JP3033205B2 - Joystick device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joystick device suitable for use, for example, in operation of a car audio set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in-vehicle audio sets have been equipped with a CD (compact disk) player and the like in addition to a cassette deck and a tuner to provide multi-functions. The display window is filled with a number of operation keys. When operating this audio set, the operator performs operations while checking many keys on the operation panel at a glance, and uses various functions properly. Operating a predetermined key from among a large number of keys in this way is cumbersome and extremely difficult to operate with the driver's posture at the time of driving. There is something.

Conventional joystick devices generally include an operating rod supported on a bearing portion provided on a base body so as to be tiltable in a free direction, an operating member provided at one end of the operating rod, and an operating member. A plurality of switches disposed on the base side so as to surround the other end of the rod, and tilting the operation rod to press an arbitrary switch of the plurality of switches with the other end of the operation rod. Thus, the audio set can be operated.

[0004]

Such a conventional joystick device has a structure in which the operating rod comes to a neutral position, that is, a vertical standing position when not operated, but securely holds the operating rod in this neutral position. Therefore, when a large vibration is applied due to running of a car or the like, there is a possibility that the operating rod may be unexpectedly tilted and the switch may be operated without permission.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a point,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a joystick device having a structure in which an operating rod is securely held at a neutral position when not operated, and to solve the above problems.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operating rod supported on a bearing provided on a base so as to be tiltable in a free direction, and an operating rod provided at one end of the operating rod. And a plurality of switches arranged on the substrate side so as to surround the other end of the operating rod, and tilting the operating rod to change an arbitrary switch of the plurality of switches to the operating rod. In a joystick device which is operated to be pressed at its end, a spring interposed between a bearing portion and a predetermined portion of the operating rod, and which applies an elastic biasing force to the operating rod so as to always return to the neutral position, And a protrusion that is elastically biased so as to protrude from the other end of the operating rod by the force of the elastic body, and is provided on the base corresponding to the protrusion, and the operating rod is neutral. Elastic rod in position An engaging recess to be engaged, is made comprising a.

[0007]

According to the joystick device of the present invention, the operating rod is returned to the neutral position by the action of the spring when the joystick is not operated. In this neutral position, the projection elastically engages with the engaging recess. As a result, the operating rod is reliably held at that position, so that even when a large vibration is applied, the operating rod does not unexpectedly tilt and the switch is not operated.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a joystick type commander as an example of a joystick device according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates a commander as a whole, from which a connection code 2 is derived,
The connection cord 2 is connected to the in-vehicle audio set via a 3P mini-plug 3 at the end of the connection cord. Is being done.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a housing, which is a base of the commander 1, and an operation rod 5 projects vertically from an upper portion of the housing 4. Although the operating rod 5 is supported so as to be tiltable in a free direction with respect to the housing 5, in this embodiment, it is particularly in a cross direction (arrows a and b in FIG. 1 and c and d in FIG. 1).
(Direction), the switching operation is performed. When the operating rod 5 is not operated, the operating rod 5 is always kept in the neutral position, that is, the vertical standing position.

The operating rod 5 has a first rotary operating element 6 and a second rotary operating element 7 which are independently rotatable about their axes. The independent switching operation is performed by rotating the child 6 and the second rotary operation member 7 in the directions indicated by arrows e and f in FIG. 1, respectively. This first rotary operator 6
The second rotary operation element 7 is rotatable within a predetermined range in the direction of arrow e and the direction of arrow f, respectively, but is rotationally biased to always return to the neutral position when not operated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first rotary operator 6
Can be moved in the axial direction of the operating rod 5, that is, the switching operation can be performed by the operation of moving the first rotary operation element 6 in the direction of arrow g or h in FIG. I have. The first rotary operation element 6 can be moved by a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow g or h, but is always kept at the neutral position when not operated.

Further, in the commander 1 of this embodiment, an operation button 8 is provided on a lower side surface of the housing 4, and the operation button 8 allows the operation rod 5 and the first and second rotary operators 6, 7 to be connected to each other. A separate switching operation is performed.

In the commander 1 of the present embodiment described above, a large number of switching operations can be performed by operating the operating rod 5, the first and second rotary operators 6, 7 and the operating button 8.
Various controls of the audio set itself become possible. An example of the operation of the audio set body by the commander 1 will be described below.

The rotation operation of the first rotary operator 6 (arrow e)
Direction) “Volume control” ‥‥ Controls the volume (volume) of the audio set itself. For example, the first
When the rotary operation element 6 is rotated to the left, the volume increases, and when rotated to the right, the volume decreases. You can also control balance, fader, bass, treble, etc. by using the “select” operation described later. Rotational operation of the second rotary control 7 (in the direction of the arrow f) "AMS" or "seek" ‥‥ When playing the CD or cassette tape of the audio set body, the second rotary control 7
AMS (automatic selection) is performed by rotating, and a seek (automatic selection) is performed when a tuner is received. Pressing operation of the first rotary operator 6 in the axial direction (direction of arrow g) “Source select” ‥‥ Every time the first rotary operator 6 is pressed, the source is switched from CD to tuner to cassette tape. Tension operation of the first rotary operator 6 in the axial direction (direction of arrow h) “Source mode” ‥‥ When a plurality of CD autochangers are mounted, the changer 1 is pulled each time the first rotary operator 6 is pulled. It changes from changer 2 to changer 3, and in the case of a tuner, it changes from FM to AM to FM. Tilt operation of the operating rod 5 (directions of arrows a and b) "Disc change" or "preset station switching" ‥‥ In the case of CD, disc replacement is performed by tilting the operating rod 5, and in the case of a tuner, it is stored in memory in advance. The broadcast station is switched. Tilt operation of the operating rod 5 (in the direction of the arrow c) “Select” 度 Every time the operating rod 5 is tilted, the control target switches from balance → fader → bus → treble → volume, and the rotation operation of the first rotary operator 6 Respectively. Tilt operation of the operating rod 5 (direction of arrow d) In the case of “File” フ ァ イ ル CD, tilting the operating rod 5 causes CD
10 magazines in the autochanger
A list of names of the discs, and in the case of a tuner, a list of broadcast stations for 10 stations are displayed on the display unit. Pressing operation button 8 “OFF” ＯＦＦPressing the operation button 8 turns off the power of the audio set body. The SIRC assigned for each operation by the switching operation by the above operations (1) to (4)
The S code is output and sent to the audio set body,
On the audio set main body side, the microcomputer detects this code and performs various operations.

FIG. 2 shows an example of using the commander of this embodiment. That is, in this example, the commander 1 of this example is fixed to the steering column 42 in a substantially horizontal position behind the wiper lever 41 near the steering handle 40 of the vehicle. With such a mounting configuration,
The commander 1 can be operated with the same feeling as the operation of the wiper lever 41 even while driving a car.

Next, the internal structure of the commander 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the support structure of the operating rod 5 will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a shaft support serving as a central member of the operating rod 5, and the shaft support 10 has a spherical portion 11 formed in a part thereof. In the spherical portion 11, the shaft support 10 is supported by a bearing portion 13 of a lid 12 fitted and fixed to an upper opening of the housing 4 so as to be tiltable in a free direction.
In this embodiment, a pair of left and right pin-shaped projections 14 are provided on the spherical portion 11 so as to protrude, and the projections 14 are engaged with a long groove 15 formed in the bearing portion 13 in a vertical direction. Unnecessary shaft rotation of 10 is prevented.

A flanged collar 16 is fixed to the upper part of the shaft support 10, and a tapered coil spring 17 is compression-inserted between the collar 16 and the lid 12. The shaft support 10 is always provided with an elastic biasing force in a direction in which the operating rod 5 returns to the neutral position, that is, the vertical standing position. The mounting portion of the spring 17 is covered with a rubber cover 18.

On the upper part of the shaft support 10, that is, on the upper end of the operating rod 5, two shafts composed of an outer shaft 19 and an inner shaft 20 are supported. The outer shaft 19 is rotatably supported on the shaft support 10, while the inner shaft 20 is rotatable through the center of the outer shaft 19 and is slidable in the axial direction. It protrudes from the upper end surface of the outer shaft 19 by a predetermined length. The first rotary operator 6 is attached to the upper end of the inner shaft 20.
And the second rotary operation element 7 is fitted to the upper end of the outer shaft 19.

The outer shaft 19 and the inner shaft 20 are connected to the shaft support 1.
The switch unit 21 is directly connected to a switch unit 21 attached to a lower portion of the switch unit 0, and performs a switching operation by operating the first and second rotary operators 6 and 7 in the switch unit 21. That is, the switch unit 21 includes two switches which are respectively operated by the left and right rotations of the outer shaft 19, two switches which are respectively operated by the left and right rotations of the inner shaft 20, and the inner shaft 20. And two switches which are operated by sliding in the axial direction, ie, upward and downward, respectively.
Return mechanism to the neutral position in the rotation direction of the shaft and inner shaft 2
A mechanism for returning to the neutral position in the sliding direction of 0 is also configured in the switch unit 21.

Further, a cylindrical member 22 is fixed to the lower surface of the switch unit 21, ie, the lower end of the operating rod 5, and a rubber ring 23 is fitted to a lower peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 22. The operating rod 5 is held in the neutral position in the cylindrical member 22 as described later, and the operating rod 5
A protrusion 24 is provided as a member for improving the operational feeling of the user. The projection 24 has a tapered shape, and the distal end surface is formed in a spherical shape. The spherical surface of the distal end is always formed by the force of the coil spring 25 which is an elastic body inserted into the cylindrical member 22. 22 is elastically biased in a direction protruding from the lower end opening.

On the other hand, a board unit 26 is disposed and fixed to the bottom of the housing 4 correspondingly. The board unit 26 includes a lower board 27 and an upper board 28, and stopper pins 29 which connect the upper and lower boards 27 and 28 and regulate the inclination of the operating rod 5 as described later. Switches 30, 31, 32, and 33 are arranged and fixed so as to surround the rubber ring 23 in the upper four directions. The stopper pin 29 is connected to these switches 3
Four of them are located between 0, 31, 32, and 33 at positions corresponding to the corners of the square.

An inclined concave surface 34 is formed at the center of the upper substrate 28 so as to face the projection 24, and a spherical recess at the center thereof is an engagement concave corresponding to the spherical surface at the tip of the projection 24. When the operating rod 5 is in the neutral position, the spherical surface of the tip of the projection 24 is elastically engaged with the spherical concave portion 35, whereby the operating rod 5 is securely fixed at that position. It is structured to be held in.

By tilting the operating rod 5 in one direction from the neutral position, the rubber ring 23 hits one of the switches 30, 31, 32, 33 (the switch 33 in the example of FIG. 4) and presses it. Thus, switching is performed. The unnecessary inclination of the operating rod 5 is prevented by the rubber ring 23 being brought into contact with the stopper pin 24.

In the commerder 1 of this embodiment, a comfortable operation feeling can be obtained in the tilting operation of the operation rod 5 described above. That is, when the operating rod 5 is tilted, the protrusion 24 engaged with the spherical concave portion 35 in the neutral state as shown in FIG.
5 (B in the same figure) and then slides along the inclined concave surface 34 (C in the same figure). The switch requires a maximum operating force in the initial stage, and then the switch is pressed naturally without requiring a large force. This operation provides the operator with an appropriate click feeling and a reliable operation feeling, and thus allows the operation lever 5 to be tilted with a comfortable operation feeling. When the tilting operation is stopped and the operating rod 5 is released, the operating rod 5
As a result, the protrusion 24 slides down the inclined concave surface 34 by the elastic force of the spring 25, thereby reliably returning to the neutral position, that is, the vertical standing position.

In the commander 1 of this embodiment, a switch 36 is disposed and fixed on the upper substrate 28 so as to correspond to the inside of the operation button 8, that is, the switch 36 is operated by pressing the operation button 8. It is configured as follows.

As described above, in the commander 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of tilting the operating rod 5 (joystick type operation).
Rotation operation of the first and second rotary operators 6 and 7,
A number of switching operations can be performed by the axial movement operation of the first rotary operation member 6 and the pressing operation of the operation button 8, and the audio set body can be controlled.
And by using such a commander, although it is a little difficult to use until you remember how to operate,
Once memorized, it becomes possible to control the audio set body exactly by completely so-called blind operation. Therefore, unlike the conventional key operation, the operation is not troublesome, and the operation can be performed without changing the posture even during driving of the car, so that the safety is remarkably improved. In particular, in the commander 1 of this embodiment, the operating rod 5
Is securely held at the neutral position, so that it does not inadvertently tilt even when large vibrations are applied, and a comfortable operation feeling can be obtained when the operating rod 5 is tilted.
This is particularly effective for operation while driving a car.

In this embodiment, the case where the joystick device according to the present invention is applied particularly to a commander used for controlling an in-vehicle audio set has been described. Of course, it can be widely used for controlling general audio sets and other various electronic devices.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, in the joystick device of the present invention, the operating rod is securely held at the neutral position when not operated, so that the operating rod may unexpectedly tilt even when a large vibration is applied. A switch is not operated, and a highly reliable joystick device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a joystick commander which is an example of a joystick device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage example of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same angle different from FIG.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the main part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 commander (joystick device) 4 housing (base) 5 operating rod 6 first rotary operator 7 second rotary operator 17 spring 24 protrusion 34 inclined concave surface 35 spherical concave portion (engaging concave portion)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An operating rod supported on a bearing portion provided on a base body so as to be tiltable in a free direction, an operating element provided at one end of the operating rod, and a second end of the operating rod. A joystick device, comprising: a plurality of switches disposed on the base side; and tilting the operation rod to press any switch of the plurality of switches with the other end of the operation rod. Interposed between the bearing portion and a predetermined portion of the operating rod,
A spring for constantly applying an elastic biasing force in a direction of returning to the neutral position to the operating rod; and a spring provided at the other end of the operating rod so as to protrude from the other end of the operating rod by a force of an elastic body. An elastically biased projection, and an engaging recess provided on the base corresponding to the projection and elastically engaged with the projection when the operating rod is in the neutral position. Joystick device. 2. The joystick device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement concave portion is provided at a center of an inclined concave surface formed on the base side opposite to the projection.