JP2010080330A - Multidirectional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional input device which can be down-sized easily with a thin thickness, and can make analog signals capable to be output when a tilting operation is carried out. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of contacts 11 are arranged at the outer periphery of the inner bottom face 1a on the base 1, and pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 which can be press-contacted to these contacts 11 is opposedly arranged on the inner bottom face 1a, and a conductive operation body 4 in which tilting operation can be carried out is arranged so that it covers the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 on the base 1. Moreover, a frame member 7 which is a conductive annular member is sheathed on the base 1, and a regulated part 4b installed at a plurality of points of the outer periphery of the operation body 4 contacts the frame member 7 in order that upper movement is regulated. In the tilting operation, the regulated part 4b becomes the tilting fulcrum at one end of the diameter direction of the operation body 4. At other end of the diameter direction, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is set to be compressed on a prescribed part of the contact part 11 pressured by the operation body 4, and a conductive state between the contact part 11 and the frame member 7 can be made changeable depending on the amount of the compression of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device suitable for use in various electronic devices such as remote controllers and mobile phones, and more particularly to a multidirectional input device in which pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is brought into pressure contact with a contact portion by tilting operation. It is.

As a conventional example of this type of multi-directional input device, a total of 4 pairs of contact pairs formed by arranging parallel contact portions with a gap between them are distributed on the inner bottom surface of an insulating base (housing). And pressure sensitive conductive rubber is interposed between each contact pair and the operation member, so that the pressure sensitive conductive rubber is compressed in the operation direction in accordance with the tilting operation of the operation member so as to be in pressure contact with the predetermined contact pair. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a conventional multi-directional input device, the internal resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber that is compressed by being pressed by the operating member changes according to the amount of compression. Not only is conducted, but also the conduction state changes according to the compression amount of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber. As a result, not only the tilt operation direction of the operation member can be detected, but also an analog signal corresponding to the tilt angle can be output, so that the moving speed of, for example, the scroll screen and the cursor can be adjusted steplessly in an analog manner. Become.
JP 2002-278695 A

  By the way, in the multidirectional input device in which both contact portions are made conductive by bringing pressure-sensitive conductive rubber into pressure contact with a pair of contact portions arranged on the inner bottom surface of the base as in the conventional example described above, One contact part is led out to a common terminal projecting outward from the base, but in order to lead a plurality of contact parts distributed on the inner bottom surface of the base to one common terminal A relatively long routing pattern is required. Therefore, when the base is reduced in size and thickness in such a conventional example, it is difficult to lay out the routing pattern to the common terminal on the base, and as a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to promote the reduction in size and thickness of the base. . Although it is possible to increase the number of common terminals to shorten the length of the routing pattern, in that case, the common terminals themselves hinder the miniaturization and thinning of the base, and the multidirectional input device This is not preferable because a complicated wiring pattern must be added to the wiring board to be mounted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional input device that can output an analog signal during tilting operation and can be easily reduced in size and thickness.

  In order to achieve the above object, the multidirectional input device of the present invention includes an insulating base having an exposed inner bottom surface, and a plurality of contact portions arranged in an outer region of the inner bottom surface. A pressure-sensitive conductive rubber disposed on the inner bottom surface and capable of being pressed against the contact portion; and a conductive film disposed so as to cover the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber and capable of being tilted in multiple directions on the base. And a conductive regulating member that is externally mounted on the base and regulates the upward movement of the operating body, and the upper movement is restricted by contacting the regulating member on the outer periphery of the operating body. The regulated portion serves as a tilting fulcrum on one end side in the radial direction of the operating body during tilting operation, and the pressure sensitive conductive rubber is pressurized on the operating body on the other end side in the radial direction. The contact portion is compressed on the contact portion, and the contact state between the contact portion and the regulating member is the pressure-sensitive conductive member. Configured so as to change according to the amount of compression.

  In the multi-directional input device configured as described above, when the operating body is tilted, the regulated portion that is about to move upward on one end in the radial direction is regulated by the regulating member to serve as a tilting fulcrum, and the radial direction, etc. Since the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is pressed against the operation body at the end side, the compressed pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is pressed against the contact portion located below, and the contact portion and the regulating member connect the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber and the operation body. Through. Since the internal resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber changes according to the compression amount, an analog signal corresponding to the tilt operation direction and tilt angle of the operating body can be output. That is, in this multidirectional input device, since the regulating member can function in the same way as the common terminal, it is not necessary to provide the common terminal or its routing pattern on the base, and the entire device can be easily reduced in size and thickness.

  In the above configuration, the restricting member is an annular frame member disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the base, and the operating body is formed on the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber so as to have an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the frame member. If the top plate portion is arranged and a plurality of regulated portions are extended from a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion in a hook shape that can be hooked on the frame member, the device can be reduced in size and thickness. This is preferable because the upward movement of the operating body can be reliably regulated by the frame member that does not obstruct. In this case, if a plurality of through holes dispersed in the circumferential direction are formed in the top plate portion of the operating body, the top plate portion is more easily bent on the outer peripheral side than these through holes, so that the thinness of the device is reduced. The maximum compression amount of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber and the overstroke amount of the operating body can be increased without sacrificing the reduction. In addition, by providing a plurality of notches for individually arranging a plurality of regulated portions on the outer wall portion of the base, and arranging a part of the frame member on these notches, the operation body and the frame member Since the outer diameter can be suppressed to be substantially the same as that of the base, it is advantageous for downsizing, and the movement of the operating body in the radial direction can be surely restricted by the restricted portion and the side wall of the notch portion.

  Further, in the above configuration, when the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is fixed to the back surface so as to face almost the entire back surface of the top plate portion, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is respectively disposed on the plurality of contact portions. Therefore, it is easy to reduce the cost of the apparatus. In this case, if an insulating protrusion is provided between the contact portions that are not electrically connected to each other on the inner bottom surface of the base, and the upper end of the insulating protrusion is disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the contact portion, insulation is achieved. When the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is pressed directly above one contact portion adjacent to the sexual protrusion, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber does not press against the other contact portion, so that erroneous detection can be avoided and reliability is improved. It is preferable because it improves. However, since the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber pressurized just above the insulating protrusion is bent so as to sandwich the protrusion, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber can be pressed against both contact portions adjacent to the protrusion. The frame member may have a plurality of legs soldered to the wiring board on which the base is mounted, and one of the plurality of legs may be connected to an external circuit as a common terminal. Thus, the frame member that restricts the upward movement of the operating body can be securely fixed to the wiring board.

  Further, in the above configuration, a center hole is provided in each central portion of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber composed of a single member that covers the operating body and the plurality of contact portions, and normally closed provided on the inner bottom surface of the base. A conductive reversing spring mounted on the fixed contact and facing the center hole, a fixed contact provided in a region facing the reversing spring on the inner bottom surface of the base, and reversing by being loosely inserted into the center hole An insulative pressing knob mounted on the spring, and by reversing the reversing spring by pushing the pressing knob, the reversing spring contacts the fixed contact, and this fixed contact and the normally closed fixed contact are electrically connected By doing so, in addition to the tilting operation of tilting the operating body in multiple directions and pressing the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber against the contact point located in the tilting direction, the reversing spring is fixed by moving the pressing knob downward. Can be pushed to touch Because, even multi-functionality without increasing the size of the device can be realized. In this case, an operating body for tilting operation is mounted on the collar provided on the pressing knob, and the upward movement is regulated by the regulated portion of the operating body abutting on the regulating member by the elastic biasing force of the reversing spring. In this case, the operating body and the pressing knob can be held in a stable state without dropping off or rattling.

  In the multi-directional input device of the present invention, when the operating body is tilted, the restricted portion to be moved upward on one end side in the radial direction is regulated by the regulating member to become a tilting fulcrum, and on the other end side in the radial direction. Since the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is pressurized to the operating body, the compressed pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is pressed against the contact portion located below, and the contact portion and the regulating member are electrically connected via the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber and the operating body. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a common terminal or its routing pattern on the base. Therefore, it is possible to easily promote downsizing and thinning of the entire apparatus. In addition, since the internal resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber changes according to the amount of compression, this multidirectional input device can output an analog signal corresponding to the tilting operation direction and tilting angle of the operating body.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the input device, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the tilting operation is performed along the line AA in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view when the input device is not operated, and FIG. 6 is a tilting operation of the input device with a small operating force. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the input device is tilted with a large operating force, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view when the input device is pushed.

  The multidirectional input device shown in these drawings includes an insulating base 1 with an inner bottom surface 1 a exposed, various contacts 11 to 13 disposed on the inner bottom surface 1 a, and outward of the base 1. Various protruding terminals 14 to 16, a dome-shaped reversal spring 2 placed on the inner bottom surface 1 a, and a pressure-sensitive conductive material disposed on the inner bottom surface 1 a so as to face the contact 11 group. A rubber 3, a conductive operating body 4 that is arranged so as to cover the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and can be tilted in multiple directions on the base 1, and inner circumferences of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the operating body 4 An annular double-sided adhesive tape 5 that joins the parts together, and an insulating pressure knob 6 that is mounted on the reversing spring 2 and loosely inserted into the center holes 3a, 4a of the pressure sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the operating body 4. And the upward movement of the operating body 4 and the movement in the radial direction are restricted by an annular member arranged along the outer peripheral portion of the base 1. It is mainly constituted by a conductive frame member 7. This multi-directional input device tilts the operating body 4 in four directions (or eight directions) at equal intervals to output an on signal corresponding to the tilt direction, and depresses the pressing knob 6 to turn it on. A push operation of outputting a signal can be performed.

  The base 1 is formed in an octagonal shape in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, trapezoidal insulating protrusions 1 b project at four equally spaced locations on the outermost peripheral portion of the inner bottom surface 1 a of the base 1. Has been. The upper ends of these insulating protrusions 1b are arranged at a slightly higher position than the upper ends of the adjacent contact 11 groups. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the outer wall portion of the base 1 is provided with concave notches 1c at four equally spaced locations, and the operation body 4 is provided in each notch 1c. A hook-shaped regulated portion 4b provided at the outer peripheral edge portion is arranged. In addition, the notch part 1c is provided between the two adjacent sets of peripheral fixed contacts 11 that are electrically connected while maintaining the conductive state.

  The contacts 11 to 13 include eight peripheral fixed contacts 11 that are contact portions of the tilting operation contact mechanism, one central fixed contact 12 that is a fixed contact of the push operation contact mechanism, and two normally closed fixed contacts. 13 The terminals 14 to 16 are a total of four terminals 14 derived from the peripheral fixed contact 11 for tilting operation, one terminal 15 derived from the central fixed contact 12 for push operation, and 2 for push operation. It consists of one terminal 16 led out from one normally closed fixed contact 13. Eight peripheral fixed contacts 11 are provided at eight equidistant positions on the outermost peripheral portion of the inner bottom surface 1a, and two sets of adjacent peripheral fixed contacts 11 are electrically connected within the base 1, One terminal 14 is led out from both peripheral fixed contacts 11. Further, the above-described insulating protrusion 1b is erected on the inner bottom surface 1a between the two peripheral fixed contacts 11 which are adjacent but not conductive. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper ends of the peripheral fixed contacts 11 are arranged at positions slightly lower than the height of the upper end of the insulating protrusion 1b.

  The center fixed contact 12 is located at the center of the inner bottom surface 1 a, and the two normally closed fixed contacts 13 are disposed at two locations separated from the center fixed contact 12 and are electrically connected to each other. As will be described later, the reversing spring 2 is mounted on these normally closed fixed contacts 13. The contacts 11 to 13 and the terminals 14 to 16 are integrated with the base 1 by insert molding. Further, the reason why the set of two peripheral fixed contacts 11 that share the terminal 14 is provided is that the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is in any one of the peripheral edges even if there is a slight variation in the tilting operation direction of the operating body 4. This is to ensure press contact with the fixed contact 11.

  The reversing spring 2 is formed by forming a conductive metal plate rich in elasticity into a predetermined shape, and the dome-shaped portion 2a generates a click feeling during elastic reversal (buckling deformation). Since the outer peripheral portion of the reversing spring 2 is mounted on two normally closed fixed contacts 13, it is always in conduction with the normally closed fixed contact 13, and the dome-shaped portion 2 a faces the central fixed contact 12 so as to be able to contact and separate. is doing. Therefore, the reversing spring 2 can be operated as a movable contact for push operation. Further, on the dome-shaped portion 2a of the reversing spring 2, a pressure knob 6 penetrating the center holes 3a, 4a of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the operation body 4 is mounted. It is elastically biased upward by 2a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, each regulated portion 4 b of the operating body 4 is in contact with the frame member 7 and its upward movement is restricted, thereby preventing the operating body 4 from falling off or rattling. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operating body 4 is tilted, one or two regulated portions 4b come into contact with the frame member 7 in accordance with the tilting operation direction to become tilting fulcrums, and the remaining The regulated portion 4b is moved downward and away from the frame member 7. The reversing spring 2 is not limited to a dome-shaped one having a continuous outer peripheral edge, but may be one having a discontinuous outer peripheral edge as long as it is in contact with the normally closed fixed contact 11 and causes a click feeling. Good.

  The pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is an elastic plate-like body having an octagonal outer shape and a circular center hole 3a formed at the center. Since this pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is filled with conductive powder such as carbon, its internal resistance changes according to the amount of compression. That is, when the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is pressurized and locally compressed, the internal resistance is reduced at this compressed portion, and when further compressed, the internal resistance is further reduced. The inner peripheral portion of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is joined to the top plate portion 4d of the operating body 4 via an annular double-sided adhesive tape 5, and almost the entire lower surface (back surface) of the top plate portion 4d is pressure-sensitive conductive. It faces the rubber 3. As will be described later, since the top plate portion 4d is mounted on the flange portion 6a of the pressing knob 6, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is held by the top plate portion 4d above the inner bottom surface 1a of the base 1. As shown in FIG. 5, a clearance is secured between the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and each peripheral fixed contact 11 in a non-operating state.

  The operation body 4 is formed by punching or bending a conductive metal plate. This operating body 4 has a center hole 4a and a plurality of through holes 4c and a top plate portion 4d disposed on the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3, and an outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 4d at equal intervals. It consists of four pieces of restricted portions 4b that extend in a hook-like shape from the four locations downward and outward, and each restricted portion 4b is hooked to the frame member 7. ing. The regulated portion 4b will be described in detail. The regulated portion 4b includes an L-shape having a lower portion 4b1 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 4d and a horizontal tip portion 4b2 extending outward from the lower end of the lower portion 4b1. . The outer shape of the top plate portion 4d is an octagonal shape that is almost the same size as the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3, and since the plurality of through holes 4c are dispersed along the circumferential direction, the outer peripheral portion of the top plate portion 4d is easily bent. ing. A pressing knob 6 is loosely inserted in the center hole 4a. Since the inner peripheral portion of the top plate portion 4d is mounted on the flange portion 6a provided on the pressing knob 6, the top plate portion 4d is a reversing spring. 2 is supported by the pressing knob 6 and the frame member 7 while being elastically urged upward by the dome-shaped portion 2a. In addition, a double-sided adhesive tape 5 is attached to the inner peripheral side area on the lower surface of the top plate portion 4d, and the top plate portion 4d holds the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 via the double-sided adhesive tape 5. .

  The outer diameter of the top plate portion 4d of the operating body 4 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the frame member 7, and the frame member 7 is provided on the top plate portion 4d and the lower portion 4b1 (the portion excluding the horizontal tip portion 4b2) of each regulated portion 4b. Since each regulated portion 4b is arranged in a different notch portion 1c of the base 1, the movement of the operating body 4 in the radial direction is caused by each regulated portion 4b and each notch portion 1c. And is regulated by the side wall. Further, the horizontal front end 4 b 2 of each regulated portion 4 b of the operating body 4 is disposed below each regulating bar portion 7 b provided on the frame member 7. Each regulated portion 4b is arranged in a different notch portion 1c of the base 1 so as to be able to move down. However, in a non-operating state, each regulated portion 4b is pushed up by the reversing spring 2 and The upward movement is restricted because it is in contact with the restriction bar 7b (see FIG. 5). In other words, after each regulated portion 4b is arranged at a position where it can be hooked by the frame member 7, the operating body 4 is supported on the base 1 via the reversing spring 2 so as to be tiltable. When the operating body 4 is tilted, the regulated portion 4b serves as a tilting fulcrum on one end side in the radial direction, and the top plate portion 4d pressurizes and compresses the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 on the other end side in the radial direction.

  The pressing knob 6 is made of an insulating resin and has a shape that can be mounted on the dome-shaped portion 2a of the reversing spring 2 in a stable posture. The pressing knob 6 has an annular flange 6a protruding outward in the radial direction, and the top plate 4d of the operating body 6 is mounted on the flange 6a. The upward movement of the operating body 4 is restricted by the frame member 7 and the radial movement is restricted by the notch 1c. The dome-shaped portion 2a elastically biases the pressing knob 6 upward. Therefore, there is no possibility that the pressing knob 6 will be loose or fall off.

  The frame member 7 is made of an annular conductive metal plate having an octagonal shape in plan view, and is disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the base 1 so as to surround the operation body 4. Leg portions 7a are projected from a plurality of locations of the frame member 7, and each leg portion 7a is soldered to a land portion of a wiring board (not shown) on which the multidirectional input device is mounted. . However, one of these land portions is electrically connected to the wiring pattern, but the others are all electrically isolated. That is, the frame member 7 uses one of the plurality of leg portions 7a as a common terminal 17a, and the common terminal 17a is electrically connected to an arbitrary peripheral fixed contact 11 (see FIG. 1). . Further, the frame member 7 is provided with four restriction bars 7 b at equal intervals, and the respective restriction bars 7 b are arranged on the horizontal front end 4 b 2 of the different restricted parts 4 b of the operating body 4. Therefore, the upward movement of the regulated portion 4b is regulated by the regulating bar portion 7b.

  Next, the operation of the multidirectional input device configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when not operated, the dome-shaped portion 2 a of the reversing spring 2 elastically urges the pressing knob 6 upward to cause the regulated portions 4 b of the operating body 4 to be regulated by the regulating bars 7 b of the frame member 7. Therefore, the operating body 4 is held in a horizontal posture without backlash, and the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 held by the operating body 4 is separated from each peripheral fixed contact 11 existing below. Further, the dome-shaped portion 2 a is also separated from the central fixed contact 12.

  In such a non-operating state, when the user tilts the operating body 4 by pushing in the top panel portion 4d in a part of the outer region of the top panel portion 4d of the operating body 4, for example, near the base end of the predetermined restricted portion 4b, As shown in FIG. 6, since the operating body 4 tilts with the regulated portion 4b positioned on the opposite side in the radial direction from the pushed side as a tilting fulcrum, the top plate portion 4d is a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber on the pushed side. 3 is pressed and brought into pressure contact with the lower peripheral fixed contact 11, and the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is gradually compressed. As a result, the peripheral fixed contact 11 positioned in the tilting operation direction is in contact with the regulated portion 4b of the tilting fulcrum via the compression portion of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the conductive operating body 4. Since the frame member 7 is electrically connected, the terminal 14 of the peripheral fixed contact 11 and the common terminal 17a of the frame member 7 are electrically connected. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is further compressed as the tilt angle of the operating body 4 is increased, and the internal resistance of the compressed portion is reduced. The current flowing between the terminal 14 and the common terminal 17a increases, and an analog signal corresponding to the compression amount of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is output. Therefore, based on this analog signal, the tilting operation direction and tilting angle of the operating body 4 can be detected. Further, when the operating body 4 is tilted, the inner peripheral portion of the top plate portion 4 d pushes down the flange portion 6 a of the pressing knob 6, so that the pressing knob 6 pushes the dome-shaped portion 2 a of the reversing spring 2. Therefore, when the operating body 4 is tilted by a predetermined angle, the dome-shaped portion 2a can be reversed (buckled deformation) to cause a click feeling.

  When the user pushes the top plate portion 4d directly above the insulating protrusion 1b, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 bends so as to sandwich the insulating protrusion 1b, and therefore is electrically connected to each other adjacent to the protrusion 1b. The pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is in pressure contact with each of the two peripheral fixed contacts 11 that are not, and the tilting operation direction can be determined based on the two types of ON signals that are output (see FIG. 4). Therefore, this multi-directional input device can set the tilting operation direction to 4 directions or 8 directions.

  When the dome-shaped portion 2a of the reversing spring 2 is reversed during a tilting operation, an on signal for a push operation is also output by contacting the center fixed contact 12, but when the on signal is detected, it is already used for the tilting operation. Since the analog signal is output, the ON signal for push operation is determined to be invalid (cancelled) by an external determination circuit (not shown). That is, this multidirectional input device is set so that the push-operation contact mechanism can be switched on and off only when the off-state of the tilting operation contact mechanism is confirmed.

  Further, since the top plate portion 4d of the operation body 4 has the through holes 4c, the outer peripheral side is easily bent. Therefore, even after the dome-shaped portion 2a of the reversing spring 2 is reversed and contacts the center fixed contact 12, the user further pushes the outer peripheral portion of the top plate portion 4d to increase the compression amount of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3. Can do.

  When the operating force is removed after the operating body 4 is tilted in this way, the buckled and deformed dome-shaped portion 2a returns to the original shape while pushing up the pressing knob 6, so that the pressing knob 6 pushes up the operating body 4. Ascending to the original height position. As a result, the compressed portion of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 returns to its original thickness and the internal resistance increases, so that the analog signal for tilting operation is blocked. Further, when the operating body 4 is pushed up to a height position at which the regulated portion 4b other than the tilting fulcrum contacts the regulating bar portion 7b of the frame member 7, the upward movement is restricted, so that the operating body 4 automatically enters the non-operating state shown in FIG. Return.

  Further, when the user presses the pressing knob 6 for a predetermined stroke in a non-operating state, a push operation can be performed. At the time of such a push operation, the pressing knob 6 pushed down by the user pushes the dome-shaped portion 2a of the reversing spring 2 and reverses it (buckling deformation), so that a click feeling is generated and as shown in FIG. In addition, the dome-shaped portion 2 a comes into contact with the center fixed contact 12, and an ON signal is output when the center fixed contact 12 and the normally closed fixed contact 13 (see FIG. 3) are conducted through the reversing spring 2. Further, when the pressing knob 6 is moved downward, the operating body 4 mounted on the flange portion 6a is also moved down by its own weight, so that the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is mounted on the peripheral fixed contact 11. As shown in FIG. 8, each regulated portion 4 b moves downward and the operating body 4 and the frame member 7 are in a non-conductive state, so that an analog signal for tilting operation is not erroneously detected. In this case, when the multi-directional input device is pushed upside down, the operating body 4 does not follow the pressing knob 6, and thus the pressure sensitive conductive rubber 3 remains separated from the peripheral fixed contact 11. However, the analog signal for tilting operation is not erroneously detected. Therefore, the contact mechanism for tilting operation is kept in the off state, and the above-described determination circuit determines that the ON signal for push operation is valid. That is, the user can perform a predetermined input operation by pushing the pressing knob 6 and can clearly feel that the push operation has been performed with a click feeling.

  After the push knob 6 is pushed in this way, when the operating force is removed, the buckled deformed dome-shaped portion 2a returns to its original shape while pushing up the push knob 6, so that the central fixed contact 12 and the normally closed fixed contact 13 is released and the ON signal for push operation is cut off. Further, the pressing knob 6 is raised to the original height position while pushing up the operating body 4, and the operating body 4 is pushed up to a height position at which each regulated portion 4 b comes into contact with each regulating bar portion 7 b of the frame member 7. Since the upward movement is restricted at the time, it automatically returns to the non-operation state shown in FIG. Note that when the multi-directional input device is pushed upside down, the push knob 6 moves up and down without displacing the operation body 4 or the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3.

  As described above, in the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment, when the operating body 4 is tilted, the restricted portion 4b that is about to move upward on one end side in the radial direction is restricted by the frame member 7. Since the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 serves as a tilting fulcrum and is pressed against the operating body 4 at the other end in the radial direction, the compressed pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is pressed against the peripheral fixed contact 11 located below, and this peripheral fixed The terminal 14 of the contact 11 is electrically connected to the common terminal 17a of the frame member 7. And since the internal resistance of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 changes according to the compression amount, an analog signal corresponding to the tilting operation direction and tilting angle of the operating body 4 can be output. Therefore, this multidirectional input device does not need to be provided with a common terminal or its routing pattern on the base 1, and the entire device can be easily reduced in size and thickness.

  In the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment, the annular frame member 7 is disposed along the outer peripheral portion of the base 1, and the operation body 4 is outside the inner diameter of the frame member 7. It has a top plate portion 4d formed on the diameter and arranged on the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3, and a hook-like shape in which the regulated portion 4b can be hooked on the frame member 7 from a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 4d. Therefore, the upward movement of the operating body 4 can be reliably regulated by the frame member 7 that does not hinder the downsizing and thinning of the apparatus. Furthermore, in this multidirectional input device, since the plurality of through holes 4c dispersed in the circumferential direction are formed in the top plate portion 4d of the operating body 4, the top plate is arranged on the outer peripheral side of these through holes 4c. The portion 4d is easily bent, and therefore the maximum compression amount of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the overstroke amount of the operation body 4 can be increased without sacrificing the thinning of the device. In addition, this multidirectional input device is provided with notches 1c for individually disposing each regulated portion 4b on the outer wall portion of the base 1, and on the notches 1c, the restriction bars 7b of the frame member 7 are provided. Therefore, the outer diameter dimensions of the operation body 4 and the frame member 7 can be suppressed to be substantially equal to those of the base 1, which is advantageous for downsizing of the apparatus in this respect as well as each regulated portion 4b. The movement of the operating body 4 in the radial direction can be reliably restricted by the side wall of each notch 1c.

  Further, in the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is fixed to the back surface so as to face almost the entire back surface of the top plate portion 4d of the operating body 4, so that a plurality of peripheral edges are fixed. The number of parts can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is disposed on each contact, and the cost of the apparatus can be easily reduced. In addition, this multidirectional input device has an insulating protrusion 1b protruding between the peripheral fixed contacts 11 that are not electrically connected to each other on the inner bottom surface 1a of the base 1, and the upper end of the insulating protrusion 1b is connected to the peripheral fixed contact. 11 is arranged at a position higher than the upper end of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 when the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is pressed right above the one peripheral fixed contact 11 adjacent to the insulating protrusion 1b. There is no risk of being in pressure contact with the other peripheral fixed contact 11, so that erroneous detection can be avoided and reliability is increased. However, since the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 pressurized just above the insulating protrusion 1b bends so as to sandwich the protrusion 1b, both peripheral fixed contacts adjacent to the insulating protrusion 1b as shown in FIG. The pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 can be brought into pressure contact with 11.

  The frame member 7 has a plurality of legs 7a soldered to a wiring board (not shown), and one of the plurality of legs 7a is connected to an external circuit as a common terminal 17a. The frame member 7 that restricts the upward movement of the operating body 4 can be securely fixed to the wiring board.

  Further, the multidirectional input device according to the present embodiment is provided with center holes 3 a and 4 a at the central portions of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the operating body 4 and mounted on the inner bottom surface 1 a of the base 1. The conductive reversing spring 2 facing the center holes 3a and 4a is opposed to the center fixed contact 12 provided on the inner bottom surface 1a so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the center hole 3a and 4a. A pressing knob 6 is mounted on the reversing spring 2, and the reversing spring 2 comes into contact with the center fixed contact 12 by pushing the pressing knob 6 to reverse the reversing spring 2. That is, this multidirectional input device moves the pressing knob 6 downward in addition to the tilting operation of tilting the operating body 4 in multiple directions and pressing the pressure sensitive conductive rubber 3 against the peripheral fixed contact 11 positioned in the tilting direction. Thus, a push operation of bringing the reversing spring 2 into contact with the central fixed contact 12 can be performed, and multi-function is realized without increasing the size of the apparatus. In addition, the operating body 4 for tilting operation is mounted on the flange portion 6 a provided on the pressing knob 6, and each regulated portion 4 b of the operating body 4 comes into contact with the frame member 7 by the elastic biasing force of the reversing spring 2. Since the movement is restricted, the operation body 4 and the pressing knob 6 can be held in a stable state without dropping or looseness.

  However, the present invention can be applied even to a multi-directional input device that does not require a push operation. In this case, for example, the operation body 4 has a flat plate shape and is provided with a bulging portion directed downward at the center thereof. In addition, the click member placed on the inner bottom surface 1a of the base 1 can be configured to support the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 and the bulging portion of the operation body 4 or the like.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is constituted by a single member having a continuous annular shape. However, the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 3 is not a single member but a pair of peripheral fixed contacts 11 which are contact portions. The pressure-sensitive conductive rubber may be provided.

1 is a top view of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment. It is a side view of this input device. It is a disassembled perspective view of this input device. It is sectional drawing at the time of tilting operation along the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing at the time of the non-operation of this input device. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which tilted this input device with the small operation force. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which tilted this input device with the big operation force. It is sectional drawing at the time of push operation of this input device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 1a Inner bottom face 1b Insulation protrusion 1c Notch part 2 Reversal spring 2a Dome shape part 3 Pressure sensitive conductive rubber 3a Center hole 4 Operation body 4a Center hole 4b Restricted part 4c Through-hole (through hole)
4d Top plate part 5 Double-sided adhesive tape 6 Pressing knob 6a Gutter part 7 Frame member (regulating member)
7a Leg 7b Restriction bar 11 Peripheral fixed contact (contact part)
12 Center fixed contact (fixed contact)
13 Normally closed fixed contact 14-16 terminal 17a Common terminal

Claims (9)

An insulating base with the inner bottom surface exposed, a plurality of contact portions distributed in an outer region of the inner bottom surface, and a pressure contact with the contact portion disposed on the inner bottom surface. A pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, a conductive operation body that is arranged so as to cover the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber and can be tilted in multiple directions on the base, and an exterior of the operation body that is externally mounted on the base. With a conductive regulating member that regulates upward movement,
Provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operating body is a regulated portion that abuts against the regulating member to restrict upward movement, and the regulated portion serves as a tilting fulcrum on one end side in the radial direction of the operating body during a tilting operation, and the radial direction The pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is pressurized by the operating body on the other end side so as to be compressed on the predetermined contact portion, and the conduction state between the contact portion and the regulating member is the compression of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber. A multidirectional input device characterized in that it changes according to the amount.   In Claim 1, The said control member is an annular frame member arrange | positioned along the outer peripheral part of the said base, and the said operation body is formed in the outer diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the said frame member. The top plate portion disposed on the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber has a top plate portion, and a plurality of the regulated portions are extended from a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion into hook shapes that can be hooked on the frame member. A multidirectional input device.   The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of through holes dispersed in a circumferential direction are formed in the top plate portion.   4. The method according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of cutout portions for individually arranging the regulated portions are provided on the outer wall portion of the base, and a part of the frame member is arranged on the cutouts. A multidirectional input device characterized by that.   5. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is fixed to the back surface so as to face almost the entire back surface of the top plate portion. 6.   The insulating protrusion is provided between the contact parts that are not electrically connected to each other on the inner bottom surface of the base according to claim 5, and the upper end of the insulating protrusion is disposed at a position higher than the upper end of the contact part. A multi-directional input device characterized by having been made.   The frame member according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the frame member has a plurality of legs soldered to a wiring board on which the base is mounted, and one of the plurality of legs. A multidirectional input device characterized in that one is connected to an external circuit as a common terminal.   In any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-7, while providing a center hole in each central part of the pressure sensitive conductive rubber constituted by one member which covers the operation object and a plurality of contact parts, the above-mentioned A conductive reversing spring mounted on a normally closed fixed contact provided on the inner bottom surface of the base and facing the center hole, and a fixing provided in a region facing the reversing spring on the inner bottom surface so as to be able to contact and separate A contact point and an insulating pressure knob loosely inserted in the center hole and mounted on the reversal spring, and the reversal spring is reversed by pushing the pressure knob to reverse the reversal spring. A multi-directional input device, wherein a fixed contact is brought into contact with the normally closed fixed contact.   9. The operation unit according to claim 8, wherein the operating body is mounted on a collar provided on the pressing knob, and the restricted portion is brought into contact with the restricting member by the elastic biasing force of the reversing spring and the upward movement is restricted. A multi-directional input device characterized by being configured as described above.

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