Input device and assembly method

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: an upper case having a side wall part; a lower case having a bottom plate part attached to the lower side of the side wall part; a rocking lever which is supported so as to be capable of rocking in relation to a housing with the front-rear direction serving as the center of rocking; an interlocking member which has a shaft part that is pivotally fixed to a bearing part provided to the side wall part, which is supported by the upper case so as to be capable of rocking with the front-rear direction serving as the center of rocking, and which rocks in following with the rocking of the rocking lever; a detection means for detecting the rocking state of the interlocking member; and a biasing member which brings the shaft part of the interlocking member into pressure-contact with the bearing part. The upper end of the side wall part forms the bearing part, the lower end of the side wall part opens, and a lower-end-open recess capable of guiding the vertical movement of the biasing member. The lower case is attached to the upper case such that the bottom plate part closes the lower end of the lower-end-open recess. The shaft part is disposed within the lower-end-open recess in a state of being in contact with the lower surface of the bearing part. The biasing member is disposed in the lower-end-open recess in a state of being compressed between the bottom plate part and the shaft part.

Description

Input Device and Assembly Method

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

[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 swing in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction has been disclosed.

[0003] Regarding such an input device, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a technique is disclosed in which a second biasing member biases a second shaft support portion of a second interlocking member from below, and presses the second shaft support portion against a shaft support contact portion provided on the upper side.

[0004] International Publication No. 2023 / 171225

[0005] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, after press-fitting and fixing the second biasing member to the housing, it is necessary to insert the second shaft support portion in the axial direction, so that a plurality of parts cannot be easily assembled.

[0006] An input device according to an embodiment includes an upper case having a side wall portion, a lower case having a bottom plate portion attached to the lower side of the side wall portion, a base portion that is swingably supported about the front-rear direction with respect to a housing composed of the upper case and the lower case, and a swing lever having a lever portion extending upward from the base portion, a shaft portion that is axially fixed to a bearing portion provided on the side wall portion, and is swingably supported about the front-rear direction on the upper case, an interlocking member that swings along with the swing of the swing lever, a detection means for detecting the swing state of the interlocking member, and a biasing member for pressing the shaft portion of the interlocking member against the bearing portion. A lower-end open recess is formed in the side wall portion, the upper end of which constitutes a bearing portion and the lower end of which is open and can guide the biasing member to move up and down. The lower case is attached to the upper case such that the bottom plate portion closes the lower end of the lower-end open recess. The shaft portion is disposed in the lower-end open recess in a state of abutting against the lower surface of the bearing portion, and the biasing member is disposed in the lower-end open recess in a compressed state between the bottom plate portion and the shaft portion.

[0007] According to the input device according to an embodiment, a plurality of parts can be easily assembled.

[0008] External perspective view of the input device according to one embodiment External perspective view of the input device according to one embodiment (with the housing removed) Exploded perspective view of the input device according to one embodiment Cross-sectional view of the input device according to one embodiment in the YZ plane External perspective view showing the configuration of the detection means provided in the input device according to one embodiment External perspective view of the biasing member provided in the input device according to one embodiment Partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the shaft support means provided in the input device according to one embodiment External perspective view showing the configuration of the shaft support means provided in the input device according to one embodiment Flowchart showing an example of the procedure for assembling the input device according to one embodiment

[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 columnar, swingable operating member 120 that extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the opening 102A of the housing 102. The input device 100 can be swung 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) by the operating member 120, but also in all directions between these directions. The input device 100 can also output an operation signal corresponding to the swing operation (swing direction and swing angle) of the operating member 120 to the outside via an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 112. The input device 100 can also be pressed downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) of the operating member 120. 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.

[0012] (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 removed). Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the input device 100 according to one embodiment in the YZ plane.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, 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 biasing member 130.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] Note that the chassis 102 is an example of an "upper case," and the frame 110 is an example of a "lower case." The chassis 102 and the frame 110 then constitute a "housing."

[0017] 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.

[0018] The operating member 120 is pivotable in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the "housing". 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 the first interlocking member 104, where a pair of front and rear shaft portions 120E provided on the base portion 120B are fitted into a pair of front and rear bearing holes 104E 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.

[0019] 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 (an example of a "left-side shaft portion") is fitted into a first bearing hole 102C (an example of a "left-side support portion") formed on the left-side (negative Y-axis side) of the housing 102, thereby supporting it so that it can swing in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction). The right-side (positive Y-axis) shaft portion 104B (an example of the "right-side shaft portion") of the first interlocking member 104 is fitted into the 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.

[0020] The second interlocking member 106 is provided overlapping 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 rear (negative X-axis side) shaft portion 106B of the second interlocking member 106 is fitted into a second bearing hole 102D formed on the rear (negative X-axis side) surface of the housing 102. The front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B of the second interlocking member 106 is fixed to a bearing portion 102G provided on the front (positive X-axis) side wall of the housing 102, and is further pressed against the bearing portion 102G by a biasing member 130. 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) relative to the "housing". The second interlocking member 106 then swings in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) with the pair of shaft portions 106B as the pivot point, in accordance with the left-right swing (Y-axis direction) of the operating member 120. The second interlocking member 106 is configured so as not to interfere with the operating member 120 when the operating member 120 swings in the front-back direction (X-axis direction), allowing the operating member 120 to move in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) within the opening 106A.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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).

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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)), etc.).

[0027] The biasing member 130 is positioned in the lower end open recess 102F of the housing 102. The biasing member 130 biases the front (X-axis positive side) shaft portion 106B of the second interlocking member 106 from below (Z-axis negative side), thereby pressing the front (X-axis positive side) shaft portion 106B against the bearing portion 102G formed at the upper end of the lower end open recess 102F.

[0028] (Configuration of detection means) Figure 5 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the detection means provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Note that the housing 102 and the biasing member 130 are not shown in Figure 5.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the first linear portion 117A and the resistor pattern 115 of the resistor pattern 117 are provided along the left edge (negative Y-axis side) of the base portion 112A of the FPC 112. The first linear portion 117A and the resistor pattern 115 of the resistor pattern 117 are formed in a strip shape that extends linearly in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and are made of a conductive material (for example, copper, carbon fiber, etc.).

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the first slide member 105 has a first sliding contact member (not shown) made of metal and shaped like a leaf spring, which is provided on the bottom surface and is positioned across the first straight section 117A of the resistor pattern 117 and the resistor pattern 115. Since the first slide member 105 is engaged with the first drive arm 104C of the first interlocking member 104, it can slide in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) as the first interlocking member 104 swings.

[0031] As the first sliding member 105 slides in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the resistance value between the terminal connected to the resistor pattern 117 and the terminal connected to the resistor pattern 115 changes according to the amount of movement of the first sliding contact member (i.e., the oscillation angle of the operating member 120). Therefore, an external device can detect the oscillation operation and oscillation angle of the operating member 120 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) based on this change in resistance value between the two terminals.

[0032] In this embodiment, the "first detection means" for detecting the sliding state of the first slide member 105 consists of a first sliding contact member attached to the first slide member 105 and resistor patterns 115 and 117 that the first sliding contact member slides against.

[0033] However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the "first detection means" for detecting the sliding state of the first slide member 105 may consist of a magnet attached to the first slide member 105 and a magnetic detection means attached to the housing 102 for detecting the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the second linear portion 117B and the resistor pattern 116 of the resistor pattern 117 are provided along the front edge (positive X-axis side) of the base portion 112A of the FPC 112. The second linear portion 117B and the resistor pattern 116 of the resistor pattern 117 are formed in a strip shape that extends linearly in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and are made of a conductive material (for example, copper, carbon fiber, etc.).

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the second slide member 107 has a second sliding contact member (not shown) made of metal and shaped like a leaf spring, which is provided on the bottom surface and is positioned across the second linear portion 117B of the resistor pattern 117 and the resistor pattern 116. Since the second slide member 107 is engaged with the second drive arm 106C of the second interlocking member 106, it can slide in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) as the second interlocking member 106 swings.

[0036] As the second sliding member 107 slides in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the resistance value between the terminal connected to the resistor pattern 117 and the terminal connected to the resistor pattern 116 changes according to the amount of movement of the second sliding contact member (i.e., the oscillation angle of the operating member 120). Therefore, an external device can detect the oscillation operation and oscillation angle of the operating member 120 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) based on the change in the resistance value between these two terminals.

[0037] In this embodiment, the "second detection means" for detecting the sliding state of the second slide member 107 consists of a second sliding contact member attached to the second slide member 107 and resistor patterns 116 and 117 that the second sliding contact member slides against.

[0038] However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the "second detection means" for detecting the sliding state of the second slide member 107 may consist of a magnet attached to the second slide member 107 and a magnetic detection means attached to the housing 102 for detecting the magnetic field generated by the magnet.

[0039] (Configuration of the biasing member 130) Figure 6 is an external perspective view of the biasing member 130 provided in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the biasing member 130 has a base portion 131, a left elastic deformation portion 132, and a right elastic deformation portion 133.

[0040] The base portion 131 has a base surface portion 131A, a left-side bent portion 131B, and a right-side bent portion 131C. The base surface portion 131A is a vertical wall-like portion having a substantially rectangular shape with the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as its longitudinal direction when viewed from the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction). The left-side bent portion 131B is a vertical wall-like portion formed by bending the left edge (negative X-axis side) of the base surface portion 131A toward the rear (negative Y-axis direction). The right-side bent portion 131C is a vertical wall-like portion formed by bending the right edge (positive X-axis side) of the base surface portion 131A toward the rear (negative Y-axis direction).

[0041] The left elastic deformation portion 132 extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the upper end of the left side (negative Y-axis side) of the base portion 131 and elastically contacts the shaft portion 106B on the front side (positive X-axis side). Specifically, the left elastic deformation portion 132 has a left extension portion 132A that extends upward from the left bent portion 131B of the base portion 131, and a left extension portion 132B that is formed by bending the left extension portion 132A to the right (in the positive Y-axis direction). The left extension portion 132B extends diagonally downward to the right, with its tip being at the lowest point.

[0042] The right-side elastic deformation portion 133 extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction) from the upper end of the right side (positive Y-axis side) of the base portion 131 and elastically contacts the shaft portion 106B on the front side (positive X-axis side). Specifically, the right-side elastic deformation portion 133 has a right-side extension portion 133A that extends upward from the right-side bent portion 131C of the base portion 131, and a right-side extension portion 133B that is formed by bending from the upper side of the right-side extension portion 133A toward the left (negative Y-axis direction). The right-side extension portion 133B extends diagonally downward to the left, with its tip being at the lowest point.

[0043] The biasing member 130 is formed by integrally providing the above-described plurality of components. For example, the biasing member 130 is formed by various processing methods (e.g., punching, bending, etc.) applied to a metal plate.

[0044] The biasing member 130 configured as described above has spring properties in the left extension portion 132B and the right extension portion 133B, and the left extension portion 132B and the right extension portion 133B can bias the shaft portion 106B on the front side (positive X-axis side) of the second interlocking member 106 upward (positive Z-axis direction).

[0045] (Configuration of Shaft Support Means) FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the shaft support means included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the shaft support means included in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 8, the housing 102 and the frame 110 are not shown.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, a lower-end open recess 102F is formed in the side wall portion on the front side (positive X-axis side) of the housing 102. The lower-end open recess 102F is a space (a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space) that extends upward from the bottom surface portion of the housing 102, has an open lower end, and is recessed upward. The biasing member 130 is accommodated in the lower-end open recess 102F.

[0047] The dimensions of the lower-end open recess 102F in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and the front-back direction (X-axis direction) are substantially equal to the dimensions of the biasing member 130 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and the front-back direction (X-axis direction). As a result, the lower-end open recess 102F can guide the biasing member 130 to move vertically freely, can accommodate the biasing member 130 without a gap, and can suppress the rattling of the biasing member 130.

[0048] Note that the lower end of the lower-end open recess 102F is closed by the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110 when the frame 110 is attached to the housing 102. As a result, the movement of the biasing member 130 accommodated in the lower-end open recess 102F downward (negative Z-axis direction) can be restricted by the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110.

[0049] At the upper end of the lower open recess 102F and in the central part in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), a groove-shaped bearing portion 102G is formed, recessed in a roughly V-shape upwards. The bearing portion 102G is composed of a pair of left and right lower surfaces 102Ga that face each other, and the front side (X-axis positive side) shaft portion 106B abuts against the pair of left and right lower surfaces 102Ga from the lower side (Z-axis negative side) to the front side (X-axis positive side) shaft portion 106B, thereby positioning the front side (X-axis positive side) shaft portion 106B.

[0050] The biasing member 130 is housed in the lower end open recess 102F, and the respective tips of the left extension 132B and the right extension 133B bias the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B from below (negative Z-axis). Specifically, the respective tips of the left extension 132B and the right extension 133B are pushed down by the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B, and the resulting repulsive force biases the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B upward. As a result, the biasing member 130 can press the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B against the bearing portion 102G formed at the upper end of the lower end open recess 102F. As a result, the "shaft support means" composed of the biasing member 130 and the bearing portion 102G can rotatably support the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B while positioning it in a predetermined location.

[0051] In one embodiment of the input device 100, the "shaft support means" for pivotally supporting the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B has the above configuration. By performing a simple operation such as inserting the biasing member 130 upward into the lower end open recess 102F from the lower end of the lower end open recess 102F, and then attaching the frame 110 to the housing 102 so that the lower end of the lower end open recess 102F is closed by the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110, the biasing member 130 can be positioned and fixed in the lower end open recess 102F, and the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B can be rotatably supported by the biasing member 130 and the bearing portion 102G while positioned in a predetermined position.

[0052] Therefore, in one embodiment of the input device 100, the biasing member 130 and the frame 110 can be assembled simply by stacking them along the same direction (upwards), and thus multiple parts can be easily assembled.

[0053] Furthermore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the biasing member 130 has a base portion 131 that is guided into the lower end open recess 102F, and elastically deformable portions 132 and 133 that extend upward from the base portion 131 and elastically contact the shaft portion 106B on the front side (positive X-axis side).

[0054] As a result, in one embodiment of the input device 100, the base portion 131 of the biasing member 130 is guided into the lower end open recess 102F, so that the elastically deformable portions 132 and 133 elastically contact the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B, and the entire biasing member 130 can be easily positioned within the lower end open recess 102F.

[0055] Furthermore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the lower end open recess 102F has a front guide surface 102Fa, a rear guide surface 102Fb, a left guide surface 102Fc, and a right guide surface 102Fd, respectively, which are arranged in the front, rear, left, and right sides of the space capable of accommodating the base 131 of the biasing member 130, as shown in Figure 8. However, since Figure 8 shows a cross-section behind the front guide surface 102Fa (negative Z-axis side), the front guide surface 102Fa is not shown.

[0056] As a result, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can stably guide the vertical movement of the biasing member 130 with the four guide surfaces 102Fa, 102Fb, 102Fc, and 102Fd of the lower end open recess 102F, and can also suppress rattling of the biasing member 130 in the front-rear and left-right directions housed in the lower end open recess 102F.

[0057] Furthermore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, the base portion 131 of the biasing member 130 has a left-side protruding portion 134A that protrudes downward from the lower left and abuts against the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110, and a right-side protruding portion 134B that protrudes downward from the lower right and abuts against the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110, as shown in Figures 6 and 8.

[0058] As a result, in one embodiment of the input device 100, the left protruding portion 134A and the right protruding portion 134B that abut against the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110 can be formed with high precision on the base portion 131 of the biasing member 130. Therefore, in one embodiment of the input device 100, the base portion 131 of the biasing member 130 can stably abut against the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110 by the left protruding portion 134A and the right protruding portion 134B, and thus rattling of the biasing member 130 can be suppressed.

[0059] Furthermore, in the input device 100 according to one embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the base portion 112A of the FPC 112, which is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110, has a notch 112D below the base portion 131 of the biasing member 130. Therefore, the base portion 131 of the biasing member 130 can contact the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110 without interfering with the FPC 112.

[0060] (An example of the procedure for assembling the input device 100) Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for assembling the input device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0061] In the assembly procedure for the input device 100 shown in Figure 9, first, the housing 102 is placed on the jig, exposing the lower end open recess 102F of the housing 102 downwards (negative Z-axis direction) (Step S201: First step).

[0062] Next, the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B of the second interlocking member 106 is inserted into the lower end open recess 102F along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (Step S202: Second step).

[0063] Next, the biasing member 130 is inserted into the lower end open recess 102F along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (Step S203: Third step).

[0064] Next, the frame 110 is attached to the housing 102 along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and the biasing member 130 is compressed between the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110 and the front (positive X-axis) shaft portion 106B (step S204: fourth step).

[0065] Note that the terms "downward," "upward," and "up and down direction" mentioned above are examples of the "first direction."

[0066] According to the assembly procedure for the input device 100 shown in Figure 9, by including the first to fourth steps described above, the front (X-axis positive side) shaft portion 106B, the biasing member 130, and the bottom plate portion 110B of the frame 110 can be assembled by simply stacking them in order along the same direction (first direction) in relation to the lower end open recess 102F of the housing 102. Therefore, multiple parts can be easily assembled.

[0067] 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.

[0068] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-157800, filed on 11 September 2024, and the entire contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0069] 100 Input device 102 Housing (upper case) 102A Opening 102B Storage space 102C First bearing hole 102D Second bearing hole 102E Bearing space 102F Lower end open recess 102Fa Front guide surface 102Fb Rear guide surface 102Fc Left side guide surface 102Fd Right side guide surface 102G Bearing part 102Ga Bottom surface 103 Shaft 103A Shaft part 103B Bottom plate part 104 First interlocking member 104A Opening 104B Shaft part 104C First drive arm 104E Bearing hole 105 First slide member 106 Second interlocking member 106A Opening 106B Shaft part 106C Second drive arm 107 Second slide member 108 Spring 109 Pressing member 110 Frame (lower case) 110A Claw portion 110B Bottom plate portion 112 FPC (circuit board) 112A Base portion 112B Extension portion 112C Connection portion 112D Notch portion 113 Metal sheet 115, 116, 117 Resistor pattern 117A First straight portion 117B Second straight portion 120 Operating member 120A Lever portion 120B Base portion 120C Through hole 120D Bottom opening 120E Shaft portion 130 Biasing member 131 Base portion 131A Base surface portion 131B Left bent portion 131C Right bent portion 132 Left elastic deformation portion 132A Left extension portion 132B Left extension portion 133 Right elastic deformation portion 133A Right side extension part 133B Right side extension part 134A Left side protrusion part 134B Right side protrusion part

Claims

1. The housing comprises an upper case having a side wall, a lower case having a bottom plate attached to the lower side of the side wall, a swing lever having a base that is pivotably supported on the housing consisting of the upper and lower cases so as to pivot about the front-rear direction and a lever that extends upward from the base, an interlocking member having a shaft that is fixed to a bearing provided on the side wall, supported on the upper case so as to pivot about the front-rear direction, and swinging in conjunction with the swing of the swing lever, detection means for detecting the swinging state of the interlocking member, and a biasing member that presses the shaft of the interlocking member against the bearing, wherein the side wall has a lower end open recess whose upper end constitutes the bearing and whose lower end is open so as to guide the biasing member to move up and down, the lower case is attached to the upper case such that the bottom plate closes the lower end of the lower end open recess, and the shaft is positioned in the lower end open recess in contact with the lower surface of the bearing. The input device is characterized in that the biasing member is positioned in the lower end open recess in a compressed state between the bottom plate and the shaft.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the biasing member has a base portion guided into the lower end open recess and an elastically deformable portion extending upward from the base portion and elastically contacting the shaft portion.

3. The biasing member is a leaf spring member comprising: a base portion extending in the vertical and horizontal directions; a left bent portion formed by bending the base portion from the left side toward the rear; a left extension portion extending upward from the left bent portion; a left extension portion formed by bending the left extension portion from the upper side toward the right; a right bent portion formed by bending the base portion from the right side toward the rear; a right extension portion extending upward from the right bent portion; and a right extension portion formed by bending the right extension portion from the upper side toward the left, wherein the base portion, the left bent portion, and the right bent portion constitute the base; and the left extension portion and the right extension portion constitute the elastically deformable portion, as described in claim 2.

4. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower end open recess has a front guide surface, a rear guide surface, a left guide surface, and a right guide surface, respectively, which are arranged in the front, rear, left, and right directions of the space capable of accommodating the base.

5. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising a circuit board placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate, wherein the circuit board has a notch below the base, and the biasing member is in contact with the bottom plate without interfering with the circuit board.

6. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that the base portion has a left-side projection that protrudes downward from the lower left and abuts against the bottom plate portion, and a right-side projection that protrudes downward from the lower right and abuts against the bottom plate portion.

7. An assembly method for the input device according to claim 1, comprising: a first step of placing the upper case on a jig to expose the lower end open recess in a first direction; a second step of inserting the shaft portion of the interlocking member into the lower end open recess along the first direction; a third step of inserting the biasing member into the lower end open recess along the first direction; and a fourth step of attaching the lower case to the upper case along the first direction to compress the biasing member between the bottom plate portion and the shaft portion.

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