JPH11272419A - Coordinate information inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate information input device equipped with an electrostatic countermeasure. SOLUTION: This coordinate information input device includes a print circuit board 12a constituted of an X-axial detecting part 14 and a Y-axial detecting part 15 for detecting a horizontal rotational extent and rotational direction arranged at a right angle with a ball 13 housed so as to be rotatable in a case 11, and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from each detecting part. Each detecting part is constituted of rotary shafts 14a and 15b for supporting cylindrical rollers 14a and 15a abutting to the ball in an X direction or Y direction, and detecting means 14c, 14d, 15c, and 15d for detecting the rotation of the rotary shaft. Also, this is provided with a spring 20 arranged so that one adjacent end of the rotary shaft of each detecting part can be supported so as to be movable in a horizontal direction, and the other end can be inserted into each bearing hole, and one end can energize one end of the rotary shaft of one detecting part to the ball side, and the other end can energize one end of the rotary shaft of the other detecting part to the ball side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate information input device for inputting coordinate information by connecting to a computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, such a coordinate information input device has
For example, it is configured as shown in FIGS.
That is, in FIG. 9 and FIG.
Is a coordinate information input device using a trackball,
The coordinate information input ball 3 accommodated in the case 2 and the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball 3 are so set as to be partially exposed on the upper surface in horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, that is, in the X direction and the Y direction. An X-axis detection unit 4 and a Y-axis detection unit 5 are provided for separate detection.

The above-mentioned ball 3 is accommodated in a circular housing 2a having an upwardly open section provided at the center of a case 2 made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is provided below the center of the housing 2a. A plurality (five in the illustrated case) of supporting spheres 2b projecting inward from the wall surface is supported so as to be freely rotatable while floating above the inner wall surface of the housing portion 2a. The accommodation section 2a has a retainer 2c in the opening at the upper end thereof for accommodating the ball 3 therein, and the retainer 2c is provided in the accommodation section 2a of the ball 3.
The ball 3 can be prevented from falling off, and a part of the ball 3 can be projected outside.

Here, the X-axis detecting section 4 and the Y-axis detecting section 5 have cylindrical rollers 4a, 5a which contact the ball 3 in one direction in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. Rotating shafts 4b, 5b for supporting the rollers 4a, 5a in the axial direction, disk-shaped encoders 4c, 5c attached to one end of the rotating shafts 4b, 5b and having a plurality of radial slits, respectively; 4
photosensors 4d and 5d each comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed so as to sandwich the slit regions c and 5c;
It is composed of These photo sensors 4d, 5d
Are connected to a printed wiring board 8 provided with a predetermined conductive pattern housed in the case 2, and the printed wiring board is operated by a push button integrally formed on the upper surface of the case 2. A micro switch for determining and canceling the coordinate position to be executed is mounted.

The rollers 4a, 5a are rotatably supported at both ends by bearings 6b, 7b of levers 6, 7 which are swingably supported by support portions 6a, 7a formed integrally with the case 2. Have been. These levers 6 and 7
One end thereof is fixed at one end near the upper ends of the levers 6 and 7, and the other end is fixed to the case 2 by extension springs 6c and 7c.
The lower end is urged inward by each roller 4
a, 5a are pressed against the ball 3.

[0006] The coordinate information input device 1 configured as described above.
According to this, a part of the ball 3 is exposed on the upper surface of the case 2, and the user places the coordinate information input device 1 on a work surface such as a table, and The exposed ball 3 is rotated by a finger. As a result, the ball 3 is rotated in a desired direction by a desired amount of rotation.

[0007] The ball 3 thus rotated
The rotation direction and the rotation amount are detected by the detectors 4 and 5 via the rollers 4a and 5a, and the coordinate information signals in the X and Y directions are respectively supplied to an external computer or the like (not shown).
Sent to Thus, the C connected to the computer etc.
On the screen of a display device such as an RT, the ball 3
The cursor or the like can be moved in accordance with the rotation direction and the amount of rotation.

Further, on the upper surface of the case 2, there are, for example, two operation buttons (not shown) provided side by side on the upper portion of the case 2, and when these operation buttons are operated, the inside of the case 2 The corresponding switch provided in the device is turned on and off. Thus, when the user operates these operation buttons with his / her fingers, an on / off signal of each switch is transmitted to a computer or the like.

[0009]

By the way, in the coordinate information input device 1 constructed as described above, static electricity such as a user's finger or the like is dissipated along the surface of the ball 3 between the ball 3 and the case 2. When the static electricity enters the inside of the case 2, the static electricity reaches the photosensors 4d and 5d of the detection units 4 and 5, and charges the elements of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, for example, the LED and the phototransistor. Will invade the printed wiring board 8 from now on.
Electronic components such as an IC for signal processing mounted thereon are charged. For this reason, when static electricity from human hands or the like is charged on the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the electronic components on the printed wiring board 8, malfunctions such as malfunction or breakage of the electronic components occur. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a copper foil 9a is adhered in an annular shape around the ball 3 in the case 2 and a printed wiring board disposed below the copper foil 9a and the case 2 By compressing a coil spring 9b between the copper foil 9 and the copper foil 9, the copper foil 9a and the GND of the printed wiring board 8 are conducted through the coil spring 9b to avoid electrostatic charging.

However, the countermeasure against static electricity using the copper foil 9a and the coil spring 9b has a large number of parts,
In addition, there is a problem that the assemblability is poor and the cost is increased.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate information input device having a countermeasure against static electricity, which can be easily assembled with a simple configuration and can reduce the cost. I have.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a coordinate information input ball rotatably accommodated in a case, and a horizontal rotation amount perpendicular to the ball. And an X-axis detection unit and a Y-axis detection unit for detecting the rotation direction, and a printed circuit board provided in the case and configured with a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from each detection unit. Each of the detecting units includes a cylindrical roller that abuts the ball in the X direction or the Y direction, a rotating shaft that supports the roller, and a detecting unit that detects the rotation of the rotating shaft. With respect to the rotation axis of each of the detection units, one end close to each other is supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the other ends are respectively inserted into bearing holes, and one end is the rotation shaft of one detection unit. One end of the ball side The coordinate information input device further comprises a spring disposed so as to bias the other end of the rotating shaft of the other detecting portion toward the ball side. This is achieved by a coordinate information input device, which is provided above the detecting means of each detecting unit and is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board.

[0013] In the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, preferably, the spring is formed integrally with a conductive post that is directly attached to the ground of the printed wiring board and is electrically conducted.

In the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, preferably, the spring is directly attached to the ground of the printed circuit board and supported by a conductive post electrically conductive.

In the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, preferably, both ends of the spring for urging the rotating shaft extend vertically, and the tip is bent toward the ball.

According to the above arrangement, the rotation of the ball is detected by the X-axis detector and the Y-axis detector as components in the X and Y directions, and these detection signals are sent to an external computer or the like. As a result, information on the coordinate position is input to a computer or the like. Since the rotating shaft of each detecting unit is urged toward the ball by a spring, the rotating shaft of each detecting unit is securely brought into contact with the ball and rotates with the rotation of the ball. And accurate detection can be performed.

Here, the spring is disposed above the detecting means of each detecting portion and is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board. When static electricity enters the case from the gap between the ball and the case along the surface of the ball, the static electricity is dropped to the ground of the printed wiring board via a spring without reaching the detecting means. Therefore, the detection means and the electronic components mounted on the printed wiring board are not charged, so that the detection means and the circuit formed on the printed wiring board may malfunction due to static electricity, or the detection means and the printed circuit may not be charged. I mounted on the wiring board
Electronic components such as C are not destroyed by static electricity, and reliability is improved. In this case, since the countermeasures against static electricity using the spring have a small number of parts and can be easily assembled, the assemblability is improved and the cost can be reduced.

In the case where the spring is directly formed on a ground of the printed wiring board and is formed integrally with a conductive post which is electrically conducted, the spring is integrated with the conductive post. Therefore, the number of parts is further reduced, and assembling can be easily performed.

In the case where the above-mentioned spring is directly mounted on the ground of the printed wiring board and supported by an electrically conductive conductive column, a conventional coordinate information input device equipped with such a spring is used. In the device, it can be easily configured simply by replacing the support for supporting the spring with a conductive support which is conducted to the printed wiring board.

When both ends of the spring for urging the rotating shaft extend vertically and the tip is bent toward the ball side, the coordinate information input device is dropped or vibrated. On the other hand, if acceleration is applied from the outside or the end of the spring is displaced during assembly, the bent tip will catch on the rotating shaft, and will come off from the vicinity of one end of the rotating shaft. Nothing.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a coordinate information input device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a coordinate information input device 10 is configured as a so-called trackball, and a frame unit 12 mounted in a case 11 so that a part thereof is exposed at an upper portion of the case.
Ball 13 for inputting coordinate information rotatably supported inside
And an X-axis detection unit 14 and a Y-axis detection unit 15 for detecting the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball 13 in horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, that is, in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. Two operation buttons (to be described later) arranged vertically so as to be exposed, and a printed wiring board 12a arranged below the frame portion 12 in the case 11
And is composed of

The X-axis detector 14 and the Y-axis detector 15
Are cylindrical rollers 14a and 15a that abut against the ball 13 from one side in the X and Y directions, respectively.
Rotating shafts 14b, 15b for supporting these rollers 14a, 15a in the axial direction; and rotating shafts 14b, 15b.
Disk encoders 14c and 15c each having a plurality of radial slits, and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed so as to sandwich the slit regions of the encoders 14c and 15c. And photo sensors 14d and 15d. The photosensors 14d and 15d are configured such that a light emitting element such as an LED is driven by a circuit formed on a printed wiring board 12a disposed below the frame portion 12, and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor is used. Are processed.

Here, the rotating shafts 14b and 15b of the detecting portions 14 and 15 have one ends close to each other supported by supporting portions 16 and 17 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction and rotatable, respectively. The other end is rotatably supported by bearings 18 and 19, respectively.

The supporting portions 16 and 17 are provided with a rotating shaft 14b,
Supporting members 16a, 17a each having a horizontal upper surface for supporting each of the rotary shafts 15b from below, and a holding member 1 having a horizontal lower surface for each supporting the rotating shafts 14b, 15b from above.
6b, 17b, and the rotating shaft 14b,
15b, these support bases 16a, 17a and holding member 1
6b and 17b, it is supported movably in the horizontal direction.

On the other hand, the bearings 18 and 19 are provided with insertion holes 18a and 19a for receiving convex portions provided on the other end surfaces of the rotating shafts 14b and 15b, respectively. The projection 15b has projections 18a, 19a.
By being engaged in a, it is rotatably supported.

Further, one end of each of the rotating shafts 14b and 15b is urged toward the ball by one common spring 20. This spring 20
As shown in FIG. 5, it is composed of a central coil spring portion 20a and two ends 20b and 20c extending substantially perpendicularly from the coil spring portion 20a. That is, the coil spring portion 20a is bent so as to extend in the axial direction, and its tips 20d and 20e are bent inward. Accordingly, when the coil spring portion 20a is fitted on the vertically extending boss 12b provided on the frame portion 12, the horizontal portions of the ends 20b and 20c are separated from the photo sensors 14d and 15d, respectively. While being located above, the vertical portions of the ends 20b and 20c engage with the outside of one ends of the rotating shafts 14b and 15b, respectively, and urge one ends of the rotating shafts 14b and 15b toward the ball. It has become. The spring 20 has two ends 20b and 20c which are supported by the support portions 16 and 1 respectively.
The outward movement is restrained by the locking portions 16c and 17c provided on the 7, so that they do not come off.

Here, the boss 12b is made of a metal material having good conductivity, and the lower end of the boss 12b penetrates the frame portion 12 and is soldered to the printed wiring board 12a disposed therebelow. The printed circuit board 12a is electrically connected to ground by a conductive pattern formed on the printed wiring board 12a. Thus, the spring 20 is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board 12a via the boss 12b (see FIG. 6).

Further, on the left side of the case 11 in FIG. 1, two operation buttons 21 and 22 (see FIG. 2) are arranged vertically, and these operation buttons 21 and 22 are arranged.
When the button 2 is pressed toward the inside of the case 11, the micro switches 23 and 24 provided in the case 11 are turned on. These microswitches 23 and 24 are disposed such that the operation units face left in FIG.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation buttons 21 and 22 are supported by arms 25 and 26 made of a curved flexible material, respectively. Arm 2
One end of each of the members 5 and 26 is fixedly held by a press-fit or the like with respect to a support portion 27 provided in the case 11, and is formed so as to be largely curved from the support portion 27. The operation buttons 21 and 22 are integrally supported.

Further, after the arm 25 is largely bent from the support portion 27, the inward movement is restricted by a rib 28 provided on the case 11 near the other end. Further, after the arm 26 is largely bent from the support portion 27,
In the vicinity of the middle, the inward movement is regulated by the rib 29 provided on the case 11. These ribs 28, 2
The arm 9 is disposed so as to be separated from the arms 25 and 26 when the arms 25 and 26 are at the rest position (position shown). Thereby, the arms 25, 26
Is when the operation buttons 21 and 22 are operated, respectively.
First, it swings with the support 27 as a fulcrum, and then the arm 2
After the ribs 5 and 26 abut against the ribs 28 and 29, respectively, they swing about the point of contact with the ribs 28 and 29 as a fulcrum.

The coordinate information input device 10 according to the present invention is configured as described above. The user places the coordinate information input device 10 on a work surface such as a table, and places it on the upper surface of the case 11. The surface of the protruding ball 13 is rotated by a finger, for example, an index finger. As a result, the ball 13 is rotated in a desired direction by a desired amount of rotation.

The ball 1 thus rotated
The rotation direction and the rotation amount of 3 are both ends 20b, 2 of the spring 20.
Roller 14 abutted on the surface of ball 13 by Oc
are transmitted to the rotating shafts 14b and 15b via the a and 15a, and the encoders 14c and 15c are rotationally driven.
By being detected by 4d and 15d, the X-axis detector 14 and the Y-axis detector 15 detect the X component and the Y component of the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the ball 13, respectively. When the user operates the operation buttons 21 and 22 with a finger, for example, a thumb, the micro switch 2
When the X and Y axes 3 and 24 are turned on,
And the detection signal of the Y-axis detector 15 and the microswitch 2
The ON signals 3 and 24 are output to an external computer or the like via a cable or the like (not shown) to input coordinate information.

Here, one end of each of the detecting units, that is, the rotating shafts 14b and 15b of the X-axis detecting unit 14 and the Y-axis detecting unit 15,
By both ends 20b and 20c of one common spring 20,
By being urged toward the ball, the ball 13
The rotation of the ball 13 can be reliably transmitted without idling, and the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball 13 can be accurately detected.

A boss 12b for supporting the spring 20
Are made of a conductive metal material, and the lower end of the boss 12b penetrates through the frame portion 12 and is electrically connected to the ground by the conductive pattern of the printed wiring board 12a disposed therebelow. Because the spring 20
Is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board 12a via the boss 12b. Therefore, even if static electricity from the user's finger or the like enters the case 11 along the surface of the ball 13 from the gap between the ball 13 and the case 11, the static electricity is applied to each of the detection units 14 and 15. Without reaching the photo sensors 14d and 15d.
Of the printed wiring board 12a via the ends 20b and 20c of the above-mentioned and the boss 12b. Thereby, the photo sensor 14d,
15d or a circuit formed on the printed wiring board 12a may malfunction due to static electricity, or the photo sensor 14d,
Electronic components such as a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and an IC mounted on a printed wiring board constituting the 15d are not broken by static electricity, and the reliability is improved. In this case, the countermeasures against static electricity include the spring 20 and the boss 12b.
Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, the assembly can be easily performed with a simple configuration, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, both ends 20b, 20 of the spring 20
Since the tips 20d and 20e of c are bent inward, that is, toward the ball, even if an accidental acceleration is applied to the coordinate information input device 10 due to a drop, vibration, or the like, At the time of assembling the coordinate information input device 10, both ends 20 b and 20 c of the spring 20 are
b, 15b (shown by chain lines in FIG. 4), the bent tips 20d, 20e are
Since it is caught near one end of b, 15b, it does not come off from one end of rotating shafts 14b, 15b. Therefore, a highly reliable coordinate information input device 10 can be obtained.

Thus, the coordinate information input device 1 having the above configuration
According to FIG. 0, when the spring 20 is positioned higher than the photosensors 14 d and 15 d of the detection units 14 and 15, the boss 12 b
Is connected to the ground of the printed circuit board 12a via the interface, so that static electricity such as a user's finger does not flow from the photosensors 14d and 15d to electronic components constituting a circuit on the printed circuit board. , Via the spring 20 and the boss 12b to the ground of the printed wiring board 12a.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the coordinate information input device according to the present invention. 7 and 8, the coordinate information input device 30 is different from the coordinate information input device 10 described above only in that a spring 31 is provided instead of the spring 20 and the boss 12b. I have.

As shown in FIG. 8, the spring 31 has a support 31a made of a conductive material extending downward from the center.
It is composed of two elastic portions 31b and 31c extending from the upper end of the support portion 31a toward both sides. This end 3
Reference numerals 1b and 31c are made of a conductive elastic material that is flat in the vertical direction, for example, phosphor bronze, etc., and the vicinity of the tip constitutes contact portions 31d and 31e that extend vertically downward. The contact portions 31d and 31e are bent outward to define a convex contact surface. Thereby, the above-mentioned spring 30 has its support 31a
When the spring 30 is attached by soldering or the like to the ground made of a conductive pattern formed on the printed wiring board 12a located thereunder through the frame portion 12, the spring 30 is connected to the printed wiring board 12a via the support 31a.
And the contact portions 31d, 3
1e is in contact with the outside of one end of each of the rotating shafts 14b and 15b, and urges one end of each of the rotating shafts 14b and 15b toward the ball.

According to the coordinate information input device 30 having such a configuration, the user can connect the coordinate information input device 10 to, for example, a table or the like in the same manner as the coordinate information input device 10 shown in FIGS. The X-axis detection unit 14 and the Y-axis detection unit 15 rotate the surface of the ball 13 protruding from the upper surface of the case 11 with a finger, for example, an index finger, so that the ball 13 rotates in the rotation direction of the ball 13. And the X and Y components of the rotation amount. And
The user operates the operation buttons 21 and 21 with his / her finger, for example, a thumb.
When 2 is operated, the micro switches 23 and 24 are turned on. Thereby, the detection signals of the X-axis detection unit 14 and the Y-axis detection unit 15 and the ON signals of the micro switches 23 and 24 are output to an external computer or the like via a cable or the like (not shown), and the input of coordinate information is performed. Will be done.

In this case, the spring 31 is made of a conductive material, and its support 31a penetrates through the frame portion 12 and is electrically connected to the ground by the conductive pattern of the printed wiring board 12a disposed therebelow. Therefore, the spring 31 is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board 12a via the support 31a. Therefore,
Even if static electricity from the user's finger or the like enters the case 11 along the surface of the ball 13 from the gap between the ball 13 and the case 11, the static electricity will
Without reaching the photosensors 14d and 15d of the 4th and 15th, they are dropped from the support 31a to the ground of the printed wiring board 12a via the ends 31b and 31c of the spring 31. Thereby, the printed wiring board 1
The circuit configured on 2a malfunctions due to static electricity,
Electronic components such as ICs mounted on the printed wiring board are not broken by static electricity, and the reliability is improved. In this case, the countermeasures against static electricity are taken by the support 31a.
Since the spring 31 is formed integrally with the spring, the number of parts can be further reduced, and the assembly can be easily performed with a simple configuration, and the cost can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the case where a trackball is used as the coordinate information input device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to other types of coordinate information input device such as a mouse. It is clear. In the above-described embodiment, the encoders 14c and 15c and the photo sensors 14d and 15d are used as detection means of the detection units 14 and 15, but the rotation shafts 14b and 15d are used.
As long as the rotation amount and the rotation direction of 15b can be detected, any configuration of detection means can be used.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned spring is disposed above the detecting means of each detecting section, and is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board. Therefore, if static electricity from the fingers of the user enters the case along the surface of the ball through the gap between the ball and the case, the static electricity does not reach the detection means, but passes through the spring. It is dropped to the ground of the printed wiring board. Therefore, the detection means and the electronic components mounted on the printed wiring board are not charged, so that the detection means and the circuit formed on the printed wiring board may malfunction due to static electricity, or the detection means and the printed circuit may not be charged. Electronic components such as ICs mounted on the wiring board are not broken by static electricity, and the reliability is improved. In this case, since the countermeasures against static electricity using the spring have a small number of parts and can be easily assembled, the assemblability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

In the case where the spring is directly formed on a ground of the printed wiring board and is formed integrally with a conductive post electrically conductive, the spring is integrated with the conductive post. Therefore, the number of parts is further reduced, and assembling can be easily performed.

When the above-mentioned spring is directly attached to the ground of the printed wiring board and supported by an electrically conductive conductive column, a conventional coordinate information input device equipped with such a spring is used. In the device, it can be easily configured simply by replacing the support for supporting the spring with a conductive support which is conducted to the printed wiring board.

If both ends of the spring for urging the rotating shaft extend vertically and the tip of the spring is bent toward the ball, the coordinate information input device is dropped or vibrated. On the other hand, if acceleration is applied from the outside or the end of the spring is displaced during assembly, the bent tip will catch on the rotating shaft, and will come off from the vicinity of one end of the rotating shaft. Nothing.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coordinate information input device having a countermeasure against static electricity, which can be easily assembled with a simple configuration and can be reduced in cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of a coordinate information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the coordinate information input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the inside of the coordinate information input device of FIG. 1;

4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a side view showing a frame portion of the coordinate information input device of FIG. 1;

5A is a plan view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a side view showing the shape of a spring used in the frame unit of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state of assembling the spring shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing a frame part in a coordinate information input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a front view showing a shape of a spring used in the frame unit of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an internal configuration of an example of a conventional coordinate information input device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic left sectional view showing the coordinate information input device of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 30 Coordinate information input device (trackball) 11 Case 12 Frame portion 12a Printed wiring board 12b Boss (conductive) 13 Ball 14 X-axis detection portion 15 Y-axis detection portion 14a, 15a Roller 14b, 15b Rotation axis 14c, 15c Encoders (detection means) 14d, 15d Photosensors (detection means) 16, 17 Supports 18, 19 Bearings 20, 31 Springs 20b, 20c Ends 20d, 20e Bends 21, 22, Operation buttons 23, 24 Micro switches 25, 26 Arm 27 Supporting part 28, 29 Rib 31a Support (conductive) 31b, 31c Elastic part 31d, 31e Contact part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ball for inputting coordinate information housed rotatably in a case, an X-axis detection unit and a Y-axis detection unit for detecting a horizontal rotation amount and a rotation direction perpendicular to the ball with respect to the ball. A printed circuit board disposed in the case and configured with a signal processing circuit for processing a signal from each detection unit;
Wherein each of the detection units is a cylindrical roller that abuts the ball in the X direction or the Y direction, a rotating shaft that supports the roller, and a detecting unit that detects the rotation of the rotating shaft. With respect to the rotation axis of each of the detection units, one end close to each other is supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the other end is inserted into a bearing hole. A spring disposed to urge one end of the rotation shaft of the other of the detection units toward the ball and to urge one end of the rotation shaft of the other detection unit toward the ball. In the coordinate information input device, the spring is disposed above the detecting means of each detecting unit, and is electrically connected to the ground of the printed wiring board. Input device. 2. The coordinate according to claim 1, wherein said spring is formed integrally with a conductive post which is directly attached to a ground of a printed wiring board and is electrically conductive. Information input device. 3. The coordinate information according to claim 1, wherein the spring is supported by a conductive post that is directly attached to the ground of the printed wiring board and is electrically conductive. Input device. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the spring for urging the rotating shaft extend vertically, and a tip thereof is bent toward the ball. The coordinate information input device according to any one of the above.