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 housing and can be tilted; a first interlocking member (20) that holds the operation member so as to be able to rotate in a second direction (X), and is held by the housing so as to be able to rotate in a first direction (Y) that is orthogonal to the second direction in response to a tilting operation of the operation member; a second interlocking member (30) that is held by the housing so as to be able to rotate in the second direction in response to a tilting operation of the operation member; a first rotation detection unit (3) that detects rotation of the first interlocking member; a second rotation detection unit (4) that detects rotation of the second interlocking member; a biasing member (50) that applies, to the operation member, a return force for returning the operation member to a neutral position; and an elastic body (6) that biases the first interlocking member in a thrust direction.

Description

Multi-directional input device

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a multi-directional input device provided with an operation member capable of tilting in an arbitrary direction around, which outputs a signal according to the operation direction and operation amount with respect to this operation member, and can turn on / off an internal switch circuit according to a pressing operation with respect to this operation member. As such a multi-directional input device, a first interlocking member that holds an operation member rotatably in a second direction and is held by a housing rotatably in a first direction orthogonal to the second direction according to the tilting operation of the operation member, a second interlocking member that is held by the housing rotatably in the second direction according to the tilting operation of the operation member, and a biasing member that applies a restoring force for returning the operation member to a neutral position are provided, and there has been proposed one having a configuration for reducing the play in the thrust direction of the first interlocking member by the biasing force from the biasing member (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-116084

[0004] In the conventional multi-directional input device, since the first interlocking member is biased in the thrust direction by the restoring force for returning the operation member to the neutral position, there is a possibility that the biasing of the first interlocking member in the thrust direction may prevent the operation member from returning from the tilted state to the neutral position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to provide a multi-directional input device capable of reducing the play in the thrust direction of the first interlocking member without preventing the operation member from returning to the neutral position.

[0006] The multi-directional input device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a housing; an operating member that protrudes from the housing and can be tilted; a first interlocking member that holds the operating member so as to be rotatable in a second direction and is held in the housing so as to be rotatable in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction in response to the tilting operation of the operating member; a second interlocking member that is held in the housing so as to be rotatable in the second direction in response to the tilting operation of the operating member; a first rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the first interlocking member; a second rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the second interlocking member; a biasing member that applies a returning force to the operating member to return it to a neutral position; and an elastic body that biases the first interlocking member in the thrust direction.

[0007] According to the multi-directional input device of the present invention, by providing an elastic body that biases the first interlocking member in the thrust direction, it becomes possible to bias the first interlocking member in the thrust direction with a biasing force smaller than that of the biasing member that returns the operating member to the neutral position. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the rattle of the first interlocking member in the thrust direction without hindering the return of the operating member to the neutral position.

[0008] In the multi-directional input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic body is held in the housing. In this case, the first interlocking member to which the elastic body is biased is also held in the housing, so there is a high degree of freedom in the design of the arrangement, shape and structure of the elastic body, for example, sufficient durability can be ensured with externally attached and retrofitted elastic bodies held outside the housing, deterioration of assembly can be prevented, and the rattle in the thrust direction of the first interlocking member can be appropriately reduced.

[0009] In the multi-directional input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic body is integrally formed with a fixing member fixed to the housing. In this case, since the elastic body is held by the housing via the fixing member, sufficient holding strength of the elastic body can be ensured, and the rattle in the thrust direction of the first interlocking member can be appropriately reduced.

[0010] In the multi-directional input device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic body has a cantilevered leaf spring structure that presses its free end side against the end face of the rotation axis of the first interlocking member, which is exposed to the outside of the housing. In this case, the elastic body makes it possible to properly bias the first interlocking member in the thrust direction without applying a radial load to the rotation axis of the first interlocking member, thereby suppressing the thrust direction movement of the first interlocking member, which in turn suppresses the movement of the operating member held by the first interlocking member, which in turn suppresses the movement of the second interlocking member that moves in accordance with the movement of the operating member, and thereby suppresses the influence of the second rotation detection unit of the second interlocking member.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device that can reduce the thrust-direction play of the first interlocking member without hindering the return of the operating member to the neutral position.

[0012] This is a perspective view of a multidirectional 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 the housing and frame 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 perspective view of the elastic body of Figure 1 with the elastic body made transparent. This is a perspective view of the elastic body of Figure 1.

[0013] Hereinafter, a multi-directional input device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. The multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 10, an operating member 40 that protrudes from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside and can be tilted in any direction around it, a first interlocking member 20 that holds the operating member 40 so as to be rotatable in a second direction and is held in the housing 10 so as to be rotatable in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction in response to the tilting operation of the operating member 40, a second interlocking member 30 that is held in the housing 10 so as to be rotatable in a second direction in response to the tilting operation of the operating member 40, a first rotation detection unit 3 that detects the rotation of the first interlocking member 20, a second rotation detection unit 4 that detects the rotation of the second interlocking member 30, a compression coil spring 50 which is a biasing member that applies a returning force to the operating member 40 to return the operating member 40 to a neutral position, and an elastic body 6 that biases the first interlocking member 20 in the thrust direction. 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 of the tilt of the operating member 40 with high accuracy. However, the applications of the multi-directional input device are not limited to this.

[0014] 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 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in 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, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of Figure 1 with the elastic body 6 made transparent. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the elastic body 6 in Figure 1.

[0015] 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 will be 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. 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, will be defined as the upward direction, and the opposite direction, the Z2 direction, will be defined as the downward direction. The first direction, which is the rotation direction of the first interlocking member 20, will be defined as the Y direction. The second direction, which is the rotation direction of the second interlocking member 30, will be defined as the X direction.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, 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, a contact piece fixing member 150, and an upper cover 160.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 8, 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 (described later), and the upper cover 160 is fixed to the upper surface. The housing 10 has an opening 11, a fitting recess 12, bearing portions 13 to 16, and thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b.

[0018] The opening 11 is formed in the upper part of the housing 10 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.

[0019] The fitting recesses 12 are formed at multiple locations (three locations in the illustrated example) on the upper surface surrounding the opening 11 of the housing 10, and each of them fits with a plurality of fitting protrusions 164 of the upper cover 160, which will be described later, for positioning.

[0020] The bearing portion 13 is the part that holds the shaft portion 22 of the first interlocking member 20, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the bearing portion 13 is a through hole formed in the side wall of the housing 10 on the X2 side. The bearing portion 13 is opened on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the X2 side such that the bottom is closed and the top and X2 direction are open.

[0021] The bearing portion 14 is the part that houses the shaft portion 23 of the first interlocking member 20, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the bearing portion 14 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 on the X1 side. The bearing portion 14 does not have a part that supports the shaft portion from below.

[0022] The bearing portion 15 is the part that holds the shaft portion 32 of the second interlocking member 30, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bearing portion 15 is a through hole formed in the side wall of the housing 10 on the Y1 side. The bearing portion 15 is opened on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the Y1 side such that the bottom is closed and the top and Y1 direction are open.

[0023] The bearing portion 16 is the part that houses the shaft portion 33 of the second interlocking member 30, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bearing portion 16 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 10 on the Y2 side. The bearing portion 16 does not have a part that supports the shaft portion from below.

[0024] The thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b will be described later.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 8, 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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, drive portion 24, and protrusions 25a, 25b.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The clamping portion 21b is the part that clamps the operating member 40. The clamping portion 21b is formed in a spherical shape with an open center, covering the Y2 side of the base portion 42 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, and the convex portion 44 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, is inserted into the opening.

[0031] The clamping portions 21a and 21b are integrally formed and connected to the X1 side and the X2 side. Hereinafter, the spherical portion formed by the clamping portions 21a and 21b will be referred to as the clamping portion 21. The clamping portion 21 is formed to abut against the Y1 side and Y2 side of the base portion 42 of the operating member 40, which will be described later, and to be spaced apart from the X1 side and the X2 side.

[0032] The shaft portion 22 is the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20, extending in the X2 direction from the X2 side of the clamping portion 21. The shaft portion 22 is arranged coaxially with the shaft portion 23. The shaft portion 22 is rotatably held by the bearing portion 13 of the housing 10. The end of the shaft portion 22 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening in the bearing portion 13 that opens on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the X2 side.

[0033] The shaft portion 23 is the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20, extending in the direction of X1 from the X1 side of the clamping portion 21. The shaft portion 23 is arranged coaxially with the shaft portion 22. The shaft portion 23 is rotatably housed in the bearing portion 14 of the housing 10. The shaft portion 23 is supported from below by a pressing member 130, which will be described later. As a result, the shaft portion 23 is rotatably held in the bearing portion 14 of the housing 10.

[0034] The drive unit 24 is the part that drives the first slide member 90, which will be described later. The drive unit 24 extends downward from the X2 side of the clamping portion 21 and is formed to clamp the protrusion 91 of the first slide member 90, which will be described later, from the Y1 side and the Y2 side.

[0035] The protrusions 25a and 25b will be described later.

[0036] With the above configuration, the first interlocking member 20 is held by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable with the X direction as the axis of rotation. The first interlocking member 20 also clamps 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. In other words, the first interlocking member 20 holds the operating member 40 so as to be tiltable in the Y direction. Furthermore, when the operating member 40 tilts in the X direction, the operating member 40 moves inside the opening of the clamping portion 21 (between the X1 side and the X2 side). Therefore, the first interlocking member 20 does not hinder the tilting of the operating member 40 in the X direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2 to 7, the second interlocking member 30 is a member that holds the operating member 40 so that it can be tilted in the X direction. The second interlocking member 30 is made of resin. The second interlocking member 30 is held in the housing 10 so that it can rotate with the Y direction as the axis of rotation. The second interlocking member 30 has a clamping portion 31, shaft portions 32 and 33, leg portions 34, and a drive portion 35.

[0038] The clamping portion 31 is the part that clamps the operating member 40. The clamping portion 31 is formed in a spherical shape with an open center, covering the upper surface of the base portion 42 of the operating member 40 (described later), and the shaft portion 41 of the operating member 40 (described later) is inserted into the opening so as to be movable in the axial direction. The clamping portion 31 is formed to abut the X1 and X2 sides of the operating member 40 and to be spaced apart from the Y1 and Y2 sides of the operating member 40.

[0039] The shaft portion 32 is the rotation axis of the second interlocking member 30, extending in the Y1 direction from the Y1 side of the clamping portion 31. The shaft portion 32 is arranged coaxially with the shaft portion 33. The shaft portion 32 is rotatably held by the bearing portion 15 of the housing 10. The end of the shaft portion 32 is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through an opening in the bearing portion 15 which is opened on the outer surface of the housing 10 on the Y1 side.

[0040] The shaft portion 33 is the rotation axis of the second interlocking member 30, extending in the Y2 direction from the Y2 side of the clamping portion 31. The shaft portion 33 is arranged coaxially with the shaft portion 32. The shaft portion 33 is rotatably held by the bearing portion 16 of the housing 10.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] With the above configuration, the second interlocking member 30 is held by 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.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the operation member 40 is a member that receives an operation from a user. The operation member 40 is held by the first interlocking member 20 so as to be tiltable in the Y direction and by the second interlocking member 30 so as to be tiltable in the X direction. The operation member 40 tilts in the X direction and the Y direction according to the user's tilting operation. The operation member 40 is formed of resin. The operation member 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape and houses a return mechanism 2 described later inside. The operation member 40 is held by the first interlocking member 20 and the second interlocking member 30 such that the axial direction is in the Z direction at the neutral position, that is, such that the neutral axis CL extends along the Z direction. The neutral position of the operation member 40 is the position (origin) when the operation member 40 is not being operated. Hereinafter, the configuration of the operation member 40 will be described based on the state when it is not being operated. The operation member 40 has a shaft portion 41, a base portion 42, and convex portions 43 and 44.

[0045] The shaft portion 41 is a cylindrical portion 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 openings 161 and 162 (to be described later) of the upper cover 160 of the housing 10. By the shaft portion 41 coming into contact with the edge of the opening 162 of the upper cover 160, the tilting angle of the operation member 40 is restricted within a predetermined range. For example, a disk-shaped operation knob (not shown) is attached to the upper end of the shaft portion 41. The shape of the operation knob can be any shape that is easy for the user to operate. The operation knob may be integrally formed with the upper end of the shaft portion 41. An upper spring seat portion 45 against which the upper end of the compression coil spring 50 abuts is formed inside the shaft portion 41.

[0046] 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 sandwiching portion 21 of the first interlocking member 20, abuts the sandwiching portion 21 on the Y1 side and the Y2 side, and is separated from the sandwiching portion 21 on the X1 side and the X2 side. A female spline 46 that fits with a male spline 611 of a third interlocking member 60 (to be described later) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 42.

[0047] The convex portion 43 is a portion that protrudes in the Y1 direction from the Y1 side of the base portion 42. The convex portion 43 is inserted into the opening of the clamping portion 21a. The convex portion 43 is formed so as to be rotatable in the X direction inside the opening of the clamping portion 21a.

[0048] The convex portion 44 is a portion that protrudes in the Y2 direction from the Y2 side of the base portion 42. The convex portion 44 is inserted into the opening of the clamping portion 21a. The convex portion 44 is formed so as to be rotatable in the X direction inside the opening of the clamping portion 21b.

[0049] With the above-described configuration, the operation member 40 is held by the first interlocking member 20 so as to be rotatable about the Y direction as a rotation axis by the convex portions 43 and 44. The first interlocking member 20 holds the operation member 40 so as to be rotatable about the X direction as a rotation axis by the shaft portions 22 and 23 in the housing 10. Therefore, the operation member 40 is held by the housing 10 so as to be tiltable in any direction (360-degree omnidirectional) around from the neutral position with reference to the rotation axis in the Y direction and the rotation axis in the X direction.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the multi-direction input device 1 includes a return mechanism 2. The return mechanism 2 is a mechanism that biases the tilted operation member 40 toward the neutral position and automatically returns the operation member 40 to the neutral position. The return mechanism 2 is disposed inside the cylindrical operation member 40. The return mechanism 2 has a third interlocking member 60 and a compression coil spring 50.

[0051] The third interlocking member 60 is formed of resin. The third interlocking member 60 has a shaft portion 61 and a bottom portion 62.

[0052] The shaft portion 61 is a cylindrical portion that extends in the axial direction of the operation member 40 from the upper surface of the bottom portion 62. The shaft portion 61 is inserted into the operation member 40 so as to be axially movable inside. The shaft portion 61 has a male spline 611 and a lower spring seat portion 612.

[0053] The male spline 611 is a portion that is fitted to the female spline 46 of the operation member 40. The male spline 611 is formed on the lower outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 61. By the spline fitting between the female spline 46 of the operation member 40 and the male spline 611 of the third interlocking member 60, the third interlocking member 60 is prevented from rotating with respect to the operation member 40.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The compression coil spring 50 is an elastic member that applies a downward biasing force to the third interlocking member 60 while applying an upward biasing force to the operating member 40. The compression coil spring 50 provides the operating member 40 with a restoring force that returns it to the neutral position. 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 45 of the operating member 40, and the lower end is supported by the lower spring seat 612 of the third interlocking member 60.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 come into contact with the upper surface of the substrate 70.

[0061] 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 40 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] The pressing member 130 has a support portion 131 and a pressing portion 132.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0075] First, we will explain the operation of the multi-directional input device 1 when the operating member 40 is tilted.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device 1 when the operating member 40 is pressed will be described.

[0082] As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 6, the operating member 40 is in the neutral position before the pressing operation.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] Next, the upper cover 160, the elastic body 6, the thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b, and the protrusions 25a and 25b will be described.

[0087] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 9, the upper cover 160 covers the opening 11 of the housing 10 from above and constitutes a portion that protrudes upward from the inside of the housing 10 for the shaft portion 41 of the operating member 40, thereby restricting the tilt angle of the operating member 40 to a predetermined range. The upper cover 160 is made of resin. The upper cover 160 is formed in a hollow spherical shape with an opening at the bottom and top. The lower part of the upper cover 160 is fixed to the top of the housing 10. The upper cover 160 has openings 161 and 162, a flange portion 163, a fitting projection 164, a fixing portion 165, and an elastic body 6.

[0088] Opening 161 is formed at the lower part of the upper cover 160 and is a portion that opens downwards to the inside of the upper cover 160. As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 9, opening 162 is formed at the upper part of the upper cover 160 and is a portion that opens upwards to the inside of the upper cover 160.

[0089] The flange portion 163 is a flange-shaped part that protrudes around the entire circumference of the upper cover 160, excluding the X1 and X2 sides, except for the Y2 side at the bottom.

[0090] The fitting projection 164 protrudes downward from multiple locations (three locations in the illustrated example) on the lower surface of the flange portion 163 and fits into multiple fitting recesses 12 of the housing 10 shown in Figures 2 and 8.

[0091] With the above configuration, the upper cover 160 can be attached to the housing 10 of the multi-directional input device 1 in the assembled state shown in Figure 8. For example, the shaft portion 41 of the operating member 40, which protrudes upward from the inside of the housing 10 through the opening 11, is passed through the openings 161 and 162 from below the upper cover 160. In this state, the fitting projection 164 of the upper cover 160 is fitted into the fitting recess 12 of the housing 10 to position the upper cover 160 relative to the housing 10. The flange portion 163 of the upper cover 160 is then adhesively fixed to the upper surface around the opening 11 of the housing 10, thereby fixing the upper cover 160 to the upper part of the housing 10. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the upper cover 160, fixed to the top of the housing 10, covers the opening 11 of the housing 10 from above, and the shaft portion 41 of the operating member 40 protrudes upward from inside the housing 10 by passing it through the openings 161 and 162 of the upper cover 160 from the opening 12 of the housing 10. Therefore, the upper cover 160 restricts the tilt angle of the operating member 40 to a predetermined range by causing the shaft portion 41 to abut against the edge of the opening 162.

[0092] The fixing portion 165 is formed by raising the flange portion 163 on the X2 side of the upper cover 160 above the other flange portions 163, so that the flange portion 163 on the X2 side of the upper cover 160 is spaced upward from the upper surface on the X2 side of the housing 10, which includes the bearing portion 13.

[0093] The elastic body 6 will be explained based on the state in which the upper cover 160 is assembled to the housing 10 as described above.

[0094] As shown in Figures 1-3, 5 and 9, the elastic body 6 biases the first interlocking member 20 to one side in the thrust direction. The "thrust direction" is the direction along the axial direction of the rotation axis. The thrust direction in the first interlocking member 20 is the X direction along the axial direction of the shaft portions 22 and 23, which are the rotation axes of the first interlocking member 20. The elastic body 6 shown biases the first interlocking member 20 in the X1 direction, which is one side in the thrust direction. The "radial direction" is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis. The radial direction in the first interlocking member 20 is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft portions 22 and 23, which are the rotation axes of the first interlocking member 20.

[0095] The elastic body 6 is held in the housing 10. The elastic body 6 is integrally formed with the upper cover 160, which is a fixing member fixed to the housing 10. That is, the elastic body 6 is integrally formed with the upper cover 160, which is a fixing member fixed to the housing 10, and is held in the housing 10. The elastic body 6 is made of resin.

[0096] The elastic body 6 has a cantilevered leaf spring structure that presses its free end against the end face of the shaft portion 22, which is the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20 and is exposed to the outside of the housing 10. The elastic body 6 extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis (shaft portions 22 and 23) of the first interlocking member 20 from the fixed portion 165 of the upper cover 160 that covers the upper part of the bearing portion 13 of the housing 10, and is elastically deformable (flexible) in the X direction.

[0097] The elastic body 6 extends from the fixed portion 165 of the upper cover 160, which covers the upper part of the bearing portion 13 of the housing 10, toward the opening of the bearing portion 13 below, and its free end is inserted into the opening of the bearing portion 13. As a result, the X1-side surface (inner surface) of the free end of the elastic body 6 is pressed against the end face of the shaft portion 22 of the first interlocking member 20. Consequently, the elastic body 6 undergoes elastic deformation and generates an elastic force (recovering force). This elastic force pushes the shaft portion 23 in the X1 direction, thereby biasing the first interlocking member 20 in the X1 direction.

[0098] Here, the elastic body 6 is formed to bias the first interlocking member 20 in the X1 direction with a force smaller than the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50 that returns the operating member 40 to the neutral position.

[0099] As shown in Figure 5, the thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b are portions that receive the first interlocking member 20 which is biased in the X1 direction by the elastic body 6. The thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b are formed on the inner surface on the X1 side of the housing 10, which faces each other in the X direction with the clamping portion 21 of the first interlocking member 20 in between. The thrust receiving portion 18a is located on the Y1 side of the bearing portion 14, and the thrust receiving portion 18b is located on the Y2 side of the bearing portion 14. The thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry of the bearing portion 14 when viewed from a direction along the Z direction.

[0100] As shown in Figure 5, the protrusions 25a and 25b are the parts that the first interlocking member 20, biased in the X1 direction by the elastic body 6, presses against the thrust receiving parts 18a and 18b, and slides against the thrust receiving parts 18a and 18b as the first interlocking member 20 rotates. The protrusions 25a and 25b are parts that protrude in the X1 direction from the X2 side of the clamping part 21 of the first interlocking member 20. The protrusion 25a is located on the Y1 side of the shaft part 23 of the first interlocking member 20, and the protrusion 25b is located on the Y2 side of the shaft part 23 of the first interlocking member 20. The protrusions 25a and 25b are formed symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry of the shaft part 23 of the first interlocking member 20 when viewed from a direction along the Z direction.

[0101] With the above configuration, the first interlocking member 20 is biased in the X1 direction (one side of the thrust direction) by the biasing force of the elastic body 6, rather than by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 50 that returns the operating member 40 to the neutral position.

[0102] As a result, the first interlocking member 20 is positioned such that the X2 side of the clamping portion 21 is spaced apart from the X2 side inner surface of the housing 10 (with a gap), and the X1 side of the clamping portion 21 is pressed against the X1 side inner surface of the housing 10. Specifically, the protrusions 25a and 25b formed on the X1 side of the clamping portion 21 are pressed against the thrust receiving portions 18a and 18b formed on the X1 side inner surface of the housing 10, thereby fixing the position of the first interlocking member 20 in the X direction (thrust direction).

[0103] In other words, by providing an elastic body 6 that biases the first interlocking member 20 in the X1 direction (one side in the thrust direction), it becomes possible to bias the first interlocking member 20 in the X1 direction (one side in the thrust direction) with a biasing force smaller than that of the compression coil spring 50 that returns the operating member 40 to the neutral position. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the play of the first interlocking member 20 in the X direction (thrust direction) without hindering the return of the operating member 40 to the neutral position.

[0104] This makes it possible to stabilize the position of the first interlocking member 20 when the operating member 40 returns to the neutral position (initial state) from the tilted position, and consequently stabilize the position of the operating member 40 held by the Y-direction protrusions 43 and 44 of the first interlocking member 20 that are perpendicular to the X-direction (thrust direction) of the first interlocking member 20, and the position of the second interlocking member 30 that clamps the operating member 40 in the X-direction (thrust direction of the first interlocking member 20), thereby making it possible to suppress variations in the output of the first rotation detection unit 3, which detects the rotation of the first interlocking member 20 in response to the tilting operation of the operating member 40, and variations in the output of the second rotation detection unit 4, which detects the rotation of the second interlocking member 30 in response to the tilting operation of the operating member 40.

[0105] Furthermore, the elastic body 6 is integrally formed with the upper cover 160, which is a fixing member fixed to the housing 10, and is held in place by the housing 10. The first interlocking member 20, which is the target of the biasing force of the elastic body 6, is also held in place by the housing 10. Therefore, there is a high degree of freedom in the design of the arrangement, shape, and structure of the elastic body 6. For example, sufficient durability can be ensured with an externally attached or retrofitted elastic body 6 held outside the housing 10, while also preventing deterioration of assembly ease and enabling a proper reduction of thrust-direction play of the first interlocking member 20.

[0106] Furthermore, the elastic body 6 is integrally formed with the upper cover 160, which is a fixing member fixed to the housing 10, and the elastic body 6 is held by the housing 10 via the fixing member. This ensures sufficient holding strength for the elastic body 6 and makes it possible to appropriately reduce the thrust direction play of the first interlocking member 20.

[0107] Furthermore, the elastic body 6 has a cantilevered leaf spring structure that presses its free end against the end face of the shaft portion 22, which is the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20 and is exposed to the outside of the housing 10. The elastic body 6 makes it possible to properly bias the first interlocking member 20 in the thrust direction without applying a radial load to the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20. This makes it possible to suppress radial axial runout of the rotation axis of the first interlocking member 20.

[0108] Although the multi-directional input device 1 according to this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the above description, the elastic body was assumed to have a cantilevered leaf spring structure in which the free end side is pressed against the end face of the rotation axis of the first interlocking member exposed to the outside of the housing, but any structure is acceptable as long as it can bias the first interlocking member in the thrust direction. For example, the thrust load may be applied to a location other than the end face of the rotation axis of the first interlocking member, or the thrust load may be applied to multiple locations on the first interlocking member, not just one. It may also have a cantilevered leaf spring structure. Furthermore, although it will increase the number of parts, it is also possible to apply a thrust load not only by contacting the first interlocking member but also by interposing another member between the first interlocking member and the elastic body. In addition, the elastic body may be integrally formed with a fixing member such as a frame other than the upper cover fixed to the housing and held in the housing. Alternatively, it may be a metal part integrally formed by insert molding onto a resin fixing member such as an upper cover fixed to the housing, or a resin part integrally formed by insert molding onto a metal fixing member such as a frame fixed to the housing.

[0109] 1 Multidirectional input device 3 First rotation detection unit 4 Second rotation detection unit 6 Elastic body 10 Housing 20 First interlocking member 22 Shaft (rotating shaft) 30 Second interlocking member 40 Operating member 50 Compression coil spring (biasing member) 160 Upper cover (fixing member)

Claims

1. A multi-directional input device comprising: a housing; an operating member protruding from the housing and capable of being tilted; a first interlocking member held by the housing so as to be rotatable in a second direction and rotatable in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction in response to the tilting operation of the operating member; a second interlocking member held by the housing so as to be rotatable in the second direction in response to the tilting operation of the operating member; a first rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the first interlocking member; a second rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the second interlocking member; a biasing member for applying a returning force to the operating member to return it to a neutral position; and an elastic body for biasing the first interlocking member in the thrust direction.

2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic body is held in the housing.

3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic body is integrally formed with a fixing member fixed to the housing.

4. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic body has a cantilevered leaf spring structure that presses its free end side against the end face of the rotation axis of the first interlocking member which is exposed to the outside of the housing.

Images