JPH10269902A - Multi-directional input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a device to be miniaturized without moving whole rotary electric parts by rotating the rotary electric parts having rotation of an operation part arranged in rotary axial direction via an Oldham's coupling disposed between the operation part and a rotary shaft and moving the operation part in right angle direction to operate a plurality of push switches arranged in rotary axial direction. SOLUTION: When an operation part 6 is rotated, the operation part 6 operates a rotor in a rotary electric part R via an Oldham's coupling 20 and a shaft 19. When the operation part is pushed and moved in rotary axial direction, the operation part 6 pushes a push type switch P2 via the Oldham's coupling 20. When the operation part 6 is pushed and moved in right angle direction with respect to rotary shaft direction, the operation part 6 moves along an exterior wall face of a cabinet 1 with a drive body 5 and a spring member 4, the drive body 5 moves in the same direction against spring force of a spring arm part 4d, thereby an actuation part 5d pushing any one of a plurality of push switches, for example, a push switch P1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device suitable for use in automobiles and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional multidirectional input device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-203387. This multidirectional input device, as shown in FIGS.
The rotary part R is operated by rotating, and the push switch P is operated by moving the operation part S in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. And
The rotary component R fixes a contact body 50 having a pair of sliding contact pieces 50a and 50b to a box-shaped case 51. In the box-shaped case 51, there is a contact plate slidingly contacting the sliding contact piece 50a. 5
In this configuration, a rotating body 53 to which the fixing member 2 is fixed is attached so as to be rotatable about a shaft 54. The push switch P is
A contact portion (not shown) is provided in the housing 55, and an operation button 56 movably attached to the housing 55 is provided.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 7, a concave portion 58 for guiding the rotary component R is provided on a flat insulating substrate 58.
a pair of rails 58b positioned on both sides of the concave portion 58a to prevent the rotary part R from coming off;
A concave portion 58c and a protruding portion 58d are provided at an interval from a. Further, a fixed contact 59 is provided on the insulating substrate 58.
It is buried in a state of being exposed in the concave portion 58a. Then, the case 51 of the rotary component R is placed in the concave portion 58a of the insulating substrate 58, and the rail 58b is brought into contact with the step portion 51a of the case 51, and the torsion spring is hung on the protrusion 58d. At 60, the rotary component R is attached to the insulating substrate 58 by repressing the case 51. When the rotary component R is attached, the sliding contact piece 51b is
It is in contact with the exposed contact 59a on the insulating substrate 58.

[0004] A housing 55 of the push switch P is fitted into the recess 58 c of the insulating substrate 58, and the push switch P is mounted on the insulating substrate 58 with the operation button 56 facing the projection 51 b of the case 51 of the rotary component R. 58. Further, the operation unit S is configured to be attached to the rotating body 53 of the rotary component R with the screw 61.

Next, the operation of the conventional multidirectional input device will be described. First, when the operation unit S is rotated, the rotating body 53 rotates about the shaft 54 with this rotation. Then, the contact plate 52 attached to the rotating body 53 also rotates, contacts and separates from the sliding contact piece 50a, and switches the contact. This switching of the contact is performed by the sliding contact 50b and the contact 59a.
Through the fixed contact 59. Next, the operation unit S
Is pressed in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 54, that is, in the direction of the arrow Y, the operation unit S
It moves in the arrow Y direction against the torsion spring 60. At this time, the sliding contact piece 50b slides on the contact 59a of the fixed contact 59 to maintain the electrical connection of the rotary component R,
The protrusion 51b of the case 51 presses the operation button 56 of the push switch P.

Then, the contacts of the push switch P are switched. After that, when the pressing of the operation unit S is released, the rotary type component R is moved by the torsion spring 60 to the operation unit S.
Moves to the state before pressing. At this time, the sliding contact 5
0b slides on the contact 59a to maintain the electrical connection of the rotary component R, the operation button 56 returns to the state before being pressed, and the contact of the push switch P is switched. As described above, the rotary part R is operated by rotating the operation unit S, and the push switch P is operated by moving the operation unit S in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0007]

In the conventional multidirectional input device, when the operation unit S is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the rotary component R moves, so that the device becomes large. There's a problem. Further, in order to maintain the electrical connection of the rotary type component R when the rotary type component R is moved, it is necessary to provide a configuration in which the sliding contact piece 50b is slidably contacted with the fixed contact 59, and therefore, the life can be extended. There is a problem that it is difficult, the configuration is troublesome, and the cost is high. Furthermore, since the operation unit S operates two switches by two operations in a direction perpendicular to the rotation, there is a problem that the operation unit S cannot be used for a multifunctional input device.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating unit having a rotating shaft and a rotating shaft which is movable in a direction perpendicular to a rotating shaft direction. A rotary electric component disposed in the rotation axis direction of the unit, a plurality of push switches disposed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the operation unit, and a plurality of push switches disposed between the operation unit and the rotation axis. With the Oldham joint, rotation of the operation unit,
The rotary shaft is rotated via the Oldham joint to operate the rotary electric component, and when the operation unit is moved in the right angle direction, a plurality of the push switches are operated. The configuration was adopted. As a second solution, at least four push switches are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction. Further, a third solution means is provided, wherein the operation unit is movable in a rotation axis direction, and a switch is provided in parallel with the rotary electric component. The switch is operated via the switch. Further, as a fourth solution, a driving body movable with the movement of the operation unit in the right-angle direction is provided between the operation unit and the push switch, so that the operation unit moves in the right-angle direction. At this time, the push switch is operated via the driving body. Further, as a fifth solution means, a box-shaped housing provided with an outer wall is provided, in which the push switch and the driving body are housed, and the operation unit protrudes outward from the outer wall. The configuration was adopted. Further, as a sixth solution, a spring member is disposed between the housing and the driving body,
The operation unit is configured to hold a neutral position.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the multidirectional input device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

A casing 1 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a box shape with one end opened and a hollow inside, and a rectangular recess 1a located in the center and a hollow 1a.
a and four recessed portions 1b connected to each other. Further, the housing 1 has an outer wall 1c, and a cross-shaped hole 1d communicating with the recess 1a is provided in the center of the outer wall 1c. A plurality (four in this case) of unitized push switches P1 having the same configuration are repressed by an insulating case 2 having a built-in switching contact (not shown) and a spring (not shown). In the state, the insulation case 2
And a movable body 3 movably attached to the main body.
And such a plurality of push switches P1
It is inserted into each of the recesses 1b of the housing 1 and attached to the housing 1 by an appropriate method.
Is projected into the concave portion 1a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a spring member 4 made of a metal plate has a rectangular plate portion 4b having a circular hole 4a, and is bent downward from the plate portion 4b so that each side is bent. A pair of spring arms 4d formed at intervals with a notch 4c provided for each. The spring member 4 is inserted into the concave portion 1a from the open portion of the housing 1, the plate portion 4b is placed on the inner surface of the outer wall 1c, and each spring arm portion 4d is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the concave portion 1a. The movable body 3 of the push switch P1 is mounted in the cutout 4c while being mounted in the housing 1. Also,
A box-shaped driving body 5 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a square front plate 5b having a flange 5a at the center, and a front plate 5b.
And a quadrangular cylindrical operating portion 5d having a hollow portion 5c and extending downward from the four sides.

The driver 5 has a front plate 5a.
Is inserted into the recess 1a of the housing 1, the flange 5a penetrates through the hole 4a of the spring member 4 and the hole 1d of the housing 1 and projects outward, and the front plate 5b is inserted into the plate 4b of the spring member 4. In the contact state, the driving body 5 is housed and mounted in the recess 1 a of the housing 1. When the driving body 5 is attached, the spring arm 4 d of the spring member 4 is located between each of the operating parts 5 d located on the four sides and the housing 1, and the driving by the spring member 4 is performed. The body 5 is normally kept in a neutral position. The driving body 5 is movable along the outer wall 1c surface of the housing 1, that is, when the driving body 5 is pressed in the direction of arrow H (the direction H perpendicular to the rotation axis direction), the driving body 5 Against the spring force of the part 4d, it moves in the same direction along the surface of the outer wall 1c with the spring member 4, whereby the operating part 5d can move any one of the plurality of push switches P1. When the body 3 is pressed, the push switch P1 is operated, and the contact is switched. When the pressing of the driving body 5 is released, the driving body 5 and the spring member 4 return to the neutral position before the pressing by the spring arm 4d, and the movable body 3 also returns to the original position, and the contact is switched. Is performed. By such an operation, the operation of the four push switches P1 can be performed here.

Further, an operation unit 6 capable of rotating, moving in a rotation axis direction G, and moving in a direction H perpendicular to the rotation axis direction G.
The operation unit 6 is inserted and attached to the flange 5 a of the driving body 5, and includes the driving body 5, the spring member 4, and the housing 1.
Through the outer wall 1c. In addition, a rotary electrical component R including a rotary switch, a rotary encoder and the like is provided. In this embodiment, a unitized rotary encoder is used. As shown in the figure, a fixed contact 9 made of a metal spring plate is buried in one of the two insulating cases 7 and 8 made of synthetic resin, and the two insulating cases 7 and 8 are combined so as to face each other. ing. Also, the insulating cases 7 and 8 are provided in the insulating cases 7 and 8 respectively.
And a rotatable body 10 having an oval-shaped shaft insertion hole 10a at the center thereof.
The movable contact 1 made of a metal plate that comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact 9
1 is embedded and attached, and a spring 12 is in contact with an uneven portion 10 b provided on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating body 10 to form a moderation mechanism. The rotary electric component R thus unitized is arranged in the rotation axis direction G of the operation unit 6, and is housed in the recess 1 a of the housing 1 below the operation unit 6. 1 is attached by an appropriate method.

Further, a push-type switch P2 is provided as a unit. The push-type switch P2 shown here is made of a metal plate in an insulating case 13 made of synthetic resin as shown in FIG. The fixed contact 14 and the lead-out terminal 15 are embedded, and the movable contact 16 is made of a metal spring plate.
Is housed in the insulating case 13, the periphery of the movable contact 16 is always in contact with the lead-out terminal 15, and the cut-and-raised portion 16 a is detachable from the fixed contact 14.
It is in the state of facing. A movable body 17 made of rubber having a dome-like spring property is provided in the insulating case 13.
Is provided, and a cover 18 having an opening 18 a at the center is provided so as to close the open portion of the insulating case 13. The push-type switch P2 thus unitized is arranged side by side so as to overlap with the rotary electric component R in the rotation axis direction G, and the shaft insertion hole 10a and the opening 18a face each other. The switch P2 is mounted in the recess 1a of the housing 1 and mounted on the rotary electric component R by an appropriate method. The push switch P1 is fitted so as to face the other push switch P1.

Further, a non-circular shaft 19 made of metal or the like and capable of rotating and moving in the direction G of the rotation axis is provided.
Is fitted and attached to the hole 10a of the rotating body 10 of the rotary electric component R, and one end thereof is in contact with the movable body 17 of the switch P2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an Oldham joint 20 is provided between the shaft 19 and the operation unit 6, and the rotation of the operation unit 6 in the rotation axis direction G is performed by the Oldham joint 20. The movement and the movement in the direction H perpendicular to the rotation axis direction G are enabled. The Oldham joint 20 includes a ridge 20 a provided at one end of the operation unit 6, a ridge 20 b provided at one end of the shaft 19,
The concave ridge 20c provided on the one surface and the concave ridge 2 provided on the other surface are disposed between the operation unit 6 and the shaft 19.
0d is orthogonal to the transmitting portion 20e.

The Oldham joint 20 is a ridge 2
0a corresponds to the concave ridge 20c of the transmitting portion 20e, and the convex ridge 2
0b are fitted together with the concave ridges 20d of the transmission portion 20e. When the operating part 6 is rotated, the Oldham joint 20 rotates the convex ridge 20a, and thereby the concave ridge 20 fitted with the convex ridge 20a.
c causes the transmission portion 20e to rotate, and further, the transmission portion 20e
Is transmitted to the convex portion 20b fitted to the concave ridge portion 20d to rotate the shaft 19, and further, the rotary body 10 of the rotary electric component R also rotates, thereby rotating the rotary electric component R. Is switched. When the operation unit 6 is moved in a direction H perpendicular to the rotation axis direction G of the operation unit 6, the convex ridge 20a and the concave ridge 20c, and the convex ridge 20b
The operating portion 6 can be moved in the right-angle direction H without rotating the shaft 19 by performing a sliding operation between the operating portion 6 and the concave ridge portion 20d. When the operation unit 6 is moved in the rotation axis direction G, the operation unit 6 can be moved together with the transmission unit 20e and the shaft 19.

Next, the operation of the multi-directional input device of the present invention having such a configuration will be described. In FIG. 2, first, when the operation unit 6 is rotated, the operation unit 6 is moved to the Oldham joint 20 and the shaft 19. Of the rotary electric component R through the
To rotate. Then, the rotating body 10 rotates with a click feeling by a moderation mechanism of the spring 12 and the movable contact 11 slides on the fixed contact 9 to switch the contact. The contact 9 is derived from the terminal.

Next, the operation unit 6 is pressed in the rotation axis direction G.
When moved, the operation unit 6 presses the shaft 19 via the Oldham joint 20. Then, the shaft 19 becomes the hole 1 of the rotating body 10.
The shaft 19 presses the dome-shaped movable body 17 of the push-type switch P2, and the movable body 17 reverses to fix the cut-and-raised portion 16a of the movable contact 16. By contacting the contact 14, the lead-out terminal 1
The contact between the fixed contact 14 and the fixed contact 14 is conducted to switch the contact, and the switching of the contact is derived from the fixed contact 14 and the terminal 15. Next, when the pressing of the operation unit 6 in the rotation axis direction G is released, the movable body 17 is reversed by the spring property and returns to the original state. Then, the cut-and-raised part 16a is also in the original state by the spring property.
That is, the contact with the fixed contact 14 is separated and the contact is switched. In addition, due to the reversing movement of the movable body 17, the movable body 17 pushes the shaft 19, the Oldham joint 20, and the operation unit 6 back to the original state.

Next, when the operation unit 6 is pressed and moved in the direction H perpendicular to the rotation axis direction G, the operation unit 6 is moved to the outer wall 1c surface of the housing 1 together with the driving body 5 and the spring member 4. Move along. Then, the driving body 5 moves in the same direction against the spring force of the spring arm portion 4d.
By pressing the movable body 3 of any one of the plurality of push switches P1, the push switch P1 is operated, and the contact is switched. When the pressing of the operating unit 6 is released, the operating unit 6, the driving body 5, and the spring member 4 return to the neutral position before the pressing by the spring arm 4d, and the movable body 3 returns to the original position. Then, the contact is switched. And by such operation,
Here, the operation of each of the four push switches P1 can be performed.

When such a multidirectional input device is applied to, for example, an automobile, the rotary electric component R is
It is used to adjust the volume of the audio, and the four push switches P1 are used to move the cursor up, down, left and right of the navigation.
It is used to determine the movement of the cursor. In the embodiment described above, the switch P2 is used. However, the switch P2 may be deleted as necessary. Further, the push switch P1 is described as having four switches.
The number may be selected according to various usage purposes such as individual. Further, the switches P1 and P2 are not limited to those shown here, but may have various structures. Further, the concave groove 20c, 20d is formed in a dovetail shape, and the convex groove 20a, 2d is formed.
Ob may be a wedge-shaped convex ridge that engages with the dovetail groove.

[0021]

According to the multidirectional input device of the present invention, since the Oldham joint is provided between the operating portion and the shaft for operating the rotary electric component, the multidirectional input device can be used when the operating portion is moved in a right angle direction. Therefore, the entire rotary electric component does not move, so that the space factor is good and the device is small. In addition, since the entire rotary electric component does not move, a sliding contact and a fixed contact at the time of moving as in the related art become unnecessary, so that a long life can be achieved and an inexpensive device can be provided. Further, since a plurality of push switches are provided in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the operation unit and operated by the operation unit, a multifunctional input device can be provided. Also, push the push switch at least four times in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction.
Since the individual devices are provided, multi-function input can be further performed, and an input device suitable for use in car navigation can be provided. In addition, since a push-type switch provided in parallel with the rotary electric component is provided and operated by moving the operation unit in the direction of the rotation axis, further multi-function input can be performed, and the operation can be reduced in size and operation. An apparatus having good properties can be provided. Further, since the push switch is operated by the driving body by combining the operation unit and the driving body, the operation of the operation unit can be transmitted to the driving body which is a separate member.
The degree of freedom can be given to the arrangement of the push switches, and a flexible device can be provided. Further, since the driving body and the push switch are housed in the housing, a small-sized and multifunctional input device can be provided. Furthermore,
Since a spring member is disposed between the housing and the driving body to maintain the neutral position of the operation unit, it is possible to provide an inexpensive device with a simple configuration, good assemblability, and low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multidirectional input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a case according to the multidirectional input device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional multidirectional input device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an insulating substrate according to a conventional multidirectional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 R rotary electric component P1 push switch P2 push type switch 1 housing 1a recess 1b recess 1c outer wall 1d hole 2 insulating case 3 movable body 4 spring member 4a hole 4b plate 4c cutout 4d spring arm 5 driver 5a Flange portion 5b Front plate 5c Hollow portion 5d Operating portion 6 Operating portion 7 Insulating case 8 Insulating case 9 Fixed contact 10 Rotating body 10a Hole 10b Uneven portion 11 Movable contact 12 Spring 13 Insulating case 14 Fixed contact 15 Derivation terminal 16 Movable contact 16a Raised part 17 Movable body 18 Cover 18a Opening 19 Axis 20 Oldham joint 20a Convex ridge 20b Convex ridge 20c Concave ridge 20d Concave ridge 20e Transmission part

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit movable in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis direction and a rotation operation, a rotary electric component having a rotation axis, and arranged in a rotation axis direction of the operation unit; A plurality of push switches disposed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the unit, and an Oldham joint provided between the operation unit and the rotation shaft, and the Oldham connection by rotation of the operation unit. The rotary shaft is rotated via a hand to operate the rotary electric component, and when the operation unit is moved in the right-angle direction, a plurality of the push switches are operated. Multi-directional input device. 2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein at least four push switches are provided in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction. 3. A switch that enables the operation unit to move in a rotation axis direction and that is provided in parallel with the rotary electric component, wherein the switch in the rotation axis direction moves the operation unit through the rotation shaft. 3. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the device is operated. 4. A driving body movable between the operation unit and the push switch in accordance with the movement of the operation unit in the right-angle direction, wherein the drive unit is driven when the operation unit moves in the right-angle direction. 4. The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the push switch is operated via a body. 5. A box-shaped housing provided with an outer wall, wherein the housing houses the push switch and the driver, and the operation unit projects outward from the outer wall. The multidirectional input device according to claim 4, wherein 6. The multi-directional input device according to claim 5, wherein a spring member is disposed between the housing and the driving body to maintain a neutral position of the operation unit.