Patent Publication Number: US-6703571-B2

Title: Multi-directional operating switch

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multi-directional switch that is used in various kinds of electronic equipment, such as an information terminal, and has an operating part to be depressed and tilted. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent electronic equipment, such as an information terminal, diversification of operation functions as well as downsizing has been proceeding. In order to perform these diversified functions, a large number of switches are used in the electronic equipment. In order to downsize the equipment, the number of operating parts on the operating surface must be reduced. One of the methods taken for these purposes is incorporating, as a constituent member of the electric equipment, an operating mechanism for collectively operating a plurality of switches. 
     However, the above-mentioned method of incorporating the operating mechanism as a constituent component of the electronic equipment poses problems: difficult engagement of the operating mechanism incorporated in the electronic equipment with a plurality of switches, and moreover expensiveness as electronic equipment. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses these conventional problems. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide, as an integrally formed electronic component, a multi-directional operating switch that can operate a plurality of switches independently by depressing or tilting one operating part. 
     In order to address the above-mentioned problems, the multidirectional operating switch of the present invention comprises: 
     an operating body supported by a pair of bearing portions provided in a case such that one end of the operating body is pivotable and the other end opposite thereto is pivotable and vertically movable in the range below the pivotal position, the operating body having: 
     an operating part provided above the central axis of pivot; 
     a first depressing portion provided on the bottom face of the operating body on the side of the other end on the central axis of pivot as seen from the top; and 
     a pair of second and third depressing portions provided on the bottom face of the operating body on the side of the one end in positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis of pivot; and 
     first, second, and third self-restoring push switches provided in the case in positions corresponding to the first, second, and third depressing portions. Depressing the operating part of the operating body allows independent actuation of the first push switch. Tilting the operating part to pivot the operating body in the right or left direction allows independent actuation of the second or third push switch. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a multi-directional operating switch in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view in section of the switch. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the switch taken along line J—J of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch. 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the switch with an operating body and a cover thereof removed. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the switch taken along line K—K of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the switch taken along line L—L of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the switch when the operating body is tilted from the state shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the switch when the switch in the state shown in FIG. 8 is taken along line L—L of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the switch when the operating body is depressed from the state shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the switch when the switch in the state shown in FIG. 10 is taken along line L—L of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to  11 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a multi-directional operating switch in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view in section of the switch. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the switch taken along line J—J of FIG.  2 . FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch. FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the switch with an operating body and a cover thereof removed. 
     In these drawings, reference numeral  1  shows a box-like case made of an insulating resin and shaped like a rectangle as seen from the top. Provided on the longitudinal central axis and on the right side of the case as seen from the front of the case is first push switch  2  (hereinafter referred to as first switch  2 ). Provided on the left side of the case in positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis are second push switch  3  and third push switch  4  (hereinafter referred to as second switch  3  and third switch  4 , respectively). At the respective centers of opposed left and right walls, i.e. on the central axis, first bearing hole  5  in the left wall and second bearing hole  6  in the right wall are provided, as a pair of bearing portions for supporting operating body  12 , which will be described later. 
     Contact parts of first switch  2  to third switch  4  are structured as shown in FIGS. 2 to  4 . In recesses provided in predetermined positions on the bottom of case  1 , fixed contact  7  comprising outer circumferential contact  7 A and central contact  7 B, fixed contact  8  comprising outer circumferential contact  8 A and central contact  8 B, and fixed contact  9  comprising outer circumferential contact  9 A and central contact  9 B are insert-molded and fixed. Mounted on each of outer circumferential contacts  7 A,  8 A, and  9 A is the bottom face of the outer circumference of each of circular dome-like movable contacts  2 A,  3 A, and  4 A made of a resilient metallic thin plate. The center of the bottom face of each movable contact is opposed to each of central contacts  7 B,  8 B, and  9 B. Depressing the movable contacts from above turns on/off the switches. This compact contact structure can provide stable switch operation with positive tactile response. 
     In these three movable contacts  2 A to  4 A, movable contact  3 A in second switch  3  and movable contact  4 A in third switch  4  have an identical shape and dimension, and substantially an equal inverting operation force. In other words, second switch  3  and third switch  4  have substantially an equal switch operating force. 
     Driver  2 B made of a rigid insulating material is mounted on the central top of movable contact  2 A of the first switch  2 . Drivers  3 B and  4 B made of an elastic insulating material are mounted on the central tops of movable contacts  3 A and  4 A of the second switch  3  and third switch  4 , respectively. Depressing the contacts via these drivers  2 B to  4 B operates first switch  2  to third switch  4 , respectively. 
     Because driver  3 B in second switch  3  and driver  4 B in third switch  4  are formed of an elastic insulating material, compressive deformation of these drivers  3 B and  4 B made before and after the inverting action of the movable contacts  3 A and  4 A can increase the stroke of the depressing operation and makes it easy to set the operation stroke to predetermined amplitude. 
     These drivers  3 B and  4 B have an identical shape and dimension, and are integrally coupled by coupler  10 A to form coupled driver  10 . At the same time, respective drivers  3 B and  4 B can elastically be deformed independently. Such a structure can reduce the number of constituent components of the multi-directional operating switch as a whole and facilitates assembling thereof. In addition, this structure stabilizes the mutual position of two drivers  3 B and  4 B and provides an equal stroke of depressing operation for second switch  3  and third switch  4 . 
     The top plan view of FIG. 5 shows how these first switch  2  to third switch  4  are arranged in case  1 . 
     Cover  11  (see FIG. 4) made of a metallic plate is placed over the top face of case  1  that houses first switch  2  to third switch  4 . The cover has three holes  11 A through which respective upper halves of drivers  2 B to  4 B go. Operating body  12  made of a resin is fitted above the cover. 
     The operating body  12  is supported in the following manner (see FIG.  2 ). First shaft  13  and second shaft  14  extend downwardly from both longitudinal ends of rectangular plate part  12 B so as to be opposed to each other, as two portions to be borne. The first shaft and second shaft are inserted into the above-mentioned first bearing hole  5  and second bearing hole  6  provided in left and right walls of case  1 , respectively, and engaged therewith. 
     FIG. 6, i.e. a sectional view taken along line K—K of FIG. 2, shows a structure of engagement of shaft  13  with bearing hole  5 . FIG. 7, i.e. a sectional view of taken along line L—L FIG. 2, shows a structure of engagement of shaft  14  with bearing hole  6 . 
     In other words, first shaft  13  is shaped like a rod having a circular cross section. First bearing hole  5  is a circular hole having a diameter slightly larger than that of the first shaft. Second shaft  14  is shaped like a rod having an oval cross section with a longer diameter in the vertical direction. Second bearing hole  6  is shaped like a key hole. The key hole comprises circular section  6 A having a diameter slightly larger than the longer diameter of the oval shape of second shaft  14  and downwardly projecting section  6 B having a width smaller than the longer diameter of the oval shape of second shaft  14  and a slightly larger than the shorter diameter thereof. 
     This structure allows operating body  12  to be pivotable around a central axis of pivot formed by a line connecting two shafts  13  and  14 , i.e. two bearing holes  5  and  6 . In addition, the side of second shaft  14  is supported so as to be vertically movable in a range below the pivotal position, only when the orientation of the oval cross section of second shaft  14  corresponds to the direction of downwardly projecting section  6 B of second bearing hole  6 , i.e. in the neutral position in a normal state (shown in FIG.  7 ). 
     Provided on plate part  12 B and above the central axis of pivot of operating body  12  is operating part  12 A. As first depressing portion  12 C, the bottom face of plate part  12  B on the side of second shaft  14  on the central axis of pivot of operating body  12  as seen from the top is in contact with the spherical central top portion of top end  2 C of driver  2 B in the above-mentioned first switch  2  (see FIG.  2 ). As second depressing portion  12 D and third depressing portion  12 E, the bottom face of the plate part in the positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis of pivot is in contact with the respective spherical central top portions of top end  3 C of driver  3 B in second switch  3  and of top end  4 C of driver  4 B in third switch  4  (see FIG.  3 ). This arrangement maintains operating body  12  in the neutral position and thus second shaft  14  at rest in the neutral position as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The multi-directional operating switch of this embodiment is structured as described above. Next, the operations thereof are described. 
     A first operation is performed with reference to FIG. 3, i.e. one of sectional views showing the normal state of this multi-directional operating switch. Pressing force in the right direction is applied to operating part  12 A of operating body  12  to tilt the operating body. Then, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8, operating body  12  pivots in the right direction around a central axis of pivot, i.e. the line connecting first shaft  13  borne by bearing hole  5  and second shaft  14  borne by bearing hole  6  in case  1 . 
     Accordingly, the right side of plate part  12 B of operating body  12  tilts downwardly. As second depressing portion  12 D, the bottom face of the plate part depresses spherical top end  3 C of driver  3 B in second switch  3  downwardly. While elastically deforming the central top portion of driver  3 B made of an elastic insulating material, the second depressing portion depresses the entire driver downwardly. When the depressing force applied to the central top of movable contact  3 A in second switch  3  by the bottom end  3 D of driver  3 B exceeds the inverting operation force of movable contact  3 A, movable contact  3 A inverts with positive tactile response and the central bottom thereof makes contact with central contact  8 B, as shown in FIG.  8 . This contact action short-circuits outer circumferential contact  8 A (not shown in FIG. 8) and central contact  8 B, thereby actuating second switch  3 . This signal is transferred to the circuit of the electronic equipment using this multi-directional operating switch, via leads (not shown) connected to each contact. 
     Thereafter, when the depressing force in the right direction applied to operating part  12 A is removed, movable contact  3 A and driver  3 B attempt to restore to the original shapes thereof using respective elastic restoring forces. These restoring forces move up plate part  12 B of operating body  12  and thus restore the switch to the normal state shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Similarly, with reference to FIG. 3, when depressing force in the left direction is applied to operating part  12 A, operating body  12  pivots in the left direction. Then, as third depressing portion  12 E, the bottom face of plate part  12 B on the left side depresses driver  4 B and thereby bottom end  4 D of the driver depresses movable contact  4 A. This action can actuate third switch  4 . 
     When operating part  12 A is pressed in the right or left direction to pivot operating body  12 , first shaft  13  having a circular cross section at the one end of operating body  12  that is engaged with circular first bearing hole  5  in case  1  does not move downwardly even though operating body  12  pivots. The second shaft  14  having the oval cross section also does not move downwardly. This is because the orientation of the oval cross section is displaced from the direction of downwardly projecting section  6 B of second bearing hole  6 , as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 9, when operating body  12  pivots in the right or left direction from the neutral position (see FIG. 7) in the normal state. 
     As a result, in the tilting operation of operating part  12 A, malfunction does not occur in first switch  2  in which the spherical central top portion of top end  2 C of driver  2 B is in contact with first depressing portion  12 C on the bottom face of plate part  12 B on the central axis of pivot of operating body  12  as seen from the top. 
     Both top end  3 C of driver  3 B in second switch  3  and top end  4 C of driver  4 B in third switch  4  are depressed by second depressing portion  12 D and third depressing portion  12 E, respectively, on the bottom face of plate part  12 B of pivoted operating body  12 , when this operating part  12 A is tilted. Because theses top ends of these drivers are both spherical and thus each of depressing portion  12 D and  12 E positively holds down the central top portion of each driver, second switch  3  and third switch  4  perform stable operation. 
     Next, a second operation is performed with reference to FIG. 2, i.e. one of sectional views showing the normal state of this multidirectional operating switch. Downward depressing force is applied to operating part  12 A of operating body  12 . First shaft  13  and second shaft  14  at both ends of operating body  12  are inserted and engaged with first bearing hole  5  and second bearing hole  6  in case  1 , respectively. As mentioned above, first shaft  13  does not move downwardly. However, second shaft  14  moves downwardly from the neutral position. Therefore, operating body  12  tilts around a fulcrum at bearing hole  5  in case  1  bearing first shaft  13 , and thereby the side of second shaft  14  goes down, as shown in the sectional view of FIG.  10 . 
     As a result, first depressing portion  12 C on the bottom face of plate part  12 B of operating body  12  depresses spherical top end  2 C of driver  2 B in first switch  2  that is in contact with the first depressing portion  12 C on the side of second shaft  14  on the central axis of pivot of operating body  12  as seen from the top. This action depresses driver  2 B made of a rigid insulating material downwardly. When the depressing force applied to the central top of movable contact  2 A in first switch  2  by bottom end  2 D of driver  2 B exceeds the inverting operation force of movable contact  2 A, movable contact  2 A inverts with positive tactile response and the central bottom thereof makes contact with central contact  7 B, as shown FIG.  10 . This contact action short-circuits outer circumferential contact  7 A (not shown in FIG. 10) and central contact  7 B, thereby actuating first switch  2 . This signal is transferred to the circuit of the electronic equipment using this multi-directional operating switch, via leads (not shown) connected to each contact. 
     Thereafter, when the downward depressing force applied to operating part  12 A is removed, movable contact  2 A attempts to restore to the original shape thereof using the resilient restoring force of its own. This restoring force moves up plate part  12 B of operating body  12  and thus restores the switch to the normal state shown in FIG.  2 . 
     When operating part  12 A is depressed downwardly to tilt operating body  12 , top end  3 C of driver  3 B in second switch  3  and top end  4 C of driver  4 B in third switch  4  that are in contact with the bottom face of plate part  12 B of operating body  12  on the side of first shaft  13  in positions symmetrical with respect to central axis of pivot of the above-mentioned operating body  12  are slightly depressed downwardly. However, since drivers  3 B and  4 B are made of an elastic insulating material, slight elastic deformation of respective top ends  3 C and  4 C thereof accommodate to this movement. This prevents the influence on contact parts in second switch  3  and third switch  4 . 
     When operating part  12 A is depressed downwardly to tilt operating body  12 , second shaft  14  having an oval cross section at the end of operating body  12  that is engaged with second bearing hole  6  in case  1  goes from circular section  6 A into downwardly projecting section  6 B of second bearing hole  6  shaped like a key hole, as shown in the sectional view of FIG.  11 . Downwardly projecting section  6 B is smaller than the longer diameter of the oval shape of second shaft  14  in the vertical direction and slightly larger than the shorter diameter thereof in width. Thus second shaft  14  can hardly rotate in this condition, that is, operating body  12  cannot pivot. 
     Consequently, during depressing operation of operating part  12 A, malfunction does not occur in second switch  3  in which top end  3 C of driver  3 B is in contact with second depressing portion  12 D on the bottom face of plate part  12 B of operating body  12  and in third switch  4  in which top end  4 C of driver  4 B is in contact with third depressing portion  12 E thereon. 
     As mentioned above, with the multi-directional operating switch of this embodiment, a first operation of tilting operating part  12 A to pivot operating body  12  in the right or left direction allows independent actuation of second switch  3  or third switch  4 . In addition, a second operation of depressing operating part  12 A allows independent actuation of first switch  2 . This structure can provide the following applications. For example, with such information terminals as a cell phone, the first operation of tilting operating part  12 A allows a cursor movement for selection of a menu and the second operation of depressing operating part  12 A allows determination and execution of the selected menu. 
     In the above description, the first operation is tilting operating part  12 A and the second operating is depressing operating part  12 A. However, any order of operations is acceptable for convenience of the electronic equipment using this multi-directional operating switch. 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The multi-directional operating switch of the present invention can operate a plurality of push switches independently by depressing or tilting one operating part. Thus, this operating switch finds a wide range of applications in electronic equipment, such as various kinds of information terminals.