JP2002207568A - Pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely move a pointer such as an arrow or the like in a desired direction by a desired distance on the display of a personal computer or the like even when moving a movable shaft to any direction of circumferential 360 deg.. SOLUTION: This device comprises the movable shaft 11 having a disc member 11b integrally formed on the lower end of a bar-like member, and a disc-like sheet having a detection part 14-h divided into a plurality of sectors and a clearance part 14-g between the detection parts 14-h. The disc member 11b has a part having high deformation strength and a part having low deformation strength, and it is arranged so that the part having high deformation strength corresponds to the detection part 14-h, and the part having low deformation strength corresponds to the clearance part 14-g. Accordingly, when a load is applied to the bar-like member to tilt it, the detection part detects a detection signal according to the magnitude of the load regardless of the loading direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, pointing devices built into keyboards and the like of personal computers include:
Japanese Patent Publication No. 3006821 discloses a conventional example. The pointing device is normally upright, and a movable shaft that tilts in a 360-degree direction when pressed by a finger of an operator of a personal computer, and a pressure-sensitive resistance element disposed at 360 degrees around the movable shaft. It is composed of

When the movable shaft is tilted in one direction, that is, when the movable shaft is tilted, a portion corresponding to the tilt direction of the flange member attached to the lower end of the movable shaft is located in the tilt direction. Squeezing the pressure-sensitive resistance element. Since the pressure-sensitive resistance element changes its electrical characteristics when pressed, the tilting direction of the movable shaft is detected from the position of the pressure-sensitive resistance element where the electrical characteristics have changed, and the flange direction is determined from the degree of change in the electrical characteristics. The degree of compression by the member, that is, the degree of tilt of the movable shaft is detected.

Accordingly, the operator of the personal computer can freely move the pointer such as an arrow on the display of the personal computer by a desired distance in a desired direction by tilting the movable shaft in a desired direction by a desired angle. Can be moved.

[0005]

However, the pressure-sensitive resistive element used in the pointing device is composed of a plurality of print resistors arranged at 360 degrees around the movable shaft, and each of the print resistors is provided with a plurality of print resistors. There is a portion between the resistors where no printed resistor exists. For this reason, when the movable shaft is tilted in the direction of the portion where the printing resistance does not exist,
The degree of tilt of the movable shaft cannot be accurately detected.

For example, when four fan-shaped print resistors are arranged in the east-west-north-south direction of the movable shaft, respectively, four directions in which no print resistance exists between these four print resistors, ie, southeast, southwest, When the movable shaft is tilted in the northwest and northeast directions, the portions corresponding to the four directions of the flange member attached to the lower end of the movable shaft will press a portion where no print resistance exists.

Here, for example, when the movable shaft is tilted in the southeast direction, the flange presses a portion extending in the southeast direction where there is no print resistance. Here, since the flange is slightly elastically deformed, the eastern print resistance and the southern print resistance located on both sides of the portion where the print resistance does not exist are pressed. For this reason, since the change of the electric resistance of the print resistance of the east direction and the print resistance of the south direction is detected, it is detected that the movable shaft is tilted in the direction between them, that is, in the southeast direction. You.

However, the printing resistance in the east direction and the printing resistance in the south direction are compressed by the elastically deformed flange. You will be oppressed to a lesser degree. Therefore, the degree of tilting of the movable shaft is detected to be weaker than originally expected.

As described above, in the conventional pointing device, when the movable shaft is tilted in a direction in which the print resistance does not exist, the degree of the tilt of the movable shaft cannot be accurately detected. For this reason, even if the operator of the personal computer tilts the movable shaft to the same extent, the degree of tilt detected by the tilting direction changes, and the operator moves the pointer such as an arrow on the display of the personal computer. This makes it impossible to accurately move a desired distance in a desired direction.

The present invention solves the problem of the conventional pointing device, and even when the movable shaft is tilted in a direction in which the detecting element does not exist, the degree of tilt of the movable shaft can be accurately determined. So that the operator can tilt the movable axis in any direction around 360 degrees,
To provide a pointing device capable of freely moving a pointer such as an arrow on a display of a personal computer or the like by a desired distance in a desired direction by tilting the movable shaft in a desired direction by a desired angle. With the goal.

[0011]

For this purpose, in the pointing device of the present invention, a movable shaft having a rod-shaped member and a disk member integrally formed at the lower end of the rod-shaped member, and a plurality of fan-shaped members are provided. A disc-shaped sheet provided below the disc member, the disc-shaped sheet provided with a divided detection section and a gap between the detection sections, and a base plate provided below the sheet; In a pointing device having a movable shaft, a cover that couples a sheet and a base plate, the disk member includes a high deformation strength portion and a low deformation strength portion, and the high deformation strength portion corresponds to the detection unit, The portion having the low deformation strength is disposed so as to correspond to the gap portion, and when the rod-shaped member is tilted by applying a load, regardless of the direction of the load, the rod-shaped member is adapted to the magnitude of the load. Out to detect the signal.

In another pointing device of the present invention, the portion having a high deformation strength has a large thickness, and the portion having a low deformation strength has a small thickness.

[0013] In still another pointing device of the present invention, the portion having high deformation strength is made of a material having high rigidity, and the portion having low deformation strength is made of a material having low rigidity.

In still another pointing device of the present invention, the material having low rigidity has conductivity, and the portion having low deformation strength functions as a sensor for detecting a detection signal together with the detection unit.

In still another pointing device of the present invention, the portion having a low deformation strength and the detecting portion do not contact each other, and function as a counter electrode of a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance.

In still another pointing device of the present invention, the movable shaft and the cover are formed integrally.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a pointing device having a movable shaft 11, a pressure-sensitive sensor 12, a base plate 15, and a cover 16. The pointing device 10 is used for a personal computer or the like, and, like a mouse, a trackball, a pointing pad, or the like, a pointer such as an arrow displayed on a screen of a display as display means of the personal computer or the like on the screen. , For freely moving in a desired direction by a desired distance.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the assembled pointing device 10, and FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the pointing device 10.

The movable shaft 11 has a stick 11-a as a rod-shaped member and a flange-shaped disk member 11-b integrally formed at the lower end of the stick 11-a. The disk member 11-b has a thick portion 11-c having a high deformation strength and a thin portion 11-d having a low deformation strength. That is, the disk member 1
1-b is a spoke-shaped thick portion 11- extending in four directions.
c and a thin portion 11-d between the thick portions 11-c. Here, the thick portion 11-c is formed of a disc member 11-b.
Is divided into four at 90-degree intervals. The outer peripheral portion of the disk member 11-b has the same thickness as the thick portion 11-c, and a rotation preventing projection 11-e is formed at one position on the peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion.

The pressure sensor 12 is provided on the upper sheet 1.
3 and a lower sheet 14 as a disc-shaped sheet. The upper sheet 13 is a disk-shaped sheet, and the lower back surface 13-a in FIG. 1 has conductivity.
At the time of assembly, four fixing holes 13-b into which the fixing shaft 16-b of the cover 16 is inserted are formed.

On the other hand, the lower sheet 14 has a pressure-sensitive portion 14-a having a first conductive pattern 14-b and a second conductive pattern 14-c on the upper surface in FIG. Here, the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c are independent patterns, and the conductive back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 is formed.
When they do not contact each other, they do not conduct with each other and no pressure signal is detected.

The pressure-sensitive sections 14-a are respectively sector-shaped detection sections 14-h, 1-h, 1-h having the same size and shape.
4-i, 14-j and 14-k. The detection units 14-h, 14-i, 14-j
And 14-k independently include a first conductive pattern 14-b and a second conductive pattern 14-c. Further, the detection units 14-h, 14-i, 14-j and 1
Between 4-k, there is a gap 14-g where no conductive pattern is formed. The gap 14-g has a spoke shape extending in four directions.
It is divided into four at a time.

The lower sheet 14 is a disk-shaped sheet having the same size as the upper sheet 13 as a whole, but is integrally formed with a cable portion 14-d extending in one direction. The cable portion 14-d includes the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c.
Are provided with a plurality of wiring patterns 14-e. Further, when assembling the pointing device 10, the cover 1
Four fixing holes 14- into which the six fixing shafts 16-b are inserted.
f is drilled.

The base plate 15 is a disc-shaped plate member having a larger diameter than the upper sheet 13 and the lower sheet 14, and the fixed shaft 16-b of the cover 16 is inserted when the pointing device 10 is assembled. Four fixing holes 15-a are formed.

Further, the cover 16 has a shape in which a circular tray with an edge is laid down as a whole, and is provided with a hole 16-a through which the stick 11-a penetrates at the center.
A fixed shaft 16-b extending downward in FIG. 1 is provided at four places of the edge portion. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 16 has a concave portion 16-c into which the rotation preventing protrusion 11-e is fitted (canned), and when the pointing device 10 is assembled, the concave portion 16-c is formed. The rotation-preventing projection 11-e is fitted in c, so that the movable shaft 11 does not rotate.

The movable shaft 11, the pressure sensor 1
2, the base plate 15 and the cover 16 are connected as shown in FIG.
When assembled in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 1, a pointing device 10 as shown in FIG. 1A can be obtained. In this case, the fixing holes 13-b and the fixing holes 14
-F and the fixed shaft 16-b inserted into the fixing hole 15-a
The lower end in the figure of
Alternatively, it is fixed to the base plate 15 by crushing and expanding the lower end.

Each of the spoke-shaped thick portions 11-c extending in the four directions of the movable shaft 11 is a fan-shaped detection portion 14-h, 14-i, 14-j of the lower sheet 14.
, And 14-k. The lower sheet 1 is located below the center line of each of the four fan-shaped thin portions 11-d of the movable shaft 11.
The spoke-shaped gap portions 14-g extending in four directions of Nos. 4 are respectively located.

Here, as shown in FIG.
When the first stick 11-a is not tilted, that is, when it is upright, the conductive back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 is connected to the first conductive pattern 14 formed on the surface of the lower sheet 14. -B and the second conductive pattern 1
4-c. Therefore, no current flows between the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c, so that no pressure signal is detected.

Next, the operation of the pointing device 10 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the load characteristics of the pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 11-a to tilt the stick 11-a. Here, the direction of the vector representing the load Wb is the direction of the center line of the detection unit 14-h, that is, the direction in which one spoke-shaped thick portion 11-c extends. In this case, the disk member 11-b on the left side in FIG. 3B presses the back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 to contact the detection unit 14-h on the surface of the lower sheet 14. Thereby, the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c of the detection unit 14-h are
Since they are electrically connected to each other via the contacted back surface 13-a, a current flows between the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c, and a pressure signal is detected.
The current is supplied to the detection unit 14 on the surface of the lower sheet 14.
The back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 pressed against the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14
-Proportional to the contact area in contact with c.

Here, the disk member 11-b is connected to the upper sheet 1
3 is used as the detection unit 14 for the front surface of the lower sheet 14.
-H, the disk member 1
It can be seen that 1-b is bent (warped), that is, deformed. The degree of this deformation is determined by the load Wb
Of the rear surface 13 accordingly.
The contact area where -a contacts the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c increases. For this reason,
The magnitude of the load Wb and the magnitude of the contact area are in a proportional relationship as shown by a straight line b in FIG.

Therefore, a current proportional to the magnitude of the load Wb applied to the top of the stick 11-a is detected as a pressure detection signal.

On the other hand, the direction of the weight Wb is detected based on which of the detectors the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c from which the current is detected exists. You.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, a load Wc is applied to the top of the stick 11-a to tilt the stick 11-a. Here, the direction of the vector representing the load Wc is a direction rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise in the figure from the load Wb, and a conductive pattern between the detection units 14-h and 14-i is formed. This is the direction of the gap 14-g that is not present, that is, the direction in which one spoke-shaped gap 14-g extends. In this case, FIG.
The disk member 11-b on the left side in (c) presses the back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 to contact the detection units 14-h and 14-i on the surface of the lower sheet 14. As a result, the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c of the detection units 14-h and 14-i conduct with each other via the contacted back surface 13-a.
First conductive pattern 14-b and second conductive pattern 14
A current flows between -c and the pressure signal is detected.

Here, the disk member 11-b is the upper sheet 1
3 is used as the detection unit 14 for the front surface of the lower sheet 14.
A closer look at the contact with −h and 14-i shows that the disk member 11-b is more deformed than the case shown in FIG. 3 (b). This is because the direction of the vector representing the load Wc matches the direction in which the thin portion 11-d exists. That is, the thin portion 11-d
The disk member 11-b has a lower deformation strength than the compressed portion 11-c and is more likely to be deformed. Therefore, the disk member 11-b is better when shown in FIG. 3 (c) than in FIG. 3 (b). It will be deformed more than this.

Accordingly, the magnitude of the load Wc and the size of the back surface 1 of the upper sheet 13 contacting the surface of the lower sheet 14
The contact area of 3-a, that is, the magnitude of the apparent contact area is in a proportional relationship as indicated by a straight line c shown in FIG. Here, since the slope of the straight line c is gentler than the straight line b, when the magnitude of the load is the same, the apparent contact area when the load Wc is applied to the top of the tick 11-a is calculated. It can be seen that the contact area is larger than when the load Wb is applied.

However, since the direction of the load Wc is the direction in which one spoke-shaped gap portion 14-g extends, the back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 actually covers the first conductive patterns 14-b and The area in contact with the second conductive pattern 14-c, that is, the true contact area is obtained by subtracting the area in contact with the gap 14-g from the apparent contact area.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the pressed portion 11-c and the thickness of the thin portion 11-d are adjusted, and if the magnitudes of the loads Wb and Wc are equal, the stick 11-a
The contact area when the load Wb is applied to the top portion of the head is equal to the true contact area when the load Wc is applied. Therefore, if the magnitudes of the loads Wb and Wc are equal, the magnitude of the detected pressure detection signal is equal between the case where the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 11-a and the case where the load Wc is applied.

As a result, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 11-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the disk member 11-b is located at the position corresponding to the direction of the gap 14-g where the conductive pattern is not formed.
Having. When the direction of the load applied to the top of the stick 11-a corresponds to the direction of the gap 14-g, the disk member 11-b is made to deform more greatly, so that the magnitudes of the loads are equal. For example, the back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 is actually the first conductive pattern 14-a.
The true contact area, which is the area in contact with b and the second conductive pattern 14-c, is equal regardless of the direction of the load.

Therefore, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 11-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the structure of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the pointing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the assembled pointing device 10, and FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the pointing device 10.

In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes a movable shaft, which has a stick 17-a and a flange-shaped disk member 17-b integrally formed at the lower end of the stick 17-a. The disc member 17-b has spoke-shaped high-rigidity portions 17-c extending in four directions and having high deformation strength, and low-rigidity portions 17-c having low deformation strength between the high-rigidity portions 17-c. d
And

Here, the high rigidity portion 17-c is made of ABS.
The disk member 17-b is made of a material having high rigidity such as resin, and is divided into four at 90 degrees. The outer peripheral portion of the disk member 17-b is made of the same material as the high-rigidity portion 17-c, and a rotation preventing projection 17-e is formed at one position on the peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion.

On the other hand, the low-rigidity portion 17-d is made of a material having low rigidity such as silicon rubber, and forms four sectors.

In the present embodiment, the size of the high-rigidity portion 17-c and the low-rigidity portion 17-d are adjusted, and if the magnitude of the load is equal, the load is applied to the top of the stick 17-a. The contact area when Wb is applied is equal to the true contact area when the load Wc is applied. Therefore, if the magnitudes of the loads Wb and Wc are equal,
The magnitude of the detected pressure detection signal is equal between when the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 17-a and when the load Wc is applied.

As a result, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 17-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the disk member 17-b is positioned at a position corresponding to the direction of the gap portion 14-g where no conductive pattern is formed, at the position corresponding to the direction of the gap portion 14-g.
d. When the direction of the load applied to the top of the stick 17-a corresponds to the direction of the gap 14-g, the disk member 17-b is made to deform more greatly, so that the magnitude of the load is equal. For example, the back surface 13-a of the upper sheet 13 is actually the first conductive pattern 14-a.
The true contact area, which is the area in contact with b and the second conductive pattern 14-c, is equal regardless of the direction of the load.

Therefore, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 17-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a pointing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the pointing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the assembled pointing device 10, and FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the pointing device 10.

In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a movable shaft, which has a stick 18-a and a flange-shaped disk member 18-b integrally formed at the lower end of the stick 18-a. The disc member 18-b has a low-rigidity portion 18 that covers between the spoke-shaped high-rigidity portion 18-c extending in four directions and the high-rigidity portion 18-c and the entire lower surface of the disc member 18-b.
-D.

Here, the high rigid portion 18-c is made of ABS.
It is made of a material having high rigidity such as resin, and is configured to divide the disk member 18-b into four at 90 degrees. The outer peripheral portion of the disk member 18-b is made of the same material as the high-rigidity portion 18-c, and a rotation preventing projection 18-e is formed at one position on the peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion.

On the other hand, the low-rigidity portion 18-d is made of a material having low rigidity and conductivity, such as silicon rubber in which conductive particles are dispersed, and forms four sectors. The conductive particles are, for example, metal particles, carbon particles and the like, but may be any. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the low rigidity portion 18-d is formed so as to cover the entire lower surface of the disk member 18-b.

Further, the pointing device 10 of the present embodiment does not include the upper sheet 13 of the first and second embodiments.

In this embodiment, a load is applied to the top of the stick 18-a,
When −a is tilted, the low rigidity portion 18-d on the lower surface of the disk member 18-b is pressed, and is brought into contact with the detection portion on the surface of the lower sheet 14. As a result, the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c of the detection unit are provided.
Are electrically connected to each other via the contacted low rigidity portion 18-d, a current flows between the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c, and a pressure signal is detected. . The current is proportional to the contact area where the low-rigidity portion 18-d contacts the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c.

In the present embodiment, the size of the high-rigidity portion 18-c and the low-rigidity portion 18-d is adjusted so that
If the magnitudes of the loads are equal, the contact area when the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 18-a is equal to the true contact area when the load Wc is applied.
Therefore, if the loads Wb and Wc are equal in magnitude, the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 18-a and the load Wb
When c is added, the magnitudes of the detected pressure detection signals become equal.

As a result, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 18-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the disc member 18-b is located at a position corresponding to the direction of the gap 14-g where the conductive pattern is not formed, and the low rigidity portion 18-b having conductivity is provided. d. And stick 18-
In the case where the direction of the load applied to the top of a corresponds to the direction of the gap 14-g, the disc member 18-b is more flexibly bent.
The true contact area, which is the area where the low-rigidity portion 18-d having conductivity actually contacts the first conductive pattern 14-b and the second conductive pattern 14-c, is equal regardless of the direction of the load. Become.

Further, since the low-rigidity portion 18-d has conductivity, the upper sheet 13 having the back surface 13-a having conductivity can be omitted, and the configuration of the pointing device 10 is simplified, and pointing is achieved. Device 1
0 costs can be reduced.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure of a pointing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the pointing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the assembled pointing device 10, and FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the pointing device 10.

In the drawing, reference numeral 19 denotes a movable shaft, which has a stick 19-a and a flange-shaped disk member 19-b integrally formed at the lower end of the stick 19-a. The disc member 19-b has a low-rigidity portion 19 between the spoke-shaped high-rigidity portions 19-c extending in four directions and the high-rigidity portions 19-c and covering the entire lower surface of the disc member 19-b.
-D.

Here, the high rigidity portion 19-c is made of ABS.
The disk member 19-b is made of a material having high rigidity such as a resin, and is divided into four at 90 degrees. The outer peripheral portion of the disc member 19-b is made of the same material as the high-rigidity portion 19-c, and a rotation preventing projection 19-e is formed at one position on the peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion.

On the other hand, the low rigidity portion 19-d is made of a material having low rigidity and conductivity, such as silicon rubber in which conductive particles are dispersed, and forms four sectors. The conductive particles are, for example, metal particles, carbon particles and the like, but may be any. And, as shown in FIG. 10, the low rigidity portion 19-d is formed so as to cover the entire lower surface of the disk member 19-b. The disk member 19-b is formed with a circular concave portion 19-h that is depressed upward in the figure.

The lower sheet 20 as a disc-shaped sheet is provided with electrodes and has a disc-shaped pressure-sensitive portion 20- as a whole.
a, and a plurality of wiring patterns 20-e, and a cable portion 20-d formed integrally with the pressure-sensitive portion 20-a and extending in one direction. Also, four fixing holes 20-f into which the fixing shaft 16-b of the cover 16 is inserted when assembling the pointing device 10 are formed.

Here, the pressure-sensitive portion 20-a shown in FIG.
The detection electrodes 20-h, 20-i, and 2 as fan-shaped detection units of the same size and shape
0-j and 20-k are formed, and an annular ground electrode 20-1 is formed so as to surround the periphery thereof.
Note that a gap 20-g where no conductive pattern is formed exists between the detection electrodes 20-h, 20-i, 20-j and 20-k. The gap 20-g has a spoke shape extending in four directions.
a is divided into four at 90 degrees. Further, the detection electrodes 20-h, 20-i, 20-j and 2
The surface of 0-k is covered with an insulating film made of a dielectric.

The movable shaft 19 and the lower seat 2
0, the base plate 15 and the cover 16 as shown in FIG.
When assembled in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 9, a pointing device 10 as shown in FIG. 9A can be obtained.

Each of the spoke-shaped high-rigidity portions 19-c extending in the four directions of the movable shaft 19 is connected to a sector-shaped detection electrode 20-h, 20-i, 20 of the lower sheet 20.
-J and 20-k. In addition, a spoke-shaped gap portion 20-extending in four directions of the lower sheet 20 below the center line of each of the four sector-shaped low rigid portions 19-d of the movable shaft 19.
g are located respectively.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, since a circular concave portion 19-h is formed in the low rigidity portion 19-d, a lower portion of the conductive low rigidity portion 19-d is formed. Fan electrodes 20-h, 20-i, 2 of the surface and lower sheet 20
No contact is made with 0-j and 20-k.
Also, even if the detection electrodes 20-h, 20-i, 20
Since the surfaces of -j and 20-k are covered with the insulating film, they are not electrically connected to the conductive low-rigidity portion 19-d. The annular ground electrode 20-1 comes into contact with the low-rigidity portion 19-d to be electrically connected.

Next, the operation of the pointing device 10 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operation of the pointing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the load characteristics of the pointing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 11A, a load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 19-a to tilt the stick 19-a. Here, the direction of the vector representing the load Wb is the direction of the center line of the detection electrode 20-h, that is, the direction in which one spoke-shaped high rigidity portion 19-c extends. In this case, the disk member 19-b on the left side in FIG. 11B is deformed, and the lower surface of the conductive low-rigidity portion 19-d becomes the detection electrode 20-h on the surface of the lower sheet 20. Approach. As a result, the space between the low-rigidity portion 19-d and the detection electrode 20-h is narrowed and the capacitance changes, so that the change in the capacitance is detected as a pressure signal. The capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the low-rigidity portion 19-d and the detection electrode 20-h, and opposes the low-rigidity portion 19-d and the detection electrode 20-h.
h is proportional to the area.

Here, the lower surface of the conductive low rigidity portion 19-d is deformed by the deformation of the disc member 19-b so that the lower sheet 2
0, the degree of the deformation increases in accordance with the magnitude of the load Wb, and accordingly, the degree of the deformation increases in accordance with the magnitude of the load Wb. Approach. For this reason, the magnitude of the load Wb and the magnitude of the change in the capacitance are in a proportional relationship as indicated by a straight line b shown in FIG.

Therefore, the amount of change in the capacitance proportional to the magnitude of the load Wb applied to the top of the stick 19-a is detected as a pressure detection signal.

On the other hand, the direction of the weight Wb is detected based on the detection electrode from which the change in the capacitance is detected.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11A, a load Wc is applied to the top of the stick 19-a to tilt the stick 19-a. Here, the direction of the vector representing the load Wc is a direction rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise in the figure from the load Wb, and
This is the direction of the gap 20-g where no conductive pattern is formed between h and 20-i, that is, the direction in which one spoke-shaped gap 20-g extends. In this case, FIG.
(C), the lower surface of the conductive low rigidity portion 19-d is deformed by the deformation of the disk member 19-b on the left side, and the lower surface of the lower sheet 20 is connected to the detection electrodes 20-h and 20-i. approach. As a result, the space between the low-rigidity portion 19-d and the detection electrodes 20-h and 20-i is narrowed and the capacitance changes, so that the amount of change in the capacitance is detected as a pressure signal. You.

Here, the lower surface of the conductive low rigidity portion 19-d is deformed by the deformation of the disk member 19-b so that the lower sheet 2
When the surface of the disk member 19-b approaches the detection electrodes 20-h and 20-i in close detail, the disk member 19-b can be seen from FIG.
It can be seen that the deformation is larger than that shown in FIG. This is because the direction of the vector representing the load Wc matches the direction in which the low-rigidity portion 19-d exists. That is, the low-rigidity portion 19-d has a lower deformation strength than the high-rigidity portion 19-c and is easily deformed.
9-b corresponds to the case shown in FIG.
The deformation is larger than the case shown in FIG.

Therefore, the magnitude of the load Wc and the change in the space between the low-rigidity portion 19-d and the surface of the lower sheet 20, that is, the change in the apparent capacitance are shown in FIG. There is a proportional relationship like the straight line c shown. Here, since the slope of the straight line c is gentler than the straight line b, if the magnitude of the load is the same, the apparent capacitance when the load Wc is applied to the top of the stick 19-a Is greater than when the load Wb is applied.
It can be seen that the change increases.

However, since the direction of the load Wc is the direction in which one spoke-shaped gap portion 20-g extends, the detection electrodes 20-h and 20-i, which are opposite electrodes, and the low-rigidity portion 19-d. , That is, the true capacitance is smaller than the apparent capacitance.

In this embodiment, the load W is adjusted by adjusting the high rigidity portion 19-c and the low rigidity portion 19-d.
If the magnitudes of b and Wc are equal, the magnitude of the change in capacitance when the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 19-a and the magnitude of the change in the true capacitance when the load Wc is applied are: Are to be equal. Therefore, the load Wb
If the magnitude of Wc is equal to the magnitude of Wc, the magnitude of the detected pressure detection signal is equal between when the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 19-a and when the load Wc is applied.

As a result, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 19-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the disc member 19-b has the low rigidity portion 19-d at a position corresponding to the direction of the gap 20-g where the detection electrode is not formed. When the direction of the load applied to the top of the stick 19-a corresponds to the direction of the gap 20-g,
Since the disc member 19-b is deformed more greatly, if the magnitude of the load is equal, the gap between the lower surface of the conductive low-rigidity portion 19-d and the detection electrode on the surface of the lower sheet 20 is formed. Of the capacitance becomes equal regardless of the direction of the load.

Therefore, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 19-a is equal, a pressure detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the structure of a pointing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the pointing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the pointing device 10 assembled, and FIG.
2B is an exploded view of the pointing device 10. FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a movable shaft, in which the cover 16 and the movable shaft 19 of the pointing device according to the fourth embodiment are integrated. The movable shaft 21 has a stick 21-a and a flange-shaped disk member 21-b formed integrally with the lower end of the stick 21-a. And the disk member 2
1-b is a spoke-shaped high-rigidity portion 21 extending in four directions.
-C and a low rigidity portion 21-d between the high rigidity portion 21-c.

Here, the high rigidity portion 21-c is made of ABS.
The disk member 21-b is made of a material having high rigidity such as a resin, and is divided into four at 90 degrees. The outer peripheral portion of the disk member 21-b is made of the same material as the high rigidity portion 21-c.

On the other hand, the low-rigidity portion 21-d is made of a material having low rigidity and conductivity, such as silicon rubber in which conductive particles are dispersed, and forms four sectors. The low-rigidity portion 21-d is formed as shown in FIG.
Is formed so as to cover the entire lower surface of the disk member 21-b. The disk member 21-b is formed with a circular concave portion 21-h that is depressed upward in the figure.

Further, a cylindrical peripheral wall 21 extending downward in FIG.
-E is integrally formed of the same material. Further, fixed shafts 21-f extending downward in FIG. 13 are integrally formed at four places of the peripheral wall portion 21-e.

Then, the movable shaft 19, the lower sheet 20
When the base plate 15 and the base plate 15 are assembled in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 13B, the pointing device 10 as shown in FIG. 13A can be obtained. In this case, the lower end in the figure of the fixing shaft 21-f inserted into the fixing hole 20-f and the fixing hole 15-a is bonded or welded, or by crushing and expanding the lower end, It is fixed to the base plate 15.
Also, the disk member 21-b and the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 21-e
Function as a cover for the detection electrode portion.

In this embodiment, the high rigidity portion 21-c and the low rigidity portion 21-d are adjusted so that the load W
If the magnitudes of b and Wc are equal, the magnitude of the change in capacitance when the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 21-a and the magnitude of the change in the true capacitance when the load Wc is applied are: Are to be equal. Therefore, the load Wb
If the magnitude of Wc is equal to the magnitude of Wc, the magnitude of the detected pressure detection signal is equal between when the load Wb is applied to the top of the stick 21-a and when the load Wc is applied.

As a result, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 21-a is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the disc member 21-b has the low rigidity portion 21-d at a position corresponding to the direction of the gap portion 20-g where the detection electrode is not formed. When the direction of the load applied to the top of the stick 21-a corresponds to the direction of the gap 20-g,
Since the disk member 21-b is deformed more greatly, if the magnitude of the load is equal, the gap between the lower surface of the conductive low rigidity portion 21-d and the detection electrode on the surface of the lower sheet 20 is formed. Of the capacitance becomes equal regardless of the direction of the load.

Therefore, if the magnitude of the load applied to the top of the stick 21-a is equal, a pressure detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

Since the disk member 21-b and the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 21-e of the movable shaft 21 function as a cover for the detection electrode portion, the cover 16 can be omitted, so that the configuration of the pointing device 10 is reduced. Simplified,
The cost of the pointing device 10 can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0106]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the pointing device, a movable shaft including a rod-shaped member and a disk member integrally formed at a lower end portion of the rod-shaped member; A detection unit divided into a plurality of sectors and a gap between the detection units, a disk-shaped sheet disposed below the disk member, a base plate disposed below the sheet, In a pointing device having a movable shaft, a cover that couples a sheet and a base plate, the disk member includes a high deformation strength portion and a low deformation strength portion, and the high deformation strength portion corresponds to the detection unit, The portion having the low deformation strength is disposed so as to correspond to the gap portion, and when the rod-shaped member is tilted by applying a load, regardless of the direction of the load, the rod-shaped member is adapted to the magnitude of the load. Out to detect the signal.

In this case, when the direction of the load applied to the bar-shaped member corresponds to the direction of the gap, the disk member is deformed more, and if the magnitude of the load is equal, regardless of the direction of the load, The magnitudes of the detection signals are made equal.

Therefore, if the magnitude of the load applied to the rod-shaped member is equal, a detection signal having the same magnitude is detected regardless of the direction of the load.

In still another pointing device, the material having low rigidity has conductivity, and the portion having low deformation strength functions as a sensor for detecting a detection signal together with the detection section.

In this case, since the portion having low deformation strength has conductivity, the configuration of the pointing device is simplified, and the cost of the pointing device can be reduced.

In still another pointing device, the portion having a low deformation strength and the detecting portion do not contact each other, and function as a counter electrode of a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance.

In this case, a change in the capacitance between the lower surface of the portion having low conductive deformation strength and the detecting portion on the disk-shaped sheet surface is detected as a detection signal.

In still another pointing device, the movable shaft and the cover are formed integrally.

In this case, since the cover can be omitted, the structure of the pointing device can be simplified, and the cost of the pointing device can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing load characteristics of the pointing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a pointing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a pointing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a pointing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a pointing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a pointing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the pointing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating load characteristics of a pointing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a pointing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a pointing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Pointing device 11, 17, 18, 19, 21 Movable shaft 11-b, 17-b, 18-b, 19-b, 21-b
Disc member 14-g, 20-g Clearance 14-h, 14-i, 14-j, 14-k Detector 15 Base plate 16 Cover

Claims (6)

[Claims] (A) a movable shaft including a rod-shaped member and a disk member integrally formed at a lower end portion of the rod-shaped member;
(B) a plurality of sector-shaped detection units and a disk-shaped sheet provided below the disk member and having a gap between the detection units; and (c) disposed below the sheet. (E) the disc member includes a portion having a high deformation strength and a portion having a low deformation strength, wherein the disc member includes a portion having a high deformation strength and a low deformation strength portion. A portion having a high strength corresponds to the detection portion, and a portion having a low deformation strength corresponds to the gap. A pointing device that detects a detection signal according to a magnitude of a load regardless of the load. 2. The portion having a high deformation strength has a large thickness,
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the portion having a low deformation strength has a small thickness. 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the portion having a high deformation strength is made of a material having high rigidity, and the portion having a low deformation strength is made of a material having low rigidity. 4. The pointing device according to claim 3, wherein the material having low rigidity has conductivity, and the portion having low deformation strength functions as a sensor for detecting a detection signal together with the detection unit. 5. The pointing device according to claim 4, wherein the portion having a low deformation strength and the detection unit do not contact each other, and function as a counter electrode of a sensor that detects a change in capacitance. 6. The pointing device according to claim 5, wherein the movable shaft and the cover are formed integrally.