Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Corporation

Keiji Kaizaki

Tamotsu Yamamoto

Hiroshi Matsui

Hiroto Inoue

Masaki Sawada

Hiroyasu Okada

Yukihiro Ishihara

Shigeru Yokoji

Koji Tamano

A multidirectional input device includes ring-shaped resistance element layer, first conductive layerand second conductive layershaping in arcs corresponding to resistance element layer, and knobhaving ring-shaped protruded sectionD. Resistance element layerhas at least a pair of electrodes and is formed on flexible insulating substrate. Protruded sectionD brings resistance element layerinto contact with first conductive layeror second conductive layerwhen the knob is tilted. When a given voltage is applied to the electrodes and the knob is tilted, resistance element layercomes in contact with first conductive layeror second conductive layer, so that an output signal of a high resolution concerning a tilt angle can be obtained. The output signal is supplied to a microprocessor and calculated, then an angle or a direction is detected and recognized.

Multidirectional input device and electronic apparatus comprising it

An electronic apparatus disclosed facilitates the replacement of an input device. In the electronic apparatus equipped with the input device allowing various input operations, the input device including first signal generators is positioned by being placed in an opening of a housing from the outside. A cover can be detached from the housing and fixes the input device when installed in the opening of the housing. Second signal generators are provided inside the housing and function in combination with the respective first signal generators. Just mounting the cover to the housing fixes the input device. This facilitates the replacement of the input device, eliminating the need to open the housing and to remove a wiring board mounted with the second signal generators in replacement of the input device.

Electronic apparatus

A multidirectional input device includes ring-shaped resistance element layer , first conductive layer and second conductive layer shaping in arcs corresponding to resistance element layer , and knob having ring-shaped protruded section D. Resistance element layer has at least a pair of electrodes and is formed on flexible insulating substrate . Protruded section D brings resistance element layer into contact with first conductive layer or second conductive layer when the knob is tilted. When a given voltage is applied to the electrodes and the knob is tilted, resistance element layer comes in contact with first conductive layer or second conductive layer , so that an output signal of a high resolution concerning a tilt angle can be obtained. The output signal is supplied to a microprocessor and calculated, then an angle or a direction is detected and recognized.

An operation type electronic component which is used for a remote controller of various electronic equipment and portable electronic equipment and is equipped with a push switch driven by the rotating and push operation of an operation knob. The component can be reduced in size and grounded by a simple construction and can be grounded by merely fitting. A dome-like movable contact (,E) is put on fixed contacts (,A,,B) disposed on a fitting substrate (,) to form a switch unit (,). An L-shaped actuator is interposed between this switch unit (,) and a driving body (,) so that the driving body (,) returns to the original state after the push operation of an operation knob (,) by the elastic operation force of the dome-like movable contact point (,E)of the switch unit (,). Further, a metal plate (,) equipped integrally with a live current portion (,) and a conductor of an earth portion (,) is fixed by insert-molding to the resin fitting substrate (,) and is electrically isolated so as to interpose a lightning conductor portion (,A) of the earth portion (,) between the live current portion (,) and the operation knob (,). According to this constitution, the number of constituent components can be reduced, the overall size can be reduced, too, and static electricity occurring in the operation knob (,) can be always conducted to the earth.

Electronic component with built-in push switch driven by rotary and pushing operation of an operating knob

A multidirectional switch, which performs a tilting operation in multiple directions generating a signal by tilting the shaft portion of the operating member, includes: a dome-shaped movable contact made of a resilient thin metal plate; a box-shaped case; a cover including a through hole at a center thereof, the cover covers an upper opening of the case; and a flange portion integrally formed at a lower end of the shaft portion of the operating member. The case includes, on a bottom surface thereof: an outer fixed contact on which an outer peripheral lower end portion of the dome-shaped movable contact is placed; and a plurality of inner fixed contacts provided inside positions corresponding to the outer peripheral lower end portion of the dome-shaped movable contact so as to be equiangular and equidistant from a center of the dome-shaped movable contact. In the operating member, the shaft portion extends upwards out of the through hole of the cover, an upper surface of the flange portion is in contact with an inner surface of the cover, a periphery of the operating member is fitted and supported by an inner wall of the case so that the operating member is not rotatable but is tiltable and movable vertically, first pressing portions are provided respectively at positions on a lower surface of the operating member corresponding to the plurality of inner fixed contacts, and the plurality of first pressing portions are in contact with the dome-shaped movable contact.

Multidirectional operating switch and multidirectional operating

A rotatively-operated electronic component with a push switch includes a rotatable operation knob. A rotary contact plate is connected to the operation knob for motion together with the operation knob. Resilient contact arms provided on an attachment base plate touch the rotary contact plate. The resilient contact arms and the contact plate cooperate to generate an electric signal in response to rotation of the operation knob. A drive member connected to the attachment base plate rotatably supports the rotary contact plate. The drive member is swingable relative to the attachment base plate. The drive member is allowed to swing relative to the attachment base plate by application of a force to the operation knob. A push switch portion is supported on the attachment base plate. The push switch portion is actuated in response to swing of the drive member relative to the attachment base plate by the application of the force to the operation knob.

Rotatively-operated electronic component with push switch

A multiple switch device comprises a base having at least two switch units and supports with pawls placed on the tips of the pawls, a push button having at least two push members and supports with pawls placed on the tips of the pawls, and a spring for returning the push button to its original position. The base and the push button are assembled together through a coupling between the pawls of the supports of the base and the pawls of the supports of the push button. The push button moves in a seesaw-like motion, the fulcrum of which is derived by the two adjacent supports. The push members and the supports are arranged so that the fulcrum position is situated in the same or inside position of the push members.

Growing community of inventors

Osaka, Japan

Keiji Kaizaki