Multidirectional input device

Abstract

To provide a multidirectional input device capable of improving detection accuracy of a tilting operation of an operation member.SOLUTION: This multidirectional input device comprises: an operation member 4 capable of executing a tilting and pushing-in operation; a metal dome 13 that functions as a pushing-in operation detection unit for detecting a pushing-in operation of the operation member 4; a magnet holding member 6 that can move only in a direction along a pushing-in direction relative to the operation member 4 and interlocks only in a tilting direction; a magnet 9 held by the magnet holding member 6; and a magnetic sensor 10 that is disposed at a position facing the magnet 9 and that detects motion of the magnet 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a multi-directional input device is known that includes an operation member capable of tilting and pushing operations, a push operation detection device that detects the push operation of the operation member, a magnet embedded in the lower end portion of the operation member, and a magnetoelectric conversion element that detects the magnetic field of the magnet that is displaced in response to the tilting operation of the operation member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional multi-directional input device, when the operation member is pushed, the magnet also moves downward, causing a change in the magnetic field and adversely affecting the detection of the tilting operation of the operation member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device capable of improving the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of an operation member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The multi-directional input device according to the present invention includes an operation member capable of tilting and pushing operations, a push operation detection device that detects the push operation of the operation member, a magnet holding member that is relatively movable only in the direction along the pushing direction with respect to the operation member and interlocks only in the tilting direction, and the magnet holding member Place it and make sure it doesn't move. a magnet held therein, and a magnetic sensor disposed at a position opposite to the magnet to detect the movement of the magnet.

[0007] The multi-directional input device according to the present invention allows relative movement of the operating member only in the direction along the pushing direction, and holds a magnet in a magnet holding member that is linked only in the tilting direction. As a result, when the operating member is pushed in, the magnet does not move downward, and the magnetic field does not change. Therefore, it does not adversely affect the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member, and the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device that can improve the detection accuracy of tilting operations of an operating member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view showing a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention in a state where no operating force is applied to the operating member. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view of the multi-directional input device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of the multi-directional input device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the disassembled multi-directional input device. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of the disassembled multi-directional input device. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the multi-directional input device with its top cover made transparent. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the multi-directional input device with its top cover made transparent. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 2, showing the operating member in a state where it is tilted backward. [Figure 10] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of BB. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 2, with the operating member tilted to the right. [Figure 12] It is a C-C cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. [Figure 13] It is a D-D cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. [Figure 14] It is an E-E cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view showing a multi-directional input device according to another embodiment of the present invention in an initial state where no operating force is applied to the operating member. [Figure 16] It is a front perspective view of the disassembled state of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a front perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 15 with the upper cover made transparent. [Figure 18] It is a rear perspective view of the multi-directional input device of FIG. 15 with the upper cover made transparent. [Figure 19] It is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 15. [Figure 20] It is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 in a state where the operating member is tilted in the YZ plane direction. [Figure 21] It is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 15. [Figure 22] It is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 in a state where the operating member is tilted in the XZ plane direction. [Figure 23] It is a perspective view of the magnet holding part. [Figure 24] It is a perspective view of the disassembled state of the magnet holding part. [Figure 25] It is a view showing a disk-shaped part, (A) is a plan view, and (B) is a front view of a one-sided cross-section. [Figure 26] It is a front view showing the positional relationship between the magnet, the first magnetic sensor, and the second magnetic sensor. [Figure 27] It is a plan view of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] It is a left side view of FIG. 26. [Figure 29] It is a processing block diagram of the output signals of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor. [Figure 30] It is a view showing the analysis result of the detection of the tilting amount of the operating member in the X-axis direction. [Figure 31]This figure shows the analysis results for detecting the tilt amount in the Y-axis direction of the operating member. [Figure 32] This figure shows the analysis results of the XY coordinate output values ​​when the vehicle is tilted in all directions. [Figure 33] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 19, which shows a first modified example of the magnet holding part. [Figure 34] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 21, which shows a first modified example of the magnet holding part. [Figure 35] This is a perspective view showing a first modified example of the magnet holding part. [Figure 36] This is a perspective view of the disassembled state showing the first modified example of the magnet holding part. [Figure 37] This diagram shows a cylindrical component, with (A) being a one-sided cross-sectional plan view and (B) being a one-sided cross-sectional front view. [Figure 38] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 19, which shows a second modified example of the magnet holding part. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the multi-directional input device) will be described based on Figures 1 to 14. In the figures, the direction of arrow Y1 is the front direction of the multi-directional input device, the direction of arrow Y2 is the rear direction of the multi-directional input device, the direction of arrow X1 is the left direction of the multi-directional input device, the direction of arrow X2 is the right direction of the multi-directional input device, the direction of arrow Z1 is the upward direction of the multi-directional input device, and the direction of arrow Z2 is the downward direction of the multi-directional input device.

[0011] A multi-directional input device can be used in various electronic devices such as game console controllers. As shown in Figures 1 to 14, the multi-directional input device comprises a lower case 1, an upper case 2, two screws 3a and 3b, an operating member 4, a rotating member 5, a magnet holding member 6, a compression coil spring 7, a receiving member 8, a magnet 9, a magnetic sensor 10, a pressing member 11, a cover sheet 12, a metal dome 13, and a circuit board 14.

[0012] The lower case 1 and the upper case 2, when combined, form a rectangular box-shaped case. The lower case 1 is made of sheet metal. The lower case 1 has a bottom plate 1a and left and right side plates 1b and 1c. The bottom plate 1a is formed in a rectangular shape. The left and right side plates 1b and 1c are raised from the left and right sides of the bottom plate 1a. The left and right side plates 1b and 1c are provided so as to face each other. The lower case 1 is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the front.

[0013] The upper case 2 is a molded resin product. The upper case 2 has a top plate portion 2a and peripheral side wall portions (four side wall portions) 2b. The top plate portion 2a is formed in a rectangular shape. The peripheral side wall portions 2b hang down from the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the top plate portion 2a. The upper case 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box cap that opens downwards. The upper case 2 is positioned to cover the bottom plate portion 1a of the lower case 1. The upper case 2 is fixed to the lower case 1 by being fitted between the left and right side plate portions 1b and 1c of the lower case 1.

[0014] The upper case 2 is fixed to the lower case 1 by engagement, in which engagement claws 2c and 2d, which protrude from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the circumferential side wall portion 2b of the upper case 2, are fitted into engagement holes 1d and 1e drilled in the left and right side plates 1b and 1c of the lower case 1, and by fastening, in which two screws (male threads) 3a and 3b are screwed into two female thread portions 2e and 2f provided in the upper case 2 through two screw insertion holes 1f and 1g drilled in the lower case 1.

[0015] The upper case 2 has a dome portion 2g, an inner wall portion 2h, a first housing portion 2i, a second housing portion 2j, a third housing portion 2k, a first guide groove portion 2l, a second guide groove portion 2m, and an insertion hole 2n.

[0016] The dome portion 2g is formed so as to bulge upward in a dome shape from the center of the top plate portion 2a. The inner wall portion 2h hangs down from the outer edge of the dome portion 2g. The inner wall portion 2h is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first housing portion 2i is formed by the inner region of the dome portion 2g and the inner region of the inner wall portion 2h. The rotating member 5 is rotatably housed in the first housing portion 2i.

[0017] The second housing section 2j is formed between the circumferential side wall section 2b and the inner wall section 2h. The pressing member 11 is housed in the second housing section 2j so as to be vertically movable. The third housing section 2k is formed between the circumferential side wall section 2b and the inner wall section 2h. The pressing pivot section 5e, described later, is rotatably housed in the third housing section 2k. The second housing section 2j and the third housing section 2k are formed at two positions that are exactly opposite each other, with the inner wall section 2h in between. In the illustrated example, the second housing section 2j is formed between the front side wall section and the inner wall section 2h of the circumferential side wall section 2b of the upper case 2, and the third housing section 2k is formed between the rear side wall section and the inner wall section 2h of the circumferential side wall section 2b.

[0018] The first guide groove 2l is formed in the inner wall 2h so as to connect the first housing section 2i and the second housing section 2j. The first guide groove 2l is formed in an inverted U shape so as to open downwards. The second guide groove 2m is formed in the inner wall 2h so as to connect the first housing section 2i and the third housing section 2k. The second guide groove 2m is formed in an inverted U shape so as to open downwards. The first guide groove 2l and the second guide groove 2m are formed in the inner wall 2h so as to face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0019] The insertion hole 2n is formed at the top (center) of the dome portion 2g. The insertion hole 2n is circular in shape. The insertion hole 2n opens the first housing portion 2i to the upper side of the upper case 2. The insertion hole 2n protrudes so that the operating member 4 can be tilted and pushed in from the inside of the case, specifically from the first housing portion 2i to the outside of the case, specifically to the upper side of the upper case 2.

[0020] The substrate 14 is either a rectangular flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or a non-flexible printed circuit board (PCB). In the illustrated example, the substrate 14 is a rectangular flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The substrate 14 is fixed on the bottom plate 1a of the lower case 1, with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the bottom plate 1a of the lower case 1 and the peripheral side wall 2b of the upper case 2. The substrate 14 has a strip-shaped tail portion 14a for external connection. The tail portion 14a extends from one side of the substrate 14 and is pulled out from the inside of the case to the outside. In the illustrated example, it extends from the rear side of the substrate 14 and is pulled out from the inside of the case to the outside, specifically to the rear of the case.

[0021] The receiving member 8 is a resin molded product. The receiving member 8 has a receiving portion 8a, a flange portion 8b, and a recess 8c. The receiving portion 8a is formed in the shape of a disc. The flange portion 8b is formed in the shape of a plate, protruding from the lower end of the circumferential surface of the receiving portion 8a. The recess 8c is formed in the center of the lower surface of the receiving portion 8a.

[0022] The receiving member 8 is fixed by adhesive to the center of the substrate 14 facing the first housing portion 2i of the upper case 2. The upper surface of the receiving portion 8a of the receiving member 8 forms a flat support surface 8d parallel to the substrate 14 for supporting the magnet holding member 6 below the first housing portion 2i of the upper case 2. The recess 8c on the lower surface of the receiving portion 8a of the receiving member 8 forms a fourth housing portion 8e between the receiving portion 8a and the substrate 14. The magnetic sensor 10 is housed in the fourth housing portion 8e.

[0023] The operating member 4 is a resin molded product. The operating member 4 is a round rod-shaped member. The operating member 4 has a base portion 4a, a keytop mounting portion 4b, a frustoconical portion 4c, a first support shaft 4d, a second support shaft 4e, and a hole portion 4f. These components 4a to 4f of the operating member 4 are arranged coaxially with respect to a single straight line that forms the centerline of the operating member 4.

[0024] The base portion 4a is formed in the shape of a round bar. The keytop mounting portion 4b is formed in the shape of a round bar that is thinner than the base portion 4a. The frustoconical portion 4c is provided between the base portion 4a and the keytop mounting portion 4b. The frustoconical portion 4c connects the base portion 4a and the keytop mounting portion 4b in a straight line. The first support shaft 4d and the second support shaft 4e are projected from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 4a in two opposite directions. The first support shaft 4d and the second support shaft 4e are provided coaxially with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the center line of the operating member 4.

[0025] The hole 4f is formed in the center of the operating member 4. The magnet holding member 6 is housed in the hole 4f so as to be movable along the center line of the operating member 4, and the compression coil spring 7 is housed in the hole 4f so as to be expandable and contractible along the center line of the operating member 4.

[0026] The hole 4f has a large diameter portion 4g, a small diameter portion 4h, and a downward-facing stepped surface 4i. The large diameter portion 4g has a circular cross-sectional shape. The large diameter portion 4g is located in the center of the base portion 4a. The large diameter portion 4g opens downward at the end face of the base portion 4a (the lower end face of the operating member 4). The small diameter portion 4h has a circular cross-sectional shape that is smaller in diameter than the large diameter portion 4g. The small diameter portion 4h is located in the center of the frustoconical portion 4c. The small diameter portion 4h opens into the large diameter portion 4g at the center of the top surface of the large diameter portion 4g. The downward-facing stepped surface 4i consists of the outer part of the top surface of the large diameter portion 4g.

[0027] The rotating member 5 is a resin molded product. The rotating member 5 is a circular ring-shaped member. The rotating member 5 has a through hole 5a, a first support shaft 5b, a second support shaft 5c, a pressing portion 5d, a pressing pivot portion 5e, a first recess 5f, and a second recess 5g.

[0028] The through-hole 5a is a hole that penetrates the rotating member 5 vertically. The base 4a of the operating member 4 is inserted into the through-hole 5a. The first support shaft 5b and the second support shaft 5c protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 5 in two opposite directions. The first support shaft 5b and the second support shaft 5c are arranged coaxially with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the center line of the rotating member 5. The pressing portion 5d protrudes downward from the end of the first support shaft 5b. The lower end of the pressing portion 5d is formed in an arc shape that protrudes downward. The pressing pivot portion 5e protrudes downward from the end of the second support shaft 5c. The lower end of the pressing pivot portion 5e is formed in an arc shape that protrudes downward.

[0029] The first recess 5f and the second recess 5g are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the rotating member 5. The first recess 5f and the second recess 5g are provided so as to face each other in directions perpendicular to the first support shaft 5b and the second support shaft 5c. The first support shaft 4d of the operating member 4 is rotatably inserted into the first recess 5f. The second support shaft 4e of the operating member 4 is rotatably inserted into the second recess 5g. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 5 is curved to match the curved surface that forms the inner surface of the dome portion 2g of the upper case 2.

[0030] The magnet holding member 6 is a resin molded product. The magnet holding member 6 is a round rod-shaped member. The magnet holding member 6 has a large diameter portion 6a, a small diameter portion 6b, a medium diameter portion 6c, a first upward stepped surface 6d, a second upward stepped surface 6e, a hole portion 6f, a central contact surface 6g, and a peripheral contact surface 6h. These components 6a to 6h of the magnet holding member 6 are arranged coaxially with respect to a single straight line that forms the centerline of the magnet holding member 6.

[0031] The large-diameter portion 6a has a circular cross-sectional shape. The large-diameter portion 6a is movably inserted into the large-diameter portion 4g of the hole 4f of the operating member 4 along the centerline of the operating member 4. The small-diameter portion 6b has a circular cross-sectional shape that is smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portion 6a. The small-diameter portion 6b is movably inserted into the small-diameter portion 4h of the hole 4f of the operating member 4 along the centerline of the operating member 4. The medium-diameter portion 6c is provided between the large-diameter shaft portion 6a and the small-diameter shaft portion 6b. The medium-diameter portion 6c connects the large-diameter shaft portion 6a and the small-diameter shaft portion 6b in a straight line. The medium-diameter portion 6c has a circular cross-sectional shape that is smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portion 6a and larger in diameter than the small-diameter portion 6b. The medium-diameter portion 6c is inserted into the large-diameter portion 4g of the hole 4f of the operating member 4 so as to be movable along the centerline of the operating member 4, forming a gap between it and the peripheral wall surface of the large-diameter portion 4g of the hole 4f of the operating member 4 for accommodating the compression coil spring 7.

[0032] The first upward step surface 6d is provided between the large diameter portion 6a and the medium diameter portion 6c. The first upward step surface 6d faces the downward step surface 4i of the operating member 4. The second upward step surface 6e is provided between the small diameter shaft portion 6b and the medium diameter shaft portion 6c. The second upward step surface 6e faces the downward step surface 4i of the operating member 4.

[0033] The hole 6f has a circular cross-sectional shape. The hole 6f extends from the center of the large-diameter portion 6a to the center of the medium-diameter portion 6c. The hole 6f opens downward at the end face of the large-diameter portion 6a (the lower end face of the magnet holding member 6). The magnet 9 is fitted and fixed into the hole 6f.

[0034] The central contact surface 6g is provided around the opening of the hole 6f. The central contact surface 6g consists of the end face of the large-diameter portion 6a (the lower end face of the magnet holding member 6), which is parallel to the substrate 14 and flat. The central contact surface 6g contacts the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8, thereby supporting the magnet holding member 6 in an upright position on the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8. The peripheral contact surface 6h is provided around the central contact surface 6g. The peripheral contact surface 6h consists of a curved surface that rounds the corner between the end face of the large-diameter portion 6a and the peripheral side surface. The peripheral contact surface 6h contacts the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8, thereby supporting the magnet holding member 6 in a tilted position on the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8.

[0035] The compression coil spring 7 is made of metal wire.

[0036] The rotating member 5 is housed in the first housing section 2i of the upper case 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis between the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove section 2m, by inserting the first support shaft 5b into the first guide groove section 2l of the upper case 2 and inserting the second support shaft 5c into the second guide groove section 2m of the upper case 2, thereby extending the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove section 2m in the front-rear direction. In this state, the rotating member 5 has a pressing section 5d positioned in the second housing section 2j of the upper case 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis between the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove section 2m, and a pressing pivot section 5e positioned in the third housing section 2k of the upper case 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis between the first support shaft 5b and the second guide groove section 2m.

[0037] The operating member 4 is supported by the rotating member 5 so as to be rotatable around the axes of the first and second support shafts 4b and 4e, by inserting its base 4a into the through hole 5a of the rotating member 5, inserting its first support shaft 4d into the first recess 5f of the rotating member 5, and inserting its second support shaft 4e into the second recess 5g of the rotating member 5, thereby extending the first support shaft 4b and the second support shaft 4e in the left-right direction. In this state, the operating member 4 has its frustoconical portion 4c and keytop mounting portion 4b protruding upward from the first housing portion of the upper case 2 through the insertion hole 2n of the upper case 2.

[0038] The magnet holding member 6 is inserted into the hole 4f of the operating member 4 so as to be movable along the center line of the operating member 4, and its central contact surface 6g faces the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8.

[0039] The compression coil spring 7 is housed in the gap formed between the peripheral wall surface of the large-diameter portion 4e of the hole 4f of the operating member 4 and the peripheral wall surface of the medium-diameter portion 6c of the magnet holding member 6. The lower end of the compression coil spring 7 is brought into contact with the first upward-facing stepped surface 6d of the magnet holding member 6, and the upper end of the compression coil spring 7 is brought into contact with the downward-facing stepped surface 4i of the hole 4f of the operating member 4, thereby biasing the operating member 4 and the rotating member 5 upward and biasing the magnet holding member 6 downward.

[0040] When no operating force is applied to the operating member 4, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 7 holds the magnet holding member 6 upright on the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8, with its central contact surface 6g pressed against the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8. The operating member 4 and the rotating member 5 are pushed upward until the first pivot shaft 5b of the rotating member 5 engages with the upper end of the first guide groove 2l of the upper case 2, and the second pivot shaft 5c of the rotating member 5 engages with the upper end of the second guide groove 2m of the upper case 2, and the operating member 4 is held upright on the support surface 8d of the receiving member 8 via the magnet holding member 6. Furthermore, with this state as the neutral state, the operating member 4 can be tilted in any direction around it and pushed downwards, the rotating member 5 rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 4 and can also tilt in conjunction with the pushing operation of the operating member 4 so as to push down the pressing part 5d with the pressing pivot part 5e as the pivot point, and the magnet holding member 6, by entering the hole 4f of the operating member 4 in conjunction with the pushing operation of the operating member 4, absorbs the pushing operation of the operating member 4 and does not move in conjunction with it, but can tilt only in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 4.

[0041] The magnet 9 and magnetic sensor 10 function as a tilt operation detection device to detect the tilt operation of the operating member 4, and the metal dome 13 functions as a push operation detection device for the operating member 4. Specifically, the metal dome 13 functions as a push switch, opening and closing a fixed contact (not shown) formed on the substrate 14.

[0042] Magnet 9 is a cylindrical permanent magnet. Magnet 9 is fitted and fixed into the hole 6f of the magnet holding member 6. Magnet 9 is fixed by adhesive.

[0043] The magnetic sensor 10 is positioned opposite the magnet 9 and detects the movement of the magnet 9 (changes in the magnetic field of the magnet 9). In the illustrated example, the magnetic sensor 10 is surface-mounted in the center of the substrate 14 so as to be positioned opposite the magnet 9. The magnetic sensor 10 is housed in the recess 8c (fourth housing portion 8e) of the receiving member 8.

[0044] The magnetic sensor 10 uses either a pair of magnetoresistive elements or a Hall element. In the illustrated example, the magnetic sensor 10 uses a pair of magnetoresistive elements and detects the movement of the magnet 9 using the magnetoresistive effect of the magnetoresistive elements. When the operating member 4 is tilted, the magnet holding member 6 tilts in conjunction with the tilt of the operating member 4, and the magnet 9 is displaced as the magnet holding member 6 tilts. The magnetic field changes according to this displacement of the magnet 9, and the resistance value of the magnetoresistive elements of the magnetic sensor 10 changes. When a voltage is applied to one end of the magnetic sensor 10 and the other end is grounded, a voltage proportional to the displacement of the magnet 9 is output from the connection point of the pair of magnetoresistive elements. This makes it possible to output a voltage proportional to the tilting direction and amount of the operating member 4.

[0045] The cover sheet 12 is a single-sided adhesive sheet. The metal dome 13 is a movable contact made of an upward-convex, dome-shaped metal plate. The top surface of the metal dome 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the cover sheet 12 to form the metal dome sheet. The substrate 14 has a central fixed contact (not shown) and an outer fixed contact formed thereon. The central fixed contact is circular and is located below the second housing section 2j of the upper case 2. The outer fixed contact is C-shaped and is arranged to surround the central fixed contact with a gap between them.

[0046] The metal dome sheet is attached to the circuit board 14 below the second housing section 2j of the upper case 2, and the metal dome 13 is fixed on top of the outer fixing contacts with the metal dome 13 straddling the central fixing contact, with the top of the metal dome 13 facing away from the central fixing contact directly below it, leaving a gap between them.

[0047] The pressing member 11 is a resin molded product. The pressing member 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member. The pressing member 11 is housed in the second housing section 2j of the upper case 2 so as to be vertically movable. The pressing member 11 has a recess 11a and a protrusion 11b. The recess 11a is formed on the upper surface of the pressing member 11. The recess 11a creates an arc-shaped depression on the upper surface of the pressing member 11. The pressing portion 5d of the rotating member 5 faces the recess 11a. The protrusion 11b is formed on the lower surface of the pressing member 11. The protrusion 11b is formed in the shape of a frustoconical pyramid, with its outer diameter gradually decreasing downwards. The lower end surface of the protrusion 11b is in contact with the upper surface of the cover sheet 12 so as to press the top of the metal dome 13.

[0048] When the operating member 4 is pressed, the rotating member 5 moves downward in conjunction with the pressing of the operating member 4. As the rotating member 5 moves downward, the lower end surface of the pressing pivot 5 comes into contact with the bottom plate 1a of the lower case 1, and the rotating member 5 tilts so as to push down the pressing part 5d using the pressing pivot 5e as a pivot point. As the rotating member 5 tilts, the pressing part 5d comes into contact with the recess 11a of the pressing member 11, pushing down the pressing member 11. As the pressing member 11 is pushed down, the top of the metal dome 13 is pushed down by the convex part 11b of the pressing member 11, and the top of the metal dome 13 elastically deforms into a downward convex shape with a click sensation. The top of the metal dome 13 comes into contact with the central fixed contact of the substrate 14, and an electrical connection is made between the central fixed contact and the outer fixed contact of the substrate 14 via the metal dome 13, resulting in the switch being turned on. This makes it possible to detect the pushing operation of the operating member 4.

[0049] When the operating member 4 is pushed in, the magnet holding member 6, as described above, absorbs the pushing operation of the operating member 4 by entering the hole 4f of the operating member 4, and does not move in conjunction with the pushing operation of the operating member 4, but is able to tilt only in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 4. In other words, by making the magnet holding member 6, which is only able to move relative to the operating member 4 in the direction along the pushing direction and moves only in the tilting direction, the magnet 9 is held in place, so when the operating member 4 is pushed in, the magnet 9 does not move downward and the magnetic field does not change, so it does not adversely affect the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 4 and the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 4 can be improved.

[0050] As described above, the multi-directional input device comprises an operating member 4 that can be tilted and pressed, a metal dome 13 that functions as a press operation detection device to detect the pressing operation of the operating member 4, a magnet holding member 6 that is relatively movable with respect to the operating member 4 only in the direction along the pressing direction and is linked only in the tilting direction, a magnet 9 held by the magnet holding member 6, and a magnetic sensor 10 positioned opposite the magnet 9 to detect the movement of the magnet 9. As described above, this device can improve the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 4.

[0051] Hereinafter, a multi-directional input device according to another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "another multi-directional input device") will be described based on the drawings.

[0052] Figure 15 shows the relationship between other multidirectional input devices and the three-dimensional space formed by three orthogonal axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis). The left-right direction of the other multidirectional input devices is defined as the X-axis direction, the front-back direction of the other multidirectional input devices orthogonal to the X-axis is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction of the other multidirectional input devices orthogonal to the X-axis and Y-axis, respectively, is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0053] The direction to the right of the other multidirectional input device is defined as the positive X-axis (+X-axis direction), the direction forward of the other multidirectional input device is defined as the positive Y-axis (+Y-axis direction), and the direction upward of the other multidirectional input device is defined as the positive Z-axis (+Z-axis direction).

[0054] Let the two-dimensional plane formed between the X and Y axes be the XY plane, the two-dimensional plane formed between the X and Z axes be the XZ plane, and the two-dimensional plane formed between the Y and Z axes be the YZ plane.

[0055] Other multidirectional input devices can be used in various electronic devices such as game console controllers.

[0056] As shown in Figures 15 to 22, the other multi-directional input device comprises a lower case 101, an upper case 102, an operating member 104, a rotating member 105, a magnet holder 106, a compression coil spring 107, a magnet 109, a first magnetic sensor 110A, a second magnetic sensor 110B, a pusher 111, a cover sheet 112, a metal dome 113, a main board 114, a first sub-board 115A, and a second sub-board 115B.

[0057] The lower case 101 and the upper case 102, when combined, form a rectangular box-shaped case. Various components 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110A, 110B, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115A, and 115B of the other multi-directional input device are housed inside this case.

[0058] The lower case 101 is made of sheet metal. The lower case 101 has a bottom plate portion 101a and left and right side plate portions 101b and 101c. The bottom plate portion 101a is formed in a rectangular shape. The left and right side plate portions 101b and 101c are raised from the left and right sides of the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0059] The upper case 102 is a resin molded product. The upper case 102 has a top plate portion 102a and periphery side wall portions (four side wall portions) 102b. The top plate portion 102a is formed in a rectangular shape. The periphery side wall portions 102b hang down from the four sides (front, back, left, and right) of the top plate portion 2a. The upper case 102 is formed in the shape of a bottomless, rectangular box cap that opens downwards.

[0060] The upper case 102 is positioned on top of the bottom plate 101a so as to cover it from above. The upper case 102 is fitted between the left and right side plates 101b and 101c and is fixed to the bottom plate 101a with two screws (not shown). The upper case 102 functions as the main body of the case, and the lower case 101 functions as the bottom cover of the case.

[0061] The upper case 102 has a dome portion 102c and an insertion hole 102d. The dome portion 102c is formed so as to bulge upward in a dome shape from the center of the top plate portion 102a. The inner surface of the dome portion 102c is formed as a spherical curved surface. The insertion hole 102d is formed at the top (center) of the dome portion 102c. The insertion hole 102d is circular in shape. The insertion hole 102d opens the inside of the upper case 102 upward.

[0062] The main board 114 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The main board 114 is fixed on the bottom plate portion 101a with its peripheral edge sandwiched between the bottom plate portion 101a and the peripheral side wall portion 102b. The main board 114 has a strip-shaped tail portion 114a for external connection. The tail portion 114a extends in one direction (rearward) from the rectangular main body portion of the main board 114 and is pulled out from inside the upper case 102 to the outside.

[0063] The operating member 104 is a resin molded product. The operating member 104 is a round rod-shaped member. The operating member 104 has a base portion 104a, a keytop mounting portion 104b, a frustoconical portion 104c, a pair of left and right second shaft portions 104d and 104e, and a magnet housing hole 104f. Of these components of the operating member 104, components 104a to 104f, excluding the second shaft portions 104d and 104e, are arranged coaxially with respect to a single straight line extending in the Z-axis direction, which is the centerline of the operating member 104.

[0064] The base portion 104a is provided at the lower end of the operating member 104. The base portion 104a is formed in the shape of a round rod. The keytop mounting portion 104b is provided at the upper end of the operating member 104. The keytop mounting portion 104b is formed in the shape of a round rod that is thinner than the base portion 104a. The frustoconical portion 104c is provided between the base portion 104a and the keytop mounting portion 104b, and connects them in a straight line in the Z-axis direction.

[0065] The left second shaft portion 104d and the right second shaft portion 104e protrude in two opposite directions from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 104a. The left second shaft portion 104d and the right second shaft portion 104e are provided coaxially with respect to a single straight line that extends in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the center line of the operating member 4.

[0066] The magnet housing hole 104f is formed extending from the center of the end face of the base portion 104a (the lower end face of the operating member 4) to the center of the frustoconical portion 104c. The magnet housing hole 104f is a stepped hole with a circular cross-section, whose diameter is reduced in two stages from bottom to top. The magnet housing hole 104f opens downward at the end face of the base portion 104a (the lower end face of the operating member 4).

[0067] The rotating member 105 is a resin molded product. The rotating member 105 is a circular ring-shaped member. The rotating member 105 has a through hole 105a, a pair of front and rear first shaft portions 105b and 105c, a pressing portion 105d, a pressing pivot portion 105e, and a pair of left and right bearing portions 105f and 105g.

[0068] The through-hole 105a is a hole that penetrates the rotating member 105 in the Z-axis direction. The front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 105 in two opposite directions. The front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c are provided coaxially with respect to a single straight line that extends in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the center line of the rotating member 105.

[0069] The pressing portion 105d protrudes downward from the end of the front first shaft portion 105b. The lower end of the pressing portion 105d is formed in an arc shape that protrudes downward. The pressing fulcrum portion 105e protrudes downward from the base of the rear second shaft portion 105c. The lower end of the pressing fulcrum portion 105e is formed in an arc shape that protrudes downward.

[0070] The left bearing portion 105f and the right bearing portion 105g are circular through holes that penetrate the inner and outer surfaces of the rotating member 105. The left bearing portion 105f and the right bearing portion 105g are arranged coaxially with respect to a single straight line extending in the X-axis direction, so as to face each other in the X-axis direction. The outer surface of the rotating member 105 is formed as a spherical curved surface to match the inner surface of the dome portion 102c.

[0071] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the magnet 109 is a cylindrical permanent magnet whose axial direction is along the protruding direction of the operating member 104, and which is magnetized (polarized) with two poles, N and S, in this axial direction. The magnet 109 is a cylindrical permanent magnet whose axial direction is along the Z-axis. The magnet 109 has a circular through hole 109a in its center. The magnet 109 is magnetized with two poles, N and S, in the axial direction such that both end faces (upper and lower end faces) are opposite poles. The upper end face of the magnet 109 is the N pole, and the lower end face is the S pole.

[0072] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the magnet holder 106 comprises a pair of upper and lower disc portions 1060 and 1061 positioned at both ends of the magnet 109, and a pin 1062. The upper disc portion 1060 and the lower disc portion 1061 each have circular through holes 1060a and 1061a in the center, similar to the magnet 109.

[0073] Pin 1062 is a round pin with a circular cross-section that fits into the through holes 1060a, 1061a, and 109a. Pin 1062 is made of a metal that does not adhere to the magnet 109, or it is made of a metal that adheres to the magnet 109, but has been surface-treated, such as by plating, so that it does not adhere to the magnet 109.

[0074] The magnet holder 106 is configured to hold the magnet 109 between the upper disc portion 1060 and the lower disc portion 1061 when the pin 1062 is inserted into the through holes 1060a, 1061a, and 109a of the upper disc portion 1060, the lower disc portion 1061, and the magnet 109. The upper disc portion 1060, the lower disc portion 1061, and the magnet 109 are arranged coaxially with respect to a single straight line extending in the Z-axis direction, which is the center line of the pin 1062.

[0075] The magnet holder portion 106 has a spherical contact surface 1063 on the lower surface of the lower disc portion 1061 (the lower end surface of the magnet holder portion 106) that faces the base plate portion 101a. The contact surface 1063 includes a circular flat surface 1063a formed from the small-diameter end face of the spherical base and a spherical band-shaped curved surface 1063b formed from the side surface of the spherical base.

[0076] Pin 1062 has a disc-shaped flange portion 1062a in the axial middle of the pin 1062. With the flange portion 1062a in contact with the upper surface of the upper disc portion 1060, the lower pin 1062 is inserted from the flange portion 1062a into the through holes 1060a, 1061a, and 109a of the upper disc portion 1060, the lower disc portion 1061, and the magnet 109. The lower end of the pin 1062 is positioned inside the through hole 1061a of the lower disc portion 1061, so that the pin 1062 does not protrude from the lower surface of the lower disc portion 1061, while the upper pin 1062 from the flange portion 1062a protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper disc portion 1060.

[0077] The magnet holder 106 comprises two disc-shaped parts 1064 made of a magnetic material that adheres to the magnet 109. The two disc-shaped parts 1064 are designated as an upper disc portion 1060 (one disc-shaped part 1064) and a lower disc portion 1061 (the other disc-shaped part 1064). Both the upper disc portion 1060 and the lower disc portion 1061 have contact surfaces 1063 on their respective surfaces. The lower surface of the lower disc portion 1061 (the lower surface of the magnet holder 106) has a trapezoidal contact surface 1063 which is configured to contact the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0078] The upper disc portion 1060 and the lower disc portion 1061 can be fixed to the pin 1062 using adhesive, or the pin 1062 can be press-fitted into the through holes 1060a and 1061a. This type of fixing can suppress rattling of the magnet 109.

[0079] To eliminate rattling of the magnet 109, cushioning material (not shown) may be installed between the upper disc portion 1060 and the magnet 109, and between the lower disc portion 1061 and the magnet 109.

[0080] The compression coil spring 107 is made of a metal wire that does not adhere to the magnet 109.

[0081] The rotating member 105 has its front first shaft portion 105b and rear first shaft portion 105c inserted into front guide grooves 102e and rear guide grooves 102f formed inside the upper case 102. This restricts the rotation of the rotating member 105 around the centerline relative to the upper case 102. In this state, the rotating member 105 is housed inside the upper case 102 so as to be rotatable around the axes of the front first shaft portion 105b and rear first shaft portion 105c. The front guide grooves 102e and rear guide grooves 102f are formed in an inverted U shape so as to open downwards.

[0082] The operating member 104 has its base 104a inserted into the through hole 105a of the rotating member 105, and its left second shaft portion 104d and right second shaft portion 104e inserted into the left bearing portion 105f and right bearing portion 105g of the rotating member 105. In this state, the operating member 104 is supported by the rotating member 105 so as to be rotatable around the axes of the left second shaft portion 104d and right second shaft portion 104e. In this state, the operating member 104 has its keytop mounting portion 104b protruding upward from the inside of the upper case 102 through the insertion hole 102d.

[0083] The magnet holder 106 is inserted into the magnet housing hole 104f of the operating member 104 so as to be movable along the center line of the operating member 104, with the compression coil spring 107 fitted onto the upper pin 1062 from the flange portion 1062a, and the lower surface of the lower disc portion 1061 facing the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0084] The compression coil spring 107 is housed between the flange portion 1062a and the upper surface of the magnet housing hole 104f, biasing the operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 upward, and biasing the magnet holding portion 106 downward.

[0085] When no operating force is applied to the operating member 104, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107 supports the magnet holding portion 106 in an upright position on the bottom plate portion 101a, with the flat surface 1063a of the contact surface 1063 on the lower surface of the lower disc portion 1061 pressed against the bottom plate portion 101a. The operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 are pushed up until the front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c engage with the upper ends (closed ends) of the front guide groove 102e and the rear guide groove 102f.

[0086] As a result, the operating member 104 is supported upright on the base plate 101a via the magnet holding part 106. Furthermore, with this state as the initial state, the operating member 104 can be tilted and pressed in any direction around it (all 360 degrees). The operating member 104 shown in the figure can be tilted up to a maximum of 16.5 degrees.

[0087] The rotating member 105 is rotatable in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 104. Furthermore, the rotating member 105 is capable of moving downward (tilting) so as the operating member 104 is pressed, the pressing pivot 105e is pressed against the bottom plate 101a, and the pressing part 105d is pressed down using the pressing pivot 105e as a pivot point.

[0088] The magnet holder 106 moves relative to the operating member 104 in a direction along the centerline of the operating member 104, against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107, as the operating member 104 is pressed. In other words, it enters the magnet housing hole 104f of the operating member 104, so that it does not move downward as the operating member 104 is pressed. In short, the magnet holder 106 is linked only to the tilting operation of the operating member 104.

[0089] When the operating member 104 is tilted, the magnet holding part 106 supports itself and the operating member 104 in a tilted position on the bottom plate part 101a, with the curved surface 1063b of the contact surface 1063 on the lower surface of the lower disc part 1061 pressed against the bottom plate part 101a.

[0090] The pusher 111 and the metal dome 113 function as a device for detecting the pressing of the operating member 4. Specifically, they function as push switches, opening and closing fixed contacts (not shown) formed on the main circuit board 114.

[0091] The cover sheet 112 is a single-sided adhesive sheet. The metal dome 113 is a movable contact made of an upward-convex, dome-shaped metal plate. The top surface of the metal dome 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the cover sheet 12 to form the metal dome sheet.

[0092] The main circuit board 114 has a central fixed contact (not shown) and an outer fixed contact (not shown). The central fixed contact is circular and is located below the pressing portion 105d of the rotating member 105. The outer fixed contact is C-shaped and is arranged to surround the central fixed contact with a gap between them.

[0093] The metal dome sheet is attached to the main circuit board 114 so that the metal dome 113 is fixed on top of the outer fixed contacts, with the metal dome 113 straddling the central fixed contact. In this state, the top of the metal dome 113 is separated from the central fixed contact directly below it, with a gap between them.

[0094] The pusher 111 is a resin molded product. The pusher 111 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped component. The pusher 111 is housed inside the upper case 102 so as to be vertically movable. The pusher 111 is positioned between the pressing portion 105d of the rotating member 105 and the metal dome 113. The pusher 111 is biased upward by the metal dome 113, and its upper surface is pressed against the lower end of the pressing portion 105d of the rotating member 105.

[0095] When the operating member 104 is pressed, the rotating member 105 moves downward in conjunction with the pressing of the operating member 104. This downward movement of the rotating member 105 causes the pusher 111 to move downward against the biasing force of the metal dome 113, and this pusher 111 presses down on the top of the metal dome 113. As a result, the top of the metal dome 113 elastically deforms into a downward convex shape and contacts the central fixed contact of the main board 114. The metal dome 113 electrically connects the central fixed contact and the outer fixed contact of the main board 114, and the push switch turns on. This makes it possible to detect the pressing of the operating member 104.

[0096] The magnet 109, the first magnetic sensor 110A, the second magnetic sensor 110B, and the magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 function as a tilt operation detection device for the operating member 104.

[0097] As shown in Figures 26 to 28, the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109. Specifically, they are positioned at two locations to the side of the magnet 109 that are point-symmetric with respect to the axis (center line) of the magnet 109. More specifically, they are positioned in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the protruding direction (Y-axis direction) of the front first shaft portion 105b and the rear first shaft portion 105c.

[0098] The first magnetic sensor 110A is positioned to the left of the rotating member 105 and faces the magnet 109 at a predetermined distance. The second magnetic sensor 110B is positioned to the right of the rotating member 105 and faces the magnet 109 at the same distance as the first magnetic sensor 110A.

[0099] The first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are surface-mounted on the first sub-board 115A and the second sub-board 115B, which are made of small rigid substrates. The first sub-board 115A and the second sub-board 115B are held inside the upper case 102 so that their sensor mounting surfaces are perpendicular to a straight line extending in the X-axis direction, perpendicular to the axis (center line) of the magnet 109, and are erected vertically on the main board 114.

[0100] The first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are the same magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetic flux density in three mutually orthogonal axial directions: the X-axis, Y-axis, which is the radial plane of the magnet 109, and the Z-axis, which is the axial direction of the magnet 109. For example, a 3D Hall sensor can be used as this magnetic sensor.

[0101] The first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are positioned so that the centers of their respective X-axis magnetic sensing parts 110Ax and 110Bx are coaxial with a straight line extending in the X-axis direction that is perpendicular to the axis (center line) of the magnet 109.

[0102] As shown in Figure 29, the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B are connected to the magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116, and are configured to detect the tilt angle of the magnet 109, that is, the tilt operation of the operating member 104. Specifically, (1) the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B measure and output the magnetic flux densities Bx, By, and Bz in the three axial directions. (2) The magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 calculates the angle formed by the magnetic flux density vectors Bz,By and Bx at the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B based on the output values ​​of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B. (3) The magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 calculates the tilt angle of the magnet 109 based on the result of (2). In other words, the output value A of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the output value B of the second magnetic sensor 110B are added together and divided by 2 to obtain an average.

[0103] Here, in the detection of tilt in the Y-axis direction where the distance of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B to the magnet 109 does not change, as shown in Figure 31, both the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B produce almost the same output, and their average values ​​overlap. In contrast, in the detection of tilt in the X-axis direction where the distance of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B to the magnet 109 changes, as shown in Figure 30, the slope of the output value differs with respect to the tilt angle of the magnet 109 when the magnet 109 approaches or moves away from the first magnetic sensor 110A and the second magnetic sensor 110B. However, the output obtained by adding the output value A of the first magnetic sensor 110A and the output value B of the second magnetic sensor 110B and dividing by 2 to average it shows an output characteristic that is almost linear with respect to the tilt angle. In other words, it can be seen that the effects of the difference in tilt direction cancel each other out.

[0104] In other multidirectional input devices, the magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 is located outside the other multidirectional input device, that is, it is located in various electronic devices such as game controllers that are equipped with this other multidirectional input device, but it can also be located inside the other multidirectional input device.

[0105] Figure 32 shows the analysis results of the output values ​​(XY coordinate output values) when the device was operated with an azimuth angle in 15-degree increments (0 to 360 degrees) and tilt angles of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 16.5 degrees. Referring to Figure 32, the elliptical output on the left is obtained, and when this is normalized, it becomes the circular shape on the right, showing no deviation in output values ​​or lack of linearity depending on the tilt direction.

[0106] A first modified example of the magnet holder will be described with reference to Figures 33 to 37. The magnet holder 206 of the first modified example replaces the magnet holder 106 described above.

[0107] The magnet holder 206 comprises a pair of upper and lower disc portions 2060 and 2061 positioned at both ends of the magnet 109, and a pin 2062. The upper disc portion 2060 and the lower disc portion 2061 each have circular through holes 2060a and 2061a in the center, similar to the magnet 109.

[0108] Pin 2062 is a round pin with a circular cross-section that fits into the through holes 2060a, 2061a, and 109a. Pin 2062 is made of a metal that does not adhere to the magnet 109, or it is made of a metal that adheres to the magnet 109, but has been surface-treated, such as by plating, so that it does not adhere to the magnet 109.

[0109] The magnet holder 206 is configured to hold the magnet 109 between the upper disc portion 2060 and the lower disc portion 2061 when the pin 2062 is inserted into the through holes 2060a, 2061a, and 109a of the upper disc portion 2060, the lower disc portion 2061, and the magnet 109. The upper disc portion 2060, the lower disc portion 2061, and the magnet 109 are arranged coaxially with respect to a single straight line extending in the Z-axis direction, which is the center line of the pin 2062.

[0110] The magnet holder portion 206 has a spherical contact surface 2063 on the lower surface (lower end surface of the magnet holder portion 206) of the lower disc portion 2061 facing the base plate portion 101a. The contact surface 2063 includes a circular flat surface 2063a formed from the smaller diameter end face of the spherical base and a spherical band-shaped curved surface 2063b formed from the side surface of the spherical base.

[0111] Pin 2062 has a disc-shaped flange portion 2062a in the axial middle of the pin 2062. With the flange portion 2062a in contact with the upper surface of the upper disc portion 2060, the lower pin 2062 is inserted from the flange portion 2062a into the through holes 2060a, 2061a, and 109a of the upper disc portion 2060, the lower disc portion 2061, and the magnet 109. The lower end of the pin 2062 is positioned inside the through hole 2061a of the lower disc portion 2061, so that the pin 2062 does not protrude from the lower surface of the lower disc portion 2061, while the upper pin 2062 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper disc portion 2060 from the flange portion 2062a.

[0112] The magnet holder 206 is formed integrally from a non-magnetic material (synthetic resin) and comprises a cylindrical part 2064 having a side window 2064d into which the magnet 109 can be inserted from the side. The side wall portion 2064a has a C-shaped cross-section and a pair of disc-shaped end wall portions 2064b and 2064c that close the openings at both ends of the side wall portion 2064a. The pair of disc-shaped end wall portions 2064b and 2064c are designated as the upper disc portion 2060 and the lower disc portion 2061, respectively, and the upper surface (outer surface) of the upper disc portion 2060 and the lower surface (outer surface) of the lower disc portion 2061 have contact surfaces 2063. The lower surface (lower surface) of the lower disc portion 2061 (lower surface of the magnet holder 206) has a trapezoidal contact surface 2063 which is the contact surface 2063 with respect to the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0113] The upper disc portion 2060 and the lower disc portion 2061 can be fixed to the pin 2062 using adhesive, or the pin 2062 can be press-fitted into the through holes 1060a and 1061a. This type of fixing can suppress rattling of the magnet 109.

[0114] To eliminate rattling of the magnet 109, cushioning material (not shown) may be installed between the upper disc portion 2060 and the magnet 109, and between the lower disc portion 2061 and the magnet 109.

[0115] The magnet holder 206 is inserted into the magnet housing hole 104f of the operating member 104 so as to be movable along the center line of the operating member 104, with the compression coil spring 107 fitted onto the upper pin 2062 from the flange portion 2062a, and the lower surface of the lower disc portion 2061 facing the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0116] The compression coil spring 107 is housed between the flange portion 2062a and the upper surface of the magnet housing hole 104f, biasing the operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 upward, and biasing the magnet holding portion 206 downward.

[0117] When no operating force is applied to the operating member 104, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107 supports the magnet holding portion 206 in an upright position on the bottom plate portion 101a, with the flat surface 2063a of the contact surface 2063 on the lower surface of the lower disc portion 2061 pressed against the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0118] The magnet holder 206 moves relative to the operating member 104 in a direction along the centerline of the operating member 104, against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107, as the operating member 104 is pressed. In other words, it enters the magnet housing hole 104f of the operating member 104, so that it does not move downward as the operating member 104 is pressed. In short, the magnet holder 206 is linked only to the tilting operation of the operating member 104.

[0119] When the operating member 104 is tilted, the magnet holding part 206 supports itself and the operating member 104 in a tilted position on the bottom plate part 101a, with the curved surface 2063b of the contact surface 2063 on the lower surface of the lower disc part 2061 pressed against the bottom plate part 101a.

[0120] A second modified example of the magnet holder will be described with reference to Figure 38. The magnet holder 306 of the second modified example replaces the magnet holders 106 and 206 described above.

[0121] Magnet 209 differs from magnet 109 in that it does not have a circular through-hole in the center. In other words, magnet 209 is a cylindrical permanent magnet whose axial direction is along the direction of protrusion of the operating member 104, and which is magnetized (polarized) with two poles, N and S, in this axial direction. Magnet 209 is a cylindrical permanent magnet whose axial direction is along the Z-axis. Magnet 209 is magnetized with two poles, N and S, in the axial direction such that both end faces (upper and lower end faces) are opposite poles. Magnet 209 has the upper end face as the N pole and the lower end face as the S pole.

[0122] The magnet holder 306, like the magnet holders 106 and 206, comprises a pair of upper and lower disc portions 3060 and 3061 positioned at both ends of the magnet 209, and a pin 3062.

[0123] Pin 3062 is a round pin with a circular cross-section. Pin 3062 is a pin made of a metal that does not adhere to the magnet 209, or a pin made of a metal that adheres to the magnet 209, but has been surface-treated such as plating to prevent it from adhering to the magnet 209.

[0124] The pin 3062 is located coaxially with the magnet 209 and protrudes upward (in the direction of protrusion of the operating member 104) from the upper disc portion 2060 (one disc portion in the direction of protrusion of the operating member 104).

[0125] Pin 3062 is located coaxially with the magnet 209, with its lower end in contact with the upper surface of the magnet 209, and protrudes upward (in the direction of protrusion of the operating member 104) from the upper disc portion 2060 (one disc portion in the direction of protrusion of the operating member 104). Pin 3062 has a disc-shaped flat head 3062a, which is in contact with the upper surface of the magnet 209.

[0126] The magnet holder portion 306 has a spherical contact surface 3063 on the lower surface (lower end surface of the magnet holder portion 306) of the lower disc portion 3061 facing the base plate portion 101a. The contact surface 3063 includes a circular flat surface 3063a formed from the small-diameter end face of the spherical base and a spherical band-shaped curved surface 3063b formed from the side surface of the spherical base.

[0127] The magnet holder 306 is formed integrally from a non-magnetic material (synthetic resin) and comprises a cylindrical side wall portion 3064a arranged on the outer circumference of the magnet 209 and a pair of disc-shaped end wall portions 3064b and 3064c that close the openings at both ends of the side wall portion 3064a, and includes a cylindrical part 3064 that covers the entire magnet 209. The pair of disc-shaped end wall portions 3064b and 3064c are designated as an upper disc portion 3060 and a lower disc portion 3061, with a contact surface 3063 on the lower surface (outer surface) of the lower disc portion 3061, and a trapezoidal contact surface 3063 on the lower surface (lower surface of the magnet holder 306) of the lower disc portion 3061 that is the contact surface 3063 with respect to the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0128] The magnet holder 306, which includes a magnet 206, a pin 3062, and a cylindrical part 3064, is integrally formed by insert molding, with the lower ends of the magnet 206 and pin 3062 embedded in the cylindrical part 3064.

[0129] The magnet holder 306 has a compression coil spring 107 fitted onto a pin 3062 that protrudes upward from the upper disc portion 3060, and is movably inserted into the magnet housing hole 104f of the operating member 104 along the center line of the operating member 104, with the lower surface of the lower disc portion 3061 facing the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0130] The compression coil spring 107 is housed between the upper disc portion 3060 and the upper surface of the magnet housing hole 104f, biasing the operating member 104 and the rotating member 105 upward, and biasing the magnet holding portion 306 downward.

[0131] When no operating force is applied to the operating member 104, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107 supports the magnet holding portion 306 in an upright position on the bottom plate portion 101a, with the flat surface 3063a of the contact surface 3063 on the lower surface of the lower disc portion 3061 pressed against the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0132] The magnet holder 306 moves relative to the operating member 104 in a direction along the centerline of the operating member 104, against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 107, as the operating member 104 is pressed. In other words, it enters the magnet housing hole 104f of the operating member 104, so that it does not move downward as the operating member 104 is pressed. In short, the magnet holder 306 is linked only to the tilting operation of the operating member 104.

[0133] When the operating member 104 is tilted, the magnet holding part 306 supports itself and the operating member 104 in a tilted position on the bottom plate part 101a, with the curved surface 3063b of the contact surface 3063 on the lower surface of the lower disc part 3061 pressed against the bottom plate part 101a.

[0134] As explained above, other multi-directional input devices include cases 101 and 102, a tiltable operating member 104 protruding from case 102, an elastic member 107 that returns the operating member 104 to its initial state before tilting, a magnet holding part 106 (or 206 or 306) that is relatively movable with respect to the operating member 104 only in the direction along the protruding direction and is linked only in the tilting direction, a magnet 109 (or 209) placed on the magnet holding part 106 (or 206 or 306), and a magnet 1 positioned opposite the magnet 109 (or 209). The magnet holder 106 (or 206 or 306) includes magnetic sensors 110A and 110B for detecting the movement of 09 (or 209), and comprises a pair of disc portions 1060 (or 2060 or 3060) and 1061 (or 2061 or 3061) positioned at both ends of the magnet 109 (or 209), and a pin 1062 (or 2062 or 3062) located coaxially with the magnet 109 (or 209) and protruding in the direction of the protrusion of the operating member 104 from one of the disc portions 1060 (or 2060 or 3060) in the direction of the protrusion of the operating member 104.

[0135] In other multi-directional input devices, the operating member 104 is made to be able to move relative to it only in the direction along the protruding direction, and the magnet 109 (or 209) is held in the magnet holding part 106 (or 206 or 306) which is linked only in the tilting direction. As a result, even if the operating member 104 moves downward against the compression coil spring 107, the magnet 109 (or 209) will not move downward, and the magnetic field will not change, thus improving the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 104.

[0136] In other multi-directional input devices, the magnet holder 106 includes a pair of disc portions 1060 and 1061 positioned at both ends of the magnet 109, and a pin 1062 located coaxially with the magnet 109 and protruding from one of the disc portions 1060 in the direction of the operating member 104's protrusion. This eliminates the need to increase the outer diameter of the magnet holder 106 when increasing the outer diameter of the magnet 109, allowing the magnet 109 to be enlarged without increasing the overall product size, and improving the detection accuracy of the tilt operation of the operating member 104.

[0137] In other multidirectional input devices, the magnet 109 has a through hole 109a in the center, and the magnet holder 106 (or 206) comprises a pair of disc portions 1060 (or 2060) and 1061 (or 2061) arranged at both ends of the magnet 109, and a pin 1062 (or 2062), with through holes 1060a (or 2060a) and 1061a (or 2061a) in the center of the disc portions 1060 (or 2060) and 1061 (or 2061), and the pin 1062 (or 2062) is connected to the disc portion 1060 (or 2060), By configuring the magnet 109 to be held between the disc portions 1060 (or 2060) and 1061 (or 2061) while inserted into the through holes 1060a (or 2060a), 1061a (or 2061a), and 109a of the magnet 109, it is not necessary to increase the outer diameter of the magnet holding portion 106 when increasing the outer diameter of the magnet 109. This allows the magnet 109 to be enlarged without increasing the size of the product, and improves the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 104.

[0138] In other multi-directional input devices, the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306) has a spherical contact surface 1063 (or 2063 or 3063) on one side of the disc portion 1061 (or 2061 or 3061) opposite to the magnet 109 (or 209) on the side opposite to the protruding direction of the operating member 104, and the contact surface 1063 (or 2063 or 3063) has a flat surface 1063a (or 2063a or 3063a) which is the small-diameter end face of the spherical base and a curved surface 1063b (or The configuration includes (2063b or 3063b), and is configured such that the flat surface 1063a (or 2063a or 3063a) is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a of the case 101, and together with the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306), the operating member 104 is supported upright on the bottom plate portion 101a, and the curved surface 1063b (or 2063b or 3063b) is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a, and together with the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306), the operating member 104 is supported in a tilted state on the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0139] In other multi-directional input devices, the elastic member 107 is a compression coil spring positioned between the operating member 104 and the magnet holding portion 106 (or 206 or 306), and is configured to press the contact surface 1063 (or 2063 or 3063) against the bottom plate portion 101a while biasing the operating member 104 in the protruding direction.

[0140] Other multi-directional input devices include a rotating member 105 having a through hole 105a into which an operating member 104 is inserted, the rotating member 105 having first shaft portions 105b and 105c, the first shaft portions 105b and 105c projecting in two opposite directions from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 105 and arranged coaxially with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the center line of the rotating member 105, the rotating member 105 is housed in a case 102 so as to be rotatable around the axes of the first shaft portions 105b and 105c, and the operating member 104 is, The operating member 104 has second shaft portions 104d and 104e, which protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the operating member 104 in two opposite directions and are perpendicular to the center line of the operating member 104, and are also provided coaxially with a straight line perpendicular to both the first shaft portions 105b and 105c, and the operating member 104 is supported by the rotating member 105 so as to be rotatable around the axes of the second shaft portions 104d and 104e, protruding from the case 102 and configured to be tiltable in any direction around it.

[0141] Other multi-directional input devices include a pusher 111 housed in a case 102 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a metal dome 113 which is a snap-type contact member that biases the pusher 111 upward, a push switch that can detect the pressing of the operating member 104, a rotating member 105 housed in the case 102 so as to be movable downward in conjunction with the pressing of the operating member 104, and a push switch configured such that the rotating member 105 moves downward in conjunction with the pressing of the operating member 104, causing the pusher 111 to move downward against the biasing force of the metal dome 113, and the pusher 111 to press the metal dome 113.

[0142] In other multi-directional input devices, magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109, and the magnet holder 106 comprises two identical disc-shaped parts 1064 made of magnetic material, with the disc-shaped parts 1064 being disc sections 1060 and 1061, and both surfaces of the disc sections 1060 and 1061 having a spherical base-shaped contact surface 1063, the contact surface 1063 including a flat surface 1063a made from the small-diameter end face of the spherical base and a curved surface 1063b made from the side surface of the spherical base, opposite to the protruding direction of the operating member 104. On one side of the disc portion 1061, on the surface opposite to the magnet 109, there is a contact surface 1063a with a flat surface 1063a and a curved surface 1063b. The flat surface 1063a is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a of the case 101, and together with the magnet holder 106, it supports the operating member 104 upright on the bottom plate portion 101a. The curved surface 1063b is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a, and together with the magnet holder 106, it supports the operating member 104 in a tilted state on the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0143] In other multi-directional input devices, magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109. The magnet holder 206 is a cylindrical part 2064 formed integrally from a non-magnetic material, comprising a C-shaped side wall 2064a and a pair of disc-shaped end wall sections 2064b and 2064c that close the openings at both ends of the side wall 2064a, and having a side window 2064d into which the magnet 109 can be inserted from the side. The end wall sections 2064b and 2064c of the cylindrical part 2064 are disc sections 2060 and 2061, and the outer surface of the disc sections 2060 and 2061 has a spherical base-shaped contact surface 2063, and the contact surface 2063 extends from the small-diameter end face of the spherical base. The contact surface 2063, which includes a flat surface 2063a and a curved surface 2063b that is part of the side of the spherical base, is located on the outer surface of one disc portion 2061 opposite to the magnet 109 side on the side opposite to the protruding direction of the operating member 104. The flat surface 2063a supports the operating member 104 upright on the bottom plate portion 101a together with the magnet holding portion 206 when the flat surface 2063a is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a of the case 101, and the curved surface 2063b supports the operating member 104 on the bottom plate portion 101a in a tilted state together with the magnet holding portion 206 when the curved surface 2063b is in contact with the bottom plate portion 101a.

[0144] In other multi-directional input devices, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are capable of detecting magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal axial directions.

[0145] In other multi-directional input devices, the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are capable of detecting magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal axes. Compared to the case where the magnetic sensors are positioned below the magnet, this allows for a lower profile product while ensuring an appropriate distance between the magnet 109 (or 209) and the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B (for example, a distance such that minute rattle of the magnet does not adversely affect the detection of the tilt operation of the operating member), thereby improving the detection accuracy of the tilt operation of the operating member 104.

[0146] In other multi-directional input devices, magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned at two locations on the side of magnet 109 (or 209) that are point-symmetric with respect to the axis of magnet 109 (or 209). Each sensor is a magnetic sensor that can detect magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal axes relative to magnet 109 (or 209). A magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 calculates the tilt angle of magnet 109 (or 209) based on the output values ​​of both magnetic sensors 110A and 110B. The magnet tilt angle calculation unit averages the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of one magnetic sensor with the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of the other magnetic sensor.

[0147] In other multi-directional input devices, magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are capable of detecting magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal axial directions. The magnet tilt angle calculation unit averages the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of one magnetic sensor with the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of the other magnetic sensor, thereby reducing the product's height while improving the detection accuracy of the tilt operation of the operating member 104 by the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B positioned to the side of the magnet 109 (or 209).

[0148] In other multi-directional input devices, magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned to the side of the magnet 109 (or 209) and are capable of detecting magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal axial directions. The magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned in directions perpendicular to the protruding directions of the first axes 105b and 105c.

[0149] In other multi-directional input devices, magnetic sensors 110A and 110B are positioned at two locations on the side of magnet 109 (or 209) that are point-symmetric with respect to the axis of magnet 109 (or 209). Each is a magnetic sensor that can detect magnetic components in three mutually orthogonal axes relative to magnet 109 (or 209). A magnet tilt angle calculation unit 116 calculates the tilt angle of magnet 109 (or 209) based on the output values ​​of both magnetic sensors 110A and 110B. The magnet tilt angle calculation unit averages the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of one of the magnetic sensors and the angle of the magnetic flux density vector calculated based on the output value of the other magnetic sensor, and positions magnetic sensors 110A and 110B in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the first shaft portions 105b and 105c.

[0150] In other multi-directional input devices, by arranging magnetic sensors 110A and 110B in directions perpendicular to the protruding directions of the first shaft portions 105b and 105c, an appropriate distance (for example, a distance that is neither too short nor too long) can be secured between the magnet 109 (or 209) and the magnetic sensors 110A and 110B, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the tilting operation of the operating member 104. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0151] 1. Lower case 2 Upper case 4 Operating Member 5. Rotating member 6. Magnet holding member 7 Compression coil spring 9 Magnets 10 Magnetic Sensors 11 Pressing member 13 Metal Dome 101 Lower case 101a Bottom plate part 102 Upper case 104 Operating member 104d Left second axis section 104e Right second shaft section 105 Rotating Member 105a Through hole 105b Front first shaft section 105c Rear 1st shaft part 106 Magnet holder 1060 Upper disc section 1060a Through hole 1061 Lower disc section 1061a Through hole 1062 pins 1063 Contact surface 1063a flat surface 1063b Curved surface 1064 Disc-shaped part 107 Compression coil spring 109 Magnets 109a Through hole 110A First Magnetic Sensor 110B Second Magnetic Sensor 111 Pusher 113 Metal Dome 116 Magnet tilt angle calculation section 206 Magnet holder 2060 Upper disc section 2060a Through hole 2061 Lower disk section 2061a Through hole 2062 pins 2063 Contact surface 2063a flat surface 2063b Curved surface 2064 Cylindrical part 2064a side wall 2064b End wall 2064c End wall 2064d side window 209 Magnets 306 Magnet holder 3060 Upper disc section 3061 Lower disc section 3062 pins 3063 Contact surface 3063a flat surface 3063b Curved surface 3064 Cylindrical part 3064a side wall 3064b End wall 3064c End wall

Claims

[Claim 1] An operating member that can be tilted and pushed in, A push operation detection device for detecting the push operation of the operating member, A magnet holding member is provided that is relative to the operating member and can move only in the direction along the pushing direction, and is linked only in the tilting direction, A magnet is placed on the aforementioned magnet holding member and held in place so as not to move, A magnetic sensor is positioned opposite the magnet to detect the movement of the magnet, A multi-directional input device equipped with this device.

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