Input device

Abstract

Provided is an input device comprising a disk-shaped knob (130) which is fixed to an end portion of a sway lever. The disk-shaped knob (130) includes: a structure part (131) which has an upper surface portion (P1A) that extends radially outward from a central portion, an outer peripheral surface portion (P1B) that extends downward from the outer peripheral end portion of the upper surface portion (P1A), an outer lower surface portion (P1C) that extends radially inward from the lower end of the outer peripheral surface portion (P1B), a step portion that extends downward from the inner peripheral end of the outer lower surface portion (P1C), and an inner lower surface portion that extends radially inward from the lower end of the step portion; and an exterior part (132) which is made of a material softer than that of the structure part (131), which has an upper portion (132A) that covers the upper surface portion (P1A), an outer peripheral portion (132B) that covers the outer peripheral surface portion (P1B), and a lower portion (132C) that covers the outer lower surface portion (P1C) and the step portion, and which does not cover the inner lower surface portion. A groove portion (131Ba) which is depressed inward is formed on the upper side of the step portion of the structure part (131). An entry portion (132D) which protrudes inward so as to fill the groove portion (131Ba) is formed on the lower portion (132C) of the exterior part (132).

Description

Input device

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device.

[0002] Conventionally, as an input device used for a controller of a game machine or the like, an input device provided with an operation member that can be swung in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction has been disclosed.

[0003] Regarding such an input device, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique of covering the outer surface of the head provided at the upper end of the operation member with a different material (generally, an elastic material).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-160457

[0005] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the inner peripheral surface on the lower side of the different material is in a state of being attached to the outer peripheral surface that is merely a vertical surface of the head of the operation member, there has been a problem that the different material is likely to peel off.

[0006] The input device according to one embodiment includes a swing lever and a disk-shaped knob fixed to an end of the swing lever. The disk-shaped knob has a structural part having an upper surface part extending from the central part in the outer peripheral direction, an outer peripheral surface part extending downward from the outer peripheral end of the upper surface part, an outer lower surface part extending in the inner peripheral direction from the lower end of the outer peripheral surface part, a step part extending downward from the inner peripheral end of the outer lower surface part, and an inner lower surface part extending in the inner peripheral direction from the lower end of the step part, and an exterior part made of a material softer than the structural part, having an upper part covering the upper surface part, an outer peripheral part covering the outer peripheral surface part, a lower part covering the outer lower surface part and the step part, and not covering the inner lower surface part. A groove part that is concave inward is formed above the step part of the structural part, and a protruding part that is convex inward is formed at the lower part of the exterior part so as to fill the groove part.

[0007] According to the input device according to one embodiment, it is possible to make it difficult for the exterior part provided on the disk-shaped knob to peel off.

[0008] External perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment External perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment (with the housing and disc-shaped knob removed) Cross-sectional perspective view of an input device according to one embodiment showing a cross-section in the YZ plane External perspective view of the disc-shaped knob of the input device according to one embodiment Deconstructed perspective view of the disc-shaped knob of the input device according to one embodiment Cross-sectional view of the disc-shaped knob of the input device according to one embodiment Enlarged cross-sectional view of the disc-shaped knob of the input device according to one embodiment Plan view of the structural part of the disc-shaped knob of the input device according to one embodiment Disc of the input device according to one embodiment External perspective view of the structural part of the disc-shaped knob Enlarged perspective view of a part of the structural part of the disc-shaped knob of the input device according to one embodiment Cross-sectional perspective view of the disc-shaped knob (before the outer casing is formed) of the input device according to one embodiment in the YZ plane Cross-sectional perspective view of the disc-shaped knob (after the outer casing is formed) of the input device according to one embodiment Cross-sectional perspective view of the disc-shaped knob (before the outer casing is formed) of the input device according to one embodiment in the XY plane Cross-sectional perspective view of the disc-shaped knob (after the outer casing is formed) of the input device according to one embodiment in the XY plane

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction will be defined as the vertical direction, the X-axis direction as the front-back direction, and the Y-axis direction as the left-right direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction will be defined as upward, the positive X-axis direction as forward, and the positive Y-axis direction as rightward.

[0010] (Overview of the input device 100) Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0011] The input device 100 shown in Figure 1 is used in controllers for game consoles and the like. As shown in Figure 1, the input device 100 has a disc-shaped knob 130 on the upper side of the housing 102. The disc-shaped knob 130 is fixed to the upper end of an operating member 120 (see Figures 2 and 3) that extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from inside the housing 102, and is mainly provided to improve the operability of the swinging and pressing operations of the operating member 120.

[0012] The input device 100 allows for swinging operation of the operating member 120 not only forward (direction of arrow D1 in the figure), backward (direction of arrow D2 in the figure), left (direction of arrow D3 in the figure), and right (direction of arrow D4 in the figure), but also in all directions between these directions via the disc-shaped knob 130. Furthermore, the input device 100 can output an operation signal corresponding to the swing operation of the operating member 120 (swing direction and swing angle) to the outside via the FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 112.

[0013] Furthermore, the input device 100 allows the operating member 120 to be pressed downwards (in the negative Z-axis direction) via the disc-shaped knob 130. The input device 100 can also output an operation signal corresponding to the pressing operation of the operating member 120 to the outside via the FPC 112.

[0014] (Configuration of the input device 100) Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment (with the housing 102 and disc-shaped knob 130 removed). Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross-section of the input device 100 according to one embodiment in the YZ plane.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the input device 100 comprises a housing 102, an operating member 120, a first interlocking member 104, a second interlocking member 106, a shaft 103, a spring 108, a first sliding member 105, a second sliding member 107, a pressing member 109, a frame 110, an FPC 112, a metal sheet 113, and a disc-shaped knob 130.

[0016] The housing 102 is a resin component having an upwardly convex dome shape. The housing 102 has a storage space 102B inside the dome shape, and the various components are assembled inside the storage space 102B. In addition, the housing 102 has a circular opening 102A formed at the top of the dome shape when viewed from above.

[0017] The frame 110 is a flat, metal member. When viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction), the frame 110 has a rectangular shape. The frame 110 is attached to the bottom of the housing 102, thereby closing off the storage space 102B of the housing 102. For example, the frame 110 is formed by various processing methods (e.g., punching, bending, etc.) applied to a metal plate. The frame 110 has a pair of left and right claw portions 110A on each of the front (positive X-axis) and rear (negative X-axis) edges of the bottom plate portion 110B, extending upward (positive Z-axis direction) and with their upper ends bent inward at a right angle. As shown in Figure 1, the frame 110 is fixedly connected to the housing 102 by the engagement of each claw portion 110A with the edge of the housing 102.

[0018] The operating member 120 is an example of a "rocking lever," and is a member that is rocked by an operator. The operating member 120 has a lever portion 120A and a base portion 120B. The lever portion 120A is a generally columnar portion that extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the base portion 120B, extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) above the opening 102A of the housing 102, and is the portion that is rocked by an operator. The base portion 120B is a generally cylindrical portion that supports the lower end of the lever portion 120A inside the housing 102 and rocks in conjunction with the rocking operation of the lever portion 120A.

[0019] The operating member 120 is pivotable in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, the operating member 120 is supported by the first interlocking member 104 so as to be pivotable in the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction) by fitting a pair of front and rear shaft portions (not shown) provided on the base portion 120B into a pair of front and rear bearing holes (not shown) provided on the first interlocking member 104. Furthermore, since the operating member 120 is held by the first interlocking member 104, which is supported by the housing 102 so as to be pivotable in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), it is pivotable in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) together with the first interlocking member 104.

[0020] The first interlocking member 104 is a frame-shaped member made of resin. The first interlocking member 104 has an elongated hole-shaped opening 104A that extends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). An operating member 120 is inserted through the opening 104A. The first interlocking member 104 has shaft portions 104B that protrude outward at each of its ends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The left-side (negative Y-axis side) shaft portion 104B of the first interlocking member 104 is fitted into a first bearing hole 102C formed on the left-side (negative Y-axis side) of the housing 102, thereby supporting it so that it can swing in the front-back direction (Z-axis direction). The right-side (positive Y-axis) shaft portion 104B of the first interlocking member 104 is fitted into a bearing space 102E, which is the space between the inner wall surface on the right side (positive Y-axis) of the housing 102 and the upper surface of the pressing member 109, within the storage space 102B of the housing 102, thereby supporting it so as to be able to swing in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction). As a result, the first interlocking member 104 swings in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) with the pair of shaft portions 104B as the pivot point, in conjunction with the swing of the operating member 120 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Note that when the operating member 120 swings in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the first interlocking member 104 is configured so as not to interfere with the operating member 120, allowing the operating member 120 to swing in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) within the opening 104A.

[0021] The second interlocking member 106 is mounted on top of the first interlocking member 104. The second interlocking member 106 is a resin member that extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) while curving upward in a convex shape. The second interlocking member 106 has an elongated hole-shaped opening 106A that extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) along its curved shape. The operating member 120 is inserted through the opening 106A. The second interlocking member 106 has shaft portions 106B that protrude outward at each of its ends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The pair of front and rear shaft portions 106B of the second interlocking member 106 are fitted into a pair of front and rear second bearing holes 102D formed on both the front and rear sides of the housing 102. As a result, the second interlocking member 106 is supported so as to be able to swing in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The second interlocking member 106 swings in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as the operating member 120 swings, with the pair of shaft portions 106B as the pivot point. The second interlocking member 106 is designed so that when the operating member 120 swings in the front-back direction (X-axis direction), the operating member 120 can move in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) within the opening 106A without interfering with the operating member 120.

[0022] The first slide member 105 is a resin member having a longitudinal shape that extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The first slide member 105 is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) on the base portion 112A of the FPC 112 and on the left side (negative Y-axis side) of the first interlocking member 104.

[0023] The second slide member 107 is a resin member having a longitudinal shape that extends in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The second slide member 107 is provided on the base portion 112A of the FPC 112 and on the front side (positive X-axis side) of the second interlocking member 106 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0024] The shaft 103 has a shaft portion 103A and a bottom plate portion 103B. The shaft portion 103A is a round rod-shaped portion that extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The bottom plate portion 103B is a disc-shaped portion integrally provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 103A. The shaft 103 is incorporated into the operating member 120 by being inserted through a through hole 120C that extends vertically (Z-axis direction) inside the operating member 120 from a bottom opening 120D provided at the bottom of the operating member 120, and becomes able to swing together with the operating member 120.

[0025] The spring 108 is positioned within the bottom opening 120D provided at the bottom of the operating member 120, with the shaft portion 103A of the shaft 103 inserted inside the spring 108. The spring 108 biases the operating member 120 upward and the bottom plate portion 103B of the shaft 103 downward. As a result, when the operator releases the swinging operation of the operating member 120, the spring 108 presses the bottom plate portion 103B of the shaft 103 against the upper surface and center of the frame 110, making the bottom plate portion 103B horizontal and returning the operating member 120 to a neutral position. Furthermore, when the operator releases the pressing operation of the operating member 120, the spring 108 biases the operating member 120 upward, returning the operating member 120 to its initial height position.

[0026] The pressing member 109 is located below (on the negative Z-axis) the shaft portion 104B on the right side (positive Y-axis) of the first interlocking member 104, and above (on the positive Z-axis) the metal sheet 113 provided on the FPC 112. When the operating member 120 is pressed down by a pressing operation, the pressing member 109 is pressed down by the shaft portion 104B on the right side (positive Y-axis) of the first interlocking member 104, thereby pressing the metal sheet 113 provided on the FPC 112 downward and elastically deforming the metal sheet 113, thereby making the switch circuit formed on the FPC 112 conductive. As a result, the FPC 112 outputs a switch-on signal indicating that the operating member 120 has been pressed.

[0027] The FPC 112 is an example of a "circuit board" and is a flexible, film-like wiring member. The FPC 112 has a base portion 112A, an extension portion 112B, and a connecting portion 112C. The base portion 112A is a rectangular portion when viewed from above (positive Z-axis direction) and is placed on the upper surface of the frame 110. The extension portion 112B is a strip-shaped portion that extends to the right (positive Y-axis direction) from the base portion 112A. The connecting portion 112C is provided at the tip of the extension portion 112B and is a portion that is connected to the outside. The FPC 112 transmits operation signals to the outside in response to the operation of the operating member 120 (rocking operation and pressing operation). The FPC 112 is constructed by covering both surfaces of a strip-shaped conductor wiring (e.g., copper foil) with a flexible and insulating film-like material (e.g., polyimide resin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)).

[0028] (Method for detecting oscillation operation) When the operating member 120 of the input device 100 configured as described above oscillates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the first interlocking member 104 oscillates in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) together with the operating member 120, and the first sliding member 105 slides in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) on the FPC 112. At this time, the resistance value of the resistor pattern provided on the FPC 112 changes according to the amount of movement of the first sliding member 105. Therefore, an external device can detect the oscillation operation of the operating member 120 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and the oscillation angle based on this change in resistance value.

[0029] Furthermore, when the operating member 120 of the input device 100 swings in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the second interlocking member 106 swings in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) together with the operating member 120, and the second slide member 107 slides in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) on the FPC 112. At this time, the resistance value of the resistor pattern provided on the FPC 112 changes according to the amount of movement of the second slide member 107. Therefore, an external device can detect the swinging operation of the operating member 120 toward the second slide member 107 and the swing angle based on this change in resistance value.

[0030] (Configuration of the disc-shaped knob 130) Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the disc-shaped knob 130 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the disc-shaped knob 130 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the disc-shaped knob 130 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the disc-shaped knob 130 has a structural part 131 and an exterior part 132.

[0032] The structural part 131 is the base portion of the disc-shaped knob 130, formed from a relatively hard resin material. The structural part 131 has a shaft portion 131A, an operated portion 131B, and a cover portion 131C.

[0033] The shaft portion 131A is a cylindrical part that extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction) from the center of the disc-shaped knob 130. The shaft portion 131A has a mounting hole 131Aa drilled upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the center of its lower surface. The disc-shaped knob 130 is fixed to the upper end of the lever portion 120A of the operating member 120 by fitting the upper end of the lever portion 120A of the operating member 120 into the mounting hole 131Aa (see Figure 3).

[0034] The operated portion 131B is a horizontal, roughly disc-shaped part located at the upper end of the shaft portion 131A. The operated portion 131B receives input from the operator for swinging and pressing operations.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the operated part 131B has a two-stage structure consisting of an upper large-diameter section P1 with a larger diameter located on the upper side (positive Z-axis side) and a lower small-diameter section P2 with a smaller diameter located on the lower side (positive Z-axis side). The outer circumferential surface of the lower small-diameter section P2 is an example of a "stepped section".

[0036] The cover portion 131C is a dome-shaped (approximately hemispherical) portion that is convex upward and is provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 131A. The upper part of the housing 102 is positioned inside the dome shape of the cover portion 131C, thereby covering the opening 102A formed in the upper part of the housing 102 (see Figure 3).

[0037] The exterior portion 132 is made of a softer material (for example, an elastomer) than the structural portion 131 and covers the outer surface of the operated portion 131B of the structural portion 131. The exterior portion 132 has a higher frictional force than the structural portion 131 and is provided for purposes such as preventing slippage when the operator operates the operated portion 131B.

[0038] The exterior portion 132 is formed by a so-called two-color molding process, so as to be integrally fixed to the operated portion 131B. Specifically, with the operated portion 131B positioned in a mold having a space with the same shape as the exterior portion 132, the material for the exterior portion 132 is injected into the mold, thereby forming the exterior portion 132 in an integrally fixed state to the operated portion 131B.

[0039] (Configuration for suppressing peeling of the exterior part 132 (first configuration and second configuration)) Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a disc-shaped knob 130 provided in an input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0040] <First Configuration> As shown in Figure 7, the disc-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has a disc-shaped operating portion 131B of the structural portion 131, and has a two-stage structure consisting of an upper large-diameter portion P1 and a lower small-diameter portion P2. The entire upper surface of the upper large-diameter portion P1 and the entire circumference of the outer edge of the upper large-diameter portion P1 are covered by the outer casing portion 132.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the disc-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has an upper large-diameter portion P1, which has an upper surface portion P1A extending outward from the center, an outer circumferential surface portion P1B extending downward from the outer circumferential end of the upper surface portion P1A, and an outer lower surface portion P1C extending inward from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface portion P1B. In the disc-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment, the upper surface portion P1A of the upper large-diameter portion P1 is covered by the upper part 132A of the exterior portion 132, the outer circumferential surface portion P1B of the upper large-diameter portion P1 is covered by the outer circumferential portion 132B of the exterior portion 132, and the outer lower surface portion P1C of the upper large-diameter portion P1 and the outer circumferential surface of the lower small-diameter portion P2 are covered by the lower part 132C of the exterior portion 132. Note that the exterior portion 132 does not cover the lower surface of the lower small-diameter portion P2 (an example of the "inner lower surface portion").

[0042] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the disk-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has a configuration in which the outer peripheral edge of the upper large-diameter portion P1 of the operated portion 131B protrudes outward in the diameter direction and bites into the exterior portion 132 from the inner diameter side.

[0043] As a result, the disk-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has a configuration in which the exterior portion 132 is difficult to peel off over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge of the upper large-diameter portion P1 of the operated portion 131B.

[0044] <Second Configuration> Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the disk-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has a groove portion 131Ba having a shape recessed inward in diameter formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface (that is, the "step portion") of the lower small-diameter portion P2 of the operated portion 131B on the upper side.

[0045] As a result, when the exterior portion 132 is formed, the material of the exterior portion 132 flows into the groove portion 131Ba, and the exterior portion 132 has a configuration in which an intrusion portion 132D protruding further inward in diameter is formed from the lower portion 132C, and the intrusion portion 132D bites into the groove portion 131Ba.

[0046] As a result, the disk-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has a configuration in which the exterior portion 132 bites into the groove portion 131Ba over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the lower small-diameter portion P2 of the operated portion 131B, making the exterior portion 132 even more difficult to peel off.

[0047] (Configuration for Suppressing Peeling of Exterior Portion 132 (Third Configuration)) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the structural portion 131 of the disk-shaped knob 130 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the structural portion 131 of the disk-shaped knob 130 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the structural portion 131 of the disk-shaped knob 130 included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the disk-shaped knob 130 (in a state before the exterior portion 132 is formed) included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment in the YZ plane. FIG. 1, the disk-shaped knob 130 (in a state after the exterior portion 132 is formed) included in the input device 100 according to one embodiment in the YZ plane.

[0048] <Third Configuration> As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the structural part 131 of the disc-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment has a plurality of through parts 133 that penetrate from the upper surface part P1A of the upper large-diameter part P1 toward the groove part 131Ba of the lower small-diameter part P2.

[0049] As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, when the exterior part 132 is formed, the material of the exterior part 132 flows into each of the plurality of through parts 133, and the exterior part 132 has a plurality of bridging parts 132E extending from the upper part 132A to the protruding part 132D so as to fill each of the plurality of through parts 133.

[0050] As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the exterior part 132 of the disc-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment wraps around the outer peripheral edge part of the upper large-diameter part P1 at the plurality of bridging parts 132E, so that the exterior part 132 has a configuration in which it is more difficult to peel off.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, at the bottom of each of the plurality of through parts 133, a wedge-shaped convex part 133A that widens from the inside to the outside is formed. As shown in FIG. 12, when the wedge-shaped convex part 133A is covered by the bridging part 132E of the exterior part 132, the exterior part 132 can be made more difficult to peel off. Further details of the wedge-shaped convex part 133A will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0052] (Configuration for Suppressing Peeling of Exterior Part 132 (Fourth Configuration)) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the disc-shaped knob 130 (state before the exterior part 132 is formed) provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment in the XY plane. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the disc-shaped knob 130 (state after the exterior part 132 is formed) provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment in the XY plane. Note that FIGS. 13 and 14 show a cross-section of the disc-shaped knob 130 when it is cut at the height position of the groove part 131Ba of the lower small-diameter part P2 by the XY plane.

[0053] <Fourth Configuration> As shown in Figure 13, in one embodiment of the disc-shaped knob 130, a groove 131Ba is formed around the entire circumference of the outer surface of the lower small-diameter portion P2 of the operated portion 131B of the structural portion 131, and furthermore, a plurality of through portions 133 are provided protruding inward from the groove 131Ba.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, a wedge-shaped projection 133A is formed at the bottom of each through-hole 133, which gradually widens from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side.

[0055] As a result, in one embodiment of the disc-shaped knob 130, as shown in Figure 14, when the outer casing 132 is formed, the material of the outer casing 132 flows from the groove 131Ba into each of the multiple through-holes 133, and the outer casing 132 has multiple bridging portions 132E that protrude further inward from the intrusion portion 132D, and each of the multiple bridging portions 132E bites into the through-hole 133 and has a structure that covers the wedge-shaped protrusion 133A.

[0056] As a result, the disc-shaped knob 130 according to one embodiment is configured in such a way that the outer casing 132 is even less likely to peel off.

[0057] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0058] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-157796, filed on 11 September 2024, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0059] 100 Input device 102 Housing 102A Opening 102B Storage space 102C First bearing hole 102D Second bearing hole 102E Bearing space 103 Shaft 103A Shaft portion 103B Bottom plate portion 104 First interlocking member 104A Opening 104B Shaft portion 105 First sliding member 106 Second interlocking member 106A Opening 106B Shaft portion 107 Second sliding member 108 Spring 109 Pressing member 110 Frame 110A Claw portion 110B Bottom plate portion 112 FPC 112A Base portion 112B Extension portion 112C Connection portion 113 Metal sheet 120 Operating member 120A Lever portion 120B Base portion 120C Through hole 120D Bottom opening 130 Disc-shaped knob 131 Structure part 131A Shaft part 131Aa Mounting hole 131B Operated part 131Ba Groove part P1 Upper large diameter part P1A Upper surface part P1B Outer peripheral surface part P1C Outer lower surface part P2 Lower small diameter part 131C Cover part 132 Exterior part 132A Upper part 132B Peripheral part 132C Lower part 132D Plunging part 132E Bridge part 133 Penetrating part 133A Wedge-shaped convex part

Claims

1. An input device comprising a swing lever and a disc-shaped knob fixed to the end of the swing lever, wherein the disc-shaped knob has a structural part having an upper surface extending outward from the center, an outer circumferential surface extending downward from the outer circumferential end of the upper surface, an outer lower surface extending inward from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface, a stepped portion extending downward from the inner circumferential end of the outer lower surface, and an inner lower surface extending inward from the lower end of the stepped portion, and an exterior part made of a softer material than the structural part, having an upper part that covers the upper surface, an outer circumferential part that covers the outer circumferential surface, a lower part that covers the outer lower surface and the stepped portion, and not covering the inner lower portion, wherein a groove that is concave inward is formed on the upper side of the stepped portion of the structural part, and a protruding portion that is convex inward is formed on the lower part of the exterior part so as to fill the groove.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural part has a through portion that penetrates from the upper surface portion toward the groove portion, and the exterior part has a bridging portion that extends from the upper part toward the intrusion portion so as to fill the through portion.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the through-hole has a wedge-shaped protrusion that widens from the inside to the outside and is covered with the material of the exterior part.

Images