Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6586690
-
Patent Number
6,586,690
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, February 12, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 1, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Beyer Weaver & Thomas LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 200 6 A
- 200 1 K
- 200 11 E
- 200 4
- 200 6 C
- 200 18
- 200 5 R
- 200 5 A
- 200 5 E
- 200 6 R
- 200 17 R
- 200 517
- 338 128
- 338 131
- 338 133
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The device comprises a casing having a bottom wall with a common contact; a first fixed contact held by the casing; and a first movable contact which can be brought into or out of contact with the first fixed contact; a handle which can be tilted in many different directions to generate an electric signal; and a second movable contact which touches the common contact. The first movable contact has a contact area which touches the second movable contact. When the handle is tilted, the first fixed contact and the first movable contact touch each other to establish continuity between the first fixed contact and the common contact through the first movable contact, the contact area and the second movable contact, generating a first electric signal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a general-purpose push switch used as a button in electronic equipment such as a cellular phone or a multidirectional input device for operation of electronic equipment such as a cellular phone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Regarding the drawing for a conventional multidirectional input device,
FIG. 18
shows the main part of a conventional multidirectional input device.
A case
50
is a plastic box with an opening at the top. It has an octagonal bottom wall
50
a;
projections
50
d
spaced at regular intervals which protrude upwards from the bottom wall
50
a;
a side wall
50
b
standing upwards from the side edge of the bottom wall
50
a;
and notches
50
c
made at intervals of approximately 90 degrees in the side wall
50
b.
A first fixed contact
51
consists of a contact part
51
a
located at the top end and a terminal
51
b
extending outwards from the contact part
51
a;
the first fixed contact
51
is embedded in the bottom wall
5
a
with the contact part
51
a
exposed in the center of the bottom wall
50
a.
A common contact
52
consists of a semicircular arch contact part
52
a
and a terminal
52
b
extending outwards from the contact part
52
a.
This common contact
52
is embedded in the bottom wall
50
a
with the bottom wall
50
a
exposed on the surface of the bottom wall
50
a,
surrounding the contact part
51
a
of the first fixed contact
51
.
A first movable contact
53
is made of metal. It has the shape of a dome and rests on the bottom wall
50
a
with its periphery guided by the projections
50
d.
With the first movable contact
53
in place, its side edge
53
a
remains in contact with the contact part
52
a
of the common contact
52
and its top
53
b
faces the contact part
51
a
of the first fixed contact
51
. The first fixed contact
51
, common contact
52
and first movable contact
53
constitute a push switch S.
A guide
54
is made of plastic and has virtually the shape of a dome. It has a base
54
b
with a through hole
54
a
at the top; an arm
54
c
supported on one side, extending towards the center from the base
54
b;
and a spacer
54
d
engaged with the arm
54
c.
This guide
54
is fixed by the base
54
b
engaged with the projections
50
d.
Once the guide
54
is fixed in this way, the arm
54
c
faces the top of the first movable contact
53
.
A coil spring
55
is made of a conductive metal. It stands on the bottom wall
50
a
near the side wall
50
b,
surrounding the first movable contact
53
.
A cover
60
is an octagonal flat plate with a through hole
60
a
in the center. A second fixed contact
61
consists of a contact part
61
a
at the top end and a terminal
61
b
bent at right angles from the contact part
61
a.
The second fixed contact
61
is embedded in the cover
60
every approximately 45 degrees with the terminal
61
b
exposed on the lower face of the cover
60
. The cover
60
and the second fixed contact
61
are arranged so as to cover the opening of the case
50
, and a U-shaped metal leg
62
is used to fix them between the case
50
and the leg
62
.
A handle
64
consists of a driving body
65
, a second movable contact
66
embedded in the driving body
65
, and a control shaft
67
spline-connected with the driving body
65
. The driving body
65
is almost cylindrical and has in its center a through hole
65
a
which runs from the top to the bottom and has an oval bottom. The second movable contact
66
is a conductive metal ring disc with outward-stretching projections
66
a
arranged at intervals of 90 degrees. The second movable contact
66
is embedded at a level almost equal to the middle of the height of the driving body
65
. Made of plastic, the control shaft
67
has a cylinder
67
a
and an oval jaw
67
b
at the bottom of the cylinder
67
a.
The cylinder
67
a
is inserted through the through hole
65
a
from below the driving body
65
and the jaw
67
b
is spline-connected with the driving body
65
to control the rotation of the control shaft
67
.
The handle
64
is tiltably housed in the case
50
and the top
65
b
of the driving body
65
is tiltably supported by the through hole
60
a
of the cover
60
. The bottom
67
c
of the control shaft
67
is in contact with a spacer
54
d;
the second movable contact
66
is held pressed up by the coil spring
55
to be pressed against the contact part
61
a
of the second fixed contact
61
. Here, since the second movable contact
66
is in contact with the coil spring
55
, there is always continuity between the second movable contact
66
and the common contact
52
. The second fixed contact
61
and the second movable contact
66
, held pressed by the coil spring
55
, constitute a tilt switch S
6
which normally stays closed. The projections
66
a
of the second movable contact
66
engage with the notches
50
c
in the side wall
50
b
to prevent rotation of the entire handle
64
.
Next, how the conventional multidirectional input device operates will be explained. As the control shaft
67
is tilted in a desired direction, the handle
64
tilts on a fulcrum C which is the point of contact between the contact part
61
a
of the second fixed contact
61
and the second movable contact
66
on the side opposite to the tilting direction, and the tilt switch S
6
on the side of the fulcrum C stays ON while the tilt switch S
6
on the opposite side turns OFF. The coil spring
55
's part on the side opposite to the fulcrum C is contracted.
Also, upon tilting of the handle
64
, the bottom
67
c
of the control shaft
67
bends down the arm
54
c
through the spacer
54
d
so that the first movable contact
53
is pressed and the push switch S
5
turns ON.
Then, as the pressure on the control shaft
67
is released, the coil spring
55
returns to its original state and the second movable contact
66
returns to its original state as well; as a consequence, the handle
64
returns to its neutral position and the tilt switches S
6
all turn ON. The arm
54
c
and the first movable contact
53
return to their original state due their elastic force so the push switch S
5
turns OFF again.
When the control shaft
67
is pushed in axially with the handle
64
in its neutral position, the control shaft
67
moves down as guided by the through hole
65
a
of the driving body
65
, which presses the first movable contact
53
to turn ON the push switch S
5
. Meanwhile, all the tilt switches S
6
stay ON. Then, as the pressure on the control shaft
67
is released, the arm
54
c
and the first movable contact
53
return to their original state due to their elastic force so the push switch S
5
turns OFF again and, the control shaft
67
is pushed back by the arm
54
c
and returns to its original state.
In the conventional multidirectional input device, which has the above-mentioned constitution, there has been a problem that the overall height of the device has to be large enough to accommodate the height of the coil spring
55
in order to ensure that continuity is established between the second movable contact
66
and the common contact
52
through the coil spring
55
.
Another problem is that since the coil spring
55
is located near the side wall
50
b
and the common contact
52
has to be placed around the first movable contact
53
, the device size should be relatively large.
A further problem is that the shape of the common contact
52
must be complicated in order to ensure that the common contact
52
touches the coil spring
55
. In addition, since the arm
54
c
and spacer
54
d
lie between the first movable contact
53
and the control shaft
67
, the overall height should be relatively large.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a low-profile, compact, multidirectional input device which does not use the coil spring
55
.
As a first solution to the above problems, the present invention provides a multidirectional input device comprising: a casing having a bottom wall with a common contact; a first fixed contact held above and opposite the bottom wall by the casing; a first movable contact which is located between the bottom wall of the casing and the first fixed contact, and tiltably housed in the casing and can be brought into or out of contact with the first fixed contact; a handle having the first movable contact, which can be tilted in many different directions; and a second movable contact which touches the common contact, wherein the first movable contact has a contact area which is to touch the second movable contact; when the handle is tilted, the first fixed contact and the first movable contact touch each other and to establish continuity between the first fixed contact and the common contact through the first movable contact, the contact area and the second movable contact, generating a first electric signal.
As a second solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the bottom wall of the casing has a second fixed contact and the second movable contact can be brought into contact with the second fixed contact when pressed, and when the handle is tilted, the first electric signal is generated and the second fixed contact and second movable contact touch each other and to establish continuity between the common contact and the second fixed contact, generating a second electric signal.
As a third solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the casing has an interface which is facing and opposite the bottom wall with the first movable contact between the bottom wall and it, and when the handle is in its neutral position, it is pressed against a lower face of the interface due to an elastic force of the second movable contact.
As a fourth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the handle or the interface has an axially protruding projection, and when the interface and handle touch each other through the projection and with the handle in its neutral position, the first movable contact is out of contact with the first fixed contact.
As a fifth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the first movable contact has the projection (ridge) opposite the interface.
As a sixth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, when the handle is tilted on the projection as a first fulcrum, the first fixed contact and first movable contact touch each other, and when it is tilted on the point of contact between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact as a second fulcrum, the second fixed contact and second movable contact touch each other.
As a seventh solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the interface is a metal plate which is held and joined together with the first fixed contact by a plastic support and the handle has escapes through which convexes on the bottom wall side of the support can come and go when it is tilted.
As an eighth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the casing comprises a lower case having the bottom wall, and the support as an upper case separate from the lower case; the first fixed contact fitted to the upper case is fixed on the lower case to join the lower case and the upper case together.
As a ninth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, when the handle is pushed axially, the second fixed contact and the second movable contact touch each other to establish continuity between the common contact and the second fixed contact.
As a tenth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, and the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle is semispherical, protruding towards the bottom wall; and an outer semispherical surface of the contact area touches the second movable contact.
As an eleventh solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, and the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle has a flat portion facing the second movable contact; and the flat portion touches a top of the second movable contact.
As a twelfth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, and the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle has a square or ring ridge protruding towards the second movable contact; and the ridge touches the top of the second movable contact.
As a thirteenth solution, in a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, and the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle has plural convexes protruding towards the second movable contact; and the convexes touch the top of the second movable contact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a top view of a multidirectional input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a bottom view of a lower case in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5
is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
5
—
5
of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged sectional view of the main part of a push switch in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7
is a sectional view of the main part of a handle in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a bottom view of a support in which various members are embedded, in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
9
—
9
of
FIG. 8
;
FIG. 10
is a sectional view illustrating how the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates;
FIG. 11
is a sectional view illustrating how the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates;
FIG. 12
is a sectional view illustrating the method for manufacturing the push switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a sectional view illustrating the method for manufacturing the push switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14
is a sectional view of the main part of a multidirectional input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15
is a sectional view of the main part of a multidirectional input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16
is a sectional view illustrating how the multidirectional input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention operates;
FIG. 17
is a sectional view of the main part of a multidirectional input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 18
is a sectional view of the main part of a conventional multidirectional input device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The drawings which illustrate the multidirectional input device as the first embodiment of the present invention are:
FIG. 1
, a top view of a multidirectional input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
, a sectional view taken substantially along the line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
, an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
, a bottom view of a lower case in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5
, a sectional view taken substantially along the line
5
—
5
of
FIG. 4
; and
FIG. 6
, an enlarged sectional view of the main part of a push switch in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Furthermore,
FIG. 7
is a sectional view of the main part of a handle in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a bottom view of a support in which various members are embedded, in the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a sectional view taken substantially along the line
9
—
9
of
FIG. 8
;
FIGS. 10 and 11
are sectional views illustrating how the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates; and
FIGS. 12 and 13
are sectional views of the main part of the push switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention which illustrate the method for manufacturing the switch.
From now on, the multidirectional input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described by reference to
FIGS. 1
to
13
. As shown in
FIGS. 3
to
5
, a lower case
1
has a bottom wall
2
as an octagonal flat plate, and a side wall
3
standing upright from the periphery of the bottom wall
2
where the bottom wall
2
has, in its center, four fan-shaped first holes
2
a
which run vertically, arranged along the circumference of a circle, and a cross-shaped receiver
2
b
located between these first holes
2
a,
and a pair of second holes
2
c
between which the first holes
2
a
lie. There are four projections
2
d
facing each other on the upper side of the bottom wall
2
as shown in FIG.
3
and plural concaves
2
e
facing each other along the periphery of the lower face as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
.
The side wall
3
is composed of four pairs of side walls, where each pair consists of a side wall
3
a
having a protrusion
3
c
extending towards the center, and a side wall
3
b
located next to the first side wall
3
a
; these pairs are arranged along the circumference of the bottom wall so as to form an octagonal side wall
3
.
A second fixed contact
4
, a metal plate, has a circular contact part
4
a
and a terminal
4
b
which extends outwards from the contact part
4
a.
The contact part
4
a
is exposed on the surface of the bottom wall
2
, covering the first holes
2
a,
and the terminal
4
b
runs as follows: it is embedded outwards, exposed on the bottom surface, and again embedded, protruding sideward, with its tip folded and housed in the concave
2
e.
On the back of the contact part
4
a
of the second fixed contact
4
thus embedded is the cross-shaped receiver
2
b
passing through the center. The back of the contact part
4
a
is supported by this receiver
2
b.
A common contact
5
, a metal plate, has an arch base
5
a,
rectangular contact parts
5
b
at the ends of the base
5
a,
and a terminal
5
c
extending outwards from part of the base
5
a.
The contact parts
5
b
are exposed on the surface of the bottom wall
2
covering the pair of second holes
2
c
and the base
5
a,
located around the contact part
4
a,
is exposed on the surface of the bottom wall
2
with the tip of the terminal
5
c
folded and housed in the concave
2
e;
the common contact
5
is embedded in the bottom wall
2
in this way.
The second movable contact
6
consists of a metal dome-shaped leaf spring. Guided by the four projections
2
d
on the bottom wall
2
, it is placed on the surface of the bottom wall
2
. With the second movable contact
6
in place, its periphery remains in contact with the contact parts
5
b
of the common contact
5
and the top
6
a
can be brought into or out of contact with the contact part
4
a
of the second fixed contact
4
. The movement of the second movable contact
6
is limited by the projections
2
d.
The second movable contact
6
, second fixed contact
4
and common contact
5
constitute a push switch S
1
.
The handle
10
has a first movable contact
11
as a thin, octagonal metal plate, and a plastic knob
12
having the center of the first movable contact
11
embedded therein. The first movable contact
11
has the following: an octagonal ridge (convex projection)
11
a
which axially protrudes upwards in a manner to surround the knob
12
; plural (eight) escapes
11
b
as triangular through holes extending outwards from this ridge
11
a
with a fringe in the periphery; concaves
11
c
around the fringe; and a semispherical contact area
11
d
in the center of the lower face. The knob
12
is a virtually square pillar having a thin plate base
12
a
and a pillar
12
b
with a square tip extending upwards from the center of the base
12
a.
The contact area
11
d
in the center of the first movable contact
11
is embedded in the base
12
a.
When the first movable contact
11
is embedded in the knob
12
, the first movable contact
11
lies radially extending outwards from the base
12
a
of the knob
12
and the contact area
11
d
lies downwards, exposed on the lower face of the base
12
a.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, there are plural through holes
11
e
between the first movable contact
11
and the contact area
11
d;
these through holes
11
e
are filled with resin and function as connections to join the base
12
a
of the knob
12
to the pillar
12
b.
The handle
10
thus structured is tiltably housed in the lower case
1
in which the second movable contact
6
is placed. Here, the projections
3
c
of the first side wall
3
fit into the concaves
11
c
of the first movable contact
11
and the first movable contact
11
is guided to be housed in the lower case
1
. The engagement of the concaves
11
c
and the projections
3
c
works to stop rotation of the handle
10
. When the handle
10
is housed in the lower case
1
, the outer surface of the contact area
11
d
of the first movable contact
11
touches the second movable contact
6
. This means a contact between spherical surfaces and enables the handle
10
to tilt smoothly. Alternatively, the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
may be flat.
Four first fixed contacts
15
are made of metal; each of them consists of a virtually fan-shaped base
15
a
and a terminal
15
b
bent downwards from the base
15
a,
as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 8
. An interface
16
consists of a thin metal plate which includes a ring
16
b
with an octagonal through hole
16
a
in the center, and legs
16
c
extending in four directions from the ring
16
b.
The interface
16
b
does not always need to be made of metal; it may be made of rigid plastic resin.
The first fixed contacts
15
and the interface
16
, both made of plastic resin, are embedded in the support
17
which constitutes an upper case, and integrated and fixed with the support
17
. The support
17
is a plastic molding; as shown in
FIGS. 3
,
8
and
9
, it is an octagonal thin plate which has a substrate
17
a
with an octagonal through hole
17
d
in the center, downward-protruding triangular convexes
17
b
on the lower face of the substrate
17
a,
and joints
17
c
on the fringe of the substrate
17
a
facing each other.
The first fixed contacts
15
and the interface
16
are embedded and integrated, flush with the support
17
. As shown in
FIG. 8
, the first fixed contacts
15
are held between the substrate
17
a
and the convexes
17
b
and neighboring first fixed contacts
15
are jointed together through the joints
17
c.
In the interface
16
, located nearer to the center than the first fixed contacts
15
, the ring
16
b
is held between the substrate
17
a
and the convexes
17
b
and joined through the convexes
17
b
to the first fixed contacts
15
with the through hole
16
a
connected in line with the through hole
17
d
of the support
17
.
The support
17
thus structured, in which the first fixed contacts
15
and the interface
16
are embedded, is fixed so as to serve as the upper case to cover the lower case
1
; the support
17
as the upper case, and the lower case
1
make up a casing
7
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the terminals
15
b
of the first fixed contacts
15
are bent inwards to engage with the concaves
2
e
of the bottom wall
2
e
to fix the cases securely. The knob
12
of the handle
10
passes through the through hole
16
a
of the interface
16
, protruding up.
When the support
17
is fixed on the lower case
1
, the ridge
11
a
is pressed against the lower face of the interface
16
by the handle
10
with the elastic force of the second movable contact
6
, as shown in FIG.
2
. Once the ridge
11
a
is placed against the back or lower face of the interface
16
, the first movable contact
11
is out of contact with the fist fixed contacts
15
. The first movable contact
11
and the first fixed contacts
15
make up a tilt switch S
2
. The switch is usually in the OFF state, contributing to power saving.
Referring to
FIG. 10
, the handle
10
can tilt on the point of contact between the ridge
11
a
and the interface
16
as a first fulcrum A. As the handle
10
is tilted down, the first fixed contact
15
and the first movable contact
11
touch each other, which establishes continuity between a first fixed contact
15
and the common contact
5
through the first movable contact
11
and the second movable contact
6
(S
2
turned ON), generating a direction detecting signal as a first electric signal. In other words, continuity between the terminal
15
b
of the first fixed contact
15
and the common contact
5
is established (S
2
turned ON), generating a direction detecting signal.
Referring to
FIG. 11
, when the handle
10
is further tilted in the same direction, the handle
10
tilts on the point of contact between the first fixed contact
15
and the first movable contact
11
as a second fulcrum B. As the contact area
11
d
goes down, it presses down the second movable contact
6
, which causes it to flip down, making the top
6
a
touch the contact part
4
a
of the second fixed contact
4
. As a result, continuity between the common contact
5
and the second fixed contact
4
is established (S
1
turned ON), generating a final signal as a second electric signal. The convexes
17
b
can get into or out of the escapes
11
b
of the first movable contact
11
, which facilitates and guides tilting of the handle
10
and helps make a low-profile device.
Made of metal, the cover
20
has a base plate
20
b
with a circular through hole
20
a
in the center and legs
20
c
bent downwards from the two opposite sides of the base plate
20
b.
The cover
20
thus structured covers the surface of the support
17
and its legs
20
c
are bent inwards to engage with the convexes
2
e
of the bottom wall
2
, securing the cover
20
in place. The cover
20
functions as an electrical shield and the legs
20
c
are connected with the grand pattern, etc. formed on the circuit board (not shown). This causes static electricity, etc. from outside to flow through the grand pattern, increasing the reliability in detection.
The structure of the multidirectional input device according to the present invention has been described so far. Next, how it operates will be explained referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11
. As the handle
10
is tilted in one of the directions of the first fixed contacts
15
arranged like a cross, the handle
10
tilts down on the first fulcrum A, which causes the first movable contact
11
and a first fixed contact
15
to touch each other and a direction detecting signal as the first electric signal is entered into the microcomputer provided on the circuit board (not shown). When the handle
10
is tilted further, it tilts down on the second fulcrum B and the contact area
11
d
presses down the second movable contact
6
, which then touches the second fixed contact
4
. When the second fixed contact
4
and the second movable contact
6
come into contact with each other, a final signal as the second electric signal is entered into the microcomputer (not shown), which then outputs a signal for tilting direction confirmation (final direction signal) to an external electric appliance. At this moment, the operator gets a clicking sensation upon the flipping action of the second movable contact
6
and therefore can know that the final direction signal has been generated.
As the pressure on the handle
10
is released, the second movable contact
6
returns to its original state elastically; this elastic force presses the contact area
11
d
upwards, makes the ridge
11
a
touch the interface
16
. As a consequence, the handle
10
automatically returns to its neutral position or the condition shown in
FIG. 2
is restored. When the handle
10
is again in the neutral position, the second fixed contact
4
and the second movable contact
6
are out of contact with each other, and the first fixed contacts
15
and the first movable contact
11
are also apart from each other. This means that both switches S
1
and S
2
are in the OFF state, contributing to power saving.
The handle
10
can be moved in eight directions. As the handle
10
is tilted in one (oblique) direction between neighboring ones of the first fixed contacts
15
arranged like a cross, the two first fixed contacts
15
and the second movable contact
11
touch each other and a first electric signal is entered into the microcomputer, which then recognizes that the handle
10
has been tilted obliquely. When the handle
10
is further tilted down, the push switch S
1
is activated and the final signal is entered into the microcomputer, as mentioned above.
Referring to
FIG. 10
, when the fringe of the handle
10
is located closer to the inner wall of the side wall
3
of the lower case
1
and thus the fringe of the handle
10
slides on the inner wall as the handle
10
is tilted, this sliding motion causes the handle
10
to shift in the direction opposite to the tilting direction. Due to this shift, the fringe of the first movable contact
11
on the opposite of the tilting side slides in touch with the first fixed contact
15
, which prevents dust from entering the contact part and may remove dust. Alternatively, instead of further tilting the handle
10
on the first fulcrum A, it may be pressed axially to make the second fixed contact
4
and the second movable contact
6
touch each other to turn ON the switch S
1
.
When the handle
10
in its neutral state is pushed axially, the first fixed contacts
15
and the first movable contact
11
are out of contact with each other, namely the tilt switch S
2
is in the OFF state, while the second fixed contact
4
and the second movable contact
6
are in contact with each other, namely the push switch S
1
is the ON state; thus only the second electric signal is entered into the microcomputer. In this case, the microcomputer outputs the signal from the independent push switch S
1
to an external electric appliance.
When the handle
10
is tilted and pushed, the second movable contact
6
repeatedly flips down with its top
6
a
in contact with the contact part
4
a
of the second fixed contact
4
and a downward pressure is repeatedly applied to the contact part
4
a.
Since the contact part
4
a
is supported by the cross receiver
2
b,
it does not deform and stably touches or leaves the top
6
a
for switching operation.
Next, the method for manufacturing the push switch S
1
will be described referring to
FIGS. 12 and 13
. An upper mold
25
has a first through hole
25
a
which runs vertically; a pair of second through holes
25
b
which sandwich the first through hole
25
a;
and an octagonal, shallow first concave
25
c,
while a lower mold
26
has an octagonal ring as a second concave
26
a
and a gate
26
b
which extends outwards and is partially connected with the second concave
26
a.
The upper mold
25
and the lower mold
26
are joined to make a cavity
27
through the first and second concaves
25
c
and
26
a.
A first pin
28
is a metal cylinder which has a cross groove
28
a
cut at the tip. This first pin
28
is vertically movably held in the first through hole
25
a.
The second pins
29
are metal cylinders which are vertically movably held in the second through holes
25
b.
A contact plate
30
, a metal hoop, has the second fixed contact
4
and the common contact
5
which are formed by press working.
The hoop contact plate
30
having the second fixed contact
4
and common contact
6
is placed between the upper mold
25
and the lower mold
26
and the upper and lower molds
25
and
26
are clamped. Here, the tip (groove
28
a
) of the vertically movable first pin
28
should be pressed against the back of the contact part
4
a
of the second fixed contact
4
to ensure that there is no gap between the contact part
4
a,
located inside the cavity
27
, and the lower mold
26
, with the cross groove
28
a
lying on the back of the contact part
4
a.
Also, the pair of second pins
29
, which are vertically movable like the first pin
28
, should be pressed against the back of the contact parts
5
b
of the second common contacts
5
to ensure that the contact parts
5
b,
located inside the cavity
27
, do not move due to the molten resin pressure.
Then, thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is injected into the cavity
27
through the gate
26
b
until it is filled, so that the lower case
1
is formed with the second fixed contact
4
and common contact
5
embedded therein. Since the first pin
28
has the cross groove
28
a
, the groove
28
a
is filled with molten resin to form a cross receiver
2
b
which should support the contact part
4
a
of the second fixed contact
4
. After the first pin
28
is removed, it is found that four first holes
2
a
have been formed on the back of the contact part
4
a.
After the second pins
29
are removed, it is found that second holes
2
c
have been formed extending from the back of the contact parts
5
b
of the second common contact
5
.
A multidirectional input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to FIG.
14
.
FIG. 14
is a sectional view of the main part of a multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Regarding the multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, unlike the first embodiment in which the first movable contact
11
is a flat plate, in the second embodiment, the first movable contact
11
has a point of level difference
11
f
and a sectional profile of a flat plate with an elevated portion in the center as illustrated in FIG.
14
. The point of level difference
11
f
divides the first movable contact
11
into two portions: an upper portion
11
g
located in the center, and a lower portion
11
k
as a peripheral area.
On the surface of the first movable contact
11
are plural first convexes
11
h
as projections protruding upwards from the upper portion
11
g
as well as second convexes
11
m
as projections protruding upwards from the vicinity of the edge of the lower portion
11
k.
An upper cover
21
consists of an upper portion
21
b
and a lower portion
21
c
which are divided by a point of level difference
21
a
; when the handle
64
is in its neutral position, the first convexes
11
h
are pressed against the back of the upper portion
21
b
while the second convexes
11
m
are out of contact with the back of the lower portion
21
c,
so that the tilt switch S
2
, composed of the first movable contact
11
and the upper cover
21
, is in the OFF state. In other words, because the upward movement of the first convexes
11
h
is limited by the upper portion
21
b
of the upper cover
21
, the second convexes
11
m
are out of contact with the back of the lower portion
21
c.
The other components are identical to those in the first embodiment; they are respectively marked with the same reference numerals and their explanation is omitted here.
Next, how the multidirectional input device according to the second embodiment operates will be explained. As the handle
10
is tilted in a desired direction, it tilts on the point of contact C between a first convex
11
h
and the upper portion
21
b
of the upper cover
21
as a first fulcrum, which causes a second convex
11
m
and the lower portion
11
k
to touch each other and turns ON the tilt switch S
2
, generating a direction detecting signal as a first electric signal. When the handle
10
is further tilted, the second movable contact
6
is pressed down by the contact area
11
d
with the point of contact between a second convex
11
m
and the lower portion
11
k
as a second fulcrum (not shown); as a result, it touches the second fixed contact
4
to turn ON the push switch S
1
, generating a final signal as a second electric signal. As in the first embodiment, when the pressure on the handle
10
is released, the second movable contact
6
returns to its original state and the handle
10
automatically returns to its neutral position; when the handle
10
in the neutral position is pushed axially, the push switch S
1
independently turns ON. Alternatively, the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
may be flat.
A multidirectional input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
FIGS. 15 and 16
.
FIG. 15
is a sectional view of the main part of a multidirectional input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention and
FIG. 16
is a sectional view illustrating how the multidirectional input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention operates.
Regarding the multidirectional input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, unlike the first embodiment in which the contact area
11
d
of the first movable contact
11
is semispherical, in the third embodiment, the contact area
11
d
has a flat portion
11
n
facing the second movable contact
6
and the flat portion
11
n
can be brought into or out of contact with the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
.
Due to this structure, when the handle
10
in its neutral position is pushed axially, the flat portion
11
n
presses the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
and flips it down and as a result of the axial movement of the handle
10
, the push switch S
1
turns ON. The presence of the flat portion
11
n
minimizes the possibility that the handle
10
accidentally tilts when it is pushed axially. This makes it possible to turn ON the push switch S
1
only stably. Alternatively, the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
may be flat. If so, the flat planes of the top
6
a
and the flat portion
11
n
touch each other, so the push switch S
1
only can be turned ON with more stability. Even if the top
6
a
is flat, the edge of the flat portion
11
n
is rounded, so the handle
10
can be tilted relatively smoothly. The other components are identical to those in the first embodiment; they are respectively marked with the same reference numerals and their explanation is omitted here.
A multidirectional input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to FIG.
17
.
FIG. 17
is a sectional view of the main part of a multidirectional input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Regarding the multidirectional input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, unlike the first embodiment in which the contact area
11
d
of the first movable contact
11
is semispherical, in the fourth embodiment, the contact area
11
d
has a ring ridge
11
p
protruding towards the second movable contact
6
and the ridge
11
p
can be brought into or out of contact with the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
.
Due to this structure, when the handle
10
in its neutral position is pushed axially, the ridge
11
p
presses the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
and flips it down and as a result of the axial movement of the handle
10
, the push switch S
1
turns ON. The presence of the ridge
11
p
minimizes the possibility that the handle
10
accidentally tilts when it is pushed axially. This makes it possible to turn ON the push switch S
1
only stably. Alternatively, the top
6
a
of the second movable contact
6
may be flat. If so, only the push switch S
1
can be turned ON with more stability. Even if the top
6
a
is flat, the ridge
11
p
is chamfered or rounded, so the handle
10
can be tilted relatively smoothly. The ridge
11
p
may also be a polygon such as a rectangle or octagon. Also, it is acceptable that the ridge
11
p
consists of plural arch ridges instead of a single ridge ring. Or it may consist of plural discrete ridges (projections). These ridges may be arranged along the circumference of a circle or polygon. The other components are identical to those in the first embodiment; they are respectively marked with the same reference numerals and their explanation is omitted here.
Obviously, a multidirectional input device according to the present invention may also be available in forms other than the above-mentioned. In the above-mentioned first, third and fourth embodiments, the first movable contact
11
has a ridge (projection)
11
a,
while in the second embodiment, it has first convexes
11
h
as projections protruding upwards. Alternatively, it may have a projection or projections protruding downwards from the interface
16
or the upper portion
21
b
of the upper cover
21
. Although the casing
7
is a combination of a lower case
1
and a support
17
in the above-mentioned embodiments, it may also be integrally formed as a single component. In the first and second embodiments, the handle
10
has a first movable contact exposed at least partially on its lower or upper surface which is constructed by insert molding; instead, the first movable contact
11
may be joined with the base
12
a
of the knob
12
by caulking so as to cover it, namely the side face of the base
12
a
may be used to join the upper and lower surfaces. It is also acceptable that the whole handle
10
is made of metal.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact is in contact with the handle having the first movable contact. This eliminates the need for a coil spring as used in the prior art, making it possible to construct a compact, low-profile device. Further, the shape of the common contact
5
is simpler. The contact area
11
d
and the second movable contact
6
can directly touch each other, which eliminates the need for the arm
54
and spacer
54
d
as used in the prior art, contributing to a decrease in the thinness of the device.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, when the handle is tilted down, a first electric signal is generated and the second fixed contact and the second movable contact touch each other and continuity is established between the common contact and the second fixed contact, generating a second electric signal. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact, low-profile multidirectional input device with a simpler structure which generates first and second electric signals.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the casing has an interface facing the bottom wall with the first movable contact between it and the bottom wall, and when the handle is in its neutral position, the handle is pressed against the lower face of the interface due to the elastic force of the second movable contact. The handle is thus held against the interface. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact stable multidirectional input device with a simpler structure.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the handle or the interface has an axially protruding projection and the interface and handle touch each other through the projection, and when the handle is in its neutral position, the first movable contact is out of contact with the first fixed contact. This facilitates tilting of the handle and ensures that the first movable contact is off the first fixed contact to keep the switch in the OFF state stably.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the first movable contact has a ridge (convex projection) opposite the interface, so the ridge can be easily formed and the handle can be tilted in different directions smoothly.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, when the handle is tilted on the first fulcrum, the first fixed contact and first movable contact touch each other, and when it is tilted on the second fulcrum, the second fixed contact and second movable contact touch each other. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a multidirectional input device with a simpler structure which enables operation of two switches.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the interface is a metal plate and held and joined together with the first fixed contact by the plastic support and the handle has escapes through which the convexes on the bottom wall side of the support come and go when the handle is tilted. The metal plate interface is rigid enough and the presence of the escapes makes it possible to construct a low-profile device which ensures smooth tilting of the handle.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the first fixed contact is fixed on the lower case to join the lower case and the upper case together, which means that it is easy to assemble a multidirectional input device and fix the upper case.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, when the handle is pushed axially, the second fixed contact and the second movable contact touch each other and continuity is established between the common contact and the second fixed contact. Therefore, it is easy to provide a multidirectional input device with an independent push switch.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring and the contact area of the first movable contact is semispherical, protruding towards the bottom wall. The outer semispherical surface of the contact area is designed to touch the second movable contact, which means that the outer semispherical surface of the contact area moves on the second movable contact, permitting smooth tilting of the handle.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring and the contact area of the first movable contact has a flat portion facing the second movable contact. The flat portion is designed to touch the top of the second movable contact, which means that the second movable contact can be stably operated and thus a highly reliable multidirectional input device can be provided.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring and the contact area of the first movable contact has a square or ring ridge protruding toward the second movable contact. The ridge is designed to touch the top of the second movable contact, which means that the second movable contact can be stably operated and thus a highly reliable multidirectional input device can be provided.
In a multidirectional input device according to the present invention, the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring and the contact area of the first movable contact has plural convexes protruding toward the second movable contact. The convexes are designed to touch the top of the second movable contact, which means that the second movable contact can be stably operated and thus a highly reliable multidirectional input device can be provided.
Claims
- 1. A multidirectional input device comprising:a casing having a bottom wall with a common contact; a first fixed contact held above and opposite the bottom wall by the casing; a first movable contact which is located between the bottom wall of the casing and the first fixed contact, and tiltably housed in the casing and is brought into or out of contact with the first fixed contact; a handle having the first movable contact, which is tilted in many different directions; and a second movable contact which touches the common contact, wherein the first movable contact has a contact area which is to touch the second movable contact, wherein when the handle is tilted, the first fixed contact and the first movable contact touch each other to establish continuity between the first fixed contact and the common contact through the first movable contact, the contact area and the second movable contact, generating a first electric signal.
- 2. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1,wherein the bottom wall of the casing has a second fixed contact and the second movable contact is brought into contact with the second fixed contact when pressed, and wherein, when the handle is tilted, the first electric signal is generated and the second fixed contact and second movable contact touch each other to establish continuity between the common contact and the second fixed contact, generating a second electric signal.
- 3. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein, when the handle is pushed axially, the second fixed contact and the second movable contact touch each other to establish continuity between the common contact and the second fixed contact.
- 4. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, wherein the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle is semispherical, protruding towards the bottom wall, and wherein an outer semispherical surface of the contact area touches the second movable contact.
- 5. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, wherein the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle has a flat portion facing the second movable contact, and wherein the flat portion touches a top of the second movable contact.
- 6. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, wherein the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle has a square or ring ridge protruding towards the second movable contact, and wherein the ridge touches the top of the second movable contact.
- 7. The multidirectional input device according to claim 2, wherein the second movable contact comprises a dome-shaped leaf spring, wherein the contact area of the first movable contact on the handle has plural convexes protruding towards the second movable contact, and wherein the convexes touch the top of the second movable contact.
- 8. The multidirectional input device according to claim 1, wherein the casing has an interface which is facing and opposite the bottom wall with the first movable contact between the bottom wall and it, and wherein, when the handle is in its neutral position, it is pressed against a lower face of the interface due to an elastic force of the second movable contact.
- 9. The multidirectional input device according to claim 8, wherein the handle or the interface has an axially protruding projection, and wherein, when the interface and handle touch each other through the projection and with the handle in its neutral position, the first movable contact is out of contact with the first fixed contact.
- 10. The multidirectional input device according to claim 9, wherein the first movable contact has the projection (ridge) opposite the interface.
- 11. The multidirectional input device according to claim 9, wherein, when the handle is tilted on the projection as a first fulcrum, the first fixed contact and first movable contact touch each other, and wherein, when it is tilted on the point of contact between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact as a second fulcrum, the second fixed contact and second movable contact touch each other.
- 12. The multidirectional input device according to claim 8, wherein the interface is a metal plate which is held and joined together with the first fixed contact by a plastic support, and wherein the handle has escapes through which convexes on the bottom wall side of the support can come and go when it is tilted.
- 13. The multidirectional input device according to claim 12, wherein the casing comprises a lower case having the bottom wall, and the support as an upper case separate from the lower case, and wherein the first fixed contact fitted to the upper case is fixed on the lower case to join the lower case and the upper case together.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2001-068994 |
Mar 2001 |
JP |
|
2001-168147 |
Jun 2001 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
11-73852 |
Mar 1999 |
JP |