Multidirectional input device

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of a gap between a pivot support portion of an interlocking member and a receiving portion of a housing that receives the pivot support portion, to improve the operability of an operating member and to prevent displacement of the operating member when it is returned to a neutral position.SOLUTION: A multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, an operating member that can be tilted relative to the housing around a rotation axis, an interlocking member that has a support portion supported on the housing so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis and rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member, a biasing member that biases the interlocking member to press the support portion against the housing, and a rotation detection portion that detects the rotation of the interlocking member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device that performs input by tilting an operation member in a desired direction.

Background Art

[0002] As a multi-directional input device that performs input by tilting an operation member such as an operation lever, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-directional switch that can be thinned and miniaturized and has a light operating force. In this multi-directional switch, a curved surface shape is provided such that as the operation lever is tilted, the pressure contact position between the lower end of the operation lever and the movable member moves toward the central axis side of the operation lever.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a multi-directional input device having a good operating feel of an operation shaft. In this multi-directional input device, since the operation shaft and the actuating member are splined, when the operation shaft is rotated while the operation shaft is tilted, even if there is friction between the bottom and the bottom plate due to the elastic pressure of the biasing member, the actuating member splined to the operation shaft rotates together, and the actuating member rotates in a rolling manner without slipping on the bottom plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The multi-directional input device is equipped with an interlocking member that is linked to the tilting motion of the operating member. The interlocking member is pivotally supported in the housing and rotates (oscillates) around a predetermined pivot axis relative to the housing. Therefore, suppressing the gap (looseness) between the pivot point of the interlocking member and the receiving part of the housing that receives the pivot point is important in preventing misalignment when the operating member returns to its neutral position.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a multi-directional input device that can suppress the occurrence of a gap between the pivot portion of the interlocking member and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the pivot portion, thereby preventing the occurrence of detection errors when the operating member returns to the neutral position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a multidirectional input device comprising: a housing; an operating member that can be tilted; a first interlocking member having a first shaft support that is rotatable around a first rotation axis and is supported by the housing, and which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a second interlocking member having a second shaft support that is rotatable around a second rotation axis that intersects the first rotation axis and is supported by the housing, and which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a first biasing member that biases the operating member and presses the first shaft support of the first interlocking member against the housing, and also imparts a restoring force to the operating member to return it to a neutral position; a second biasing member that biases the second interlocking member and presses the second shaft support against the housing; and a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the first interlocking member and the second interlocking member, respectively.

[0008] With this configuration, the second biasing member presses the second shaft support against the housing, which suppresses the occurrence of a gap between the second shaft support and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the second shaft support. This makes it less likely for an offset in the output of the rotation detection unit to occur due to the rotation axis of the second shaft support being misaligned with the second rotation axis defined by the housing.

[0009] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the second biasing member may be configured to press the second shaft support against multiple locations on the housing. This causes the second shaft support to contact multiple locations on the housing, resulting in stable support of the second shaft support by the housing.

[0010] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the outer surface of the second pivot support may have an arc-shaped portion when viewed from a direction along the second pivot axis, and the housing may be pressed at two points on this arc-shaped portion. In this way, the housing is pressed against the two arc-shaped portions on the outer surface of the second pivot support, resulting in smooth rotation of the second pivot support relative to the housing and stable support of the second pivot support by the housing.

[0011] In the multi-directional input device described above, the second biasing member may be configured to bias the second shaft support in a direction along the extending direction of the operating member when it is in the neutral position. As a result, the biasing force provided by the second biasing member contributes to the force that returns the operating member to the neutral position.

[0012] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the housing may have a restricting member that restricts the displacement of the second shaft support in a direction that includes a component opposite to the biasing direction of the second biasing member. As a result, along with the biasing of the second shaft support by the second biasing member, the displacement of the second shaft support in a direction opposite to the biasing direction is restricted, thereby providing stable support for the second shaft support.

[0013] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the operating member may be capable of displacing along directions different from both the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, and the displacement may be detected by a displacement detection unit.

[0014] The above-described multidirectional input device may have an intervening member located between the second shaft support and the second biasing member, in contact with the second shaft support, and transmitting the biasing force of the second biasing member to the second shaft support.

[0015] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the second biasing member may be configured to bias by contacting the second shaft support at one point. Alternatively, the second biasing member may be configured to bias by contacting the second shaft support at multiple points.

[0016] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the second biasing member has a V-shaped spring portion that has a V-shape when viewed from a direction along the second rotation axis, and the housing may have a spring receiving portion that receives the V-shaped spring portion. As a result, the V-shaped spring portion supports the second shaft support and biases the second shaft support, thereby saving space.

[0017] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the second biasing member may be configured to be supported by the housing and bias the portion of the second interlocking member other than the second axis support. This increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the second biasing member.

[0018] In the multi-directional input device described above, the second biasing member may have an elastically deformable tongue-shaped portion, and the tongue-shaped portion may be configured to bias the second pivot portion.

[0019] In the multi-directional input device described above, the second biasing member may have a portion made of a bent product of a punched sheet metal. This improves the productivity of the second biasing member.

[0020] In the above-described multi-directional input device, the second biasing member may have a portion made of a torsion spring, and this portion may be configured to bias the second shaft support. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device that can suppress the occurrence of a gap between the pivot portion of the interlocking member and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the pivot portion, thereby preventing the occurrence of detection errors when the operating member returns to the neutral position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view illustrating a multidirectional input device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the multi-directional input device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view illustrating the attached state of the second biasing member. [Figure 4A] It is a perspective view illustrating the deployed state of the second biasing member. [Figure 4B] It is a perspective view illustrating the state of constituting the second biasing member. [Figure 5] It is a plan view illustrating the biasing state by the second biasing member. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view illustrating the attached state to the housing by the second biasing means. [Figure 7] It is a schematic view illustrating another second biasing member (No. 1). [Figure 8] It is a schematic view illustrating another second biasing member (No. 2). [Figure 9] It is a perspective view illustrating another second biasing member (No. 3). [Figure 10] It is a schematic view illustrating another second biasing member (No. 4). [Figure 11] It is a perspective view illustrating another second biasing member (No. 5).

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the members once described will be omitted as appropriate.

[0024] (Configuration of the multi-directional input device) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the multi-directional input device according to the first embodiment. The multi-directional input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a device that receives an input by tilting the operation member 20 with respect to the housing 10. In the description of the first embodiment, of the rotation axes in the tilting motion of the operating member 20, the first rotation axis AX1 is parallel to the X axis, the second rotation axis AX2 is parallel to the Y axis, and the axis of the operating member 20 in the neutral position (neutral axis AX3) is parallel to the Z axis. Furthermore, in the Z-axis direction, the side of the operating member 20 that extends from the neutral position is referred to as the upper side in the Z-axis direction (up, upward), and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side in the Z-axis direction (down, downward).

[0025] The multi-directional input device 1 comprises a housing 10, an operating member 20, a first interlocking member 30, a second interlocking member 40, a first biasing member 51, a second biasing member 52, a first rotation detection unit 60, and a second rotation detection unit 70. The housing 10 is provided in a substantially box shape with an opening at the bottom. A hole 10h for arranging the operating member 20 is provided in the upper center of the housing 10. A bottom plate member 15 is provided as part of the housing 10 in the opening at the bottom. Examples of constituent materials for the housing 10 that are not limited include metallic materials such as iron-based materials, aluminum-based materials, and copper-based materials. The bottom plate member 15 may be made of a different material from the constituent material of the housing 10 (for example, resin-based materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene).

[0026] The operating member 20 has a cylindrical portion 21 positioned inside the housing 10 and an extension portion 22 that extends outward from the inside of the housing 10 through the hole 10h. When the operating member 20 is in the neutral position, the extension direction D of the extension portion 22 is parallel to the Z axis. On the other hand, when the operating member 20 is tilted, the extension direction D of the extension portion 22 is not parallel to the Z axis. Furthermore, the operating member 20 can tilt relative to the housing 10 around the first rotation axis AX1 and around the second rotation axis AX2.

[0027] The first interlocking member 30 has a first shaft support 31 that is supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable around the first pivot axis AX1, and is provided to rotate in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 20. The first interlocking member 30 is provided in a frame shape having a hole 30h in the center. The operating member 20 is inserted through the central hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30. A fitting projection 23 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 21 of the operating member 20, and this fitting projection 23 is slidably fitted into a fitting hole 30a provided in the first interlocking member 30. Examples of constituent materials of the first interlocking member 30 that are not limited include resin-based materials such as polyacetal, polyester, and polyamide.

[0028] The second interlocking member 40 has a second shaft support 41 that is supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable around the second pivot axis AX2, and is provided to rotate in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 20. The second interlocking member 40 has an arched arch portion 42. A hole 42h is provided in the center of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40. The extension portion 22 of the operating member 20 is inserted through the hole 42h in the center of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40. The extension portion 22 of the operating member 20 is provided with a convex portion 22a, and when the operating member 20 is inserted through the hole 42h of the arch portion 42, the convex portion 22a abuts against the arch portion 42, and the extension portion 22 is slidably fitted into the hole 42h.

[0029] Furthermore, the second interlocking member 40 is positioned to straddle the first interlocking member 30 in the Y-axis direction. With the second interlocking member 40 straddling the first interlocking member 30, and the extension portion 22 of the operating member 20 inserted through the hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30 and the hole 42h of the second interlocking member 40, these are incorporated into the housing 10. Examples of non-limiting materials for the constituent material of the second interlocking member 40 include resin-based materials such as polyacetal, polyester, and polyamide.

[0030] The first biasing member 51 biases the operating member 20, pressing the first pivot portion 31 of the first interlocking member 30 against the housing 10, and also applies a restoring force to the operating member 20 that returns it to the neutral position. The first biasing member 51 is, for example, a coil spring. The first biasing member 51 biases the operating member 20 via the third interlocking member 45. The third interlocking member 45 is positioned below the operating member 20 (closer to the bottom plate member 15 than the first interlocking member 30) and tilts as the operating member 20 tilts. The first biasing member 51 is incorporated between the third interlocking member 45 and the retaining plate 151 that abuts against the bottom plate member 15. As a result, the first biasing member 51 biases the operating member 20 in the extension direction D via the third interlocking member 45.

[0031] When the operating member 20 is tilted, the tilt of the third interlocking member 45 compresses the first biasing member 51 on the lower side of the tilt, and stretches the first biasing member 51 on the upper side of the tilt. When the tilting motion of the operating member 20 is released, the compressed side of the first biasing member 51 extends, and the stretched side contracts, returning the operating member 20 to its neutral position.

[0032] The first rotation detection unit 60 detects the rotation of the first interlocking member 30, and the second rotation detection unit 70 detects the rotation of the second interlocking member 40. The first rotation detection unit 60 includes, for example, an electrical resistance sensor 61 and a brush 62. The second rotation detection unit 70 also includes, for example, an electrical resistance sensor 71 and a brush 72. The electrical resistance sensors 61 and 71 are formed on a circuit board 90 such as a flexible printed circuit board. The brushes 62 and 72 are attached to holders 63 and 73, respectively, and together with the holders 63 and 73, the brushes 62 and 72 are slidably mounted on the electrical resistance sensors 61 and 71.

[0033] The holder 63 to which the brush 62 is attached is slidable by the swinging of the claw portion 301 provided on the first interlocking member 30. As a result, the claw portion 301 swings as the first interlocking member 30 rotates around the first pivot axis AX1, and this swinging causes the holder 63 to slide on the electrical resistance sensor 61. Since the electrical resistance value changes depending on the position of the brush 62 on the electrical resistance sensor 61, the rotation of the first interlocking member 30 around the first pivot axis AX1 can be detected by the electrical resistance value.

[0034] Furthermore, the holder 73 to which the brush 72 is attached is slidable by the swinging of the claw portion 401 provided on the second interlocking member 40. As a result, the claw portion 401 swings as the second interlocking member 40 rotates around the second pivot axis AX2, and this swinging causes the holder 73 to slide on the electrical resistance sensor 71. Since the electrical resistance value changes depending on the position of the brush 72 on the electrical resistance sensor 71, the rotation of the second interlocking member 40 around the second pivot axis AX2 can be detected by the electrical resistance value.

[0035] A displacement detection unit 80 is mounted on the circuit board 90. The displacement detection unit 80 includes, for example, a contact pattern 81 formed on the circuit board 90 and a contact sheet 82 placed on the contact pattern 81. The displacement detection unit 80 detects displacement in directions different from both the first rotation axis AX1 and the second rotation axis AX2 of the operating member 20. In this embodiment, it detects displacement along the extending direction of the operating member 20.

[0036] The first interlocking member 30 is provided with an arm portion 33 that extends upward from the side opposite to the side where the first pivot portion 31 is provided, towards the displacement detection unit 80. For example, when the operating member 20 is pushed in the direction opposite to the direction in which it extends from the housing 10 (hereinafter, this pushing operation will also be called a "push operation"), the pivot point is located on the side of the first pivot portion 31, and the force of this push pushes the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 toward the displacement detection unit 80. This displacement of the arm portion 33 presses the contact sheet 82, and the contact between the contact sheet 82 and the contact pattern 81 causes the displacement detection unit 80 to become electrically connected. This makes it possible to detect the push operation of the operating member 20.

[0037] (Second biasing member) Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting state of the second biasing member. Figure 4A is a perspective view illustrating the deployed state of the second biasing member. Figure 4B is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the second biasing member. The second biasing member 52 has a frame portion 521, a hole 521h provided in the center of the frame portion 521, bendable pieces 522 provided on both sides of the frame portion 521, and tongue-shaped portions 523 extending from the bendable pieces 522. The second biasing member 52 is housed inside the housing 10, and the upper side of the second biasing member 52 in the Z-axis direction is in contact with the housing 10.

[0038] When the second pivot 41 is inserted into the hole 521h of the second biasing member 52, the two tongue-shaped portions 523 come into contact with the second pivot 41, biasing the second pivot 41 toward the housing 10, specifically toward the downward direction in the Z-axis direction. Here, since the extension portion 22 of the operating member 20 is inserted through the hole 42h of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40, the arch portion 42 and the extension portion 22 are not in a tightly fitted state. For this reason, the second interlocking member 40 is not strongly affected by the biasing force from the first biasing member 51 that is applied to the operating member 20. In the second biasing member 52 used in this embodiment, the springiness of the two tongue-shaped portions 523 is utilized to bias the second pivot 41 toward the housing 10 (downward direction in the Z-axis direction).

[0039] The second biasing member 52 is formed by punching out a metal sheet material to create an intermediate part 520, as shown in Figure 4A. Specific examples of materials used for the metal sheet material include springy copper alloys such as Corson copper alloy, phosphor bronze, nickel silver, and stainless steel. The intermediate part 520 is the unfolded shape of the second biasing member 52. The second biasing member 52 is formed by bending this intermediate part 520 as shown in Figure 4B. The productivity of the second biasing member 52 is improved because it has a portion made from a bent punched sheet material.

[0040] Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating the biased state by the second biasing member. Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting state to the housing by the second biasing means. As shown in Figure 5, the second biasing member 52 is housed inside a storage section 10p provided in the housing 10, and the second biasing member 52 located inside the storage section 10p is in contact with the housing 10 on its upper side in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the two tongue-shaped portions 523 of the second biasing member 52 press the second pivot portion 41 downward in the Z-axis direction, causing the second pivot portion 41 to be compressed by the pivot contact portion 12 of the housing 10 located on the lower side of the second pivot portion 41 in the Z-axis direction.

[0041] Viewed from a direction along the second moving axis AX2, the outer surface 41a of the second shaft support 41 has an arc-shaped portion at least on the lower side in the Z-axis direction (the side facing the shaft support contact portion 12). The outer surface 41a of the second shaft support 41 shown in Figure 5 has a circular shape. In addition, the shaft support contact portion 12 of the housing 10, which is the receiving portion of the second shaft support 41, has two non-parallel inclined surfaces 12a.

[0042] When the second pivot 41 is biased by the second biasing member 52, the arc-shaped outer surface 41a of the second pivot 41 comes into contact with each of the two inclined surfaces 12a of the pivot contact portion 12. As a result, two points on the arc portion of the outer surface 41a of the second pivot 41 are pressed against the pivot contact portion 12 of the housing 10, allowing the second pivot 41 to rotate smoothly relative to the housing 10. In addition, the second pivot 41 is centered by the two inclined surfaces 12a of the pivot contact portion 12, and the housing 10 provides stable support for the second pivot 41. Specifically, the two inclined surfaces 12a are set such that, when viewed along the Y-axis, the line connecting the intersection point obtained by extending the two lines formed by the two inclined surfaces 12a and the intersection point of the second rotation axis AX2 and the XZ plane aligns with the Z-axis. This makes it possible to suppress the wobble of the second pivot shaft AX2 when the second pivot support 41 rotates while in contact with the pivot contact portion 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the housing 10 has a restricting member 18 on the upper side of the second pivot 41 in the Z-axis direction that restricts the displacement of the second pivot 41. In other words, the restricting member 18 is provided in the housing 10 on the side opposite to the side where the pivot contact portion 12 of the second pivot 41 is provided. The restricting member 18 restricts the displacement of the second pivot 41 in a direction that includes a component opposite to the biasing direction of the second biasing member 52 (downward in the Z-axis direction). As a result, along with the biasing of the second pivot 41 by the second biasing member 52, the displacement of the second pivot 41 in a direction opposite to the biasing direction (downward in the Z-axis direction) (upward in the Z-axis direction) is restricted, and stable support of the second pivot 41 is achieved. In other words, even if a force in the opposite direction (upward in the Z-axis direction) is applied to the second shaft support 41 that exceeds the biasing force of the second biasing member 52, the regulating member 18 can prevent the second shaft support 41 from moving too far away from the shaft support contact portion 12.

[0044] Figure 6 shows the inner portion (storage section 10p) of the housing 10 to which the second biasing member 52 is attached. The second biasing member 52 is attached to the inside of the housing 10 in a position surrounding the pivot contact section 12. A claw portion 19 is provided on the lower side of the storage section 10p in the Z-axis direction, and the end of the second biasing member 52 can be hooked onto the claw portion 19 to fix the second biasing member 52 inside the storage section 10p.

[0045] Because the second biasing member 52 presses the second shaft support 41 against the shaft support contact portion 12 of the housing 10, the occurrence of a gap between the second shaft support 41 and the shaft support contact portion 12 of the housing 10 that receives the second shaft support 41 is suppressed. Therefore, an offset in the output of the second rotation detection unit 70 caused by the rotation axis of the second shaft support 41 being misaligned with the second rotation axis AX2 defined by the housing 10 is less likely to occur.

[0046] In other words, when the second pivot 41 moves upward in the Z-axis direction away from the pivot contact portion 12 (lifts up), the neutral axis AX3 of the operating member 20 becomes non-parallel to the Z-axis. This causes a misalignment in the center position detection of the second rotation detection unit 70 (for example, a misalignment of the brush 72 relative to the center position of the electrical resistance sensor 71) when the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position. As in this embodiment, the lifting of the second pivot 41 away from the pivot contact portion 12 is suppressed by pressing the second pivot 41 against the housing 10 with the second biasing member 52. This suppresses the misalignment between the rotation axis of the second pivot 41 and the second rotation axis AX2, and suppresses the occurrence of a misalignment (detection error) in the center position detection by the second rotation detection unit 70.

[0047] Furthermore, the misalignment between the rotation axis of the second pivot 41 and the second rotation axis AX2 leads to axial misalignment when the operating member 20 returns to its neutral position. In other words, when the second pivot 41 moves away from (lifts up from) the pivot contact portion 12, the neutral axis AX3 of the operating member 20 becomes non-parallel to the Z axis. This causes axial misalignment of the operating member 20 at its neutral position. The pressure on the second pivot 41 by the second biasing member 52 suppresses the misalignment between the rotation axis of the second pivot 41 and the second rotation axis AX2, thereby suppressing the occurrence of axial misalignment when the operating member 20 returns to its neutral position.

[0048] (Other second biasing members) Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another second biasing member (part 1). The second biasing member 52B shown in Figure 7 is fixed to the housing 10 on the lower side of the second pivot 41 in the Z-axis direction and has two elastically deformable tongue-shaped portions 54. The two tongue-shaped portions 54 of the second biasing member 52B extend diagonally inward from each other and each faces the two inclined surfaces 12a of the pivot contact portion 12 of the housing 10. The second pivot 41 is sandwiched between the two tongue-shaped portions 54 of the second biasing member 52B located on the lower side in the Z-axis direction and the two inclined surfaces 12a of the pivot contact portion 12 located on the upper side in the Z-axis direction. This arrangement is the inverse of the arrangement of the two tongue-shaped portions 523 and the second pivot 41 and pivot contact portion 12 in the first embodiment. The second biasing member 52B contacts the outer surface 41a of the second pivot 41 at two points, and the pivot contact portion 12 also contacts the outer surface 41a of the second pivot 41 at two points. The second biasing member 52B is formed, for example, by bending an intermediate part that has been punched out from a springy metal plate.

[0049] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating another second biasing member (part 2). The second biasing member 52C shown in Figure 8 is formed by bending a plate-like body to create a leaf spring shape, and is held in the housing 10 in an elastically deformable manner on the lower side of the second shaft support 41 in the Z-axis direction. An intervening member 55 is provided between the second biasing member 52C and the second shaft support 41.

[0050] The second biasing member 52C is positioned between the intervening member 55 and the bottom plate member 15, and applies an upward biasing force in the Z direction to the second pivot support 41 via the intervening member 55. The intervening member 55 is provided with a recess 55a. The recess 55a has an arc shape corresponding to the arc-shaped portion of the outer surface 41a of the second pivot support 41. The second pivot support 41 is positioned in this recess 55a. As a result, the biasing force from the second biasing member 52C is transmitted from the recess 55a of the intervening member 55 to the second pivot support 41.

[0051] The contact between the recess 55a and the outer surface 41a of the second pivot 41 suppresses the localized application of biasing force from the second biasing member 52C. Furthermore, if a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as fluororesin, is used as the material constituting the recess 55a of the intervening member 55, the second pivot 41 can be rotated smoothly.

[0052] Furthermore, in comparison with the second biasing members 52 and 52B described above, these biasing members press the second shaft support 41 at multiple points (specifically, two points in the tongue-shaped portion 523 and tongue-shaped portion 54), whereas in this configuration, the second shaft support 41 is pressed by a single intervening member 55 (one point). As a result, the second shaft support 41 is supported at three points (the two inclined surfaces 12a of the shaft support contact portion 12 and the intervening member 55), making it difficult for the rotating second shaft support 41 to wobble.

[0053] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating another second biasing member (part 3). The second biasing member 52D shown in Figure 9 has a portion made of a torsion spring. The torsion spring is, for example, a coil spring. The torsion spring portion of the second biasing member 52D biases the second shaft support portion 41 upward in the Z-axis direction toward the shaft support contact portion 12 of the housing 10. Having a portion made of a torsion spring in the second biasing member 52D can sometimes help to reduce the space required for the placement of the second biasing member 52D.

[0054] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another second biasing member (number 4). The second biasing member 52E shown in Figure 10 has a V-shaped spring portion 56 on the lower side of the second pivot 41 in the Z-axis direction, which is V-shaped when viewed from a direction along the second pivot axis AX2. The housing 10 has a spring receiving portion 121 on the upper side of the second pivot 41 in the Z-axis direction that receives the V-shaped spring portion 56 of the second biasing member 52.

[0055] When viewed from a direction along the second drive shaft AX2, the opening angle of the V-shaped spring portion 56 is greater than the opening angle of the spring receiving portion 121. Therefore, when the second shaft support portion 41 is placed inside the V-shape of the V-shaped spring portion 56 received by the spring receiving portion 121 and pressure is applied downward in the Z direction, the V-shape of the V-shaped spring portion 56 opens, causing the V-shaped spring portion 56 to generate a biasing force upward in the Z direction.

[0056] The second shaft support 41 is positioned between the second biasing member 52E, which consists of a V-shaped spring portion 56 received by the spring receiving portion 121, and the upper pressing portion 122. This allows the V-shaped spring portion 56 to support and bias the second shaft support 41, thus saving space. While Figure 10 shows the V-shaped spring portion 56 being made of a leaf spring, it is not limited to this; for example, the V-shaped spring portion 56 may be made of a torsion spring.

[0057] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating another second biasing member (No. 5). The second biasing member 52F shown in Figure 11 has a leaf spring portion 57. The leaf spring portion 57 is supported by the bottom plate member 15 in part (right side in Figure 11), and the other part (left side in Figure 11) is a spring portion, which biases the portion of the second interlocking member 40 other than the second shaft support portion 41. In other words, while the second biasing members 52 to 52E described so far target the second shaft support portion 41, the second biasing member 52F presses the portion of the second interlocking member 40 other than the second shaft support portion 41, thereby indirectly pressing the second interlocking member 40. This increases the degree of freedom in the placement of the second biasing member 52F.

[0058] Thus, according to the multi-directional input device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the second shaft support portion 41 of the second interlocking member 40 and the shaft support contact portion 12 of the housing 10 that receives the second shaft support portion 41, thereby improving the operability of the operating member 20 and preventing misalignment when returning to the neutral position.

[0059] Although this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, in the above description, the second biasing members 52 to 52F bias the second shaft support 41 along the Z-axis direction, but the invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient to have a component in any direction in the XZ plane for biasing. That is, when viewed in the Y-axis direction, the shaft support contact portion 12 of the housing 10 may be located in any direction around the second shaft support 41. Also, the first rotation detection unit 60 and the second rotation detection unit 70 may be of a type other than electrical resistance change type (for example, magnetic change type), and the displacement detection unit 80 may also be of a type other than contact detection (for example, optical detection type, capacitive detection type). Furthermore, the second biasing member 52 may be configured to bias the second shaft support 41 by contacting it at three or more points. In addition, any additions, deletions, or design changes of components to the above-described embodiments as appropriate by those skilled in the art, or combinations of the features of the configuration examples of each embodiment, are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they retain the gist of the present invention.

[0060] The present invention includes the following embodiments. (1) A multidirectional input device comprising: a housing; an operating member that can be tilted relative to the housing about a pivot axis; an interlocking member having a pivot support that is rotatable about the pivot axis and is supported by the housing, and which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a biasing member that biases the interlocking member and presses the pivot support against the housing; and a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the interlocking member. (2) The multi-directional input device according to (1) above, wherein the biasing member causes the pivot support to press against multiple locations on the housing. (3) The multi-directional input device according to (2) above, wherein, when viewed from a direction along the pivot axis, the outer surface of the pivot support has an arc portion, and the housing is pressed at two points on the arc portion. (4) The multi-directional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the biasing member biases the pivot support in a direction along the extending direction of the operating member when the operating member is in the neutral position. (5) The multi-directional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the housing has a restricting member that restricts the displacement of the pivot support in a direction that includes a component opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member. (6) The multi-directional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the operating member is displaceable along a direction different from the rotation axis, and the displacement is detected by a displacement detection unit. (7) A multidirectional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, having an intervening member located between the shaft support and the biasing member, in contact with the shaft support, and transmitting the biasing force of the biasing member to the shaft support. (8) The multi-directional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the biasing member is in contact with the pivot support at one point and biases it. (9) The biasing member is in contact with the shaft support at multiple locations and biases, as described in any of (1) to (3) above, in the multidirectional input device. (10) The multi-directional input device according to (9) above, wherein the biasing member has a V-shaped spring portion when viewed from a direction along the pivot axis, and the housing has a spring receiving portion that receives the V-shaped spring portion. (11) The multidirectional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the biasing member is supported by the housing and biases the portion of the interlocking member other than the pivot support portion. (12) The multidirectional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the biasing member has an elastically deformable tongue-shaped portion, and the tongue-shaped portion biases the pivot support. (13) The multidirectional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the biasing member has a portion made of a bent product of a punched sheet metal. (14) The multi-directional input device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the biasing member has a portion made of a torsion spring, and the portion biases the shaft support. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1…Multidirectional input device 10…Cabinet 10h…hole 10p...Storage section 12...Axle support contact area 12a... Slope 15…Bottom plate component 18… Regulatory member 19… Nail area 20…Operating components 21...Cylinder part 22...Extending part 22a...Convex part 23...Mating protrusion 30…First interlocking member 30a...Fitting hole 30h…hole 31…1st axis branch 33...Arm section 40...Second interlocking member 41…Second axis branch 41a…Outer surface 42... Arch section 42h…hole 45...Third interlocking member 51…First biasing member 52, 52B, 52C, 52D, 52E, 52F… Second biasing member 54...Lingage-like part 55...Intervening member 55a…recess 56...V-shaped spring part 57... Leaf spring section 60...First motion detection unit 61, 71… Electrical resistance sensors 62, 72… brushes 63,73…holder 70...Second motion detection unit 80...Displacement detection unit 81... Contact Pattern 82... Contact Sheet 90... Circuit board 121... Spring receiving part 122... Upper retaining part 151...Holding plate 301, 401… Nail area 520...Intermediate parts 521...frame section 521h…hole 522...Folding piece 523...tongue-like part AX1...First moving axle AX2...Second drive axle AX3…neutral axis D…Extending direction

Claims

1. The casing and An operating member having an extension portion that extends from a portion located inside the housing outwards along the direction of extension, and which is capable of tilting relative to the housing around a pivot axis, An interlocking member having a pivot support that is rotatable around the pivot axis and supported by the housing, which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member but does not support the operating member and does not receive the biasing force in the extending direction that is applied to the operating member when the operating member is in the neutral position, A biasing member that biases the interlocking member and presses the shaft support against the housing, A multi-directional input device characterized by comprising a rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the interlocking member.

2. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member causes the pivot support to press against multiple locations on the housing.

3. Viewed from a direction along the axis of rotation, The multi-directional input device according to claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the pivot support has an arc portion, and the housing is pressed at two locations on the arc portion.

4. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing member biases the pivot support in a direction along the extending direction of the operating member when the operating member is in a neutral position.

5. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing has a restricting member that restricts the displacement of the pivot support in a direction that includes a component opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member.

6. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating member is displaceable along a direction different from the rotation axis, and the displacement is detected by a displacement detection unit.

7. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an intervening member positioned between the shaft support and the biasing member, in contact with the shaft support, and transmitting the biasing force of the biasing member to the shaft support.

8. The biasing member biases the pivot support at one point, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The biasing member biases the pivot support at multiple points, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The multi-directional input device according to claim 9, wherein the biasing member has a V-shaped spring portion when viewed from a direction along the pivot axis, and the housing has a spring receiving portion that receives the V-shaped spring portion.

11. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing member is supported by the housing and biases the portion of the interlocking member other than the pivot point.

12. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing member has an elastically deformable tongue-shaped portion, and the tongue-shaped portion biases the pivot support.

13. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing member has a portion made of a bent product of a punched sheet metal.

14. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing member has a portion made of a torsion spring, and the portion biases the shaft support.

15. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking member is provided with a hole, and the operating member is inserted into the hole so as to be slidable in the hole during the tilting operation.

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