JP2009175912A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for detecting the rotating direction of a rotating member by simple processing. <P>SOLUTION: This input device is configured to make the arrangement direction of first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d in an X axis detection part 8 and the arrangement direction of fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h in a Y axis detection part 9 be orthogonal to each other, and to form the X axis detection part 8 only at one side with respect to a line in which the arrangement place of the Y axis detection part 9 is extended in the arrangement direction of the first to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h, and to form the Y axis detection part 9 only at one side with respect to a line in which the arrangement place of the X axis detection part 8 is extended in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for providing a data element to a data processing device by a physical operation by a user.

  A conventional input device of this type includes a ball having a concavo-convex portion formed on the surface thereof, and detects the concavo-convex portion on the surface of the ball with a sensor as the ball rotates, thereby determining the rotation direction of the ball by X, Y It was configured to analyze and output in the direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the sensor includes two X direction sensors and two Y direction sensors, and a line connecting the X direction sensors and a line connecting the Y direction sensors. The configuration was orthogonal.

As prior art document information relating to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP-A-3-91020

  In the conventional input device described above, a specific method for detecting the rotation direction (X direction or Y direction) of the ball (rotating member) is not described, and such detection is attempted. However, there was a problem that complicated processing may be required.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can detect the rotation direction of a rotating member with a simple process.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a rotating member that gives a strong and weak magnetic field to the outside by rotating, and a detecting unit disposed at a predetermined distance from the rotating member, and the detecting unit includes: An X-axis detector in which the first to fourth magnetic sensors are linearly arranged; a Y-axis detector in which the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors are linearly arranged; and the first magnetic sensor; A first output section connected between the second magnetic sensor, a second output section connected between the third magnetic sensor and the fourth magnetic sensor, and the fifth magnetism. A third output unit connected between the sensor and the sixth magnetic sensor; a fourth output unit connected between the seventh magnetic sensor and the eighth magnetic sensor; and the first output unit. The first and second magnetic sensors are provided at both ends of a series circuit of the magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor and give a potential difference between the both ends. Poles, third and fourth electrodes that are provided at both ends of a series circuit of the third magnetic sensor and the fourth magnetic sensor, and give a potential difference between the two ends, the fifth magnetic sensor, and the sixth Are provided at both ends of the series circuit of the magnetic sensor, and are provided at both ends of the series circuit of the seventh magnetic sensor and the eighth magnetic sensor, and fifth and sixth electrodes for applying a potential difference between the two ends. And seventh and eighth electrodes for applying a potential difference between both ends, and the first to fourth magnetic sensors are sequentially arranged, or the second magnetic sensor is connected to the third magnetic sensor and the fourth magnetic sensor. The third magnetic sensor is positioned between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, and the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors are sequentially positioned. Or the sixth magnetic sensor is replaced with a seventh magnetic sensor. The seventh magnetic sensor is positioned between the fifth magnetic sensor and the sixth magnetic sensor, and the first to fourth magnetic sensors in the X axis detection unit are positioned between the eighth magnetic sensor and the seventh magnetic sensor. The locations where the magnetic sensor placement direction and the fifth to eighth magnetic sensor placement directions in the Y-axis detection unit are orthogonal to each other, and the locations where the Y-axis detection unit is placed are defined as the fifth to eighth points. The X-axis detection unit is formed only on one side with respect to a line extending in the arrangement direction of the magnetic sensor, and a place where the X-axis detection unit is further arranged in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors. The Y-axis detection unit is formed only on one side with respect to the extended line. According to this configuration, when the rotating member rotates in the X-axis direction, the first to fourth components constituting the X-axis detection unit are configured. Magnetic fields are sequentially applied to the magnetic sensors in the order of arrangement. Therefore, there is a time difference between the signal detected by the first output unit connected to the first to fourth magnetic sensors and the signal detected by the second output unit. A phase difference occurs in the signals detected by the output unit and the second output unit, respectively, and the line where the X-axis detection unit is arranged is extended in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors. Since the Y-axis detection unit is formed only on one side, the magnetic field from the rotating member is simultaneously applied to all the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors constituting the Y-axis detection unit. Since there is no time difference between the signal detected by the third output unit connected to the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors and the signal detected by the fourth output unit, the third output unit and the third output unit There is no phase difference between the signals detected by the four output units. As a result, there is a phase difference in the X-axis detector and no phase difference in the Y-axis detector, so that it can be seen that the rotating member is rotating in the X-axis direction, and the rotating member is in the Y-axis direction. The same applies to the case of rotation, and from these facts, it is possible to obtain the operational effect that the rotation direction of the rotation member can be detected by a simple process.

  As described above, in the input device of the present invention, the arrangement directions of the first to fourth magnetic sensors in the X-axis detection unit and the arrangement directions of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors in the Y-axis detection unit are orthogonal to each other. In addition, the X-axis detection unit is formed only on one side with respect to a line obtained by extending the position where the Y-axis detection unit is arranged in the arrangement direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors, and further detects the X-axis. The rotation member rotates in the X-axis direction because the Y-axis detection unit is formed only on one side with respect to the line in which the portion is arranged in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors. In this case, a magnetic field is sequentially applied to the first to fourth magnetic sensors constituting the X-axis detection unit in the order of arrangement, thereby the first magnetic sensor connected to the first to fourth magnetic sensors. The signal detected at the output of the second and the signal detected at the second output Since a difference occurs, a phase difference occurs in the signals detected by the first output unit and the second output unit, respectively, and the locations where the X-axis detection unit is arranged are the first to fourth points. Since the Y-axis detector is formed only on one side with respect to the line extending in the arrangement direction of the magnetic sensor, the magnetic field from the rotating member is applied to all the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors constituting the Y-axis detector. As a result, a time difference occurs between the signal detected by the third output unit connected to the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors and the signal detected by the fourth output unit. Therefore, there is no phase difference between signals detected by the third output unit and the fourth output unit. As a result, there is a phase difference in the X-axis detection unit and no phase difference in the Y-axis detection unit, which indicates that the rotating member is rotating in the X-axis direction. This also applies to the case where the rotating member is rotated, and from these, an excellent effect is obtained that the rotating direction of the rotating member can be detected by a simple process.

  Hereinafter, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of a rotating member used in the input device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rotating member 1 and a detection unit 2 disposed below the rotating member 1 at a predetermined distance from the rotating member 1. It will be.

  The rotating member 1 is configured in a spherical or polyhedral shape, and is orthogonal to the Z direction perpendicular to the detection unit 2 and passes through the center of the rotating member 1 and further in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction orthogonal to each other. It is held so that it can rotate freely. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a pin 3 made of a plurality of magnetic bodies whose tips extend outward is formed inside the rotating member 1. Further, a magnet (not shown) is arranged such that one pole is positioned on the side where the rotating member 1 of the detecting unit 2 is formed and the other pole is positioned on the side where the rotating member 1 of the detecting unit 2 is not formed. With this configuration, the pin 3 captures the magnetic field from the external magnet, and the captured magnetic field is applied to the detection unit 2 in a substantially vertical direction. It is something that can be done.

  The strength of the magnetic field received by the detection unit 2 due to the magnetic field captured by the pin 3 increases when the pin 3 approaches the detection unit 2 and when the pin 3 moves away from the detection unit 2 (two adjacent pins). 3 is weakened when the middle part of 3 approaches the detection unit 2. In this way, the rotating member 1 rotates to give a strong and weak magnetic field to the outside (the pin 3 gives a disturbance of the magnetic field to the outside).

  In order to apply a strong and weak magnetic field to the outside, not only the rotation member 1 is provided with a plurality of pins 3 as described above, but also the surface of the rotation member 1 made of, for example, a magnetic material. The shape may be configured to be uneven, and the pin 3 itself may be configured with a magnet, and the magnetic field generated by the pin 3 may be applied to the detection unit 2.

  The detection unit 2 includes a substrate 4 disposed at a predetermined distance below the rotating member 1, first to eighth magnetic sensors 5 a to 5 h formed on the upper surface of the substrate 4, and first to first. 4 output units 6a to 6d and first to eighth electrodes 7a to 7h.

  Hereinafter, the relationship between the first to eighth magnetic sensors 5a to 5h, the first to fourth output units 6a to 6d, and the first to eighth electrodes 7a to 7h will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit pattern of the input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a circuit pattern diagram of the input device.

  The first to eighth magnetic sensors 5a to 5h are composed of GMR elements, so that the rotating member 1 rotates and the resistance value changes according to the change of the magnetic field applied from the pin 3. It has become.

  Of these first to eighth magnetic sensors 5a to 5h, the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d are arranged in a straight line to constitute the X-axis detector 8, while the fifth The eighth to fifth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h are arranged in a straight line to form the Y-axis detection unit 9.

  Further, the patterns of the first to eighth magnetic sensors 5a to 5h are meandering as shown in FIG. 5, and the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d have a longitudinal direction of X. The longitudinal direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h is parallel to the Y-axis direction.

  The first to eighth magnetic sensors 5a to 5h may be composed of MR elements (magnetoresistance effect elements) or Hall elements, but the MR element has a resistance value only when the current direction and the magnetic field direction are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, when the MR element is used, it is necessary to make the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, since the resistance value of the GMR element changes even if the current direction and the magnetic field direction are parallel, this is not necessary. Furthermore, since the rate of change in resistance value of the GMR element is several times larger than the rate of change in resistance value of the MR element, it is very advantageous to use a GMR element as a magnetic sensor.

  And the arrangement direction of the 1st-4th magnetic sensors 5a-5d in the X-axis detection part 8 and the arrangement direction of the 5th-8th magnetic sensors 5e-5h in the Y-axis detection part 9 are mutually orthogonally crossed. .

  In addition, the X-axis detection unit 8 is formed only on one side with respect to a line extending in the arrangement direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h where the Y-axis detection unit 9 is arranged, The Y-axis detection unit 9 is formed only on one side with respect to a line extending in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d at a position where the X-axis detection unit 8 is arranged. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the 1st-4th magnetic sensors 5a-5d which comprise the X-axis detection part 8 are the 5th-8th magnetic sensors in the location where the Y-axis detection part 9 is arrange | positioned. 5th-8th magnetic sensors 5e-5h which are located only on the right side with respect to the line extended in the arrangement direction of 5e-5h, and constitute Y axis detection part 9 are arranged with X axis detection part 8. Is located only on the left side of a line extending in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d.

  In this case, the relationship between the X-axis detection unit 8 and the Y-axis detection unit 9 is not a cross shape or a T-shape, but an L-shape. At this time, the X-axis detection unit 8 The Y-axis detection unit 9 is disposed at a position shifted from the center point 10 which is an intersection when the perpendicular line is dropped from the center of the rotating member 1 to the substrate 4.

  In the X-axis detection unit 8, the second magnetic sensor 5b is positioned between the third magnetic sensor 5c and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d, and the third magnetic sensor 5c is moved to the first magnetic sensor 5c. It is located between the magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b, that is, the first magnetic sensor 5a, the third magnetic sensor 5c, the second magnetic sensor 5b, and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d. Are arranged in the order. In this order, the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d may be positioned in this order.

  Further, in the Y-axis detection unit 9 as well, the sixth magnetic sensor 5f is positioned between the seventh magnetic sensor 5g and the eighth magnetic sensor 5h, and the seventh magnetic sensor 5g. Is positioned between the fifth magnetic sensor 5e and the sixth magnetic sensor 5f, and the fifth magnetic sensor 5e, the seventh magnetic sensor 5g, the sixth magnetic sensor 5f, and the eighth magnetic sensor 5h They are arranged in order. In this order, the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h may be positioned in this order.

  The first magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b are connected in series as shown in FIG. 3, and the first output unit 6a is connected between them. The third magnetic sensor 5c and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d are also connected in series, and the second output unit 6b is connected between them. Further, the fifth magnetic sensor 5e and the sixth magnetic sensor 5f are also connected in series, and the third output unit 6c is connected therebetween. Furthermore, the seventh magnetic sensor 5g and the eighth magnetic sensor 5h are also connected in series, and the fourth output unit 6d is connected between them. In addition, first and second electrodes 7a and 7b for providing a potential difference between both ends of the series circuit of the first magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b are provided, and a third magnetic sensor is provided. Third and fourth electrodes 7c and 7d that provide a potential difference between both ends of the series circuit of the sensor 5c and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d are provided, and further, a fifth magnetic sensor 5e and a sixth magnetic sensor are provided. At both ends of the 5f series circuit, fifth and sixth electrodes 7e and 7f that provide a potential difference between both ends are provided. Furthermore, both ends of the series circuit of the seventh magnetic sensor 5g and the eighth magnetic sensor 5h are provided. Are provided with seventh and eighth electrodes 7g and 7h for applying a potential difference between both ends.

  With the above configuration, for example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh electrodes 7a, 7c, 7e, and 7g are used as the ground, and the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth electrodes 7b, 7d, If a predetermined voltage is applied to 7f and 7h, a potential difference can be given to each of the series circuits.

  The first to eighth magnetic sensors 5a to 5h, the first to fourth output units 6a to 6d, and the first to eighth electrodes 7a to 7h constituting the detection unit 2 are all on the substrate 4. The X-axis detector 8 and the Y-axis detector 9 are formed on the same plane. In particular, the X-axis detector 8 and the Y-axis detector 9 need to be provided separately. However, the positional relationship between the X-axis detection unit 8 and the Y-axis detection unit 9 can be improved with accuracy, and the mountability and productivity can be improved.

  Next, the operation of the input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the movement of the pin 3 and the direction of the magnetic field received by the magnetic sensor 5 composed of the GMR element. In addition, the arrow in a figure shows the direction of a magnetic field.

  In FIG. 6, when the pin 3 is moving from left to right as the rotating member rotates, the distance between the pin 3 and the magnetic sensor 5 is large as in the left side (the other pins adjacent to the pin 3 and the right side). In the case where the magnetic sensor 5 is located in the middle portion (not shown), the rightward component of the magnetic field with respect to the magnetic sensor 5 becomes zero due to the influence of other pins. Next, when the pin 3 moves a little to the right, the magnetic sensor 5 is displaced from the center point 10 of the rotating member, so that a rightward component of the magnetic field with respect to the magnetic sensor 5 is slightly generated. Further, when the pin 3 moves slightly to the right, the rightward component of the magnetic field with respect to the magnetic sensor 5 becomes maximum, and when the pin 3 moves further to the right, the magnetic sensor is affected by the influence of a pin (not shown) adjacent to the left side. The rightward component of the magnetic field for 5 is zero again.

  Due to the fluctuation of the rightward component of the magnetic field with respect to the magnetic sensor 5, the resistance value of the magnetic sensor 5 changes.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the movement of the pin 3 and the first magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b. FIG. 8 is a diagram when a predetermined potential is applied between the first and second electrodes 7a and 7b in FIG. It is a figure which shows the signal output from the 1st output part 6a.

  In FIG. 7, when the pin 3 moves in the direction of the arrow (the rotating member rotates), the first magnetic sensor 5 a and the second magnetic sensor 5 b both change in resistance value as described above. Since the second magnetic sensor 5b receives the influence of the magnetic field after the first magnetic sensor 5a, there is a difference between the resistance value of the first magnetic sensor 5a and the resistance value of the second magnetic sensor 5b. Thus, when a predetermined potential is applied between the first and second electrodes 7a and 7b, the signal (potential) output from the first output unit 6a becomes a sine wave as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents potential.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the movement of the pin 3 and the X-axis detection unit 8 in the input device, and FIG. 10 is a signal output from the first output unit 6a and a signal output from the second output unit 6b in FIG. FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when the pin 3 moves in the direction of the arrow (the rotating member rotates in the X-axis direction, that is, rotates about the axis parallel to the Y-axis direction), the influence of the magnetic field by the pin 3 is Since the set of the third magnetic sensor 5c and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d is received after the set of the first magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b, the first magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b. Cause a change in resistance value, the third magnetic sensor 5c and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d cause a change in resistance value, and thereby the second magnetic signal is output from the signal (potential) output from the first output unit 6a. The signal (potential) output from the output unit 6b is delayed, and as shown in FIG. 10, the signal 11 (hereinafter indicated by a solid line) output from the first output unit 6a and the second output unit 6b are output. Signal 12 (hereinafter, indicated by a broken line) produces a phase difference. That. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents potential.

  As described above, when the rotating member 1 rotates in the X-axis direction, the phase difference generated in the signals output to the first output unit 6a and the second output unit 6b in the X-axis detection unit 8 is detected. By processing so that the rotation member 1 can be detected reliably in the X-axis direction, and the amount of movement of the rotation member 1 can be detected by counting the number of phase differences per unit time It is.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a signal output from the first output unit 6a and a signal output from the second output unit 6b when the pin 3 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in FIG. .

  In FIG. 9, when the pin 3 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow, the influence of the magnetic field generated by the pin 3 is affected by a combination of the first magnetic sensor 5 a and the second magnetic sensor 5 b with the third magnetic sensor 5 c, Since it is influenced after a set of the fourth magnetic sensor 5d, the signal output from the first output unit 6a and the signal output from the second output unit 6b are as shown in FIG. The signal 11 output from the first output unit 6a is delayed from the signal 12 output from the second output unit 6b. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents potential.

  As described above, not only the rotation direction of the rotation member 1 (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) but also the rotation direction of the rotation member 1 (clockwise or counterclockwise when the rotation member 1 is viewed from the direction parallel to the detection unit 2). ) Can also be detected at the same time.

  12 is a diagram showing the movement of the pin 3 when the pin moves on the left side with respect to the X-axis detector 8 and the X-axis detector 8. FIG. 13 is output from the first output unit 6a in FIG. And a signal output from the second output unit 6b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the X-axis detection unit 8 is formed only on the right side with respect to the arrangement direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5 e to 5 h in the Y-axis detection unit 9. When rotating in the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 12, the pin 3 moves to the left with respect to the X-axis detector 8, that is, in the direction of the arrow. The magnetic field received from the pin 3 is applied to all of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d at the same time. Therefore, there is no magnetic sensor 5 that receives the influence of the magnetic field later than the others, and the signal is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, no phase difference is generated, so that it is possible to reliably detect that the rotating member 1 is not rotating in the X direction. In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents potential.

  In this case, since the first magnetic sensor 5a and the second magnetic sensor 5b are closer to the pin 3 than the third magnetic sensor 5c and the fourth magnetic sensor 5d, the signal 11 output from the first output unit 6a is It is stronger (the voltage is larger) than the signal 12 output from the second output unit 6b.

  In addition, although the case where the pin 3 does not pass through the center point 10 and passes over the X-axis detection unit 8 is considered, in this case, the number of occurrences of the phase difference is small, which affects the detection of the rotation direction. There is hardly anything.

  If the rotating member 1 rotates in the X-axis direction according to the operation principle described in FIGS. 9 to 13 above, a phase difference occurs in the signals output from the two output units 6a and 6b in the X-axis detection unit 8. On the other hand, if the rotating member 1 rotates in the Y-axis direction, there is no phase difference between the two signals. The same applies to the Y-axis detector 9.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the movement of the pin 3 and the X-axis detector 8 and the Y-axis detector 9 when the rotating member 1 rotates in the Y-axis direction (the pin 3 moves in the direction of the arrow). 15 is a diagram showing the signal 13 output from the third output unit 6c and the signal 14 output from the fourth output unit 6d of the Y-axis detection unit 9 in FIG. 14, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the signal 11 output from the 1st output part 6a of the axis | shaft detection part 8, and the signal 12 output from the 2nd output part 6b.

  15 and 16, the upper waveform represents an actual signal, the lower waveform represents a signal obtained by converting the signal into a rectangular wave, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents potential.

  At this time, an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the signal (voltage) in the sine wave is used as a reference value, and the signal is converted into a rectangular wave in which a portion larger than the reference value is large and a portion smaller than the reference value is small. If converted into a rectangular wave, it becomes easy to detect the magnitude relationship between the two signals with respect to the reference value, so that the phase difference between the two signals can be easily detected.

  As apparent from FIGS. 15 and 16, when the rotating member 1 rotates in the Y-axis direction, the signal 13 output from the third output unit 6c and the fourth output unit 6d in the Y-axis detection unit 9 are output. There is a phase difference between the signal 14 and the signal 14 output from the first output unit 6a and the signal 12 output from the second output unit 6b in the X-axis detection unit 8 as shown in FIG. Such a phase difference does not occur.

  Note that the waveform shown in FIG. 13 is not necessarily detected in FIG. 16 because the pin 3 does not pass through the center point 10 or there are a plurality of pins 3 that apply a magnetic field to one magnetic sensor 5. In addition, the maximum value in FIG.

  In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the arrangement directions of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d in the X-axis detection unit 8 and the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5e in the Y-axis detection unit 9 are described. The X axis is placed only on one side with respect to a line extending in the arrangement direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h at a place where the Y axis detector 9 is arranged perpendicular to each other and 5h. The Y-axis detection unit 9 is formed only on one side with respect to a line that forms the detection unit 8 and further extends a position where the X-axis detection unit 8 is arranged in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d. Therefore, when the rotating member 1 rotates in the X-axis direction, the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d constituting the X-axis detector 8 are arranged in the order of arrangement (in FIG. Magnetic sensor 5a, third magnetic sensor 5c, second magnetic sensor 5b, fourth The magnetic field is sequentially applied to the air sensor 5d), whereby the signal detected by the first output unit 6a connected to the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d and the second output unit. Since a time difference occurs in the signal detected by 6b, a phase difference occurs in the signals detected by the first output unit 6a and the second output unit 6b, respectively, while the X-axis detection unit 8 is disposed. Since the Y-axis detector 9 is formed only on one side with respect to the line extending in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors 5a to 5d, the magnetic field from the rotating member 1 causes the Y-axis detector 9 to The third output unit 6c connected to the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h is thereby applied simultaneously to all the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors 5e to 5h. There is a time difference between the signal detected in step 4 and the signal detected in the fourth output unit 6d. Since Rukoto no, no phase difference in the signals detected respectively by the third output portion 6c and the fourth output portion 6d. As a result, a phase difference is generated in the X-axis detection unit 8 and no phase difference is generated in the Y-axis detection unit 9, so that it can be seen that the rotating member 1 is rotating in the X-axis direction. The same applies to the case where the rotating member 1 rotates in the Y-axis direction. From these, the effect that the rotating direction of the rotating member 1 can be detected with a simple process is obtained.

  Furthermore, not only the rotation direction of the rotation member 1 but also the rotation direction (forward / reverse) of the rotation member 1 can be detected simultaneously with the same circuit.

  When the rotation direction of the rotating member 1 is oblique with respect to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the ratio of the number of occurrences of the phase difference per unit time between the X-axis detection unit 8 and the Y-axis detection unit 9 An angle can be detected.

  The input device according to the present invention has an effect that the rotation direction of the rotating member can be detected by a simple process, particularly in an input device for providing a data element to the data processing device by a physical operation by a user. It will be useful.

The front view of the input device in one embodiment of this invention Front view of the inside of a rotating member used in the input device Schematic diagram of the circuit pattern of the input device Circuit pattern of the input device The figure which shows the pattern of the 1st-8th magnetic sensor in the input device. The figure which shows the relationship between the movement of the pin in the input device and the direction of the magnetic field received by the magnetic sensor The figure which shows the motion of the pin in the same input device, a 1st magnetic sensor, and a 2nd magnetic sensor The figure which shows the signal output from the 1st output part when predetermined electric potential is applied between the 1st, 2nd electrodes in FIG. The figure which shows the movement of the pin in the same input device, and an X-axis detection part The figure which shows the signal output from the 1st output part in FIG. 9, and the signal output from the 2nd output part FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a signal output from the first output unit and a signal output from the second output unit when the pin moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9. The figure which shows a pin motion and a X-axis detection part when a pin moves in the left side with respect to the X-axis detection part in the input device The figure which shows the signal output from the 1st output part in FIG. 12, and the signal output from the 2nd output part The figure which shows the motion of a pin when a rotation member rotates in the Y-axis direction in the same input device, an X-axis detection part, and a Y-axis detection part The figure which shows the signal output from the 3rd output part in the Y-axis detection part in FIG. 14, and the signal output from the 4th output part The figure which shows the signal output from the 1st output part in the X-axis detection part in FIG. 14, and the signal output from a 2nd output part The figure which shows the sensor for X directions in the conventional input device, and the sensor for Y directions

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rotating member 2 Detection part 5,5a-5h Magnetic sensor 6a-6d 1st-4th output part 7a-7h 1st-8th electrode 8 X-axis detection part 9 Y-axis detection part

Claims (1)

A rotating member that gives a strong and weak magnetic field to the outside by rotating, and a detector disposed at a predetermined distance from the rotating member, the first to fourth magnetic sensors having a linear shape. The X-axis detection unit disposed in the first, the Y-axis detection unit in which the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors are linearly disposed, and the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor are connected to each other. A first output unit, a second output unit connected between the third magnetic sensor and the fourth magnetic sensor, and a connection between the fifth magnetic sensor and the sixth magnetic sensor Third output unit, a fourth output unit connected between the seventh magnetic sensor and the eighth magnetic sensor, and a series circuit of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor First and second electrodes for providing a potential difference between the two ends, the third magnetic sensor, Provided at both ends of the series circuit of the magnetic sensor, and provided at both ends of the series circuit of the fifth and sixth magnetic sensors, the third and fourth electrodes for applying a potential difference between the both ends, And fifth and sixth electrodes for applying a potential difference between both ends, and seventh and eighth electrodes for providing a potential difference between the both ends of the series circuit of the seventh magnetic sensor and the eighth magnetic sensor. And the first to fourth magnetic sensors are sequentially positioned, or the second magnetic sensor is positioned between the third magnetic sensor and the fourth magnetic sensor, and The third magnetic sensor is positioned between the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors are sequentially positioned, or the sixth magnetic sensor is moved to the seventh magnetic sensor. Between the magnetic sensor and the eighth magnetic sensor. In addition, the seventh magnetic sensor is positioned between the fifth magnetic sensor and the sixth magnetic sensor, the arrangement directions of the first to fourth magnetic sensors in the X-axis detection unit, and the Y-axis detection With respect to a line extending perpendicularly to the arrangement direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors and extending the portion where the Y-axis detection unit is arranged in the arrangement direction of the fifth to eighth magnetic sensors. The X-axis detection unit is formed only on one side, and the portion where the X-axis detection unit is arranged is further extended only in one side with respect to a line extending in the arrangement direction of the first to fourth magnetic sensors. An input device having an axis detector.

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