A multiple contact joystick

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multiple contact input device. Especially, the multiple contact input device according to the present invention comprises a first switch for being operated through a pushing motion of an operation member and a plurality of second switches for being operated by a swinging motion of the operation member. Such a multiple contact input device is useful as a pointing device employed for navigation systems or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A gazette of Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2541120 has a description of a changeover switch device. In the changeover switch device, a circular operation plate is swingingly moved, thereby enabling four switches disposed on four points at intervals of 90° to be selectively operated. In the changeover switch device, a supporting shaft being a fulcrum for swinging movement is disposed on a center portion of the operation plate, four points at intervals of 90° at a periphery of the supporting shaft have respectively operation portions respectively corresponding to the four switches, and each stopper is disposed between the respective two adjacent operation portions. According to a direction of a force applied to the operation plate, the stopper exhibits an effect for interrupting the swinging movement of the operation plate, and such a swinging preventing effect by the stopper can prevent the two switches from being operated simultaneously.

A gazette of Japanese Utility Model Laid-open No: 6-9025 has a description of a paddle switch. In this paddle switch, a circular key top plate is swingingly operated, thereby operating selectively four switches arranged on four points at intervals of 90°. Moreover, a hole formed on a center of the key top plate is provided with a key top and the switches disposed on the center portion of the base are operated when the key top is pressed. Moreover, the gazette has a description wherein a plate spring is employed so as to return the key top plate to a neutral position and the clicking plate is employed so as to return the key top.

According to the second prior art, for example, it is possible to output a coordinate signal through a swinging movement operation of the key top plate. Moreover, through the pressing operation of the key top, it is possible to output a point setting signal for generating a determination signal for deciding the previously input coordinate. However, the key top plate and the key top are independently required so as to output the coordinate signal and the point setting signal, thus causing problems such as hindering the number of the parts from being decreased and reducing the operation. Furthermore, according to the second prior art, a relatively long guide for guiding a pressing and returning motion of the key top is disposed at a peripheral surface of the hole formed on the key top plate so that the force may be applied to the key top in order to enable the key top plate to be swingingly moved. As a result, it is inconveniently limited to thin the guide by the second prior art.

On the other hand, the first prior art makes only it possible to output the coordinate signal by means of the swinging movement operation of the operation plate. However, the first prior art makes it impossible to output the point setting signal. Therefore, it cannot be employed as a pointing device used for navigation system or the like.

A similar switch is described in JP-A-07 282 689. This switch comprises a rubber sheet having peripheral movable contacts which can be brought into contact with fixed contacts on a base board by inclining a key top. A protruded part at the center of the rubber sheet forms another contact. The key top is resiliently energized by the center part. By pushing the key top down the movable contacts and the center contacts are closed as shown in Fig. 4.

In US-A-5631453 a multi-wag flipping switch is disclosed with a click rubber member placed on a base plate. A housing mounted outher base plate having a central opening, a holding member mounted on the housing. Rotating members having one end rotatably are mounted on the holding member in such a wag that the second end can contact an upper surface of hollow protrusions of the click rubber member. With an operating member pivotally mounted on the housing the rotating members can be individually pivoted to close the contacts positioned in the hollow pritusions.

There are no central contacts for a central switch. The inclination of the operating member is restricted to four directions in order to prevent two or more pairs of the switching elements from being simultaneously by closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conducted in view of the above mentioned circumstances.

It is an object of the present invention to enable a single operation member to be employed in common for controlling a coordinate signal control and setting a point, thereby achieving easily to delete the number of components and promote thinning a device.

It is another object to provide a multiple contact input device having a function for preventing two switches from operating simultaneously.

According to the present invention having such an arrangement, the operation member is swingingly moved thereby pressing the each second switch corresponding to the each second pressing portion via the predetermined second pressing portion with the result that the second switch is switched between an opening state and a closing state. By such a swinging operation of the operation member, for example, the coordinate signal can be output. A pressing force is applied to the operation member, thus pressing the first switch via the first pressing portion. As a result, the first switch is switched between an opening state and a closing state. By such a pressing operation of the operation member, for example, it is possible to set a point as mentioned above. Next, in case of swinging the operation member, one-side-members (for example, projections) positioned on the operation member touch the another-side-members (for example, receiving portions) positioned on a base, it is checked that the two adjacent second pressing portions press simultaneously the two second switches corresponding thereto. Therefore, a situation, wherein the two second switches simultaneously are switched between the opening state and the closing state, never happens.

In the multiple contact input device of the present invention, preferably, the first switch is opened or closed through a snapping motion of the first movable portion, and the each second switch is opened or closed through a snapping motion of the each second movable portion.

According to the multiple contact input device of the present invention, the operation member has a plate-shaped portion, and the plate-shaped portion is provided with the one first pressing portion, the plural second pressing portions and the plural one-side-members.

Preferably, the multiple contact input device comprises a spring member for touching the operation member thereby elastically and usually pressing the first pressing portion of the operation member against the first movable portion, and usually urging the operation member toward a neutral position set at a non-pressing position wherein the all second pressing members do not press the second movable positions.

Also, the spring member may be disposed on another portion. In other words, according to the multiple contact input device wherein a case is formed by the base and a side wall raised on a periphery of the base, the case has a cover body fixed therein, a sheet is applied on an upper surface of the first movable portion and the second movable portion, there may be the spring member between the sheet and the plate-shaped portion of the operation member for elastically urging the operation member toward the cover body, and usually urging the operation member toward a neutral position set at a non-pressing position wherein the all second pressing members do not press the second movable positions.

According to the multiple contact input device employing the spring member, when the force is not applied to the operation member, the operation member is urged by the spring member, thereby being kept in a neutral position. Accordingly, the first movable portion of the first switch and the second movable portion of the second switch are kept in a non-pressure state.

Preferably, the multiple contact input device comprises each engaging mechanism for preventing the operation member from axially rotating. For example, in case that a case includes the base and a side wall raised on a periphery of the base, the each engaging mechanism may be provided with a recess formed on a periphery of the plate-shaped portion of the operation member, and a protrusion formed on the side wall of the case, and engaged with the recess.

In the multiple contact input device according to the present invention, preferably, the each second switch comprises:

• the rectangular second movable portion having a second usual-opening contact and second usual-closing contacts, the second usual-closing contacts made of a plate piece curved opposite to the second usual-opening contact being disposed on both sides of the second usual-opening contact through slits, and the both ends in a longitudinal direction of the second usual-opening contact and the second usual-closing contact being connected with each other via each short circuit portion,
• a second usual-closing fixing contact buried in the base and usually touching the second usual-closing contacts, and
• a second usual-opening fixing contact buried in the base and corresponding to the second usual-opening contact.

Thus, even if an engagement mechanism for checking an axial rotation of the operation member is provided with play in a rotating direction of the operation member, the second pressing portions of the operation member can ensure usually pressing the second usual-opening contacts of the second switches. This effect is enhanced by a structure wherein the first switch comprises the circular first movable portion made of a dome-shaped snap plate having a first usual-opening contact formed on a center portion thereof and a first usual-closing contact formed on a peripheral portion thereof, a first usual-closing fixing contact buried in the base for usually touching the first usual-closing contact, and a first usual-opening fixing contact buried in the base for corresponding to the first usual-opening contact.

Preferably, the second movable portion of the second switch is arranged so as to make a longitudinal direction of the second usual-opening contact and the second usual-closing contact correspond to a crossing direction with respect to a radial direction of the first movable portion. Thus, installation spaces of the first switch and the second switches are allowed to be small, thereby availing to promote miniaturizing the multiple contact input device.

The first usual-closing fixing contact and the second usual-closing fixing contact may be unified as a common electrode.

In the multiple contact input device, preferably, partitions for dividing a surface of the base into four sections at a periphery of an installation point of the first switch are disposed on four points of the base at intervals of 90° so as to protrude from the surface of the base, and a space surrounded by an inner end surfaces of the partitions is allocated to a portion for arranging the first movable portion, and each space between the respective two partitions adjacent to each other in a direction of arranging the partitions is allocated to each portion for arranging the second movable portions. Furthermore, preferably, the one-side-member is the projection, the first pressing portion, the second pressing portion and the projection is subsequently decreased in a projecting length from the plate-shaped portion, while the another-side-member is the receiving member, and the receiving member is formed on the surface of the partition. In this arrangement, the first movable portion of the first space and the second movable portion of the each second switch can be surely disposed on the each predetermined position. Moreover, it can be surely conducted to switch the each second switch by swinging operation of the operation member and switch the first switch by pressing operation at the same time while it is also conducted to prevent the two second switches from switching simultaneously.

The multiple contact input device can employ an arrangement wherein an aperture arranged on a center portion of the cover body is penetrated by an operation rod protruding to the center portion of the operation member, and the operation rod is protruded to an outer side of the cover body. Preferably, in the second movable portion, the longitudinally both ends of the second usual-closing contact and the short circuit portions are bent by a folding line of a boundary portion thereof. In addition, the first movable portion may be formed by overlapping the two snap plates with each other.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, a single operation member enables respectively the first switch and a number of the second switches to be selectively switched. Therefore, the operation member can be used in common for controlling a coordinate signal and setting a point. In addition, it can provide a multiple contact input device for preventing the two switches from simultaneously operating, and as an effect, it can facilitate miniaturizing and thinning the multiple contact input device.

Other features and effects of the present invention can be illustrated more clearly by following embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• Fig. 1 is a view of an external appearance illustrated by a schematic view of embodiments of the multiple contact input device according to the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof.
• Fig. 3 is a plan view of a case.
• Fig. 4 is a side view of an operation member.
• Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating the operation member from a lower side.
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second movable portion.
• Fig. 7 is an arrangement view of a first movable portion and the second movable portion.
• Fig. 8 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 cut along a line VIII-VIII for illustrating a non-operating state of the multiple contact input device according to the present invention.
• Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 cut along a line IX-IX for illustrating an operating state of the multiple contact input device according to the present invention.
• Fig. 10 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 cut along a line X-X for illustrating a non-operating state of the multiple contact input device according to the present invention.
• Fig. 11 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 cut along a line XI-XI for illustrating an operating state of the multiple contact input device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8 to 11, a case 1 of the multiple contact input device is made of a synthetic resin-forming body integrally including a polygonal (for example, octagonal) base 11 and a side wall 12 raised at a periphery of the base 11. The base 11 of the case 1 is provided with a single first switch 2 and four second switches 3.

Principally referring to Figs. 3, and 8 to 11, the first switch 2 and the four second switches 3 are described.

The first switch 2 comprises a first usual-closing fixing contact 21 buried in a center portion of the base and having a surface of the switch exposed in approximately C-shaped, a first usual-opening fixing contact 22 buried in the base 11, and having a surface exposed on a center portion of the first usual-closing fixing contact 21, and a first movable portion 23. The first movable portion 23 made of a circular dome-shaped snap plate has first usual-closing contacts 24 at an outer periphery thereof and a spherical surface-shaped first usual-opening contact 25 extruded upward on a center portion thereof. The first movable portion 23 is mounted on the center portion of the base 11 so that the first usual-closing contact 24 may usually touch the first usual-closing fixing contact 21, and the first usual-opening contact 25 is opposed to the first usual-opening fixing contact 22. The first switch 2 has a structure wherein a top of the first movable portion 23 made of the snap plate is pushed downward, whereby the first usual-opening contact 25 touches the first usual-opening fixing contact 22 with a snapping motion, and the first usual-opening fixing contact 22 is electrically conducted to the first usual-closing fixing contact 21 via the first movable portion 23, thereby leading to a closing state. When a pressing force against the first movable portion 23 is released, the first usual-opening contact 25 is separated from the first usual-opening fixing contact 22 with the snapping motion, the first usual-opening fixing contact 22 is electrically insulated from the first usual-closing fixing contact 21, thereby leading to an opening state. In switching mentioned as above, a sound and a touching sensation are made by the snapping motion of the snap plate.

The second switches 3 are arranged on positions spaced from the first switch 2. Concretely, the each second switch includes a second usual-closing fixing contact 31 buried in the base 11 and having an exposed surface, a second usual-opening fixing contact 32 buried in the base 11 and having an exposed surface and a second movable portion 33. As shown in Fig. 6 in details, the second movable portion 33 is rectangularly formed. In the second movable portion 33, the second usual-closing contacts 34, 34 made of a plate piece curved opposite to a second usual-opening contact 35 made of a curved plate piece are arranged on both sides of the second usual-opening contact 35 via slits 36, 36, and longitudinally both end portions of the second usual-opening contact 35 and the second usual-closing contacts 34, 34 are connected to each other via short circuit portions 37, 37. Moreover, As shown in an assumption line in Fig. 3, the second movable portion 33 is mounted on the base 11 so that the second usual-closing contact 34 may usually touch the second usual-closing fixing contact 31, and the second usual-opening contact 35 is opposed to the second usual-opening fixing contact 32. A top of the second movable portion 33 is pressingly lowered, whereby the second usual-opening contact 35 touches the second usual-opening fixing contact 32 with a snapping motion, and the second usual-opening fixing contact 32 is electrically conducted to the second usual-closing fixing contact 31 via the second movable portion 33 with the result that the second switch 3 is closed. Moreover, when the pressing force against the second movable portion 33 is released, the second usual-opening contact 35 is separated from the second usual-opening fixing contact 32 with the snapping motion and the second usual-opening fixing contact 32 is electrically insulated from the second usual-closing fixing contact 31 with the result that it is opened. In switching as mentioned above, a clicking sound and a touching sensation are made by the snapping motion of the snap plate. As shown in Fig. 6, these clicking sound and touching sensation by the snapping motion of the snap plate are more clearly generated by including a bent folding line on each boundary portion between the longitudinally both end portions of the each second usual-closing contact 34 and the each short circuit portions 37.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 7, the each second switch 3 is disposed on a plurality of peripheral portions positioned at regular intervals from the first switch 2. Namely, the second switches are disposed on four points around the first switch 2 at intervals of 90° . Moreover, the each second movable portion 33 of the four second switches 3 is disposed so as to make a longitudinal direction L (cf. Fig. 6) of the second usual-opening contact 35 and the second usual-closing contacts 34 correspond to a crossing direction with respect to a radial direction R of the first movable portion 23 of the first switch 2.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the first usual-closing fixing contact 21 of the first switch 2 and the second usual-closing fixing contact 31 of the each second switch 3 are formed so as to be electrically short circuited by piercing a metal plate, as common electrodes.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 10 and 11, the base 11 of the case 1 is provided with partitions 13 for dividing a surface of the base 11 into four sections at a periphery of an installation point of the first switch 2 so that the partitions 13 may be disposed on four points of the base 11 at intervals of 90° so as to protrude from the surface of the base 11. A space S1 surrounded by an inner end surface 14 of the each partition 13 is allocated to a portion for arranging the first movable portion 23. Moreover, each space S2 between the respective two adjacent partitions 13 is allocated to a portion for arranging the each second movable portion 33. Therefore, the first movable portion 23 is positioned by the respective inner end surfaces 14 of the four partitions 13, and the each second movable portion 33 is positioned by the respective two adjacent partitions 13, 13. In Fig. 2, a reference numeral 10 designates an insulating synthetic resin sheet. The sheet 10 is applied on an upper surface of the first movable portion 23, the second movable portions 33, the partitions 13 or the like via an adhesive layer, shown in Figs. 8 to 11. Thus, the sheet 10 is applied, thereby ensuring relationship of the positions of the first movable portion 23, the second movable portion 33, and the partitions 13.

The operation member 4 is made of synthetic resin-forming body integrally including a polygonal (for example, octagonal) plate-shaped portion 41, and an operation rod 42 protruded upwardly from the center portion of the plate-shaped portion 41, and the plate-shaped portion 41 is housed by the case 1. As shown in Fig. 5, a protrusive first pressing portion 43 is disposed on a center portion of a back surface of the plate-shaped portion 41. The first pressing portion 43 is supported by the top of the first movable portion 23 of the first switch 2, in a state wherein the sheet 10 is sandwiched therebetween (see Fig. 3). Additionally, the back surface of the plate-shaped portion 41 has protrusive second pressing portions 44 on four points at intervals of 90° , equally spaced from the first pressing portion 43. The four second pressing portions 44 respectively correspond to the second usual-opening contacts 35 of the second movable portions 33 of the second switches 3, in a state of interposing the sheet 10 (see Fig. 3). Moreover, each projection 45 is disposed on a middle portion between the respective two second pressing portions 44, 44 adjacent to each other in a direction of arranging the four second pressing portions 44. The projections 45 disposed at intervals of 90° are opposed to receiving portions 15 formed on the respective surface of the four partitions 13.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the first pressing portion 43, the four second pressing portions 44 and the four projections 45 are decreased in that order in a projecting length from the plate-shaped portion 41. Namely, as shown in the same figure, the first pressing portion 43 is more protrusive to a lower side by only d1 than the second pressing portion 44 and the second pressing portion 44 is protrusive to a lower side by only d2 than the projection 45. The difference d1 of a projecting length between the first pressing portion 43 and the second pressing portion 44 is predetermined so as to be equal to a stroke length of the first movable portion 23 made of the snap plate of the first switch 2 or a little more than the stroke length thereof. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8, even if the operation member 4 is pushed to reverse the first movable portion 23 by means of the first pressing portion 43 when the operation member 4 is in a neutral position (mentioned later), there is no possibility wherein the second pressing portion 44 makes the second movable portion 33 of the each second switch 3 reverse.

Furthermore, a difference d2 of the projecting length between the second pressing portion 44 and the projection 45 is predetermined as below. When the operation member 4 is swingingly moved whereby the single second pressing portion 44 is lowered in a direction of pressingly lowering only the second usual-opening contact 35 of the second movable portion 33 corresponding thereto, the projection 45 never touches the receiving portion 15 until the second pressing portion 44 makes the second usual-opening contact 35 completely reverse. However, when the operation member 4 is swingingly moved whereby the two second pressing portions 44, 44 adjacent to each other are lowered in a direction of simultaneously pressing the two second usual-opening contacts 35, 35 of the two second movable portions 33, 33 corresponding thereto, the each projection 45 touches the receiving portion 15 with the result that the two second pressing portions 44 makes the two second usual-opening contacts 35 simultaneously reverse. Thus, the difference d2 is set so as to avoid that the two second pressing portions 44 make the two second usual-opening contacts 35 simultaneously reverse.

In Fig. 2, a reference numeral 5 designates a spring member. The spring member 5 includes a center frame portion 52 having an aperture 51 and four arms 53 extending from the center frame portion 52 in a crossing state, a tip of the each arm 53 is buried in a recess 16 formed on an upper end surface of the side wall 12 of the case 1, thereby overlapping it with a bottom surface of the recess 16. Furthermore, a reference numeral 6 designates a cover body, the cover body 6 is fixed on the case 1 by engaging an engaging-checking piece 61 disposed on a periphery thereof with an engaging projection 17 on a side of the case 1. The cover body 6 closes an aperture of the case 1 as well as holding the tip of the each arm 53 of the spring member 5 in the recess 16. The operation rod 42 of the operation member 4 pierces the aperture 51 of the spring member 5 and a slightly large aperture 62 disposed on the center portion of the cover body 6 thereby protruding to an outer side of the cover member 6. The aperture 51 of the spring member 5 is formed in a square shaped hole, and the operation rod 42 is also formed in a square shape, whereby the aperture 51 of the spring 5 prevents the operation member from axially rotating via the operation rod 42. In addition, recesses 46, 46 (see Fig. 5) formed on two points of a periphery of the plate-shaped portion 41 of the operation member 4 are engaged with two protrusions 18, 18 (see Fig. 3) formed on the side wall 12 of the case 1, thereby preventing the operation member 4 from axially rotating. Therefore, each engaging mechanism 7 for preventing the operation member 4 from axially rotating comprises the recess 46 and the protrusion 18.

The center frame portion 52 of the spring member 5 elastically and lightly presses the plate-shape portion 41 of the operation member 4 downward. Therefore, when the force is not applied to the operation member 4, the pressing force is generated by the spring member 5, thereby keeping the operation member 4 in a neutral position so that an axis thereof may be vertical with respect to the base 11.

According to the multiple contact input device mentioned above, in case that an pressing operation for pressingly lowering the operation rod 42 is conducted, thereby reversing the first movable portion 23 of the first switch 2 by means of the first pressing portion 43, the first usual-opening contact 25 touches the first usual-opening fixing contact 22 to switch the state of the first switch 2 from opening to closing. At this time, the touching sensation (the feel) accompanied with the snapping motion of the first movable portion 23 is conveyed to a hand, at the same time while a clicking sound is made. When the pressing force applied to the operation rod 42 is released, the first usual-opening contact 25 is separated from the first usual-opening fixing contact 22 accompanied with the snapping motion of the first movable portion 23, thereby switching the first switch 2 from a closing state to an opening one. Also, in this case, the touching sensation accompanied with the snapping motion of the first movable portion 23 is conveyed to the hand at the same time while the clicking sound is made.

From a state wherein the operation member 4 is kept in the neutral position, a swinging movement operation for pressing the operation rod 42 laterally is conducted, thereby swingingly moving the plate-shaped portion 41 in a state wherein the first pressing portion 43 centers thereon. As a result, according to a direction of the swinging movement, as shown in Fig. 9, the predetermined second pressing portion 44 reverses the second usual-opening contact 35 of the second movable portion 33 of the second switch 3 corresponding thereto, and the second usual-opening contact 35 touches the second usual-opening fixing contact 32. Therefore, the second switch 3 is switched from the opening state to the closing state. At this time, the touching sensation accompanied with the snapping motion of the second usual-opening contact 35 is conveyed to the hand at the same time while the clicking sound is made. When a lateral force applied to the operation rod 42 is released, the second usual-opening contact 35 accompanied with the snapping motion thereof is separated from the second usual-opening fixing contact 32, thereby switching the second switch 2 from the closing state to the opening state. Also, at this time, the touching sensation accompanied with the snapping motion of the second usual-opening contact 35 is conveyed to the hand, at the same time while the clicking sound is made.

When the operation rod 42 is laterally pressed, there is a case wherein the projection 45 touches the receiving portion 15 of the partition 13, as shown in Fig. 11. In this case, there is no possibility wherein the second pressing portions 44, 44 positioned on the both sides of the projection 45 simultaneously reverse the second usual-opening contacts 35 of the second movable portions 33 corresponding thereto. Accordingly, the two second switches 3 never be simultaneously switched from the closing state to the opening state. In other words, when the operation member 4 is swingingly moved along dotted chain lines a-a in a longitudinal direction and b-b in a lateral direction in Fig. 7, the opening or closing state of the second switch 3 is changed over according to the swinging movement direction. Then, when the operation member 4 is swingingly moved along dotted chain lines c-c and d-d in diagonal directions in the same figure, the projection 45 touches the receiving portion 15, thereby preventing the two second switches 3, 3 from being switched simultaneously.

Although, in Fig. 2, there is the first movable portion 23 formed by overlapping the two snap plates, the first movable portion 23 may be formed by only one snap plate, needless to say. However, the first movable portion 23 are formed by overlapping the two snap plates, thereby achieving advantages wherein elasticity and strength of the first movable portion 23 is enhanced, and the clicking sound accompanied with the snapping motion is more clearly made at the same time while the touching sensation thereof conveyed to the hand is further clear.

Though, according to the above mentioned multiple contact input device, a crossing shaped plate spring is employed as the spring member, a circular or polygonal (preferably octagonal) shaped plate spring may be employed. Moreover, a position for arranging the spring member 5 is not limited to a portion between the operation member 4 and the cover body 6. Accordingly, it may be interposed between the sheet 10 and the plate-shaped portion 41 of the operation member 4. In this case, the spring member 5 having an upwardly protruding shape can be preferably employed. Moreover, it is also allowed that the receiving portion is disposed on the back side of the plate-shaped portion 41 of the operation member 4, and the projection corresponding to the receiving portion is disposed on a side of the case 1.