Multi-directional input device

An operating member 3 has a shaft portion 31 and a fulcrum portion 32. A first swinging member 4 has a concave fitting portion 42. Inside the fitting portion, engaging surfaces and guide surfaces 45, 46 are included. The engaging surfaces are formed to be engageable with the fulcrum portion. The guide surfaces allow the fulcrum portion to swing with respect to the first swinging member. The second swinging member 5 includes an engaging portion 63 which includes a long hole, and which covers the fulcrum portion while passing the shaft portion through the long hole in a manner that the shaft portion is movable in the longitudinal direction of the long hole, in such a manner that the engaging portion and the fitting portion cooperate to sandwich the fulcrum portion. The engaging portion is coupled with the second swing shaft, and configured to be engageable with the shaft portion.

This application claims priority to JP Patent Application No. 2015-088935 filed 24 Apr. 2015, and JP Patent Application No. 2015-208808 filed 23 Oct. 2015, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, for example, a multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has been known. The multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes: a housing having an opening; an operating member in which an operating portion is exposed from the opening, and which is tiltably operable; and first and second interlocking members which are swung in accordance with a tilting operation of the operating member, and which are held in the housing so that the swing axes of the members extend to perpendicularly intersect with other.

The first and second interlocking members are produced by using an insulating resin, and disposed with respect to a shaft portion of the operating member so that the first interlocking member is located below the second interlocking member. The operating member is coupled to each of the first and second interlocking members, and rotatably supported by the first interlocking member.

In the multi-directional input device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, in order to enable the operating member to be coupled (engaged) with each of the first and second interlocking members, however, a through hole must be disposed in each of the interlocking members. Therefore, there is a case where the rigidities of the interlocking members cannot be sufficiently ensured. This may cause a problem in product strength, and is not preferable.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The invention has been conducted in view of the above-discussed circumstances. It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-directional input device in which the rigidity of a swinging member that is moved in conjunction with an operating member can be improved.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to one aspect of the invention, a multidirectional input device includes:

a case;

a tiltable operating member which is projected from an interior to an outside of the case;

a first swinging member which has a first swing shaft, and which is held in the case to be swingable about the first swing shaft in accordance with a tilting operation of the operating member;

a second swinging member which has a second swing shaft that extends in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the first swing shaft, and which is held in the case to be swingable about the second swing shaft in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating member;

first and second detecting devices which are configured to detect swinging operations of the first and second swinging members, respectively; and

a returning member for returning the operating member to an origin.

The operating member has:

a shaft portion which is inserted into the case from an upper side; and a fulcrum portion which is coupled to an insertion end part of the shaft portion,

the first swinging member

has a concave fitting portion which is integrally swingably coupled with the first swing shaft, and which is formed to allow the fulcrum portion of the operating member to be fittable into the fitting portion from a lower side, and,

inside the fitting portion, includes: engaging surfaces which are formed to be engageable with the fulcrum portion in an axial direction of the second swinging member; and guide surfaces which allow the fulcrum portion to swing about the axial direction of the second swing shaft with respect to the first swinging member, and

the second swinging member has:

an engaging portion which includes a long hole extending in the axial direction of the second swing shaft, and which covers the fulcrum portion of the operating member from an upper side while passing the shaft portion through the long hole in a manner that the shaft portion is movable in a longitudinal direction of the long hole, in such a manner that the engaging portion and the fitting portion cooperate to vertically sandwich the fulcrum portion, the engaging portion being integrally swingably coupled with the second swing shaft, and the engaging portion being engageable with the shaft portion in the axial direction of the first swing shaft.

According to the configuration, when the operating member is tilted, the first swinging member and the second swinging member can be swung independently from each other in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating member. When the operating member is tilted in the axial direction of the second swing shaft, for example, the fulcrum portion of the operating member is engaged with the fitting portion of the first swinging member, and the first swinging member can be swung about the first swing shaft so as to be moved in conjunction with the operating member. In this case, in the operating member, the shaft portion is moved along the long hole, and therefore the second swinging member is not swung. When the operating member is tilted in the axial direction of the first swing shaft, the shaft portion of the operating member is engaged with the engaging portion of the second swinging member, and the second swinging member can be swung about the second swing shaft so as to be moved in conjunction with the operating member. In this case, the operating member causes the fulcrum portion to be swung relative to the fitting portion, and therefore the first swinging member is not swung. Therefore, the swinging operations of the first and second swinging members are detected by the first and second detecting devices, respectively, and the tilt amount of the operating member can be sensed.

Even in the case where the operating member is being returned to the origin, the fulcrum portion of the operating member can be engaged in the axial direction of the second swing shaft with one of the engaging surfaces of the fitting portion in the state where the fulcrum portion is fitted into the fitting portion of the first swinging member. Therefore, rotation of the operating member about the shaft portion can be restricted. Moreover, the structure in which the fulcrum portion is fitted into the fitting portion in order to perform the engagement is employed. In the first swinging member, therefore, it is not necessary to dispose a through hole for engagement with the operating member, and the rigidity of the first swinging member can be improved. As a result, the product strength of the multi-directional input device can be enhanced, and, for example, torsional rotation of the operating member can be surely prevented from occurring.

According to another aspect of the invention,

one of the fulcrum portion of the operating member and the engaging portion of the second swinging member includes a concave part, another one of the fulcrum portion and the engaging portion includes a convex part, and,

when the concave part and the convex part are engaged with each other, the engaging portion restricts an upward movement of the fulcrum portion.

According to a further aspect of the invention,

the multi-directional input device further includes a depression switch which has a pusher that is accommodated in the case to be vertically movable, and a snap type contact member that upwardly urges the pusher, the depression switch being able to detect depression of the operating member.

The operating member is able to be depressed to downwardly move the first swinging member, and,

in the depression switch, the pusher is downwardly moved by the first swinging member which is downwardly moved by depression of the operating member, against an urging force of the contact member, and the contact member is pushed by the pusher.

According to a still further aspect of the invention,

each of the first and second detecting devices is configured by using:

a slider of a straight-ahead type which straightly moves on a circuit board in the case, in accordance with swinging of the first swinging member or the second swinging member due to tilting of the operating member; and

a sliding variable resistor configured by a resistance circuit formed on the circuit board, and a contactor which is attached to an opposing surface of the slider, the opposing surface being opposed to the circuit board, the contactor sliding on and contacting with the resistance circuit.

According to a still further aspect of the invention,

each of the first swinging member and the second swinging member has an operation projection which, in order to enable the slider to move, converts a swinging movement of the first swinging member or the second swinging member to a linear movement,

the operation projections of the first swinging member and the second swinging member are disposed on a bottom portion of the case, and

the first swing shaft and the second swing shaft are placed in a ceiling portion of the case.

According to a still further aspect of the invention,

the operating member is configured to be depressable to cause the first swinging member to be downwardly moved,

the first swinging member has:

an operation projection which, in order to enable the slider to move, converts a swinging movement of the first swinging member to a linear movement, and

the slider has:

a concave portion which vertically movably accommodates the operation projection so as to be engaged with the operation projection in a movement direction of the slider.

According to a still further aspect of the invention,

the first swinging member further includes

a supporting surface which, in the fitting portion, is formed to be contactable with the fulcrum portion of the operating member so as to support the fulcrum portion from a lower side, and

the fulcrum portion of the operating member is fitted into the fitting portion to contact with the engaging surfaces, the guide surfaces, and the supporting surface that are in an inner side of the fitting portion.

According to the configuration, when the fulcrum portion of the operating member is fitted into the fitting portion of the first swinging member, the fulcrum portion can is caused to bump the guide surfaces and the engaging surfaces, to be supported thereby, and further hit the supporting surface which is located below the fulcrum portion, to be supported thereby. When an impact is axially applied to the operating member from the side opposite to the fulcrum portion across the shaft portion because, for example, an apparatus on which the multi-directional input device is mounted falls, therefore, it is possible to effectively mitigate an impact which is transmitted from the operating member to the fitting portion through the fulcrum portion. Therefore, the impact resistance property of the first swinging member can be improved.

According to a still further aspect of the invention,

the fulcrum portion of the operating member is placed to, in a case of fitting into the fitting portion, be in contact with a whole area of the inner side of the fitting portion.

Effects of the Invention

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a multi-directional input device in which the rigidity of a swinging member that is moved in conjunction with an operating member can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a front perspective view of a multidirectional input device1of the first embodiment of the invention,FIG. 2is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows I-I inFIG. 1,FIG. 3is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows II-II inFIG. 1, andFIG. 4is a front perspective view showing a state where a case2is removed from the multi-directional input device1ofFIG. 1. In the multi-directional input device1, it is assumed that, inFIG. 1, the direction of the arrow X is the upward direction, that of the arrow Y is the leftward direction, and that of the arrow Z is the forward direction.

The multi-directional input device1of the embodiment may be used in various electronic apparatuses such as a controller for a gaming machine. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, the multi-directional input device1includes the case2, an operating member3, a first swinging member4, a second swinging member5, a first detecting device6, a second detecting device7, and a returning member8.

The case2can accommodate the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5, and also a circuit board10(for example, a well-known printed circuit board) and the like. In the embodiment, the case2has a lower case11and an upper case12, and is formed so as to, when the lower case11and the upper case12are combined to each other, have a box-like shape.

The lower case11includes a bottom plate portion14and left and right sidewall portions15,16, and is formed into a concave shape as viewed from the front side (seeFIG. 3). The bottom plate portion14is formed into a rectangular planar shape. The left and right sidewall portions15,16are erected from left and right edge portions of the periphery of the bottom plate portion14, respectively, extend in the anteroposterior direction, and are placed so as to be opposed to each other.

In an upper end part of the left sidewall portion15of the left and right sidewall portions15,16, a pair of left nail portions18are disposed so as to be rightwardly projected from the vicinities of the front and rear ends, respectively. In an upper end part of the right sidewall portion16of the left and right sidewall portions15,16, a pair of right nail portions19are disposed so as to be leftwardly projected from the vicinities of the front and rear ends, respectively.

The upper case12includes a top plate portion21and a sidewall portion22which surrounds the top plate portion21, and is formed into a cap-like shape which has a rectangular boxy form, and which is downwardly opened. The upper case12is placed so as to cover the bottom plate portion14of the lower case11, and fitted between the left and right sidewall portions15,16of the lower case11so as to be able to be held therebetween.

In a left edge portion of the periphery of the top plate portion21, a pair of engaging concave portions24which are formed so as to be engageable respectively with the pair of left nail portions18disposed in the left sidewall portion15are disposed. In a right edge portion of the periphery of the top plate portion21, a pair of engaging concave portions25which are formed so as to be engageable respectively with the pair of right nail portions19disposed in the right sidewall portion16are disposed.

As described above, the case2is configured so that, when the upper case12is overlaid on the lower case11to be combined therewith, the pair of left nail portions18and pair of right nail portions19of the lower case11are engaged with the corresponding engaging concave portions24,25of the upper case12, respectively, and the lower case11and the upper case12can be fixed to each other.

In the embodiment, furthermore, a plurality of nail portions26,27are disposed on the sidewall portion22of the upper case12, engaging holes28,29which are engageable with the nail portions26,27are disposed on the left and right sidewall portions15,16of the lower case11, respectively, and the lower case11and the upper case12can be fixed more strongly to each other by their engagement.

The upper case12further includes a through hole30in a substantially middle part of the top plate portion21, and is configured so that the operating member3can be passed through the through hole30. The through hole30is configured by a circular hole having a predetermined diameter which does not impede the operation of the operating member3that is passed through the through hole30, formed so as to be upwardly and downwardly opened, and covered with an elastic cover.

FIG. 5is a rear perspective view showing a state where the operating member3, the first swinging member4, and the second swinging member5are combined with one another,FIG. 6is a front view of the operating member3,FIG. 7is a right side view of the operating member3, andFIG. 8is a bottom plan view of the operating member3.

The operating member3is projected to the outside from the interior of the case2, and configured so as to, in the projected state, be tiltable. As shown also inFIGS. 5 to 8, the operating member3has a shaft portion31which is inserted into the case2, and a fulcrum portion32which is coupled to an insertion end part (lower end part) of the shaft portion31. In the embodiment, the operating member3is made of an insulating resin, and further has a head portion33.

The shaft portion31is placed so to be relatively movable with respect to the upper case12. Specifically, the shaft portion31is formed into a round rod-like shape which is smaller in diameter than the through hole30. The shaft portion31is passed through the through hole30so that the longitudinal direction is set in the vertical direction, and the shaft portion is displaceable between the center position (initial reference position) of the through hole30, and a predetermined position in the radially outer side.

The shaft portion31has a left engaging surface34configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface), and a right engaging surface35configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface). The left engaging surface34is formed so as to face the left side, by cutting away a left lower part of the shaft portion31. The right engaging surface35is formed so as to face the right side, by cutting away a right lower part of the shaft portion31.

The fulcrum portion32is a portion which, when the operating member3is tilted, functions as a fulcrum in the tilting operation, and has an anteroposterior width which is larger than that of the shaft portion31. The outer surface of the fulcrum portion32includes a front swelling surface36configured by an arcuate surface which is forwardly convex, and a rear swelling surface37configured by an arcuate surface which is rearwardly convex, and is formed so as to exhibit a semispherical shape which is downwardly convex as viewed from the lateral side (seeFIG. 7).

The outer surface of the fulcrum portion32has a left engaging surface38configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface), and a right engaging surface39configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface). The left engaging surface38is continuously formed so as to be located in a plane which is substantially identical with the left engaging surface34of the shaft portion31. The right engaging surface39is continuously formed so as to be located in a plane which is substantially identical with the right engaging surface35of the shaft portion31.

FIG. 9is a front view of the first swinging member4,FIG. 10is a rear view of the first swinging member4,FIG. 11is a right side view of the first swinging member4,FIG. 12is a right side sectional view of the first swinging member4, andFIG. 13is a top plan view of the first swinging member4.

As shown also inFIGS. 9 to 13, the first swinging member4has a first swing shaft41in which the axial direction coincides with the anteroposterior direction, and is held in the case2so as to swing about the first swing shaft41in accordance with a tilting operation of the operating member3. The first swinging member4further has a concave fitting portion42which is integrally swingably coupled with the first swing shaft41.

The fitting portion42is fittable to the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3from the lower side, and, inside the fitting portion42, includes: front and rear guide surfaces45,46which allow the fulcrum portion32to swing about the axial direction of the second swing shaft with respect to the first swinging member4; and left and right engaging surfaces48,49which are engageable with the fulcrum portion32in the axial direction of the second swinging member.

In the embodiment, the first swinging member4is made of an insulating resin, and placed above the bottom plate portion14(the circuit board10) of the lower case11. The first swing shaft41is placed while setting the axial direction coincident with the anteroposterior direction, and configured by a front shaft portion41A and a rear shaft portion41B. Each of the front and rear shaft portions41A,41B is formed into a round rod-like shape.

The front and rear shaft portions41A,41B are coaxially placed so as to sandwich the fitting portion42in the anteroposterior direction while setting the respective axial directions coincident with a substantially horizontal direction, and disposed to be swingable with respect to the upper case12. The front and rear shaft portions41A,41B are integrally swingably coupled with the fitting portion42in respective axial end parts.

The fitting portion42is configured by a hollow semispherical member which is downwardly convex, and includes a fitting hole44which is upwardly opened. The fitting hole44has an inner surface having a shape which extends along the front and rear swelling surfaces36,37and left and right engaging surfaces38,39of the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3, and is formed so that the fulcrum portion32can be fitted to the hole with substantially no space therebetween.

That is, the inner surface of the fitting hole44includes the front guide surface45configured by an arcuate surface which is forwardly concave, and the rear guide surface46configured by an arcuate surface which is rearwardly concave, and is formed so as to exhibit a semispherical shape which is downwardly concave as viewed from the lateral side (seeFIG. 12). A lower swelling surface47is disposed in a bottom portion of the hole to thicken the bottom of the fitting portion42.

The inner surface of the fitting hole44further includes the left engaging surface48configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface), and the right engaging surface49configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface). The left engaging surface48is formed so as to be engageable with the left engaging surface38of the fulcrum portion32. The right engaging surface49is formed so as to be engageable with the right engaging surface39of the fulcrum portion32.

The first swinging member4further has a left engaging portion51and a right engaging portion52. The left and right engaging portions51,52are disposed so as to be upwardly projected from the fitting portion42, and configured so that, when the fulcrum portion32is fitted into the fitting hole44and fitted into the fitting portion42, the operating member3can be laterally sandwiched between the engaging portions.

Specifically, the left engaging portion51is erected from the left upper surface of the fitting portion42, and includes a left engaging surface53configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface). The left engaging surface53is placed so as to face in the rightward direction in the left engaging portion51, and continuously formed so as to be located in a plane which is substantially identical with the left engaging surface48of the fitting portion42.

The right engaging portion52is erected from the right upper surface of the fitting portion42, and includes a right engaging surface54configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially vertical surface). The right engaging surface54is placed so as to face in the leftward direction in the right engaging portion52, and continuously formed so as to be located in a plane which is substantially identical with the right engaging surface49of the fitting portion42.

The left and right engaging portions51,52are upwardly projected to a substantially same level (vertical position) from the fitting portion42, and disposed so that, when the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5are combined with each other, the projected end parts (upper end parts of the left and right engaging surfaces53,54) of the left and right engaging portions51,52are located at an approximately same level as an upper end part of the second swinging member5.

The first swinging member4has a front supporting portion56and a rear supporting portion57. Each of the front and rear supporting portions56,57includes a lower surface configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially horizontal surface). The front and rear supporting portions are placed on the front and rear sides of the fitting portion42, respectively so that the lower surfaces are located at a substantially same level, and at substantially the same level as or lower than the front and rear shaft portions41A,41B.

Specifically, the front supporting portion56is disposed so as to be forwardly projected from an upper part of the fitting portion42along the front shaft portion41A, and placed on both the lateral sides of the front shaft portion41A. The rear supporting portion57is disposed so as to be rearwardly projected from an upper part of the fitting portion42along the rear shaft portion41B, and placed on both the lateral sides of the rear shaft portion41B.

The first swinging member4further has a first elongated portion58. The first elongated portion58is disposed so as to be downwardly elongated from the other axial end part (rear end part) of the rear shaft portion41B. The first elongated portion58is formed into a sector shape as viewed from the rear side, and integrally swingably fixed to the rear shaft portion41B so that a lower end part corresponding to the arcuate part of the shape is not contacted with the circuit board10.

The lower end part of the first elongated portion58includes a first operation projection59. The first operation projection59functions to convert the swinging movement of the rear shaft portion41B (the first swinging member4) to a linear movement, and, when the first elongated portion58is swung integrally with the rear shaft portion41B, is laterally displaceable. The first operation projection59is formed into an arcuate shape which extends along the arcuate part of the first elongated portion58.

FIG. 14is a front view of the second swinging member5,FIG. 15is a left side view of the second swinging member5,FIG. 16is a right side view of the second swinging member5, andFIG. 17is a bottom plan view of the second swinging member5.

As shown also inFIGS. 14 to 17, the second swinging member5has a second swing shaft62which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first swing shaft41, and is held in the case2so as to swing about the second swing shaft62in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating member3.

The second swinging member5has an engaging portion63which is integrally swingably coupled with the second swing shaft62.

The engaging portion63includes a long hole64which extends in the axial direction of the second swing shaft62, and is disposed so as to cover the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3from the upper side while allowing the shaft portion to pass through the long hole64so that the shaft portion is movable in the longitudinal direction, in such a manner that the engaging portion and the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4cooperate to vertically sandwich the fulcrum portion32. The engaging portion is configured so as to be engageable with the shaft portion31of the operating member3in the axial direction of the first swing shaft41.

In the embodiment, the second swinging member5is made of an insulating resin, and combined from the upper side with the first swinging member4. The second swing shaft62is placed so that the axial direction is set in the lateral direction, and configured by a left shaft portion62A and a right shaft portion62B. Each of the left and right shaft portions62A,62B is formed into a round rod-like shape.

The left and right shaft portions62A,62B are coaxially placed so as to sandwich the engaging portion63in the lateral direction while setting the respective axial directions coincident with a substantially horizontal direction, and disposed to be swingable with respect to the upper case12. The left and right shaft portions62A,62B (the second swing shaft62) are integrally swingably coupled with the engaging portion63in respective axial end parts.

The left and right shaft portions62A,62B are placed in a substantially same plane as the first swing shaft41of the first swinging member4, i.e., the front and rear shaft portions41A,41B, and disposed so as to be swingable independently from the front and rear shaft portions41A,41B.

The engaging portion63can accommodate a part of the shaft portion31, the left and right engaging portions51,52of the first swinging member4, and the like, and is configured by a hollow semispherical member which is upwardly convex. The long hole64extends in an upper part of the engaging portion63and in the lateral direction so as to pass in the vicinity of the top part, and is disposed so as to be upwardly and downwardly opened.

In order to allow the shaft portion31and the left and right engaging portions51,52of the first swinging member4which laterally sandwich the shaft portion, to pass through the long hole64, and also to laterally move, the longitudinal width (lateral width) of the long hole64is set larger than the total of the lateral widths of the shaft portion and the engaging portions. By contrast, the short-side direction width (anteroposterior width) of the long hole64is set approximately equal to the anteroposterior width of the shaft portion31.

In the engaging portion63, therefore, the front and rear surfaces65,66of the inner surface of the long hole function as engaging surfaces which, when the shaft portion31is passed through the long hole64, are forwardly and backwardly engaged with the shaft portion31, and also as guide surfaces which guide the shaft portion31that is moved in the longitudinal direction (lateral direction of the long hole64.

The engaging portion63further has a front cut away portion67and a rear cut away portion68. In order to prevent the engaging portion63from interfering with the first swinging member4(the front shaft portion41A and the front supporting portion56) when the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5are combined with each other, the front cut away portion67is formed into a concave shape which is downwardly opened, by cutting away a lower side of a front portion of the engaging portion63.

In order to prevent the engaging portion63from interfering with the first swinging member4(the rear shaft portion41B and the rear supporting portion57) when the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5are combined with each other, the rear cut away portion68is formed into a concave shape which is downwardly opened, by cutting away a lower side of a rear portion of the engaging portion63. Therefore, the second swing shaft62can be placed in a substantially same plane as the first swing shaft41.

In the embodiment, when the engaging portion63is combined with the operating member3, moreover, the lower surface of the front cut away portion67bumps, from the upper side, a front upper part of the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3which is located below the lower surface, and the lower surface of the rear cut away portion68bumps, from the upper side, a rear upper part of the fulcrum portion32which is located below the lower surface, whereby it is enabled to press the fulcrum portion32from the upper side.

In the embodiment, the engaging portion63has a front concave part69and a rear concave part70. The front concave part69is formed in the lower surface of the front cut away portion67so as to be engageable with a front convex part71which is disposed on the front swelling surface36of the fulcrum portion32. The rear concave part70is formed in the lower surface of the rear cut away portion68so as to be engageable with a rear convex part72which is disposed on the rear swelling surface37of the fulcrum portion32.

When the engaging portion63is to cover, from the upper side, the fulcrum portion32fitted to the fitting portion42, therefore, the front concave part69is engaged by the front convex part71of the fulcrum portion32, and the rear concave part70is engaged by the rear convex part72of the fulcrum portion32. Consequently, the fulcrum portion32is engagingly held by the engaging portion63to restrict the upward movement of the operating member3, whereby the operating member3can be prevented from slipping off.

Each of the front and rear concave parts69,70has an inner surface configured by an arcuate surface which is upwardly concave so as to correspond to the front convex part71or the rear convex part72, and, after being engaged by the front convex part71or the rear convex part72, can guide the fulcrum portion32which is swung in accordance with a lateral tilting operation of the operating member3.

The second swinging member5further has a left supporting portion73and a right supporting portion74. Each of the left and right supporting portions73,74has a lower surface configured by a substantially flat surface (substantially horizontal surface). The left and right supporting portions are placed on the left and right sides of the engaging portion63, respectively so that the lower surfaces are located at a substantially same level, and at a substantially same level as or lower than the left and right shaft portions62A,62B.

Specifically, the left supporting portion73is disposed so as to be leftwardly projected from a lower part of the engaging portion63along the left shaft portion62A, and placed on both the front and rear sides of the left shaft portion62A. The right supporting portion74is disposed so as to be rightwardly projected from a lower part of the engaging portion63along the right shaft portion62B, and placed on both the front and rear sides of the right shaft portion62B.

The left and right supporting portions73,74are disposed so that, when the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5are combined with each other, their lower surfaces are located at an approximately same level as the lower surfaces of the front and rear supporting portions56,57of the first swinging member4.

The second swinging member5further has a left second elongated portion75and a right second elongated portion76. The left second elongated portion75is downwardly elongated from the other axial end part (left end part) of the left shaft portion62A. The left second elongated portion75is formed into a sector shape as viewed from the lateral side, and integrally swingably fixed to the left shaft portion62A so that a lower end part corresponding to the arcuate part of the shape is not contacted with the circuit board10.

The lower end part of the left second elongated portion75includes a second operation projection77. The second operation projection77functions to convert the swinging movement of the left shaft portion62A (the second swinging member5) to a linear movement, and, when the left second elongated portion75is swung integrally with the left shaft portion62A, is forwardly and backwardly displaceable. The second operation projection77is formed into an arcuate shape which extends along the arcuate part of the left second elongated portion75.

In the multi-directional input device1, in the case where the operating member3, the first swinging member4, and the second swinging member5are combined with one another in the case2, when the operating member3is tilted in an arbitrary direction with using the fulcrum portion32as a fulcrum, therefore, the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5are swingable independently from each other in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating member3.

When the operating member3is tilted in the axial direction (leftwardly or rightwardly) of the second swing shaft62, for example, the left or right engaging surface38or39of the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3, and the left or right engaging surface48or49of the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4are engageable with each other, and furthermore the left engaging surface34or35of the shaft portion31, and the left or right engaging surface53of the left engaging portion51or the right engaging surface54of the right engaging portion52are engageable with each other.

When the operating member3is tilted from the initial reference position (neutral position), therefore, the first swinging member4can be swung about the first swing shaft41so as to be moved in conjunction with the operating member3. In this case, the operating member3causes the shaft portion31to move along the long hole64in the longitudinal direction (leftwardly or rightwardly), and therefore the second swinging member5is not swung.

When the operating member3is tilted in the axial direction (forwardly or rearwardly) of the first swing shaft41, the shaft portion31of the operating member3which is passed through the long hole64, and the front or rear surface65or66of the engaging portion63of the second swinging member5are engageable with each other.

When the operating member3is tilted from the initial reference position, therefore, the second swinging member5is swingable about the second swing shaft62so as to be moved in conjunction with the operating member3. In this case, the operating member3causes the fulcrum portion32to be swung relative to the fitting portion42along the front and rear guide surfaces45,46by using the front and rear swelling surfaces36,37, and therefore the first swinging member4is not swung.

In the multi-directional input device1, the first detecting device6is configured so as to detect the swinging operation of the first swinging member4. In the embodiment, in order to sense the lateral tilt amount of the operating member3, the first detecting device6detects the swinging operation of the first swinging member4, and is configured by a first slider81of the straight-ahead type, and a first variable resistor82.

The first slider81is configured so as to straightly move on the circuit board10in a direction (lateral direction) perpendicular to the first swing shaft41, in accordance with the swinging operation of the first swinging member4due to a lateral tilting operation of the operating member3. The first slider81is disposed on the circuit board10so as to be laterally slidable, and placed on the rear side of the first swinging member4.

In the first slider81, a first engaging concave portion83which is downwardly opened is disposed. In order to enable the first slider81to laterally engage with the first operation projection59, the first operation projection59is accommodated in the first engaging concave portion83so as to be vertically movable. The first slider is laterally slid by lateral displacement of the first operation projection59.

The first variable resistor82is of the slide type. The first variable resistor82is configured by a first resistance circuit formed on the circuit board10, and a contactor which slides on and contacts with the first resistance circuit. In order to slide on the first resistance circuit in accordance with the sliding movement of the first slider81, the contactor is attached to an opposing surface (lower surface) of the first slider81which is opposed to the circuit board10.

The second detecting device7is configured so as to detect the swinging operation of the second swinging member5. In the embodiment, in order to sense the anteroposterior tilt amount of the operating member3, the second detecting device7detects the swinging operation of the second swinging member5, and is configured by a second slider85of the straight-ahead type, and a second variable resistor86.

The second slider85is configured so as to straightly move on the circuit board10in a direction (anteroposterior direction) perpendicular to the second swing shaft62, in accordance with the swinging operation of the second swinging member5due to an anteroposterior tilting operation of the operating member3. The second slider85is disposed on the circuit board10so as to be forwardly and backwardly slidable, and placed on the left side of the second swinging member5.

In the second slider85, a second engaging concave portion87which is downwardly opened is disposed. In order to enable the second slider85to forwardly and backwardly engage with the second operation projection77, the second operation projection77is accommodated in the second engaging concave portion87so as to be vertically movable. The second slider is forwardly and backwardly slid by anteroposterior displacement of the second operation projection77.

The second variable resistor86is of the slide type. The second variable resistor86is configured by a second resistance circuit formed on the circuit board10, and a contactor which slides on and contacts with the second resistance circuit. In order to slide on the second resistance circuit in accordance with the sliding operation of the second slider85, the contactor is attached to an opposing surface (lower surface) of the second slider85which is opposed to the circuit board10.

Although, in the embodiment, each of the first and second detecting devices in the invention is configured as the first or second detecting device6or7which can indirectly detect the swinging operation of the first or second swinging member4or5, the detecting devices are not particularly limited. For example, the detecting devices may be configured by sensors (optical sensors, magnetic sensors, or the like) which can directly detect the swinging operation.

The returning member8is used for returning the operating member3to the origin. In the embodiment, the returning member8elastically holds the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5to the initial reference position (neutral position), whereby the swinging members are enabled to return to the origin after the tilting and pressing operations of the operating member3. The returning member has a ring88and a spring89.

The ring88includes an upper surface configured by a substantially flat surface which can be in surface contact with the lower surfaces of the front and rear supporting portions56,57of the first swinging member4, and those of the left and right supporting portions73,74of the second swinging member5. In order to establish the surface contacts, the ring88is fitted from the lower side onto the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4.

The spring89is interposed in a compressed state between the ring88and the bottom plate portion14of the lower case11(or a metal cover attached to the bottom plate portion14), and upwardly urges the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5through the ring88. In the embodiment, therefore, a press-down operation can be performed on the operating member3.

Although, in the embodiment, the returning member in the invention is configured as the returning member8having the spring89, the returning member is not particularly limited. For example, the returning member may have springs for urging respectively the sliders81,85in order to cause the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5to return to the origin.

According to the above-described configuration, in the multi-directional input device1, when the operating member3is tilted, as described above, the first swinging member4and the second swinging member5can be swung independently from each other in accordance with the tilting operation of the operating member. Therefore, the swinging operations of the first and second swinging members4,5can be detected by the first and second detecting devices6,7, respectively, and the tilt amount of the operating member3can be sensed.

Even in the case where the operating member3is being returned to the origin, the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3can be engaged in the axial direction of the second swing shaft62with the left or right engaging surface48or49of the fitting portion42in the state where the fulcrum portion32is fitted into the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4. Therefore, rotation of the operating member3about the shaft portion31can be restricted.

Moreover, the structure is employed in which the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3is fitted into the fitting portion42in order to cause the fulcrum portion32to engage with the left or right engaging surface48or49of the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4. Therefore, the rigidity of the first swinging member4can be improved. As a result, the product strength of the multi-directional input device1can be enhanced, and, for example, torsional rotation of the operating member3can be surely prevented from occurring.

In the embodiment, the front and rear concave parts69,70of the second swinging member5, and the front and rear convex parts71,72of the operating member3are engaged by each other, and therefore the upward movement of the fulcrum portion32is restricted by the second swinging member5(the engaging portion63). Consequently, the operating member3can be surely prevented from slipping off from the second swinging member5(the case2).

In the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the multidirectional input device1further includes a depression switch91. The depression switch91has: a pusher92which is accommodated in the case2so as to be vertically movable in accordance with the swinging operation of the first swinging member4; and a snap type contact member93which upwardly urges the pusher92. The depression switch is configured so as to detect depression of the operating member3.

The pusher92has a concave portion95which is upwardly opened, and is configured so that the concave portion95can butt against the other axial end part of the front shaft portion41A which is inserted into the concave portion from the rear side. When the operating member3is not depressed and the first swinging member4is at the initial reference position, the pusher92is maintained in a state where the pusher does not butt against the front shaft portion41A. The lower end surface of the pusher92is formed into a dome-like shape which is downwardly convex.

The front shaft portion41A includes, in a lower portion which can butt against the pusher92, a butting surface96configured by a curved surface which is curved more gently than the upper portion so that the surface is downwardly convex as viewed from the front side. When the first swinging member4is downwardly moved in accordance with depression of the operating member3, the front shaft portion is downwardly moved together with the first elongated portion58so that the butting surface96butts against the concave portion95(bottom surface of the portion), and further downwardly moved while maintaining the state.

The contact member93is configured by a snap plate which is formed into a dome-like shape that is upwardly convex, and disposed on the circuit board10which is attached to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion14of the lower case11. The contact member93is contacted with the lower end surface of the pusher92to which the member is vertically opposed, to upwardly urge the pusher92.

When the operating member3is depressed against the urging force exerted by the returning member8, therefore, the first swinging member4, i.e., the first swing shaft41(the front shaft portion41A), and the first elongated portion58are pressed in accordance with the depressing operation to be downwardly moved. As a result of the downward movement, the butting surface96of the front shaft portion41A first bumps the pusher92, and the lower end part of the first elongated portion58bumps the bottom plate portion14of the lower case11.

When the depressing operation on the operating member3is further advanced in this state, the first swinging member4is slightly swung with using the vicinity of the lower end part of the first elongated portion58as a fulcrum, so as to cause the front shaft portion41A which is in the state where the portion butts against the pusher92, to be downwardly moved. Therefore, the front shaft portion41A downwardly pushes the pusher92against the urging force of the contact member93, whereby the pusher92is downwardly moved.

As a result, the contact member93can be pushed by the pusher92, and therefore a switch circuit formed on the surface of the circuit board10can be switched from the open state to the closed state. In the embodiment, as described above, the first swinging member4is provided with sufficient rigidity. In this case, therefore, good clicking sensation can be produced in the depressing operation on the operating member3.

In the embodiment, during the dressing operation on the operating member3, also the first operation projection59of the first swinging member4can be downwardly moved to be relatively downward moved with respect to the first slider81of the first detecting device6, and therefore no load is applied to the first slider81. Consequently, the durability can be improved.

In the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, the first operation projection59is placed in a bottom portion of the case2, and the first swing shaft41is placed in a ceiling portion of the case2. Then, the first swinging member4is swung about the first swing shaft41, thereby enabling the first operation projection59to be laterally displaceable.

In the first detecting device6, therefore, the turning radius of the first operation projection59can be made as large as possible, and the movable distance of the first slider81in the lateral (horizontal) direction can be prolonged. Consequently, the resolution of the first detecting device6can be improved.

The second operation projection77of the second swinging member5is placed in the bottom portion of the case2, and the second swing shaft62is placed in the ceiling portion of the case2. Then, the second swinging member5is swung about the second swing shaft62, thereby enabling the second operation projection77to be forwardly and backwardly displaceable.

In the second detecting device7, therefore, the turning radius of the second operation projection77can be made as large as possible, and the movable distance of the second slider85in the anteroposterior (horizontal) direction can be prolonged. Consequently, the resolution of the second detecting device7can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 18is a front perspective view of a multidirectional input device101of the second embodiment of the invention,FIG. 19is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows III-III inFIG. 18, andFIG. 20is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows IV-IV inFIG. 18.

As shown inFIGS. 18 to 20, the multi-directional input device101is mainly different from the multidirectional input device1of the first embodiment in the fitting structure in which the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3is fitted into the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4. The components which are substantially identical with those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

FIG. 21is a front view of the operating member3of the multi-directional input device101,FIG. 22is a right side view of the operating member3,FIG. 23is a bottom plan view of the operating member3,FIG. 24is a front sectional view of the first swinging member4of the multi-directional input device101, andFIG. 25is a right side sectional view of the first swinging member4.

In the multi-directional input device101, as shown also inFIGS. 21 to 25, the first swinging member4includes, inside the fitting portion42, the front and rear guide surfaces45,46and the left and right engaging surfaces48,49, and further includes a supporting surface105which is formed so as to be contactable with the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3so as to support the fulcrum portion32from the lower side.

The fulcrum portion32of the operating member3is fitted into the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4so as be in contact with the front and rear guide surfaces45,46, left and right engaging surfaces48,49, and supporting surface105which are inside the fitting portion42. In the embodiment, namely, a lower end part108of the fulcrum portion32can be supported by a bottom part of the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 25, the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4is configured by a hollow semispherical member which is downwardly convex, and includes the fitting hole44which is upwardly opened. The front and rear guide surfaces45,46, the left and right engaging surfaces48,49, and the supporting surface105are disposed on the inner surface of the fitting hole44(inside the fitting portion42).

The supporting surface105is placed in a bottom portion of the inner surface of the fitting hole44. That is, the supporting surface105is placed in the vicinity of the lower apex of the inner surface of the fitting hole44that is formed so as to exhibit a semispherical shape which is downwardly concave as viewed from the lateral side, and disposed so as to be opposed to the lower end part108of the fulcrum portion32when the fulcrum portion32is fitted into the fitting hole44.

In the operating member3, the lower end part108of the fulcrum portion32includes a contacting surface110which, when the fulcrum portion32is fitted into the fitting portion42, is contactable with the supporting surface105of the fitting portion42. In the embodiment, the contacting surface110is formed by a lower swelling surface configured by an arcuate surface which is downwardly convex so as to correspond to the supporting surface105.

According to the configuration, when the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3is fitted into the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4, the fulcrum portion32can be caused to bump the front and rear guide surfaces45,46and left and right engaging surfaces48,49which are located laterally around the fulcrum portion, to be supported thereby, and further bump the supporting surface105which is located below the fulcrum portion32, to be supported thereby.

When an impact is axially applied to the operating member3from the side (on the side of the head portion33) opposite to the fulcrum portion32across the shaft portion31because, for example, an apparatus on which the multi-directional input device101is mounted falls, therefore, it is possible to effectively mitigate an impact which is transmitted from the operating member3to the fitting portion42of the first swinging member4through the fulcrum portion32. Therefore, the impact resistance property of the first swinging member4can be improved.

In the embodiment, particularly, the fulcrum portion32of the operating member3is placed so that, in the case of fitting, the portion is in contact with the whole area of the inner side of the fitting portion42. Specifically, the fulcrum portion32is placed so that the portion is fitted into the fitting portion42so as to fill the fitting hole44, and in contact with substantially the whole of the inner surface of the fitting hole44(the region approximately extending from the bottom portion to the peripheral portion of the opening).

Therefore, the fulcrum portion32can have the configuration where the portion bumps approximately the whole of the inner side of the fitting portion42(the region including the front and rear guide surfaces45,46, the left and right engaging surfaces48,49, and the supporting surface105), and an impact which is transmitted from the operating member3to the fitting portion42can be mitigated more effectively. Therefore, the impact resistance property of the first swinging member4can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS