GB2220466A - Trackerball arrangement - Google Patents

Trackerball arrangement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2220466A
GB2220466A GB8816070A GB8816070A GB2220466A GB 2220466 A GB2220466 A GB 2220466A GB 8816070 A GB8816070 A GB 8816070A GB 8816070 A GB8816070 A GB 8816070A GB 2220466 A GB2220466 A GB 2220466A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ball
trackerball
arrangement
bearings
rollers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8816070A
Other versions
GB8816070D0 (en
GB2220466B (en
Inventor
Christopher James Veel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd
Original Assignee
Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd filed Critical Marconi Electronic Devices Ltd
Priority to GB8816070A priority Critical patent/GB2220466B/en
Publication of GB8816070D0 publication Critical patent/GB8816070D0/en
Publication of GB2220466A publication Critical patent/GB2220466A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2220466B publication Critical patent/GB2220466B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/0304—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
    • G06F3/0312—Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03549—Trackballs

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

A trackerball arrangement consists of a solid rotatable ball mounted within a housing and supported by a pair of rollers which run in bearings. Rotation of the ball by hand causes corresponding rotation of optical encoders attached to the rollers so that electrical signals are generated representative of the x and y rotation of the ball. As it is important for the bearings to operate freely with low friction, a tubular shield 10 is placed around the ball so as to prevent any liquid which splashes onto the top of the ball reaching the bearings. The rollers contact the ball via apertures in the shield. An upper plate 2 is provided with a lip 14 on its underside, which follows the curvature of the ball and prevents liquid from travelling onto the undersurface of the top plate 2. <IMAGE>

Description

Trackerball Arrangement.
This invention relates to a trackerball arrangement of the kind in which rotation of a ball by handmovement causes the generation of corresponding electrical signals. Such arrangements are commonly used in conjunction with display screens for the purpose of moving a cursor or the like around the screen. The electrical signals may be indicative of the extent of rotation of the ball or merely of its sense. It is customary for separate electrical signals to be generated which are respectively indicative of rotation about orthogonal x and y axes, and these signals are derived from the rotational motion of rollers which bear against the surface of the ball.As the ball has a smooth surface, the frictional grip between the ball and a roller is very low, and any resistance by a roller to rotate will result in the roller slipping against the surface of the ball so that the resulting electrical signals do not faithfully represent the movement of the ball.
Any imperfection in the operation of the bearings by which a roller is supported degrades the operation of the trackerball arrangement, and it has been found that the bearings are adversely affected by the presence of liquids which may for example be spilt over the ball. The present invention seeks to provide an improved trackerball arrangement.
According to this invention a trackerball arrangement includes a ball rotatably mounted with respect to a housing; a roller mounted in a bearing and arranged to be in contact with the surface of the ball so as to rotate therewith; and means positioned between the ball and the bearing so as to provide a shield for the bearing against liquid.
The shielding means is positioned between the bearing and the ball, so as to reduce the likelihood of liquid on the surface of the ball reaching the bearing. In use, liquid such as a beverage can easily be spilt over the trackerball arrangement, and the liquid can enter the housing via the surface region of the ball which is contacted by the hand. Contamination of the bearing by such a liquid can seriously restrict its freedom to rotate, and impair the correct operation of the arrangement.
The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a part sectional elevation of a trackerball arrangement, and Figure 2 is a plan view.
Referring to the drawings a trackerball arrangement includes a solid ball 1 mounted in a housing so that a small portion of the ball 1 protrudes through an aperture in a top plate 2 which forms part of the housing. The ball 1 is free to rotate in all directions about its centre point 3 and may be moved using the fingertips or the palm of the hand. The ball 1 is supported, below its centre point 3, by two orthogonal rollers 4 and 5 and a third support 6 positioned in a horizontal plane 7 below the centre point 3. The rollers 4 and 5 are supported by pairs of bearings 8 and 9 which are attached to a cylindrical shield 10 with the contact points 11 between the rollers 4 and 5 occurring in the region of respective apertures in shield 10.
As the rollers 4 and 5 come into contact with the ball the movement of the ball provides the rollers 4 and 5 with the torque to turn the bearings 8 and 9. Electrical signals representative of the rotation of the two rollers 4 and 5 are generated by respective optical angle encoders 12 and 13.
The amount of the torque provided by these rollers 4 and 5 is small as the surfaces of the ball 1 and the rollers 4 and 5 are very smooth and have little frictional grip and the bearings are very prone to contamination by liquids and dust.
The most likely way in which liquids can reach the bearings 8 and 9 is via the gap between the upper plate 2 and the ball 1. The upper plate 2 is provided with a lip 14 on its underside, which follows the curvature of the ball 1 and prevents liquid from travelling onto the undersurface of the top plate 2. Thus liquid entering the arrangement via the gap is retained within the cylindrical shield 10 which acts to shield the bearings 8 and 9 from direct contact with the liquid.
The rollers 4 and 5 provide a possible route for the bearings to be contaminated by liquid running down the ball surface. In order to prevent this, collars 15 are attached to the rollers 4 and 5 directing the drips down the outside of the cylindrical shield 10 and away from the bearings 8 and 9. A perforated base plate 16 is provided below the shield 10 at the base of the housing to allow the unwanted liquid to drain away.

Claims (9)

1. A trackerball arrangement Including a ball rotatably mounted with respect to a housing; a roller mounted in a bearing and arranged to be in contact therewith; and means positioned between the ball and the bearing so as to provide a shield for the bearing against liquid.
2. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 and wherein the shield surrounds the ball and is provided with a localised opening in the region of the contact between the roller and the ball.
3. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 and wherein two rollers are provided in mutually orthogonal positions with respect to the ball, with respective bearings being arranged to support each end of each roller.
4. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in Claim 3 and wherein the shield takes the form of a vertically disposed tubular member having a pair of localised openings at which the respective rollers contact the ball, with said bearings being mounted on the outer surface of said tubular member.
5. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in Claim 4 and wherein the tubular member Is in the form of a thin walled cylinder.
6. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 and wherein a portion of said ball projects through a circular aperture in a top plate of said housing, with means being provided for directing liquid falling onto the protecting portion of said ball to the interior of said tubular member.
7. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in Claim 6 and wherein said means comprises a downwardly projecting lip which follows the edge of said aperture.
8. A trackerball arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims and wherein means are provided in the base of said housing for allowing liquid collecting within the housing to drain away.
9. A trackerball arrangement substantially as illustrated in and described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8816070A 1988-07-06 1988-07-06 Trackerball arrangement Expired - Fee Related GB2220466B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8816070A GB2220466B (en) 1988-07-06 1988-07-06 Trackerball arrangement

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8816070A GB2220466B (en) 1988-07-06 1988-07-06 Trackerball arrangement

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8816070D0 GB8816070D0 (en) 1988-08-10
GB2220466A true GB2220466A (en) 1990-01-10
GB2220466B GB2220466B (en) 1992-08-19

Family

ID=10639952

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8816070A Expired - Fee Related GB2220466B (en) 1988-07-06 1988-07-06 Trackerball arrangement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2220466B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0526124A1 (en) * 1991-08-01 1993-02-03 Picker International, Inc. Selection devices
EP0551003A1 (en) * 1991-12-23 1993-07-14 Computer Keyboard Systems Limited Trackerball seal
WO1999047995A1 (en) * 1998-03-14 1999-09-23 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Pointing device for use in a computer system
GB2372089A (en) * 2001-02-09 2002-08-14 Furuno Electric Co Trackball unit with water drain pipe
EP1987525A1 (en) * 2006-02-14 2008-11-05 Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy Arrangement in control device of work machine

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116392158B (en) * 2023-06-09 2023-08-22 北京唯迈医疗设备有限公司 Physical model DSA control and feedback device

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2154306A (en) * 1984-02-16 1985-09-04 Depraz S A "X-Y" Input device

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2154306A (en) * 1984-02-16 1985-09-04 Depraz S A "X-Y" Input device

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0526124A1 (en) * 1991-08-01 1993-02-03 Picker International, Inc. Selection devices
US5237311A (en) * 1991-08-01 1993-08-17 Picker International, Inc. Hingedly supported integrated trackball and selection device
EP0551003A1 (en) * 1991-12-23 1993-07-14 Computer Keyboard Systems Limited Trackerball seal
WO1999047995A1 (en) * 1998-03-14 1999-09-23 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Pointing device for use in a computer system
GB2372089A (en) * 2001-02-09 2002-08-14 Furuno Electric Co Trackball unit with water drain pipe
US6791534B2 (en) 2001-02-09 2004-09-14 Furuno Electric Company, Limited Trackball units
GB2372089B (en) * 2001-02-09 2005-09-07 Furuno Electric Co Trackball units
EP1987525A1 (en) * 2006-02-14 2008-11-05 Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy Arrangement in control device of work machine
EP1987525A4 (en) * 2006-02-14 2009-03-11 Sandvik Mining & Constr Oy Arrangement in control device of work machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8816070D0 (en) 1988-08-10
GB2220466B (en) 1992-08-19

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732 Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19980706