Volume-integral type multi directional input apparatus

• US 7,071,918 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): DHARIA, PRABODH M
• Application Number:
  US10/122,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,541 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 345/764, 345/473, 345/433, 345/457, 345/419, 345/420, 200/6, 338/128, 463/38, 703/2, 364/460, 364/560, 364/578, 382/187, 382/199, 178/18, 178/19
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

Abstract

A multi-directional input apparatus having a volume as a signal output in which the number of parts of the multi-directional input apparatus is reduced. Turning members 40A and 40B which are turned when an operating member 30 is operated are combined at right angles in a case 10. The turning members 40A and 40B are provided at their one ends with gears 44A and 44B. Straight-ahead sliders 80 and 80 are mounted on two crossing side surfaces of the case 10 along the side surfaces and a mounting board of the input apparatus.

Claims

1. A volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus comprising a case secured on a mounting board;

a set of upper and lower turning members supported in said case such that said turning members can turn into two intersecting directions and each having a long hole extending in a direction perpendicular to said turning direction;

an operating member passing through each of said long holes of said set of upper and lower turning members, said operating member turning each of said turning members when said operating member is operated in arbitrary direction therearound; and

a set of signal output means for outputting signal corresponding to a turning angle of each of said turning members;

wherein

said set of signal output means comprise a pair of straight-ahead sliders mounted to said case such that said straight-ahead sliders move straightly along a side surface of said case above said mounting board, a pair of motion transmitting mechanisms for converting turning movements of said set of upper and lower turning members into straight movements and transmitting said straight movements to said pair of straight-ahead sliders, and a pair of contacts sliding on resistance circuits when said straight-ahead sliders move straightly, thereby constituting volumes.

2. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said straight-ahead sliders are accommodated in slider accommodating portions integrally formed on a side surface of said case.

3. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in each of said motion transmitting mechanisms, a gear provided on an end of said turning member meshes with a rack gear teeth formed on a surface of said straight-ahead slider.

4. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said resistance circuit is formed on a surface of said mounting board to which said case is secured, and said contact is mounted to a lower surface of said straight-ahead slider.

5. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said resistance circuit is formed on an upper or lower surface of a reserved board for constituting said volume, and said contact is mounted to a lower or upper surface of said straight-ahead slider.

6. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reserved board is bent into an L-shape along two crossing side surfaces of said case, and is commonly used by said pair of volumes.

7. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reserved board is accommodated together with said straight-ahead slider in a slider accommodating portion which is integrally formed on a side surface of said case.

8. The volume-integral type multi-directional input apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reserved board is a flexible board.