JP2000042251A - Shaking device and operation device with vibrating function for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shaking device and an operation device with vibrating function for a game machine using the shaking device which has a simple, lightweight construction and can be efficiently manufactured and in which a real vibration can be generated according to the game contents of a television game machine or the like. SOLUTION: A nearly spherical weight 5 is attached to a rotating axis 3 of a small motor 2 through a coil spring 4 being a spring. If the motor 2 is driven, the weight 5 is swayed outward by the centrifugal forces generated by the revolution of the axis 3, whereby vibrations are generated. And since the operation device having vibration functions generated by a shaking device is provided, vibrations or impacts can be obtained according to the progress of the program of the game machine so that a colorful ambiance can be provided, and moreover the weight of a controller or the like can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibrating device and an operating device for a game machine having a vibrating function using the vibrating device.
In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for simplifying the structure of a vibration device and improving a vibration effect in a game machine operation device with a vibration function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, so-called video game machines utilizing a display screen of a television using a computer have become widespread. In connection with this phenomenon, various main units, peripheral devices, and game software have been developed. ing. by the way,
Among various types of game software, a shooting game and an action game require a sense of reality accompanying the game, and various ideas have been devised to produce the sense of presence. In order to produce such a sense of realism, a vibrating device is built in an operation part of an operation device called a controller of a video game machine to serve as a bodily sensation controller. There is known a technique for transmitting vibrations according to the conditions.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-741 discloses a television game machine in which an operation terminal inputs an on / off operation of a switch provided in an operation terminal such as a controller to the game machine body as an operation signal. A driven component, and an operation terminal drive unit that receives a signal corresponding to the game content from the main body and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the input signal, and the driven component is eccentric to its rotary drive shaft. A motor with a flywheel attached, a means for increasing the eccentricity by moving the center of gravity by increasing the centrifugal force accompanying an increase in the motor rotation speed and providing a signal from the main body according to the game content is input to the flywheel. Operating the motor so that the operating terminal drive unit rotates at a rotation speed corresponding to the magnitude of the input signal, thereby operating the operator's body such as a hand. Technology for transmitting the vibration corresponding to the game content is disclosed in position.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a fan-shaped weight 23 is simply provided on the rotary drive shaft 22 of the motor 21 at a position eccentric with respect to the axis center, and when the motor 21 is driven, the rotary drive shaft 22 rotates. The weight 23 is swung by centrifugal force to generate vibration, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-224.
As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0, a solenoid device having a movable iron core for moving an impact body is provided, and electric energy is instantaneously applied to the solenoid device to move the impact body instantaneously. Devices are known.

[0005]

However, such a conventional vibrating device has the following problems. That is, in a configuration in which the driven component is a motor having an eccentric flywheel attached to its axis, and the center of gravity is moved by increasing the centrifugal force associated with an increase in the motor rotation speed on the flywheel to increase the eccentricity, the structure is Since it is complicated, it is inferior in manufacturability. In addition, since heavy components such as a relatively large motor and a relatively large large flywheel are used, the weight of a controller or the like incorporating the components is increased.

Further, a fan-shaped weight 23 is provided on the rotary drive shaft 22 of the motor 21 at a position eccentric to the center of the shaft.
When the weight 23 is swung by centrifugal force by the rotation of the rotary drive shaft 22 at the time of driving 1 to generate vibration, it is necessary to use a relatively large motor 21 and a relatively heavy weight 23. With such a relatively heavy weight 23, fine vibrations cannot be generated, and more realistic vibrations according to the game content cannot be given.

Further, in a construction in which a solenoid device having a movable iron core for moving the impact body is provided, and electric energy is instantaneously applied to the solenoid device to move the impact body instantaneously, Since it moves instantaneously, it is not suitable for applying vibration according to the game content in the video game machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can achieve simplification of the configuration, improvement of manufacturability and weight reduction, and realization corresponding to the game contents in a video game machine or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vibrating device that is effective for imparting an appropriate vibration and an operating device for a game machine with a vibrating function using the vibrating device.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration generating device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a weight is attached to a rotation driving shaft of a motor via a spring, and the rotation of the rotation driving shaft when the motor is driven. A vibrating device wherein the weight is swung outward by centrifugal force to generate vibration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the spring is a coil spring, one end of which is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drive shaft of the motor, and the other end of which is substantially perpendicular to the rotary drive shaft of the motor. A weight is fixedly attached to the tip of the spring-forming wire protruding from the wire.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the coil winding direction of the coil spring is set to the rotation direction of the rotation drive shaft of the motor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vibration generating device has a substantially rectangular annular shape in which one end in the longitudinal direction is divided.
The other end portion is bent at a substantially right angle, and a substantially L-shaped linear spring member formed so that the lengths of both divided portions of the one end portion are different is provided, and one end portion of the linear spring member is provided. Both divided portions were rotatably inserted into and supported by supporting holes formed at different axial length positions on the base side of the rotational drive shaft of the motor in the direction perpendicular to the axis, respectively, and were connected to a substantially annular shape at the other end. While the tip of the rotary drive shaft of the motor is inserted inside the portion, the weight is fixedly attached to the tip of both sides of the linear spring member along the rotary drive shaft of the motor. The rotation of the drive shaft causes the weight to swing outward by centrifugal force via a linear spring member to generate vibration.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that a rod member is fixedly mounted on the rotary drive shaft of the motor, and a linear spring member is mounted on the rod member.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the weight is caulked to the coil spring or the linear spring member and fixedly attached.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating device with a vibration function for a game machine, wherein the vibrating device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is incorporated in an operating terminal. .

The operation of the present invention will be described. In the invention according to claim 1, when the motor is driven, the weight is swung outward by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotary drive shaft, thereby generating vibration. In this case, the vibration is generated by swinging the weight through the spring, so that the vibration can be sufficiently generated even with a relatively small weight.
That is, fine vibration occurs. When the rotation operation of the motor is stopped, the spring returns to the current position by the return spring force.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a coil spring is adopted as the spring, and the coil spring is fitted to and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drive shaft of the motor. The mounting can be easily performed, and the weight can be easily fixed and mounted using the spring forming wire.

In the invention according to claim 3, the coil winding direction of the coil spring is set to the rotation direction of the rotation drive shaft of the motor, so that the coil portion of the coil spring is reduced in diameter when the motor is driven to rotate. And the fitted state between the coil spring and the rotary drive shaft of the motor can be maintained without loosening.

In the invention according to claim 4, when the motor is driven, the weight is swung outward by a centrifugal force via a linear spring member by the rotation of the rotary drive shaft,
As a result, vibration occurs. At this time, the movement of the linear spring member is restricted by locking the inside of the substantially annular portion at the other end of the linear spring member to the tip of the stainless steel rod of the rotary drive shaft of the motor.

Further, when the rotation of the motor is stopped, the linear spring member is moved to the current position, that is, the position along the stainless steel rod of the rotary drive shaft of the motor by the return spring force. Return.

As described above, since the vibration is generated by swinging the weight through the linear spring member, even in this embodiment, the vibration can be sufficiently generated even with a relatively small weight. Vibration with small amplitude, that is, fine vibration occurs. The form of vibration can be changed by adjusting the number of weights fixedly attached to the distal end sides of both sides of the linear spring member,
Various vibration characteristics can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a rod member is fixedly attached to the rotation drive shaft of the motor, and a linear spring member is attached to the rod member, so that the rotation drive shaft itself of the motor has a special structure. Therefore, there is no need to perform a process for attaching the linear spring member.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the weight can be easily fixed to the tip of the spring-forming wire of the coil spring or the linear spring member by caulking.

In the operation device with the vibration function of the game machine according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a variety of realistic feelings of vibration and shock according to the progress of the program of the video game machine and the situation of the scene. In addition, the weight of the operation terminal such as a controller can be reduced.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an exciter according to the present invention. Exciter 1 of this embodiment
Has a configuration in which a substantially spherical weight 5 is attached to a rotary drive shaft 3 of a small motor 2 via a coil spring 4 as a spring.

One end of the coil spring 4 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drive shaft 3 of the motor 2, and the tip of a spring forming wire 6 protruding from the other end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotary drive shaft 3. The weight is fixedly attached to the part. In this case, the coil winding direction of the coil spring 4 is
Is set in the rotation direction of the rotary drive shaft 3. In addition, weight 5
Is caulked to the tip of the spring forming wire 6 and fixedly attached.

In the vibrating device 1 having such a configuration, when the motor 2 is driven, the weight 5 is swung outward by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotary drive shaft 3, thereby generating vibration. In this case, the weight 5 is passed through the coil spring 4.
The vibration is generated by oscillating, so that a relatively small weight 5 can sufficiently generate vibration, and the small weight 5
Causes small amplitude vibrations, that is, minute vibrations.

When the rotation of the motor 2 is stopped, the coil spring 4 returns to the current position by the return spring force. According to this embodiment, by setting the coil winding direction of the coil spring 4 to the rotation direction of the rotary drive shaft of the motor 2, the diameter of the coil portion of the coil spring 4 decreases when the motor 2 is driven to rotate. And the fitted state between the coil spring 4 and the rotary drive shaft 3 of the motor 2 can be maintained without loosening.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a second embodiment. The vibrating device 7 of this embodiment includes a motor 8, a stainless steel bar 9 as a bar member, a linear spring member 10, and a weight 11. The linear spring member 10
Is formed so as to have a substantially rectangular annular shape in which one end portion in the longitudinal direction is divided, the other end portion is bent at a substantially right angle, and the lengths of both divided portions 10A and 10B of the one end portion are different. It is formed in a substantially L-shape.

The two divided portions 10A and 10B at one end of the linear spring member 10 are located at different axial length positions on the base side of the stainless steel rod 9 fitted and fixed to the rotary drive shaft 12 of the motor 8. Each of the support holes 9A and 9B formed in the direction perpendicular to the axis is rotatably inserted and supported, and the tip of the stainless steel rod 9 is inserted into the substantially annular portion 10C at the other end.

As described above, the lengths of the two divided portions 10A and 10B at one end of the linear spring member 10 are made different to form the support holes 9A and 9B at different axial length positions on the base side of the stainless steel rod 9. By virtue of the rotatably inserted and supported configuration, the linear spring member 10 is provided with a return spring force that always directs both sides of the linear spring member 10 to a position close to the stainless steel rod 9.

Weights 11 are fixedly attached to the distal ends of both sides of the linear spring member 10, respectively. in this case,
The weight 11 is formed in a substantially spherical shape, and a plurality of (for example, two) weights are provided on each of the both side portions of the linear spring member 10.
It is caulked and fixedly attached.

In the vibrating device 7 having such a structure, when the motor 8 is driven, the rotating drive shaft 12, that is, the rotation of the stainless steel bar 9 causes the weight 11 to move outward by the centrifugal force via the linear spring member 10. It is swung, which causes vibration. At this time, the linear spring member 10 is moved by the substantially annular portion 10 at the other end of the linear spring member 10.
The inside of C is regulated by being locked to the tip of the stainless steel bar 9.

As described above, since the weight 11 is swung through the linear spring member 10 to generate vibration, also in this embodiment, the vibration can be sufficiently generated with the relatively small weight 11, and the small weight can be generated. With the use of 11, vibration having small amplitude, that is, fine vibration is generated.
When the rotation of the motor 8 is stopped, the linear spring member 10 returns to its current position, that is, a position close to the stainless steel rod 9 of the motor 8 by the return spring force.

According to this embodiment, the stainless steel rod 9 is fixedly mounted on the rotary drive shaft 12 of the motor 8 and the linear spring member 10 is mounted on the stainless steel rod 9, so that the rotary drive shaft 12 of the motor 8 itself is formed. It is not necessary to make a special structure or to perform processing for attaching the linear spring member 10.

The linear spring member 10 may be directly attached to the rotary drive shaft 12 of the motor 8.
Further, according to this embodiment, the linear spring member 1
By adjusting the number of weights 11 fixedly attached to the tip sides of both side portions of 0, the form of vibration can be changed,
Various vibration characteristics can be obtained.

Further, according to the above two embodiments,
Since the weights 5 and 11 are fixed to the distal end of the spring-forming wire 6 of the coil spring 4 or the linear spring member 10 by caulking, the weights 5 and 11 are fixed.
There is also an advantage that it is excellent in mounting property.

In each of the above-described embodiments, if the drive current to the motors 2 and 8 is adjusted by the control circuit,
The number of rotations of the motors 2 and 8 can be varied, and the degree of vibration of the weights 5 and 11 can be changed to change the vibration state.

Next, an embodiment of a game machine operation device with a vibration function using the vibration device having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a game machine employing the vibration generating device of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an outer shape of a controller as an operation terminal of the game machine and a partial internal structure. It is a top view of a part fracture.

In FIG. 5, a controller 14 is connected to a main body 13 of a game machine having a built-in computer, and an input signal is input to the main body 13 as an operator operates the controller 14. Further, a CRT 15 and its driving unit 16, and a speaker 17 and its driving unit 18 are provided.

Further, the controller 14 includes the main body 13
When a controller drive signal is transmitted from the controller 14, a controller drive unit 20 that operates a vibration generating device 19 that vibrates the casing itself of the operation unit of the controller 14 is provided.

Here, in FIG.
Are provided with two operation units 14A and 14B, and the vibration generating device 1 of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 includes the casing 14a of the other operation unit 14A in a casing 14b of one operation unit 14B. A vibration generating device 7 according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is provided therein, and vibrations having different characteristics are applied to each of the operation units 14A and 14B.

In this configuration, the operator plays a game, the main body 13 operates according to the program, and the operator watches the image displayed on the CRT 15 and listens to the sound output from the speaker 17 while playing the controller 14. An input signal is input to the main body 13 in accordance with operation of a push button or the like as an operation member of a switch provided in the main body.
3 is a driving unit 1 of each of the CRT 15 and the speaker 17
6 and 18 are driven to output an image to the CRT 15 and an audio signal to the speaker 18.

Here, a signal is sent from the main body 13 to the controller driving section 20 in a form in accordance with the progress of the program. For example, if the game is like a car race, the main body 13 sends a signal corresponding to the rotation to the controller driving unit so that the vibration corresponding to the rotation of the engine or the road surface can be felt by the steering wheel of the vehicle. 20
To control the control circuit of the motor of the vibrating device 19.

Thus, as described above, the vibration generator 1
Then, when the motor 2 is driven, the rotating operation causes the weight 5 to be swung outward by the centrifugal force via the coil spring 4 to generate vibration. In the vibrating device 7, when the motor 8 is driven, the rotating operation is performed. As a result, the weight 11 is swung outward by the centrifugal force via the linear spring member 10 to generate vibration, and the operation units 14B and 14A of the controller 14 are generated.
Is given vibration.

Therefore, the operation unit 14 of the controller 14
A and 14B vibrate as a whole, and the vibration is felt by the operator's finger or hand, and the user can feel the realism of the vehicle operation. In accordance with the content of the game, the controller drive unit 21 adjusts the drive current to the motors 2 and 8 by the control circuit of the motors 2 and 8 according to the signal output from the main body 13, and The rotation speed is changed, and the vibration of the entire operation units 14A and 14B provided in the controller 14, that is, the vibration state transmitted to the operator's finger or hand is changed.

The motors 2 and 8 may be driven in accordance with the audio signal to generate vibrations. The control circuit for the motors 2 and 8 may control the motors 2 and 8 according to the audio level. May be adjusted to vary the number of rotations of the motors 2 and 8.

According to the vibrating devices 1 and 7 having such a configuration, only the coil spring 4 or the linear spring member 10 to which the motors 2 and 8 and the weights 5 and 11 are fixedly mounted need to be provided. Since it is simple and uses relatively lightweight components such as the relatively small weights 5 and 11 and the coil spring 4 or the linear spring member 10, the weight of the controller 14 incorporating the components can be reduced.

Also, since the mechanism imparts vibration by small movement of the small weights 5 and 11 via the coil spring 4 or the linear spring member 10, vibration with small amplitude, that is, fine vibration can be generated. More realistic vibrations according to the game content can be given.

Further, according to the operating device for a game machine with a vibration function using the vibration generating device having such a configuration, the vibration and shock according to the progress of the program of the video game machine and the situation of the scene can be realized in various real-world situations. As a result, the weight of the controller 14 such as the controller can be reduced.

[0051]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the weight is attached to the rotary drive shaft of the motor via the spring, and the weight is centrifuged by the rotation of the rotary drive shaft when the motor is driven. Because it is configured to generate vibration by swinging outward with force, it is possible to simplify the configuration, improve manufacturability, and reduce weight, for example, the progress of the program of the video game machine, vibration and The impact can be obtained with a variety of realistic sensations.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a coil spring is employed as the spring, and the coil spring is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drive shaft of the motor. The weight can be easily mounted, and the weight can be easily fixed and mounted using the spring forming wire, so that the manufacturability can be further improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by setting the coil winding direction of the coil spring to the rotation direction of the rotary drive shaft of the motor, the fitting state between the coil spring and the rotary drive shaft of the motor can be changed. The coil spring can be maintained without loosening, and the coil spring can be prevented from falling off.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the structure can be simplified, the manufacturability can be improved, and the weight can be reduced. A variety of realistic feelings can be obtained. In particular, the number of weights to be attached can be adjusted, and the adjustment of the vibration characteristics can be easily performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the rod is fixedly mounted on the rotary drive shaft of the motor, and the linear spring member is mounted on the rod, so that the rotary drive itself of the motor has a special structure. There is no need to perform a process for mounting the linear spring member, and an existing motor can be used, which is advantageous in cost.

According to the invention of claim 6, the weight can be easily fixed to the distal end portion of the spring forming wire of the coil spring or the linear spring member by caulking,
Excellent weight attachment.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the vibrating device is built in the operation terminal, so that the progress of the program of the game machine and the vibrations and shocks according to the situation of the scene can be varied and realistic. It can be obtained with a feeling, and the weight of the controller and the like can be reduced.

[0058]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vibration generator according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a second embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a linear spring member according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a game machine employing the vibration generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a controller as an operation terminal of the game machine, in which (A) is a plan view showing an outer shape;
(B) is a partially broken plan view showing a partial internal structure.

7A and 7B are views showing an example of a conventional vibration device, wherein FIG. 7A is a side view, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exciter 2 Motor 3 Rotation drive shaft 4 Coil spring 5 Weight 6 Spring forming wire 7 Exciter 8 Motor 9 Stainless steel rod 10 Linear spring member 11 Weight 12 Rotation drive shaft 14 Controller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 BC00 BC10 BD00 BD07 CA00 CA09 3J070 AA07 BA11 CA42 CC04 CC71 CE01 DA61

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A weight is attached to a rotary drive shaft of a motor via a spring, and by rotating the rotary drive shaft when the motor is driven, the weight is swung outward by centrifugal force to generate vibration. An excitation device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The spring according to claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil spring, one end of which is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drive shaft of the motor, and which extends from the other end in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotary drive shaft of the motor. 2. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein a weight is fixedly attached to a tip of the forming wire. 3. The vibration generating device according to claim 2, wherein a coil winding direction of the coil spring is set to a rotation direction of a rotation drive shaft of the motor. 4. A substantially rectangular ring having one end portion in the longitudinal direction divided, and the other end portion is bent at a substantially right angle, and formed so that the lengths of both divided portions of the one end portion are different. A linear spring member having a substantially L-shape is provided, and both divided portions at one end of the linear spring member are formed at different axial length positions on the base side of the rotation drive shaft of the motor, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the axis. The rotation drive shaft of the linear spring member is rotatably driven by inserting the distal end of the rotation drive shaft of the motor inside the substantially annularly connected portion of the other end portion while rotatably inserting and supporting the support hole in the support hole. Weights are fixedly attached to the front ends of both side portions along the axis, and the rotation of the rotary drive shaft at the time of driving the motor causes the weight to swing outward by centrifugal force via a linear spring member to generate vibration. That the configuration Characteristic exciter. 5. The vibration generating device according to claim 4, wherein a rod member is fixedly attached to the rotary drive shaft of the motor, and a linear spring member is attached to the rod member. 6. The vibration generator according to claim 1, wherein the weight is caulked and fixedly attached to the coil spring or the linear spring member. 7. An operation device with a vibration function for a game machine, wherein the vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is incorporated in an operation terminal.