WO2000003407A1

WO2000003407A1 - Control switch device

Info

Publication number: WO2000003407A1
Application number: PCT/JP1999/003473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyouhei Ohtani
Original assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Priority date: 1998-07-10
Filing date: 1999-06-29
Publication date: 2000-01-20

Abstract

A control switch device for controlling the moving direction of display characters and the like displayed on a display screen of a TV game device and a portable electronic game device; specifically, a control switch device to be turned on when a conductive part at the lower portion of an elastic moving member contacts any of a plurality of pairs of electric contacts on a wiring board due to a tilted key top, wherein a guide hole is formed in the elastic moving member at a position directly below the center of the key top, a support member is fitted in the guide hole in an upward direction from the lower portion of the elastic moving member and the support member is separated from the key top with a gap therebetween with the key top receiving no operating force and kept erect.

Description

Akitoda control switch device technical field

The present invention relates to a control switch device for controlling a moving direction of a display character or the like displayed on a display screen of a video game device or a portable electronic game device. Background art

In the control switch device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3_5505 94, a projection protruding downward is formed at the center of the lower disk portion of the keytop, and the lower surface of the disk portion is The projection on the lower surface of the key top is formed on the lower surface of the key top and spaced apart from the wiring board by a resilient holding portion and supported by the wiring board in a state of being downwardly inclined toward the projection. I have.

Also, in the control switch device described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 2-4-13342, similarly to the control switch device described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. The fulcrum is formed integrally.

Further, in the control switch device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-162875, a spherical dome portion is formed on the front case, and a through hole is formed at the top of the dome portion. The central cylinder portion of the keytop penetrates the hole from above to below, and the central cylinder portion of the keytop is integrally fitted to the spherical contact pressing portion below the spherical dome portion of the front case. An elastic portion is interposed between the contact pressing portion and the wiring board thereunder.

In the control switch device of No. 3-5 0 5 9 4, the hard projection integral with the key top is supported by the elastic holding portion on the wiring board in a state where there is a gap with respect to the high-rigidity wiring board. Therefore, when the key top is pressed, a large impact force acts on the wiring board to generate noise and vibration, and furthermore, the projections on the lower surface of the key top are rubbed against the surface of the wiring board, and these noises are generated. The wiring board has an undesired adverse effect due to vibration, vibration, and wear of the distribution board.

In addition, the upper part of the key top is formed in a cross shape, and the case is also cut out in a cross shape so that the key top can be loosely fitted. In contact Therefore, the key top cannot be pressed in the direction of 45 ° with respect to the cross, and it is difficult to simultaneously turn on two pairs of adjacent electrical contacts on the wiring board.

Also, in the control switch device described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-4141324, the hemispherical fulcrum is integrally formed of the same material as the key top. The pressing force acts directly on the wiring board, and noise and vibration due to impact cannot be avoided. On the other hand, in the control switch device of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-162875, when the keytop is pressed downward, the pressing force is applied to the spherical dome portion of the front case. However, since the large impact force does not act on the wiring board because it is not directly applied on the wiring board, there is no possibility that the wiring board is damaged, and the key top can be moved in any direction along the spherical dome portion of the front case. As a result, it is easy to simultaneously turn on two pairs of adjacent electrical contacts.

In the control switch device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-162875, it is necessary to accurately maintain the relative distance between the spherical dome portion of the front case and the wiring board. The key top and the spherical contact pressing portion had to be integrally connected with the spherical dome portion of the case interposed therebetween, and as a result, it was difficult to avoid an increase in cost and man-hours. Disclosure of the invention

The invention of the present application relates to an improvement of a control switch device that overcomes such difficulties, and the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that any one of a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on a wiring board is elastically movable by tilting a key top. In a control switch device in which a conductive portion below a body contacts and is turned on, a guide hole is formed in the elastic movable body located on a center line of the keytop, and the guide hole is directed upward from below the elastic movable body. A fulcrum member is fitted into the guide hole, and the fulcrum member is separated from the keytop with a gap in a state where the keytop is upright without any operation force being applied to the keytop. It is characterized by the fact that

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the fulcrum member is fitted to the elastic movable body along the center line of the key top, and the fulcrum member is in a state where no operating force is applied to the key top. As a result of being separated from the keytop with a gap therebetween, when an operating force is applied to the keytop, the elastic movable body is deformed, and the lower surface of the keytop becomes the fulcrum member. And the lower surface of the key top moves along the upper surface of the fulcrum member in accordance with the inclination of the key top. Therefore, a large impact force or frictional force does not act on the wiring board, and the wiring board is not easily damaged. Since the key top is supported by the wiring board via the flexible movable body, there is no need to attach the front case while maintaining a high-precision gap between the front case and the wiring board. The performance is greatly improved and the cost can be reduced.

Also, the upper end of the fulcrum member may be formed as a gentle curved surface whose central portion protrudes upward. ^ When the key top is tilted, the key top can be tilted about the upper end of the fulcrum member. In addition, the key top can be tilted more smoothly, and the switch can be reliably turned on and off.

Further, the lower end of the fulcrum member may be formed as a gentle curved surface whose central portion protrudes downward. When the key top is tilted, the fulcrum member is moved in contact with the wiring board one after another along a curved surface at the lower end thereof, and the fulcrum member is interlocked with the tilt deformation of the elastic movable body due to the tilt of the key top. The member can also be tilted, the key top can be tilted lightly, and the switch can be turned on and off immediately. Then, when the fulcrum member moves on the wiring board, the fulcrum member slides smoothly on the disposition board, thereby preventing the abrasion of the wiring board.

Furthermore, the upper end of the fulcrum member may be formed in a gentle curved surface whose central portion protrudes upward, and the lower surface of the key top may be formed in a substantially planar shape. When the key top is tilted, the planar lower surface of the key top can slide along a gentle upper end curved surface of the fulcrum member, and the operating force applied to the key top directly acts on the flexible movable body. Therefore, the durability of the flexible movable body is improved.

In addition, the upper end of the fulcrum member may be formed in a substantially radial shape, and a substantially hemispherical concave portion may be formed in the center of the lower surface of the key top that contacts the upper end of the fulcrum member. The key top is stably held at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the wiring board because the hemispherical concave portion at the center of the lower surface of the key top is loosely fitted to the upper hemispherical protrusion of the fulcrum member. In addition, according to the present invention, the conductive portion below the elastic movable body comes into contact with one of a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on the wiring board due to the tilt of the key top to be turned on. In the control switch device, a fulcrum member for pivotally supporting the center of the key top so as to be tiltable is provided integrally with the elastic movable body, and the key top is not subjected to any operation force without being subjected to any operation force. With the top upright, the fulcrum member The control switch device is characterized in that the control switch device is separated from the keytop or the wiring board with a gap (due to the elastic restoring force of the movable member). According to this control switch device, since the operating force applied to the key top is transmitted to the fulcrum member via the elastic movable body, the fulcrum member can gently abut the wiring board, The impact of the first operation is reduced, and the adverse effect on the wiring board and the damage of each member are avoided.

Further, the fulcrum member may be made of a material different from the key top. A fulcrum member having appropriate rigidity, flexibility, and abrasion resistance required for the fulcrum member can be selected, and the effect of the present invention can be further enhanced.

Still further, the fulcrum member may be located on a center line of the key top, penetrate the elastic movable body, and may be integrally fitted. The fulcrum member can be firmly provided on the positive movable body. The fulcrum member is located on the center line of the keytop, protrudes downward from the lower surface of the positive movable body, and is integrally embedded in the positive movable body. May be done. Since the operating force applied to the key top can be buffered by the elastic movable body, adverse effects on the wiring board can be avoided, and the durability of each member can be improved.

Moreover, the fulcrum member may be located on a center line of the key top and integrally attached to a lower surface of the elastic movable body. The effects of the present invention can be further improved.

Furthermore, a projection is formed on the lower surface of the key top that contacts the elastic movable body, the projection having a smaller area than the conductive part below the elastic movable body and capable of contacting the upper surface of the elastic movable body immediately above the conductive part. May be done. When an operating force is applied to the key top, the elastic movable body is largely deformed locally downward by the protrusion on the lower surface of the key top, and the lower conductive part immediately below the local movable part is an electrical contact point on the wiring board. The electrical contacts are turned on reliably and immediately.

Further, an outer peripheral portion of the elastic movable body that is in contact with the wiring board may be formed so as to entirely surround a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on the wiring board. All the electrical contacts on the wiring board can be stably supported, and the electrical contacts can be protected by surrounding it with the outer periphery of the elastic movable body, so that the reliability of the switching operation of the switch can be greatly increased. Can be improved.

Since the plurality of pairs of electrical contacts are all surrounded by the outer periphery of the elastic movable body, the size of the entire control switch device can be easily reduced. Further, an outer peripheral portion of each conductive portion of the elastic movable body that is in contact with the wiring board may be formed so as to surround a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on the wiring board. Since a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on the wiring board are surrounded by the outer peripheral portions of the respective conductive portions of the elastic movable body and the electrical contacts can be protected, the reliability of the switching operation of the switch is also increased. The width can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic game device provided with a control switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wiring board.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional front view of the control switch device.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the control switch device in a state where the key top of the control switch device has begun to be pressed.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the control switch device in a state where the key top of the control switch device has been pressed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the key top.

FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the elastic member.

FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a left side view of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI I-XVI I of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI I-XVI I I of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line X IX—X IX of FIG. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a video game input device provided with a control switch device of another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a left side view of FIG.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the control switch device.

FIG. 25 is a vertical sectional front view of the control switch device.

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a state where the key top of the control switch device is pressed.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the 7-key top.

Fig. 28 is a front view of the 8-key top.

Figure 29 is a bottom view of the keytop.

FIG. 30 is a right side view of the key top.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXI—XXXI of FIG.

FIG. 32 is a plan view of the flexible movable body.

FIG. 33 is a front view of the elastic movable body.

FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the elastic movable body.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXXV-XXXV of FIG.

FIG. 36 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a control switch device according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a control switch device of another embodiment different from the embodiment of FIG. 36. FIG. 38 is a control switch device of another embodiment different from the embodiments of FIGS. 36 and 37. It is a vertical front view.

FIG. 39 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a control switch device according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the invention described in claims 1 to 4 and claim 12 of the present application shown in FIGS. 1 to 19 will be described. The cross key type control switch device 1 of the present embodiment is used for a portable electronic game device 0. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sleep button switch 2 is provided outside the control switch device 1. A mode button switch 3, an A button switch 4, and a B button switch 5. A cap 7 is detachably attached to an upper end of a case 6 of the portable electronic game device 0, and the cap 7 is removed. A connector 18 is formed on the exposed portion. The connector 8 is removably fitted to the connector 57 of the video game input device 50 shown in FIGS. The game software recorded on the portable electronic game device 0 is read.

Then, after pulling out the connector 18 from the connector 57 of the video game input device 50 and pressing the sleep button switch 2 and the mode button switch 3, the background, the character, etc. are displayed on the display 9, and the control switch is displayed. When one of the protrusions 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d of the cross key top 36 of the device 1 is pressed, the character displayed on the display 9 can move in that direction. It has become.

Also, on the wiring board 10 of the portable electronic game device 0, four pairs of electrical contacts 11a, lib, lie, and lid related to the control switch device 1 are arranged in a cross shape in front, rear, left and right, and the wiring is provided outside the cross. On the substrate 10, electrical contacts 12, 13, 14, and 15 of a sleep button switch 2, a mode switch 3, an A switch 4, and a B switch 5 are provided, respectively, and these are provided on the wiring board 10. Connected to the microcomputer 26.

Further, an elastic member 16 (FIGS. 13 to 1) is provided on the upper surface of the wiring board 10 so as to cover the electrical contacts 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 on the wiring board 10 over the entire width of the case 6. 5) is placed, and both sides 16 a, 16 a of the elastic member 16 are sandwiched between the edge of the front case 6 a of the case 6 and the wiring board 10.

Further, the flexible member 16 is formed with the flexible movable body 17 of the control switch device 1 and corresponds to each of the operation units of the sleep button switch 2, the mode button switch 3, the A button switch 4, and the B button switch 5, respectively. A sleep button 18, a mode button 19, an A button 20, and a B button 21 are formed on the lower surface of the sleep button 18, the mode button 19, the A button 20, and the B button 21, respectively. , 25 are formed, and the tops of the sleep button 18, the mode button 19, the A button 20, and the B button 21 project upward from the hole of the front case 6a of the case 6. When the top of the sleep button 18, the mode button 19, the A button 20, and the B button 21 is pressed, the thin outer peripheral wall portions 27, 28, 29 below the sleep button 18, the mode button 19, the A button 20, and the B button 21 are pressed. , 30 are elastically deformed so that the conductive portions 22, 23, 24, 25 come into contact with the electrical contacts 12, 13, 14, 15, and the electrical contacts 12, 13, 14, 15 are switched on. I'm sorry.

In addition, in the flexible movable body 17 of the elastic member 16, conductive portions 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are formed immediately above the four pairs of electrical contacts 11a, lib, 11c, and lid. A lower thin outer peripheral wall portion 32 is formed so as to surround all of the conductive portions 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 d, and a guide hole 33 is formed at the center of the elastic movable body 17. A stopper 34, which is a fulcrum member made of hard plastic, is fitted upward from below.

The length L of the stopper 34 is set to be shorter than the thickness D of the elastic movable body 17 in the natural standing state, the lower part 34 a of the stopper 34 is formed in a flange shape, and the upper and lower ends of the stopper 34 are gentle. It is formed in a curved shape.

An opening 35 is formed in the front case 6 a of the case 6 above the elastic movable body 17 of the elastic member 16, and a key top 36 is fitted into the opening 35 from below to above. Together with the elastic movable body 17.

Further, a cross-shaped protrusion 37 is formed on the upper part of the key top 36 at the front, rear, left and right, and a flange 38 is formed on the outer periphery below the key top 36. 7, a notch 39 is formed as shown in FIG. 7, and the notch 39 is formed by a locking portion 40 (FIGS. 4 to 6) formed in the opening 35 of the front case 6a of the case 6. Key top 36 can be tilted in any direction, not only front and back, left or right, but cannot rotate around the vertical axis. As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 12, four recesses 42 are formed in the center of the lower part of the key top 36, leaving a cross-shaped rib 41 located immediately below the protrusion 37. 41 is located immediately above each conductive part 31, and when the key top 36 is pressed so as to incline, Either of the ribs 41 presses the conductive portion 31 immediately below the elastic movable body 17 to the electrical contact 11 on the wiring board 10.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower surface of the elastic member 16 includes a space on the wiring board 10 surrounded by the thin outer peripheral wall 32 below the elastic movable body 17, a sleep button 18, and a mode button. 19, A Tongue 20, B button 21, a communication groove 43 for communicating with the space on the wiring board 10 surrounded by the lower thin outer peripheral wall portions 27, 28, 29, and 30, and a communication for communicating these spaces to the outside. A groove 44 is formed, and when the elastic movable body 17, the sleep button 18, the mode button 19, the A button 20, and the B button 21 are pressed, the air trapped in these spaces is released to other air or to the outside. They can flow freely.

Since the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 19 is constructed as described above, the sleep button 2, the mode button switch 3, the A button switch 4, the B button switch 5, the sleep button 18, the mode button 19, and the A button When one of the buttons 20 and 21 is pressed downward, one of the lower thin outer peripheral walls 27, 28, 29 and 30 is bent downward, and any one of the conductive parts 22, 23, 24 and 25 is deformed. Touches any of the electrical contacts 12, 13, 14, and 15, and turns on any of the sleep button switch 2, the mode button switch 3, the A button switch 4, and the B button switch 5. When one of the protrusions 37 (for example, 37 a) of the key top 36 of the switch device 1 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 5, a flange 38 below the protrusion 37 c opposite to the protrusion 37 a is formed. Table near the opening 35 adjacent to the projection 37c. Key top 36 is tilted rightward about this center, and after the lower surface of key top 36 contacts the top end of stopper 134, key top 36 moves rightward. As shown in FIG. 6, the peripheral portion of the key top 36 adjacent to the protrusion 37 a contacts the opening 35, and the conductive portion 31 a immediately below the protrusion 37 a contacts the electrical contact on the wiring board 10. When pressed against 11a, the electrical contact 11a becomes conductive.

As described above, when the protruding portion 37a is pushed, the flange 38c adjacent to the protruding portion 37c on the opposite side engages with the lower surface of the front case 6a near the opening 35 and the protruding portion 37a. While the lower thin outer peripheral wall 32a immediately below is elastically deformed, the key top 36 is tilted about this engagement point, and the lower surface of the key top 36 comes into contact with the top end of the stopper 34. The contact force does not directly act on the upper surface of the wiring board 10, so that noise and vibration hardly occur.

After the lower surface of the key top 36 contacts the top end of the stopper 34, the lower surface of the key top 36 slides on the top end of the stopper 34, so that the lower end of the stopper 34 does not rub against the upper surface of the wiring board 10. However, wear of the upper surface of the wiring board 10 is avoided, and damage to the wiring board 10 is prevented.

Further, each conductive portion 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d of the elastic movable body 17 is provided with a rib 41a, 41b , 41c, 41d, the conductive portions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d are pressed through the thick portions 45 of the elastic movable body 17, and the electrical contacts 11a, lib, 11c, 11d And the control switch device 1 is securely turned on.

Furthermore, when the key top 36 is pressed, the guide hole 33 provided in the thick portion 45 of the elastic movable body 17 slides in contact with the outer periphery of the stopper 34, so that the pressing force of the key top 36 is reduced. The impact is absorbed by the sliding and the impact force is reduced.

In addition, the key top 36 is pushed upward by the panel force of the elastic movable body 17, and the flange 38 of the key top 36 is engaged with the opening 35 of the front case 6. The interval of 6 does not require high precision, the key top 36 is placed on the flexible movable body 17 of the elastic member 16 and the front case 6 a and the back case 6 b of case 6 are integrated. As a result of simply combining, workability and assemblability are remarkably improved, and costs can be reduced.

Further, since the upper and lower ends of the stopper 34 are formed in a gentle curved shape, the key top 36 can be smoothly inclined in any direction.

Furthermore, since the lower surface of the rib 41 of the key top 36 and the upper surface of the elastic movable body 17 are both flat, no excessive force acts on the elastic movable body 17 when left unattended, and the durability of the elastic movable body 17 is improved. Is high.

Furthermore, since all the conductive portions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d of the elastic movable body 17 are surrounded by one lower thin outer peripheral wall portion 32, these conductive portions 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d are formed by dust or the like. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the movable movable body.

Moreover, the space surrounded by the thin outer peripheral wall portions 27, 28, 29, 30, 32 below the outer periphery of the conductive portions 22, 23, 24, 25, 31 on the wiring board 10 is communicated with each other by the communication groove 43. The space is reduced by operating the control switch device 1, sleep button switch 2, mode button switch 3, A button switch 4, and B button switch 5 because the communication groove 44 is also used to communicate with the outside. However, the air in these spaces flows freely, and the pressure in these spaces is kept constant, and the control switch device 1, sleep button switch 2, mode button switch 3, A button switch 4, B button switch 5 Operation is performed smoothly.

Also, for example, when the key top 36 is pressed between the protruding portions 37a and 37b, the key top 36 is tilted in that direction, and the electrical contacts 11a and lib are simultaneously conductive.

Furthermore, since the stopper 34, which is a fulcrum member, is made of hard plastic, the stopper 34 has a moderate hardness and It has lubricity and is inexpensive. The stopper 134 may be made of metal, so that the stopper 34 can be slid with respect to the wiring board 10 and the wear resistance can be improved.

Next, an embodiment of the invention described in claims 1, 2, 5, 5, 11 and 13 of the present application shown in FIGS. 20 to 35 will be described.

The cross key type control switch device 51 of the present embodiment is of a digital type used for a video game input device 50. The video game input device 50 is connected to a game machine not shown, and the game machine is not shown. Various input signals connected to the TV device and input by the video game input device 50 are input to the game machine, and the game is started according to the software of the CD ROM inserted in the game machine. The image is displayed on the television device and the sound is emitted.

In the video game input device 50, an analog type directional control switch device 52 is provided adjacent to the left control switch device 51, and various trigger buttons 53 are provided on the right side of the video game input device 50. A start button switch 54 is provided at the front center of the video game input device 50, and an analog trigger switch 56 is provided in front of the left and right drips 55 of the video game input device 50, and a direction control switch device is provided. When 52 is tilted in the required direction, an analog direction control signal corresponding to the tilt angle is issued, and the character on the screen can move in that direction.

As shown in FIG. 20, the video game input device 50 is provided with a connector 57 into which the connector 8 of the portable electronic game device 0 can be fitted. When the connector 8 of the device 0 is fitted and connected to the connector 57 of the video game input device 50, the data of the video game input device 50 is read into the portable electronic game device 0. Further, an opening 58 is formed in the video game input device 50, and when the connector 18 of the portable electronic game device 0 is fitted and connected to the connector 1 57 of the video game input device 50, the display 9 of the portable electronic game device 0 Is exposed through the opening 58 so that the image on the display 9 can be viewed.

Further, a notch 60 slightly larger than the cross key top 62 of the control switch device 51 is formed in the front case 59a of the case 59 of the video game input device 50 as shown in FIG. At the same time, a support projection 61 protrudes downward adjacent to the corner of the notch 60, and the key top 62 is loosely fitted in the front notch 60 from below to upward, and the key The receiving portion 63 of the top 62 is locked and supported by the support projection 61.

Moreover, a projection 64 is formed in a cross shape on the upper part of the key top 62, an outer edge 65 is formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the key top 62, and a pivot support recess 66 is formed on the lower central part of the key top 62. At the same time, a ring-shaped pressing portion 67 is formed at a lower portion of the key top 62 and directly below the protruding portion 64.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, a wiring board 68 is stretched below the front case 59a, and the upper surface of the wiring board 68 is directly below the notch 60 of the front case 59a. At a position corresponding to the pressing portion 67 of the key top 62, an electric contact 69 similar to the electric contact 11 in FIG. 3 is provided in a cross shape, and the electric contact 69 is built into the video game input device 50. Connected to a micro computer (not shown).

Further, an elastic movable body 70 is formed so as to entirely surround the four pairs of electrical contacts 69 with the outer peripheral rising piece 71 of the elastic movable body 70, and a rib 59b projecting downward from the front case 59a. The outer peripheral portion of the elastic movable body 70 is pressed and locked to the wiring board 68 in contact with the rising piece 71.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 25, 26 and 34, four lower surfaces of the elastic movable body 70 are provided at positions corresponding to the four pairs of electrical contacts 69 of the wiring board 68, respectively. Each of the conductive portions 72 is formed, and a lower thin outer peripheral wall portion 73 is formed on each outer periphery of the conductive portion 72. Each space on the wiring board 68 surrounded by the lower thin outer wall portion 73 is mutually connected. A communication groove 74 for communication is formed on the lower surface of the elastic movable body 70, a communication groove 75 for communicating each space to the outside is formed, and a stepped guide hole 76 is formed at the center of the elastic movable body 70. I have.

In addition, the metal pivot stopper 77 penetrates the stepped guide hole 76 of the flexible movable body 70 from below to above so that it can fit into the pivot recess 66 of the keytop 62.

Since the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 35 is configured as described above, the pressing thick part 78 directly above the conductive part 72 is formed by the elastic force of the lower thin outer peripheral wall 73 of the elastic movable body 70. The pressing portion 67 of the key top 62 is pushed up from below, and the receiving portion 63 of the key top 62 receives the reaction force to abut the support protrusion 61 of the front case 59a. As shown, key top 62 is supported. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, when the projecting portion 64 of the key top 62 is pushed downward, the key top 62 is lowered, and the pivot recess 66 of the key top 62 is engaged with the upper end of the pivot stop 77. The key top 62 is tilted around the upper end of the pivot stopper 77, and the pressing portion 67 immediately below the pressed protrusion 64 crushes the pressing thick portion 78 of the elastic movable body 70, and the conductive portion 72. Is pressed against the electrical contact 69, and the electrical contact 69 is connected.

The operating force applied to the key top 62 is transmitted to the wiring board 68 via the pivot recess 66 and the pivot stopper 77 of the key top 62, and the lower surface of the pivot stopper 77 and the wiring board 68. Due to the large contact area with the wiring board 68, a large force is not locally applied to the wiring board 68, and as a result, the wiring board 68 is not worn or damaged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the pressing thick portion 78 of the flexible movable body 70 is formed by pressing the central portion of the pressing thick portion 78 with the pressing portion 67 of the key top 62 having a smaller area. Since it is locally strongly pressed and crushed, the conductive portion 72 therebelow can surely contact the electrical contact 69 of the wiring board 68, and the reliability of the switch is high.

Further, since the elastic movable body 70 is in contact with the inner periphery of the outer peripheral rising piece 71 and is pressed against the upper surface of the wiring board 68 by the ribs 59 b of the front case 59 a, the elastic movable body 70 is always stably maintained. And the space between the elastic movable body 70 and the wiring board 68, except for the communication groove 75, is shut off from the outside, and the intrusion of dust and the like is suppressed.

The upper end of the pivot stopper 77 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape, and the pivot concave portion 66 of the key top 62 has a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the upper hemisphere of the pivot stopper 77. Since the pivot concave portion 66 is formed on the hemispherical concave surface, the key top 62 is stably held with respect to the pivot stopper 77 without shifting its pivot position, and the upper end of the pivot stopper 1 77 No large frictional force acts between the upper hemisphere and the hemispherical pivot recess 66 of the key top 62, so that the key top 62 can stably and lightly tilt.

Moreover, since the pivot stopper 77 is made of metal, the durability is excellent.

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claims 6 to 8 and claim 12 shown in FIG. 36 will be described.

The cross key type control switch device 81 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 36 is used for the portable electronic game device 0 or the video game input device 50, and is the first switch shown in FIGS. The case 82, the wiring board 83, the electrical contacts 84, the elastic members 85, and the case 6, the wiring board 10, the electrical contacts 11, the elastic member 16, and the elastic movable body 17 have substantially the same structure as the control switch device 1 of the embodiment. A flexible movable body 86 is configured.

In addition, in the elastic movable body 86 of the silicone rubber-made elastic member 85, four pairs of electrical contacts 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d (the electrical contact 84d is not shown) are located just above the four pairs of electrical contacts 84a, 84b, and 84c. A conductive portion 87 a, a conductive portion 87 b, a conductive portion 87 c, and a conductive portion 87 d (the conductive portion 87 d is not shown) which are softer than the flexible movable body 86 are formed at these positions. A lower thin outer peripheral wall portion 88 is formed so as to surround the conductive portion 87b, the conductive portion 87c, and the conductive portion 87d, and a fitting hole 89 is formed at the center of the elastic movable body 86. A fulcrum member 90 made of silicone resin, which is rich in self-lubricating properties and is slightly softer than the key top 92, is integrally fitted with an adhesive, and a lower end portion 90a of the fulcrum member 90 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. .

Further, an opening 91 is formed in the front case 82 at a position above the elastic movable body 86 of the elastic member 85, and a hard plastic key top 92 is fitted into the opening 91 from below to above. It is mounted on the elastic movable body 86.

Further, a cross-shaped projection 93 is formed on the upper part of the key top 92 at the front, rear, left and right sides, and a flange 94 is formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the key top 92. The flange 94 is engaged with the lower end 91 a of the opening 91 by the elastic restoring force of the movable body 86, and in this engaged state, the lower end 90 a of the fulcrum member 90 has a semi-spherical shape. The substrate 83 is separated from the upper surface by a predetermined distance.

In addition, a communication groove 95 is formed in the elastic member 85 so as to communicate with the space on the wiring board 83 surrounded by the lower thin outer peripheral wall portion 88 or the outside.

Although the key top 92 is formed solid, it may be formed in the same manner as the key top 36 in the control switch device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 19.

Since the embodiment shown in FIG. 36 is configured as described above, when one of the protrusions 93 (for example, the protrusion 93 c) of the key top 92 of the control switch device 81 is pressed, the pressed portion is The key top 92 is tilted around the engaged portion so that the protruding portion 93 that is pushed down while the flange portion 94 is engaged with the lower end portion 91 a of the opening 91 on the opposite side is centered on the engaged portion, and the keyed side is pushed toward the pushed side. After the lower end 90 a of the fulcrum member 90 contacts the upper surface of the wiring board 83, the key top 92 further tilts in the tilting direction, and the pushed protrusion is pressed. The conductive portion 87c immediately below the 93c is pressed against the electrical contact 84c of the wiring board 83, and the electrical contact 84c is brought into a conductive state.

As described above, when the protruding portion 93c is pushed, the flange portion 94a adjacent to the protruding portion 93a on the opposite side first engages with the lower end portion 91a of the opening 91 and the lower portion immediately below the protruding portion 93c. While the thin outer peripheral wall portion 88 c is elastically deformed, the key top 92 is tilted about this engagement point, and the lower end portion 90 a of the fulcrum member 90 integral with the elastic movable body 86 is brought into contact with the wiring board 83. Therefore, the contact impact force is absorbed by the fulcrum member 90 made of soft silicon resin, which does not directly work on the upper surface of the wiring board 83, so that generation of noise and vibration is suppressed. Further, the fulcrum member 90 is harder than the elastic movable body 86 of the elastic member 85, and the pressing force of the key top 92 is received by the fulcrum member 90. Although two electrical parts 87 may simultaneously contact the electrical contacts 84 on the wiring board 83, three or more conductive parts 87 will not contact the electrical contacts 84 on the wiring board 83.

Further, since the fulcrum member 90 is rich in self-lubricating properties, the lower end portion 90a of the fulcrum member 90 can lightly slide on the upper surface of the wiring board 83, and furthermore, the upper surface of the wiring board 83 is prevented from being worn.

Further, since the elastic movable body 86 of the elastic member 85 and the fulcrum member 90 are integrated in advance, the control switch device 81 has high assemblability.

An embodiment of the invention described in claims 6, 7, 9, and 12 of the present application shown in FIG. 37 will be described.

The cross key type control switch device 101 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 37 is the same as the control switch device 81 of FIG. 36 except for the fitting structure between the elastic movable member 86 of the elastic member 85 and the fulcrum member 90. Each of the members and portions corresponding to the respective members and portions of the control switch device 81 shown in FIG. 36 has the same reference numerals as the respective members and portions of the control switch device 81. Are added.

The difference between the two is that the fitting hole 89 provided in the elastic movable body 86 of the flexible member 85 in the control switch device 81 shown in FIG. 36 penetrates the elastic movable body 86 up and down. In the control switch device 101 shown in FIG. 37, the elastic movable body 106 of the elastic member 105 is formed with a fitting blind hole 109 which is directed upward from below. A fulcrum member 110 of substantially the same material is fitted upward from below, and the fulcrum member 110 is integrally fixed to the fitting blind hole 109 with an adhesive. The control switch device 101 illustrated in FIG. 37 is configured as described above, and a part of the flexible movable body 106 of the elastic member 105 is interposed between the fulcrum member 110 and the key top 112. The impact when the fulcrum member 110 abuts on the wiring board 103 is further reduced as compared with the control switch device 81, and noise and vibration are prevented beforehand.

Further, one embodiment of the invention described in claims 6, 7, 7, 10 and 12 of the present application shown in FIG. 38 will be described.

The control switch device 121 of the cross key type shown in FIG. 38 also has another configuration except for the fitting structure of the elastic movable body 106 of the elastic member 105 and the fulcrum member 110 in the control switch device 101 shown in FIG. The members and portions corresponding to the respective members and portions of the control switch device 101 shown in FIG. 37 are respectively denoted by the reference numerals of the respective members and portions of the control switch device 101. The code is obtained by adding 20.

The difference between the control switch device 101 shown in FIG. 37 and the control switch device 121 shown in FIG. 38 is described below with reference to the lower surface of the elastic movable body 106 of the flexible member 105 in the control switch device 101 shown in FIG. A blind hole 109 was formed in the center, and a fulcrum member 110 was fitted to the body in the blind hole 109. The elastically movable member 125 of the control switch device 121 shown in FIG. On the lower surface of the central portion of the body 126, a thick mounting portion 129 having the same shape as the thick portion 126a for attaching and supporting the conductive portion 127 on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the elastic movable body 126 is formed. The flat portion of the fulcrum member 130 whose form is cut off is integrally adhered to the lower surface of the thick mounting portion 129 with an adhesive, or integrally joined when the elastic member 125 is formed.

The control switch device 121 shown in FIG. 38 is configured as described above, and the central portion 129 of the flexible movable body 126 of the elastic member 125 is formed thick, and the fulcrum member 130 is provided on the lower surface of the thick central portion 129. When the key top 132 is pressed and the lower end of the fulcrum member 130 comes into contact with the upper surface of the wiring board 123, the contact impact force is reduced as shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, the control switch device 81 and the control switch device 101 shown in FIG. 37 are further reduced, and there is almost no noise or vibration. The configurations of the control switch device 81, the control switch device 101, and the control switch device 121 shown in FIGS. 36, 37, and 38 can be applied to the control switch device 51 shown in FIGS. 20 to 35. A possible example of this structure is shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

The control switch device 141 of the cross key type shown in FIGS. 35 has a structure substantially similar to that of the control switch device 51 shown in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 40, a notch 143 slightly larger than the key top 145 is formed in the front case 142 of the control switch device 141, and a support protrusion is provided adjacent to a corner of the notch 143. The key top 145 is protruded downward, and the key top 145 is loosely fitted into the notch 143 from the lower side to the upper side, and the receiving portion 146 of the key top 145 is locked to the support projection 144. It has become.

Further, a protrusion 147 is formed in a cross shape on the upper part of the key top 145, and an outer edge 148 is formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the key top 145, and the lower part of the key top 145 directly below the protrusion 147. A ring-shaped pressing portion 149 is formed at the position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 39, the electric contacts 151 are arranged in a cross shape just below the notch 143 of the front case 142 and at a position corresponding to the pressing portion 149 of the key top 145. I have. Further, in the flexible movable member 153 of the flexible member 152, conductive portions 154 are formed immediately above the four pairs of electrical contacts 151, and the lower thin outer peripheral wall portion 155 is formed so as to individually surround these conductive portions 154. A fitting hole 156 is formed at the center of the elastic movable body 153, and a support member 159 made of silicone resin is integrally fitted into the fitting hole 156 via an adhesive.

Moreover, an outer peripheral rising piece 157 is formed on the outer peripheral part of the elastic member 152, and the rib 142 a protruding downward from the front case 142 comes into contact with the outer peripheral rising piece 157 of the elastic member 152 so that the outer peripheral part of the elastic member 152 is formed. The wiring board 150 is pressed and locked. A communication groove 158 is formed to communicate each space on the wiring board 150 surrounded by the lower thin outer peripheral wall 155, and a communication groove (not shown) is formed to communicate each space to the outside. Have been.

The control switch device 141 shown in FIGS. 39 to 40 is configured as described above, and the support member 159 is fitted into the fitting hole 156 in the center of the elastic movable body 153 of the elastic member 152. Since it is worn, substantially the same effects as those of the control switch device 81 shown in FIG. 36 can be obtained. Industrial applicability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as a control switch for a video game device or a portable electronic game device.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. In a control switch device in which a conductive portion below an elastic movable body comes into contact with one of a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on a wiring board by a tilt of a key top and is turned on,

A guide hole is formed in the elastic movable body located on the center line of the key top, and a fulcrum member is fitted in the guide hole facing upward from below the elastic movable body,

A control switch, wherein the fulcrum member is separated from the keytop with a gap in a state where the keytop is upright without any operation force being applied to the keytop.

2. The control switch device according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the fulcrum member is formed as a gentle curved surface whose central portion protrudes upward.

3. The control switch device according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the fulcrum member is formed in a gentle curved surface whose central portion protrudes downward.

4. The upper end of the fulcrum member is formed to have a gentle curved surface whose central portion protrudes upward, and the lower surface of the key top is formed to be substantially planar. The control switch device according to 1.

5. The upper end of the fulcrum member is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape, and a substantially hemispherical concave portion is formed in the center of the lower surface of the key top that contacts the upper end of the fulcrum member. The control switch device according to claim 1.

6. A control switch device in which a conductive portion below an elastic movable body comes into contact with one of a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on a wiring board by tilting a key top, and

A fulcrum member that pivotally supports the center of the key top is provided integrally with the elastic movable body, and the key top is in an upright state without any operation force being applied to the key top. The control switch device, wherein the fulcrum member is separated from the key top or the wiring board with a gap by an elastic restoring force of the movable member.

7. The control switch device according to claim 6, wherein the fulcrum member is made of a material different from the key top.

7. The control switch device according to claim 6, wherein the fulcrum member is located on a center line of the key top, and penetrates the elastic movable body and is integrally fitted.

9. The fulcrum member is located on the center line of the key top and below the lower surface of the elastic movable body. 7. The control switch according to claim 6, wherein the control switch protrudes from the body and is integrally embedded in the movable body.

10. The control switch device according to claim 6, wherein the fulcrum member is located on a center line of the key top and is integrally attached to a lower surface of the flexible movable body.

1 1. A projection is formed on the lower surface of the key top that contacts the elastic movable body and has a smaller area than the lower conductive part of the elastic movable body and can contact the upper surface of the elastic movable body immediately above the conductive part. The control switch device according to claim 1, wherein the control switch device is provided.

12. On the lower surface of the key top that comes into contact with the elastic movable body, there is formed a projection that has a smaller area than the lower conductive part of the elastic movable body and can contact the upper surface of the elastic movable body immediately above the conductive part. 7. The control switch device according to claim 6, wherein:

13. The control switch device according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the flexible movable body that is in contact with the wiring board is formed so as to surround all of a plurality of pairs of electrical contact points on the wiring board.

14. The control switch device according to claim 6, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the elastic movable body in contact with the wiring board is formed so as to surround all of a plurality of pairs of electrical contact points on the wiring board.

15. The control according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral portion of each conductive portion of the elastic movable body in contact with the wiring board is formed so as to surround each of a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on the wiring board. Switch device.

16. The control according to claim 6, wherein an outer peripheral portion of each conductive portion of the elastic movable body that is in contact with the wiring board is formed so as to surround each of a plurality of pairs of electrical contacts on the wiring board. Switch device.

17. The control switch device according to claim 1, wherein the fulcrum member is made of a different material from the key top.