Multi-directional input device

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0007] A multi-directional input device with stable sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrodes can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

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

[0010] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a multidirectional input device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the knob 50, housing 102, frame 110, FPC 112, electrostatic detection electrode 130, electrostatic detection circuit 140, and motherboard 150 of the multidirectional input device 100. Of the components shown in FIG. 1, the housing 102, frame 110, and FPC 112 are components of an operation device 100A included in the multidirectional input device 100, and therefore are denoted by the reference numeral 100A in parentheses. In FIG. 1, a connection portion 112B of the FPC 112 is not connected to the motherboard 150, but in reality, the connection portion 112B is connected to a connection portion of the motherboard 150 and is connected to a control unit mounted on the motherboard 150 that performs tilt detection, etc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0019] The electrostatic detection circuit 140 can detect the proximity or contact of the operator's hand or the like with the knob 50 based on the change in electrostatic capacitance detected by the electrostatic detection electrode 130. "Proximity" means that the operator's hand or the like is close to the knob 50 without contacting it, and "contact" means that the operator's hand or the like is touching the knob 50.

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

[0021] Next, the configuration of the operating device 100A will be described. The operating device 100A will be described using Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 in addition to Fig. 4. Details of the electrostatic detection electrodes 130, electrostatic detection circuit 140, and motherboard 150 of the multi-directional input device 100 will be described after explaining the configuration of the operating device 100A.

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

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

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

[0025] The components (operating lever 120, actuators 103, 104, 106, and holders 105, 107) are incorporated into the internal space of housing 102. Housing 102 has opening 102A1 that is circular in plan view from above formed at the top of dome portion 102A. Operating lever 120 is inserted into opening 102A1.

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

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

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

[0029] Actuator 104 has a dome shape that is curved convexly upward, and has an elongated hole-shaped opening 104A that extends in the left-right direction (Y direction in the figure) along the curved shape. Actuator 104 has rotation shafts 104B that protrude outward from both ends in the left-right direction, and rotation shafts 104B are supported by housing 102, so that actuator 104 can rotate in the front-rear direction (X direction in the figure) around rotation shafts 104B as the center of rotation.

[0030] Actuator 106 is provided above and overlaps actuator 104. Actuator 106 has a shape that is curved convexly upward, and has an elongated hole-shaped opening 106A that extends in the front-to-rear direction (X direction in the figure) along the curved shape. Actuator 106 has rotation shafts 106B that protrude outward from both ends in the front-to-rear direction, and rotation shafts 106B are supported by housing 102, so that actuator 106 is provided rotatable in the left-to-right direction (Y direction in the figure) around rotation shafts 106B as the center of rotation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0048] Resistor 117 is provided near a corner on the +X and +Y direction sides of FPC 112. Resistor 117 has an L-shape consisting of linear portion 117A and linear portion 117B. Linear portion 117A has a strip shape that extends linearly in the Y direction. Linear portion 117B has a strip shape that extends linearly in the X direction.

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

[0050] 9, on the surface of FPC 112, linear portion 117A of resistor 117 and resistor 115 are spaced apart from each other and aligned in a straight line in the Y direction. A metallic leaf spring slider 107A held at the bottom of holder 107 slides in the Y direction on the surfaces of linear portion 117A and resistor 115. Specifically, a contact portion 107Aa provided at the end of slider 107A on the -Y direction side slides on the surface of resistor 115. Furthermore, a contact portion 107Ab provided at the end of slider 107A on the +Y direction side slides on the surface of linear portion 117A.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0057] As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 10, when the low resistance portions 117Aa and 117Ba are not provided in the linear portions 117A and 117B, the gradient of the output voltage value is constant over the entire linear portions 117A and 117B.

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

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

[0060] In this way, by reducing the resistance values ​​of low resistance sections 117Aa and 117Ba, operating device 100A according to one embodiment can make the slope of the output voltage value near the neutral position of operating lever 120 gentler and narrow the range of the output voltage value near the neutral position of operating lever 120. As a result, operating device 100A according to one embodiment can make the output voltage value closer to a predetermined output voltage value corresponding to the neutral position of operating lever 120, even if a physical return error of operating lever 120 occurs. Therefore, operating device 100A according to one embodiment can further improve the accuracy of return of operating lever 120 to the neutral position in the output voltage value output by operating device 100A, without relying on signal processing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0080] As described above, the annular portion 131 of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is disposed to surround the opening 102A1 of the dome portion 102A of the housing 102, and proximity or contact of the operator's hand or the like with the knob 50 is detected based on changes in the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50. Because the annular portion 131 surrounds the opening 102A1 of the dome portion 102A, the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50 does not change significantly and remains substantially constant even when the knob 50 is tilted in the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, and all directions between these directions. Furthermore, the capacitance between the electrostatic detection electrode 130 and the knob 50 does not change significantly even with differences in the amount of tilt. Furthermore, the amount of change in the capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 when tilted and in the neutral position is small.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0087] Furthermore, since the connection portion 133 is spaced apart from the FPC 112, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is less susceptible to noise from the tilt detection sensor mounted on the FPC 112, making it possible to provide a multi-directional input device 100 in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is more stable.

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

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

[0090] When the operating lever 120 is in the neutral position, the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is located outside the recess 51A of the knob 50, so that the amount of variation in the electrostatic capacitance between the annular portion 131 and the knob 50 due to differences in the tilt direction or tilt amount can be reduced, and a multi-directional input device 100 can be provided in which the sensitivity of the electrostatic detection electrode 130 is more stable.

[0091] While the multi-directional input device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

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

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

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. an insulating housing; an operating lever tiltably supported on the housing; a tilt detection sensor that detects the tilt of the operating lever; an electrostatic detection circuit that detects the electrostatic capacitance formed between the electrostatic detection electrode and a surrounding object; Including, the housing has a dome-shaped dome portion and an opening provided at the top of the dome portion, The operating lever is inserted through the opening, the electrostatic detection electrode is disposed so as to surround the opening, a conductive knob fixed to the operating lever and covering the dome portion; The knob has a hemispherical recess corresponding to the shape of the dome portion on an inner surface thereof facing the dome portion.

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

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

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