilt angle detected based on the signal from the tilt operation sensor 14a may change slightly from the value representing the stick reference position.

[0079] Therefore, the control stick assembly 100 has a biasing structure that applies a force F1 (see Figure 7) to the control stick 20 in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1. This force F1 acts on the control stick 20 from the lower spring receiving portion 40. Hereinafter, this biasing structure will be referred to as the "stick biasing structure," and the force F1 will be referred to as the "stick biasing force."

[0080] The stick biasing structure makes it possible to suppress changes in the relative position of the operating stick 20 with respect to the lower spring receiving portion 40. As a result, the comfort of operation can be improved. In addition, the influence of clearance on the accuracy of tilt angle detection by the tilt operation sensor 14a can be reduced. Specifically, when the lower spring receiving portion 40 is in the receiving portion reference position, it is possible to suppress changes in the tilt angle detected based on the signal of the tilt operation sensor 14a.

[0081] [Two receiving parts and a biasing member between them] As shown in Figure 7, the stick biasing structure includes a lower spring receiving portion 40 and a biasing member 43. The biasing member 43 is formed separately from the lower spring receiving portion 40 and can move in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1. This biasing member 43 applies a stick biasing force F1 to the control stick 20.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7, the lower spring receiving portion 40 may have a first receiving portion 41 and a second receiving portion 42. The second receiving portion 42 is positioned above the first receiving portion 41, and they are combined in the direction of the stick axis. The biasing member 43 may be positioned between the first receiving portion 41 and the second receiving portion 42.

[0083] As shown in Figure 9, the first receiving portion 41 may have a support cylinder portion 41d extending upward from its center. A hole 42a may be formed in the center of the second receiving portion 42, and the support cylinder portion 41d may extend upward through this hole 42a. The shaft portion 21b of the operating stick 20 is inserted inside the support cylinder portion 41d (support hole 41a).

[0084] As shown in Figure 7, the spring 11 is fitted to the outside of the support cylinder portion 41d. The lower end of the spring 11 is supported by the upper surface of the second receiving portion 42. An annular recess 42d may be formed on the upper surface of the second receiving portion 42 where the lower end of the spring 11 is positioned.

[0085] As shown in Figure 4A, the first receiving portion 41 may have a plurality of engaging portions 41g on its outer periphery. The second receiving portion 42 may be positioned inside the plurality of engaging portions 41g, and its separation from the first receiving portion 41 may be restricted by the plurality of engaging portions 41g. As shown in Figure 4B, the first receiving portion 41 may have a plurality of protrusions 41h arranged along the outer periphery of the base of the support cylinder portion 41d. The second receiving portion 42 may be supported by the upper surface of these protrusions 41h. This allows the contact point between the first receiving portion 41 and the second receiving portion 42 to be fixed.

[0086] As shown in Figure 7, the first receiving portion 41 and the second receiving portion 42 may each have receiving recesses 41b and 42b formed therein. The receiving recess 41b may be formed on the upper side of the first receiving portion 41, and the receiving recess 42b may be formed on the lower side of the second receiving portion 42. The two receiving recesses 41b and 42b may face each other in the direction of the stick axis.

[0087] The biasing member 43 is positioned inside the housing recesses 41b and 42b and may be allowed to move in a direction perpendicular to the stick axis Ax1. The biasing member 43 may be in contact with the outer surface of the operating stick 20 (more specifically, the outer surface of the shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21).

[0088] The biasing member 43 and the receiving parts 41 and 42 may be in direct or indirect contact with each other via an inclined surface. This inclined surface may generate a stick biasing force F1 from the elastic force of the spring 11. Hereinafter, this inclined surface will be referred to as the "pressing inclined surface".

[0089] For example, as shown in Figure 7, a pressing slope 42c may be formed on the inner surface of the receiving recess 42b of the second receiving portion 42. The pressing slope 42c is inclined with respect to the stick axis Ax1 so as to be downward and facing the stick axis Ax1. The elastic force of the spring 11 pushes the second receiving portion 42 downward. The biasing member 43 is in contact with the pressing slope 42c. Therefore, a force is generated on the biasing member 43 in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1, and this force acts on the operating stick 20 as the stick biasing force F1. In other words, the biasing member 43 uses the elastic force of the spring 11 to push the operating stick 20 in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1. The direction of the elastic force of the spring 11 is changed by the pressing slope 42c and the biasing member 43 and acts on the operating stick 20. With this structure, the elastic force of the spring 11 can be effectively utilized.

[0090] As shown in Figure 7, a sloped surface 41c may also be formed on the inner surface of the receiving recess 41b of the first receiving portion 41. The sloped surface 41c may be located radially outward from the operating stick 20 than the pressing sloped surface 42c. Therefore, when the pressing sloped surface 42c is pressing the biasing member 43, the sloped surface 41c of the first receiving portion 41 does not need to be in contact with the biasing member 43.

[0091] Contrary to the example shown in Figure 7, the inclined surface 41c of the first receiving portion 41 may function as a pressing inclined surface. This inclined surface 41c may be inclined with respect to the stick axis Ax1 so as to be upward and toward the stick axis Ax1. In this structure as well, the biasing member 43 can use the elastic force of the spring 11 to push the operating stick 20 in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1. In this case, the inclined surface 42c of the second receiving portion 42 may be located radially outward from the operating stick 20 than the inclined surface 41c of the first receiving portion 41. Alternatively, the inclined surface 42c may not be formed on the inner surface of the receiving recess 42b of the second receiving portion 42.

[0092] The biasing member 43 is positioned above the supported ball portion 21a (more specifically, the tilt center Cp) of the operating stick 20. The operating stick 20 is pushed by the biasing member 43 and may be in contact with the inner surface of the support hole 41a of the support cylinder portion 41d. When the biasing member 43 applies a stick biasing force F1 to the operating stick 20, the inner circumferential edge of the upper end of the support cylinder portion 41d contacts the operating stick 20 at contact point P2 (see Figure 7). Contact point P2 is located on the opposite side of the stick axis Ax1 from the contact point P1 (see Figure 7) between the biasing member 43 and the operating stick 20. In this way, the relative position between the operating stick 20 and the lower spring receiving portion 40 is fixed by pressing the operating stick 20 against the inner circumferential surface of the support cylinder portion 41d.

[0093] As shown in Figure 4B, a D-cut may be formed on the shaft portion 21b of the stick body 21. That is, a flat surface 21d may be formed on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 21b. On the other hand, a flat surface opposite to this flat surface 21d may be formed on the inner surface of the support cylinder portion 41d. With this structure, it is possible to suppress changes in the relative position between the stick body 21 and the first receiving portion 41 in the circumferential direction centered on the stick axis Ax1.

[0094] The biasing member 43 may be cylindrical, as shown in Figure 9. The biasing member 43 may be positioned inside the housing recesses 41b and 42b in a orientation such that the axis Ax2 of the cylinder is substantially parallel to the plane perpendicular to the stick axis Ax1. The outer surface (curved surface) of the biasing member 43 may be in contact with the outer surface of the operating stick 20 (outer surface of the shaft portion 21b) and the pressing slope 42c of the second receiving portion 42.

[0095] This structure reduces the contact area between the biasing member 43 and the stick body 21, and the contact area between the biasing member 43 and the receiving parts 41 and 42. As a result, the frictional resistance to the relative movement between the lower spring receiving part 40 and the stick body 21 in the direction of the stick axis can be reduced.

[0096] Note that the shape of the biasing member 43 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 9. For example, the biasing member 43 may be spherical. Since the shaft portion 21b of the operating stick 20 is cylindrical, if the biasing member 43 is spherical, the contact point P1 between the biasing member 43 and the shaft portion 21b of the operating stick 20 will be shifted to the right (X1 direction) or to the left (X2 direction) with respect to a plane that includes the stick axis Ax1 and is aligned in the front-rear direction (the plane shown by the line VI-VI in Figure 5). For this reason, the contact point P2 between the shaft portion 21b of the operating stick 20 and the inner surface of the support cylinder portion 41d will also be shifted to the right (X1 direction) or to the left (X2 direction) with respect to this plane.

[0097] [Other examples of biasing structures] Note that the stick biasing structure that generates the stick biasing force F1 is not limited to the examples shown in Figure 7, etc.

[0098] For example, the pressing slope that presses the biasing member 43 may be formed on the inner surface of the receiving recess 41b of the first receiving portion 41, rather than on the inner surface of the receiving recess 42b of the second receiving portion 42. In other words, the pressing slope may be formed on either of the two receiving portions 42.

[0099] As yet another example, the inclined surface may be formed on the biasing member 43. For example, a protrusion may be formed on the second receiving portion 42, and this protrusion may contact the inclined surface of the biasing member 43. This inclined surface may then generate a stick biasing force F1 from the elastic force of the spring 11. Conversely, a protrusion may be formed on the first receiving portion 41, and this protrusion may contact the inclined surface of the biasing member 43. This inclined surface may then generate a stick biasing force F1 from the elastic force of the spring 11.

[0100] In the example shown in Figure 7, the biasing member 43 is in direct contact with both the operating stick 20 and the pressing slope 42c of the second receiving portion 42. In contrast, the structure for generating the stick biasing force F1 may include members other than the biasing member 43, and the biasing member 43 may be indirectly in contact with the pressing slope 42c of the second receiving portion 42 through these members.

[0101] In the example shown in Figure 7, the number of biasing members 43 constituting the stick biasing structure is one. However, the number of biasing members 43 may be three or more. In this case, the multiple biasing members 43 may be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction surrounding the stick axis Ax1.

[0102] As yet another example, the number of biasing members 43 may be two. In this case, these two biasing members 43 may be spaced apart in the circumferential direction surrounding the stick axis Ax1. This structure also allows the stick body 21 to be pressed against the inner surface of the support cylinder portion 41d (the inner surface of the support hole 41a).

[0103] Furthermore, in another structure, the elastic force of the spring 11 does not necessarily have to be used to generate the stick biasing force F1. In this case, the spring structure that generates this stick biasing force F1 may be provided in the lower spring receiving portion 40.

[0104] [First movable body and second movable body] As shown in Figure 3, the control stick assembly 100 has a movable part 50. The movable part 50 may have a first movable body 51 and a second movable body 52. ​​As shown in Figure 8A, a ball support portion 51a may be formed on the first movable body 51. An inner surface 51b that supports the lower part of the supported ball portion 21a may be formed on this ball support portion 51a. Hereinafter, this inner surface 51b will be referred to as the "ball support surface".

[0105] The control stick 20 can be tilted (see Figure 6B) and pushed (up and down movement, see Figure 6C). The movable part 50 allows rotation of the supported ball portion 21a caused by the tilting of the control stick 20. More specifically, the ball support surface 51b is formed to support the supported ball portion 21a while allowing rotation of the supported ball portion 21a caused by the tilting of the control stick 20.

[0106] The movable parts 50 (first movable body 51 and second movable body 52) are supported so as to be able to move up and down together with the supported ball part 21a. When the operating stick 20 is pressed, the movable parts 50 move down together with the supported ball part 21a, and the press operation sensor 15 is pressed by the movable parts 50 (more specifically, the second movable body 52), switching its on / off state.

[0107] The housing 30 is fixed to the base plate 12 by fastening members (for example, screws 16, see Figure 3), and the stage portion 31 is immovable relative to the base plate 12. As shown in Figure 6A, the movable portion 50 (first movable body 51 and second movable body 52) is located below the stage portion 31. The movable portion 50 is also located between the left and right side walls 32R and 32L of the housing 30 (Figure 8B). On the other hand, the return mechanism (spring 11 and lower spring receiving portion 40) that returns the operating stick 20 to the stick reference position is supported above the stage portion 31.

[0108] [Support of the control stick by the stage section and the first movable section] As shown in Figure 7, the stage portion 31 may have a ball support surface 31c. The ball support surface 51b formed on the first movable body 51 and the ball support surface 31c formed on the stage portion 31 may face each other in the vertical direction. The ball support surface 31c may support the upper part of the supported ball portion 21a, and the ball support surface 51b may support the lower part of the supported ball portion 21a. As shown in Figure 6C, when a push operation is performed on the operating stick 20, the first movable body 51 is pushed by the supported ball portion 21a through the ball support surface 51b and moves downward together with the operating stick 20. At this time, the first movable body 51 separates from the stage portion 31.

[0109] The supported ball portion 21a is allowed to rotate inside the ball support surfaces 31c and 51b due to the tilting of the operating stick 20. The supported ball portion 21a is substantially spherical with a tilt center Cp as its center, and the ball support surfaces 31c and 51b may constitute a part of this sphere to allow rotation of the supported ball portion 21a.

[0110] With this structure, in which a ball support surface 31c is formed on the stage portion 31, it becomes easier to raise the position of the supported portion 21a (i.e., the position of the operating stick 20) ​​compared to, for example, a structure in which both the upper and lower parts of the supported ball portion 21a are supported by a movable portion. As a result, it becomes easier to place the tilt operation sensor 14a and other components 17 (components on the circuit board 12, see Figure 3) below the operating stick 20.

[0111] The outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a and the ball support surface 51b may have recesses and protrusions that fit together with each other. For example, as shown in Figure 9, a recess 21e may be formed on the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a. A protrusion 51k (see Figure 8A) may be formed on the ball support surface 51b. This protrusion 51k may fit into the recess 21e (see Figure 7). This structure makes it possible to suppress the rotation of the control stick 20 in the circumferential direction around the stick axis Ax1.

[0112] The recessed portion 21e and the convex portion 51k may be formed so that the operating stick 20 can tilt around the tilt center Cp. Specifically, the recessed portion 21e may be a groove extending along an arc centered on the tilt center Cp. This allows the operating stick 20 to tilt in the front-back direction (Y1-Y2 direction) around the tilt center Cp (see Figure 6B). The convex portion 51k may also have a curved surface. For example, the convex portion 51k may be hemispherical. This allows the operating stick 20 to tilt in the left-right direction (X1-X2 direction) around the tilt center Cp.

[0113] Unlike the examples shown in Figures 8A and 9, a protrusion may be formed on the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a, and a recess (groove) may be formed on the ball support surface 51b. In yet another example, a recess (groove) and a protrusion may be formed on the ball support surface 31c of the stage portion 31 and on the outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a to prevent rotation of the operating stick 20.

[0114] [Sensor support structure] The push sensor 15 is positioned to be pressed in response to a push operation on the control stick. The push sensor 15 may be mounted on the circuit board 12, for example, as shown in Figure 6C, and pressed by the movable part 50 (more specifically, the second movable body 52). As will be described later, the push sensor 15 may be attached to the movable part 50. When a push operation is performed, the push sensor 15 may also be pressed by a component located below it (for example, the main circuit board or frame of the input device 10).

[0115] The tilt operation sensor 14a is supported by the movable part 50 and is able to move up and down together with the operation stick 20. More specifically, the tilt operation sensor 14a is supported by the first movable body 51 and is able to move up and down together with the operation stick 20.

[0116] With this support structure for the tilt operation sensor 14a, the distance between the detected part 29a (magnet) of the operation stick 20 and the tilt operation sensor 14a remains constant regardless of the vertical movement of the operation stick 20 caused by the pushing operation. When the operation stick 20 is tilted, the angle of the detected part 29a relative to the tilt operation sensor 14a changes, and the tilt operation sensor 14a outputs a signal corresponding to the change in the magnetic field caused by this angle change. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in detection accuracy of the tilt angle caused by the pushing operation of the operation stick 20.

[0117] As shown in Figure 3, the tilt operation sensor 14a may be mounted on, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 14. This FPC 14 may then be attached to the first movable body 51. The FPC 14 may be fixed to the lower surface of the ball support portion 51a of the first movable body 51 by a fastening member (for example, a screw). The tilt operation sensor 14a and the detected portion 29a (magnet) may face each other in the direction of the stick axis.

[0118] As shown in Figure 3, the FPC 14 may have a plate-shaped portion 14b at its end. A tilt operation sensor 14a is mounted on this portion 14b. This plate-shaped portion 14b may be fixed to the lower surface of the ball support portion 51a by a fastening member (for example, a screw). Hereinafter, this plate-shaped portion 14b will be referred to as the "sensor support portion". The FPC 14 may extend in one direction from the sensor support portion 14b (for example, in the direction opposite to the connector 12a). As shown in Figure 6A, this FPC 14 may be connected to a connector 12b mounted on the substrate 12, and the signal from the tilt operation sensor 14a may be transmitted to the control device of the input device 10 through this connector 12b.

[0119] As shown in Figure 6A, the detected part 29a may be attached to the bottom of the operating stick 20. More specifically, a recess 21g (see Figure 9) may be formed at the lower end of the supported ball part 21a, and the detected part 29a may be attached inside this recess 21g. An opening may be formed at the bottom of the ball support part 51a of the first movable body 51 to expose the detected part 29a downwards. The tilt operation sensor 14a may face the detected part 29a in the direction of the stick axis through this opening.

[0120] The support structure for the tilt operation sensor 14a is not limited to the example shown in Figure 6A, etc. For example, the tilt operation sensor 14a may be mounted on a rigid circuit board. This rigid circuit board may then be attached to the first movable body 51 and connected to the main circuit board of the board 12 or the input device 10 via a connector and an FPC. In yet another example, the FPC 14 may be directly connected to the main circuit board of the input device 10.

[0121] As shown in Figure 7, a recess 31k may be formed on the lower surface of the stage portion 31. An opening 31a is formed inside this recess 31k. At least the upper part of the ball support portion 51a of the first movable body 51 may be positioned in this recess 31k. That is, the position of the upper surface of the ball support portion 51a may be higher than the outer edge 31m of the recess 31k. This structure allows the position of the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 to be raised. As a result, it becomes easier to secure the distance between the substrate 12 and the supported ball portion 21a, and the distance between the substrate 12 and the tilt operation sensor 14a, and it also becomes easier to position other components 17 (see Figure 3) below the tilt operation sensor 14a.

[0122] [Guide for the direction of movement of movable parts] As shown in Figure 8A, the first movable body 51 has a first guided portion 51c. The first movable body 51 may have two first guided portions 51c. These two first guided portions 51c may be located on opposite sides of the ball support portion 51a in the direction of the axis Ax3 of the supported shaft portion 52b, which will be described later. On the other hand, the housing 30 may have two guide portions 32c into which these two first guided portions 51c are fitted, as shown in Figure 8B. The guide portions 32c restrict the direction in which the first guided portions 51c move (the direction in which the first movable body 51 moves) to the vertical direction. With this structure, vertical movement of the movable portion 50 is permitted, while preventing unintended changes in the posture of the movable portion 50 (changes in the relative position of the tilt operation sensor 14a and the detected portion 29a) when a pushing operation is performed.

[0123] As shown in Figure 8A, the first guided portion 51c is separated from the ball support portion 51a in the radial direction of the operating stick 20. A connecting portion 51e is formed between the first guided portion 51c and the ball support portion 51a. The two connecting portions 51e may be located on opposite sides of the ball support portion 51a in the direction of the axis Ax3 of the supported shaft portion 52b. The two first guided portions 51c may each extend downward from the two connecting portions 51e.

[0124] As shown in Figure 8B, grooves may be formed on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 32R and 32L of the housing 30, extending upward from the lower edges of the side walls 32R and 32L. These grooves may function as guide portions 32c. That is, the first guided portion 51c may be fitted inside the guide portion 32c. The first guided portion 51c may be able to move up and down while in contact with the inner surface of the guide portion 32c.

[0125] As shown in Figure 8A, the first guided portion 51c may have a contact projection 51d that contacts the inner surface of the guide portion 32c. The contact projection 51d may be formed, for example, on the front surface (facing in the Y1 direction) and the rear surface (facing in the Y2 direction) of the first guided portion 51c. The top of the contact projection 51d may have a curved surface. This reduces the contact area between the guided portion 51c and the inner surface of the guide portion 32c. As a result, the movement of the first movable body 51 relative to the housing 30 can be made smoother. Furthermore, since the contact projection 51d is formed on the front surface and the rear surface of the guided portion 51c, the movement of the first movable body 51 around an axis along the left-right direction (X1-X2 direction) can be reliably suppressed. A clearance may be secured between the side surface (facing outward in the left-right direction) of the first guided portion 51c and the inner surface of the guide portion 32c of the housing 30.

[0126] Unlike the example shown in Figure 8A, contact protrusions may also be formed on the side surface of the first guided portion 51c. Furthermore, contact protrusions may be formed on the inner surface of the guide portion 32c. In other words, contact protrusions may be formed on either the first guided portion 51c or the guide portion 32c to reduce the contact area between them.

[0127] Furthermore, contrary to the example shown in Figure 8A, etc., a protrusion extending vertically may be formed on the inner surface of the side wall portions 32R and 32L of the housing 30, and this protrusion may be formed as a guide portion 32c. Then, a groove into which this guide portion 32c fits may be formed as the first guided portion 51c in the first movable body 51.

[0128] As shown in Figure 8A, the first movable body 51 may further have a second guided portion 51i. On the other hand, the second movable body 52 may have two arm portions 52a, each supported via a supported shaft portion 52b. The two arm portions 52a are separated in the left-right direction (X1-X2 direction, along the axis Ax2 of the supported shaft portion 52b). The second guided portion 51i may be positioned between these two arm portions 52a. The direction of movement of the second guided portion 51i may be restricted in the up-down direction by these two arm portions 52a. In other words, the arm portions 52a may function as guide portions.

[0129] As shown in Figure 8A, the second guided portion 51i may have a contact projection 51j that contacts the arm portion 52a. The contact projection 51j may be formed, for example, on the left and right sides of the second guided portion 51i. The top of this contact projection 51j may have a curved surface. This reduces the contact area between the guided portion 51i and the arm portion 52a.

[0130] As described above, the first guided portion 51c is in contact with the guide portion 32c in the front-rear direction via the contact projection 51d. The second guided portion 51i is in contact with the arm portion 52a in the left-right direction via the contact projection 51j. This structure effectively suppresses both tilting of the first movable body 51 in the front-rear direction and tilting in the left-right direction.

[0131] Furthermore, the structure that restricts the direction of movement of the first movable body 51 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 8A, etc. For example, the direction of movement of the second guided portion 51i may be restricted by the housing 30 rather than the second movable body 52. ​​That is, a groove (guide portion) having an inner surface that contacts the contact projection 51j of the second guided portion 51i may be formed in the housing 30. In yet another example, the first movable portion 51 does not have a second guided portion 51i. In this case, the first guided portion 51c may be in contact with the inner surface of the housing 30 not only in the front-to-back direction but also in the left-to-right direction.

[0132] [Support structure for the second movable body] The base of the second movable body 52 may be supported in such a way that its vertical movement is restricted. The base of the second movable body 52 may be supported by the housing 30. For example, each arm portion 52a may have a supported shaft portion 52b at its base that is rotatable about an axis Ax3 along the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 8A. The supported shaft portion 52b may protrude outward in the left-right direction from the base of the arm portion 52a. The arm portion 52a may then be supported by the housing 30 via the supported shaft portion 52b. Support holes 32d into which the supported shaft portion 52b fits may be formed in the side walls 32R and 32L of the housing 30.

[0133] Contrary to the example shown in Figure 8A, a shaft portion may be formed in the housing 30. A hole for fitting the shaft portion may also be formed in the arm portion 52a.

[0134] As shown in Figure 8B, the second movable body 52 may have an arm connecting portion 52f on the opposite side of the stick axis Ax1 from the base of the arm portion 52a (supported shaft portion 52b). The arm connecting portion 52f may be stretched across the tips of the two arm portions 52a.

[0135] The first movable body 51 is positioned above the second movable body 52. ​​The aforementioned connecting portion 51e of the first movable body 51 may be located above the arm portion 52a of the second movable body 52. ​​As shown in Figure 8A, the arm portion 52a may have a receiving surface 52c on its upper side. The receiving surface 52c may be located between the base (supported shaft portion 52b) and the tip (arm connecting portion 52f) of the arm portion 52a. The right connecting portion 51e of the first movable body 51 is located above the receiving surface 52c of the right arm portion 52a. The left connecting portion 51e of the first movable body 51 is located above the receiving surface 52c of the left arm portion 52a. Each connecting portion 51e has an arm pressing surface 51f (see Figure 8B) on its lower surface for pressing against the receiving surface 52c.

[0136] [Placement of push operation sensors] The push operation sensor 15 may be positioned away from the stick axis Ax1. For example, as shown in Figure 6A, the push operation sensor 15 may be positioned forward of the stick axis Ax1. The push operation sensor 15 may be positioned so as not to overlap with the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 in a plan view of the operating stick assembly 100.

[0137] This arrangement of the push sensor 15 allows for flexibility in the distance from the circuit board 12 to the control stick 20. For example, even if the push sensor 15 is large in the vertical direction, the position of the control stick 20 can be lowered. It also makes it easier to position the tilt sensor 14a below the control stick 20.

[0138] As shown in Figure 6A, the push sensor 15 and the tilt sensor 14a are positioned apart in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1 (parallel to the substrate 12). Furthermore, the position of the tilt sensor 14a may be lower than the upper end 15a of the push sensor 15 and higher than the lower end 15b (bottom surface) of the push sensor 15. This lowers the position of the tilt sensor 14a, making it easier to lower the position of the control stick 20 or to ensure sufficient distance between the detected part 29a (e.g., a magnet) attached to the control stick 20 and the tilt sensor 14a.

[0139] As shown in Figure 6A, other components 17 may be placed below the tilt operation sensor 14a. By effectively utilizing the space below the tilt operation sensor 14a in this way, the size of the circuit board 12 can be reduced.

[0140] As shown in Figure 6A, the push operation sensor 15 is located below the arm connecting portion 52f. A sensor operation portion 52e for operating the push operation sensor 15 may be formed on the arm connecting portion 52f. The lower surface of the arm connecting portion 52f functions as the sensor operation portion 52e. The sensor operation portion 52e faces the push operation sensor 15 in the vertical direction.

[0141] As shown in Figure 8B, the arm connecting portion 52f may connect the upper parts of the left and right arm portions 52a. The push operation sensor 15 may be positioned between the left and right arm portions 52a. This makes it possible to use a push operation sensor 15, which has a large vertical size, while ensuring the vertical width W1 of the arm portion 52a (see Figure 8B).

[0142] As shown in Figure 6C, when the operating stick 20 is pressed, the first movable body 51 is pushed by the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 and moves downward together with the operating stick 20. At this time, the first movable body 51 pushes down the second movable body 52. ​​More specifically, the arm pressing surface 51f pushes down the left and right arm portions 52a. As a result, the position of the second movable body 52 lowers around the supported shaft portion 52b, and the sensor operating portion 52e presses the push operation sensor 15.

[0143] The sensor operating section 52e and the supported shaft section 52b are located on opposite sides of each other in the direction along the substrate 12 (the front-to-back direction in the example shown in the figure), with the receiving surface 52c and the ball support section 51a in between. With this structure, when a push operation is applied to the operating stick 20, the vertical movement of the sensor operating section 52e can be greatly increased, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the push operation.

[0144] The arm pressing surface 51f may be formed such that its lower end 51g protrudes, as shown in Figure 10. For example, the arm pressing surface 51f may be formed as a roughly downward-pointing triangle. The arm pressing surface 51f may then press down on the receiving surface 52c formed on the upper surface of the arm portion 52a with its lower end 51g.

[0145] An angle change of the arm pressing surface 51f relative to the receiving surface 52c is permitted. Therefore, the second movable body 52 is allowed to tilt relative to the first movable body 51, in other words, to tilt in the vertical direction. As a result, when the first movable body 51 moves straight up and down due to the action of the guide portion 32c of the housing 30, the second movable body 52 moves up and down around the supported shaft portion 52b and tilts in the vertical direction.

[0146] In this way, relative movement (tilting) is permitted between the second movable body 52 and the first movable body 51. This structure allows the first movable body 51 to maintain its horizontal position, in other words, to maintain a position parallel to the substrate 12. As a result, it is possible to suppress unintended changes in the angle of the tilt operation sensor 14a relative to the operation stick 20. For example, when the second movable body 52 presses the push operation sensor 15, it is possible to suppress changes in the angle between the tilt operation sensor 14a and the detected part 29a of the operation stick 20.

[0147] [Biasing the second movable body to its initial position] The second movable body 52 is biased upward. As shown in Figure 2, the operating stick assembly 100 may have a spring 53 that is supported by, for example, the housing 30 and biases the second movable body 52 upward. The first movable body 51 may be biased upward via the second movable body 52. ​​That is, the arm portion 52a of the second movable body 52 may push up the connecting portion 51e of the first movable body 51.

[0148] The spring 53 is, for example, a torsion spring. As shown in Figure 8B, the spring 53 may have two supported portions 53b supported by the housing 30. The two supported portions 53b are supported by the upper part of the spring support portion 33 which protrudes forward from the left and right side walls 32R and 32L of the housing 30 (see Figure 2). The spring 53 has a mounting portion 53a between the two supported portions 53b. The mounting portion 53a is attached to the arm connecting portion 52f of the second movable body 52. ​​The arm connecting portion 52f may have a protrusion 52g that protrudes forward. The mounting portion 53a may be attached to this protrusion 52g.

[0149] Note that the arrangement of the push operation sensor 15 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 6A, etc. For example, the push operation sensor 15 may be attached to the lower surface of the arm connecting portion 52f and move up and down together with the arm connecting portion 52f. Furthermore, when the first movable body 51 pushes down the second movable body 52, the push operation sensor 15 may be pressed by the substrate 12.

[0150] As yet another example, the push sensor 15 may be located below the control stick 20. As mentioned above, the tilt sensor 14a is also located below the control stick 20. Therefore, the push sensor 15 may be located below the tilt sensor 14a. For example, the push sensor 15 may be attached to the lower surface of the sensor support portion 14b of the FPC 14. In this case, the control stick assembly 100 does not need to have the second movable body 52. ​​In this structure, when the first movable body 51 is pressed down, the push sensor 15 is pressed by the substrate 12.

[0151] The push operation sensor 15 may be mounted on the circuit board 12 and located below the sensor support portion 14b of the FPC 14. In this case, when the first movable body 51 is pressed down, the push operation sensor 15 is pressed by the sensor support portion 14b.

[0152] [Second example of a control stick assembly] The control stick assembly 200 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 17. Below, the control stick assembly 200 will be described focusing on its differences from the control stick assembly 100 described above. Any aspects of the control stick assembly 200 not described may be the same as those of the control stick assembly 100. Elements common to both the control stick assembly 200 and 100 are denoted by corresponding symbols, and their explanations are omitted.

[0153] As shown in Figure 12, the operating stick assembly 200 includes an operating stick 20 and a spring 11. The operating stick 20 may include a stick body 21, a mounting body 224 (see Figure 16A) attached to the upper part of the stick body 21, and a top member 223 attached to the outside of the mounting body 224. The top member 223 may include an umbrella-shaped cover portion 223a that covers the housing 230 and a disc-shaped top portion 223b located at the very top of the operating stick 20. The top member 223 may be attached to the outside of the mounting body 224.

[0154] A recess opening downwards may be formed in the mounting body 224. The upper part of the spring 11 may be positioned inside this recess. Therefore, the upper end of the recess in the mounting body 224 may function as an upper spring support portion 224a that supports the upper end of the spring 11.

[0155] The control stick assembly 200 includes a lower spring receiving portion 240, a housing 230, a movable portion 250, and an FPC 214. The housing 230 may have a first housing 231 and a second housing 233. The movable portion 250 may have a first movable body (upper movable portion) 251 and a second movable body (lower movable portion) 252.

[0156] [Structure that provides momentum to the control stick] The control stick assembly 200 has a stick biasing structure that applies a force (stick biasing force F1) to the control stick 20 in a direction intersecting the stick axis Ax1. In the control stick assembly 200, the stick biasing structure is formed in the lower spring receiving portion 240. More specifically, an elastic portion 242 is formed in the lower spring receiving portion 240 that applies the stick biasing force F1 to the control stick 20.

[0157] As shown in Figure 14, the lower spring receiving portion 240 has a support cylinder portion 241 in its center. The lower spring receiving portion 240 has a disc-shaped receiving portion 243 that extends radially from the lower edge of the support cylinder portion 241. An opening 241a is formed in the support cylinder portion 241, and an elastic portion 242 is arranged inside this opening 241a.

[0158] As shown in Figure 16A, one end of the elastic portion 242 (for example, the lower end) may be connected to, for example, the receiving portion 243. The other end (upper end 242a) of the elastic portion 242 may be elastically deformable so as to move radially with respect to the operating stick 20. The upper end 242a of the elastic portion 242 may then apply a stick biasing force F1 to the operating stick 20. The elastic portion 242 may be integrally molded with the other parts of the lower spring receiving portion 240 from resin.

[0159] This structure also helps to suppress changes in the relative position of the operating stick 20 with respect to the lower spring receiving portion 240. As a result, the comfort of operation can be improved. In addition, the influence of the clearance between the operating stick 20 and the inner surface of the support cylinder portion 241 on the accuracy of tilt angle detection by the tilt operation sensor 14a can be reduced.

[0160] Unlike the example shown in Figure 16A, the upper end 242a of the elastic part 242 may be connected to, for example, the support cylinder part 241. In this case, the elastic part 242 may be elastically deformable so that its lower end moves radially to the operating stick 20. The lower end of the elastic part 242 may then apply a stick biasing force F1 to the operating stick 20.

[0161] As yet another example, an elastic portion that can be elastically deformed in the radial direction of the operating stick 20 may be formed on the operating stick 20. The stick biasing force F1 may be generated when this elastic portion contacts the lower spring receiving portion 240. For example, a spring that functions as a biasing member may be placed between the support cylinder portion 241 and the shaft portion 21b of the operating stick 20.

[0162] [Support of the control stick by the first and second movable parts] The first housing 231 has a stage section 232 (see Figure 14). As shown in Figure 16A, the first movable body 251 and the second movable body 252 are positioned below the stage section 232. Unlike the operating stick assembly 100, the first movable body 251 and the second movable body 252 may be fixed to each other in the vertical direction. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the first movable body 251 and the second movable body 252 are fastened together by a fastening member (e.g., a screw 259). The supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 is held by these two movable bodies 251 and 252.

[0163] As shown in Figure 16B, an opening may be formed in the central part of the first movable body 251. The first movable body 251 may have a ball support surface 251a as the inner surface of this opening. The ball support surface 251a may support the upper outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 15, the second movable body 252 may have a ball support portion 252a in its central part. The ball support portion 252a may be an inner surface 252b that supports the lower outer surface of the supported ball portion 21a. Hereinafter, this inner surface 252b will be referred to as the ball support surface.

[0164] The supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 is positioned inside the upper and lower ball support surfaces 251a and 252b, and is rotatable inside the ball support surfaces 251a and 252b. This allows the operating stick 20 to tilt, as shown in Figure 16C. The ball support surfaces 251a and 252b may be a part of a sphere centered on the tilt center Cp of the operating stick 20 (see Figure 16C).

[0165] As shown in Figure 15, the second movable body 252 may have recesses 252e on its right and left sides. On the other hand, the first movable body 251 may have mounting protrusions 251e on its right and left sides. The mounting protrusions 251e may be fitted into the recesses 252e. These may then be attached together with the FPC 214, which will be described later, by fastening members (for example, screws 259).

[0166] [Positional relationship between the stage and the movable parts] An opening 232b (see Figure 14) is formed in the stage portion 232 of the first housing 231. The operating stick 20 is positioned inside this opening 232b. The first movable body 251 has a ball support portion 251b (see Figure 15) in its central part. A hole is formed in the ball support portion 251b, and its inner surface functions as a ball support surface 251a.

[0167] As shown in Figure 16B, the ball support portion 251b of the first movable body 251 protrudes upward through an opening 232b formed in the stage portion 232. The upper end of the ball support portion 251b is higher than the upper surface (receiving support surface 232a) of the stage portion 31. This structure allows the operating stick 20 to be positioned higher. As a result, the placement of the tilt operation sensor 14a and the placement of components positioned below it can be simplified. As shown in Figure 16B, a recess 242b may be formed on the lower surface of the lower spring receiving portion 240. The upper part of the ball support portion 251b may be located inside this recess 242b.

[0168] As shown in Figure 16B, the position of at least the upper end of the supported ball portion 21a may be higher than the upper surface of the stage portion 232 (receiving support surface 232a). More specifically, the position of the upper end of the supported ball portion 21a may be higher than the upper end (corner portion 232g) of the upper surface of the stage portion 232. This arrangement of the operating stick 20 raises the position of the operating stick 20, and as a result, it becomes easier to place other components below the operating stick 20.

[0169] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16B, a recess 232c may be formed on the lower surface of the stage portion 232. The movable portion 250 (more specifically, the first movable body 251) may be placed in this recess 232c. This structure also allows the position of the operating stick 20 to be raised. As a result, the placement of the tilt operation sensor 14a and the placement of components placed below it can be made easier.

[0170] [Support surface of the receiving part] As shown in Figure 16A, the lower spring receiving portion 240 is positioned above the stage portion 232 of the first housing 231. The stage portion 232 has a receiving portion support surface 232a (see Figure 16B) on its upper surface. The height of the receiving portion support surface 232a may vary in the radial direction of the operating stick 20.

[0171] For example, the receiving support surface 232a may have an inner circumference 232e that is relatively close to the axis Ax1 of the operating stick 20, as shown in Figure 16B, and an outer circumference 232f formed outside the inner circumference 31e. The inner circumference 31e and the outer circumference 232f may be annular in shape, surrounding the opening 232b (see Figure 14) in which the operating stick 20 is positioned. The height of the outer circumference 232f may be lower than that of the inner circumference 232e. This structure makes it possible to suppress the reaction force to the tilting operation of the operating stick 20 from becoming excessive.

[0172] As shown in Figure 16B, the inner circumference 232e may be formed such that its height gradually increases in the radial direction. For example, the inner circumference 232e may be a slope whose outer edge is higher than its inner edge. With this structure, in the initial stage of the process of tilting the operating stick 20 from the stick reference position, the reaction force to the tilting operation of the operating stick 20 gradually increases.

[0173] The outer periphery 232f may be formed such that its height gradually decreases in the radial direction. For example, the outer periphery 232f may be a slope whose outer edge is lower in height than its inner edge. This structure makes it possible to suppress the excessive reaction force to the tilting operation of the control stick 20 in the latter half of the process of tilting the control stick 20 from the stick reference position.

[0174] A corner portion 232g may be formed between the inner circumference portion 232e and the outer circumference portion 232f. During the process of tilting the operating stick 20, the lower surface of the lower spring receiving portion 240 slides on the corner portion 232g (the outer edge of the inner circumference portion 232e).

[0175] The diameter of the outer edge of the inner circumference portion 31e may be smaller than the diameter of the outer edge of the lower surface of the lower spring receiving portion 240. This effectively prevents the reaction force to the tilting operation of the operating stick 20 from becoming excessive. Furthermore, the distance from the axis Ax1 to the outer edge of the inner circumference portion 232e (radial distance) may be less than half the distance from the axis Ax1 to the outer edge of the outer circumference portion 232f. This prevents the reaction force to the tilting operation of the operating stick 20 from becoming excessive in the first stage of the process of tilting the operating stick 20 from the stick reference position.

[0176] [Movement of movable parts] The spring 11 biases the upper spring receiving portion 224a of the operating stick 20 upward. The movable bodies 251 and 252 hold the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20 and are fixed to each other. Therefore, the movable bodies 251 and 252 are biased upward by the elastic force of the spring 11. The upper surface of the first movable body 251 is in contact with the lower surface of the stage portion 232.

[0177] When the operating stick 20 is pressed and the supported ball portion 21a lowers, the two movable bodies 251 and 252 lower together and separate from the lower surface of the stage portion 232. When the pressing operation is released, the movable bodies 251 and 252 return to their initial position (the position where the upper surface of the first movable body 251 is in contact with the lower surface of the stage portion 232) by the elastic force of the spring 11. In other words, unlike the operating stick assembly 100, the operating stick assembly 200 can return the movable bodies to their initial position with just one spring 11.

[0178] [Support structure for tilt control sensor] In the control stick assembly 200, as in the control stick assembly 100, the tilt operation sensor 14a may be supported by the movable part 250. As shown in Figure 17, the FPC 214 on which the tilt operation sensor 14a is mounted may be attached to the lower surface of the second movable body 252. The FPC 214 may have a sensor support part 214b. The sensor support part 214b may be attached to the lower surface of the second movable body 252 by a fastening member (for example, a screw 259). This fastening member may fix both the second movable body 252 and the sensor support part 214b located on the lower surface of the second movable body 252 to the first movable body 251.

[0179] [Support structure for push-button sensor] In the control stick assembly 200, the push operation sensor 15 may be positioned away from the stick axis Ax1, similar to the control stick assembly 100. This ensures a degree of freedom regarding the height of the control stick 20. For example, the positions of the supported ball portion 21a and the tilt operation sensor 14a can be lowered.

[0180] The push operation sensor 15 may be supported by the movable part 250. For example, as shown in Figure 16A, the push operation sensor 15 may be supported by the lower surface of the second movable body 252 in a downward-facing position. When the operation stick 20 receives a push operation and the movable part 250 is lowered, the push operation sensor 15 may be pressed against the circuit board B on which the operation stick assembly 200 is mounted (for example, the main circuit board of the input device 10) and turn ON. The housing 230 may be attached to this circuit board B.

[0181] The push sensor 15 may be mounted on the FPC 214. For example, both the push sensor 15 and the tilt sensor 14a may be mounted on one side of the FPC 214. Then, as shown in Figure 15, the FPC 214 may be folded back and attached to the lower surface of the second movable body 252 with the push sensor 15 facing downwards. Alternatively, the push sensor 15 may be attached to the lower surface of the FPC 214, and the tilt sensor 14a may be attached to the upper surface of the FPC 214. By attaching both sensors 15 and 14a to the FPC 214 in this way, the assembly including the push sensor and the tilt sensor can be treated as a single part in the manufacturing process of the input device 10, thereby improving workability.

[0182] As shown in Figure 16A, the second movable body 252 may have a sensor operating section 252f. The sensor support section 214b may be supported on the lower surface of the sensor operating section 252f. The position of the lower surface of the sensor operating section 252f may be higher than the lower surface 252g of the part of the second movable body 252 to which the FPC 214 is attached. This makes it possible to use a push operation sensor 15 that is larger in size in the vertical direction.

[0183] As shown in Figure 16A, the position of the tilt operation sensor 14a may be lower than the upper end of the push operation sensor 15 and higher than the lower end (bottom surface) of the push operation sensor 15. This lowers the position of the tilt operation sensor 14a, making it easier to lower the position of the operation stick 20 or to ensure sufficient distance between the detected part 29a (e.g., a magnet) attached to the operation stick 20 and the tilt operation sensor 14a.

[0184] [Support structure and movement of the second movable body] As shown in Figure 16A, the second movable body 252 may have a supported portion 252c. This supported portion 252c may be supported in such a way that its vertical movement is restricted. For example, the supported portion 252c may be supported by the housing 230. The supported portion 252c may, for example, protrude rearward from the second movable body 252. On the other hand, the housing 230 (more specifically the second housing 233) may have a support hole 233a that supports this supported portion 252c.

[0185] The push operation sensor 15 is located on the opposite side of the support hole 233a and the supported part 252c, with the ball support surfaces 251a and 252b supporting the operation stick 20 in between. The support hole 233a of the housing 230 restricts the vertical movement of the supported part 252c. Therefore, when the operation stick 20 is pushed down, the range of motion of the sensor operation part 252f increases, which improves the accuracy of the push operation detection by the push operation sensor 15.

[0186] [Mounting structure for movable parts to housing] The second movable body 252 may have a connecting projection 252d (see Figure 15) that protrudes in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 11, the second housing 233 may have a connecting hole 233b that holds this connecting projection 252d. The first housing 231 and the second housing 233 may each have mounting parts 231c and 233d (see Figure 11) that are fixed by fastening members (for example, screws 239 (see Figure 12)). This allows the movable body 250 and the housing 230 to be integrated, and the operating stick assembly 200 can be treated as a single part in the manufacturing process of the input device 10.

[0187] Unlike the operation stick assembly 100 shown in Figure 2, the operation stick assembly 200 does not have a circuit board 12. Even without this circuit board 12, the operation stick assembly 200 can be treated as a single component in the manufacturing process of the input device 10 because the movable part 250 and the housing 230 are integrated.

[0188] [Stoppa] The second housing 233 may have a cover portion 233e that covers the stage portion 232 of the first housing 231. An opening is formed in the center of the cover portion 233e, and the operating stick 20 is positioned inside it. As shown in Figure 16C, when the operating stick 20 is tilted to its maximum tilt angle, the upper edge 233f (stopper surface) of the cover portion 233e contacts the mounting body portion 224 of the operating stick 20, limiting the tilt of the operating stick 20 beyond its maximum tilt angle. In other words, the cover portion 233e functions as a stopper.

[0189] Furthermore, the cover portion 233e has a dome shape with an open top, and in a plan view, it overlaps with the cover portion 223a of the control stick 20. This structure effectively prevents the internal structure from being exposed when the control stick assembly 200 is mounted on the input device 10.

[0190] Furthermore, a part of the structure of the control stick assembly 200 shown in Figure 11, etc., described above, and a part of the structure of the control stick assembly 100 shown in Figure 2, etc., may be combined. For example, the stick biasing structure of the control stick assembly 100 and the structure (movable part 250) that supports the push operation sensor 15 in the control stick assembly 200 may be combined. As another example, the structure (substrate 12 and movable parts 51 and 52) that supports the push operation sensor 15 in the control stick assembly 100 may be combined with the stick biasing structure in the control stick assembly 200.

[0191] [Third example of a control stick assembly] The control stick assembly 300 will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Below, the control stick assembly 300 will be described focusing on its differences from the control stick assemblies 100 and 200 described above. Any aspects of the control stick assembly 300 not described may be the same as those of the control stick assemblies 100 and 200. Elements common to both the control stick assemblies 100 and 200 are denoted by corresponding symbols, and their explanations are omitted.

[0192] As shown in Figure 19, the operating stick assembly 300 has an operating stick 320. The operating stick 320 has a stick body 321. The stick body 321 may have a shaft portion 321A and a supported ball portion 321B that are formed separately and fixed to each other. A screw hole 231a may be formed in the supported ball portion 321B, and the lower end of the shaft portion 321A may be fitted into this screw hole 231a and fixed to the supported ball portion 321B.

[0193] As shown in Figure 19, the control stick assembly 300 has a tilt control sensor 14a and a push control sensor 15. The tilt control sensor 14a and the push control sensor 15 may be located below the control stick 20. That is, the two sensors 14a and 15 may be located on the stick axis Ax1.

[0194] Furthermore, the control stick assembly 300 may have a movable part 250, similar to the control stick assembly 200 shown in Figure 16A, etc. In the control stick assembly 300, both the tilt operation sensor 14a and the push operation sensor 15 may be attached to the movable part 250.

[0195] More specifically, the tilt sensor 14a may be mounted on the upper surface of the FPC 314, and the push sensor 15 may be mounted on the lower surface of the FPC 314. The FPC 314 may also be attached to the lower surface of the movable part 250. With this structure, when a push operation is performed on the operating stick 20, the push sensor 15 can be operated without causing the movable part 250 to tilt. For this reason, this structure simplifies the support structure for the two sensors 14a and 15.

[0196] As shown in Figure 19, the operating stick assembly 300 may have a first housing 231 and a second housing 233, similar to the operating stick assembly 200 shown in Figure 16A, etc. Furthermore, the operating stick assembly 300 may have a lower spring receiving portion 340 composed of a first receiving portion 341 and a second receiving portion 342, similar to the operating stick assembly 100 shown in Figure 6A, etc. A biasing member 43 may be positioned between these.

[0197] [Fourth example of a control stick assembly] The control stick assembly 400 will be described with reference to Figures 20 to 22. Below, the control stick assembly 400 will be described focusing on its differences from the control stick assemblies 100, 200, and 300 described above. Any aspects of the control stick assembly 400 not described may be the same as those of the control stick assemblies 100, 200, and 300. Elements common to the control stick assemblies 100, 200, and 300 are denoted by corresponding symbols, and their explanations are omitted.

[0198] As shown in Figure 21A, the operating stick assembly 400 includes an operating stick 420, a lower spring receiving portion 440, a movable portion 450, and a housing 430. The operating stick assembly 400 also includes a tilt operation sensor 14a and a push operation sensor 15.

[0199] The housing 430 may have a guide portion 431. An opening 431a is formed at the top of the guide portion 431. The operating stick 420 may be positioned inside this opening 431a. The operating stick 420 may have a stick body 421, a top member 423, and a guided member 425.

[0200] As shown in Figure 21A, the guided member 425 of the operating stick 420 may have a mounting body 425b located in its center and a guided portion 425c extending radially from the mounting body 425b. The guided portion 425c may be positioned along the inner surface (bottom surface) of the guide portion 431 of the housing 430.

[0201] An upper spring receiving portion 425a may be formed in the mounting body portion 425b. More specifically, a recess opening downwards may be formed in the mounting body portion 425b, and the upper end of this recess may function as an upper spring receiving portion 425a that supports the upper end of the spring 11. The mounting body portion 425b is biased upward by the spring 11. The upward movement of the operating stick 420 may be restricted by the guide portion 431 of the housing 430 and the guided portion 425c of the operating stick 20.

[0202] As shown in Figure 21B, the inner surface of the guide portion 431 and the outer surface of the guided portion 425c may be curved to allow tilting of the operating stick 20. Specifically, the inner surface of the guide portion 431 and the outer surface of the guided portion 425c may be part of a sphere centered on the tilting center Cp of the operating stick 420.

[0203] In the operating stick assembly 100 shown in Figure 6A, etc., a ball support surface 31c was formed on the stage portion 31 of the housing 30 to support the upper part of the supported ball portion 21a of the operating stick 20. In the operating stick assembly 400, the guide portion 431 of the housing 30 replaces this ball support surface 31c.

[0204] As shown in Figure 21A, the movable part 450 may have a stage part 451. A lower spring support part 440 that supports the lower end of the spring 11 is positioned on the stage part 451. The lower spring support part 440 may have a support cylinder part 441 in its center. The shaft part 421b of the stick body 421 of the operating stick 420 is inserted into the support cylinder part 441.

[0205] The stage section 451 has a receiving support surface 451b on its upper surface. The receiving support surface 451b may gradually increase in height in the radial direction toward the operating stick 420. With this structure, the reaction force to the tilting operation can be increased as the tilting angle of the operating stick 420 increases.

[0206] An opening is formed in the center of the stage portion 451, and the inner surface of this opening may function as a ball support surface 451a. That is, the inner surface of the opening (ball support surface 451a) may support the supported ball portion 421a located at the bottom of the operating stick 420. The outer surface of the supported ball portion 421a and the ball support surface 451a may be curved to allow tilting of the operating stick 20. Specifically, the outer surface of the supported ball portion 421a and the ball support surface 451a may be part of a sphere centered on the tilting center Cp of the operating stick 420.

[0207] The tilt operation sensor 14a is located below the detected part 29a (magnet) attached to the supported ball part 421a. Similar to the operation stick assembly 100 shown in Figure 6A, the tilt operation sensor 14a is mounted on the FPC 14. The FPC 14 may be fixed to the lower surface of the movable part 450 by fastening members (for example, screws).

[0208] When a push operation is performed on the control stick 420, the movable part 450 is pushed down by the supported ball part 421a. As shown in Figure 22, the movable part 450 may have a supported part 451d at its rear, which is supported by the substrate 12. The supported part 451d is in contact with the substrate 12, and its vertical movement is restricted by the substrate 12. When the movable part 450 is pushed down, the front part of the movable part 450 moves downward.

[0209] The push operation sensor 15 is located on the opposite side of the stick axis Ax1 from the supported part 451d. The movable part 450 has a sensor operation part 451e at its front, which is located above the push operation sensor 15. When the movable part 450 is pushed down, the sensor operation part 451e of the movable part 450 pushes the push operation sensor 15, thereby turning the push operation sensor 15 ON.

[0210] A part of the structure of the control stick assembly 400 shown in Figure 21A, etc., may be combined with a part of the structure of the other control stick assemblies 100, 200, and 300.

[0211] For example, the stick biasing structure of the control stick assembly 100 may be combined with the movable part 450 of the control stick assembly 400. Another example is that the structure supporting the push operation sensor 15 in the control stick assembly 100 (the circuit board 12 and the movable parts 51 and 52) may be combined with the lower spring receiving part 440 of the control stick assembly 400.

[0212] [summary] (1) The operating stick assembly proposed in this disclosure includes an operating stick having a supported portion and a detected portion, a movable portion having an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported portion and the inner surface is formed to allow tilting of the operating stick, and which is movable up and down together with the supported portion, a tilt operation sensor for non-contact detection of the movement of the detected portion caused by tilting of the operating stick, and a push operation sensor that is pressed when the movable portion moves downward.

[0213] This control stick assembly uses a non-contact sensor as the tilt sensor, allowing for highly accurate detection of the control stick's tilt angle even during prolonged use. Additionally, a push sensor is used to detect push operations on the control stick.

[0214] (2) The operating stick assembly described in (1) has a stage portion. The operating stick is positioned inside an opening formed in the stage portion, the movable portion is positioned below the stage portion, and a return mechanism for returning the tilted operating stick to its initial position may be positioned above the stage portion.

[0215] (3) In the operating stick assembly described in (2), the inner surface of the support portion of the movable portion may support the lower part of the outer surface of the supported portion of the operating stick. The opening of the stage portion may have an inner surface that supports the upper part of the outer surface of the supported portion of the operating stick. With this structure in which the supported portion of the operating stick is supported by the inner surface of the opening formed in the stage portion, it is easier to raise the position of the operating stick compared to, for example, a structure in which both the upper and lower parts of the supported portion are supported by the movable portion. As a result, it becomes easier to place other components below the operating stick.

[0216] (4) In the operating stick assembly described in (3), the inner surface of the support portion of the movable part and the inner surface of the opening of the stage portion are curved on the inside of them to allow rotation of the supported portion of the operating stick.

[0217] (5)(2) In the operating stick assembly described above, the movable part may include a first movable body that supports the upper part of the outer surface of the supported part of the operating stick, and a second movable body that supports the lower part of the outer surface of the supported part and is fixed to the first movable body in the vertical direction.

[0218] (6) In the operating stick assembly described in (5), the first movable body is positioned below the stage portion and has a support portion that supports the supported portion of the operating stick, an opening is formed in the stage portion, and the support portion of the first movable body may pass inside the opening in the stage portion and protrude above the upper surface of the stage portion. This structure makes it easy to raise the position of the operating stick. As a result, it becomes easy to position other components below the operating stick.

[0219] In the operating stick assembly described in (7)(5), the first movable part may have an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported part, and the second movable part may have an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported part. The inner surface of the support part of the first movable part and the inner surface of the support part of the second movable part may be curved on their inner sides to allow rotation of the supported part of the operating stick.

[0220] (8) In the operating stick assembly described in any of (1) to (7), the movable part may have a support part that supports the operating stick, a sensor operating part that faces the push operation sensor in the vertical direction or to which the push operation sensor is attached, and a supported part that is formed on the opposite side of the sensor operating part with the support part in between and is supported by the housing. With this structure, when a push operation is applied to the operating stick, the vertical movement of the sensor operating part can be greatly increased, so that the detection accuracy of the push operation can be improved.

[0221] (9) In the operating stick assembly described in any of (1) to (8), the push operation sensor is positioned below the movable body and is pushed by the movable body when the movable part moves downward, or is attached to the movable body and is pushed by a component located below the push operation sensor when the movable part moves downward.

[0222] In the operating stick assembly described in any of (10)(1) to (9), the push operation sensor and the tilt operation sensor may be positioned apart in a direction intersecting the axis of the operating stick. This structure allows the position of the tilt operation sensor to be lowered, and as a result, the position of the operating stick can be lowered, or the distance between the tilt operation sensor and the detected part can be secured.

[0223] In the operating stick assembly described in (11)(10), the position of the tilt operation sensor may be lower than the upper end of the push operation sensor and higher than the lower end of the push operation sensor.

[0224] In the operating stick assembly described in any of (12)(1) to (11), the tilt operation sensor may be supported by the movable part. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the distance between the detected part and the tilt operation sensor due to the vertical movement of the operating stick.

[0225] (13) In the operating stick assembly described in any of (1) to (12), both the tilt operation sensor and the push operation sensor may be supported by the movable part. This makes it possible to treat the assembly including the push operation sensor and the tilt operation sensor as a single part in the manufacturing process of the input device.

[0226] (14) In the operating stick assembly described in any of (1) to (13), the movable part may include a first movable body having the support portion of the operating stick, and a second movable body that is vertically movable together with the first movable body and is permitted to move relative to the first movable body. The tilt operation sensor is supported by the first movable body and is vertically movable together with the first movable body, and the push operation sensor may be pushed due to the downward movement of the second movable body. This structure makes it possible for the first movable body to maintain its posture. As a result, it is possible to suppress unintended changes in the angle of the tilt operation sensor with respect to the operating stick. For example, when the second movable body pushes the push operation sensor, it is possible to suppress changes in the angle between the tilt operation sensor and the detected portion of the operating stick.

[0227] In the control stick assembly described in (15)(14), the control stick assembly has a guide portion that restricts the direction in which the first movable body moves in the vertical direction, and the second movable body may be allowed to tilt in the vertical direction. With this structure, the first movable body can be stably maintained in its position.

[0228] In the operating stick assembly described in (16), (14), or (15), the first movable body is positioned above the second movable body, and may push down the second movable body when the operating stick is lowered.

[0229] In the operating stick assembly described in any of (17), (14), to (16), the second movable body may have a supported portion that is supported in such a way that it cannot move in the vertical direction, a receiving portion that is separated from the supported portion and is pressed by the first movable body, and a sensor operating portion that is located on the opposite side of the receiving portion from the supported portion. The push operation sensor may be attached to the sensor operating portion of the second movable body, or the sensor operating portion may face the push operation sensor in the vertical direction. With this structure, when a push operation is applied to the operating stick, the vertical movement of the sensor operating portion can be increased, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the push operation.

[0230] In the operating stick assembly described in any of (18)(1) to (13), the push operation sensor and the tilt operation sensor may be positioned below the operating stick. This structure simplifies the support structure for the two sensors.

[0231] [Differentiation] The control stick assemblies and input devices proposed in this disclosure are not limited to the control stick assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 400 and input device 10 described above, and various modifications may be made. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0232] 10: Input device, 11: Spring, 12: Circuit board, 14: FPC, 14a: Tilt operation sensor, 14b: Sensor support part, 15: Push operation sensor, 16: Screw, 17: Part located below the control stick, 20: Control stick, 21: Stick body, 21a: Supported part (supported ball part), 21b: Shaft part, 23: Top member, 24: Cover member, 24a: Upper spring 29a: Detected part, 30: Housing, 31: Stage part, 31b: Support surface of the receiving part, 31c: Inner surface of the opening (ball support surface), 31e: Inner circumference, 31f: Outer circumference, 31g: Corner, 31h: Outer edge, 31i: Stopper surface, 32R·32L: Side wall, 32c: Guide part, 33: Spring support part, 40: Lower spring receiving part, 41: First receiving part, 41a: Support hole, 41c: Slope , 41d: support cylinder part, 42: second receiving part, 42a: hole, 42b: housing recess, 42c: pressing slope, 43: biasing member, 50: movable part, 51: first movable part, 51a: ball support part, 51b: inner surface (ball support surface), 51c: first guided part, 51d: contact protrusion, 51e: connecting part, 51f: arm pressing surface, 51g: lower end, 51i: second guided part, 51j: contact protrusion, 51k: protrusion, 52 : Second movable body, 52a: Arm section, 52b: Supported shaft section (supported section), 52c: Receiving surface, 52e: Sensor operating section, 52f: Arm connecting section, 53: Spring, 100: Operating stick assembly, 101C: Center section, 101L: Left held section, 101R: Right held section, 121: Exterior member, 200: Operating stick assembly, 214: FPC, 214b: Sensor support section, 223: Top member 223a: Cover part, 223b: Top part, 224: Mounting body part, 224a: Upper spring receiving part, 230: Housing, 231: First housing, 232: Stage part, 232a: Receiving part support surface, 232b: Opening, 232e: Inner circumference part, 232f: Outer circumference part, 232g: Corner part, 233: Second housing, 233a: Support hole, 233b: Connecting hole, 233e: Cover - Part, 233f: Upper edge (stopper surface), 240: Lower spring receiving part, 241: Support cylinder part, 241a: Opening, 242: Elastic part, 250: Movable part, 251: First movable body, 251a: Ball support surface, 251b: Ball support part, 251e: Mounting projection, 252: Second movable body, 252a: Ball support part, 252c: Supported part, 252d: Connecting projection, 252f: Sensor operation 451: Operating part, 252g: Bottom surface, 259: Screw, 300: Operating stick assembly, 314: FPC, 320: Operating stick, 321: Stick body, 321A: Shaft part, 321B: Supported ball part, 340: Lower spring receiver part, 341: First receiver part, 342: Second receiver part, 400: Operating stick assembly, 420: Operating stick, 421: Stick body, 421a: Supported ball part, 421b: Shaft part, 423: Top member, 425: Guided member, 425a: Upper spring receiver part, 425c: Guided part, 430: Housing, 431: Guide part, 440: Lower spring receiver part, 441: Support cylinder part, 450: Movable part, 451: Stage part, 451a: Ball support surface, 451b: Receiver support surface, 451d: Supported part 451e: Sensor operating unit.

Claims

1. An operating stick having a supported part and a detected part, A support portion having an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported portion and the inner surface is formed to allow the tilting of the operating stick, and a movable portion that can move up and down together with the supported portion, A tilt operation sensor for non-contactly detecting the movement of the detected part caused by the tilting of the operation stick, A push operation sensor that is pressed when the movable part moves downward, An assembly of control sticks.

2. It has a stage area, The operating stick is positioned inside the opening formed in the stage portion. The movable part is positioned below the stage section. A return mechanism is positioned above the aforementioned stage to return the tilted control stick to its initial position. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

3. The inner surface of the support portion of the movable portion supports the lower part of the outer surface of the supported portion of the operating stick. The opening in the stage portion has an inner surface that supports the upper part of the outer surface of the supported portion of the operating stick. The operating stick assembly described in claim 2.

4. The inner surface of the support portion of the movable part and the inner surface of the opening of the stage portion are curved on the inside of them to allow rotation of the supported portion of the operating stick. The operating stick assembly described in claim 3.

5. The movable part includes a first movable body that supports the upper part of the outer surface of the supported part of the operating stick, and a second movable body that supports the lower part of the outer surface of the supported part and is fixed to the first movable body in the vertical direction. The operating stick assembly described in claim 2.

6. The first movable body is positioned below the stage and has a support portion that supports the supported portion of the operating stick. An opening is formed in the aforementioned stage portion. The support portion of the first movable body passes inside the opening of the stage portion and protrudes above the upper surface of the stage portion. The operating stick assembly described in claim 5.

7. The first movable part has an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported part, The second movable part has an inner surface that supports the outer surface of the supported part, The inner surfaces of the support portion of the first movable part and the support portion of the second movable part are curved on their inner sides to allow rotation of the supported portion of the operating stick. The operating stick assembly described in claim 5.

8. The movable part includes a support portion that supports the operating stick, a sensor operating portion that faces the push operation sensor in the vertical direction or to which the push operation sensor is attached, and a supported portion that is formed on the opposite side of the sensor operating portion, with the support portion in between, and is supported by the housing. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

9. The push operation sensor is positioned below the movable body and is pushed by the movable body when the movable part moves downward, or is attached to the movable body and is pushed by a component located below the push operation sensor when the movable part moves downward. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

10. The push sensor and the tilt sensor are positioned apart in a direction that intersects the axis of the control stick. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

11. The position of the tilt operation sensor is lower than the upper end of the push operation sensor and higher than the lower end of the push operation sensor. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 10.

12. The tilt operation sensor is supported by the movable part. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

13. Both the tilt operation sensor and the push operation sensor are supported by the movable part. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

14. The movable part includes a first movable body having the support portion of the operating stick, and a second movable body that is able to move up and down together with the first movable body and is permitted to move relative to the first movable body. The tilt operation sensor is supported by the first movable body and is capable of moving up and down together with the first movable body. The push operation sensor is pressed as a result of the downward movement of the second movable body. The operating stick assembly according to claim 1.

15. The operating stick assembly has a guide portion that restricts the direction in which the first movable body moves in the vertical direction, The second movable body is allowed to tilt in the vertical direction. The operating stick assembly according to claim 14.

16. The first movable body is positioned above the second movable body and pushes down the second movable body when the control stick is lowered. The operating stick assembly according to claim 14.

17. The second movable body is A supported part that is supported in such a way that it cannot move up and down, A receiving portion that is separated from the supported portion and is pressed by the first movable body, It has a sensor operating section located on the opposite side of the supported portion, with the receiving portion in between, The push operation sensor is attached to the sensor operation portion of the second movable body, or the sensor operation portion is facing the push operation sensor in the vertical direction. The operating stick assembly according to claim 14.

18. The push sensor and the tilt sensor are located below the control stick. An operating stick assembly as described in claim 1.

19. An input device having the operating stick assembly described in claim 1.

Images