Multidirectional control switch and multidirectional input device using the same

• US 20040080395A1
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Inoue, Hiroto, Yamamoto, Tamotsu, Sawada, Masaki, Okada, Hiroyasu
• Granted Patent: US 6,841,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 338/47
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/345 the collector and resistive track being situated in 2 parallel planes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/078 Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/003 with more than one electrically distinguishable condition in one or both positions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A multidirectional control switch of the present invention is used in a variety of electronic apparatuses including a portable telephone and a personal digital assistant. A first switch contact of this switch outputs a first signal continuously varying as a top surface of a substantially disc-shaped operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus substantially in arc form. With a stronger press, a second switch contact outputs a second signal. The multidirectional control switch has a simple structure and can be reduced in size because these two switch contacts are integrally formed, eliminating the need to combine discrete elements.

Claims

1. A multidirectional control switch comprising:

a disc-shaped operating member;

a first switch contact for outputting a first signal continuously varying as a top surface of the operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus in arc form; and

a second switch contact for outputting a second signal in accordance with a press.

2. The multidirectional control switch of claim 1, wherein the first switch contact includes:

a ring-shaped first conductive layer; and

a first resistive layer facing the first conductive layer.

3. The multidirectional control switch of claim 2, wherein the second switch contact includes;

a second conductive layer provided around the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer being concentric with the first conductive layer and insulated from the first conductive layer; and

a second resistive layer provided around the first resistive layer, the second resistive layer being concentric with the first resistive layer and facing the second conductive layer.

4. The multidirectional control switch of claim 3, wherein the first resistive layer and the second resistive layer are integrally formed.

5. The multidirectional control switch of claim 1, further comprising:

a third switch contact for outputting a third signal as the operating member is pressed by force greater than force acting on the second switch contact.

6. The multidirectional control switch of claim 3, further comprising:

a third switch contact for outputting a third signal as the operating member is pressed by force greater than force acting on the second switch contact, the third switch contact including;

a third conductive layer provided around the second conductive layer, the third conductive layer being concentric with the second conductive layer and insulated from the second conductive layer; and

a third resistive layer provided around the second resistive layer, the third resistive layer being concentric with the second resistive layer and facing the third conductive layer.

7. The multidirectional control switch of claim 1, wherein the operating member includes, at a bottom surface thereof, a first projection for pressing the first switch contact.

8. The multidirectional control switch of claim 7, wherein the first projection is ring-shaped.

9. The multidirectional control switch of claim 1, wherein the operating member includes, at a bottom surface thereof, a second projection for pressing the second switch contact.

10. The multidirectional control switch of claim 5, wherein the operating member includes, at a bottom surface thereof, a third projection for pressing the third switch contact.

11. The multidirectional control switch of claim 1, wherein the operating member includes one of a recessed part and a projected part extending outward from a center of a top surface of the operating member.

12. The multidirectional control switch of claim 1, further comprising:

a push button disposed in a center of the operating member, the push button being vertically movable; and

a fourth switch contact for outputting a fourth signal as the push button is pressed.

13. A multidirectional input device comprising:

a multidirectional control switch incluing;

a disc-shaped operating member;

a first switch contact for outputting a first signal continuously varying as a top surface of the operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus in arc form; and

a second switch contact for outputting a second signal in accordance with a press;

a display unit; and

a controller, connected to the multidirectional control switch and the display unit, for controlling display on the display unit upon detection of the first signal and the second signal of the multidirectional control switch.

14. The multidirectional input device of claim 13, wherein the controller stops the detection of the second signal while detecting the first signal.