# US 2004/0069601 A1 · Multi-directional switching device capable of producing good feeling of click > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0069601 A1 - Document ID: US20040069601A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/085,643 - Filed: 2002-02-28 - Published: 2004-04-15 - Earliest claimed: 2001-03-05 - Assignees: Alps Electric Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Kazunori Gotoh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040069601A1 ## CPC - H01H 25/041: {having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls} - H01H 3/62: Lubricating means structurally associated with the switch (for lubricating contact-making surfaces H01H1/60) - G05G 2009/04766: {providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce} - H01H 2300/012: Application rear view mirror - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) ## Abstract A multi-directional switching device having: a case; a switch housed in the case; one operating member capable of inclining in multi-directions, for operating the switch by means of an inclining operation in each of the directions; a first rubber dome to be operated by means of an inclining operation of the operating member; and a second rubber dome arranged in the vicinity of the first rubber dome, wherein a movable distance of the second rubber dome by the inclining operation of the operating member is made longer than that of the first rubber dome. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-directional switching device comprising: a case; a plurality of switches housed within the case; one operating member supported by the case so as to be able to incline in multi-directions, the operating member to operate any of the switches by an inclining operation in respective directions; a plurality of first rubber domes, any two of which are to be operated by inclining operations of the operating member in the respective directions; and a plurality of second rubber domes arranged in a vicinity of each of the first rubber domes any of which is to be operated concurrently with any two of the first rubber domes, wherein the switching member is arranged such that during the inclining operation of the operating member, the first rubber domes and the second rubber domes buckle, whereby a feeling of click is produced in the operating member, and wherein a movable distance of the second rubber dome is longer than that of the first rubber dome. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rubber domes have a pressing portion and a cone to hold the pressing portion respectively, and wherein a distance between an underside of the pressing portion located within the cone of the second rubber dome and an underside of the cone of the second rubber dome is longer than a distance between an underside of the pressing portion located within the cone of the first rubber dome and an underside of the cone of the first rubber dome. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 2, wherein the operating member is inclinable in four directions of a cross shape, and has, midway in the cross-shaped inclining operation directions of the operating member, four of the first rubber domes arranged in the cross shape, and four of the second rubber domes arranged one each between each of the first rubber domes adjacent to each other, and wherein the first rubber dome and the second rubber dome are arranged at positions on the same circumference such that two of the first rubber domes and one of the second rubber domes are operated by an inclining operation of the operating member in one direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 2, wherein the operating member is inclinable in four directions of a cross shape, and has, midway in the cross-shaped inclining operation directions of the operating member, four of the first rubber domes arranged in the cross shape, and four of the second rubber domes arranged one each between each of the first rubber domes adjacent to each other, and wherein the four second rubber domes are arranged on a straight line on which the first rubber domes adjacent to each other are connected together such that two of the first rubber domes and one of the second rubber domes are operated by an inclining operation of the operating member in one direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 3, wherein each of the four second rubber domes is arranged at a position of a central part between each of the four first rubber domes. ### Claim 6 A multi-directional switching device comprising: a case; a switch housed within the case; one operating member inclinable in multi-directions to operate the switch by an inclining operation in each of the directions; and a rubber dome to be operated by the inclining operation of the operating member, wherein a seat member is disposed between the operating member and the rubber dome, and wherein during the inclining operation of the operating member, the seat member performs a sliding operation between: one of the operating member and the seat member nd between the rubber dome and the seat member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 6, wherein a surface of the seat member is roughened for preventing tight contact. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 7, wherein the seat member comprises a single sheet of material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 8, wherein the seat member is mounted onto the operating member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The multi-directional switching device according to claim 9, wherein the seat member mounted onto the operating member performs a sliding operation between the rubber dome and the seat member.