Patent Publication Number: US-2013248343-A1

Title: Multidirectional operating switch

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a multidirectional operating switch used for operating various electronic devices mainly in an automobile. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Recently, a so-called steering switch is mounted in proximity to a steering wheel on the automobile. It becomes popular to operate an electronic device such as an audio device and an air conditioner by operating the steering switch with a finger while holding a steering wheel. The steering switch, which enables multidirectional operation and illumination of a display at a lower cost, is required. 
     A conventional multidirectional operating switch used as the steering switch is described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 13 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the conventional multidirectional operating switch and  FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view thereof. In  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a reference sign  1  represents an operation body formed of an insulating resin with substantially cylindrical operating unit  1 A formed on an upper portion thereof. A pair of shaft hole portions  1 B project from a lower surface of operating unit  1 A. A plurality of display portions  1 C, each of which is obtained by exposing a translucent portion having a shape of a character and a mark from its dark or silver light-blocking surroundings, are formed on an upper surface of operating unit  1 A. 
     A reference sign  2  represents a case having a substantially box shape, shaft hole portions  1 B of operation body  1  are supported by a pair of supporting portions  2 A provided on an upper surface thereof and operation body  1  is held by case  2  so as to be pivotable forward and backward. 
     Further, at substantially the center of case  2 , central cylindrical portion  2 C projecting upward with inclining portion  2 B formed around the same is formed. Inside hollow outer peripheral cylindrical portions  2 D are formed a predetermined distance away from central cylindrical portion  2 C outward in forward, backward, right and left directions. 
     Reference sign  3  represents a wiring substrate with a plurality of wiring patterns (not illustrated) formed on upper and lower surfaces thereof and a plurality of switch contacts  4  such as a push switch are mounted on the upper surface of wiring substrate  3 . 
     A reference sign  5  represents a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode mounted in proximity to each switch contact  4  arranged below each of forward and backward outer peripheral cylindrical portions  2 D of case  2 . Light-emitting device  5  illuminates forward and backward two display portions  1 C of operating unit  1 A from below. 
     Further, a reference sign  6  represents a pressing body inserted into each of guide holes  2 E provided so as to be opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to both supporting portions  2 A of case  2  so as to be movable upward and downward. An upper end of pressing body  6  abuts pressing portion  1 D on a lower end of an outer periphery of operation body  1  and a lower end of pressing body  6  abuts a button portion of switch contact  4 . 
     A reference sign  7  represents a cover with opening  7 A formed on an upper surface thereof and operating unit  1 A of operation body  1  projects from opening  7 A upward. Cover  7  is fixed to case  2  by means of a screw (not illustrated) and the like to compose multidirectional operating switch  10 . 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of a steering. The steering includes steering wheel  11 , pad  11 A with a central air bag and the like embedded, and a spoke therebetween. Multidirectional operating switch  10  configured in the above-described manner is attached to spoke  11 B on a right side, for example, with operating unit  1 A of operation body  1  in front to be mounted on the automobile as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Switch contact  4  and the like of multidirectional operating switch  10  is electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not illustrated) of a vehicle through a connecter, a lead wire (not illustrated) and the like. 
     In the above-described configuration, it is configured to press display portion  1 C represented as “̂” on a front side of operating unit  1 A and display portion  1 C represented as “v” on a back side thereof by stretching a thumb while holding steering wheel  11 . By being pressed, operation body  1  pivots forward and backward around shaft hole portion  1 B, pressing portion  1 D presses each of switch contacts  4  opposed to each other below the same through pressing body  6 , and electrical contact/separation of switch contact  4  is performed. According to this, a sound volume of an audio device is turned up or off, for example, by the electronic circuit of the vehicle. 
     When a surrounding area is dark such as at night, a light switch (not illustrated) and the like separately mounted in proximity to steering wheel  11  is operated to allow a plurality of light-emitting devices  5  to emit light through the electronic circuit of the vehicle. Light of light-emitting device  5  passes through outer peripheral cylindrical portion  2 D to illuminate display portion  1 C of operating unit  1 A above from below, so that operation body  1  may be easily identified or operated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , multidirectional operating switch  10 , which may be operated so as to pivot forward and backward in this manner, is mounted on a right side of the steering. On the other hand, multidirectional operating switch  20  for operating an air conditioner, for example, which may be operated so as to pivot in four directions: forward, backward, right and left, is mounted on a left side of the steering. 
     Operating unit  13 A of multidirectional operating switch  20  has a substantially cylindrical outer shape as operating unit  1 A of multidirectional operating switch  10  such that this may be easily operated with a thumb. 
     Herein, a schematic configuration of multidirectional operating switch  20  is described with reference to an exploded perspective view in  FIG. 13 . 
     In operation body  13 , display portions  13 C, each of which is formed of a translucent portion, are formed on an upper surface of substantially cylindrical operating unit  13 A in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. Operation body  13  is fixed to substantially cylindrical pivoting body  14 . 
     Pivoting body  14  is supported by inclining portion  2 B on an outer periphery of central cylindrical portion  2 C of case  2  so as to be pivotable in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. 
     A lower end portion of an outer periphery of pivoting body  14  abuts the upper end of pressing body  6  inserted into guide hole  2 E of case  2 . The lower end of pressing body  6  abuts the button portion of switch contact  4  mounted on an upper surface of wiring substrate  17 . Electrical contact/separation of each of switch contacts  4  is performed according to pivoting operation of operation body  13  forward, backward, rightward, and leftward. 
     Further, four light-emitting devices  5  are arranged substantially immediately below display portions  13 C, respectively. The light of light-emitting device  5  passes through outer peripheral cylindrical portion  2 D and outer peripheral cylindrical portion  14 A of pivoting body  14  above to illuminate display portion  13 C from below. 
     A reference sign  16  represents a cover with opening  16 A formed on an upper surface thereof and operating unit  13 A of operation body  13  projects from opening  16 A upward. Cover  16  is fixed to case  2  by means of a screw (not illustrated) and the like to compose multidirectional operating switch  20 . 
     Meanwhile, such multidirectional operating switch  10  operated so as to pivot in the two directions and multidirectional operating switch  20  operated so as to pivot in the four directions use case  2  having a relatively complicated shape in common so as to realize a cost as low as possible. 
     Meanwhile, Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-96632 is known, for example, as a conventional art document related to the invention of this application. 
     SUMMARY 
     Conventional multidirectional operating switch  10 , which may be operated so as to pivot in two directions: forward and backward, uses case  2  in common with multidirectional operating switch  20  operated so as to pivot in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. Since light-emitting devices  5  are arranged immediately below display portions  1 C, respectively, and in forward and backward directions below outer peripheral cylindrical portion  2 D, there is a problem that it is difficult to realize a lower cost. 
     The present invention is achieved for solving such a conventional problem and this provides the multidirectional operating switch capable of surely illuminating at a lower cost. 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a multidirectional operating switch of the present invention includes a case having a substantially box shape and including a central cylindrical portion provided at substantially the center and a plurality of outer peripheral cylindrical portions provided around the central cylindrical portion at substantially equal angular intervals. The multidirectional operating switch includes an operation body held by the case so as to be pivotable in two or more directions, and a wiring substrate arranged below the operation body. The multidirectional operating switch includes a switch contact in which electrical contact/separation is performed according to pivoting operation of the operation body, the switch contact provided on the wiring substrate, and a light-emitting device mounted on the wiring substrate. A light through hole is provided on an upper surface of the central cylindrical portion and the light-emitting device is arranged below the central cylindrical portion. 
     According to the present invention, it is not required to arrange the light-emitting device below each outer peripheral cylindrical portion opposed to the display portion of the operating unit, and it becomes possible that one light-emitting device illuminates a plurality of display portions above the same through light through holes. Therefore, the multidirectional operating switch capable of surely illuminating may be realized at a lower cost. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional operating switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional operating switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of another multidirectional operating switch, which uses a case of the multidirectional operating switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention in common; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of another multidirectional operating switch; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional operating switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional operating switch according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional operating switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional operating switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is perspective view of a lower surface of a pivoting body of the multidirectional operating switch according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a conventional steering or a steering of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional multidirectional operating switch; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the conventional multidirectional operating switch; and 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of another multidirectional operating switch, which uses a case of the conventional multidirectional operating switch in common. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 10 . 
     Meanwhile, the same reference sign is assigned to a portion having the same configuration as a configuration described in description of the related art and detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of a multidirectional operating switch of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the multidirectional operating switch of this embodiment and  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional operating switch of this embodiment. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a reference sign  1  represents an operation body formed of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (hereinafter, referred to as ABS) and the like with a substantially cylindrical operating unit  1 A formed on an upper portion thereof. A pair of shaft hole portions  1 B projects from a lower surface of operating unit  1 A. 
     A plurality of display portions  1 C, each of which is obtained by exposing a translucent portion having a shape of a character, a mark and the like from its dark or silver light-blocking surroundings, are formed on an upper surface of operating unit  1 A. The translucent portion is formed by two-color formation, laser processing and the like. 
     A reference sign  22  represents a case formed of an insulating resin such as polyoxymethylene (hereinafter, referred to as POM) and polybutylene terephthalate into a substantially box shape. A pair of supporting portions  22 A is provided on an upper surface of case  22 , shaft hole portion  1 B of operation body  1  is supported by an inwardly projecting portion of supporting portion  22 A, and operation body  1  is held by case  22  so as to be pivotable forward and backward. 
     Further, a reference sign  22 B represents a central cylindrical portion located at substantially the center of case  22  so as to project upward. Inclining portion  22 C located around an outer periphery of central cylindrical portion  22 B so as to incline downward from an outer side inward into a substantially cup shape is formed in case  22 . In case  22 , light through holes  22 D are provided on a front side and a back side of an upper surface of central cylindrical portion  22 B. 
     Also, in case  22 , a plurality of inside hollow outer peripheral cylindrical portions  22 E located a predetermined distance away from central cylindrical portion  22 B outward in forward, backward, right and left directions are formed. 
     A reference sign  23  represents a wiring substrate formed of an insulating resin such as paper phenol and epoxy with glass with a plurality of wiring patterns (not illustrated) formed on upper and lower surfaces thereof. A plurality of switch contacts  4  such as a push switch are mounted on the upper surface of wiring substrate  23 . 
     Also, a reference sign  5  represents a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode mounted at substantially the center of a space below central cylindrical portion  22 B of case  22 . 
     Further, a reference sign  6  represents a pressing body inserted into each of guide holes  22 F provided so as to be opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to both supporting portions  22 A of case  22  so as to be movable upward and downward. An upper end of pressing body  6  abuts pressing portion  1 D on a lower end of an outer periphery of operation body  1  and a lower end of pressing body  6  abuts a button portion of switch contact  4 , respectively. 
     A reference sign  7  represents a cover with opening  7 A formed on an upper surface thereof and operating unit  1 A of operation body  1  projects from opening  7 A upward. Cover  7  is fixed to case  22  by means of a screw (not illustrated) and the like to compose multidirectional operating switch  30 . 
     Multidirectional operating switch  30  configured in this manner is attached to spoke  11 B on a right side, for example, with operating unit  1 A of operation body  1  in front to be mounted on an automobile as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Further, switch contact  4  and the like of multidirectional operating switch  30  is electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not illustrated) of a vehicle through a connecter, a lead wire (not illustrated) and the like. 
     In the above-described configuration, it is configured to press display portion  1 C represented as “̂” on a front side of operating unit  1 A and display portion  1 C represented as “v” on a back side thereof by stretching a thumb while holding steering wheel  11 . When being pressed, operation body  1  pivots forward and backward around shaft hole portion  1 B and pressing portion  1 D presses each of switch contacts  4  opposed to each other below the same through pressing body  6 , thereby allowing electrical contact/separation of switch contact  4 . According to this, the electronic circuit of the vehicle turns up or down a sound volume of an audio device, for example. 
     When a surrounding area is dark such as at night, a light switch (not illustrated) and the like separately mounted in proximity to steering wheel  11  is operated to allow light-emitting device  5  to emit light through the electronic circuit of the vehicle. Light of light-emitting device  5  passes through light through holes  22 D on front and back sides of central cylindrical portion  22 B to illuminate display portions  1 C in the proximity of both forward and backward ends of operating unit  1 A above from below, so that operation body  1  may be easily identified or operated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , such multidirectional operating switch  30 , which may be operated so as to pivot forward and backward, is mounted on a right side of a steering. On the other hand, multidirectional operating switch  40  for operating an air conditioner, for example, which may be operated so as to pivot in four directions: forward, backward, right and left, is mounted on a left side of the steering. 
     A schematic configuration of multidirectional operating switch  40  is herein described with reference to a cross-sectional view in  FIG. 3  and an exploded perspective view in  FIG. 4 . 
     In operation body  13 , display portions  13 C, each of which is formed of a translucent portion, are formed on an upper surface of substantially cylindrical operating unit  13 A in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. Operation body  13  is fixed to substantially cylindrical pivoting body  14 . 
     Pivoting body  14  is supported by inclining portion  22 C on an outer periphery of central cylindrical portion  22 B of case  22  so as to be pivotable in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. 
     Operating unit  13 A of multidirectional operating switch  40  has a substantially cylindrical outer shape as that of operating unit  1 A of multidirectional operating switch  30  such that this may be easily operated with a thumb. 
     A lower end portion of an outer periphery of pivoting body  14  abuts the upper end of pressing body  6  inserted into guide hole  22 F of case  22 . The lower end of pressing body  6  abuts the button portion of switch contact  4  mounted on an upper surface of wiring substrate  17 . Electrical contact/separation of each of switch contacts  4  is performed according to pivoting operation of operation body  13  forward, backward, rightward, and leftward. 
     Also, four light-emitting devices  5  are arranged substantially immediately below display portions  13 C, respectively. The light of light-emitting device  5  passes through outer peripheral cylindrical portion  22 E and outer peripheral cylindrical portion  14 A of pivoting body  14  above to illuminate display portion  13 C from below. 
     Meanwhile, multidirectional operating switch  30  operated so as to pivot in the two directions and multidirectional operating switch  40  operated so as to pivot in the four directions described above have case  22  having a relatively complicated shape in common. 
     That is to say, in multidirectional operating switch  40 , light-emitting devices  5  are arranged on wiring substrate  17  below outer peripheral cylindrical portions  22 E formed on front, back, right, and left sides of case  22 . However, multidirectional operating switch  30  is provided with forward and backward light through holes  22 D on the upper surface of central cylindrical portion  22 B. Therefore, one light-emitting device  5  arranged below central cylindrical portion  22 B illuminates two display portions  1 C above the same through light through holes  22 D. According to this, the number of light-emitting devices  5  to be arranged is decreased. 
     In this manner, according to this embodiment, light through holes  22 D are arranged on the upper surface of central cylindrical portion  22 B of case  22  in two directions: forward and backward, so that it is not required to arrange light-emitting device  5  below each outer peripheral cylindrical portion  22 E so as to be opposed to display portion  1 C of operating unit  1 A. According to this, it becomes possible that one light-emitting device  5  illuminates a plurality of display portions  1 C above the same through light through holes  22 D. As a result, the multidirectional operating switch with a simple configuration capable of surely illuminating may be realized at a lower cost. 
     Meanwhile, the multidirectional operating switch capable of being operated so as to pivot forward and backward is described above. However, it is also possible that the operating unit with the display portions formed on right and left sides is pivotably supported by the case and that openings are provided on the upper surface of the central cylindrical portion of the case on right and left sides. In this case also, it is possible to arrange one light-emitting device below the central cylindrical portion to illuminate upward. 
     Although a configuration using a single push switch as switch contact  4  is described, it is also possible to form a fixed contact of carbon and the like on the upper surface of wiring substrate  23  and put a movable contact formed of a conducting metal thin plate having a substantially dome shape above the same. Alternatively, it is also possible to use various switch contacts such as a switch contact obtained by using a flexible rubber contact having a substantially dome shape with the movable contact formed on a lower surface thereof. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of a multidirectional operating switch of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
     Meanwhile, the same reference sign is assigned to a portion having the same configuration as a configuration of the first embodiment and detailed description thereof is omitted. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the multidirectional operating switch operated so as to pivot in two directions according to this embodiment and  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional operating switch of this embodiment. In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a reference sign  31  represents an operation body with display portions  31 C, each of which is formed of a translucent portion, formed on an upper surface of substantially cylindrical operating unit  31 A in two directions: forward and backward. A pair of shaft hole portions  31 B projects from a lower surface of operating unit  31 A. 
     A reference sign  32  represents a case formed of an insulating resin into a substantially box shape. Substantially cylindrical central cylindrical portion  32 B projecting upward is provided at substantially the center of an upper surface of case  32 . 
     Further, flanged retaining portion  32 G extending upward and outward is provided at the center of an upper surface of central cylindrical portion  32 B. Four light through holes  32 D having a substantially fan shape opening are provided on the upper surface of central cylindrical portion  32 B and around retaining portion  32 G in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. 
     Also, a pair of supporting portions  32 A having a substantially shaft shape projecting outward is provided so as to be opposed to each other on the right and on the left across central cylindrical portion  32 B on the upper surface of case  32 . Inclining portion  32 C arranged on substantially the same radius around an axis of central cylindrical portion  32 B is provided around central cylindrical portion  32 B. Inclining portion  32 C has a concave shape inclined downward from an outside inward on front, back, right, and left sides into a substantially cup shape. 
     Shaft hole portion  31 B of operation body  31  is supported by supporting portion  32 A of case  32  and operation body  31  is held by case  32  so as to be pivotable in two directions: forward and backward. This is similar to that in the first embodiment. 
     A plurality of switch contacts  4  such as a push switch are mounted in predetermined positions on an upper surface of wiring substrate  33 . One light-emitting device  5  is mounted on the upper surface of wiring substrate  33  and at substantially the center below central cylindrical portion  32 B of case  32 . This also is similar to that in the first embodiment. 
     Further, pressing body  6  is inserted in each of forward and backward guide holes  32 F of case  32  so as to be movable upward and downward. An upper end of pressing body  6  abuts pressing portion  31 D of operation body  31  and a lower end of pressing body  6  abuts a button portion of switch contact  4 . Along with pivoting operation of operation body  31  forward and backward, electrical contact/separation of forward and backward switch contacts  4  is performed. This also is similar to that in the first embodiment. 
     Operating unit  31 A of operation body  31  projects from opening  34 A on an upper surface of cover  34  upward. Cover  34  is fixed to case  32  by means of a screw and the like to compose multidirectional operating switch  50 . 
     Multidirectional operating switch  50  configured in this manner is mounted on predetermined spoke  11 B of a steering as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . When any of display portions  31 C on front and back sides of operating unit  31 A is pressed, operation body  31  pivots forward and backward. Pressing portion  31 D presses switch contact  4  below the same through pressing body  6  to perform electrical contact/separation of switch contact  4 , and desired operation of an electronic device in a vehicle is performed. This also is similar to that in the first embodiment. 
     When a surrounding area is dark such as at night, light-emitting device  5  is allowed to emit light by predetermined operation. Light of light-emitting device  5  passes through light through holes  32 D on front and back sides of central cylindrical portion  32 B to illuminate display portions  31 C in the proximity of forward and backward both ends of operating unit  31 A above from below, so that operation body  31  may be easily identified or operated. 
     In this manner, a pair of supporting portions  32 A opposed to each other across substantially cylindrical central cylindrical portion  32 B of case  32  is provided in this embodiment. Inclining portion  32 C inclined into a substantially cup shape on front, back, right, and left sides around central cylindrical portion  32 B is provided around central cylindrical portion  32 B. Light through holes  32 D are provided on the upper surface of central cylindrical portion  32 B in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. One light-emitting device  5  is arranged below central cylindrical portion  32 B. Operation body  31  is pivotably held by supporting portion  32 A. Therefore, it is not required to arrange light-emitting device  5  below each display portion  31 C of operating unit  31 A so as to oppose to each other. According to this, it becomes possible that one light-emitting device  5  illuminates a plurality of display portions  31 C above the same through light through holes  32 D. As a result, the multidirectional operating switch with a simple configuration capable of surely illuminating may be realized at a lower cost. 
     Third Exemplary Embodiment 
     A third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
     Meanwhile, the same reference sign is assigned to a portion having the same configuration as a configuration of the first and second embodiments and detailed description thereof is omitted. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional operating switch operated so as to pivot in four directions according to this embodiment and  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional operating switch of this embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a lower surface of a pivoting body of the multidirectional operating switch of this embodiment. In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a reference sign  35  represents an operation body with display portions  35 C, each of which is formed of a translucent portion, formed on an upper surface of substantially cylindrical operating unit  35 A in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. Operation body  35  is fixed to substantially cylindrical pivoting body  36 . 
     Meanwhile, pivoting body  36  is formed of an insulating resin such as ABS and POM. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a substantially cylindrical supporting cylindrical portion  36 A with an opening on an upper surface thereof is provided at the center of a lower surface of pivoting body  36 . A convex pivot supporting portion  36 B of which lower end portion substantially curves downward from an outer side inward is formed on an outer periphery of supporting cylindrical portion  36 A. 
     Also, a pair of engaging portions  36 C opposed to each other in a direction of the center of supporting cylindrical portion  36 A, of which surface facing the center of supporting cylindrical portion  36 A has a substantially curved concave shape, is formed on an inner side of supporting cylindrical portion  36 A. 
     Further, four light through portions  36 E, which are openings, are formed around engaging portion  36 C and between engaging portion  36 C and supporting cylindrical portion  36 A in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. 
     Pivoting body  36  is held by each of inclining portions  32 C of case  32  opposed to pivot supporting portions  36 B on the lower surface of pivoting body  36  on front, back, right, and left sides, respectively, so as to be slidable forward, backward, rightward, and leftward. Engaging portion  36 C on an inner side of pivoting body  36  is arranged so as to be overlapped with a lower portion of retaining portion  32 G of case  32  in a vertical direction and pivoting body  36  is prevented from dropping out from case  32 . 
     A reference sign  37  represents a wiring substrate formed of an insulating resin with a plurality of wiring patterns formed on upper and lower surfaces thereof. A plurality of switch contacts  4  are mounted in predetermined positions on the upper surface of wiring substrate  37 . This is similar to that in the first and second embodiments. 
     Pressing body  6  is inserted into each of guide holes  32 F provided in four directions: forward, backward, right and left, on the same radius from the center of central cylindrical portion  32 B of case  32  so as to be movable upward and downward. An upper end of pressing body  6  abuts pressing portion  36 D on a lower surface in the proximity of an outer periphery of pivoting body  36  and a lower end of pressing body  6  abuts a button portion of switch contact  4 . This also is similar to that in the first and second embodiments. 
     Operating unit  35 A of operation body  35  projects from opening  38 A of cover  38  upward. Cover  38  is fixed to case  32  by means of a screw and the like to compose multidirectional operating switch  60 . 
     Multidirectional operating switch  60  configured in this manner is mounted on a predetermined spoke of a steering to be electrically connected to an electronic circuit of a vehicle as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . This also is similar to that in the first and second embodiments. 
     In the above-described configuration, it is configured to press each display portion  35 C of operating unit  35 A by stretching a thumb while holding steering wheel  11 . When being pressed, pivoting body  36  fixed to operation body  35  pivots in a pressing direction in a state in which pivot supporting portion  36 B is slidingly held by an upper surface of inclining portion  32 C of case  32  and pressing portion  36 D presses each of switch contacts  4  opposed to each other below the same through pressing body  6 , so that electrical contact/separation of switch contact  4  is performed. According to this, a sound volume of an audio device is turned up or down or an audio mode is switched, for example, by the electronic circuit of the vehicle. 
     When a surrounding area is dark such as at night, light-emitting device  5  is allowed to emit light by predetermined operation. Light of light-emitting device  5  passes through light through holes  32 D on an upper surface of central cylindrical portion  32 B on front, back, right, and left sides and light through portion  36 E of pivoting body  36 . According to this, the light of light-emitting device  5  illuminates display portions  35 C in the proximity of forward, backward, right and left ends of operating unit  35 A above from below, so that operation body  35  may be easily identified and operated. In this embodiment, light through holes  32 D are provided around retaining portion  32 G of case  32  in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. 
     That is to say, the light from one light-emitting device  5  arranged below central cylindrical portion  32 B may pass through light through hole  32 D of case  32  and light through portion  36 E of pivoting body  36  to illuminate a lower surface of corresponding display portion  35 C of operation body  35 . 
     In this manner, according to this embodiment, in case  32  in which operation body  35  is pivotably held by pivoting body  36 , light through holes  32 D are provided on the upper surface of central cylindrical portion  32 B provided at substantially the center of case  32  in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. One light-emitting device  5  is arranged below central cylindrical portion  32 B. Therefore, it is not required to illuminate each display portion  35 C by arranging four light-emitting devices  5  below four display portions  35 C of operating unit  35 A so as to correspond thereto. According to this, it becomes possible that one light-emitting device  5  illuminates four display portions  35 C through light through holes  32 D. As a result, the multidirectional operating switch with a simple configuration capable of surely illuminating may be realized at a lower cost. 
     Meanwhile, multidirectional operating switch  60  including operation body  35  pivotable in four directions is described as an example in the description above. However, a three-directional operating switch in which the operation body is pivotable rightward or leftward in addition to two directions: forward and backward, is also possible. Also, a three-directional operating switch in which the operation body is pivotable in three directions at the same angle is also possible. Alternatively, the present invention may be carried out for various multidirectional operating switches in which the operation body pivots in five or more directions. 
     Also, case  32  is provided with a pair of supporting portions  32 A opposed to each other across central cylindrical portion  32 B. Inclining portion  32 C inclined into a substantially cup shape around central cylindrical portion  32 B is provided in proximity to an outer periphery of central cylindrical portion  32 B. As described in the second embodiment, it is possible to realize multidirectional operating switch  50 , which may be operated so as to pivot in two directions, by allowing operation body  31  to be held by supporting portion  32 A so as to be pivotable in two directions. Alternatively, as described in the third embodiment, it is possible to realize multidirectional operating switch  60 , which may be operated so as to pivot in four directions, by holding pivoting body  36  to which operation body  35  is fixed by inclining portion  32 C so as to be pivotable in four directions: forward, backward, right and left. Case  32  having a complicated shape may be commonly used by multidirectional operating switches pivotable in two or three or more directions. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the multidirectional operating switch, of which shaping mold may be used in common, excellent in productivity at a lower cost. 
     The multidirectional operating switch according to the present invention may surely illuminate with a simple configuration at a lower cost and is useful for operating various electronic devices mainly of an automobile.