Multi-way operation switch, input device and input unit

• US 20050284737A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Santo, Koichi, Shitanaka, Hitokazu
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/04 Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/065 using separate operating parts, e.g. a push button surrounded by a rotating knob

Abstract

A multi-way operation switch of the present invention includes an operation unit that is horizontally movable and rotatable; a plurality of first switch contacts for turning on and off the electrical coupling by horizontally moving the operation unit; and a second switch contact for turning on and off the electrical coupling by rotating the operation unit. This configuration allows the user to hold a single operation unit and operate multiple electronic apparatuses and setting modes by simply horizontally moving and rotating the operation unit. Accordingly, a smaller multi-way operation switch that is less prone to erroneous operation and which is easier to operate is achievable.

Claims

1. A multi-way operation switch comprising:

an operation unit which is horizontally movable and rotatable;

a first switch contact which electrically turns on and off by horizontally moving the operation unit; and

a second switch contact which electrically turns on and off by rotating the operation unit.

2. The multi-way operation switch as defined in claim 1, further comprising a case,

wherein the operation unit includes an working member housed in the case in a rockable manner,

the working member comprising:

an arm extending radially in a rocking direction; and

a shaft protruding upward from the case;

wherein the working member rocks when the operation unit is horizontally operated, and the arm provided in a rocking direction turns on and off the first switch contact.

3. The multi-way operation switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the operation unit comprises a rotor rotatably mounted on the shaft protruding from the case, and the second switch contact turns on and off by rotating the rotor.

4. The multi-way operation switch as defined in claim 2, further comprising a click mechanism, the click mechanism comprising:

a ring groove formed on a bottom face of the case;

a pin retained at a bottom part of the working member, the pin having a curved tip; and

a spring applying force to the tip of the pin onto the ring groove.

5. The multi-way operation switch as defined in claim 2, further comprising a button at a center of the rotor and a third switch contact contacting a bottom of the button.

6. An input device comprising:

an operation unit which is horizontally movable and rotatable;

a horizontal movement detector for detecting a horizontal movement of the operation unit and transmitting a detection signal;

a rotation detector for detecting a rotation of the operation unit and transmitting a detection signal; and

a controller coupled to the horizontal movement detector, rotation detector and a plurality of electronic apparatuses;

wherein the controller selects and controls the electronic apparatuses based on the detection signal received.

7. The input device as defined in claim 6, further comprising a case, wherein the operation unit includes an working member housed in the case in a rockable manner,

the working member comprising:

an arm radially extending in a rocking direction; and

a shaft protruding upward from the case; and

the horizontal movement detector comprising a first switch contact;

wherein the working member rocks by horizontally operating the operation unit, and the horizontal movement detector detects an ON and OFF operation of the first switch contact by the arm.

8. The input device as defined in claim 6, wherein the controller selects one of the electronic apparatuses by detecting a horizontal movement of the operation unit, and controls the electronic apparatus selected if a rotation of the operation unit is detected in a state that the operation unit is rocked.

9. The input device as defined in claim 6, further comprising

a button installed in the operation unit and

a push detector for detecting a pushing pressure of the button,

wherein the push detector is coupled to the controller.

10. An input unit comprising:

an input device including;

an operation unit which is horizontally movable and rotatable;

a horizontal movement detector for detecting a horizontal movement of the operation unit and transmitting a detection signal;

a rotation detector for detecting a rotation of the operation unit and transmitting a detection signal; and

a controller coupled to the horizontal movement detector, rotation detector and a plurality of electronic apparatuses, the controller selecting and controlling the electronic apparatuses based on the detection signal received;

and

a panel provided around the operation unit of the input device, the panel including a plurality of displays around the operation unit.

11. The input unit as defined in claim 10, further comprising a lighting device at a rear face of the displays, the lighting device being coupled to the controller, and the controller making the lighting device lights a predetermined one in the displays corresponding to the apparatuses and control mode selected.