Patent Publication Number: US-8530767-B2

Title: Multi-directional switch device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-285956 filed on Dec. 22, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a multi-directional switch device which performs a switching operation in response to a pressing operation in multiple directions of an operation body. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a multi-directional switch device is widely used in remote controllers of various electronic devices such as televisions and videos, mobile phones, door mirrors for a vehicle, and the like. The multi-directional switch device is appropriately used particularly for operating the door mirrors for a vehicle. 
     A four-way switch used for operating a door mirror of a vehicle has been disclosed in JP-A-2001-229784. Here, a switch device  800  having three switch elements  806  as shown in  FIG. 8  is proposed. The switch device  800  shown in  FIG. 8  includes an operation member  804  locked to a case  801  to be oscillated in four directions, the three groups of switch elements  806  respectively disposed at three points of the peripheral edge of the operation member  804 , and three driving members  802  which receive oscillation driving in four directions of the operation member  804  and causes the switch elements  806  to perform a switching operation. Between the operation member  804  and the driving member  802 , a rubber spring  803  which has four spring parts  813  in order to obtain a clicking sensation is provided. Each of the three groups of switch elements  806  is configured by a movable contact point  807  provided in a slide member  805 , and a fixed contact point  808  provided in a printed wiring board  809 . 
     In the switching device  800 , for example, when the operation member  804  is oscillated in the N direction shown in  FIG. 8 , a spring part  813   a  of the rubber spring  803  is buckled, a driving member  802   a  is driven, a slide member  805   a  is slid by the driving of the driving member  802   a , and a switch element  806   a  performs a switching operation. Similarly, the switch element  806   a  and a switch element  806   b  perform switching operations during oscillation in the W direction, the switch element  806   b  and a switch element  806   c  perform switching operations during oscillation in the S direction, and the switch element  806   c  performs a switching operation during oscillation in the E direction, thereby enabling a switching operation in four directions. 
     In addition another multi-directional switch device is proposed in JP-A-2005-44724. Here, a mirror switch device  900  having four switch parts  921  as shown in  FIG. 11  is proposed. The mirror switch devices  900  shown in  FIG. 11  include a pusher  919  which has a substantially rectangular shape and in which each of four side portions is pushed, the four switch parts  921  arranged at four points of the corner sites of the rectangular side portions, an operation knob  912  which operates the pusher  919  to be pushed, and a switch case  911  provided to operate the operation knob  912  to be pushed. The four switch parts  921  include four movable contact point plates  922  provided in a presser unit  918  and four fixed contact points  923  provided in a printed wiring board  913 . 
     In the mirror switch device  900 , when a side portion of the pusher  919  is pushed by the pushing operation of the operation knob  912 , the two switch parts  921  corresponding to this side portion perform switching operations. Similarly, when the three other side portions are pushed, the corresponding two switch parts  921  perform switching operations, thereby enabling the switching operations in four directions which are the directions of the four side portions. 
     In general, when the four-way switch device for operating the door mirror of a vehicle is operated in four directions (the N direction, the W direction, the S direction, and the E direction) by switching operations, the door mirror is generally moved in four directions including up, down, left, and right. In addition, for example, when the switch device is operated in a left inclined direction, in general, the door mirror is not operated, or is moved in the left direction or the up direction. In addition, even though an operator operates the switch device in an inclined direction and the door mirror does not operate, the operator may change an operation position to operate the mirror without discomfort. 
     However, there is a need for a switching operation in any direction for any purpose or demand from the side of a user. 
     In a configuration as in the example 1 according to the related art in JP-A-2001-229784, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the operation member  804  is operated to be oscillated in another direction than the four directions (the N direction, the W direction, the S direction, and the E direction), in the NW, SW, and SE directions, any of the driving members  802  (the driving members  802   a ,  802   b , and  802   c ) is driven, and any of the switch elements  806  performs a switching operation. However, when the operation member  804  is operated to be oscillated in the NE direction, since there are only three switch elements  806 , there is a problem in that not all the switch elements  806  perform the switching operations and a non-operation region where the switching operation is not performed is generated. 
     In addition, in the example 2 according to the related art in JP-A-2005-44724, although a switching operation can be performed in other directions than the four directions (the N, W, S, and E directions), the switch parts  921  are arranged at four points of the corner sites of the rectangular side portions. Therefore, when the pusher  919  is operated to be pushed in any direction, any of the four switch parts  921  performs a switching operation. However, in the configuration as in the example 2, although the non-operation region disappears, there is a problem in that components for four circuits are needed and thus the number of components is increased. In addition, since a fourth switch part is provided at a fourth point, components or circuits that may be arranged at the point have to be arranged at another point, so that there is a problem in that the advantage in reducing the size which was achieved by the example 1 according to the related art is compromised. 
     SUMMARY 
     A multi-directional switch device includes: an operation body which moves to be inclined in multiple directions; a housing which holds the operation body; a plurality of actuators which are operated to be pressed by an inclination operation of the operation body so as to be moved; and a plurality of switch elements which perform switching operations by the movements of the actuators, wherein the plurality of actuators includes a first actuator, a second actuator, a third actuator, and a fourth actuator, the plurality of switch elements includes a first switch element, a second switch element, and a third switch element, in a plan view of the operation body, a first inclination direction passing through the vicinity of an inclination center of the operation body, a second inclination direction intersecting the first inclination direction through the vicinity of the inclination center, a third inclination direction which is the opposite direction to the first inclination direction, and a fourth inclination direction which is the opposite direction to the second inclination direction are provided, in the operation body, a first position in the first inclination direction, a second position in the second inclination direction, a third position in the third inclination direction, and a fourth position in the fourth inclination direction are provided, the first actuator is disposed to oppose the first position and causes the first switching element to perform the switching operation, the second actuator is disposed to oppose the second position and causes the second switching element to perform the switching operation, and the third actuator is disposed to oppose the third position and causes the third switching element to perform the switching operation, and the fourth actuator causes the first switching element to perform the switching operation, such that the plurality of actuators are disposed at the positions where any of the plurality of switch elements perform the switching operation even though the operation body is operated to be inclined in any direction. 
     Accordingly, since the multi-directional switch device of the invention is provided with the new fourth actuator in addition to the actuators corresponding to the switch elements, a non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed when the operation body is operated to be inclined can be eliminated, and moreover, there is no need to add a switch element, resulting in a reduction in size. 
     In addition, in the multi-directional switch device of the invention, the first actuator and the fourth actuator may be integrated with each other. 
     Accordingly, since the two actuators are integrated with each other, compared to a case where an additional mechanism is provided for each of the actuators, a greater reduction in size can be achieved, and assembly can be easily performed. 
     In addition, the multi-directional switch device of the invention may further include: elastic portions corresponding to the respective actuators on the peripheral edges of the operation body in the housing; and an elastic member having the elastic portions, the elastic portion is buckled by the inclination operation of the operation body, such that the elastic portion presses the actuator. 
     Accordingly, since the elastic member having the elastic portions corresponding to the respective actuators is provided between the operation body and the actuators, the elastic portion is buckled, and when the operation body is operated to be inclined, the operator can obtain a clicking sensation. 
     Since the multi-directional switch device of the invention is provided with the new fourth actuator in addition to the actuators corresponding to the switch elements, the non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed when the operation body is operated to be inclined can be eliminated, and moreover, there is no need to add a switch element, resulting in a reduction in size. 
     Therefore, a multi-directional switch device in which there is no non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed with regard to a pressing operation in multiple directions of the operation body and which can be reduced in size can be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional switch device illustrating the multi-directional switch device of a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views illustrating a housing of the multi-directional switch device of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top views of the multi-directional switch device illustrating the multi-directional switch device of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A to 4D  are diagrams illustrating an operation body of the multi-directional switch device of the first embodiment of the invention, in which  FIG. 4A  is a top view,  FIG. 4B  is a bottom view, and  FIGS. 4C and 4D  are side views; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the multi-directional switch device of the first embodiment of the invention and is an exploded perspective view of actuators, switch elements, and a printed wiring board; 
         FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram of the multi-directional switch device of a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a changeover switch of the multi-directional switch device of the first embodiment of the invention and is a perspective view of a changeover contact point member viewed from a changeover movable contact point side; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a switch device of an example 1 according to the related art; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of an operation body showing oscillation directions of an operation member in the switch device of the example 1 according to the related art; 
         FIG. 10  is a circuit diagram of the switch device of the example 1 according to the related art; and 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams illustrating a mirror switch device of an example 2 according to the related art, in which  FIG. 11A  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, and  FIG. 11B  is a plan view of a printed wiring board showing an arrangement of switch portions. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a multi-directional switch device  101  illustrating the multi-directional switch device  101  of a first embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views illustrating a housing  2  of the multi-directional switch device  101  of the first embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 2A  is a diagram viewed from an operation body  1  side, and  FIG. 2B  is a diagram viewed from an opening portion  2   k  side.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top views of the multi-directional switch device  101  illustrating the multi-directional switch device  101  of the first embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 3A  is a diagram viewed from the operation body  1  side, and  FIG. 3B  is a diagram in which the operation body  1  and an elastic member  7  of  FIG. 3A  are omitted for convenience of description. 
       FIGS. 4A to 4D  are diagrams illustrating the operation body  1  of the multi-directional switch device  101  of the first embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 4A  is a top view,  FIG. 4B  is a bottom view,  FIG. 4C  is a side view viewed from an X1 side, and  FIG. 4D  is a side view viewed from an Y2 side.  FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the multi-directional switch device  101  of the first embodiment of the invention and is an exploded perspective view of actuators  3 , switch elements  5 , and a printed wiring board  88 . 
     The multi-directional switch device  101  mainly includes, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the operation body  1  which is moved to be inclined in multiple directions, the housing  2  which holds the operation body  1 , a plurality of actuators  3  which are moved by being pressed by the inclination operation of the operation body  1 , and a plurality of switch elements  5  which perform switching operations by the movement of the actuator  3 . Besides, the multi-directional switch device  101  is configured to have the elastic member  7  provided between the operation body  1  and the actuators  3 , the printed wiring board  88 , a cover  44  which is disposed to cover the opening portion  2   k  of the housing  2 , and a changeover switch  99  for changing over an object to be subjected to a switching operation. 
     The housing  2  is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, is formed by an injection molding process, is produced to be adjacent to the changeover switch  99  described later as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , has a substantially box shape, and has a substantially rectangular base body  2   a  and a substantially rectangular recessed portion  2   c  provided in the base body  2   a . In addition, the recessed portion  2   c  has circular through-holes  12   a ,  22   b , and  32   c  provided in the vicinity of three angular portions from four angular portions of the bottom surface of the recessed portion  2   c , a circular through-hole  42   e  provided in the vicinity of the through-hole  12   a , a rectangular angular hole  2   e  provided at the center portion of the recessed portion  2   c , and a protruding wall  2   f  vertically extending toward the operation body  1  side from the periphery of the angular hole  2   e . In addition, the angular hole  2   e  has a function of holding the operation body  1  described later which is moved to be inclined in multiple directions. The rear side of the recessed portion  2   c  of the housing  2  is the opening portion  2   k.    
     The operation body  1  is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, is formed by an injection molding process, and has, as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIGS. 4A to 4D , a substantially rectangular base body  1   a , a side wall  1   b  which extends upward from the peripheral edge portion of the base body  1   a  and surrounds the peripheral edge portion, a circular upper wall  1   c  connected to the side wall  1   b , and four engagement portions  1   d  protruding inward from the rear side of the upper wall  1   c . In addition, the four engagement portions  1   d  of the operation body  1  are engaged with the peripheral edge wall of the angular hole  2   e  of the recessed portion  2   c  of the housing  2  by an appropriate method such as snap-in engagement, the operation body  1  is locked to the housing  2  by the engagement of the four engagement portions  1   d , and the operation body  1  is configured to move in the recessed portion  2   c  to be inclined in arbitrary multiple directions including the four directions (for example, the N-S direction and the E-W direction). 
     In addition, the operation body  1  includes, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4A , in a plan view of the operation body  1 , a first inclination direction D 1  passing through the vicinity CN of the inclination center of the operation body, a second inclination direction D 2  intersecting the first inclination direction D 1  through the vicinity CN of the inclination center, a third inclination direction D 3  which is the opposite direction to the first inclination direction D 1 , and a fourth inclination direction D 4  which is the opposite direction to the second inclination direction D 2 . In addition, the operation body  1  has, as shown in  FIG. 4B , on the peripheral edge of the rear side of the base body  1   a , a first position P 1  in the first inclination direction D 1 , a second position P 2  in the second inclination direction D 2 , a third position P 3  in the third inclination direction D 3 , and a fourth position P 4  in the fourth inclination direction D 4 . At the first, second, third, and fourth positions P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , and P 4 , protruding portions which have cross shapes in cross-sections and protrude inward from the base body  1   a  are formed. As for the relationship of the four positions, the four positions are the respective vertex positions of a square shape. 
     In addition, the operation body  1  is disposed so as to cover almost the entire open end of the recessed portion  2   c  of the housing  2 , and here, the cross-shaped protruding portions formed at the first, second, third, and fourth positions P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , and P 4  respectively oppose and abut on the flat surfaces of the front ends of elastic portions  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c , and  17   d  of the elastic member  7  described later. As the elastic portions  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c , and  17   d  respectively abut on the cross-shaped protruding portions formed at the first, second, third, and fourth positions P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , and P 4 , the operation body  1  is maintained in an elastically urged outward of the housing  2 . 
     The actuators  3  are made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, are formed by an injection molding process, as shown in  FIG. 5 , have cylindrical base portions  3   a  and substantially hemispherical driving portions  3   b  provided at both ends of the base portion  3   a , and is constituted by four actuators including first, second, third, and fourth actuators  13 ,  23 ,  33 , and  43 . In addition, each of the actuators  3  are arranged, as shown in  FIG. 3B , to be able to slide in the through-holes  12   a ,  22   b ,  32   c , and  42   e  of the housing  2  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and here, the actuators  3  are arranged to protrude upward from the respective through-holes. 
     In addition, the first actuator  13  is disposed to oppose the first position P 1 , and similarly, the second and third actuators  23  and  33  are disposed to respectively oppose the second and third positions P 2  and P 3 . In addition, the fourth actuator  43  is disposed between the first and fourth positions P 1  and P 4  to be closer to the first position P 1  side. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4B , at a position P 14  opposing the fourth actuator  43  at the peripheral edge of the rear side of the base body  1   a  of the operation body  1 , a protruding portion is formed which has a T-shaped cross-section and protrudes inward from the rear side of the base body  1   a.    
     The switch elements  5  include, as shown in  FIG. 5 , three switch elements including first, second, and third switch elements  15 ,  25 , and  35  which perform switching operations in response to the movements of the actuators  3 . In addition, each of the switch elements  5  include a slide member S 5  which is pressed by the actuator  3  in response to the movement of the actuator  3 , a movable contact point  6  provided integrally with the slide member S 5 , a fixed contact point  8  disposed to come in contact with and be separated from the movable contact point  6 , and a returning member F 5  which elastically urges the slide member S 5  to return the actuator  3  to a non-pressing operation position. 
     The slide member S 5  has a base portion S 5   a  having a substantially wedge shape, a recessed portion S 5   b  provided on the upper surface of the base portion S 5   a , and an inclined portion S 5   s  provided in one end portion of the base portion S 5   a . The slide member S 5  is accommodated in an accommodation recessed portion  2   u  of the housing  2  shown in  FIG. 2B  so as to be able to slide, and in addition, to each inclined portion S 5   s , the driving portion  3   b  of the corresponding actuator  3 . In addition, the actuator  3  is operated to be pressed as the operation body  1  is inclined, and as the inclined portion S 5   s  is pressed in response to the downward movement of the actuator  3 , the slide member S 5  is moved so as to slide. 
     The movable contact point  6  is made of a metal material such as phosphor bronze, is formed by a press process, and has a plurality of slider pieces. The movable contact point  6  is fixed to the slide member S 5 , and is slid by the slide movement of the slide member S 5 . 
     The fixed contact point  8  is provided in the printed wiring board  88  and is placed at such a position that the slider of the movable contact point  6  in the slide member S 5  with which the movable contact point  6  is assembled can come in contact with or be separated from the fixed contact point  8 . In addition, as the slider piece of the movable contact point  6  and the fixed contact point  8  come in contact with or are separated from each other by the slide movement of the slide member S 5 , ON and OFF switching operations are performed. 
     The returning member F 5  is made of a metal material and uses a coil spring which is formed into a spiral shape and has a predetermined diameter. One end portion side thereof is accommodated in the recessed portion S 5   b  of the slide member S 5  and the other end side abuts on the housing  2 , such that the slide member S 5  is elastically urged toward the one side by the returning member F 5 . In addition, when the inclination operation of the operation body  1  and the actuator  3  is moved upward to weaken pressing against the inclined portion Sys, the slide member S 5  is slid to the its original position by the returning member F 5 . 
     The cover  44  is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, is formed by an injection molding process, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , has a substantially rectangular base portion  44   a , a side wall  44   b  extending substantially vertically from the peripheral edge portion of the base portion  44   a , and a plurality of terminals  55  arranged integrally with the base portion  44   a  by an insert molding process. On the base portion  44   a  of the cover  44 , the printed wiring board  88  is disposed so that the terminals  55  penetrate through solder lands  88   r . Here, the solder lands  88   r  and the terminals  55  are soldered to each other so that the printed wiring board  88  and the cover  44  are integrated with each other. In addition, the cover  44  with which the printed wiring board  88  is integrated is dispose to cover the opening portion  2   k  of the housing  2 , and the housing  2  and the cover  44  are engaged with each other by an appropriate method such as snap-in engagement. 
     Next, the operations of the multi-directional switch device  101  will be described. 
     First, for example, when an operator presses substantially the center portion of the left end side of the upper wall  1   c  of the operation body  1  with a finger (not shown), as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIGS. 4A to 4D , the operation body  1  is inclined to the left by the pressing (the inclination direction W). In addition, when the operation body  1  is inclined to the left, the two positions on the left of the operation body  1 , that is, the first and second positions P 1  and P 2  are lowered, and via the elastic member  7  described later, the first actuator  13  disposed to oppose the first position P 1  and the second actuator  23  disposed to oppose the second position P 2  are pressed downward. 
     By the downward slide of the first and second actuators  13  and  23 , the driving portions  3   b  of the two actuators  3  ( 13  and  23 ) respectively press the inclined portions S 5   s  of the two slide members S 5  downward, and here, the slide members S 5  are slid together with the movable contacts  6  on the fixed contact point  8  of the printed wiring board  88  against the elastically urging force of the returning member F 5 . The slide member S 5  corresponding to the first actuator  13  is slid in the S direction shown in  FIG. 3A , and the slide member S 5  corresponding to the second actuator  23  is slid in the E direction shown in  FIG. 3A . By the slides of the two slide members S 5 , the slider pieces of the movable contact points  6  respectively come in contact with the fixed contact points  8 , and two so-called switch elements  5  (the first and second switch elements  15  and  25 ) enter the ON state. 
     Next, when the operator detaches their finger from the operation body  1  so as to stop pressing the operation body  1 , the two slide members S 5  are slid to return to the original positions by the elastically urging force of the two returning members F 5 . Here, the slider pieces of the movable contact points  6  become distant from the respective fixed contact points  8 , and the two so-called switch elements  5  enter the OFF state. The two actuators  3  ( 13  and  23 ) are pushed up by the slides of the slide members S 5 , and the operation body  1  is pushed up to be returned to the original position by the self-returning force of the elastic member  7  described later. Therefore, the first actuator  13  causes the first switch element  15  to perform a switching operation, and the second actuator  23  causes the second switch element  25  to perform a switching operation. 
     In this manner, for example, as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIGS. 4A to 4D , when substantially the center portion of the lower end side of the upper wall  1   c  of the operation body  1  is pressed with a finger or the like, the operation body  1  is inclined downward by the pressing (the inclination direction S), and the two positions on the lower side of the operation body  1 , that is, the second and third positions P 2  and P 3  are lowered. In addition, via the elastic member  7  described later, the second actuator  23  disposed to oppose the second position P 2  and the third actuator  33  disposed to oppose the third position P 3  are pressed downward, and the second actuator  23  causes the second switch element  25  to perform a switching operation and the third actuator  33  causes the third switch element  35  to perform a switching operation. 
     Similarly, for example, when substantially the center portion of the right end side of the upper wall  1   c  of the operation body  1  is pressed with a finger or the like, the operation body  1  inclined to the right by the pressing (the inclination direction E), and the third actuator  33  causes the third switch element  35  to perform a switching operation. Similarly, when substantially the center portion of the upper end side of the upper wall  1   c  of the operation body  1  is pressed with a finger or the like, the operation body  1  is inclined upward by the pressing (the inclination direction N), and the first actuator  13  causes the first switch element  15  to perform a switching operation. 
     Similarly, for example, when the operation body  1  is inclined in the first inclination direction D 1 , the first actuator  13  causes the first switch element  15  to perform a switching operation. When the operation body  1  is inclined in the second inclination direction D 2 , the second actuator  23  causes the second switch element  25  to perform a switching operation. When the operation body  1  is inclined in the third inclination direction D 3 , the third actuator  33  causes the third switch element  35  to perform a switching operation. 
     In the configuration as in the example 1 according to the related art, for example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the operation body  1  is inclined in the NE direction (the fourth inclination direction D 4  in  FIG. 3A ), there is a problem in that all the switch elements  806  do not perform switching operations and a non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed is generated. 
     However, in the multi-directional switch device  101  of the invention, for example, when the operation body  1  is inclined in the fourth inclination direction D 4 , the fourth actuator  43  disposed between the first and fourth positions P 1  and P 4  to be closer to the first position P 1  side is present, so that the fourth actuator  43  subjected to the inclination operation of the operation body  1  causes the first switch element  15  to perform a switching operation. Even when a directional angle of the fourth inclination direction D 4  is slightly changed, the fourth actuator  43  reliably causes the first switch element  15  to perform a switching operation. As such, even when the operation body  1  is inclined in a direction of the non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed, the position of the fourth actuator  43  is disposed in a position at which the first switch element  15  reliably performs a switching operation. Therefore, even though the operation body  1  is inclined in any direction, any of the plurality of switch elements  5  is caused to perform a switching operation. 
     Accordingly, the multi-directional switch device  101  of the invention is provided with the new fourth actuator  43  in addition to the three actuators  3  ( 13 ,  23 , and  33 ) corresponding to the three switch elements  5  ( 15 ,  25 , and  35 ), so that the non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed when the operation body  1  is operated to be inclined can be eliminated. Moreover, there is no need to add a switch element, resulting in a reduction in size. 
     In the multi-directional switch device  101  of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a passive component  98  such as a chip capacitor or a chip resistor may be mounted at a point of the printed wiring board  88  opposing the fourth position P 4 . Therefore, the printed wiring board  88  can be reduced in size, so that it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the multi-directional switch. 
     In addition, in the multi-directional switch device  101 , the first, second, third, and fourth positions P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , and P 4  are disposed at the vertices of a square in which each side is 20 mm, and the position P 14  opposing the fourth actuator  43  is disposed at a point distant from the first position P 1  by 7.5 mm on a straight line connecting the first and fourth positions  91  and P 4 . 
     The position P 14  may deviate from the straight line connecting the first and fourth positions P 1  and P 4  and may be a position other than a relative position between the first and fourth positions P 1  and P 4 . In addition, a rectangle may be used instead of the square, and for example, a pentagon may also be used. Since the position P 14  is determined depending on the positional relationship between the vertices of the rectangle, the lengths of the sizes of the rectangle, the inclination angle (the pressing depth of the inclination) of the operation body  1 , and the like, even though the operation body  1  is operated to be inclined in the direction of the non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed, the first switch element  15  is reliably determined to be disposed at a position where a switching operation is performed. 
     In addition, the multi-directional switch device  101  of the invention connects the first and fourth actuators  13  and  43  with a connection portion  3   r  to be integrated with each other as shown in  FIG. 5 . Accordingly, by integrating the two actuators  3  ( 13  and  43 ) with each other, compared to a case where an additional mechanism is provided for each of the actuators  3  ( 13  and  43 ), a greater reduction in size can be achieved, and assembly can be easily performed. 
     In addition, the multi-directional switch device  101  of the invention is provided with the elastic member  7  between the operation body  1  and the actuator  3 . The elastic member  7  is made of, for example, an elastic rubber material, is formed by a forming process, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes an elastic base portion  7   k  which is a substantially rectangular flat plate, four elastic portions  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c , and  17   d  which are provided at four angular portions in the peripheral edge of the elastic base portion  7   k  and are substantially dome-like, and an elastic portion  17   e  provided between the elastic portions  17   a  and  17   d . In addition, the front end portions of the elastic portions  17  ( 17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d , and  17   e ) of the elastic member  7  have circular flat portions, and the flat portions abut on the rear surface of the base body  1   a  of the operation body  1  to elastically urge the operation body  1  outward from the housing  2 . 
     The elastic portions  17  are disposed to be the peripheral edges of the operation body  1  in the housing  2 , and the elastic portions  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c , and  17   e  correspond to the first, second, third, and fourth actuators  13 ,  23 ,  33 , and  43 . 
     In addition, the elastic portion  17  that abuts on the operation body  1  is buckled by the inclination operation of the operation body  1 , the rear surface of the buckled elastic portion  17  abuts on the actuator  3  to press the actuator  3 . By the buckling, the operator obtains a clicking sensation. Moreover, since the elastic portion  17   d  which does not correspond to any of the actuators  3  is provided at the fourth position P 4 , a clicking sensation is reliably obtained even when the operator performs an inclination operation in any direction. Accordingly, as the elastic member  7  having the elastic portions  17  corresponding to the respective actuators  3  is provided between the actuators  3  and the operation body  1 , the elastic portion  17  is buckled, and when the operation body  1  is operated to be inclined, the operator can obtain a clicking sensation. 
     Accordingly, the multi-directional switch device  101  of the invention is provided with the new fourth actuator  43  in addition to the three actuators  3  ( 13 ,  23 , and  33 ) corresponding to the three switch elements  5  ( 15 ,  25 , and  35 ), so that when the operation body  1  is operated to be inclined, the non-operation region where a switching operation is not performed is eliminated. Moreover, there is no need to add a switch element, resulting in a reduction in size. 
     In addition, since the first and fourth actuators  13  and  43  are connected to each other by the connection portion  3   r  and thus are integrated with each other, compared to a case where an additional mechanism is provided for each of the actuators  3  ( 13  and  43 ), a greater reduction in size can be achieved, and assembly can be easily performed. 
     As the elastic member  7  having the elastic portions  17  corresponding to the respective actuators  3  is provided between the operation body  1  and the actuator  3 , the elastic portion  17  is buckled, and when the operation body  1  is operated to be inclined, the operator can obtain a clicking sensation. 
     Next, an operation circuit of the multi-directional switch device  101  will be described. 
       FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram of the multi-directional switch device  101  of a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the changeover switch  99  of the multi-directional switch device  101  of the first embodiment of the invention and is a perspective view of a changeover contact point member  49  viewed from a changeover movable contact point  69  side.  FIG. 10  is a circuit diagram of a switch device  800  of the example 1 according to the related art. In addition, since the multi-directional switch device  101  and the switch device  800  of the example 1 according to the related art have a changeover switch for changing over an object to be subjected to a switching operation and a switch for changeover (not shown in  FIG. 8 ), changeover switch circuits are given at the same time in  FIGS. 6 and 10 . 
     The changeover switch  99  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7  mainly includes a changeover operation member  19  which performs a slide operation, a changeover housing  29  which holds the changeover operation member  19 , a changeover driving member  39  which performs a slide movement in response to the slide movement of the changeover operation member  19 , a changeover contact point member  49  having a changeover movable contact point  69  for performing a switching operation by a slide movement in response to the movement of the changeover driving member  39 , and a changeover fixed contact point  89  which performs a switching operation by coming into contact with or being separated from the changeover contact point member  49 . 
     In addition, the changeover contact point member  49  includes a contact point base material  79  which holds the changeover movable contact point  69  and a changeover case  59  which is fitted to the contact point base material  79 . In addition, the changeover fixed contact point  89  is formed on the printed wiring board  88 , and is produced in the same process on the same surface as the fixed contact point  8 . In addition, the changeover housing  29  is formed integrally with the housing  2 . In addition, in addition to a changeover movable contact point (although not shown in  FIG. 8 , corresponding to the changeover movable contact point  69   a ) and a changeover fixed contact point corresponding to the changeover movable contact point (although not shown in  FIG. 8 , corresponding to the changeover fixed contact point  89   a ) which are also present in the example 1 according to the related art, a changeover movable contact point  69   b  and a changeover fixed contact point  89   b  corresponding to the changeover movable contact point  69   b  are newly provided. 
     The changeover switch  99  for changing over an object to be subjected to a switching operation is applied to, for example, an operation of door mirrors of a vehicle and is used to change over the operations of a left (L) door mirror and a right (R) door mirror. 
     In the circuit diagram of the switch device  800  of the example 1 according to the related art shown in  FIG. 10 , three switches SW 11 , SW 12 , and SW 13  corresponding to the three switch elements  806 , and a switch CW 15  corresponding to the switch for changeover for changing over the left side (L) and the right side (R) are shown. The three switches SW 1 , SW 2 , and SW 3  are in OFF positions, and the switch CW 11  is changed over to the operation side of the left (L) door mirror. 
     In the switch device  800  of the example 1 according to the related art, when the operation member  804  is oscillated, for example, in the N direction shown in  FIG. 8  and the switching element  806   a  performs a switching operation, the switch SW 11  is switched from the OFF position to the ON position like the movement of the dot-dot-dashed line of the SW 11  shown in  FIG. 10 , and an output signal is output to a mirror unit from an output terminal  11 P. The mirror unit receives the output signal and drives the motor of mirror to move upward the left (L) door mirror. Similarly, the operation member  804  is oscillated in the W direction and the switches SW 11  and SW 12  are at the ON position to move the left (L) door mirror to the right. Similarly, the switches SW 12  and SW 13  which are oscillated in the S direction are at the ON position to move downward the left (L) door mirror, and the switch SW 13  oscillated in the E direction is at the ON position to move the left (L) door mirror to the right. 
     However, when the switch SW 12  or the switch SW 13  is switched from the OFF position to the ON position, there may be a phenomenon in which output signals from output terminals  12 L,  12 R,  13 L, and  13 R are cut, and the mirror unit miscalculates that the switch for changeover is at the OFF position as shown by the dot-dot-dashed line of the CW 15  corresponding to the switch for changeover shown in  FIG. 10  and returns the mirror position to the standard position. 
     Here, in the multi-directional switch device  101  of the first embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a switch for position detection is added to the switch CW corresponding to the changeover switch  99  for changing over an objected to be subjected to a switching operation. Other configurations are the same as those of the switch device  800  of the example 1 according to the related art, and the three switches SW 1 , SW 2 , and SW 3  corresponding to the three switch elements  5 , and the switch CW are shown. 
     The switch for position detection switches between the left side (L) and the right side (R) using the changeover movable contact point  69   b  and the changeover fixed contact point  89   b  provided in the changeover switch  99  to be output from terminals CL and CR for detection shown in  FIG. 6  to the mirror unit. In addition, a common terminal of the switch for position detection is connected to the ground. 
     Since the switch for position detection is provided, when changed over to the left side (L) or the right side (R), a signal is always output from the terminal CL for detection and the terminal CR for detection. Therefore, by identifying the output signal, even when the output signals from the output terminals  2 L,  2 R,  3 L, and  3 R of the switch SW 2  or the switch SW 3  are cut, the mirror unit does not miscalculate that the changeover switch  99  is at the OFF position. Accordingly, the multi-directional switch device  101  with high reliability can be provided. 
     In addition, the switch for position detection can be configured only by newly providing the changeover movable contact point  69   b  and the changeover fixed contact point  89   b  in the changeover switch  99  and thus can be achieved by simple design change and with minimal addition of members and processes. Accordingly, the multi-directional switch device  101  with high reliability can be provided at low cost. 
     In addition, the invention is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the following modifications can be made and such embodiments belong to the scope of the invention. 
     In the embodiment, the changeover switch  99  is integrated but may also be configured into separate members. 
     In the embodiment, the changeover switch  99  is provided in the configuration, but the changeover switch  99  may also not be provided. 
     In the embodiment, the first and fourth actuators  13  and  43  are configured to be integrated with each other, but may also be configured as separate members so that each of the actuators causes the first switch element  15  to perform a switching operation. 
     In the embodiment, the elastic member  7  is provided between the operation body  1  and the actuator  3  and the actuator  3  is pressed via the elastic member  7  in the configuration. However, the elastic member  7  may not be provided and the actuator  3  may be pressed by the operation body  1  in the configuration. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims of the equivalents thereof.