JP2002023936A - Wheel type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel type input device capable of hardly damaging the respective parts even when excessive force is applied to an operation part from the upper part or the operation part is inclined to the maximum. SOLUTION: The wheel type input device is provided with an approximately fan-shaped operation part 100 supported so as to be inclined, a signal output part 200 for outputting a signal in accordance with the operation of the operation part 100 and an operation part base 400 equipped with the output part 200. The operation part 100 is supported by the base 400 so as to be inclined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheel-type input device used as a controller of an electronic device, for example, a home game machine or a video deck.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, software for home-use game machines has a field called a music game. In this music game, a controller simulating a musical instrument is used, and the player moves the controller as if he / she is actually playing the musical instrument. Some controllers of this type have a wheel-type input device.

The wheel-type input device has a substantially fan-shaped operation unit supported so as to be tiltable, a signal output unit for outputting a signal in accordance with an operation of the operation unit, and a part of the operation unit. An upper case as a component having an opening, an operation unit base on which the signal output unit is mounted, and an operation unit in a neutral position when no external force is applied to the operation unit. And a spring for returning to neutral.

The operating part is formed in a substantially sector shape in which a sector shape is cut out from a circle, and a large concave portion indicating a neutral position is provided on a peripheral surface, and small concave portions for preventing slip are provided before and after the concave portion. Are provided. At the center on the front side of the operation unit, an engagement portion that engages with the signal output unit is provided. Further, the operation portion has an operation portion-side projection on which an end of a neutral return spring described later is hooked.

The signal output section is a switch which is turned on when the operation section is tilted by a certain angle or more, and is turned off when the operation section is tilted by a certain angle or less. This signal output unit is mounted on the operation unit base. The signal output unit includes a tilting unit that is tilted in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation unit, a conductive piece provided on the tilting part, and a substrate provided with a conductive pattern that contacts the conductive piece. I have. A boss into which the operation unit is fitted is protruded from the tilting unit. Therefore, the operation unit can be tilted about the boss.

[0006] The operating portion base is formed with a base-side protruding portion on which an end portion of a neutral return spring described later is hooked.

The upper case has a rectangular opening for exposing a part of the peripheral surface of the operation section.

The neutral return spring is a so-called helical spring, and a coil portion is externally fitted to the engaging portion, and a pair of ends protruding from the coil portion are positioned on both sides of the operation portion side projection. Let me. In addition, the pair of end portions are located on both sides of the base-side projection of the operation portion base.

The operation of such a wheel-type input device is as follows. When the operation unit is tilted, one end of the operation unit comes into contact with the base-side protrusion of the operation unit base. In this state, the operating portion is prevented from further tilting by this contact. When the operator releases the hand and eliminates the external force applied to the operation unit, the operation unit automatically returns to the neutral position by the elastic force of the neutral return spring.

[0010]

However, the above-mentioned wheel type input device has the following problems.
First, since the operation unit is fitted to the boss of the signal output unit, only the boss receives the force applied from above. Since the wheel-type input device in this type of controller is roughly operated with a relatively large force, if an excessive force is applied from above, the boss may not be able to withstand the force and may be damaged. . Damage to the boss results in controller failure.

Further, since the wheel type input device in this type of controller is operated with a relatively large force, one end of the operation unit is not movable when the operation unit is tilted to the maximum. Abuts on the base-side projection of the operation unit base with a very large force. For this reason, a relatively large force is applied to the base-side projection, and there is a risk of damage.
If the base-side projection is damaged, it will be tilted more than the angle allowed for the operation unit, which causes a failure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a wheel-type input device that is less likely to damage each part even when an excessive force is applied to the operation unit from above or when the operation unit is tilted to the maximum. It is intended to provide.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a wheel-type input device comprising: a substantially fan-shaped operation unit supported so as to be tiltable;
A signal output unit that outputs a signal in accordance with the operation of the operation unit, and an operation unit base provided with the signal output unit are provided, and the operation unit is supported by the operation unit base in a tiltable manner.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a wheel-type input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic side view showing a state where an operation unit is tilted to the maximum, and FIG. First
3 is a schematic side view of the wheel-type input device according to the embodiment of FIG.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are drawings of an operation unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a schematic front view, FIG. FIG. 4C is a schematic rear view, and FIG. 4 is a drawing of an operation unit base used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4A is a schematic front view. (B) is a schematic side view, and (C) is a schematic rear view.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a tilting portion constituting a signal output portion used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5A is a schematic front view. FIG. 6B is a schematic side view, FIG. 6C is a schematic rear view, and FIG. 6 constitutes a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic schematic front view of a substrate, FIG. 7 is a schematic schematic front view of a conductive piece constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. First of the invention
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a state in which a signal output unit is incorporated in an operation unit base of the wheel-type input device according to the embodiment, wherein FIG. 4A is a schematic front view, and FIG. FIG. 9C is a schematic rear view, and FIG. 9 is a drawing of a controller using the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9A is a schematic partial plan view. FIG. 1B is a schematic partial front view, and FIG. 1C is a schematic side view.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a wheel-type input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The wheel-type input device A according to the embodiment of the present invention has a substantially fan-shaped operation unit 100 supported so as to be tiltable.
A signal output unit 200 that outputs a signal in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 100; and an operation unit base 400 provided with the signal output unit 200.
Is tiltably supported by the operation unit base 400.

The wheel-type input device A is provided at an end of a controller as shown in FIG. In addition to the wheel-type input device A, the controller is provided with various switches such as one cross key 610 and two push switches 620 that control other functions necessary for the game.

The operating portion 100 is formed in a substantially sector shape in which a sector shape is cut out from a circle, and a large concave portion 121 indicating a neutral position is provided on a peripheral surface. Are provided. At the center on the surface side of the operation unit 100, a circular protruding pulse 150 that fits into an opening 430 of the operation unit base 400 described later is formed. And this ridge 150
The engaging claw 211 of the tilting part 210 of the signal output part 200
Is provided with an engagement concave portion 151 which engages with the engaging concave portion 151. A boss 152 protrudes from the center of the rib 150.

The operating section 100 includes a ridge 150
An operation-portion-side protrusion 140 on which an end 520 of a later-described neutral return spring 500 is hooked is formed at the center opposite to the side on which is formed.

Further, on the side opposite to the side on which the above-mentioned ribs 150 are formed, that is, on the center of the back side of the operation section 100,
Engaging part 13 to which neutral return spring 500 is externally fitted
0 is formed. A hole 131 is formed at the center of the engaging portion 130. The hole 131 is a portion into which the boss 320 formed on the upper case 300 is inserted.

The operation unit 100 is different from the conventional operation unit in a contact unit 110. The contact portion 110 protrudes outward from the peripheral surface on which the concave portions 121 and 122 are provided, and comes into contact with the back surface on the short side of the opening 310 of the upper case 300 to be described later. It does not protrude outside 310.

Although the shape of the operation section 100 is generally called a sector shape, this sector shape is used when the side on which the peripheral surface is formed is a positive arc, or as shown in FIGS. The case where the side where is formed is a subarc is included.

The signal output unit 200 is a switch that is turned on when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or more, and is turned off when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or less. The signal output unit 200 is provided at the tilt center of the operation unit 100. The signal output unit 200 includes a tilting unit 210 (see FIG. 5) that is tilted in response to a tilting operation of the operation unit 100, and a conductive piece 230 (see FIG. 7) provided on the tilting unit 210.
And a substrate 220 provided with a conductive pattern 221 with which the conductive piece 230 contacts. The tilt unit 210 is attached to the operation unit 100, and the substrate 220 is attached to an operation unit base 400 described later.

The tilting portion 210 is a disc made of synthetic resin having an insulating property, and the engaging recess 1 is provided on the surface side.
An engagement claw 211 that engages with 51 is formed. Also,
An opening 212 into which the boss 152 of the operation unit 100 fits is formed at the center of the tilting unit 210. Further, three projections 213 for attaching the conductive piece 230 are formed on the rear surface of the tilting portion 210 so as to protrude.

The conductive piece 230 has one common terminal 231 and four contact terminals 232. These terminals 231 and 232 come into contact with the conductive pattern 221 of the substrate 220.

On the other hand, a base-side protruding portion 410 on which one end of a neutral return spring 500 described later is hooked is formed on the operation portion base 400 so as to protrude in the lateral direction. A tube 420 made of a synthetic resin having flexibility is externally fitted to the base-side protrusion 410. The tube 420 is for reducing the contact noise caused by contacting the end portion 520 of the neutral return spring 500 described later when the operation unit 100 is tilted.

The tilting unit 21 is provided on the operation unit base 400.
0 is rotatably fitted from the back side, and the opening 4 into which the protruding vein 150 of the operation unit 100 is fitted from the front side.
30 have been established. The ridge 150 of the operation unit 100 is
It fits inside the opening 430. Therefore, the operation unit 100 and the tilting unit 210 are connected to the operation unit base 4.
It is attached to the operation portion base 400 in a state where the engagement recesses 151 and the engagement claws 211 are engaged with each other with the “00” therebetween. Therefore, the tilting unit 210 tilts according to the tilting operation of the operation unit 100.

The neutral return spring 500 is a so-called helical spring. It is located on both sides of the part 140. Moreover, the pair of ends 520 are
The switch cover 400 is also located on both sides of the cover-side protrusion 410.

The upper case 300 has a rectangular opening 310 for exposing a part of the peripheral surface of the operation unit 100. A cushion 32 made of a synthetic resin having flexibility is provided on the back surface on the short side of the opening 310 of the upper case 300, that is, on the portion where the contact portion 110 contacts.
0 is provided. The cushion 320 serves to reduce the impact when the contact portion 110 comes into contact and to reduce the contact noise.

The upper case 300 has a boss 3 inserted into the hole 131 of the engaging portion 130 of the operating portion 100.
20 (see FIG. 1) are formed. In addition, this boss 3
Reference numeral 20 denotes only a cross section in FIG.

The operation of the wheel type input device A is as follows. The operation unit 100 is tilted in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 against the elastic force of the neutral return spring 500, and when the tilt reaches the maximum, one contact portion 110 of the operation unit 100 is moved to the back side of the upper case 300. , Which also comes into contact with the cushion 320 provided on the back side. In this state, the operation unit 100 is prevented from further tilting by this contact. Moreover, in this state, the other contact portion 110 is not in contact with another constituent member, for example, the base-side protrusion 410. In this state, the signal output unit 200 is naturally turned on.

Therefore, the external force applied for the tilting operation of the operation unit 100 is applied to the upper case 300. Since the upper case 300 is much larger than the base-side projection 410, the possibility of damage to the upper-side projection 410 is extremely small.

When the user releases the hand and eliminates the external force applied to the operation unit 100, the operation unit 100 automatically returns to the neutral position by the elastic force of the neutral return spring 500. When the operation unit 100 automatically returns to the neutral position in this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of ends 520 of the neutral return spring 500 come into contact with the operation unit-side protrusion 140 and the base-side protrusion 410. You will be in a state to do.

The force applied to the operation unit 100 from above is
Since the opening 430 of the operation unit base 400 and the boss 320 of the upper case 300 receive the force, the boss provided in the conventional signal output unit can withstand a greater upward force.

In the first embodiment described above, the operation unit 100 is formed in a substantially sector shape in which a sector shape is cut out from a circle. However, as shown in FIG. It may be. In this case, the operation unit 600
The contact portion 110 is rotatably supported instead of tilted.
There is nothing protruding outward from the peripheral surface corresponding to. In addition, the neutral return spring 500 is not required for rotating the operation unit 600. Accordingly, the operation unit side projection 140 is moved from the operation unit 600 to the operation unit base 4.
From 00, the base-side protrusion 410 is deleted.

The operation unit 100 is provided with an operation unit base 40.
Although it is tiltably supported between the boss 320 of the upper case 300 and the boss 320 of the upper case 300, the boss 320 of the upper case 300 may not be provided, and may be supported only by the operation unit base 400.

In the above description, the operation unit base 40
Although the projecting vein 150 of the operation unit 100 is externally fitted to the opening 430 of the zero, the projecting vein 150 of the operation unit 100 may be internally fitted to the opening 430 of the operation unit base 400.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the signal output unit 200 is a switch which is turned on when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or more, and turned off when the operation unit 100 is tilted by a certain angle or less. It may output a signal corresponding to the angle, for example, such as a volume or a rotary encoder.

The wheel-type input device A can be used not only as a home game machine but also as a controller for a video deck or the like for instructing fast-forward or rewind.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the neutral return spring 500 is provided, but it is also possible to omit this depending on the required function.

[0042]

According to the present invention, there is provided a wheel-type input device comprising: a substantially fan-shaped operation unit which is tiltably supported; a signal output unit which outputs a signal in response to operation of the operation unit; and a signal output unit. And an operation unit base provided with the operation unit, and the operation unit is tiltably supported by the operation unit base.

For this reason, in this wheel-type input device, since the operating portion is supported by the operating portion base, the force applied to the operating portion from above is higher than that of the conventional device supported by the boss of the signal output portion. Become stronger against

Further, another wheel-type input device according to the present invention includes a wheel-type operation unit rotatably supported, a signal output unit for outputting a signal in response to operation of the operation unit,
An operation unit base provided with the signal output unit is provided, and the operation unit is rotatably supported by the operation unit base. This rotary wheel-type input device is also more resistant to the force applied to the operation unit from above than the conventional one.

In particular, when the operation unit is supported between the operation unit base and a component member of the device provided with the wheel-type input device, the operation unit is more resistant to a force applied from above.

The above-mentioned components are large components if they are the upper case of the housing, so that they are more resistant to a force applied from above.

The operation section of the wheel-type input device according to the first aspect is provided with the opening where the wheel-type input apparatus is provided and the operation section is partially exposed when tilted to the maximum. Having the component members having, even when the operation unit is tilted to the maximum, except for the contact portion, so that it does not contact other components of the device provided with the wheel-type input device, Even if the operating part is tilted to the maximum, the contact part of the operating part only contacts the constituent member (upper case) having the opening, so that no excessive force is applied to the other smaller constituent members. For this reason, there is no possibility that other components may be damaged, and no failure occurs in which the operation unit tilts beyond the allowable angle.

The wheel-type input device according to claim 5, wherein a cushion is provided at a portion on the back side of the component member where the contact portion contacts. Can reduce the impact when contacting the constituent members (upper case) and reduce the contact noise, which contributes to the improvement of the operational feeling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a wheel-type input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a schematic side view in a state where an operation unit is tilted to the maximum.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is a schematic side view in a state where an operation unit is in a neutral position.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an operation unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
1 is a schematic front view, FIG. 1B is a schematic sectional view, and FIG. 1C is a schematic rear view.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of an operation unit base used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a schematic front view and FIG. FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings of a tilting unit constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a schematic front view and FIG. (B) is a schematic side view, and (C) is a schematic rear view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a substrate constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a conductive piece constituting a signal output unit used in the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing a state in which a signal output unit is incorporated in an operation unit base of the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 8A is a schematic front view and FIG. (B)
Is a schematic side view, and FIG. 2C is a schematic rear view.

9A and 9B are drawings of a controller using the wheel-type input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a schematic partial plan view, and FIG. FIG. 1C is a partial front view, and FIG. 1C is a schematic side view.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a wheel-type input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 operation part 110 contact part 200 signal output part 300 upper case (component)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 BD00 BD07 CA00 CA04 5B020 AA20 DD05 HH22 5B087 AA04 BC12 BC13 BC19 DD03 DE06

Claims (6)

[Claims] An operation unit includes a substantially fan-shaped operation unit that is tiltably supported, a signal output unit that outputs a signal in response to operation of the operation unit, and an operation unit base provided with the signal output unit. A wheel-type input device, wherein the operation unit is tiltably supported by the operation unit base. 2. An operation unit comprising: a wheel-type operation unit rotatably supported; a signal output unit for outputting a signal in accordance with an operation of the operation unit; and an operation unit base provided with the signal output unit. A wheel-type input device, wherein the operation unit is rotatably supported by the operation unit base. 3. The wheel type according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is supported between the operation unit base and a component of a device provided with the wheel type input device. Input device. 4. The wheel-type input device according to claim 3, wherein the constituent member is an upper case of a housing. 5. An operation unit in the wheel-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is provided with the wheel-type input device when the device is tilted to the maximum, and has an opening through which a part of the operation unit is exposed. A wheel having a configuration in which the wheel-type input device is not contacted with other components except for the contact portion even when the operating portion is tilted to the maximum. Type input device. 6. The wheel-type input device according to claim 5, wherein a cushion is provided at a portion on the back side of the component member where the contact portion contacts.