Manufacturing method for multidirectional input device and multidirectional input device

Abstract

A manufacturing method S100 for a multidirectional input device 1 includes a step S130 in which an operation shaft 63 is elastically held by a holding mechanism 7. The step S130 includes: a step for inserting the operation shaft 63 into an insertion hole 913 of an upper plate spring 91U; a step for inserting the operation shaft 63 into a bushing 72; and a step for inserting the operation shaft 63 into an insertion hole 913 of a lower plate spring 91L.

Description

Multi-directional input device and method of manufacturing the same CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146209 filed on September 8, 2023 (title of the invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146210 filed on September 8, 2023 (title of the invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146211 filed on September 8, 2023 (title of the invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146212 filed on September 8, 2023 (title of the invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146213 filed on September 8, 2023 (title of the invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146213 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-158273 filed on September 22, 2023 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-158274 filed on September 22, 2023 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-158275 filed on September 22, 2023 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-158276 filed on September 22, 2023 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-158277 filed on September 22, 2023 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49405 filed on March 26, 2024 (title of invention: "Method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device and a multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49406 filed on March 26, 2024 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49407 filed on March 26, 2024 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49408 filed on March 26, 2024 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49409 filed on March 26, 2024 (title of invention: "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49410 filed on March 26, 2024 Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49408 (title of invention "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-49409 filed on March 26, 2024 (title of invention "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-77911 filed on May 13, 2024 (title of invention "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-77912 filed on May 13, 2024 (title of invention "Multi-directional input device"), Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-77913 filed on May 13, 2024 (title of invention "Multi-directional input device"),and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-129686 filed on August 6, 2024 (titled "Multi-directional Input Device"), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device and a multi-directional input device, and more specifically to a method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device that provides input of directional information in response to a tilt operation on an operating axis, and a multi-directional input device manufactured using the manufacturing method.

[0003] Conventionally, multidirectional input devices that allow tilting of an operating axis have been known as multidirectional input devices used in electronic devices such as game consoles. In this type of multidirectional input device, called a joystick or stick controller, a user tilts the operating axis from a neutral state in any direction, thereby providing input of directional information corresponding to the tilting of the operating axis.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-directional input device 500 shown in Fig. 1. The multi-directional input device 500 includes a housing 520 fixed on a bottom plate 510, a first rotating member 530 held by the housing 520 so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction (Y direction), a second rotating member 540 held by the housing 520 so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction (X direction) perpendicular to the first axial direction, and a second rotating member 540 inserted through a slit hole 531 of the first rotating member 530 and a slit hole 540a of the second rotating member 540, which rotates the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 in response to a tilting operation applied by a user. and an operating shaft 550 that can be displaced downward in response to a user's pressing operation; an actuating member 560 that is provided at the lower end of the operating shaft 550 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the operating shaft 550; a coil spring 570 that is provided between the operating shaft 550 and the actuating member 560; a sensor 580 that is provided on the housing 520 to detect the rotation angles of the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540; and a push switch 590 that is provided within a component mounting portion 510a that protrudes outward from one side wall of the bottom plate 510.

[0005] When the user applies a tilt operation to the operating shaft 550 in any direction, the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 rotate in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating shaft 550. The rotation angles of the first rotating member 530 and the second rotating member 540 are each detected by a sensor 580, and directional information corresponding to the user's tilt operation of the operating shaft 550 is provided as an input. Furthermore, when the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 550, the second rotating member 540 engaged with the operating shaft 550 is displaced downward, and the second rotating member 540 presses the push switch 590. This provides an input of pressing information corresponding to the user's pressing operation of the operating shaft 550.

[0006] The actuating member 560 includes a base 561 having a curved, dish-shaped bottom surface, a cylindrical boss 562 formed in the center of the base 561 and into which the lower end of the operating shaft 550 is inserted, and an arc portion 563 protruding outward from the outer periphery of the base 561. In such a multi-directional input device 500, when a user applies a tilt operation to the operating shaft 550, the actuating member 560 slides on the bottom plate 510 in the initial stage when the tilt angle of the operating shaft 550 is small. Thereafter, when the tilt angle of the operating shaft 550 exceeds a certain value, the actuating member 560 tilts while the lower surface of the arc portion 563 of the actuating member 560 abuts against a protrusion 510b formed on the bottom plate 510, and the actuating member 560 is lifted in the axial direction of the operating shaft 550 against the elastic force of the coil spring 570. Thereafter, when the tilting operation of the operating shaft 550 is released, the operating shaft 550 returns to an upright neutral state due to the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 570 and the shape of the bottom surface of the base 561. In this way, the actuating member 560 provides the function of elastically holding the operating shaft 550 in an upright neutral state.

[0007] However, in the multi-directional input device 500, when the operating shaft 550 performs a tilting operation, the actuating member 560 slides on the bottom plate 510, causing friction between the actuating member 560 and the bottom plate 510. Furthermore, since the actuating member 560 moves along the axial direction of the operating shaft 550, friction occurs between the actuating member 560 and the operating shaft 550. Therefore, when the operating shaft 550 is repeatedly tilted, the actuating member 560 wears out, causing a problem of shortening the product life of the multi-directional input device 500.

[0008] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-305650

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a multi-directional input device that is capable of providing input of directional information in response to tilting operations on the operating axis and has a long product life.

[0010] Such an object can be achieved by the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, which are defined by the following (1) to (11), respectively. (1) A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device including: a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism that detects the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the method including a step of elastically holding the operating shaft with the holding mechanism, wherein the holding mechanism includes: an upper leaf spring; a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction; and a cylindrical bushing positioned between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring. (2) A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device, wherein each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring comprises an outer frame, an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted, and a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so that the inner frame can be displaced relative to the outer frame, and the step of elastically holding the operating shaft with the holding mechanism includes the steps of inserting the operating shaft into the insertion hole of the upper leaf spring, inserting the operating shaft into the bush, and inserting the operating shaft into the insertion hole of the lower leaf spring.

[0011] (3) A touch panel includes a housing, a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction, a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction, an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user, a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state, and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction, each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring including: an outer frame; an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted; a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so that the inner frame is displaceable relative to the outer frame, wherein a distance between the outer frame of the upper leaf spring and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring is different from a distance between the inner frame of the upper leaf spring and the inner frame of the lower leaf spring.

[0012] (4) A touch panel includes a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction, each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring including: an outer frame; an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted; a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so that the inner frame is displaceable relative to the outer frame, wherein the rotation axis of the first rotating member and the rotation axis of the second rotating member are located between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring in the height direction.

[0013] (5) A touch panel comprising: a substrate; a housing placed on the substrate; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; a detection mechanism for detecting the respective rotation angles of the first rotating member and the second rotating member; a lower cover that supports the substrate from below; and an upper cover attached to the housing from above, wherein the holding mechanism comprises an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring and spaced apart in the height direction, and the lower cover comprises a bottom plate that supports the substrate from below, and a plurality of connecting pieces extending upward from the bottom plate; the upper cover having a top plate that covers the housing from above, and a plurality of connecting pieces extending downward from the top plate, and the plurality of connecting pieces of the lower cover are respectively connected to the plurality of connecting pieces of the upper cover.

[0014] (6) A housing, a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction, a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction, an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user, a holding mechanism placed on the housing and elastically holding the operating shaft in a neutral state, a detection mechanism for detecting the respective rotation angles of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and an upper cover attached to the housing from above, wherein the holding mechanism includes an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction, and the upper cover includes an upper plate covering the housing from above, a plurality of connecting pieces extending downward from the upper plate; and a plurality of holding portions extending inward from the plurality of connecting pieces, wherein the plurality of holding portions of the upper cover press the holding mechanism from above and support the holding mechanism on the housing from above.

[0015] (7) A multi-directional input device including: a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction, and at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member is formed of a metal material.

[0016] (8) A touch panel includes: a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole, which rotates the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism which elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes: an upper leaf spring; a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction; and a tubular portion located between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring, wherein each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring has an annular outer frame and a circular inner frame located inside the outer frame so as to be concentric with the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted; and a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so as to allow the inner frame to be displaced relative to the outer frame, wherein the outer frame of the upper leaf spring is fixed onto the upper surface of the cylindrical portion, and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring is fixed onto the lower surface of the cylindrical portion, and the inner frames of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring are supported in a suspended state by the plurality of spring portions.

[0017] (9) A touch panel includes a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction, each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring including: an outer frame; an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted; a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so that the inner frame is displaceable relative to the outer frame, wherein the operating shaft tilts from the neutral state in response to the tilting operation applied by the user.

[0018] (10) A touch panel includes a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction, each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring including: an outer frame; an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted; a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so that the inner frame can be displaced relative to the outer frame, wherein the operating shaft returns from a tilted state to the neutral state when the tilt operation applied by the user is released.

[0019] (11) A touch panel includes: a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held by the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted through the first slit hole and the second slit hole and rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilting operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism that elastically holds the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the holding mechanism includes: an upper leaf spring; and a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring and spaced apart in the height direction, each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring including: an outer frame; an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted; a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame so that the inner frame can be displaced relative to the outer frame, wherein when the tilting operation is applied to the operating axis and the operating axis performs a tilting motion, a portion of the inner frame located on the first direction side of the operating axis moves above an initial plane on which the inner frame is located in the neutral state where the tilting operation is not applied to the operating axis, and further, a portion of the inner frame located on the second direction side of the operating axis opposite to the first direction moves below the initial plane.

[0020] In the multi-directional input device according to each aspect of the present invention, the operating shaft is elastically held in a neutral state by upper and lower leaf springs that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and face each other. Furthermore, when the operating shaft is tilted, the upper and lower leaf springs do not slide on other components within the housing. Therefore, even if a user repeatedly tilts the multi-directional input device of the present invention, the upper and lower leaf springs do not wear out, significantly extending the product life of the multi-directional input device.

[0021] In the manufacturing method for a multi-directional input device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the step of elastically holding the operating shaft with the holding mechanism, the operating shaft is inserted through the insertion hole of the upper leaf spring, the bushing, and the insertion hole of the lower leaf spring. This ensures coaxiality between the operating shaft, the upper leaf spring, the bushing, and the lower leaf spring, improving the assembly accuracy of the multi-directional input device. As a result, the operation of the multi-directional input device can be stabilized.

[0022] Furthermore, a multi-directional input device according to a third aspect of the present invention is configured such that the distance between the outer frame of the upper leaf spring and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring is different from the distance between the inner frame of the upper leaf spring and the inner frame of the lower leaf spring. In one example, the multi-directional input device of the present invention is configured such that the distance between the outer frame of the upper leaf spring and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring is longer than the distance between the inner frame of the upper leaf spring and the inner frame of the lower leaf spring. This configuration increases the initial reaction force of the holding mechanism against the tilting motion of the operating axis, thereby preventing the operating axis from being unintentionally tilted when vibration or impact is applied to the multi-directional input device. In another example, the multi-directional input device of the present invention is configured such that the distance between the outer frame of the upper leaf spring and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring is shorter than the distance between the inner frame of the upper leaf spring and the inner frame of the lower leaf spring. In this case, when the user tilts the operating shaft, the multiple spring portions of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring are more likely to displace upward or downward, thereby reducing the load acting on the multiple spring portions of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring when the operating shaft is tilted, thereby extending the product life of the multi-directional input device.

[0023] In a multi-directional input device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotation axis of the first rotating member and the rotation axis of the second rotating member, which are rotatably held by the housing, are positioned between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring in the height direction. Meanwhile, the center of rotation for the tilting operation of the operating shaft held by the holding mechanism is positioned between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring in the height direction. Therefore, by positioning the rotation axis of the first rotating member and the rotation axis of the second rotating member between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring in the height direction and approximately matching the height position of the rotation axis of the first rotating member and the rotation axis of the second rotating member with the height position of the rotation center for the tilting operation of the operating shaft, the tilt angle of the operating shaft can be matched with the rotation angle of the first rotating member or the second rotating member. With this configuration, the tilt angle of the operating shaft can be accurately detected from the rotation angle of the first rotation member or the second rotation member.

[0024] In the multi-directional input device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the joining piece of the lower cover and the joining piece of the upper cover are joined together, thereby firmly integrating the lower and upper covers. With this configuration, the internal structure of the multi-directional input device is supported from above and below by the firmly integrated lower and upper covers, thereby reliably preventing the internal structure of the multi-directional input device from shaking (wobbling) in the vertical direction.

[0025] In addition, in the multi-directional input device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the multi-directional input device is assembled, the claws of the holding portion extending inward from the joint pieces of the upper cover press the holding mechanism from above and support the holding mechanism on the housing from above. This configuration makes it possible to firmly fix the holding mechanism on the housing and prevent the holding mechanism on the housing from swinging in the vertical direction.

[0026] In a multi-directional input device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member is formed from a metal material. The first rotating member and the second rotating member contact the operating shaft inserted through the slit hole, and when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft, such as rotating it around its axis, a torsional load is applied from the operating shaft to the first rotating member and the second rotating member. By forming one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member from a metal material that is stronger than a resin material, deformation of the first rotating member and the second rotating member due to the torsional load can be prevented. This configuration can prevent deformation of the first rotating member and the second rotating member due to the torsional load when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft.

[0027] The operating shaft is connected to the upper and lower leaf springs of the holding mechanism. Therefore, when a user applies a torsional operation to the operating shaft, rotating it around its axis, a load is applied to the upper and lower leaf springs around the axis of the operating shaft, potentially causing deformation of each of the upper and lower leaf springs. In the multi-directional input device of the present invention, by forming one of the first and second rotating members from a metal material, the engagement between the operating shaft and either the first or second rotating member made of a metal material can prevent torsional movement of the operating shaft. With this configuration, when a torsional operation is applied to the operating shaft, a load is prevented from being applied to the upper and lower leaf springs, preventing deformation of the upper and lower leaf springs. As a result, it is possible to prevent changes in the spring characteristics of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring, and to stabilize the reaction force characteristics against the tilting operation of the operating shaft.

[0028] Furthermore, by forming one of the first and second rotating members from a metal material, when the multi-directional input device is assembled, one of the first and second rotating members can function as a stopper that restricts excessive upward displacement of the operating shaft, thereby ensuring the strength of the operating shaft against pulling up.

[0029] In addition, the holding mechanism for a multi-directional input device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is configured so that the inner frames of the plurality of upper leaf springs and the plurality of lower leaf springs are supported in a suspended state by a plurality of spring portions. With this configuration, the inner frames can be stably supported in a normal position by the plurality of spring portions, thereby stabilizing the zero-point position (normal position) of displacement of the inner frame relative to the outer frame when the operating shaft is in a neutral state and stabilizing the position of the operating shaft in the neutral state.

[0030] Furthermore, the holding mechanisms of the multi-directional input device according to the ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention provide an initial reaction force (first reaction force) that increases greatly with increasing tilt angle of the operating axis in the initial state (first state) where the tilt angle of the operating axis is less than a predetermined value, and further provide a reaction force that increases little with increasing tilt angle of the operating axis in the second state where the tilt angle of the operating axis is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0031] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when a tilt operation is applied to the operating axis and the operating axis is tilted, a portion of the inner frame located on the first direction side of the operating axis (the side opposite to the tilt direction of the operating axis) moves upward from the initial plane, and a portion of the inner frame located on the second direction side of the operating axis (the side toward the tilt direction of the operating axis) moves downward from the initial plane. Therefore, when the operating axis performs a tilt operation, the magnitude of the tensile force applied to the inner frame from at least one spring portion located on the first direction side of the operating axis is approximately equal to the magnitude of the tensile force applied to the inner frame from at least one spring portion located on the second direction side of the operating axis, thereby stably returning the operating axis to the origin.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional multi-directional input device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the multi-directional input device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper frame shown in FIG. 4 from another angle. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view for explaining that the holding portion of the upper frame supports the holding mechanism on the housing from above. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pressing member shown in FIG. 7 from another angle. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 4 from another angle. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the operating shaft assembly shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first rotating member shown in FIG. 10 from another angle. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second rotating member shown in FIG. 10 from another angle. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the operating shaft and holding mechanism shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the upper leaf spring assembly shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the upper leaf spring shown in FIG. 14 . FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the lower leaf spring assembly shown in FIG. 13 . FIG. 17 is a plan view of the lower leaf spring shown in FIG. 16 . FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the difference between the distance between the inner frames of the upper and lower leaf springs of the retention mechanism and the distance between the outer frames of the upper and lower leaf springs of the retention mechanism. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a retention mechanism. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another example of a retention mechanism. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the reaction force characteristics of the operating axis with respect to a tilting operation. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the inner frames and multiple spring portions of the upper and lower leaf springs when the operating axis performs a tilting operation. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing the multi-directional input device of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the process of elastically retaining the operating axis with the retention mechanism.

[0033] The multi-directional input device and manufacturing method of the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings referred to below are schematic diagrams prepared for the purpose of explaining the present invention. The dimensions (length, width, thickness, etc.) of each component shown in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding components in each drawing. In the following description, the positive direction of the Z axis in each drawing may be referred to as "upward," and the negative direction of the Z axis may be referred to as "downward."

[0034] <Multi-directional Input Device> First, the multi-directional input device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 22. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the multi-directional input device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-directional input device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper frame shown in FIG. 4, seen from another angle. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating how the holding portion of the upper frame supports the holding mechanism on the housing from above. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the push switch shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pressing member shown in FIG. 7, seen from another angle. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 4, seen from another angle. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the operating shaft assembly shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first rotating member shown in FIG. 10, seen from another angle. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second rotating member shown in FIG. 10, seen from another angle. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the operating shaft and holding mechanism shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the upper leaf spring assembly shown in FIG. 13 . FIG. 15 is a plan view of the upper leaf spring shown in FIG. 14 . FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the lower leaf spring assembly shown in FIG. 13 . FIG. 17 is a plan view of the lower leaf spring shown in FIG. 16 . FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the difference between the distance between the inner frames of the upper and lower leaf springs of the retention mechanism and the distance between the outer frames of the upper and lower leaf springs of the retention mechanism. FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating another example of a retention mechanism. FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating yet another example of a retention mechanism. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the reaction force characteristics of the tilting operation of the operating axis. FIG. 22 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the inner frames and multiple spring portions of the upper and lower leaf springs when the operating axis is tilted.

[0035] The multi-directional input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 2 to 4 is mounted on a circuit board of any electronic device. When a user applies tilting and pressing operations to the multi-directional input device 1, the multi-directional input device 1 inputs directional information corresponding to the tilting and pressing information corresponding to the pressing operations to the electronic device. In one example, the multi-directional input device 1 has dimensions of 18 mm length, 18 mm width, and 18 mm height, and accepts tilting and pressing operations of approximately 25 degrees in any direction from the user. Typically, the multi-directional input device 1 is used as a joystick for a handheld controller of a game device.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4 , the multidirectional input device 1 includes a lower cover 2L placed on a board of an arbitrary electronic device, an upper cover 2U connected to the lower cover 2L, a board 3 on which electronic components of the multidirectional input device 1 are mounted, a push switch 4 mounted on the board 3, a housing 5 fixed to the board 3, an operating shaft assembly 6 including a first rotating member 61 held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction (X direction), a second rotating member 62 held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first axial direction, and an operating shaft 63 to which a user applies a tilting operation and a pressing operation, a holding mechanism 7 for elastically holding the operating shaft 63 in a neutral state, and a detection mechanism 8 for detecting the rotation angles of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62. Note that the "neutral state" of the operating axis 63 here refers to a state in which no tilting or pressing operation is applied to the operating axis 63, and the operating axis 63 is stationary in a normal position in an upright position in which the axial direction of the operating axis 63 is approximately aligned with the height direction.

[0037] The lower cover 2L supports the circuit board 3 from below and, together with the upper cover 2U, supports the internal structure of the multidirectional input device 1 from above and below. The lower cover 2L is formed of a hard material such as stainless steel. Preferably, the lower cover 2L is formed of a hard magnetic material such as ferritic stainless steel. By forming the lower cover 2L from a hard magnetic material, the lower cover 2L can function as a shielding member to prevent external magnetic fields from affecting the multidirectional input device 1. The lower cover 2L includes a bottom plate 21 that supports the circuit board 3 from below, multiple insertion holes 22 formed on the bottom plate 21, and four connecting pieces 23 extending upward from the bottom plate 21. The bottom plate 21 is a plate-shaped portion that supports the circuit board 3 from below. When the multidirectional input device 1 is mounted on the circuit board of an electronic device, the bottom plate 21 is located between the circuit board 3 and the circuit board of the electronic device. The multiple insertion holes 22 are formed to pass through the bottom plate 21 in the vertical direction. The lower cover 2L is attached to the substrate 3 from below by any fixing means such as an adhesive so that the plurality of terminal pins 31 of the substrate 3 are inserted into the corresponding insertion holes 22 .

[0038] The four joint pieces 23 are plate-like portions extending linearly upward from two pairs of opposing sides of the bottom plate 21. The four joint pieces 23 are respectively connected to the four joint pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U by joining and engaging with each other, firmly integrating the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U. Each of the four joint pieces 23 has a joint surface 231 that joins with the joint surface 261 of the joint piece 26 of the upper cover 2U and a hook 232 that engages with the engaging recess 262 of the joint piece 26. The joint surface 231 is the inner surface of the joint piece 23 and is a flat surface perpendicular to the lateral direction (X direction or Y direction). The hook 232 is a protruding piece that protrudes inward and is formed by bending one lateral end of the upper end of the joint piece 23 inward. The amount of inward protrusion of the hook 232 is approximately equal to the thickness of the joint piece 26. The joining surface 231 of each joining piece 23 is joined to the joining surface 261 of the corresponding joining piece 26 by any adhesive means such as adhesive or adhesive tape, or by welding such as laser welding, and further, the hooks 232 of each joining piece 23 engage with the engaging recesses 262 of the corresponding joining piece 26, thereby firmly uniting the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U. In this way, the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 is supported from above and below by the firmly integrated lower cover 2L and upper cover 2U, so that shaking (rattle) in the vertical direction of the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 can be reliably prevented.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the upper cover 2U is attached to the housing 5 from above and, together with the lower cover 2L, functions to support the internal structure of the multidirectional input device 1 from above and below. The upper cover 2U is formed of a hard material, such as stainless steel, similar to the lower cover 2L. Preferably, the upper cover 2U is also formed of a hard magnetic material, such as ferritic stainless steel, similar to the lower cover 2L. By forming the upper cover 2U from a hard magnetic material, the upper cover 2U can function as a shielding member to prevent the multidirectional input device 1 from being affected by external magnetic fields. By forming the upper cover 2U and the lower cover 2L from a hard magnetic material, the multidirectional input device 1 can be more reliably prevented from being affected by external magnetic fields.

[0040] The upper cover 2U includes an upper plate 24 that covers the housing 5 from above, an opening 25 formed on the upper plate 24, four joint pieces 26 extending downward from the upper plate 24, and four cover pieces 27 extending downward from the upper plate 24. The upper plate 24 is a plate-shaped portion having a substantially octagonal planar shape and covers the housing 5 from above. The upper plate 24 includes a flat plate portion 241 and a circular dome portion 242 that protrudes upward from approximately the center of the flat plate portion 241. The opening 25 is a circular opening formed in the center of the dome portion 242. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the upper end of the operating shaft 63 protrudes upward through the opening 25.

[0041] The four joint pieces 26 are plate-like portions extending linearly downward at equal angular intervals of 90 degrees from the outer edge of the upper plate 24. Each of the four joint pieces 26 has a joint surface 261 that is bonded to the joint surface 231 of the joint piece 23 of the lower cover 2L, an engagement recess 262 that engages with the hook 232 of the joint piece 23, a holding portion 263 that extends inward from the joint piece 26, and an opening 264 formed at the upper end of the joint piece 26. The joint surface 261 is the outer surface of the joint piece 26 and is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the lateral direction (X direction or Y direction). The engagement recess 262 is a recess formed in one of a pair of side surfaces that extend linearly downward of the joint piece 26 and extends inward. As described above, the joining surface 261 of each joining piece 26 is joined to the joining surface 231 of the corresponding joining piece 23 , and further, the engaging recess 262 of each joining piece 26 is engaged with the hook 232 of the corresponding joining piece 23 .

[0042] The retaining portion 263 is a beam-like portion formed by making a pair of notches extending in the height direction in a portion of the upper end of the joining piece 26, more specifically, approximately in the center of the width direction of the upper end of the joining piece 26, and bending the notch inward. The retaining portion 263 includes an upward extension 2631 extending linearly upward from the joining piece 26 within the opening 264, and a claw portion 2632 extending linearly inward from the upper end of the upward extension 2631. The upward extension 2631 is a plate-like portion extending upward with a constant width on the same plane as the joining piece 26 within the opening 264. The lower end of the upward extension 2631 is integrated with the joining piece 26. In addition, slits are formed on both side surfaces of the upward extension 2631, separating both side surfaces of the upward extension 2631 from the joining piece 26. The claw portion 2632 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly inward from the upper end of the upward extension portion 2631. The claw portion 2632 has a tapered shape in which the width gradually decreases from the base end to the tip end. The upper and lower surfaces of the claw portion 2632 are flat.

[0043] The lower end of the upward extension 2631 is integrated with the joint piece 26 and therefore functions as a fixed end. On the other hand, the tip of the claw 2632 functions as a free end. As described above, the holding portion 263 has a cantilever structure and therefore has spring characteristics. Therefore, the holding portion 263 is used to press the holding mechanism 7 placed on the housing 5 and firmly fix the holding mechanism 7 on the housing 5. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the tip of the claw 2632 of the four holding portions 263 presses the upper leaf spring assembly 9U of the holding mechanism 7 placed on the housing 5 from above, thereby supporting the holding mechanism 7 from above and preventing the holding mechanism 7 from swinging in the vertical direction on the housing 5.

[0044] 4 and 5 , a retaining portion 263 is formed by bending a portion of the upper end of the joining piece 26 inward, thereby forming an opening 264 at the upper end of the joining piece 26. The opening 264 is a substantially rectangular opening extending along the height direction at the upper end of the joining piece 26, which is the connection portion with the upper plate 24. The four cover pieces 27 are plate-like portions formed to extend linearly downward at equal angular intervals of 90 degrees from the outer edge of the upper plate 24. The four joining pieces 26 and the four cover pieces 27 extend linearly downward while spaced apart from each other, and the joining pieces 26 and the cover pieces 27 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the upper plate 24. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the lower ends of the four cover pieces 27 rest on the upper surface of the wall portion 551 of the bearing portion 55 of the housing 5. With this configuration, the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 rotatably held by the housing 5 can be prevented from coming off the receiving portion 552 of the bearing portion 55 .

[0045] Returning to Figure 4, the substrate 3 is a flat circuit board made of a material and having a structure known in the field of electronic devices. Typically, a rigid circuit board can be used as the substrate 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a circuit board formed by insert molding to integrate a resin material with a circuit, or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may also be used as the substrate 3. The substrate 3 includes a plurality of terminal pins 31 that pass through the substrate 3, a circuit pattern 32 formed on the substrate 3, and four positioning holes 33 for positioning the housing 5 relative to the substrate 3.

[0046] Two magnetic sensors (e.g., Hall IC sensors) 81 of the detection mechanism 8 and the push switch 4 are mounted on the substrate 3, and the two magnetic sensors 81 and the push switch 4 are electrically connected to the corresponding terminal pins 31 via the circuit pattern 32. The terminal pins 31 corresponding to the two magnetic sensors 81 and the push switch 4 are connected to corresponding terminals on the circuit board of the electronic device. With this configuration, the electronic device can receive input from the multi-directional input device 1. The four positioning holes 33 are through-holes that pass through the substrate 3 in the height direction. The housing 5 is positioned relative to the substrate 3 by placing the housing 5 on the substrate 3 so that the four positioning protrusions 58 of the housing 5 are inserted into the four positioning holes 33, respectively.

[0047] The push switch 4 is a switch that is pressed as the operating shaft 63 is displaced downward. When the user applies a pressing force to the operating shaft 63 that exceeds the actuation force of the push switch 4, the push switch 4 turns on. When the pressing force applied by the user is subsequently released, the push switch 4 turns off. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the push switch 4 is provided on the substrate 3 so as to be located directly below the operating shaft 63, and is pressed when the operating shaft 63 is displaced downward in response to a pressing operation applied by the user.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the push switch 4 includes a central contact 41 formed so as to be exposed on the substrate 3, an annular outer contact 42 formed so as to surround the central contact 41 while being spaced apart from the central contact 41 on the substrate 3, a dome-shaped movable contact 43, a hollow elastic member 44 provided on the substrate 3 so as to surround the movable contact 43, and a pressing member 45 provided on the elastic member 44.

[0049] The central contact 41 and the outer contacts 42 are formed on the substrate 3 so as to be insulated from each other. The central contact 41 is formed in a circular shape in the approximate center of the substrate 3 and is arranged concentrically with the outer contact 42. The push switch 4 is in its off state when the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are not electrically connected. On the other hand, the push switch 4 is in its on state when the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are electrically connected via the movable contact 43. The movable contact 43 is a dome-shaped member made of a conductive material with an upward convexity. For example, the movable contact 43 can be obtained by punching and bending a thin metal plate. The movable contact 43 includes a central movable portion 431 and an outer edge portion 432 that surrounds the outer edge of the central movable portion 431.

[0050] The central movable portion 431 has a circular dome shape that is convex upward in its natural state and elastically deforms to become convex downward when a pressing force is applied from above. The outer edge portion 432 is an annular portion that extends linearly downward and outward from the edge of the central movable portion 431. In a plan view from the height direction, the outer edge portion 432 has an outer diameter that is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the outer contact 42 and equal to or less than the outer diameter of the outer contact 42. The movable contact 43 is concentric with the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 and is provided on the substrate 3 so that the outer edge portion 432 contacts the outer contact 42. Note that the movable contact 43 may be fixed to the substrate 3 by any fixing means, such as an adhesive, a retainer, or cover tape, to prevent shifting on the substrate 3.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3 , when the operating shaft 63 is in the neutral position, the outer edge 432 is in contact with the outer contact 42. The central movable portion 431 faces the central contact 41 with a gap therebetween and is not in contact with the central contact 41. Therefore, when the operating shaft 63 is in the neutral position, the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42 are not electrically connected, and the push switch 4 is in the OFF state. On the other hand, when a user presses the operating shaft 63, a downward pressure is applied to the central movable portion 431 via the operating shaft 63 and the pressing member 45. When the pressure applied to the central movable portion 431 exceeds a predetermined magnitude, the central movable portion 431 suddenly elastically deforms downward to become convex, and comes into contact with the central contact 41. In this state, the movable contact 43 functions as an electrical path between the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42, establishing electrical connection between the central contact 41 and the outer contact 42. This operation turns the push switch 4 on.

[0052] 7 , the elastic member 44 has a function of elastically supporting the pressing member 45 from below. In a plan view from the height direction, the elastic member 44 has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outer contact 42 and a height greater than the height of the movable contact 43. Typically, a coil spring or a wave washer made of a non-magnetic spring material (e.g., stainless steel) can be used as the elastic member 44.

[0053] 3, the elastic member 44 is provided on the substrate 3 so as to be concentric with the center contact 41 and the outer contacts 42. Therefore, the center contact 41, the outer contacts 42, and the movable contact 43 are located within the internal space of the elastic member 44. Note that the elastic member 44 may be fixed to the substrate 3 by any fixing means such as an adhesive or a retainer to prevent it from shifting on the substrate 3.

[0054] 7 , the pressing member 45 has a function of applying a uniform pressing force to the central movable portion 431 of the movable contact 43. The pressing member 45 is made of a hard, non-magnetic material such as polyacetal resin. When a user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 63, the pressing member 45 is pressed downward by the operating shaft 63, comes into point contact with the central movable portion 431, and applies a uniform pressing force to the central movable portion 431.

[0055] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pressing member 45 includes a disk-shaped main body portion 451, a tapered portion 452 formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 451, a flat pressing surface 453 formed on the top of the tapered portion 452, an annular flange portion 454 extending outward from the lower end of the outer edge of the main body portion 451, a pair of engaging recesses 455 formed in the flange portion 454, an annular receiving groove 456 formed on the lower surface of the main body portion 451, a circular recess 457 formed on the lower surface of the main body portion 451, and a pressing protrusion 458 protruding downward from the center of the circular recess 457.

[0056] The main body 451 has flat upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the height direction, and is a plate-like portion having a circular shape in a plan view from the height direction. The tapered portion 452 is formed concentrically with the main body 451 in the center of the top surface of the main body 451. The tapered portion 452 is a truncated cone portion whose diameter gradually decreases from bottom to top. The pressing surface 453 is formed at the top of the tapered portion 452 and is a flat surface perpendicular to the height direction. When the user applies a pressing operation to the operating shaft 63, the operating shaft 63 presses the pressing surface 453 downward, causing the tapered portion 452 to displace downward. The flange portion 454 is an annular portion that protrudes outward from the lower end of the outer edge of the main body 451 and surrounds the main body 451 from the outside. The flange portion 454 engages with an engagement recess 59 (see FIG. 9 ) formed on the underside of the housing 5 to restrict upward displacement of the pressing member 45. The pair of engaging recesses 455 are a pair of notches formed at 180-degree intervals in the flange portion 454. The pair of engaging recesses 455 engage with a pair of protrusions 591 (see FIG. 9) formed on the lower surface of the housing 5, and restrict the rotation of the pressing member 45.

[0057] The receiving groove 456 is an annular recess formed on the underside of the main body 451 in an area adjacent to the flange 454. The receiving groove 456 is formed so that the upper end of the elastic member 44 can fit into it. By placing the pressing member 45 on the elastic member 44 so that the upper end of the elastic member 44 fits into the receiving groove 456, the pressing member 45 is elastically supported from below by the elastic member 44. The circular recess 457 is formed concentrically with the main body 451 in the center of the underside of the main body 451, facilitating downward displacement of the tapered portion 452. The pressing protrusion 458 is a cylindrical portion formed so as to protrude downward from the center of the circular recess 457 and concentrically with the circular recess 457. The center of the pressing protrusion 458 and the center of the pressing surface 453 are aligned on the same straight line. The lower surface of the pressing protrusion 458 is a flat surface perpendicular to the height direction. 3, in a natural state, the pressing protrusion 458 is in point contact with the central movable portion 431 of the movable contact 43. When the pressing member 45 is pressed downward by the operating shaft 63 and the tapered portion 452 is displaced downward, the pressing protrusion 458 applies a uniform pressing force to the central movable portion 431. With this configuration, the deformation characteristics of the movable contact 43 can be stabilized.

[0058] The components of the push switch 4, namely the center contact 41, outer contact 42, movable contact 43, elastic member 44, and pressing member 45, are all rotationally symmetrical and arranged concentrically on the substrate 3. When the operating shaft 63 is in the neutral state, the axial center of the operating shaft 63 and the centers of all the components of the push switch 4 are aligned on the same straight line. Therefore, the push switch 4 is provided directly below the operating shaft 63.

[0059] 4, the housing 5 accommodates the push switch 4 on the board 3, and also supports the operating shaft assembly 6 and the holding mechanism 7 from below, fixing them to the board 3. The housing 5 is made of a hard, non-magnetic material such as polybutylene terephthalate. As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the housing 5 comprises a cylindrical main body 51, a circular recess 52 formed on the upper surface of the main body 51, an insertion hole 53 formed to penetrate the circular recess 52 in the height direction, four guide pieces 54 extending upward from the upper surface of the main body 51, four bearing portions 55 protruding upward from the upper surface of the main body 51, a receiving recess 56 formed on the lower surface of the main body 51 to store the board 3 therein, a plurality of receiving holes 57 formed in the receiving recess 56 to respectively receive the plurality of terminal pins 31 of the board 3, four cylindrical positioning protrusions 58 formed to protrude downward from the receiving recess 56 of the main body 51, an annular engagement recess 59 formed on the lower surface of the main body 51 in an area adjacent to the insertion hole 53 of the receiving recess 56, and a pair of protrusions 591 formed to protrude downward from the engagement recess 59.

[0060] The main body 51 is a cylindrical portion placed on the substrate 3. The upper and lower surfaces of the main body 51 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the height direction. The main body 51 includes a tapered surface 511 extending obliquely downward from the upper end of the main body 51, an arcuate surface 512 extending downward at a constant diameter from the tapered surface 511, four receiving portions 513 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 51, two storage portions 514a, 514b formed on the +Y direction side and the −X direction side of the main body 51, respectively, an annular receiving recess 515 formed on the upper surface of the main body 51 so as to surround the circular recess 52, and three relief portions 516 formed so as to straddle the upper surface of the main body 51 and the receiving recess 515.

[0061] The four receiving portions 513 are recesses that open outward and are formed at equal 90-degree intervals on the outer periphery of the main body 51. The upper and lower ends of the receiving portions 513 are open and face outward. The bottom surfaces (surfaces facing the outside) of the receiving portions 513 are flat and perpendicular to the lateral direction (X or Y direction). As shown in FIG. 2 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the joint pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U and the joint pieces 23 of the lower cover 2L are positioned within the receiving portions 513. The bottom surfaces of the receiving portions 513 are in surface contact with the inner surfaces of the joint pieces 26, thereby clamping the housing 5 between the upper cover 2U and the lower cover 2L. This configuration prevents the housing 5 from shaking (loosening) laterally on the board 3. Furthermore, within the receiving portion 513, the joining surface 261 of the joining piece 26 and the joining surface 231 of the joining piece 23 are in surface contact and are further joined to each other, thereby firmly integrating the upper cover 2U and the lower cover 2L.

[0062] Returning to FIGS. 4 and 9 , the storage portion 514a is an opening formed to penetrate the +Y-direction portion of the main body portion 51 in the height direction. Similarly, the storage portion 514b is an opening formed to penetrate the −X-direction portion of the main body portion 51 in the height direction. The magnet holding portion 617 (see FIG. 11 ) of the first rotating member 61 is housed in the storage portion 514b so as to be rotatable about the X-axis. Similarly, the magnet holding portion 626 of the second rotating member 62 is housed in the storage portion 514a so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis. The receiving recess 515 is an annular recess formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 51 so as to completely surround the circular recess 52. The three relief portions 516 are circular recesses formed at equal angular intervals (120-degree intervals) along the circumferential direction of the receiving recess 515 so as to straddle the upper surface of the main body portion 51 and the receiving recess 515. When the retaining mechanism 7 is placed on the main body 51 of the housing 5, the lower leaf spring assembly 9L of the retaining mechanism 7 is accommodated in the receiving recess 515, and further, the lower ends of the three rivets 74 of the retaining mechanism 7 are respectively accommodated in the three recesses 516.

[0063] The circular recess 52 is formed concentrically with the main body 51 in the center of the upper surface of the main body 51. The insertion hole 53 is a circular opening formed to penetrate approximately the center of the circular recess 52 in the height direction. The four guide pieces 54 are arc-shaped portions that protrude upward at equal 90-degree intervals from an area of ​​the upper surface of the main body 51 adjacent to the circular recess 52. The diameter of the cylindrical internal space defined by the inner surfaces of the four guide pieces 54 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of a tubular portion 71 (described later) of the holding mechanism 7. Since the tubular portion 71 is placed within the internal space defined by the inner surfaces of the four guide pieces 54, the tubular portion 71 is supported from the outside by the four guide pieces 54, preventing tilting of the holding mechanism 7 on the main body 51. The guide piece 54 located on the -X direction side in FIG. 4 has a positioning groove 541 formed on its inner surface. The positioning groove 541 is a rectangular recess that extends linearly from the upper end to the lower end of the inner surface of the guide piece 54. The holding mechanism 7 is placed on the housing 5 so that a positioning protrusion 943 of a vertical spacer 94 (described later) of the holding mechanism 7 is positioned within the positioning groove 541, and the engagement between the positioning protrusion 943 and the positioning groove 541 prevents the holding mechanism 7 from rotating on the housing 5.

[0064] The four bearings 55 are portions that protrude upward at equal angular intervals of 90 degrees from a region adjacent to the tapered surface 511 on the upper surface of the main body 51. Furthermore, each bearing 55 is located between two guide pieces 54. Therefore, the four guide pieces 54 and the four bearings 55 are alternately arranged on the upper surface of the main body 51 along the circumferential direction of the main body 51. The bearing 55 located on the +Y direction side and the bearing 55 located on the -Y direction side face each other with a gap therebetween. Similarly, the bearing 55 located on the +X direction side and the bearing 55 located on the -X direction side face each other with a gap therebetween.

[0065] The bearing 55 includes a wall 551 that protrudes upward from the top surface of the main body 51 and a receiving portion 552 formed on the wall 551. The wall 551 is a block-shaped portion that extends linearly upward from the top surface of the main body 51. The top surface of the wall 551 is a flat surface perpendicular to the height direction. The receiving portion 552 is an arc-shaped groove that extends linearly on the wall 551 in the radial direction of the main body 51. The outer and inner ends of the receiving portion 552 are open to the outside. As shown in FIG. 2 , the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 of the operating shaft assembly 6 are housed in the receiving portions 552 of the four bearings 55, respectively, and the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 are rotatably held in the housing 5. As described above, the lower ends of the four cover pieces 27 of the upper cover 2U are placed on the upper surfaces of the wall portions 551 of the four bearing portions 55. Therefore, the four receiving portions 552 are blocked from above by the four cover pieces 27, preventing the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 from coming off the bearing portions 55. As shown in FIG. 3 , each of the four bearing portions 55 is configured such that, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 supported by the bearing portions 55 are positioned between the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical portion 71 of the holding mechanism 7.

[0066] Returning to FIG. 9 , the receiving recess 56 is a recess formed on the underside of the main body 51. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the board 3 is positioned within the receiving recess 56. Returning to FIG. 9 , each of the multiple receiving holes 57 is a recess formed to extend linearly upward from above the receiving recess 56. When the housing 5 is placed on the board 3, the portions of the multiple terminal pins 31 of the board 3 that protrude upward from the board 3 are accommodated within the multiple receiving holes 57. Each of the four positioning protrusions 58 is a cylindrical portion formed to protrude downward from above the receiving recess 56. By placing the housing 5 on the board 3 in an orientation such that the four positioning protrusions 58 are inserted into the four positioning holes 33 of the board 3, respectively, the housing 5 is positioned relative to the board 3 and is prevented from shaking on the board 3.

[0067] The engagement recess 59 is an annular recess formed on the underside of the main body 51 in an area adjacent to the insertion hole 53 of the receiving recess 56 so as to surround the insertion hole 53. The pair of protrusions 591 are portions formed to protrude downward from the engagement recess 59 at 180-degree intervals. The flange 454 of the pressing member 45 of the push switch 4 is housed within the engagement recess 59, and further, the pair of protrusions 591 engage with the pair of engagement recesses 455 of the pressing member 45, respectively, thereby preventing the pressing member 45 from swinging or rotating on the board 3.

[0068] Returning to FIG. 4 , the operating shaft assembly 6 has a function of operating in response to tilting and pressing operations applied to the operating shaft 63 by the user. As shown in FIG. 10 , the operating shaft assembly 6 includes a first rotating member 61 held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction (X direction), a second rotating member 62 held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a second axial direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first axial direction, and an operating shaft 63 that performs a tilting operation in response to a tilting operation applied by the user and further displaces downward in response to a pressing operation applied by the user. The operating shaft 63 is elastically held by a holding mechanism 7 placed on the upper surface of the main body 51 of the housing 5. Furthermore, the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 are rotatably held by the housing 5.

[0069] The first rotating member 61 is a member held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a first axial direction (X direction). As shown in Figures 10 and 11 , the first rotating member 61 includes a plate-shaped main body 611 extending in the X direction, a slit 612 formed in the main body 611, a pair of through holes 613 formed in the main body 611 so as to sandwich the slit 612 from the X direction, a cap 614 attached to the slit 612, a pair of downward extensions 615 extending downward from both end portions of the main body 611 in the X direction, a pair of rotating shafts 616 attached to the pair of downward extensions 615 so as to extend outward from the pair of downward extensions 615, and a magnet holding portion 617 extending downward from the lower end portions of the downward extensions 615 on the -X direction side.

[0070] The main body 611 is a plate-like portion elongated in the X direction and formed of a metal material. The main body 611 includes an arch portion 6111 that protrudes upward and a pair of horizontal extension portions 6112 that extend from both ends of the arch portion 6111. The arch portion 6111 is a portion elongated in the X direction and has an upwardly convex curved shape. Each of the pair of horizontal extension portions 6112 is a plate-like portion that extends linearly outward from the end of the arch portion 6111. The main body 611 contacts a pair of D-cut surfaces 633 (see FIG. 10 ) of the operating shaft 63 inserted through the slit hole 612 via the cap 614. Therefore, when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, such as rotating it around its axis, a torsional load is applied from the operating shaft 63 to the main body 611. To prevent deformation of the main body 611 due to the torsional load, the main body 611 is formed of a metal material that is stronger than a resin material.

[0071] Furthermore, when a twisting operation is applied to the operating shaft 63 in an assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the main body 611 engages with a pair of D-cut surfaces 633 of the operating shaft 63 via the cap 614. Such engagement between the main body 611 and the pair of D-cut surfaces 633 of the operating shaft 63 can prevent twisting of the operating shaft 63 (rotational operation of the operating shaft 63 around its axis).

[0072] Because the main body 611 is made of a high-strength metal material, the main body 611 functions as a stopper that restricts upward displacement of the operating shaft 63. When the multi-directional input device 1 shown in FIG. 3 is assembled and a user pulls the operating shaft 63 upward, a flange 634 (described later) of the operating shaft 63 comes into contact with the main body 611 from below. Because the main body 611 is made of a high-strength metal material, the flange 634 prevents the main body 611 from elastically deforming, restricting excessive upward displacement of the operating shaft 63. This configuration ensures the strength of the operating shaft 63 against being pulled upward.

[0073] 10 and 11 , the slit hole 612 is a through-hole formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the main body 611 and to penetrate the arch portion 6111 and the pair of horizontally extending portions 6112 in the height direction. The operating shaft 63 is inserted into the slit hole 612, allowing tilting of the operating shaft 63 along the longitudinal direction of the main body 611. The pair of through-holes 613 are circular through-holes formed on the top surface of the main body 611 so as to sandwich the slit hole 612 from the X direction.

[0074] The cap 614 is a member formed of a low-friction material such as a resin material. The cap 614 is attached to the slit 612 from above. The cap 614 includes a main body 6141 having a shape corresponding to the upper surface of the main body 611, a slit 6142 extending along the longitudinal direction of the main body 611 and penetrating the main body 611 in the height direction, a pair of cover pieces 6143 each extending linearly downward from the inner surface of the slit 6142 on the Y-direction side, and a pair of protrusions 6144 protruding downward from the lower surface of the main body 6141. The cap 614 is attached to the slit 612 from above in a position such that the pair of protrusions 6144 are inserted into the through-hole 613, and is fixed to the main body 611 by any fixing means such as an adhesive. In this case, the pair of cover pieces 6143 cover at least a portion of the inner surface of the slit 612, more specifically, the inner surface in the Y-direction. In this way, by covering the inner surface of the slit 612 on the Y direction side with the pair of cover pieces 6143, the frictional resistance between the slit 612 and the operating shaft 63 can be reduced.

[0075] The pair of downward extending portions 615 are plate-shaped portions that extend linearly downward from both ends of the main body portion 611 in the X direction and are made of a metal material. The pair of downward extending portions 615 are formed integrally with the main body portion 611. The pair of rotating shafts 616 are cylindrical members that are attached to the pair of downward extending portions 615 so as to extend outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of downward extending portions 615 and are made of a hard resin material. The pair of rotating shafts 616 are attached to the pair of downward extending portions 615 so that their axial centers are aligned on the same line. The pair of rotating shafts 616 are placed in receiving portions 552 of the bearing portion 55 located on the +X direction side and the −X direction side of the housing 5, and are supported by the bearing portion 55, and function as rotating shafts of the first rotating member 61. Furthermore, by placing the pair of rotation shafts 616 in the receiving portions 552 of the housing 5, the first rotation member 61 is held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about the first axial direction (X direction). As described above, the bearing portions 55 of the housing 5 are configured, as shown in Fig. 3, so that, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the pair of rotation shafts 616 are located between the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical portion 71 of the holding mechanism 7 in the height direction. Therefore, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the pair of rotation shafts 616 are located on the same straight line and face each other via the cylindrical portion 71.

[0076] 11 , the magnet holding portion 617 is made of a resin material and is attached to the lower end of the downward extending portion 615 located on the −X direction side. The magnet holding portion 617 holds the magnet 82 of the detection mechanism 8 therein. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the magnet holding portion 617 is stored in the storage portion 514b of the housing 5 so as to be rotatable around the X axis.

[0077] 10 and 12 , the second rotating member 62 includes an upwardly convex arch portion 621, a slit hole 622 formed in the arch portion 621, a pair of horizontal extension portions 623 extending from both ends of the arch portion 621, a pair of downward extension portions 624 extending downward from the pair of horizontal extension portions 623, a pair of rotation shafts 625 extending outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of downward extension portions 624, and a magnet holder 626 provided at the lower end of the downward extension portion 624 on the +Y direction side. The second rotating member 62 is formed from a resin material, and the arch portion 621, the pair of horizontal extension portions 623, the pair of downward extension portions 624, the pair of rotation shafts 625, and the magnet holder 626 are integrally formed.

[0078] The arch portion 621 is a portion that is elongated in the Y direction and has a curved shape that convex upward. The slit hole 622 is a long through-hole that extends along the longitudinal direction of the arch portion 621 and penetrates it in the height direction. The operating shaft 63 is inserted into the slit hole 622, allowing the operating shaft 63 to tilt along the longitudinal direction of the arch portion 621. Each of the pair of horizontal extension portions 623 is a plate-shaped portion that extends linearly outward from an end of the arch portion 621. Each of the pair of downward extension portions 624 is a plate-shaped portion that extends linearly downward from an end of the horizontal extension portion 623. Furthermore, since the arch portion 621 comes into contact with the operating shaft 63 inserted through the slit hole 622, when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, such as rotating it around its axis, a torsional load is applied from the operating shaft 63 to the arch portion 621. Furthermore, as described above, when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63 to rotate it around its axis, a torsional load is also applied from the operating shaft 63 to the main body 611 of the first rotating member 61 .

[0079] In this way, when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, a torsional load is applied from the operating shaft 63 to the main body 611 of the first rotating member 61 and the arch portion 621 of the second rotating member 62. As described above, the main body 611 is formed of a high-strength metal material. On the other hand, if the main body 611 is formed of a metal material, a strong torsional load is not applied from the operating shaft 63 to the second rotating member 62 even when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63. Therefore, the second rotating member 62 is formed of a lightweight and inexpensive resin material, although its strength is lower than that of a metal material. This configuration prevents deformation of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 due to the torsional load when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, and reduces the weight and cost of the multi-directional input device 1.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 611 of the first rotating member 61 is formed of a metal material, and the arch portion 621 of the second rotating member 62 is formed of a resin material, but the present invention is not limited to this. An embodiment in which the main body 611 is formed of a resin material and the arch portion 621 is formed of a metal material is also within the scope of the present invention. If the arch portion 621 is formed of a metal material, even when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, a strong torsional load is not applied from the operating shaft 63 to the main body 611. Therefore, each portion of the first rotating member 61 may be integrally formed of a resin material. This configuration also prevents deformation of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 due to a torsional load when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, and reduces the weight and cost of the multi-directional input device 1. Furthermore, when a twisting operation is applied to the operating shaft 63 in an assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the arch portion 621 formed of a metal material engages with the operating shaft 63. Such engagement between the arch portion 621 and the operating shaft 63 can prevent the operating shaft 63 from twisting.

[0081] Furthermore, when the main body 611 of the first rotating member 61 is made of a resin material and the arch portion 621 of the second rotating member 62 is made of a metal material, the arch portion 621 functions as a stopper to restrict upward displacement of the operating shaft 63. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled and a user pulls the operating shaft 63 upward, the flange portion 634 of the operating shaft 63 first contacts the main body 611 from below. At this time, because the main body 611 is made of a resin material, the flange portion 634 elastically deforms the main body 611 upward. The flange portion 634 then contacts the arch portion 621 from below via the main body 611. Because the arch portion 621 is made of a metal material, the flange portion 634 does not elastically deform the arch portion 621, restricting excessive upward displacement of the operating shaft 63. This configuration also ensures the strength of the operating shaft 63 against being pulled upward.

[0082] In this case, the main body 611 and the pair of downward extensions 615 of the first rotating member 61 are formed from a resin material, resulting in all elements of the first rotating member 61 being integrally formed from a resin material. Meanwhile, the arch portion 621, the pair of horizontal extensions 623, and the pair of downward extensions 624 of the second rotating member 62 are integrally formed from a metal material, and the pair of rotating shafts 625 and the magnet holder 626 are formed from a resin material. The pair of rotating shafts 625 are attached to the pair of downward extensions 624, respectively, and the magnet holder 626 is attached to the lower end of the downward extension 624 on the +Y direction side. Furthermore, an embodiment in which both the main body 611 and the arch portion 621 are formed from a metal material is also within the scope of the present invention. In this case, when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, deformation of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 due to a torsional load and twisting of the operating shaft 63 can be more reliably prevented.

[0083] The pair of rotation shafts 625 are cylindrical portions that extend linearly outward from the outer surfaces of the pair of downward extending portions 624. The pair of rotation shafts 625 are formed so that their axial centers are located on the same straight line. The pair of rotation shafts 625 are supported by the bearing portions 55 by being placed in the receiving portions 552 of the bearing portion 55 located on the +Y direction side and the −Y direction side of the housing 5, and function as rotation shafts of the second rotation member 62. Furthermore, by placing the pair of rotation shafts 625 in the receiving portions 552 of the housing 5, the second rotation member 62 is held by the housing 5 so that it can rotate around the second axial direction (Y direction). Furthermore, as described above, the bearing portions 55 of the housing 5 are configured so that the pair of rotation shafts 625 are located between the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical portion 71 of the holding mechanism 7 in the height direction when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled. Therefore, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the pair of rotation shafts 625 are positioned on the same straight line and face each other with the cylindrical portion 71 interposed therebetween.

[0084] The magnet holding portion 626 is provided at the lower end of the downward extending portion 624 located on the +Y direction side, and serves to hold the magnet 82 therein. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the magnet holding portion 626 is stored in the storage portion 514a of the housing 5 so as to be rotatable around the Y axis.

[0085] Returning to Figure 10, the operating axis 63 has the function of rotating the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 in response to a tilting operation applied by the user, and further has the function of displacing downward in response to a pressing operation applied by the user. As shown in Figure 13, the operating shaft 63 includes a small diameter portion 631, a large diameter portion 632 extending outward from the lower end of the small diameter portion 631, a pair of D-cut surfaces 633 formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the small diameter portion 631 and the large diameter portion 632, a flange portion 634 formed to extend linearly downward from the lower end of the small diameter portion 631, a spring connection portion 635 extending downward from the lower end of the flange portion 634, a protrusion 636 protruding downward from the lower surface of the spring connection portion 635, a support cap 637 attached to the protrusion 636, a cap 638 attached to the upper portion of the small diameter portion 631, and a shaft 639 for fixing the cap 638 to the upper portion of the small diameter portion 631.

[0086] The thin-diameter portion 631 is a cylindrical portion extending linearly in the height direction. A through-hole 6311 is formed in the upper portion of the thin-diameter portion 631, penetrating the thin-diameter portion 631 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the thin-diameter portion 631 protrudes upward from the opening 25 of the upper cover 2U and is operated by the user. Returning to FIG. 13 , the large-diameter portion 632 is a cylindrical portion extending outward from the side surface of the lower end of the thin-diameter portion 631, concentric with the thin-diameter portion 631. The large-diameter portion 632 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the thin-diameter portion 631.

[0087] The pair of D-cut surfaces 633 are flat surfaces that face each other and are perpendicular to the Y direction and are formed by linearly cutting out the outer peripheral surfaces of the thin-diameter portion 631 and the large-diameter portion 632 on the +Y direction and -Y direction sides in the height direction. The pair of D-cut surfaces 633 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the thin-diameter portion 631 and the large-diameter portion 632 on the +Y direction and -Y direction sides so that the Y direction widths of the thin-diameter portion 631 and the large-diameter portion 632 are approximately equal to the Y direction width of the slit hole 612 of the first rotating member 61. With this configuration, the thin-diameter portion 631 and the large-diameter portion 632 can be inserted into the slit hole 612. When the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the pair of D-cut surfaces 633 formed on the large-diameter portion 632 come into surface contact with the inner surface of the slit hole 612 via the cover piece 6143 of the cap 614. With this configuration, even if the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63 so as to rotate it around its axis, the pair of D-cut surfaces 633 formed on the large diameter portion 632 engage with the slit hole 612, preventing the operating shaft 63 from rotating around its axis.

[0088] The flange portion 634 is a cylindrical portion formed to extend linearly downward from the lower end of the small-diameter portion 631. The flange portion 634 is concentric with the large-diameter portion 632 and has the same diameter as the large-diameter portion 632. However, since the pair of D-cut surfaces 633 are not formed on the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 634, the flange portion 634 protrudes outward from the large-diameter portion 632 in the Y direction. The diameter of the flange portion 634 is larger than the diameter of the small-diameter portion 631. The upper surface of the flange portion 634 has an upwardly convex curved shape corresponding to the lower surface of the arch portion 6111 of the main body portion 611 of the first rotating member 61. Therefore, even when the operating shaft 63 is tilted around the Y axis, the flange portion 634 does not come into contact with the main body portion 611. The lower surface of the flange portion 634 is a flat surface perpendicular to the height direction.

[0089] The spring connection portion 635 is a cylindrical portion extending linearly downward from the lower surface of the flange portion 634. The spring connection portion 635 is formed concentrically with the flange portion 634 and has a diameter smaller than that of the flange portion 634. The protrusion 636 is a cylindrical portion protruding downward from the lower surface of the spring connection portion 635. The protrusion 636 is formed concentrically with the spring connection portion 635 and has a diameter smaller than that of the spring connection portion 635. A thread groove (not shown) is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 636. The small diameter portion 631, the large diameter portion 632, the flange portion 634, the spring connection portion 635, and the protrusion 636 are integrally formed from a hard non-magnetic material such as stainless steel.

[0090] The support cap 637 supports the lower leaf spring assembly 9L of the holding mechanism 7 from below and also functions to press the pressing surface 453 of the pressing member 45 of the push switch 4. The support cap 637 is a cylindrical member made of a hard, non-magnetic material such as stainless steel. The support cap 637 includes a cylindrical main body 6371, a receiving recess 6372 formed on the upper surface of the main body 6371, a screw hole 6373 formed in the receiving recess 6372, and a curved surface 6374 protruding downward from the lower surface of the main body 6371.

[0091] The main body portion 6371 is a cylindrical portion concentric with the flange portion 634 and has a diameter approximately equal to that of the flange portion 634. The upper surface of the main body portion 6371 is a flat surface perpendicular to the height direction. The receiving recess 6372 is a circular recess formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 6371. The receiving recess 6372 is formed concentrically with the main body portion 6371 and has a diameter approximately equal to that of the spring connection portion 635. The screw hole 6373 is a circular recess formed on the receiving recess 6372 and has a threaded groove. The screw hole 6373 is formed concentrically with the receiving recess 6372 and has a diameter approximately equal to that of the protrusion 636. As shown in FIG. 3 , the bottom surface of the screw hole 6373 has a conical shape whose diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom. The support cap 637 is attached to the protrusion 636 by screwing the protrusion 636 into the screw hole 6373 and further by accommodating the lower end of the spring connection portion 635 in the receiving recess 6372. In addition, by attaching the support cap 637 to the protrusion 636, the lower leaf spring assembly 9L of the holding mechanism 7 attached to the operating shaft 63 is supported from below by the support cap 637.

[0092] Returning to FIG. 13 , the curved surface 6374 is a curved surface that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the main body 6371. More specifically, the lower surface of the curved surface 6374 has a spherical shape in which the amount of downward protrusion gradually decreases from the center to the outside. Therefore, the curved surface 6374 comes into point contact with the pressing surface 453 of the pressing member 45. Furthermore, because the curved surface 6374 has a spherical shape, when the operating shaft 63 performs a tilting operation, the curved surface 6374 does not slide on the pressing surface 453, and point contact between the curved surface 6374 and the pressing surface 453 is maintained. Therefore, even when the operating shaft 63 is tilted, the operating shaft 63 can be displaced downward and press the push switch 4 in response to a user's pressing operation on the operating shaft 63.

[0093] The cap 638 is a cylindrical member attached to the upper end of the thin-diameter portion 631 to facilitate the user's tilting and pressing operations on the thin-diameter portion 631. The cap 638 has a through-hole 6381 that penetrates the cap 638 in the Y direction. With the cap 638 attached to the upper end of the thin-diameter portion 631, the shaft 639 can be inserted through the through-hole 6311 of the thin-diameter portion 631 and the through-hole 6381 of the cap 638, thereby fixing the cap 638 to the upper end of the thin-diameter portion 631. The width of the cap 638 in the Y direction is greater than the width of the slit hole 612 of the first rotating member 61 in the Y direction, and the width of the cap 638 in the X direction is greater than the width of the slit hole 622 of the second rotating member 62 in the X direction. Therefore, by attaching the cap 638 to the upper end of the thin-diameter portion 631, it is possible to prevent the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 from detaching upward from the operating shaft 63 when assembling the multi-directional input device 1.

[0094] 10 , the retention mechanism 7 has the function of elastically holding the operating shaft 63 in an upright neutral state on the housing 5. As shown in FIG. 13 , the retention mechanism 7 includes an upper leaf spring assembly 9U, a lower leaf spring assembly 9L, a cylindrical portion 71 located between the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L and holding the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L spaced apart in the height direction, a cylindrical bushing 72 located inside the cylindrical portion 71 between the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L, an annular spacer 73 located between the lower leaf spring assembly 9L and the support cap 637 of the operating shaft 63, and three rivets 74 for fixing the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L to the cylindrical portion 71.

[0095] 14 , the upper leaf spring assembly 9U includes a plurality of upper leaf springs 91U (two in the illustrated embodiment) held vertically spaced apart from one another, inner spacers 92 and outer spacers 93 connecting the upper leaf springs 91U, and a vertical spacer 94 provided on the upper surface of the uppermost upper leaf spring 91U. The upper leaf springs 91U are made of a non-magnetic spring material such as stainless steel. The upper leaf springs 91U are held vertically spaced apart from one another and parallel and facing one another by the inner spacers 92 and outer spacers 93.

[0096] As shown in Figure 15, the upper leaf spring 91U comprises an annular outer frame 911 fixedly held on the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 71, an inner frame 912 located inside the outer frame 911 and having an insertion hole 913 through which the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted, a plurality of spring portions 914 (three in the illustrated form) connecting the outer frame 911 and the inner frame 912, and a plurality of locking holes 915 (three in the illustrated form) formed on the outer frame 911.

[0097] The outer frame 911 is a circular plate-shaped portion having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the height direction. The outer frame 911 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 71. The inner frame 912 is a circular plate portion disposed inside the outer frame 911 and concentric with the outer frame 911. The inner frame 912 has a circular insertion hole 913 formed concentrically with the inner frame 912. As shown in FIG. 18 , the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the insertion hole 913. Returning to FIG. 15 , the multiple spring portions 914 connect the outer frame 911 and the inner frame 912 so that the inner frame 912 can be displaced relative to the outer frame 911. The "displacement" referred to here includes not only the vertical displacement and lateral displacement (X direction or Y direction) of the inner frame 912 relative to the outer frame 911, but also the torsional displacement in which the inner frame 912 tilts around the X direction or Y direction and the inner frame 912 tilts relative to the outer frame 911.

[0098] The spring portion 914 includes a first connecting portion 9141 connected to the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 911, a second connecting portion 9142 connected to the outer circumferential surface of the inner frame 912, and an arm portion 9143 connecting the first connecting portion 9141 and the second connecting portion 9142. The first connecting portion 9141 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the radial direction of the outer frame 911 and the inner frame 912. One end of the first connecting portion 9141 is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 911, and the other end of the first connecting portion 9141 is connected to the outer surface of one end of the arm portion 9143. The second connecting portion 9142 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the radial direction of the outer frame 911 and the inner frame 912. One end of the second connecting portion 9142 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the inner frame 912 , and the other end of the second connecting portion 9142 is connected to the inner surface of the other end of the arm portion 9143 .

[0099] The arm portion 9143 extends in an arc shape to connect the first connection portion 9141 and the second connection portion 9142. The arm portion 9143 extends in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from the first connection portion 9141 toward the second connection portion 9142. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the multiple arm portions 9143 of the upper leaf spring 91U extends in an arc shape in the clockwise direction from the first connection portion 9141 toward the second connection portion 9142. The multiple arm portions 9143 extend in an arc shape in the space between the outer frame 911 and the inner frame 912 so as not to contact each other. When the inner frame 912 is displaced relative to the outer frame 911, the multiple spring portions 914 elastically deform, and a spring force acts to return the inner frame 912 to its normal position. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper leaf spring 91U has three spring portions 914, but the present invention is not limited to this. An embodiment in which the upper leaf spring 91U has four or more spring portions 914 is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] The locking holes 915 are through-holes formed on the outer frame 911 in regions adjacent to one end of the first connection portions 9141 of the three spring portions 914. The locking holes 915 penetrate the outer frame 911 in the height direction. In addition, arc-shaped portions 9151 protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer frame 911 to define the locking holes 915. Therefore, the inner portion of the locking holes 915 is formed on the outer frame 911, and the outer portion of the locking holes 915 is formed outside the outer frame 911.

[0101] The upper leaf springs 91U, which are spaced apart in the height direction and held parallel and facing each other, are arranged so that the first connecting portion 9141, the second connecting portion 9142, the arm portions 9143, and the locking holes 915 of each spring portion 914 overlap vertically. As a result, when the operating shaft 63 is tilted, the arm portions 9143 of the upper leaf springs 91U are subjected to the same stress at the same positions and undergo the same torsional movement, preventing the arm portions 9143 from interfering with each other.

[0102] Returning to FIG. 14 , the inner spacer 92 and outer spacer 93 are components that connect the multiple upper leaf springs 91U to integrate them. The inner spacer 92 is an annular member with inner and outer diameters equal to the inner and outer diameters of the inner frame 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U. The inner spacer 92 has flat upper and lower surfaces that are perpendicular to the height direction. The upper surface of the inner spacer 92 is fixed to the lower surface of the inner frame 912 of the upper upper leaf spring 91U, and the lower surface of the inner spacer 92 is fixed to the upper surface of the inner frame 912 of the lower upper leaf spring 91U, using any fixing means such as adhesive.

[0103] The outer spacer 93 includes an annular frame 931 and a plurality of locking holes 932 formed in the frame 931. The frame 931 is an annular portion having inner and outer diameters equal to the inner and outer diameters of the outer frame 911 of the upper leaf spring 91U. The frame 931 also has flat upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the height direction. The upper surface of the frame 931 is fixed to the lower surface of the outer frame 911 of the upper upper leaf spring 91U, and the lower surface of the frame 931 is fixed to the upper surface of the outer frame 911 of the lower upper leaf spring 91U, using any fixing means such as adhesive. The locking holes 932 are through-holes formed in the frame 931 to correspond to the plurality of locking holes 915 of the upper leaf spring 91U. The locking holes 932 penetrate the frame 931 in the height direction. Furthermore, an arc-shaped portion 9321 protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the frame 931 to define the locking hole 932. Therefore, the inner portion of the locking hole 932 is formed on the frame 931, and the outer portion of the locking hole 932 is formed outside the frame 931. The outer spacer 93 is sandwiched between the upper and lower upper leaf springs 91U with the multiple locking holes 932 overlapping with the multiple locking holes 915 of the upper leaf spring 91U. The inner spacer 92 and outer spacer 93 integrate the multiple upper leaf springs 91U, and the multiple upper leaf springs 91U function as a single leaf spring.

[0104] The vertical spacer 94 is an annular member for supporting from above the multiple upper leaf springs 91U, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. By providing the vertical spacer 94 on the uppermost upper leaf spring 91U, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U can be stably fixed to the tubular portion 71 by the rivets 74. The vertical spacer 94 includes an annular frame 941, multiple locking holes 942 formed in the frame 941, and positioning protrusions 943 protruding outward from the frame 941. The frame 941 is an annular portion having inner and outer diameters equal to the inner and outer diameters of the outer frame 911 of the upper leaf spring 91U. The frame 941 also has flat upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction. The frame 941 is attached to the upper surface of the outer frame 911 of the uppermost upper leaf spring 91U by any fixing means, such as an adhesive.

[0105] The locking holes 942 are through-holes formed in the frame 941 to correspond to the multiple locking holes 915 of the upper leaf spring 91U. The locking holes 942 penetrate the frame 941 in the height direction. Furthermore, an arc-shaped portion 9421 protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the frame 941 to define the locking holes 942. Therefore, the inner portion of the locking hole 942 is formed on the frame 941, and the outer portion of the locking hole 942 is formed outside the frame 941. The vertical spacer 94 is provided on the top surface of the uppermost upper leaf spring 91U in an orientation such that the multiple locking holes 942 overlap the multiple locking holes 915 of the upper leaf spring 91U.

[0106] The positioning protrusion 943 is a rectangular portion that extends linearly outward from the outer circumferential surface of the frame 941. As shown in Figure 6, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the holding mechanism 7 is placed on the main body 51 of the housing 5 so that the positioning protrusion 943 is positioned within the positioning groove 541 of the housing 5, and engagement between the positioning protrusion 943 and the positioning groove 541 prevents rotation of the holding mechanism 7 on the housing 5. Furthermore, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the claws 2632 of the four holding portions 263 that extend inward from the four joint pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U press against the upper surface of the vertical spacer 94, thereby supporting the holding mechanism 7 from above on the housing 5 and preventing the holding mechanism 7 from swinging in the vertical direction on the housing 5.

[0107] The upper leaf springs 91U, inner spacer 92, outer spacer 93, and vertical spacer 94 are stacked in the vertical direction so that the multiple locking holes 942 of the upper leaf springs 91U, the multiple locking holes 932 of the outer spacer 93, and the multiple locking holes 942 of the vertical spacer 94 overlap, and are integrated by any fixing means such as adhesive, thereby assembling the upper leaf spring assembly 9U.

[0108] 13 , the lower leaf spring assembly 9L is located below the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and is spaced apart in the vertical direction from the upper leaf spring assembly 9U via the cylindrical portion 71. As shown in FIG. 16 , the lower leaf spring assembly 9L includes a plurality of (two in the illustrated embodiment) lower leaf springs 91L held spaced apart in the vertical direction, an inner spacer 92 and an outer spacer 93 connecting the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L, and a vertical spacer 94 provided on the underside of the lowest lower leaf spring 91L to support the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L from below. The inner spacer 92, outer spacer 93, and vertical spacer 94 of the lower leaf spring assembly 9L have the same configurations as the inner spacer 92, outer spacer 93, and vertical spacer 94 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U described above, and therefore, a description of the inner spacer 92, outer spacer 93, and vertical spacer 94 of the lower leaf spring assembly 9L will be omitted.

[0109] 17, the lower leaf spring 91L has the same configuration as the upper leaf spring 91U, except for the extension direction of the arm portion 9143 of the spring portion 914. Therefore, the differences between the lower leaf spring 91L and the upper leaf spring 91U will be described in detail, and the commonalities between the lower leaf spring 91L and the upper leaf spring 91U will not be described.

[0110] Each of the arm portions 9143 of the multiple spring portions 914 of the lower leaf spring 91L extends in the other of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the first connecting portion 9141 to the second connecting portion 9142. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the arm portions 9143 of the multiple spring portions 914 of the lower leaf spring 91L extends in an arc shape in the counterclockwise direction from the first connecting portion 9141 to the second connecting portion 9142. That is, the extension direction of the arm portions 9143 of the upper leaf spring 91U is opposite to the extension direction of the arm portions 9143 of the lower leaf spring 91L. Therefore, the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are configured to be vertically symmetrical (front and back) to each other. In other words, the lower leaf spring 91L is the upper leaf spring 91U turned upside down and installed below the tubular portion 71.

[0111] Returning to FIG. 13 , the tubular portion 71 is a member for holding the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L spaced apart in the vertical direction. The tubular portion 71 is located between the outer frame 911 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the outer frame 911 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L. The tubular portion 71 includes a cylindrical main body 711 and a plurality of bosses 712 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 711. The upper and lower surfaces of the main body 711 have annular shapes corresponding to the outer frames 911 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L, and are flat surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction. With the assembled upper leaf spring assembly 9U mounted on the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 71 and the assembled lower leaf spring assembly 9L mounted on the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 71, rivets 74 are inserted through the locking holes 915, 932, 942 of the upper and lower leaf spring assemblies 9U and 9L and through the bosses 712 of the cylindrical portion 71, and the ends of the rivets 74 are crimped, thereby fixedly holding the upper and lower leaf spring assemblies 9U and 9L apart in the vertical direction by the cylindrical portion 71. Thus, the upper and lower leaf spring assemblies 9U and 9L are held in place with the outer frame 911 of the lowest upper leaf spring 91U and the outer frame 911 of the highest lower leaf spring 91L spaced apart in the vertical direction by the height of the cylindrical portion 71. In the above description, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are fixed to the cylindrical portion 71 by rivets 74, but the present invention is not limited to this. The upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L may be fixed to the cylindrical portion 71 by any fastener such as screws or adhesive.

[0112] The upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are arranged so that, in a plan view from the height direction, the first connection portions 9141 of the upper leaf springs 91U overlap the first connection portions 9141 of the lower leaf springs 91L, the second connection portions 9142 of the upper leaf springs 91U overlap the second connection portions 9142 of the lower leaf springs 91L, and the positioning protrusions 943 of the vertical spacers 94 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L overlap. Therefore, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are fixedly held by the cylindrical portion 71 in positions that are completely symmetrical to each other vertically (front and back).

[0113] With the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L fixed to the cylindrical portion 71, the inner frames 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are supported in a suspended state within the cylindrical portion 71 by a plurality of spring portions 914 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the inner frame 912. With this configuration, the inner frame 912 can be stably supported in a steady position by the plurality of spring portions 914, which stabilizes the zero-point position (steady position) of displacement of the inner frame 912 relative to the outer frame 911 when the operating shaft 63 is in a neutral state, thereby stabilizing the position of the operating shaft 63 in the neutral state.

[0114] As described above, the bearing portion 55 of the housing 5 is configured so that, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 supported by the bearing portion 55 are located between the upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical portion 71. The upper leaf spring assembly 9U is provided on the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 71, and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L is provided on the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 71. Therefore, the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 are located between the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L in the height direction. Meanwhile, the center of rotation of the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63 held by the holding mechanism 7 is located between the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L in the height direction. Therefore, by positioning the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 between the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L in the height direction and roughly matching the height position of the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 with the height position of the rotation center of the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63, it is possible to match the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 with the rotation angle of the first rotating member 61 or the second rotating member 62. With this configuration, it is possible to match the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 with the rotation angle of the first rotating member 61 or the second rotating member 62, and the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 can be accurately detected.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer frames 911 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are annular in shape, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate depending on the shape of the tubular portion 71. For example, embodiments in which the outer frames 911 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are elliptical or polygonal in shape are also within the scope of the present invention. The number of spring portions 914 in each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is not particularly limited as long as it is three or more, and it is sufficient that the inner frame 912 is connected to the outer frame 911 so that the inner frame 912 can be displaced relative to the outer frame 911. Embodiments in which each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L has four, five, or more spring portions 914 are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0116] As is apparent from FIGS. 15 and 17 , the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L each have a rotationally asymmetric shape when viewed from above in the height direction. Therefore, the stiffness of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is anisotropic. For example, the lateral stiffness of the upper leaf spring 91U when the inner frame 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U is displaced in the +X direction is different from the lateral stiffness of the upper leaf spring 91U when the inner frame 912 is displaced in the −X direction. In the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are held in the cylindrical portion 71 in positions that are completely symmetrical to each other vertically (front and back). Therefore, the anisotropy of the stiffness of the upper leaf spring 91U and the anisotropy of the stiffness of the lower leaf spring 91L cancel each other out. As a result, the rigidity of the holding mechanism 7, which is obtained by combining the rigidity of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the rigidity of the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L, does not have anisotropy. Therefore, the reaction force against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63 elastically held by the holding mechanism 7 does not have anisotropy, making the multidirectional input device 1 preferable as a joystick used in a controller for a game machine.

[0117] Furthermore, when viewed from above in the height direction of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L, if a straight line is drawn from the center of the inner frame 912 toward any point on the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 911 and radially outward from the inner frame 912, the line will always contain at least one arm 9143 and two spaces located respectively on the outside and inside of the at least one arm 9143 that are free of any of the components of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L (such as the arm 9143). The two spaces located respectively on the outside and inside of the at least one arm 9143 allow elastic buckling (elastic bending) of the at least one arm 9143 in the height direction. For this reason, each of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is configured so that the torsional rigidity against displacement in the torsional direction in which the inner frame 912 tilts relative to the outer frame 911 is significantly different from the lateral rigidity against displacement of the inner frame 912 in the lateral direction relative to the outer frame 911. More specifically, each of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is configured so that the lateral rigidity is significantly greater than the torsional rigidity.

[0118] Returning to FIG. 13 , the bushing 72 is a cylindrical member made of a hard, non-magnetic material and is located between the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L. The bushing 72 has an inner diameter and an outer diameter that are approximately equal to the inner diameters of the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L, respectively. The outer diameter of the bushing 72 is also approximately equal to the outer diameters of the flange portion 634 of the operating shaft 63 and the support cap 637, and the inner diameter of the bushing 72 is also approximately equal to the outer diameter of the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63. The upper and lower surfaces of the bushing 72 are flat and perpendicular to the height direction.

[0119] The upper surface of the bushing 72 contacts the lower surface of the inner frame 912 of the lowest upper leaf spring 91U and the upper surface of the inner frame 912 of the highest lower leaf spring 91L. Therefore, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are held by the cylindrical portion 71 with the inner frame 912 of the lowest upper leaf spring 91U and the inner frame 912 of the highest lower leaf spring 91L separated in the vertical direction by the height of the bushing 72.

[0120] Furthermore, the height of the bushing 72 is lower than the height of the cylindrical portion 71. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18 , when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the distance D1 between the outer frame 911 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the outer frame 911 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L is different from the distance D2 between the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L. More specifically, the distance D1 is longer than the distance D2. This configuration increases the initial reaction force of the holding mechanism 7 against the tilting of the operating shaft 63, thereby preventing the operating shaft 63 from unintentionally tilting when vibrations or impacts are applied to the multi-directional input device 1.

[0121] The large initial reaction force of the holding mechanism 7 can prevent the operating shaft 63 from tilting when the operating shaft 63 is held in a neutral state due to an external force, such as vibration or impact, that is different from a tilting operation applied to the operating shaft 63 by the user. Therefore, when the operating shaft 63 is held in a neutral state, it is possible to prevent the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 from unintentionally rotating due to an external force, such as vibration or impact, and the output of the magnetic sensor 81 of the detection mechanism 8 when the operating shaft 63 is held in a neutral state is stabilized. As a result, it is possible to reduce drift of the magnetic sensor 81 when the operating shaft 63 is held in a neutral state, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the rotation angles of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 by the detection mechanism 8.

[0122] In the illustrated embodiment, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the retaining mechanism 7 is configured so that the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U is positioned lower than the outer frame 911 and the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L is positioned higher than the outer frame 911, thereby making the separation distance D1 longer than the separation distance D2. However, this is not limited to this. As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 19 , the scope of the present invention also includes an embodiment in which the configuration of the bushings 72 is changed so that the height of the bushings 72 is increased, resulting in the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L being positioned flush with the outer frame 911, or the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U being positioned flush with the outer frame 911.

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding mechanism 7 is configured so that the separation distance D1 is longer than the separation distance D2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The scope of the present invention also includes an embodiment in which the heights of the bushing 72 and the cylindrical portion 71 are changed so that the separation distance D1 is shorter than the separation distance D2. In this case, the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are more likely to displace upward or downward when the user tilts the operating shaft 63, thereby reducing the load on the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L when the operating shaft 63 is tilted. This extends the product life of the multi-directional input device 1.

[0124] 20 , the present invention also encompasses an embodiment in which the heights of the bushing 72 and the cylindrical portion 71 are changed so that the separation distance D1 and the separation distance D2 are equal, the inner frame 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U is positioned higher than the outer frame 911, and the inner frame 912 of the lower leaf spring 91L is positioned higher than the outer frame 911. In this case, a downward pretension is generated on the operating shaft 63, which is held in a neutral state by the holding mechanism 7, and the support cap 637 of the operating shaft 63 is pressed against the pressing surface 453 of the pressing member 45 of the push switch 4, preventing a gap from forming between the support cap 637 and the pressing surface 453. As a result, the stroke length and operation of the push switch 4 can be stabilized.

[0125] 13 , the spacer 73 is an annular part located between the lower surface of the inner frame 912 of the lowermost lower leaf spring 91L and the upper surface of the support cap 637 of the operating shaft 63. As shown in FIG. 18 , the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the insertion holes 913, inner spacer 92, and spacer 73 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L, and the support cap 637 is attached to the protrusion 636 of the operating shaft 63, thereby attaching the operating shaft 63 to the holding mechanism 7. As a result, the operating shaft 63 is held in an upright, neutral position by the holding mechanism 7. In this state, rivets 74 are inserted through the locking holes 915, 932, 942 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L and the boss 712 of the tubular portion 71, and the ends of the rivets 74 are crimped, so that the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are fixedly held by the tubular portion 71 while spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0126] 18 , the outer frames 911 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U are sandwiched between the vertical spacer 94 and the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 71. Similarly, the outer frames 911 of the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are fixedly sandwiched between the vertical spacer 94 and the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 71. Furthermore, the inner frames 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U are sandwiched between the lower surface of the flange portion 634 of the operating shaft 63 and the upper surface of the bushing 72. Similarly, the inner frames 912 of the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are sandwiched between the lower surface of the bushing 72 and the upper surface of the support cap 637 of the operating shaft 63.

[0127] In this way, the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the insertion holes 913 of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L and is connected to the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L via the bushings 72. With this configuration, the operating shaft 63 can be elastically held by the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L.

[0128] Furthermore, when the support cap 637 is attached to the protrusion 636 of the operating shaft 63, a surface pressure is applied in the vertical direction to the inner frame 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U from the lower surface of the flange portion 634 of the operating shaft 63 and the upper surface of the bushing 72. Similarly, a surface pressure is applied in the vertical direction to the inner frame 912 of the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L from the lower surface of the bushing 72 and the upper surface of the support cap 637 of the operating shaft 63. Due to such surface pressure from the vertical direction, the inner frames 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are integrated with the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63. In this state, when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63 and the operating shaft 63 performs a twisting motion, the inner frame 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L follows the twisting motion of the operating shaft 63 and rotates around the axis of the operating shaft 63 (in the circumferential direction of the inner frame 912) relative to the outer frame 911. As a result, a load around the axis of the operating shaft 63 is applied to the plurality of spring portions 914 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L, which may cause the plurality of spring portions 914 to deform.

[0129] As described above, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, at least one of the main body 611 of the first rotating member 61 and the arch portion 621 of the second rotating member 62 is formed of a metal material. When a twisting operation is applied to the operating shaft 63 in an assembled state of the multi-directional input device 1, the operating shaft 63 engages with the main body 611 or the arch portion 621, both of which are made of a metal material. The engagement between the main body 611 or the arch portion 621, both of which are made of a metal material, and the operating shaft 63 prevents twisting of the operating shaft 63 when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63. This configuration prevents a load from being applied around the axis of the operating shaft 63 to the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L, preventing deformation of the spring portions 914. As a result, it is possible to prevent changes in the spring characteristics of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L, and to stabilize the reaction force characteristics against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63.

[0130] Additionally, outer frames 911 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are fixed to the cylindrical portion 71, and inner frames 912 and plurality of spring portions 914 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are suspended by the cylindrical portion 71. With this configuration, the inner frames 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L can be displaced in the height direction, in the lateral direction (X direction or Y direction), and in the torsional direction in which the inner frames 912 tilt about the X direction or Y direction relative to the outer frame 911. Therefore, the holding mechanism 7 has vertical rigidity against displacement of the operating shaft 63 in the height direction, lateral rigidity against displacement of the operating shaft 63 in the lateral direction, and torsional rigidity against displacement of the operating shaft 63 in the torsional direction. In the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, the holding mechanism 7 is configured so that the lateral stiffness and torsional stiffness associated with the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63 are significantly different from each other. More specifically, the holding mechanism 7 is configured so that the lateral stiffness is significantly greater than the torsional stiffness. The lateral stiffness of the holding mechanism 7 is provided as a composite value of the lateral stiffness of the multiple spring portions 914 of the multiple upper leaf springs 91U and the multiple lower leaf springs 91L. Similarly, the torsional stiffness of the holding mechanism 7 is provided as a composite value of the torsional stiffness of the multiple spring portions 914 of the multiple upper leaf springs 91U and the multiple lower leaf springs 91L. As described above, because each of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L is configured so that the torsional stiffness is significantly smaller than the lateral stiffness, the lateral stiffness of the holding mechanism 7 is significantly greater than the torsional stiffness.

[0131] The lateral rigidity of the retention mechanism 7 increases with an increase in either the width of the arm portions 9143 of the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L or the vertical separation between the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L (i.e., the height of the bushing 72). On the other hand, the torsional rigidity of the retention mechanism 7 increases with an increase in the thickness of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L. Therefore, the balance between the lateral rigidity and torsional rigidity of the retention mechanism 7 can be adjusted by adjusting the width of the arm portions 9143 of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L, the vertical separation between the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L, and the thickness of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L.

[0132] Furthermore, the balance between the lateral and torsional rigidity of the retention mechanism 7 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L. Increasing the number of upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L increases the lateral rigidity of the retention mechanism 7 relative to the torsional rigidity. Therefore, the number of upper leaf springs 91U in the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the number of lower leaf springs 91L in the lower leaf spring assembly 9L can be changed as needed. For example, an embodiment in which the number of upper leaf springs 91U in the upper leaf spring assembly 9U is one and the number of lower leaf springs 91L in the lower leaf spring assembly 9L is one is also within the scope of the present invention. In this case, the inner spacer 92 and the outer spacer 93 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L, respectively, are omitted.

[0133] As another example, the present invention also includes an embodiment in which the upper leaf spring assembly 9U includes three upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L includes three lower leaf springs 91L. In this case, the upper leaf spring 91U located between the uppermost and lowermost upper leaf springs 91U functions as a balancer that corrects the non-uniformity in stiffness (longitudinal stiffness, lateral stiffness, torsional stiffness) of the uppermost upper leaf spring 91U and the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U, thereby achieving a balance between the uppermost and lowermost upper leaf springs 91U. Similarly, the lower leaf spring 91L located between the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L and the lowermost lower leaf spring 91L functions as a balancer that corrects the unevenness between the stiffness of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L and the stiffness of the lowermost lower leaf spring 91L, and balances the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L and the lowermost lower leaf spring 91L.

[0134] When the operating shaft 63 is elastically held by the holding mechanism 7 configured as described above, when a user tilts the operating shaft 63 and tilts it from its neutral position, at least one of the spring portions 914 of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L, which is located in the tilt direction of the operating shaft 63, displaces downward, while the remaining spring portions 914 displace upward. As a result, a force is generated that returns the operating shaft 63 from its tilted state to its upright neutral position. Therefore, when the user releases the tilt of the operating shaft 63, the restoring force of the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L returns the operating shaft 63 to its upright neutral position.

[0135] Furthermore, the hysteresis of the elastic deformation of the multiple spring portions 914 of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is very small. Therefore, when the user releases the tilt operation on the operating shaft 63, the operating shaft 63 accurately returns to the neutral state (normal position). By elastically holding the operating shaft 63 using the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L with such small hysteresis, the accuracy of the return of the operating shaft 63 to its original position can be improved. As a result, even if the user repeatedly tilts and presses the operating shaft 63, the operating shaft 63 can accurately return to the neutral state, thereby maintaining consistent operability and reaction force characteristics of the multidirectional input device 1.

[0136] The retaining mechanism 7 is placed on the main body 51 of the housing 5 with the operating shaft 63 elastically held. In this state, the lower leaf spring assembly 9L of the retaining mechanism 7 is housed in the receiving recess 515 of the main body 51, and further, the three rivets 74 of the retaining mechanism 7 are housed in the three recesses 516 of the main body 51. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 71 of the retaining mechanism 7 is supported from the outside by the four guide pieces 54 of the housing 5. With this configuration, the operating shaft assembly 6 is held by the housing 5 and the retaining mechanism 7.

[0137] 21 shows the reaction force characteristics of the operating shaft 63 elastically held by the holding mechanism 7 against the tilting operation. In the initial state (first state) where the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 is small and less than a predetermined value (e.g., approximately 5 degrees), the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L are displaced laterally relative to the outer frame 911, providing an initial reaction force (first reaction force) against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63. Meanwhile, the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L are hardly displaced in the torsional direction relative to the outer frame 911. Therefore, in the initial state, the lateral rigidity of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf springs 91U and lower leaf springs 91L provides the initial reaction force against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63. Meanwhile, in the initial state, the torsional rigidity of the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L does not contribute to the reaction force in response to the tilt operation of the operating shaft 63. As described above, the lateral rigidity of each of the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is significantly greater than the torsional rigidity. Therefore, in the initial state, the increase in the reaction force in response to an increase in the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 (the increase rate, i.e., the increase in the reaction force per unit amount (e.g., 1 degree) of the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63) is large. Therefore, in the initial state, the holding mechanism 7 can provide an initial reaction force (first reaction force) that increases greatly in response to an increase in the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63, i.e., a large initial reaction force, due to the lateral rigidity of the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L.

[0138] Thereafter, when the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 increases and reaches a predetermined value (e.g., approximately 5 degrees) or greater, the operating shaft 63 transitions to the second state shown in FIG. 21 . In the second state, the arm portions 9143 of the multiple spring portions 914 of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L elastically buckle (elastically bend). As a result, the inner frames 912 of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are displaced in a torsional direction relative to the outer frame 911, providing a second reaction force against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63. Meanwhile, in the second state, there is almost no further lateral displacement of the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L. Therefore, in the second state, the torsional rigidity of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L provides the second reaction force against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63. On the other hand, in the second state, the lateral rigidity of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L does not contribute to the second reaction force in response to the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63. As described above, the torsional rigidity of each of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is significantly smaller than the lateral rigidity, so in the second state, the increase in the second reaction force in response to an increase in the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 is relatively small. Therefore, in the second state, the holding mechanism 7 can provide a second reaction force that increases only slightly in response to an increase in the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 by using the torsional rigidity of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L.

[0139] Thus, in the initial state, the reaction force increases rapidly as the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 increases. Thereafter, when the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 reaches a predetermined value or greater, at least one of the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L elastically buckles in the height direction, transitioning from the initial state to the second state, where the increase in the reaction force relative to the increase in the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 suddenly becomes more gradual. Such nonlinear reaction force characteristics are particularly useful when the multidirectional input device 1 is used in a handheld controller for a game console.

[0140] 22 schematically shows the operation of the inner frame 912 and the spring portions 914 of each of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L when the operating shaft 63 is tilted. Note that the operation of the inner frame 912 and the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L is the same when the operating shaft 63 is tilted, so the operation of the inner frame 912 and the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U will be described in detail below as a representative example.

[0141] As shown in the upper part of FIG. 22 , in a neutral state in which neither a tilting operation nor a pressing operation is applied to the operating shaft 63, the tensile force applied to the inner frame 912 from at least one spring portion 914 located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63 (the side opposite the tilting direction of the operating shaft 63, e.g., the left side in FIG. 22 ) and the tensile force applied to the inner frame 912 from at least one spring portion 914 located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63 opposite the first direction (the side toward the tilting direction of the operating shaft 63, e.g., the right side in FIG. 22 ) are equal and cancel each other out. Therefore, the operating shaft 63 is held upright, and the inner frame 912 is located on the initial plane. When a tilting operation is then applied to the operating shaft 63 and the operating shaft 63 performs a tilting motion, the portion of the inner frame 912 located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63 moves above the initial plane, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 22 . On the other hand, the portion of the inner frame 912 located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63 moves downward from the initial plane. Note that the "initial plane" refers to the plane on which the inner frame 912 is located in the neutral state.

[0142] As described above, in the initial state of the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63, the inner frame 912 is displaced laterally relative to the outer frame 911. At this time, a tensile load is applied to at least one spring portion 914 of the multiple spring portions 914 that is located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63. On the other hand, a compressive load is applied to at least one spring portion 914 of the multiple spring portions 914 that is located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63. Furthermore, in the second state of the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63, the inner frame 912 is displaced in a torsional direction relative to the outer frame 911. At this time, an upward load is applied to at least one spring portion 914 of the multiple spring portions 914 that is located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63. On the other hand, a downward load is applied to at least one spring portion 914 of the multiple spring portions 914 that is located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63.

[0143] In this way, when a tilting operation is applied to the operating shaft 63 and the operating shaft 63 performs a tilting motion, the direction of the load applied to at least one spring portion 914 located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63 is opposite to the direction of the load applied to at least one spring portion 914 located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63. The magnitude of the tensile force applied to the inner frame 912 from the at least one spring portion 914 located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63 is approximately equal to the magnitude of the tensile force applied to the inner frame 912 from the at least one spring portion 914 located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the return of the operating shaft 63 to the origin when the tilting operation on the operating shaft 63 is released.

[0144] 4, the detection mechanism 8 has a function of detecting the rotation angles of each of the first rotation member 61 and the second rotation member 62. The detection mechanism 8 includes two magnetic sensors 81 provided on the substrate 3, and two magnets 82 held by the magnet holding portion 617 of the first rotation member 61 and the magnet holding portion 626 of the second rotation member 62, respectively, so as to face the two magnetic sensors 81 when the operating shaft 63 is held in a neutral state.

[0145] When the first rotating member 61 rotates, the positional relationship between the magnet 82 held in the magnet holding portion 617 of the first rotating member 61 and the corresponding magnetic sensor 81 changes. This allows the corresponding magnetic sensor 81 to detect the rotation angle of the first rotating member 61. Similarly, when the second rotating member 62 rotates, the positional relationship between the magnet 82 held in the magnet holding portion 626 of the second rotating member 62 and the corresponding magnetic sensor 81 changes. This allows the corresponding magnetic sensor 81 to detect the rotation angle of the second rotating member 62.

[0146] As described above, the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention is configured to elastically hold the operating shaft 63 in a neutral state by the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L, which are held spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as described above, the inner frame 912 and the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are suspended by the tubular portion 71. Therefore, when the operating shaft 63 is tilted, the inner frame 912 and the multiple spring portions 914 do not slide on other components within the housing 5. Therefore, even if the operating shaft 63 is repeatedly tilted, the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L do not wear out, significantly extending the product life of the multi-directional input device 1. Furthermore, when the operating shaft 63 returns to its original position, the inner frame 912 and the multiple spring portions 914 do not slide on other components, so no frictional force is generated that would prevent the operating shaft 63 from returning to its neutral state. Therefore, the hysteresis of the multi-directional input device 1 can be reduced.

[0147] Furthermore, the holding mechanism 7 of the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention is configured so that the inner frames 912 of the plurality of upper leaf springs 91U and the plurality of lower leaf springs 91L are supported in a suspended state by the plurality of spring portions 914. With this configuration, the inner frames 912 can be stably supported in a stationary position by the plurality of spring portions 914, which stabilizes the zero-point position (stationary position) of displacement of the inner frame 912 relative to the outer frame 911 when the operating shaft 63 is in a neutral state, thereby stabilizing the position of the operating shaft 63 in the neutral state.

[0148] Furthermore, the hysteresis of the elastic deformation of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L of the multidirectional input device 1 of the present invention is very small. Therefore, when the user releases the tilt operation of the operating shaft 63, the operating shaft 63 accurately returns to the neutral state (normal position). By elastically holding the operating shaft 63 using the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L with such small hysteresis, the accuracy of the return of the operating shaft 63 to its original position can be improved. As a result, even if the user repeatedly tilts and presses the operating shaft 63, the operating shaft 63 can accurately return to the neutral state, thereby maintaining a consistent operational feel and reaction force characteristics of the multidirectional input device 1. Because the operating shaft 63 can be accurately returned to the neutral state, the detection mechanism 8 can accurately detect that the operating shaft 63 has returned to the neutral state and transmit a signal indicating that the operating shaft 63 has returned to the neutral state to an electronic device. Furthermore, since the accuracy of the return of the operating shaft 63 to the origin is improved, the detection mechanism 8 can accurately calculate the change in the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 from the neutral state, i.e., the change in the rotation angle of each of the first rotation member 61 and the second rotation member 62. Therefore, the accuracy of the detection mechanism 8 in detecting the rotation angle of each of the first rotation member 61 and the second rotation member 62 can be improved.

[0149] Furthermore, the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention is configured so that the separation distance D1 between the outer frame 911 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the outer frame 911 of the lower leaf spring 91L is different from the separation distance D2 between the inner frame 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the inner frame 912 of the lower leaf spring 91L. In one example, the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention is configured so that the separation distance D1 is longer than the separation distance D2. This configuration increases the initial reaction force of the holding mechanism 7 against the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63, thereby preventing the operating shaft 63 from unintentionally tilting when vibration or impact is applied to the multi-directional input device 1. In another example, the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention is configured so that the separation distance D1 is shorter than the separation distance D2. In this case, the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L are more likely to be displaced upward or downward when the user tilts the operating shaft 63, thereby reducing the load acting on the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L when the operating shaft 63 is tilted, thereby extending the product life of the multi-directional input device 1.

[0150] Furthermore, in the initial state when the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 is small, the holding mechanism 7 of the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention provides an initial reaction force (first reaction force) that increases significantly as the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 increases, due to the lateral rigidity of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L.Furthermore, in a second state when the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 reaches a predetermined value or greater and at least one of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L elastically buckles in the vertical direction, the torsional rigidity of the multiple spring portions 914 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L provides a second reaction force that increases only slightly as the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 increases. Such nonlinear reaction force characteristics are particularly useful when the multi-directional input device 1 is used as a handheld controller for a game console.

[0151] Furthermore, the large initial reaction force of the holding mechanism 7 can prevent the operating shaft 63 from tilting when the operating shaft 63 is held in the neutral state due to an external force, such as vibration or impact, that is different from a tilting operation applied to the operating shaft 63 by the user. Therefore, when the operating shaft 63 is held in the neutral state, it is possible to prevent the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 from unintentionally rotating due to an external force, such as vibration or impact, and the output of the magnetic sensor 81 of the detection mechanism 8 when the operating shaft 63 is held in the neutral state is stabilized. As a result, it is possible to reduce drift of the magnetic sensor 81 when the operating shaft 63 is held in the neutral state, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the rotation angles of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 by the detection mechanism 8.

[0152] Furthermore, the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention is configured so that the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotation member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotation member 62, which are rotatably held by the bearing portion 55 of the housing 5, are located between the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L in the height direction. On the other hand, the rotation center of the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63 held by the holding mechanism 7 is located between the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L in the height direction. Therefore, by positioning the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 between the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L in the height direction and roughly matching the height direction positions of the rotation shaft 616 of the first rotating member 61 and the rotation shaft 625 of the second rotating member 62 with the height direction position of the rotation center of the tilting operation of the operating shaft 63, it is possible to match the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 with the rotation angle of the first rotating member 61 or the second rotating member 62. With this configuration, the tilt angle of the operating shaft 63 can be accurately detected from the rotation angle of the first rotating member 61 or the second rotating member 62.

[0153] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, the joining piece 23 of the lower cover 2L and the joining piece 26 of the upper cover 2U are joined together, thereby firmly integrating the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U. With this configuration, the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 is supported from above and below by the firmly integrated lower cover 2L and upper cover 2U, so that the internal structure of the multi-directional input device 1 can be reliably prevented from shaking (wobbling) in the vertical direction.

[0154] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, when the multi-directional input device 1 is assembled, the claws 2632 of the holding portions 263 extending inward from the joint pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U press against the upper surfaces of the vertical spacers 94 of the upper leaf spring assemblies 9U of the holding mechanism 7, thereby supporting the holding mechanism 7 from above. With this configuration, the holding mechanism 7 can be firmly fixed on the housing 5, and swinging of the holding mechanism 7 in the vertical direction on the housing 5 can be prevented.

[0155] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, at least one of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 is formed from a metal material. More specifically, at least one of the main body 611 of the first rotating member 61 and the arch portion 621 of the second rotating member 62 is formed from a metal material. The main body 611 or the arch portion 621 contacts the operating shaft 63 inserted through the slit holes 612, 622. Therefore, when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63 to rotate it about its axis, a torsional load is applied from the operating shaft 63 to the main body 611 and the arch portion 621. By forming the main body 611 or the arch portion 621 from a metal material that is stronger than a resin material, deformation of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 due to the torsional load can be prevented. Note that if one of the main body 611 and the arch portion 621 is made of a metal material, even when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63, a strong torsional load is not applied from the operating shaft 63 to the other of the main body 611 and the arch portion 621. Therefore, the other of the main body 611 and the arch portion 621 may be made of a lightweight and inexpensive resin material, although it has lower strength than a metal material. With this configuration, the weight and cost of the multi-directional input device 1 can be reduced.

[0156] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, when a twisting operation is applied to the operating shaft 63, the operating shaft 63 engages with the main body 611 or the arch portion 621 made of a metal material. The engagement between the main body 611 or the arch portion 621 made of a metal material and the operating shaft 63 prevents twisting of the operating shaft 63 when a user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63. This configuration prevents a load from being applied around the axis of the operating shaft 63 to the spring portions 914 of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L, preventing deformation of the spring portions 914. As a result, changes in the spring characteristics of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L are prevented, and the reaction force characteristics of the operating shaft 63 in response to a tilting operation can be stabilized.

[0157] Furthermore, by forming one of the main body 611 and the arch portion 621 from a metal material, when the multidirectional input device 1 is assembled, the one of the main body 611 and the arch portion 621 can function as a stopper that restricts excessive upward displacement of the operating shaft 63. This configuration ensures the strength of the operating shaft 63 against pulling. Furthermore, both the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62, more specifically, both the main body 611 and the arch portion 621, may be formed from a metal material. In this case, deformation of the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 due to a torsional load and twisting of the operating shaft 63 can be more reliably prevented when the user applies a twisting operation to the operating shaft 63.

[0158] Furthermore, in the multi-directional input device 1 of the present invention, when a tilting operation is applied to the operating shaft 63 and the operating shaft 63 performs a tilting motion, the portions of the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L that are located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63 (the side opposite to the tilting direction of the operating shaft 63) move upward from the initial plane. Meanwhile, the portions of the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf spring 91U and the lower leaf spring 91L that are located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63 (the side toward the tilting direction of the operating shaft 63) move downward from the initial plane. With this configuration, the magnitude of the tensile force applied to the inner frame 912 from at least one spring portion 914 located on the first direction side of the operating shaft 63 is approximately equal to the magnitude of the tensile force applied to the inner frame 912 from at least one spring portion 914 located on the second direction side of the operating shaft 63. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the return of the operating shaft 63 to the origin when the tilting operation on the operating shaft 63 is released.

[0159] <Method of Manufacturing Multidirectional Input Device> Next, a method S100 of manufacturing the multidirectional input device 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 23 and Fig. 24. Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing the multidirectional input device of the present invention. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing a process of elastically holding the operating shafts with the holding mechanism.

[0160] The manufacturing method S100 of the multidirectional input device 1 of the present invention is performed by a manufacturing machine that automatically manufactures the multidirectional input device 1 or by an operator that manually manufactures the multidirectional input device 1. First, in step S110, the push switch 4 is mounted on the substrate 3. Specifically, the movable contact 43 is placed on the upper surface of the annular outer contact 42 exposed on the substrate 3 so that the movable contact 43 is concentric with the central contact 41 and the outer contacts 42. At this time, the movable contact 43 is fixed on the upper surface of the outer contact 42 by any fixing means such as adhesive tape. Next, the elastic member 44 is fixed on the substrate 3 by any fixing means such as adhesive. At this time, the elastic member 44 is fixed on the substrate 3 so that it is concentric with the movable contact 43, the central contact 41, and the outer contacts 42. Next, the pressing member 45 is placed on the elastic member 44 in an orientation such that the upper end of the elastic member 44 is fitted into the receiving groove 456 of the pressing member 45.

[0161] Next, in step S120, the housing 5 is attached to the board 3. Specifically, the four positioning protrusions 58 of the housing 5 are inserted into the four positioning holes 33 of the board 3 with the housing 5 oriented such that the storage portions 514a, 514b of the housing 5 face the corresponding magnetic sensors 81 of the detection mechanism 8. This fixes the housing 5 on the board 3. At this time, the portions of the multiple terminal pins 31 that protrude upward from the board 3 are inserted into the multiple corresponding receiving holes 57 of the housing 5, respectively.

[0162] Next, in step S130, the operating shaft 63 is elastically held by the holding mechanism 7. FIG. 24 shows in detail the step of attaching the holding mechanism 7 to the operating shaft 63 in step S130. In step S131, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U is attached to the operating shaft 63. Specifically, the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 913 of the upper leaf spring 91U of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the inner spacer 92. Next, in step S132, the cylindrical portion 71 and the bushing 72 are attached to the operating shaft 63. Specifically, with the bushing 72 positioned inside the main body 711 of the cylindrical portion 71, the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted into the bushing 72 from above. At this time, the cylindrical portion 71 contacts the upper leaf spring assembly 9U from below in such a position that the three bosses 712 of the cylindrical portion 71 overlap the three locking holes 915 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U, respectively.

[0163] Next, in step S133, the lower leaf spring assembly 9L is attached to the operating shaft 63. Specifically, the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 913 of the lower leaf spring 91L of the lower leaf spring assembly 9L and the inner spacer 92. At this time, the lower leaf spring assembly 9L contacts the cylindrical portion 71 from below, with the three locking holes 915 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L respectively overlapping with the three bosses 712 of the cylindrical portion 71. At this time, the bushing 72 is positioned between the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L.

[0164] Next, in step S134, the support cap 637 is attached to the protrusion 636. Specifically, the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the spacer 73 from above, and the support cap 637 is screwed onto the protrusion 636, which is the lower end of the operating shaft 63, thereby attaching the support cap 637 to the protrusion 636. When the support cap 637 is screwed onto the protrusion 636, the support cap 637 pushes the inner frame 912 and inner spacer 92 of the lower leaf spring 91L of the lower leaf spring assembly 9L upward via the spacer 73, thereby supporting the lower leaf spring 91L from below. As a result, the bushing 72 is firmly sandwiched between the lower surface of the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the upper surface of the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L. Therefore, the distance D2 between the lower surface of the inner frame 912 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the upper surface of the inner frame 912 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L is equal to the height of the bushing 72. In this state, the inner frames 912, inner spacer 92, and bushings 72 of the upper and lower leaf springs 91U and 91L are held between the lower surface of the flange portion 634 of the operating shaft 63 and the upper surface of the support cap 637. In this state, vertical surface pressure is applied to the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf springs 91U from the lower surface of the flange portion 634 of the operating shaft 63 and the upper surface of the bushing 72. Similarly, vertical surface pressure is applied to the inner frames 912 of the lower leaf springs 91L from the lower surface of the bushing 72 and the upper surface of the support cap 637 of the operating shaft 63. By such surface pressure from the vertical direction, the inner frames 912 of the upper leaf springs 91U and the lower leaf springs 91L are integrated with the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63.

[0165] Next, in step S135, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are fixed to the tubular portion 71. Specifically, the shanks of three rivets 74 are inserted through the locking holes 915 of the upper leaf spring 91U of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U, the locking holes 932 of the outer spacer 93, the locking holes 942 of the vertical spacer 94, and the bosses 712 of the tubular portion 71, as well as the locking holes 915 of the lower leaf spring 91L of the lower leaf spring assembly 9L, the locking holes 932 of the outer spacer 93, and the locking holes 942 of the vertical spacer 94, respectively. Furthermore, the ends of the three rivets 74 are crimped. This fixes the upper leaf spring assembly 9U to the top surface of the tubular portion 71, and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L to the bottom surface of the tubular portion 71. As a result, the distance D1 between the lower surface of the outer frame 911 of the lowermost upper leaf spring 91U and the upper surface of the outer frame 911 of the uppermost lower leaf spring 91L becomes equal to the height of the cylindrical portion 71. Once the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are fixed to the cylindrical portion 71, step S130 is completed, and the operating shaft 63 is elastically held by the holding mechanism 7.

[0166] In the above description, the upper leaf spring assembly 9U is fixed to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 71 by three rivets 74, and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L is fixed to the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any fasteners other than the rivets 74, such as screws, may be used to fix the upper leaf spring assembly 9U to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 71, and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L to the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 71.

[0167] In this manner, in the process of elastically holding the operating shaft 63 with the holding mechanism 7, the spring connection portion 635 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the insertion hole 913 of the upper leaf spring 91U, the bushing 72, and the insertion hole 913 of the lower leaf spring 91L. This ensures coaxiality between the operating shaft 63, the upper leaf spring 91U, the bushing 72, and the lower leaf spring 91L, improving the assembly precision of the multidirectional input device 1. As a result, the operation of the multidirectional input device 1 can be stabilized.

[0168] 23 , in step S140, the holding mechanism 7 holding the operating shaft 63 is placed on the housing 5. Specifically, the holding mechanism 7 is placed on the receiving recess 515 of the housing 5 in an orientation such that the positioning protrusions 943 of the vertical spacers 94 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L are inserted into the positioning grooves 541 of the housing 5. At this time, the lower ends of the three rivets 74 are respectively received in the three relief portions 516 of the housing 5, and the lower leaf spring assembly 9L is received in the receiving recess 515. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 71 is supported from the outside by the three guide pieces 54 of the housing 5, and the cylindrical portion 71 is fixed to the housing 5.

[0169] Next, in step S150, the first rotating member 61 is held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about the first axial direction (X direction). Specifically, the first rotating member 61 is attached to the operating shaft 63 from above so that the small-diameter portion 631 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the slit hole 6142 of the cap 614 of the first rotating member 61. Furthermore, the pair of rotating shafts 616 of the first rotating member 61 are respectively housed and supported in the receiving portions 552 of the bearing portion 55 located on the +X direction side and the −X direction side of the housing 5. At this time, the magnet holding portion 617 of the first rotating member 61 is housed in the housing portion 514b of the housing 5. As a result, the magnet 82 held by the magnet holding portion 617 faces the corresponding magnetic sensor 81 on the substrate 3.

[0170] Next, in step S160, the second rotating member 62 is held by the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about the second axial direction (Y direction). Specifically, the second rotating member 62 is attached to the operating shaft 63 from above so that the small-diameter portion 631 of the operating shaft 63 is inserted through the slit hole 622 of the second rotating member 62. Furthermore, the pair of rotating shafts 625 of the second rotating member 62 are respectively housed and supported in the receiving portions 552 of the bearing portion 55 located on the +Y direction side and the −Y direction side of the housing 5. At this time, the magnet holding portion 626 of the second rotating member 62 is housed in the storage portion 514a of the housing 5. As a result, the magnet 82 held by the magnet holding portion 626 faces the corresponding magnetic sensor 81 on the substrate 3. After the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 are attached to the operating shaft 63, a cap 638 is attached to the upper end of the small-diameter portion 631 of the operating shaft 63, and a shaft 639 is inserted through the through-hole 6311 of the operating shaft 63 and the through-hole 6381 of the cap 638. The cap 638 prevents the first rotating member 61 and the second rotating member 62 from coming off upward from the operating shaft 63. The engagement between the operating shaft 63 and one of the main body portion 611 of the first rotating member 61 and the arch portion 621 of the second rotating member 62, both of which are made of a metal material, prevents twisting of the operating shaft 63 (rotation of the operating shaft 63 around its axis).

[0171] Next, in step S170, the upper cover 2U is attached to the housing 5. Specifically, the narrow-diameter portion 631 and the cap 638 of the operating shaft 63 are inserted into the opening 25 of the upper cover 2U. The upper cover 2U is then attached to the housing 5 in such a manner that the four joining pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U are housed in the four receiving portions 513 of the housing 5, respectively, and the four cover pieces 27 of the upper cover 2U are placed on the upper surfaces of the wall portions 551 of the four bearing portions 55 of the housing 5, respectively. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6 , the claws 2632 of the four holding portions 263 of the upper cover 2U press against the upper surfaces of the vertical spacers 94 of the upper leaf spring assembly 9U, supporting the holding mechanism 7 on the housing 5 from above and preventing the holding mechanism 7 from swinging vertically on the housing 5.

[0172] Returning to FIG. 23 , in step S180, the lower cover 2L is attached to the board 3. Specifically, the portions of the terminal pins 31 that protrude downward from the board 3 are inserted into the corresponding insertion holes 22 of the lower cover 2L, and the bottom plate 21 of the lower cover 2L is received in the receiving recesses 56 of the housing 5, so that the bottom plate 21 supports the board 3 from below. At this time, the four connecting pieces 23 of the lower cover 2L are received in the four receiving portions 513 of the housing 5, respectively. Within each receiving portion 513, the connecting pieces 23 of the lower cover 2L contact the connecting pieces 26 of the upper cover 2U from the outside. As a result, within each receiving portion 513, the connecting surfaces 231 of the connecting pieces 23 and the connecting surfaces 261 of the connecting pieces 26 come into contact with each other. Furthermore, within each receiving portion 513, the hook 232 of the joining piece 23 engages with the engaging recess 262 of the joining piece 26, thereby integrating the upper cover 2U and the lower cover 2L. Thereafter, the joining surface 231 of the joining piece 23 and the joining surface 261 of the joining piece 26 are joined together using any bonding means such as adhesive or adhesive tape, or by welding such as laser welding. This firmly integrates the lower cover 2L and the upper cover 2U. When the joining of the joining surface 231 of the joining piece 23 and the joining surface 261 of the joining piece 26 is complete, the manufacturing method S100 for the multi-directional input device 1 is complete.

[0173] While the multi-directional input device and the method for manufacturing the multi-directional input device of the present invention have been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each component of the present invention can be replaced with any component that can perform the same function, or any component can be added to each component of the present invention.

[0174] Those skilled in the art and technology to which the present invention pertains will be able to modify the configuration of the multi-directional input device of the present invention as described without significantly departing from the principles, concepts, and scope of the present invention, and multi-directional input devices having modified configurations are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0175] 2 to 22 are merely examples for the purpose of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Any configuration in which any component is added or combined, or any component is deleted, is also within the scope of the present invention, as long as it does not deviate from the principles and intent of the present invention. Also, the number and types of steps in the method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 are merely examples for the purpose of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Any configuration in which any process is added or combined for any purpose, or any process is deleted, is also within the scope of the present invention, as long as it does not deviate from the principles and intent of the present invention.

[0176] In the multi-directional input device of the present invention, the operating shaft is elastically held in a neutral state by upper and lower leaf springs that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and face each other. Furthermore, when the operating shaft performs a tilting operation, the upper and lower leaf springs do not slide on other components within the housing. Therefore, even if a user repeatedly tilts the multi-directional input device of the present invention, the upper and lower leaf springs do not wear out, significantly extending the product life of the multi-directional input device. Therefore, the present invention has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device including: a housing; a first rotating member having a first slit hole and held in the housing so as to be rotatable around a first axial direction; a second rotating member having a second slit hole and held in the housing so as to be rotatable around a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction; an operating shaft inserted into the first slit hole and the second slit hole, for rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member in response to a tilt operation applied by a user; a holding mechanism for elastically holding the operating shaft in a neutral state; and a detection mechanism for detecting each of the rotation angles of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the method including a step of elastically holding the operating shaft with the holding mechanism, the holding mechanism including: an upper leaf spring; a lower leaf spring facing the upper leaf spring at a distance in the height direction; and a cylindrical bushing positioned between the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring, each of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring comprises an outer frame, an inner frame located inside the outer frame and having an insertion hole through which the operating shaft is inserted, and a plurality of spring portions connecting the outer frame and the inner frame such that the inner frame is displaceable relative to the outer frame; and the step of elastically holding the operating shaft by the holding mechanism includes the steps of: inserting the operating shaft into the insertion hole of the upper leaf spring; inserting the operating shaft into the bush; and inserting the operating shaft into the insertion hole of the lower leaf spring.

2. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein the inner frame of the upper leaf spring is in contact with an upper surface of the bush, the inner frame of the lower leaf spring is in contact with a lower surface of the bush, and the inner frames of the upper leaf spring and the lower leaf spring are spaced apart in the height direction by an amount equal to the height of the bush.

3. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein the operating shaft comprises a cylindrical thin-diameter portion, a flange portion extending downward from the thin-diameter portion, and a cylindrical spring connection portion extending linearly downward from the flange portion, the outer diameter of the flange portion being larger than the outer diameters of the thin-diameter portion and the spring connection portion, and the spring connection portion passing through the insertion hole of the upper leaf spring, the bush, and the insertion hole of the lower leaf spring.

4. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein the step of elastically holding the operating shaft by the holding mechanism further includes a step of attaching a support cap to the lower end of the operating shaft and supporting the lower leaf spring from below.

5. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism further includes a cylindrical portion located between the outer frame of the upper leaf spring and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring, the outer frame of the upper leaf spring being fixed onto an upper surface of the cylindrical portion, the outer frame of the lower leaf spring being fixed onto a lower surface of the cylindrical portion, and the outer frame of the upper leaf spring and the outer frame of the lower leaf spring being spaced apart in the height direction by an amount equal to the height of the cylindrical portion.

6. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device as described in claim 5, wherein the step of elastically holding the operating shaft by the holding mechanism further includes a step of fixing the outer frame of the upper leaf spring to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion, and further including a step of fixing the outer frame of the lower leaf spring to the lower surface of the cylindrical portion.

7. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device as described in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: placing the holding mechanism, which elastically holds the operating shaft, on the housing; holding the first rotating member by the housing so that it can rotate about the first axial direction; and holding the second rotating member by the housing so that it can rotate about the second axial direction.

8. A method for manufacturing a multi-directional input device according to claim 7, further comprising the step of attaching a cap to an upper end of said operating shaft after said first rotating member and said second rotating member are held by said housing.

9. A multi-directional input device manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 1.

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