Multi-directional input device

Abstract

A multi-directional input device (1) according to the present embodiment comprises: a housing (10); an operation member (40) that protrudes from the inside of the housing to the outside and can be operated to tilt in any direction around the housing; a first interlocking member (20) having a shaft part (22) which is a first shaft support part rotatably supported by the housing, the first interlocking member rotating in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation member; a second interlocking member (30) having a shaft part (32) which is a second shaft support part that is rotatably supported by the housing and is orthogonal to the shaft part of the first interlocking member, the second interlocking member rotating in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation member; a compression coil spring (50) that is a biasing member for biasing the operation member to press the shaft part of the first interlocking member against the housing and applying, to the operation member, return force for returning the operation member to a neutral position; a pair of clamping parts (151, 152) that are formed integrally with the housing and rotatably support the shaft part of the second interlocking member using the elasticity of the material of the housing; a first rotation detection unit (3) that detects the rotation of the first interlocking member; and a second rotation detection unit (4) that detects the rotation of the second interlocking member.

Description

Multi-directional input device

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a multi-directional input device including a housing, an operating member protruding from the inside of the housing to the outside and tiltable in any surrounding direction, a first shaft support portion rotatably supported by the housing, a first interlocking member that rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member, a second shaft support portion that is rotatably supported by the housing and is orthogonal to the first shaft support portion, a second interlocking member that rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member, a biasing member that biases the operating member to press the first shaft support portion of the first interlocking member against the housing and imparts a restoring force to return the operating member to the neutral position, a first rotation detection portion that detects the rotation of the first interlocking member, and a second rotation detection portion that detects the rotation of the second interlocking member, and that outputs a signal according to the operation direction and operation amount with respect to the operating member. As such a multi-directional input device, there has been proposed a multi-directional input device that additionally includes a second biasing member that biases the second interlocking member to press the second shaft support portion against the housing, and that can suppress the occurrence of a gap (play) between the shaft support portion of the interlocking member and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the shaft support portion, and prevent the occurrence of a detection error when the operating member returns to the neutral position (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 171225

[0004] In a conventional multi-directional input device, there is a problem that the number of parts increases due to the addition of the second biasing member. Further, when the metal second biasing member rubs against the resin second interlocking member, the wear of the second interlocking member becomes faster due to the difference in hardness of the parts, and the life of the multi-directional input device becomes shorter. As a countermeasure, if a resin intervening member such as fluororesin having a low friction coefficient is additionally provided between the second biasing member and the second interlocking member to suppress the wear of the second interlocking member, it causes a further increase in the number of parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device that can suppress the occurrence of a gap between the second shaft support portion of the second interlocking member and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the second shaft support portion without increasing the number of parts.

[0006] The multi-directional input device according to the present invention comprises a housing; an operating member that protrudes from the inside to the outside of the housing and can be tilted in any direction around it; a first interlocking member having a first pivot that is rotatably supported by the housing and rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a second interlocking member having a second pivot that is orthogonal to the first pivot and is rotatably supported by the housing and rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a biasing member that biases the operating member to press the first pivot of the first interlocking member against the housing and provides the operating member with a restoring force to return the operating member to a neutral position; a pair of clamping parts integrally formed with the housing and rotatably supporting the second pivot of the second interlocking member using the elasticity of the housing material; a first rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the first interlocking member; and a second rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the second interlocking member.

[0007] By using the elasticity of the housing material to support the second shaft support of the second interlocking member in a rotatable manner using a pair of clamping parts integrally formed on the housing, the pair of clamping parts integrally formed on the housing become the receiving portion of the housing that receives the second shaft support of the second interlocking member. This eliminates the need to provide an additional second biasing member as in the conventional method, suppressing the occurrence of a gap between the second shaft support and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the second shaft support. This reduces the number of parts in the multi-directional input device, and consequently, reduces the cost of the multi-directional input device.

[0008] In the multi-directional input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the pair of clamping parts is formed in a horizontal position so that its center intersects with the second shaft support, has a receiving portion for the second shaft support in its center, and has a pair of elastic parts on both sides of the receiving portion, and supports the receiving portion so that it can be elastically displaced by the elastic deformation of the pair of elastic parts. With such a configuration, wear of the elastic parts due to friction with the second shaft support can be prevented, deformation of the elastic parts can be suppressed, and consequently deformation of the pair of clamping parts integrally formed in the housing can be suppressed.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device that can suppress the occurrence of a gap between the second shaft support of the second interlocking member and the receiving portion of the housing that receives the second shaft support, without increasing the number of parts.

[0010] This is a perspective view of a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of Figure 1 with the housing and frame made transparent. This is a perspective view showing the structure of Figure 6 rotated 180 degrees. This is a bottom perspective view of the housing. This is a cross-sectional view showing one side of the bearing portion of the first interlocking member. This is a cross-sectional view showing one side of the bearing portion of the first interlocking member and the opposite side. This is a perspective view showing a pair of clamping portions which are the bearing portion of one side of the second interlocking member. This is a cross-sectional view showing a pair of clamping portions. This is a cross-sectional view showing one side of the second interlocking member and the opposite side.

[0011] Hereinafter, a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15. The multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 10, an operating member 40 that protrudes from the inside to the outside of the housing 10 and can be tilted in any direction around it, a first interlocking member 20 having a shaft portion 22 which is a first shaft support and is rotatably supported by the housing 10, and which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 40, a second interlocking member 30 having a shaft portion 32 which is a second shaft support and is perpendicular to the shaft portion 22 and is rotatably supported by the housing 10, and which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 40, a compression coil spring 50 which is a biasing member that biases the operating member 40 to press the shaft portion 22 of the first interlocking member 20 against the housing 10 and provides the operating member 40 with a restoring force to return the operating member 40 to a neutral position, and a component integrally formed with the housing 10 that rotatably supports the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30 using the elasticity of the housing 10 material. This multidirectional input device is characterized by comprising a pair of clamping parts 151 and 152, a first rotation detection unit 3 for detecting the rotation of the first interlocking member 20, and a second rotation detection unit 4 for detecting the rotation of the second interlocking member 30. The pair of clamping parts 151 and 152, which are integrally formed on the housing 10, utilize the elasticity of the housing 10 material to rotatably support the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30. As a result, the pair of clamping parts 151 and 152, which are integrally formed on the housing 10, become the receiving portion of the housing 10 that receives the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30. This eliminates the need to provide an additional second biasing member as in the conventional design, suppressing the occurrence of a gap between the shaft portion 32 and the receiving portion of the housing 10 that receives the shaft portion 32. This reduces the number of parts in the multidirectional input device, and consequently reduces the cost of the multidirectional input device. This multi-directional input device 1 is used, for example, in a controller for a home game console, and by tilting the operating member 40, it is possible to input information about the direction in which the operating member 40 is tilted with high accuracy. However, the applications of the multi-directional input device are not limited to this.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view of Figure 1 with the housing 10 and frame 80 made transparent. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of Figure 6 rotated 180 degrees. Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the housing 10. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing one side bearing portion 13 of the first interlocking member 20. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing one side bearing portion 14 of the first interlocking member 20 opposite to it. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing one side bearing portion 15 of the second interlocking member 30. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing one side bearing portion 15 of the second interlocking member 30. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing one side bearing portion 16 of the second interlocking member 30 opposite to it.

[0013] The multi-directional input device 1 will be described below using the directions shown in the figures (X1, X2, Y1, Y2, Z1, Z2 directions) as a reference. The X1 and X2 directions are collectively referred to as the X direction, the Y1 and Y2 directions as the Y direction, and the Z1 and Z2 directions as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are mutually orthogonal. A plane containing the X and Y directions is called the XY plane, a plane containing the Y and Z directions is called the YZ plane, and a plane containing the Z and X directions is called the ZX plane. The axis line CL of the operating member 40 in the neutral position (hereinafter simply referred to as the "neutral axis") extends along the Z direction (see Figures 1 and 2). The Z1 direction from which the operating member 40 protrudes is called the upward direction, and the opposite direction, Z2, is called the downward direction.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the multi-directional input device 1 comprises the following components (parts): a housing 10, a first interlocking member 20, a second interlocking member 30, an operating member 40, a compression coil spring 50, a third interlocking member 60, a circuit board 70, a frame 80, a first slide member 90, a first movable contact piece 100, a second slide member 110, a second movable contact piece 120, a pressing member 130, a third movable contact piece 140, and a contact piece fixing member 150.

[0015] The housing 10 is a component that houses each component of the multi-directional input device 1. The housing 10 is made of resin. The housing 10 is box-shaped with an open bottom, and its bottom is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom portion 81 of the frame 80, which will be described later. The housing 10 has an upper cover portion 11 and an opening 12.

[0016] The upper cover portion 11 is a part that bulges upward from the upper surface of the housing 10 and is formed in a dome shape.

[0017] The opening 12 is formed in the upper part of the upper cover portion 11 and is the portion through which the shaft portion 41 of the operating member 40 (described later) protrudes upward from the inside of the housing 10.

[0018] As shown in Figure 8, the housing 10 has bearing portions 13 to 16.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 5, 8 and 9, the bearing portion 13 is the part that rotatably holds the shaft portion 22 of the first interlocking member 20, which will be described later. The bearing portion 13 has a bearing upper portion 131 and a bearing lower portion 132.

[0020] The upper bearing portion 131 is a recessed groove with a top surface extending along the X direction, with an open bottom surface and closed surfaces in the Y direction and on the top surface. The upper bearing portion 131 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 on the X2 side. The lower bearing portion 132 is a recessed groove with a bottom surface extending along the X direction, with an open top surface and closed surfaces in the Y direction and on the bottom surface. The lower bearing portion 132 is formed on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the X2 side. The upper bearing portion 131 and the lower bearing portion 132 are positioned opposite each other in the Z direction when viewed from the direction along the X direction. The upper bearing portion 131 and the lower bearing portion 132 are positioned offset in the X direction when viewed from the direction along the Z direction. Specifically, the lower bearing portion 132 is positioned on the X2 side (outside) of the upper bearing portion 131. The upper bearing portion 131 and the lower bearing portion 132 form a closed hole between them, into which the shaft portion 22 is loosely fitted, when viewed from the direction along the X direction. The upper bearing 131 and lower bearing 132 are inserted into the upper bearing 121 and lower bearing 122 from inside the housing 10 with the shaft portion 22 tilted with respect to the X direction such that the X2 side (tip side) of the shaft portion 22 is higher than the X1 side (base side). After insertion, the X1 side (base side) of the shaft portion 22 can be raised while the X2 side (tip side) is lowered so as to extend along the X direction. Furthermore, the shaft portion 22 can be tilted with respect to the X direction from an inserted state along the X direction such that the X1 side (base side) is lower than the X2 side (tip side).

[0021] The upper part of the bearing 131 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the ZX plane containing the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40. The upper part of the bearing 131 has a pair of inclined surfaces 131a and 131b. The inclined surface 131a is provided between the Y1 side groove wall of a pair of groove side walls parallel to the ZX plane that are opposite in the Y direction and the groove upper surface parallel to the XY plane. The inclined surface 131b is provided between the Y2 side groove side wall and the groove upper surface. The pair of inclined surfaces 131a and 131b fix the position of the shaft portion 22 by pressing it against them from below with the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50. The shaft portion 22 is pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 131a and 131b while it is separated from the groove upper surface.

[0022] The lower part of the bearing 132 is the part that supports the shaft portion 22 from below when the first interlocking member 20 moves downward in response to the pressing operation of the operating member 40. Like the upper part of the bearing 131, the lower part of the bearing 132 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the ZX plane containing the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40. The lower part of the bearing 132 has a U-shape that opens upward when viewed from the direction along the X direction. The lower part of the bearing 132 has a semicircular groove bottom surface 132a that opens upward when viewed from the direction along the X direction, connecting the lower ends of a pair of groove side walls that are parallel to the ZX plane and facing each other in the Y direction. The lower part of the bearing 132 supports the shaft portion 22 from below with the groove bottom surface 132a when the first interlocking member 20 moves downward in response to the pressing operation of the operating member 40. The shaft portion 22 is pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 131a and 131b while separated from the groove bottom surface 132a.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3, 5, 8, and 10, the bearing portion 14 is the part that houses the shaft portion 23 of the first interlocking member 20, which will be described later. The bearing portion 14 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 on the X1 side. The bearing portion 14 extends along the X direction, similar to the upper bearing portion 131 of the bearing portion 13, and is a recessed area with an open bottom and closed top and Y directions. The bearing portion 14 does not have a portion (lower bearing portion) that supports the shaft portion 23 from below. The bearing portion 14 can move the shaft portion 23 downward when the first interlocking member 20 moves downward in response to the pressing operation of the operating member 40.

[0024] The bearing portion 14 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the ZX plane containing the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40, just like the bearing upper portion 131 and bearing lower portion 132 of the bearing portion 13. The bearing portion 14 has a pair of inclined surfaces 14a and 14b, just like the bearing upper portion 131 of the bearing portion 13. The inclined surface 14a is provided between the Y1 side groove wall of a pair of groove side walls parallel to the ZX plane facing each other in the Y direction and the groove upper surface parallel to the XY plane. The inclined surface 14b is provided between the Y2 side groove side wall and the groove upper surface. The pair of inclined surfaces 14a and 14b, just like the pair of inclined surfaces 131a and 131b of the bearing upper portion 131 of the bearing portion 13, fix the position of the shaft portion 23 by pressing it against the shaft portion 23 from below with the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50. The shaft portion 23 is pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 14a and 14b while being separated from the upper surface of the groove.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 11, and 12, the bearing portion 15 is the part that rotatably holds the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30, which will be described later. The bearing portion 15 has a pair of clamping portions 151 and 152 that clamp the shaft portion 32 from the Z direction with a clamping force smaller than the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50.

[0026] The clamping portion 151, which is the upper part of the bearing, is a recessed groove with a top surface that extends along the Y direction, with its bottom surface open and its top surface closed in the X direction. The clamping portion 151 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 on the Y1 side. The clamping portion 151 is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the YZ plane containing the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40. The clamping portion 151 has a pair of inclined surfaces 151a and 151b. The inclined surface 151a is provided between the groove side wall on the X1 side of a pair of groove side walls parallel to the YZ planes facing each other in the X direction and the groove top surface parallel to the XY plane. The inclined surface 151b is provided between the groove side wall on the X2 side and the groove top surface.

[0027] The clamping portion 152, which is the lower part of the bearing, is formed in a horizontal position so that its center intersects with the shaft portion 32 when viewed from the clamping portion 151 side (upper side). It has a receiving portion 1521 for the shaft portion 32 in the center, and a pair of elastic portions 1522 and 1523 on both sides of the receiving portion 1521 in the X direction. The elastic deformation of the pair of elastic portions 1522 and 1523 supports the receiving portion 152 so that it can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction.

[0028] On the outer surface of the housing 10 on the Y1 side, columnar protrusions 17 and 18 are formed at equidistant positions from the clamping portion 151 on the X1 and X2 sides. The clamping portion 152 consists of a plate-like portion that is horizontally positioned between the protrusion 17 on the X1 side and the protrusion 18 on the X2 side, and is formed horizontally on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the Y1 side such that its center intersects with the shaft portion 32 when viewed from the clamping portion 151 side (upper side). The clamping portion 152, like the clamping portion 151, is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the YZ plane containing the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40.

[0029] The receiving portion 1521 is a plate-shaped portion that is horizontally positioned between the overhang portion 17 on the X1 side and the overhang portion 18 on the X2 side, and is formed in the center where it intersects with the shaft portion 32 when viewed from the clamping portion 151 side (upper side). The receiving portion 1521 is a bent portion in the shape of a bottomed groove that extends along the Y direction, with an open top surface and closed bottom surfaces in the X direction and lower surface. The receiving portion 1521 has a cross-sectional shape of an inverted isosceles trapezoid when viewed from the direction along the Y direction, and has a groove bottom plate 1521a parallel to the XY plane and a pair of groove side plates 1521b and 1521c that are inclined with respect to the plane of symmetry of the clamping portion 152.

[0030] The elastic portion 1522 extends in the direction of X1 from the upper end of the groove side plate 1521b on the X1 side of the receiving portion 1521 and is connected to the protruding portion 17 on the X1 side. The elastic portion 1523 extends in the direction of X2 from the upper end of the groove side plate 1521c on the X2 side of the receiving portion 1521 and is connected to the protruding portion 18 on the X2 side. The elastic portions 1522 and 1523 support the receiving portion 152 so that it can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction by their own elastic deformation.

[0031] The receiving portions 1521 of the clamping portions 151 and 152 are positioned opposite each other in the Z direction when viewed from the direction along the Y direction. The receiving portions 1521 of the clamping portions 151 and 152 are positioned offset in the Y direction when viewed from the direction along the Z direction. Specifically, the receiving portion 1521 of the clamping portion 152 is positioned on the Y1 side (outside) of the clamping portion 151. The receiving portions 1521 of the clamping portions 151 and 152 form a closed hole between them when viewed from the direction along the Y direction, into which the shaft portion 32 is press-fitted.

[0032] The pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 hold the shaft 32 parallel to the Y direction by clamping it from the Z direction. The pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 press-fit the shaft 32 between the fixed clamping part 151 and the receiving part 1521 of the movable clamping part 152. This causes the receiving part 1521 of the movable clamping part 152 to be pushed down by the shaft 32, and the pair of elastic parts 1522 and 1523 of the movable clamping part 152 to elastically deform, generating an elastic force (clamping force) smaller than the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50. This elastic force presses the shaft 32 against the pair of inclined surfaces 151a and 151b of the fixed clamping part 151 from below, thereby fixing the position of the shaft 32. The shaft 32 is pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 151a and 151b while being separated from the upper surface of the groove. The pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 clamp the shaft 32 from the Z direction at three points: the groove bottom plate 1521a of the receiving part 1521 of the movable clamping part 152, and the pair of inclined surfaces 151a and 151b of the fixed clamping part 151. In this clamped state, the shaft 32 is separated from the pair of groove side plates 1521b of the receiving part 1521 of the movable clamping part 152.

[0033] The pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 can be inserted from inside the housing 10 between the receiving parts 1521 of the clamping part 151 and the clamping part 152, with the shaft part 32 tilted in the Y direction such that the Y1 side (tip side) is higher than the Y2 side (base side) of the shaft part 32, and then the Y1 side (tip side) of the shaft part 32 can be lowered while the Y2 side (base side) of the shaft part 32 is raised so as to extend along the Y direction.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 8, and 13, the bearing portion 16 is the part that houses the shaft portion 33 of the second interlocking member 30, which will be described later. The bearing portion 16 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 on the Y2 side. The bearing portion 16 extends along the Y direction, just like the clamping portion 151 which is the upper part of the bearing portion 15, and is a recessed area with an open bottom and closed top and bottom in the X direction. The bearing portion 16 does not have a portion (lower part of the bearing) that supports the shaft portion 33 from below.

[0035] The bearing portion 16, like the clamping portion 151 which is the upper bearing portion of the bearing portion 15, is formed symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the YZ plane containing the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40. The bearing portion 16, like the clamping portion 151 which is the upper bearing portion of the bearing portion 15, has a pair of inclined surfaces 16a and 16b. The inclined surface 16a is provided between the groove side wall on the X1 side of a pair of groove side walls parallel to the YZ planes facing each other in the X direction and the groove upper surface parallel to the XY plane. The inclined surface 16b is provided between the groove side wall on the X2 side and the groove upper surface. The position of the shaft portion 33 is fixed by the shaft portion 33 being pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 16a and 16b by the legs of the second interlocking member 30, which will be described later. The shaft portion 33 is pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 16a and 16b while being separated from the groove upper surface.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the frame 80 is a component that constitutes the bottom surface of the housing 10. The frame 80 is made of a metal plate. The frame 80 has a bottom surface portion 81 and support portions 82 and 83.

[0037] The bottom portion 81 is the part that constitutes the bottom surface of the housing 10. The bottom portion 81 is a rectangular flat plate parallel to the XY plane, and the housing 10 is fixed to its upper surface.

[0038] Support portions 82 and 83 are parts that support the side surface of the housing 10. Support portion 82 is formed to extend upward from the Y1 side of the bottom surface portion 81. Support portion 83 is formed to extend upward from the Y2 side of the bottom surface portion 81.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the first interlocking member 20 is a member that holds the operating member 40 so that it can be tilted in the Y direction. The first interlocking member 20 is made of resin. The first interlocking member 20 is held in the housing 10 so that it can rotate with the X direction as the axis of rotation. The first interlocking member 20 has clamping portions 21a, 21b, shaft portions 22, 23, and a drive portion 24.

[0040] The clamping portion 21a is the part that clamps the operating member 40. The clamping portion 21a is formed in a spherical shape with an open center, covering the Y1 side of the base portion 42 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, and the convex portion 43 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, is inserted into the opening.

[0041] The clamping part 21b is a part that clamps the operating member 40. The clamping part 21b is formed in a spherical shape with a central opening that covers the side surface on the Y2 side of the base part 42 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, and the convex part 44 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, is inserted into the opening part.

[0042] The clamping parts 21a and 21b are integrally formed, and the X1 side and the X2 side are connected. Hereinafter, the spherical part formed by the clamping parts 21a and 21b is referred to as the clamping part 21. The clamping part 21 abuts against the Y1 side and the Y2 side of the base part 42 of the operating member 40 inserted inside thereof, and is formed so as to be separated from the X1 side and the X2 side.

[0043] The shaft part 22 is a round bar-shaped rotating shaft that is the first shaft support part of the first interlocking member 20 extending in the X2 direction from the X2 side of the clamping part 21. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft part 22 is circular. The shaft part 22 is arranged coaxially with the shaft part 23. The shaft part 22 is rotatably held by the bearing part 13 of the housing 10.

[0044] The shaft part 23 is a rotating shaft of the first interlocking member 20 extending in the X1 direction from the X1 side of the clamping part 21. At least the part pressed against the pair of inclined surfaces 14a and 14b of the bearing part 14 of the cross-sectional shape of the shaft part is in an arc shape. The shaft part 23 is arranged coaxially with the shaft part 22. The shaft part 23 is rotatably housed by the bearing part 14 of the housing 10. The shaft part 23 is supported by a pressing member 130, which will be described later, from below. Thereby, the shaft part 23 is rotatably held by the bearing part 14 of the housing 10.

[0045] The driving part 24 is a part that drives the first slide member 90, which will be described later. The driving part 24 extends downward from the X2 side of the clamping part 21, and is formed so as to clamp the convex part 91 of the first slide member 90, which will be described later, from the Y1 side and the Y2 side.

[0046] With the above configuration, the first interlocking member 20 is held by the bearing portion 13 of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about the X direction as the rotation axis. Further, the first interlocking member 20 sandwiches the operating member 40 from the Y1 side and the Y2 side. Therefore, when the operating member 40 tilts in the Y direction, the first interlocking member 20 rotates in the Y direction together with the operating member 40. That is, the first interlocking member 20 holds the operating member 40 so as to be tiltable in the Y direction. Also, when the operating member 40 tilts in the X direction, the operating member 40 moves inside the opening (between the X1 side and the X2 side) of the sandwiching portion 21. Therefore, the first interlocking member 20 does not prevent the X-direction tilt of the operating member 40.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the second interlocking member 30 is a member that holds the operating member 40 so as to be tiltable in the X direction. The second interlocking member 30 is formed of resin. The second interlocking member 30 is held by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about the Y direction as the rotation axis. The second interlocking member 30 includes a sandwiching portion 31, shaft portions 32, 33, a leg portion 34, and a driving portion 35.

[0048] The sandwiching portion 31 is a portion that sandwiches the operating member 40. The sandwiching portion 31 is formed in a spherical shape with a central opening that covers the upper surface of a base portion 42 of the operating member 40 described later, and a shaft portion 41 of the operating member 40 described later is inserted into the opening so as to be axially movable. The sandwiching portion 31 abuts on the X1 side and the X2 side of the operating member 40 and is formed so as to be separated from the Y1 side and the Y2 side of the operating member 40.

[0049] The shaft portion 32 is a round bar-shaped rotating shaft that is the second shaft support portion of the second interlocking member 30 extending in the Y1 direction from the Y1 side of the sandwiching portion 31. The shaft portion 32 is arranged coaxially with the shaft portion 33. The shaft portion 32 is held by the bearing portion 15 of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable.

[0050] The shaft portion 33 is a rotating shaft of the second interlocking member 30 extending in the Y2 direction from the Y2 side of the sandwiching portion 31. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion is an arc shape at least in a portion pressed against a pair of inclined surfaces 16a, 16b of the bearing portion 16. The shaft portion 33 is arranged coaxially with the shaft portion 32. The shaft portion 33 is held by the bearing portion 16 of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable.

[0051] As shown in Figure 13, the leg portion 34 is the part that rotatably holds the shaft portion 33 in the bearing portion 16 of the housing 10. The leg portion 34 extends downward from the shaft portion 33 and is formed to rotate integrally with the shaft portion 33 with its lower end in contact (sliding contact) with the bottom surface portion 81 of the frame 80. The contact (sliding contact) between the lower end of the leg portion 34 and the bottom surface portion 81 of the frame 80 restricts the downward movement of the shaft portion 33, and the shaft portion 33 is rotatably held in the bearing portion 16 of the housing 10.

[0052] The drive unit 35 is the part that drives the second slide member 110, which will be described later. The drive unit 35 extends downward from the Y1 side of the clamping portion 31 and is formed to clamp the protrusion 111 of the second slide member 110, which will be described later, from the X1 side and the X2 side.

[0053] With the above configuration, the second interlocking member 30 is held by the bearing portion 15 of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable with the Y direction as the axis of rotation. The second interlocking member 30 also clamps the operating member 40 from the X1 side and the X2 side. Therefore, when the operating member 40 tilts in the X direction, the second interlocking member 30 rotates in the X direction together with the operating member 40. In other words, the second interlocking member 30 holds the operating member 40 so as to be tiltable in the X direction. Furthermore, when the operating member 40 tilts in the Y direction, the operating member 40 moves inside the opening of the clamping portion 31. Therefore, the second rotating member 30 does not hinder the tilting of the operating member 40 in the Y direction.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the operating member 40 is a member that receives operation from the user. The operating member 40 is held so as to be tiltable in the Y direction by the first interlocking member 20 and so as to be tiltable in the X direction by the second interlocking member 30. The operating member 40 tilts in the X and Y directions in response to the user's tilting operation. The operating member 40 is made of resin. The operating member 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape and houses the return mechanism 2, which will be described later, inside. In the neutral position, the operating member 40 is held by the first interlocking member 20 and the second interlocking member 30 so that its axial direction is in the Z direction, that is, so that the neutral axis CL extends along the Z direction. The neutral position of the operating member 40 is the position (origin) of the operating member 40 when it is not being operated. The configuration of the operating member 40 will be described below based on the state when it is not being operated. The operating member 40 has a shaft portion 41, a base portion 42, and protrusions 43 and 44.

[0055] The shaft portion 41 is a cylindrical part that extends in the axial direction. The shaft portion 41 is formed to extend from the base portion 42 in the Z1 direction, is inserted into the openings of the first interlocking member 20 and the second interlocking member 30, and protrudes upward from the inside of the housing 10 through the opening 12 of the housing 10. The tilt angle of the operating member 40 is restricted to a predetermined range by the contact between the shaft portion 41 and the edge of the opening 12 of the housing 10. For example, a disc-shaped operating knob (not shown) is attached to the upper end of the shaft portion 41. The shape of the operating knob can be any shape that is easy for the user to operate. The operating knob may be formed integrally with the upper end of the shaft portion 41. An upper spring seat portion 45 is formed inside the shaft portion 41, to which the upper end of the compression coil spring 50 is contacted.

[0056] The base portion 42 is a substantially spherical portion formed at the lower end of the shaft portion 41. The base portion 42 is inserted inside the clamping portion 21 of the first interlocking member 20, with the Y1 and Y2 sides in contact with the clamping portion 21, and the X1 and X2 sides separated from the clamping portion 21. A female spline 46 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base portion 42, which engages with the male spline 611 of the third interlocking member 60, which will be described later.

[0057] The protrusion 43 is a portion that protrudes from the Y1 side of the base 42 in the Y1 direction. The protrusion 43 is inserted into the opening of the clamping portion 21a. The protrusion 43 is formed to be rotatable in the X direction inside the opening of the clamping portion 21a.

[0058] The protrusion 44 is a portion that protrudes in the Y2 direction from the Y2 side of the base 42. The protrusion 44 is inserted into the opening of the clamping portion 21a. The protrusion 44 is formed to be rotatable in the X direction inside the opening of the clamping portion 21b.

[0059] With the above configuration, the operating member 40 is held by the first interlocking member 20 by the protrusions 43 and 44 so as to be rotatable about the Y direction as the axis of rotation. The first interlocking member 20 holds the operating member 40 in the housing 10 by the shafts 22 and 23 so as to be rotatable about the X direction as the axis of rotation. Therefore, the operating member 40 is held in the housing 10 so as to be tiltable from a neutral position in any direction around it (all 360 degrees) with respect to the axis of rotation in the Y direction and the axis of rotation in the X direction.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the multi-directional input device 1 is equipped with a return mechanism 2. The return mechanism 2 biases the tilted operating member 40 toward the neutral position and automatically returns the operating member 40 to the neutral position. The return mechanism 2 is located inside the cylindrical operating member 4. The return mechanism 2 includes a third interlocking member 60 and a compression coil spring 50.

[0061] The third interlocking member 60 is made of resin. The third interlocking member 60 has a shaft portion 61 and a bottom portion 62.

[0062] The shaft portion 61 is a cylindrical part that extends axially from the upper surface of the bottom portion 62 to the operating member 40. The shaft portion 61 is inserted into the inside of the operating member 40 so as to be movable in the axial direction. The shaft portion 61 has a male spline 611 and a lower spring seat portion 612.

[0063] The male spline 611 is the portion that engages with the female spline 46 of the operating member 40. The male spline 611 is formed on the lower outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 61. The spline engagement between the female spline 46 of the operating member 40 and the male spline 611 of the third interlocking member 60 prevents the third interlocking member 60 from rotating relative to the operating member 40.

[0064] The lower spring seat portion 612 is the part that abuts against the lower end of the compression coil spring 50. The lower spring seat portion 612 is formed inside the shaft portion 61 and is located below and opposite the upper spring seat portion 45.

[0065] The bottom portion 62 is a disc-shaped part that contacts the bottom surface portion 81 of the frame 80. The bottom portion 62 is formed at the lower end of the shaft portion 61. When the third interlocking member 60 is not being operated, it is positioned so that the bottom portion 62 is located on the bottom surface portion 81 of the frame 80. When the third interlocking member 60 is tilted due to the tilting of the operating member 40, the bottom portion 612 slides along the bottom surface portion 81 of the frame 80 in accordance with the tilting of the third interlocking member 60.

[0066] The compression coil spring 50 is made of metal wire. The compression coil spring 50 is positioned between the operating member 40 and the third interlocking member 60. The upper end of the compression coil spring 50 is supported by the upper spring seat portion 45 of the operating member 40, and the lower end is supported by the lower spring seat portion 612 of the third interlocking member 60.

[0067] With the above configuration, the compression coil spring 50 biases the third interlocking member 60 downward, while biasing the operating member 40 upward, and also biases the first interlocking member 20, which is connected to the operating member 40 by protrusions 43 and 44, upward. Therefore, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50 causes the shaft portion 22 of the first interlocking member 20 to press against a pair of inclined surfaces 131a and 131b of the upper bearing portion 131 of the housing 10 from below, and the shaft portion 23 of the first interlocking member 20 to press against a pair of inclined surfaces 14a and 141b of the bearing portion 14 of the housing 10 from below. The compression coil spring 50 provides the operating member 40 with a restoring force that returns it to the neutral position.

[0068] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6, the first rotation detection unit 3 includes a first slide member 90 and a first movable contact piece 100.

[0069] The first slide member 90 is the part that holds the first movable contact piece 100. The first slide member 90 is made of resin. The first slide member 90 is formed to extend in the Y direction and the first movable contact piece 100 is fixed to its lower surface. The first slide member 90 is positioned at the X2 side end of the substrate 70, which will be described later. The first slide member 90 has a protrusion 91.

[0070] The protrusion 91 is a portion that protrudes in the direction of X1 from the X1 side surface of the first slide member 90. The protrusion 91 is clamped from the Y1 side and the Y2 side by the drive unit 24 of the first interlocking member 20. The first slide member 90 is arranged so that the drive unit 24 can clamp the protrusion 91.

[0071] The first movable contact piece 100 is an elastic spring contact piece fixed at its center to the first slide member 90, extending from its center to the Y1 and Y2 sides. The first movable contact piece 100 is made of metal. The first movable contact piece 100 is formed so that both ends in the Y direction can contact the upper surface of the substrate 70.

[0072] When the operating member 40 is tilted in the Y direction, the first interlocking member 20 rotates in the Y direction as the operating member 40 tilts, and the drive unit 24 rotates in the Y direction. When the drive unit 24 rotates in the Y direction, the protrusion 91 held by the drive unit 24 is driven in the Y direction, and the first slide member 90 is driven in the Y direction. When the first slide member 90 is driven in the Y direction, the first movable contact piece 100 held by the first slide member 90 slides on the substrate 70 in the Y direction. That is, the first movable contact piece 100 slides in the Y direction as the operating member 40 tilts in the Y direction. Therefore, by detecting the position (resistance value) of the first movable contact piece 100 using the first resistor circuit, which will be described later and is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 70, the rotation of the first interlocking member 20 in the Y direction can be detected, and the tilt of the operating member 5 in the Y direction can be detected. The first rotation detection unit 3, comprising the first slide member 90, the first movable contact piece 100, and the first resistance circuit of the substrate 70, constitutes a first variable resistor, and can detect the rotation of the first interlocking member 20, specifically the rotation direction (Y1 direction and Y2 direction) and the amount of rotation in the Y direction. In other words, it can detect the tilt direction (Y1 direction and Y2 direction) and the amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the Y direction.

[0073] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, the second rotation detection unit 4 includes a second slide member 110 and a second movable contact piece 120.

[0074] The second slide member 110 is the part that holds the second movable contact piece 120. The second slide member 110 is made of resin. The second slide member 110 is formed to extend in the X direction, and the second movable contact piece 120 is fixed to its lower surface. The second slide member 110 is positioned at the Y1 side end of the substrate 70, which will be described later. The second slide member 110 has a protrusion 111.

[0075] The protrusion 111 is a portion that protrudes in the Y2 direction from the Y2 side surface of the second slide member 110. The protrusion 111 is clamped from the X1 side and the X2 side by the drive unit 35 of the second interlocking member 30. The second slide member 110 is positioned so that the drive unit 35 can clamp the protrusion 111.

[0076] The second movable contact piece 120 is an elastic spring contact piece fixed in the center to the second slide member 110, extending from the center to the X1 and X2 sides. The second movable contact piece 120 is made of metal. The second movable contact piece 120 is formed so that both ends in the X direction can come into contact with the upper surface of the substrate 70.

[0077] When the operating member 40 is tilted in the X direction, the second interlocking member 30 rotates in the X direction in conjunction with the tilting of the operating member 40, and the drive unit 35 rotates in the X direction. When the drive unit 35 rotates in the X direction, the protrusion 111 held by the drive unit 35 is driven in the X direction, and the second slide member 110 is driven in the X direction. When the second slide member 110 is driven in the X direction, the second movable contact piece 120 held by the second slide member 110 slides on the substrate 70 in the X direction. That is, the second movable contact piece 120 slides in the X direction in conjunction with the tilting of the operating member 40 in the X direction. Therefore, by detecting the position (resistance value) of the second movable contact piece 120 using the second resistor circuit, which will be described later and is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 70, the rotation of the second interlocking member 30 in the X direction can be detected, and the tilting of the operating member 40 in the X direction can be detected. The second rotation detection unit 4, comprising the second slide member 110, the second movable contact piece 120, and the second resistance circuit of the substrate 70, constitutes a second variable resistor, enabling the detection of the rotation of the second interlocking member 30, specifically the rotation direction (X1 direction and X2 direction) and the amount of rotation in the X direction. In other words, it can detect the tilt direction (X1 direction and X2 direction) and the amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the X direction.

[0078] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 7, the multi-directional input device 1 includes a third detection unit 5. The third detection unit 5 is the part that detects the pressing operation of the operating member 40 in the Z direction (axial direction). The third detection unit 5 includes a pressing member 130, a third movable contact piece 140, and a contact piece fixing member 150.

[0079] The pressing member 130 has a support portion 131 and a pressing portion 132.

[0080] The support portion 131 is a part that supports the end of the shaft portion 23 of the first interlocking member 20 from below. The support portion 131 is positioned below the end of the shaft portion 23 of the first interlocking member 20. The shaft portion 33 of the first interlocking member 20 rotates on the support portion 131.

[0081] The pressing portion 132 is the part that presses the third movable contact piece 140, which will be described later. The pressing portion 132 is positioned on the third movable contact piece 140. When the operating member 40 is pressed in the axial direction, the first interlocking member 20 tilts with respect to the X direction so as to lower the shaft portion 23 on the X1 side with the shaft portion 22 on the X2 side as a pivot point, and the pressing member 130 moves downward at the end of the lowered shaft portion 23 on the X1 side, pressing the third movable contact piece 140. Therefore, the pressing operation of the operating member 40 can be detected by detecting the pressing of the third movable contact piece 140 using the switch circuit provided on the upper surface of the substrate 70, which will be described later. The third detection unit 5, with the pressing member 130, the third movable contact piece 140, and the switch circuit on the substrate 70, constitutes a push switch and can detect the pressing operation of the operating member 40.

[0082] The circuit board 70 is a printed circuit board equipped with a circuit for detecting user operation of the operating member 40, specifically a first resistor circuit, a second resistor circuit, and a switch circuit. The circuit board 70 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), and is placed on the bottom surface of the housing 10 (bottom surface portion 81 of the frame 80), with terminals for external connection exposed to the outside of the housing 10.

[0083] On the upper surface of the circuit board 70, a circuit for detecting user operation of the operating member 40, specifically a first resistor circuit, a second resistor circuit, and a switch circuit, is mounted. On the sliding path of the first movable contact piece 100 on the circuit board 70, a fixed contact 71 is mounted for detecting the position of the first movable contact piece 100 in the Y direction. Also, on the sliding path of the second movable contact piece 120 on the circuit board 70, a fixed contact 72 is mounted for detecting the position of the second movable contact piece 120 in the X direction. Furthermore, in the portion of the circuit board 70 corresponding to the pressing portion 132, a third movable contact piece 140 for detecting the pressing operation of the operating member 40 and a fixed contact 73 for detecting the pressing of the third movable contact piece 140 are mounted.

[0084] The third movable contact piece 140 is a snap plate made of a dome-shaped metal plate. The contact piece fixing member 150 is a single-sided adhesive tape. The third movable contact piece 140 of the snap plate is fixed onto the fixed contact 73 of the substrate 70 by the contact piece fixing member 150 of the single-sided adhesive tape.

[0085] Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0086] First, we will explain the operation of the multi-directional input device 1 when the operating member 40 is tilted.

[0087] As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 6, before the tilting operation, the operating member 40 is in a neutral position. At this time, the axial direction of the operating member 40 coincides with the Z direction. That is, the neutral axis CL of the operating member 40 extends along the Z direction. Also, the entire lower surface (around the whole circumference) of the bottom portion 62 of the third interlocking member 60 is in contact with the upper surface of the bottom portion 81 of the frame 80.

[0088] When a user tilts the operating member 40 via the operating knob, for example, in a direction between the Y1 and X1 directions (referred to here as the V1 direction), the operating member 40 tilts relative to the first interlocking member 20 in the X1 direction and then in the V1 direction, using the Y-direction protrusions 43 and 44 of the operating member 40 as axes of rotation, while rotating the first interlocking member 20 in the Y1 direction around the X-direction axes 22 and 23 of the first interlocking member 20 as axes of rotation. As the operating member 40 tilts, the second interlocking member 30 rotates in the X1 direction around the Y-direction axes 32 and 33 of the second interlocking member 30 as axes of rotation. As a result, the first rotation detection unit 3 detects the direction and amount of rotation of the first interlocking member 20 in the Y1 direction. That is, the direction and amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the Y1 direction are detected. Furthermore, the second rotation detection unit 4 detects the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the second interlocking member 30 in the X1 direction. That is, the tilt direction and amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the X1 direction are detected. As a result, the tilt direction and amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the V1 direction are detected. Along with this tilt of the operating member 40, the return mechanism 2 tilts in the V1 direction.

[0089] When the operating member 40 tilts and the return mechanism 2 tilts, the V1 side of the bottom 62 of the third interlocking member 60 slides along the upper surface of the bottom 81 of the frame 80 in the opposite direction to the V1 direction (referred to here as the V2 direction). Also, the V2 side of the bottom 62 of the third interlocking member 60 moves away from the upper surface of the frame 80. As a result, the third interlocking member 60 is pushed inward by the operating member 40, further compressing the compression coil spring 50.

[0090] When the operating member 40 is tilted and the user releases their fingers from the operating knob, the operating member 40, due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50, rotates the first interlocking member 20 in the Y2 direction around the X-direction shafts 22 and 23 of the first interlocking member 20 as the axis of rotation, while tilting the operating member 40 in the X2 direction around the Y-direction protrusions 43 and 44 of the operating member 40 as the axis of rotation. As a result, it tilts in the V2 direction and returns to the neutral position. In other words, the operating member 40 automatically returns to the neutral position when the user releases their fingers from the operating knob. As the operating member 40 returns to the neutral position, the second interlocking member 30 rotates in the X2 direction around the Y-direction shafts 32 and 33 of the second interlocking member 30 as the axis of rotation, and the first interlocking member 20 and the second interlocking member 30 each return to the neutral positions shown in Figures 3 to 6. Furthermore, as the operating member 40 returns to its neutral position, the return mechanism 2 also returns to the neutral position shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0091] Furthermore, when the operating member 40 is tilted in another direction, the operating member 40 tilts in the operating direction with respect to the rotation axis of the operating member 40 in the Y direction (protrusions 43, 44) and the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20 in the X direction (shafts 22, 23), and the first rotation detection unit 3 detects the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the first interlocking member 20 in the Y direction. That is, the tilt direction and amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the Y direction are detected. In addition, the second rotation detection unit 4 detects the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the second interlocking member 30 in the X direction. That is, the tilt direction and amount of tilt of the operating member 40 in the X direction are detected. Also, the return mechanism 2 tilts in the operating direction.

[0092] Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 1 when the operating member 40 is pressed will be described.

[0093] As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 6, the operating member 40 is in the neutral position before the pressing operation.

[0094] When the user presses the operating member 40 downward via the operating knob, the first interlocking member 20, which is connected to the operating member 40 by protrusions 43 and 44, moves downward. That is, the first interlocking member 20 tilts in the X direction so as to lower the shaft portion 23 on the X1 side with the shaft portion 22 on the X2 side as the pivot point, and the end of the lowered shaft portion 23 on the X1 side moves the pressing member 130 downward, pressing the third movable contact piece 140. As a result, the third movable contact piece 140 is driven, and the switch circuit of the circuit board 70 is closed by the third movable contact piece 140, thereby detecting the pressing operation of the operating member 40.

[0095] When the operating member 40 is pressed in the axial direction, the return mechanism 2 pushes the third interlocking member 60 inward of the operating member 40, further compressing the compression coil spring 50.

[0096] When the user releases their finger from the operating knob while the operating member 40 is pressed, the operating member 40 moves upward due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50, while moving the first interlocking member 20, which is connected by protrusions 43 and 44, upward, and returns to the neutral position. In other words, the operating member 40 automatically returns to the neutral position when the user releases their finger from the operating knob.

[0097] Next, the effects of the pivot structure of the first interlocking member 20 and the second interlocking member 30 of the multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0098] In other words, the compression coil spring 50 biases the operating member 40 and presses the shaft portion 22 of the first interlocking member 20 against the bearing portion 13 of the housing 10, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a gap (looseness) between the shaft portion 22 and the bearing portion 13 that receives the shaft portion 22. Specifically, the compression coil spring 50 biases the operating member 40 upward and also biases the first interlocking member 40, which is connected to the operating member 40 by protrusions 43 and 44, upward, pressing the shaft portion 23 of the first interlocking member 20 against a pair of inclined surfaces 14a and 141b of the bearing portion 14 of the housing 10 above from below, thereby fixing the position of the shaft portion 22. Therefore, variations in the neutral return of the first rotation detection unit 3 due to misalignment of the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20 can be suppressed, improving the tracking ability to the operating member 40 and reducing output hysteresis. This improves the accuracy of the output of the multi-directional input device 1.

[0099] Furthermore, since the housing 10 is integrally formed with a pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 that rotatably support the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30 by utilizing the elasticity of the housing 10 material, the pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 integrally formed with the housing 10 become the receiving portion of the housing 10 that receives the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30, and the occurrence of a gap (looseness) between the shaft portion 32 and the receiving portion of the housing 10 that receives the shaft portion 32 is suppressed. Specifically, the pair of clamping parts 151 and 152 clamp the shaft portion 32 from the Z direction, and when the shaft portion 32 is press-fitted between the fixed clamping part 151 and the receiving portion 1521 of the movable clamping part 152, the receiving portion 1521 of the movable clamping part 152 is pushed down by the shaft portion 32, and the pair of elastic parts 1522 and 1523 of the movable clamping part 152 elastically deform and generate an elastic force (recovering force). This elastic force presses the shaft portion 32 against the pair of inclined surfaces 151a and 151b of the clamping portion 151 on the fixed side from below, thereby fixing the position of the shaft portion 32. Therefore, variations in the neutral return of the second rotation detection unit 4 due to misalignment of the rotation axis of the second interlocking member 30 can be suppressed, improving the tracking ability to the operating member 40 and reducing output hysteresis. This improves the accuracy of the output of the multi-directional input device 1. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the shaft portion 32 and the receiving portion of the housing 10 that receives the shaft portion 32 without providing an additional second biasing member as in the conventional method, the number of parts in the multi-directional input device 1 can be reduced, and consequently the cost of the multi-directional input device 1 can be reduced.

[0100] Furthermore, the clamping portion 152 is formed in a horizontal position such that its center intersects with the shaft portion 32 when viewed from the clamping portion 151 side (upper side), and has a receiving portion 1521 for the shaft portion 32 in the center, and a pair of elastic portions 1522 and 1523 on both sides of the receiving portion 1521 in the X direction. The receiving portion 152 is supported so as to be elastically displaceable in the vertical direction by the elastic deformation of the pair of elastic portions 1522 and 1523, thereby preventing the elastic portions 1522 and 1523 from rubbing against the shaft portion 32 and wearing down, and consequently preventing the pair of clamping portions 151 and 152 which are integrally formed with the housing 10 from sagging.

[0101] Furthermore, the receiving portion 152 can be suppressed from elastically displacing in a concave shape along the outer surface of the shaft portion 32, and the positioning of the shaft portion 32 can be smoothly performed by moving (sliding) it along one of the pair of inclined surfaces 151a and 151b of the clamping portion 151 while simultaneously contacting the other.

[0102] Although the multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, in the above description, the upper part of the bearing was made the fixed clamping part and the lower part of the bearing was made the movable clamping part, but the invention is not limited to this, and the upper part of the bearing can be made the movable clamping part and the lower part of the bearing can be made the fixed clamping part. Furthermore, both the upper and lower parts of the bearing can be made the movable clamping parts. In this case, the receiving part can be formed so that the pair of groove side plates of the receiving part have the function of a pair of inclined surfaces. In addition, even if one of the clamping parts is a clamping part that does not have a receiving part in which a pair of elastic parts are continuously and integrally connected, it can cooperate with the other clamping part which has a pair of inclined surfaces to clamp the shaft part (second shaft support part).

[0103] 1 Multidirectional input device 3 First rotation detection unit 4 Second rotation detection unit 10 Housing 20 First interlocking member 22 Shaft (first shaft support) 30 Second interlocking member 32 Shaft (second shaft support) 40 Operating member 50 Compression coil spring (biasing member) 151 Clamping part (upper part of bearing) 152 Clamping part (lower part of bearing) 1521 Receiving part 1522 Elastic part 1523 Elastic part

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device comprising: a housing; an operating member protruding from the inside to the outside of the housing and capable of being tilted in any direction around it; a first interlocking member having a first pivot portion rotatably supported by the housing and rotating in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a second interlocking member having a second pivot portion perpendicular to the first pivot portion and rotatably supported by the housing and rotating in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; a biasing member that biases the operating member to press the first pivot portion of the first interlocking member against the housing and provides the operating member with a restoring force to return the operating member to a neutral position; a pair of clamping portions integrally formed with the housing and rotatably supporting the second pivot portion of the second interlocking member using the elasticity of the housing material; a first rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the first interlocking member; and a second rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the second interlocking member.

2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of clamping portions is formed in a horizontal position so as to intersect the second pivot portion in the center, has a receiving portion in the center that receives the second pivot portion, has a pair of elastic portions on both sides of the receiving portion, and the receiving portion is supported so as to be elastically displaceable by the elastic deformation of the pair of elastic portions.

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