JPH02222019A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an input device with two variables having the dust and waterproof properties by preparing plural pressure sensors to detect the pressure generated on a plate and the tilting direction of the plate and a button to control the tilting state of the plate over a waterproof sheet via the magnetic connection. CONSTITUTION:When a button 1 is put close to a plate 3 over a waterproof sheet 2, the button 1 is magnetically attracted to the plate 3. Both the button 1 and the plate 3 are lightly attracted to a bottom plate 6 by the repulsive force of an elastic matter 7 when the button 1 is not operated. Thus the button 1 is set opposite to the plate 3 centering on a spacer 3-3 on a surface which is parallel to the plate 6. When one both sides of the peripheral part of the button 1 is pushed to the plate 6, the plate 3 tilts to the pressed side with the outer diameter part of the spacer 3-3 used as a fulcrum. Thus the pressure sensors 4 are pushed via an elastic matters 4-2 and the resistance value of each sensor 4 is reduced down to the value corresponding to the pressure. Thus the pushed position of the button 1, i.e., the pressing direction of the button 1 set arround a support rod 3-2 can be known by comparing the resistance values of both sensors 4 with each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Technical Field) This invention relates to relative coordinates (for example, the direction of movement and movement when moving a cursor or pointer on a display screen) which can also be used for applications that require dustproof and waterproof properties. The present invention relates to an input device for inputting the size of the object.

(Prior Art) There are many types of conventional human-powered devices for inputting relative coordinates, such as joysticks, trunk balls, mice, cursor keys, and digitizers, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. For example, the cursor or pointer on the display screen can be moved quickly or slowly at any speed, the operability is such that there is little fatigue even when used for a long time, the size and thickness of the shape, and the space required for operation. Since each input device has different characteristics such as size, resolution and accuracy, and whether or not it is dustproof and waterproof, an input device that suits the purpose of use is selected and used.

Input devices suitable for applications that require dustproof and waterproof properties include joysticks, cursor keys, and digitizers.

Joysticks are large in size, and the panel on which they are attached is thick both inside and outside, so in order to make them waterproof, a thick rubber barrier must be installed on the outside of the panel.

Many cursor keys are thin, and they can easily be made waterproof like membrane switches, but it is difficult to move a cursor etc. in any direction at any speed. Since digitizers also have flat surfaces, it is easy to make them waterproof, but they have drawbacks such as their large size, requiring a large space to operate, and being expensive.

On the other hand, trackballs and mice are suitable for applications where you want to move a cursor or pointer in any direction at a free speed, but since the rotating mechanism cannot be sealed, they must be dustproof and waterproof. It is not possible. Additionally, trackballs are cubic and large, and mice require a large space to operate.

As described above, there has been no coordinate input device that can be used in applications requiring dustproof and waterproof properties that is thin, easy to operate, and requires a small space for operation.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention is an input device that can input two variables at the same time for use in applications requiring dustproof and waterproof properties, and is easy to operate, thin, and requires a small space for operation. The aim is to provide products at low prices. The main application is as a relative coordinate input device for moving a cursor or pointer on a display screen in any direction at any speed.

(Constitution and operation of the invention) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the broken line portion in FIG. 2, and shows an example of a pressure sensor.

Reference numeral 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a plate, and a support rod 3-2 is provided at the center of the plate. Plate 3 connects support rod 3-2 to bottom plate 6
Although it is supported by the bottom plate 6 by passing through the hole, it is not fixed, and can be freely moved in any direction around the support rod 3-2. A spacer 3-3 is provided between the plate 3 and the bottom plate 6 to restrict the movement of the support rod 3-2 so that the plate 3 and the bottom plate 6 do not come too close together. After the support rods 3 to 2 pass through the holes in the bottom plate 6, the elastic body 7 and the washer 8 on the back side of the bottom plate 6, a retainer 9 is fitted to restrict excessive movement of the plate 3. The elastic body 7 is made of rubber, a spring, or the like, and functions to always draw the plate 3 toward the bottom plate 6. A pressure sensor 4 is installed around the hole in the bottom plate 6.
There is a recess to accommodate the. The size of the depression is larger than that of board 3. A plurality of pressure sensors 4 are housed in the recesses of the bottom plate 6 together with a printed wiring board 5. Above the pressure sensor 4 is an elastic body 4-2. Pressure sensor 4 is supported by support rod 3-2
There are two pressure sensors at symmetrical positions with respect to the support rod 3-2 as the center, and there are also two pressure sensors at positions symmetrical with the gland perpendicular to this diagonal line as the center as described above. These four pressure sensors are arranged in the front, back, left and right directions when the plate 3 is operated.

The output of the pressure sensor 4 can be taken out from the end of the printed wiring board 5.

There is a waterproof sheet 2 on the board 3, and a ring 2-2 for determining the position of the button 1 is provided at the part where the waterproof sheet 2 contacts the board 3.
There is. This ring 2-2 is made by bending the waterproof sheet 2 into a corrugated shape, and also serves to increase the flexibility of the waterproof sheet 2. Inside the button 1 are a plate-shaped magnet 1-3 and a magnetic reinforcing plate 1.
-2 is incorporated.

The plate 3 is made of a material such as iron that is attracted to a magnet. When the button 1 is brought close to the plate 3 from above the waterproof/waterproof sheet 2, the button 1 and the plate 3 are magnetically attracted. At this time, the button 1 is guided by the positioning ring 2-2 so that the center of the plate 3 and the center of the button 1 coincide.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the broken line portion in FIG. 2 to explain the details of the pressure sensor 4. As shown in FIG. The main parts of the pressure sensor 4 are a pressure sensitive resistance element 4-3, a lower electrode 4-4, and an upper electrode 4-5.
It is made up of. Lower electrode 4-4 and upper electrode 4
-5 are facing each other, and a pressure sensitive resistance element 4-3 is sandwiched between both electrodes. Although spacers 4-6 are arranged to keep the distance between the electrodes constant, the spacers may be omitted when using a pressure-sensitive resistance element that does not respond to minute pressure.

When a pressure-sensitive resistance element is sandwiched between electrodes from above and below, the electric resistance between the two electrodes is high if the pressure applied between the two electrodes is small, and the resistance value decreases as the applied pressure increases. ing. When the button 1 is not pressed, no pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive resistance element 4-3, so the resistance value between both electrodes is extremely high. When the button 1 is pressed, the elastic body 4-2 is pushed through the waterproof sheet 2 and the plate 3, and the upper electrode 4-4 is pressed.
is also pushed. Since the lower electrode 4-5 is fixed to the bottom plate 6, pressure is generated between the two electrodes and the resistance value between the two electrodes is reduced. The approximate magnitude of resistance is inversely proportional to the applied pressure.

In the input device configured in this way, when the button 1 is not operated, the button 1 and the plate 3 are pushed against the bottom plate 6 by the repulsive force of the elastic body 70.
Since the button 1 and the plate 3 are lightly drawn toward each other, the button 1 and the plate 3 face each other in a plane parallel to the bottom plate 6 with the spacer 3-3 in between. The height of the plate 3 at this time is such that it does not push any of the four elastic bodies 4-2 or the pressure sensor 4 following them. When one of the peripheral parts of the button 10 is pushed toward the bottom plate 6, the plate 3
tilts toward the pushed side using the outer diameter portion of the spacer 3-3 as a fulcrum. When the plate 3 is tilted, the pressure case/sustainer 4 is pushed through the elastic body 4-2, and the resistance value of the pushed pressure sensor decreases to a resistance value corresponding to the applied pressure. At this time, since the plate 3 is pivoted near the support rod 3-2, the plate 3 is moving away from the pressure sensor located at the opposite position to the pressed pressure sensor. For this reason, only one of the pressure sensors located at symmetrical positions receives pressure, and two pressure sensors do not receive pressure at the same time.

However, the two adjacent pressure sensors receive pressure at the same time when the periphery of the button 1 is pressed at a position midway between the two pressure sensors.

The ratio of the pressures applied to the two pressure sensors is determined by the pressed position, so by comparing the resistance values of the two pressure sensors, it is possible to determine the pressed position of the button L, in other words, the position centered on the support rod 3-2. You can know the direction in which the button L was pressed. When the button 1 is pressed and the board 3 is tilted, the support rod 3-2 is tilted in the opposite direction to the pressed side and at the same time the board 3 is tilted.
Since the pull-out stop 9 and washer 8 are pulled out to the side of the bottom plate 6,
the elastic body 7 is compressed. The repulsive force of the compressed elastic body 70 acts as a force to restore the plate 3 to its original position, so when you stop pressing the button 1, the plate 3 and the button 1, which move together due to the attraction of the magnet, return to their original positions. Automatically return to position. Also,
A retainer 9 is attached to the support rod 3-2, which is integrated with the plate 3, so that it does not separate from the bottom plate 6, so if the button 1 is strongly pulled, the button 1 can be removed from the waterproof sheet 20 surface. can. Since the button 1 can be removed from the surface of the waterproof sheet 2, when the surface of the waterproof sheet becomes dirty, it is easy to clean it or replace it with a button of a different shape.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration when the input device of FIG. 2 is applied as a coordinate input device.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a resistance-voltage converter for generating a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the pressure sensor 4. When the resistance is extremely high, no voltage is output, and as the resistance becomes low, the output voltage increases. , 12 is a voltage-pulse converter,
Generates a pulse signal with a repetition rate proportional to the input voltage. Therefore, when the pressure sensor does not receive pressure, the resistance value of the pressure sensor is extremely high, so no voltage is output from the resistance-voltage converter 11, and no pulse signal is output from the voltage-pulse converter 12. When the pressure sensor receives pressure,
The resistance value of the pressure sensor becomes smaller and the resistance-voltage converter 11
Since a voltage corresponding to the pressure is output from the voltage-pulse converter 12, a pulse signal of the number of repetitions corresponding to the pressure is also output from the voltage-pulse converter 12.

Such a configuration is provided for each pressure sensor, and there are a total of four sets, and these pressure sensors are provided corresponding to the front, back, left, and right inclinations of the button. +X is the output corresponding to the pressure sensor that receives force when the right side of button 1 is pressed, -X is the output corresponding to the pressure sensor that receives force when the left side of button 1 is pressed, and the output corresponding to the pressure sensor that receives force when the left side of button 1 is pressed is -X, the front side of button 1, that is, the operation +Y, button 1 for the output corresponding to the pressure sensor that receives force when you press the side closest to the person.
If the output corresponding to the pressure sensor that receives force when pressing the front side is -Y, then the pressed position of button 1 and the magnitude of the pressing force are vectors on the plane consisting of the X and Y axes. expressed as a value. By inputting this vector value into the display device as a relative coordinate value, you can move the cursor or pointer on the display screen in any direction and at any speed by adjusting the direction in which you press the button and the magnitude of the pressing force. It can be moved.

The button 1 in Fig. 2 has a dish-like shape with the center part more smoothly recessed than the peripheral part. If you place your fingertip in the center of the button and slide it horizontally in any direction, you will naturally press the periphery of the button, and the button will feel more like moving it horizontally than pressing the button.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment, but unlike FIG.
The button has a convex shape, allowing you to wrap the entire button in your hand and operate it with your wrist. This movement is similar to when operating a mouse. Another difference from FIG. 2 is that the spacer 3-3 is integrated with the plate 3. Since the fulcrum when the plate 3 is tilted is closer to the hole in the bottom plate 6 than in FIG. 2, the movement of the support rod 3-2 is reduced and the force for returning the plate 3 to its original position is also reduced, but the number of parts can be reduced.

In Figures 2 and 5, a magnet is incorporated into the button, but since the purpose is to connect the button and the plate magnetically, the same purpose can be achieved even if the magnet is incorporated into the plate 3 side. . Furthermore, if the grinding stone has sufficient adsorption power, a magnetic reinforcing plate is not necessary.

The elastic body 4-2 above the pressure sensor in Figures 2 and 5 is button 1.
Since it is used to lengthen the stroke of the pressing operation and make the operation feel soft, the elastic body 4-2 may be omitted for applications with a hard feel.

FIG. 6 is also a sectional view of another embodiment. Since the button 1 is rod-shaped, it can be operated in the same way as a joystick by grasping the rod part with your hand. The mounting panel (the outside of the panel is the same size as a joystick, but there is no barrier for waterproofing, so you can create a different appearance from a joystick.The inside of the mounting panel is thin.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the input device according to the present invention is suitable for applications that require dustproof and waterproof properties because the operation buttons and the electric circuit are completely separated by a waterproof/waterproof plate. It can be used with confidence. Whether the waterproof sheet is attached to the outside of the mounting panel or attached to the inside, the dimension from the mounting panel to the inside is thinner than other input devices, and the buttons for operation can also be made thinner. Therefore, it can be easily attached to the surface of a panel attached to a shallow box like a keyboard.

Since the input operation is simply by tilting the handle, the space required for the operation is also small. When this input device is applied as a coordinate input device on a plane, you can move the cursor or pointer on the display screen in any direction by tilting the button in the direction you want to input, and you can adjust the force with which you press the button. This allows you to freely change the speed of movement.

The buttons can be easily removed, making it easy to clean the surface of the tarpaulin. If the surface of the button is concave, you can input data similar to a trackball, and if you make the button convex, you can perform input data similar to a mouse. It is also easy to select the operability, for example, if the button is made into a rod shape, input can be performed in the same way as a joystick. Since the number of parts used is small, it can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the broken line portion in FIG. 2, showing an example of a pressure sensor. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration when the input device of FIG. 2 is applied as a coordinate input device,
5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of other embodiments. 1... Button, 1-3... Magnet, 2... Waterproof sheet,
2-2... Positioning ring, 3... Board, 3-2...
- Support body, 3-3... Spacer, 4... Pressure sensor, 4-2... Elastic body, 5... Printed wiring board, 6... Bottom plate, 7... Elastic body, 9... ...Stop pulling out. Patent applicant: Tokyo Measuring Instruments Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A support rod provided at the center of the plate surface is passed through a hole in the bottom plate,
The plate is supported by an elastic body from the back of the bottom plate so that it can be tilted freely around the support rod, and the pressure generated between the plate and the bottom plate when the plate is tilted as seen from the support rod. multiple pressure sensors to detect the direction of the board's inclination, a flexible waterproof sheet placed on top of the board, and a magnetic sensor to control the board's inclination from above the waterproof sheet. 1. An input device comprising: an operation button having a means for coupling with the button;