Multi-way input device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12242675-B2
Application number	US-202418591492-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 29, 2024
Priority date	Sep 6, 2021
Publication date	Mar 4, 2025
Grant date	Mar 4, 2025

Abstract

A multi-way input device includes a strain-generating element, strain detection elements, and a tilt operation unit including an operation shaft configured to tilt. The strain-generating element includes a base portion, detection arms extending in respective directions from the base portion, support legs, and locking arms each of which is provided to extend from the base portion, each of the locking arms having an upper surface and being situated between adjacent detection arms among the detection arms. The upper surface of each of the locking arms contacts a lower surface of the tilt operation unit, and each of the detection arms does not contact the lower surface of the tilt operation unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-way input device comprising:
a strain-generating element;
multiple strain detection elements provided for the strain-generating element; and
a tilt operation unit including an operation shaft configured to tilt, the tilt operation unit having a lower surface,
wherein the strain-generating element includes
a base portion provided at a central portion of the strain-generating element,
detection arms extending in respective directions from the base portion,
support legs provided to protrude downward from respective ends of the detection arms, and
locking arms each of which is provided to extend from the base portion, each of the locking arms having an upper surface and being situated between adjacent detection arms among the detection arms,

wherein the upper surface of each of the locking arms contacts the lower surface of the tilt operation unit, and
wherein each of the detection arms does not contact the lower surface of the tilt operation unit.

2. The multi-way input device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a flexible substrate including
a fitted hole provided in a central portion of the flexible substrate, and
one or more cutouts provided in outer peripheral edges of the flexible substrate,

wherein the multiple strain detection elements are provided using the flexible substrate, and
wherein the strain-generating element includes
a first protruding portion provided at a central portion of the base portion, and fitting into the fitted hole, and
one or more second protruding portions provided on the base portion, and fitting into the respective one or more cutouts.

3. The multi-way input device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the detection arms is narrower than the base portion, and
wherein each of the multiple strain detection elements is provided to straddle the base portion and a corresponding detection arm among the detection arms of the strain-generating element.

4. The multi-way input device according to claim 3 , wherein each of the detection arms is thinner than the base portion.

5. The multi-way input device according to claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the base portion is equal to a thickness of each of the locking arms,
wherein the base portion has an upper surface, the upper surface of the base portion being at a same height position as upper surfaces of the locking arms, and being in contact with the lower surface of the tilt operation unit,
wherein the first protruding portion and the one or more second protruding portions are provided on a lower surface of the strain-generating element, and
wherein the flexible substrate is secured to the lower surface of the strain-generating element.

6. The multi-way input device according to claim 5 , wherein the first protruding portion includes a lower end, the lower end being positioned higher than lower surfaces of the support legs.

7. The multi-way input device according to claim 2 , wherein the strain-generating element has recessed portions each of which reduces a thickness of the base portion in proximity to a corresponding detection arm among the detection arms, and
wherein the multiple strain detection elements are disposed at positions corresponding to the recessed portions.

8. The multi-way input device according to claim 7 , wherein the upper surface of each of the locking arms is positioned higher than an upper surface of the base portion and upper surfaces of the detection arms, the upper surface of each of the locking arms being in contact with the lower surface of the tilt operation unit, and
wherein the flexible substrate is secured to the upper surface of the base portion and the upper surfaces of the detection arms.

9. The multi-way input device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a hold-down plate that holds down the tilt operation unit so that the tilt operation unit is secured to the strain-generating element; and
multiple securing pieces,
wherein the hold-down plate includes
a first through-hole through which the operation shaft of the tilt operation unit is disposed, and
mounting legs secured to the respective locking arms, each of the mounting legs having a second through-hole through which a corresponding securing piece among the multiple securing pieces is disposed, and

wherein each of the mounting legs is secured to a corresponding locking arm among the locking arms, by using the corresponding securing piece.

10. The multi-way input device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
multiple securing pieces,
wherein the tilt operation unit includes
a housing, and
through-holes provided in the housing, and

wherein the tilt operation unit is secured to the locking arms by using the respective securing pieces each of which passes through a corresponding through-hole among the through-holes.

11. The multi-way input device according to claim 10 , wherein the housing of the tilt operation unit has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and
wherein each of the through-holes is provided near a middle portion of a sidewall of the housing.

12. The multi-way input device according to claim 10 , wherein each of the multiple securing pieces includes a screw or a rivet.

Assignees

• Alps Alpine Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hosono Kunio
• Hagiwara Yasuji
• Muranaka Tetsuo
• Yaginuma Sadayuki

Classifications

• G06F3/0346

  with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors · CPC title

• G06F3/0205

  Lever arrangements for operating keyboard cursor control keys in a joystick-like manner · CPC title

• G06F3/033

  Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user {, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks}; Accessories therefor (digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041) · CPC title

• G05G9/047

  the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks {(for switches H01H25/04)} · CPC title

• G06F3/023

  Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes · CPC title