JP2014052664A - Operator and operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operator and an operation device that are capable of detecting a larger number of operation directions.SOLUTION: An operator 3 used for an operation device comprises: an operation body 31 that receives an input operation; a detection body 32 that detects a displacement direction of the operation body 31 with at least two points set at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the operation body 31 as detection portions; and a support body 33 that surrounds the operation body 31 and displaceably supports the operation body 31. This enables detection of a rotational movement of the operation body in addition to a parallel movement of the operation body, thereby enabling detection of a larger number of operation directions of the operation body.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation element and an operation device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation device that is connected to an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a game device and transmits an operation signal to the information processing device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The controller (operation device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a left grip portion and a right grip portion that are gripped by the left and right hands of a user, and a direction key and an operation button that are disposed in front of the controller. . Among these, the direction key is disposed at a position corresponding to the thumb when the left grip portion is gripped with the left hand, and the operation button is disposed at a position corresponding to the thumb when the right grip portion is gripped with the right hand. It is installed. Further, the controller is provided with two analog sticks between areas where direction keys and operation buttons are arranged.
Such an analog stick has an orthogonal biaxial joystick structure, and the analog stick is provided in a hemispherical manner so as to be freely displaceable. And if the said analog stick is operated, a controller will output the operation signal according to the displacement direction.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0131171

In recent years, a lot of software such as game software that requires complicated operations has been distributed. For example, in a game called FPS (First Person shooter), an operation for changing the line of sight of the character and an operation for changing the aim of the target are performed while moving the character. On the other hand, the controller described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 detects the up / down / left / right directions with the direction keys, and detects the pan and tilt directions with the analog stick, but requires a more complicated operation. When software is distributed, the controller may not be able to handle it.
From such a problem, a controller (operation device) capable of detecting a further operation direction has been desired.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an operator and an operation device that can detect more operation directions.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an operating element of the present invention is an operating element used in an operating device, and an operating body that receives an input operation and at least two that are set at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operating body. A plurality of detection bodies for detecting a displacement direction of the operation body with a point as a detection site, and a support body that surrounds the operation body and supports the operation body in a freely displaceable manner.

Examples of the detection body include a mechanical sensor such as a strain gauge, a displacement sensor such as a Hall element, and an optical sensor.
According to the present invention, the plurality of detection bodies detect the displacement of the operation body at at least two detection sites, thereby causing the parallel movement of the operation body in at least two directions, the roll of the operation body, and the pan and tilt. At least one of them can be detected.
For example, when the operating body has a cylindrical shape, the displacement along the central axis of the operating body and the displacement in the direction perpendicular to the central axis indicate that the respective detecting bodies detect the displacement of the operating body in the same direction. Is detected. Further, the roll of the operating body (roll rotation with the central axis as the rotation axis) is detected by each detector detecting the displacement of the operating body in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the pan and tilt of the operating body (yaw rotation and pitch rotation with the direction orthogonal to the central axis as the rotational axis) detects the displacement of one detection body along the central axis and the other detection body It is detected by detecting the displacement to the other along the central axis.
As described above, the plurality of detection bodies detect the displacement of the operation body, so that it is possible to detect more displacement directions of the operation body than in the case of the analog stick described above. Therefore, when such an operation element is provided in the operating device, the convenience of the operating device can be improved.

In the present invention, the detection body surrounds the operation body according to the detection site, is arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operation body, and engages with the operation body to move the operation body. It is preferable to have a follower that follows.
According to the present invention, the action direction (pressure direction) of the pressure generated by the displacement of the operation body can be reliably transmitted to the detection body by the follow-up portion of the detection body. Therefore, the detection body can reliably detect the displacement direction of the operation body.
In addition, if the follower is configured by a transmission mechanism such as a link mechanism, it is not always necessary to provide the detection body around the operation body. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of arrangement of the detectors, and thereby improve the degree of freedom of design of the operation element.

In the present invention, one of the follower and the operation body has a hole, and the other has an insertion part that is inserted into the hole and transmits the movement of the operation body to the follower. It is preferable.
In this case, the formation position of the hole portion or the insertion portion becomes the aforementioned detection site.
According to the present invention, the follower and the operating body can be connected with a simple configuration, and the pressure direction caused by the displacement of the operating body can be reliably transmitted to the detecting body via the follower.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a predetermined clearance is formed between the inner surface of the hole portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion.
Such clearance includes a clearance between the end surface of the insertion portion and the inner surface of the hole portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the hole portion, and an end surface of the insertion portion and an inner surface of the hole portion in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. The clearance between is mentioned.
According to the present invention, since these clearances are formed, the detection body does not detect the displacement of the operation body when the operation body is slightly displaced by the amount corresponding to the clearance. For this reason, it can suppress that the displacement detection of the operation body by a detection body is performed frequently.

Further, when the detection body is constituted by a strain gauge, if the clearance is not formed, the operation body in the direction orthogonal to the strain gauge, that is, the insertion direction of the insertion portion into the hole portion. Due to this displacement, interference of internal force occurs between the operating body and the detection body, which causes a detection error.
On the other hand, since the clearance is formed, the operation body can be displaced in the insertion direction without the insertion section coming into contact with the inner surface of the hole, so that internal force interference between the operation body and the detection body. Can be prevented. And the displacement of the said operation body can be detected by detecting the displacement of the operation body to the said insertion direction, without detecting the detection body which has the said insertion part or a hole, and another detection body. Therefore, the displacement direction of the operating body can be detected appropriately.

In the present invention, it is preferable that each detection body is attached to the support body, and the operation body is supported by the detection body by inserting the insertion portion into the hole.
According to the present invention, since the operation body is supported by the insertion portion of each detection body supported by the support body, it is not necessary to separately provide a configuration for supporting the operation body so as to be displaceable. Therefore, the configuration of the operation element can be simplified.

In this invention, it is preferable that the said operation body has an elastic part which elastically deforms according to the displacement of the said operation body.
According to the present invention, when the operating body is displaced, the elastic part elastically deforms and bends, so that the user can actually feel the input operation on the operating body, so that the operability of the operating element can be further improved.

In addition, an operating device of the present invention includes the above-described operation element.
According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the above-described operation element, thereby improving the convenience of the operation device.

In this invention, it is preferable to provide the housing | casing in which the said operation element is provided, and the both ends of the said operating body are each exposed from the said housing | casing.
According to the present invention, since both ends of the operating body are exposed from the casing, the operating body can be operated by sandwiching both ends. Therefore, the operability of the operating element and thus the operating device can be further improved.

In the present invention, the housing is provided in accordance with a left grip part and a right grip part gripped by a user's left hand and right hand, respectively, and a thumb position when the left grip part is gripped by the left hand. A first arrangement portion on which the first button is arranged, and a second arrangement on which the second button is arranged, according to the position of the thumb when the right gripping portion is gripped with the right hand. It is preferable to have an arrangement part, and an operation element arrangement part provided between the first arrangement part and the second arrangement part, where the operation element is arranged.
According to the present invention, since the operation element disposition part in which the operation element is disposed is provided between the first disposition part and the second disposition part, the user who grasps the left grip part. The operator can be operated with either the left hand or the right hand of the user holding the right grip. According to this, since the operating element can be operated without releasing the hand from the operating device, the operability of the operating device can be improved.

The perspective view which shows the operating device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the operation body of the operation element in the said embodiment displaced. (A) The front view which shows the displacement state to the X direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. (B) The side view which shows the displacement state to the X direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. (A) The front view which shows the displacement state to the Y direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. (B) The side view which shows the displacement state to the Y direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. (A) The front view which shows the displacement state to the Z direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. (B) The side view which shows the displacement state to the Z direction of the operation part in the said embodiment. (A) The front view which shows the yaw rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. (B) The side view which shows the yaw rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. (A) The front view which shows the pitch rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. (B) The side view which shows the pitch rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. (A) The front view which shows the roll rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. (B) The side view which shows the roll rotation state of the operation part in the said embodiment. The perspective view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the operation element in the said embodiment. (A) The front view which shows the operating device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (B) The side view which shows the operating device in the said embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention has. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the operation element which the operating device which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention has. The perspective view which shows the operation body in the said embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an operating device 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following drawings, the Z direction indicates the axial direction of the operating body 31 to be described later, and the X direction and the Y direction are the right direction when the housing 2 is viewed from the front out of the directions orthogonal to the Z direction. Indicates upward direction. The X1 direction indicates a direction inclined by 45 ° from the X direction toward the Y direction on the XY plane, and the Y1 direction indicates a direction inclined by 45 ° from the Y direction toward the opposite direction to the X direction.
The operating device 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to an information processing device such as a PC or a game device, and transmits an operation signal corresponding to an input operation to the information processing device. As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 includes a synthetic resin casing 2 and a pair of operating elements 3 provided in the casing 2 (the left and right operating elements in FIG. 1 are respectively 3L and 3R. ).

[Case structure]
The housing 2 includes a left grip 21L that is gripped by the user's left hand and a right grip 21R that is gripped by the user's right hand. Further, on the front surface 2F of the housing 2, a first disposing portion 22 where the cross key K1 is disposed is provided at a position corresponding to the thumb when the left gripping portion 21L is gripped with the left hand of the user. Yes. Further, on the front surface 2F, a second disposing portion 23 in which four operation keys K2 are disposed is provided at a position corresponding to the thumb when the right grip portion 21R is gripped with the right hand of the user. .
In addition, on the front surface 2F, between the first disposing portion 22 and the second disposing portion 23, the manipulator disposing portions 24 provided with the manipulating members 3L and 3R (left and right manipulating element arrangements) are provided. The installation portions are 24L and 24R, respectively). Further, other operation keys K3 are provided on the upper surface 2T of the housing 2 on the left and right sides, and these arrangement positions are positions corresponding to the index finger of the user.

Among these, the operation element arrangement parts 24L and 24R are configured as holes having a substantially circular shape in a plan view and communicating the front surface 2F and the back surface 2R, and the operation element 3 is provided in the hole parts. Then, both ends of the central axis of the operation body 31 constituting the operation element 3 (3L, 3R) are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 from the front surface 2F and the back surface 2R.
When using the operating device 1, for example, the user operates the operation keys with the left and right index fingers while holding the left gripping part 21 </ b> L and the right gripping part 21 </ b> R so as to be wrapped with the left and right palms, the little finger and the ring finger While inputting K3, the cross key K1 and the operation key K2 are input with the left and right thumbs. In addition, when operating the operating elements 3L and 3R in this state, the operating elements 3L and 3R are operated with the left and right thumbs, and, if necessary, the operating elements 3L and 3R are sandwiched between the thumb and the middle finger. To operate. Further, as will be described later, it is also possible to roll the operating elements 3L and 3R by pinching the operating elements 3L and 3R with the thumb and forefinger.

[Configuration of controls]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the operation element 3, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) showing the operation element 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation element 3 (a cross-sectional view in the XY plane at the center in the axial direction of the operation element 3). Further, FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view on the X1Z plane) of the operation element 3 showing the state of the detection body 32 when the operation body 31 is displaced (rotated in the direction opposite to the X1 direction).
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the operation element 3 (3 </ b> L, 3 </ b> R) includes a cylindrical operation body 31 that is operated by a user, and four detection bodies 32 that detect the displacement direction of the operation body 31. , Each of the detection bodies 32 is supported, and thus has a support body 33 that supports the operation body 31. The operation element 3 detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the 6-axis direction by each detection body 32. That is, the operation element 3 detects the parallel movement of the operation body 31 in the XY plane and the parallel movement in the Z direction, and rotates the operation body 31 with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as a rotation axis (for example, , Yaw rotation and pitch rotation), and rotation of the operating body 31 with the Z direction as a rotation axis (roll rotation).

[Configuration of control body]
The operating body 31 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 311, a pair of fixing portions 312 attached to both ends of the shaft portion 311, and a pair of elastic portions 313 and action portions 314 sandwiched between the fixing portions 312. .
Among these, the fixing portion 312 is formed in a circular shape in plan view having a diameter size substantially the same as the diameter size of the elastic portion 313, and is fixed to the shaft portion 311 with a screw 315. A cylindrical cap 316 (see FIG. 1) is attached to these fixing portions 312 so as to cover the fixing portion 312 and is a portion operated by the user. A pair of elastic portions 313 and action portions 314 are arranged at positions sandwiched between such fixing portions 312.

  The pair of elastic portions 313 is formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic member such as rubber, and is provided so as to surround the shaft portion 311 and sandwich the action portion 314. The pair of elastic portions 313 connect the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 and the action portion 314, and mediate the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 to the action portion 314. The elastic portion 313 is elastically deformed and bent when the shaft portion 311 and the fixed portion 312 are rotationally displaced, so that the rotation is absorbed, and only the pressure generated by the rotational displacement acts. Is transmitted to the unit 314. For this reason, even if the axial part 311 and the fixing | fixed part 312 are displaced, the action part 314 is hardly displaced, and even if it is displaced, it is a little compared with the displacement amount of the axial part 311 and the fixing | fixed part 312.

  The action part 314 is formed in an annular shape from a synthetic resin or metal having higher rigidity than the elastic part 313, and is fixed to the elastic part 313 by an adhesive or the like. The action part 314 has a diameter larger than that of the elastic part 313, and the action part 314 has a hole part into which an insertion part 3211 (described later) is inserted at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the XY plane. 3141 are formed so as to penetrate the action part 314, respectively. The action unit 314 transmits the pressure in the displacement direction of the operating body 31 transmitted through the elastic unit 313 to the detection body 32 through the insertion unit 3211. The hole 3141 into which the insertion part 3211 is inserted corresponds to the hole of the present invention, and the formation position of the hole 3141 corresponds to the detection site of the present invention. Therefore, in the operating body 31 of the present embodiment, four detection sites are provided. A predetermined gap is formed between the inner wall of the hole through which the shaft portion 311 is inserted in the action portion 314 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 311, and the stroke amount of the operating body 31 is secured by the gap. The

[Configuration of the detection object]
In this embodiment, the detection body 32 (the detection bodies positioned at the X1 direction front end side and the base end side are 32X1, 32X2 and the Y direction front end side and base end side detection bodies are 32Y1, 32Y2) is a strain gauge. Each of the pressures in the displacement direction of the operating body 31 is detected. Specifically, each detection body 32 is provided at a position corresponding to the above-described hole 3141, and thereby the operation body 31 is arranged at equal intervals (every 90 ° in the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the operation body 31. It is arranged so that it surrounds. Each of these detectors 32 includes a follower 321 that protrudes toward the operating body 31 and a detector 322 that detects the direction of pressure applied to the follower 321.
Among these, the detection unit 322 detects a change in the pressure of the operation body 31 by detecting a pressure change transmitted through the follower 321 when the operation body 31 is displaced.

The follower 321 is formed of a member having rigidity or flexibility. The follower 321 has an insertion part 3211 that is inserted into the hole 3141 at the tip of the follower 321 in the protruding direction.
These insertion portions 3211 have an outer diameter dimension that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the corresponding hole portion 3141, whereby a slight clearance is provided between the inner surface of the hole portion 3141 and the outer surface of the insertion portion 3211. Is formed. More specifically, a clearance C <b> 1 is formed between the end surface of the insertion portion 3211 orthogonal to the protruding direction (insertion direction into the hole 3141) and the inner surface of the hole 3141. Moreover, since the hole 3141 formed in the action part 314 is formed so as to penetrate the action part 3141, there is a clearance between the hole 3141 and the end surface in the protruding direction of the insertion part 3211. C2 is formed.

Such a follower 321 is displaced according to the displacement of the operating body 31 to cause a change in the pressure direction detected by the detector 322.
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the operating body 31 is rotationally displaced in the direction opposite to the X1 direction (P direction) with the Y1 direction as a rotational axis. The follower 321 of the detector 32X1 located on the side transmits the pressure in the Z direction to the detector 322, and the follower 321 of the detector 32X2 located on the base end side in the X1 direction is in a direction opposite to the Z direction. Is transmitted to the detection unit 322. And the detection part 322 of these detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2 detects the pressure direction of each tracking part 321.
In addition, since the above-mentioned clearance C1 is formed between the insertion part 3211 and the hole 3141 in the follower part 321, the follower part 321 of the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2 positioned on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the Y1 direction. No pressure is transmitted in the rotational displacement of the operating body 31 shown in FIG. For this reason, the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2 do not detect the displacement of the operation body 31.
Based on the detection results of these detection bodies 32, the displacement direction of the operation body 31 is detected.

  Moreover, the structure which contact | abuts the said tracking part 321 (insertion part 3211) is not arrange | positioned at the protrusion direction front end side (following direction of the insertion part 3211 to the hole 3141) of the tracking part 321. A clearance C2 is formed. For this reason, when the operating body 31 is displaced along the protruding direction, the detection body 32 having the follower 321 protruding in the protruding direction does not detect the displacement of the operating body 31. This prevents internal force interference between the operating body 31 and the detecting body 32 and prevents the detection error of the operating body 31 from occurring.

(Structure of support)
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the support 33 has a regular rectangular tube shape made of metal or the like, and is disposed so as to surround the operation body 31 (particularly the action portion 314). Each detection body 32 is attached to each of the four planes of the support 33 by screws 331 so that the follower 321 faces the operating body 31. The dimension of the operation body 31 in the axial direction (Z direction) of the support body 33 is set to about 1/3 of the dimension of the operation body 31 in the same direction. Are exposed from the support 33. As described above, the caps 316 are attached to both ends of the operation body 31, and the operation body 31 can be operated (displaced).

[Displacement detection of operating body]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the X direction. 6A and 6B are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the X direction (translation in the XY plane), the direction following the displacement of the operating body 31 is set to each follower 321. Pressure is applied. Specifically, pressure in the direction opposite to the Y1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2, and pressure in the X1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2. Then, by detecting the pressure direction that each detection body 32 applies to each follower 321, the operation element 3 </ b> L detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the X direction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Y direction. 7A and 7B are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Y direction (translation in the XY plane), the corresponding operating body is placed in each follower 321 as described above. A directional pressure is applied following the displacement of 31. Specifically, pressure in the Y1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2, and pressure in the X1 direction is applied to the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2. Then, the operation element 3L detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the Y direction by detecting the pressure direction applied to each follower 321 by each detection body 32.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operating device 1 when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Z direction. 8A and 8B are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Z direction (parallel movement in the Z direction), pressure in the Z direction is applied to all the followers 321. Then, by detecting the pressure direction that each detection body 32 applies to each follower 321, the operation element 3 </ b> L detects the displacement of the operation body 31 in the Z direction.
Thus, the operation element 3 detects the parallel movement along the X, Y, and Z directions of the operation body 31 by detecting the pressure direction that each detection body 32 applies to the follower 321. Note that the parallel movement of the operating body 31 in the other direction on the XY plane is also detected in the same manner.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation device 1 when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (yaw rotation) in the X direction with the Y direction as a rotation axis. 9A and 9B are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the X direction (yaw rotation) about the Y direction as a rotation axis, the followers of the detection bodies 32X1 and 32Y2 shown in FIG. Pressure in the direction opposite to the Z direction is applied to 321, and pressure in the Z direction is applied to the follower 321 of the detection bodies 32X2 and 32Y1. Then, when each detector 32 detects the direction of pressure applied to the follower 321, the operator 3 </ b> L detects the yaw rotation of the operator 31 in the X direction.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation device 1 when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (pitch rotation) in the Y direction with the X direction as a rotation axis. 10A and 10B are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the operating body 31 of the operating element 3L is displaced in the Y direction (pitch rotation) with the X direction as the rotation axis, the followers of the detection bodies 32X1 and 32Y1 shown in FIG. A pressure in the direction opposite to the Z direction is applied to 321, and a pressure in the Z direction is applied to the follower 321 of the detection bodies 32 </ b> X <b> 2 and 32 </ b> Y <b> 2. Then, when each detection body 32 detects the pressure direction applied to the follower 321, the operation element 3 </ b> L detects the pitch rotation of the operation body 31 in the Y direction.
Note that rotation in another direction with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as a rotation axis is also detected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation device 1 when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (roll rotation) with the Z direction as a rotation axis. 11A and 11B are a front view and a side view of the operating device 1.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the operation body 31 of the operation element 3L is displaced (roll rotation) with the Z direction as a rotation axis, the followers 321 of all the detection bodies 32 shown in FIG. Pressure in the same direction (same direction as seen from the protruding direction of the follower 321) when the detection bodies 32 are viewed from the front is applied. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, the operating body 31 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction when the operating device 1 is viewed from the front. However, in this state, the operating body 31 faces the follower 321 and the Z direction is upward. Thus, when the follower 321 is viewed, the leftward pressure is applied to each follower 321. On the other hand, when the operating body 31 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the rightward pressure is applied to each of the following portions 321. When each detection body 32 detects the pressure direction applied to the follower 321, the operator 3 </ b> L detects roll rotation about the Z direction of the operation body 31 as a rotation axis.
In addition, the case where the parallel movement and the rotational displacement of the operation body 31 are combined is also detected in the same manner.

The operating element 3R has the same configuration as the operating element 3L, and detects the displacement of the operating body 31 in the same manner as the operating element 3L.
The displacement of the operating body 31 thus detected is transmitted as a control signal from the operating elements 3L, 3R to the control device (not shown) of the operating device 1. Then, the control device performs various corrections such as sensitivity correction, bias correction, variation correction, and drift correction between the detection bodies 32, performs dead zone processing, and the like, and obtains an operation signal based on the control signal as the above-described information. Send to processing device.

The operation device 1 according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects.
(1) The two detectors 32 arranged in the X1 direction and the two detectors 32 arranged in the Y1 direction orthogonal to the X1 direction in the XY plane, translate the operation body 31 in the XY plane, in the Z direction. , A rotation with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as a rotation axis, and a rotation with the Z direction as a rotation axis can be detected.
According to this, the displacement direction of the operation body 31 more than the conventional analog stick can be detected. Therefore, the convenience of the operating device 1 can be improved.

(2) Each follower 321 of each detection body 32 is engaged with the action portion 314 of the operation body 31 to reliably transmit the direction of pressure generated by the displacement of the operation body 31 to each detection body 32. Can do. Accordingly, each detection body 32 can reliably detect the displacement direction of the operation body 31.
(3) An insertion portion 3211 to be inserted into a hole 3141 formed in the action portion 314 is formed at the leading end of the follow-up portion 321 in the protruding direction from the detection body 32, whereby the operating body 31 and the detection body 32 can be physically connected with a simple configuration. According to this, the direction of the pressure generated by the displacement of the operation body 31 can be reliably transmitted to the detection body 32 via the follower 321. Therefore, each detection body 32 can detect the displacement direction of the operation body 31 more reliably.

(4) Clearances C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 are formed between the inner surface of the hole portion 3141 and the outer surface of the insertion portion 3211. For this reason, when the operating body 31 is slightly displaced by a dimension corresponding to the clearance C1, the detecting body 32 does not detect the displacement of the operating body 31. According to this, it can suppress that the displacement detection of the operation body 31 by the detection body 32 arises frequently.
Further, since the clearance C2 is formed, the operating body 31 extends along the protruding direction of the insertion portion 3211 (insertion direction into the hole 3141) in a state where the insertion portion 3211 does not contact the inner surface of the hole 3141. Can be displaced. According to this, it is possible to prevent internal force interference between the detection body 32 having the insertion portion 3211 and the operation body 31. In this case, since the displacement of the operation body 31 is detected by the other detection body 32, the displacement direction of the operation body 31 can be detected appropriately.

(5) The operation body 31 is supported by the follower 321 (insertion section 3211) of each detection body 32 supported by the support body 33 so as to surround the operation body 31. According to this, it is not necessary to separately provide another configuration for supporting the operation body 31 so as to be displaceable in the above-described direction. Therefore, the configuration of the operation element 3 can be simplified.
(6) The operation body 31 has a pair of elastic parts 313 so as to sandwich the action part 314 in which the hole 3141 serving as a detection part is formed, and the elastic part 313 is moved when the operation body 31 is displaced. Elastically deforms and bends. According to this, since the user can actually feel the input operation on the operation body 31, the operability of the operation element 3 can be further improved.

(7) In the operating device 1, since both ends of the operating body 31 are exposed on the front 2F side and the back 2R side of the housing 2, the operating body 31 is operated so that the both ends are sandwiched between the thumb and the middle finger. it can. Therefore, the operability of the operating element 3 and thus the operating device 1 can be further improved.
(8) In the operating device 1, operating element arrangement portions 24 </ b> L and 24 </ b> R where the operating element 3 is provided are provided between the first arranging part 22 and the second arranging part 23. The operation element 3 is disposed in each of the installation portions 24L and 24R. According to this, the left and right operators 3 can be operated with the left hand of the user holding the left gripping portion 21L and the right hand of the user holding the right gripping portion 21R. Therefore, since the operation element 3 can be operated without releasing the hand from the operation device 1, the operability of the operation device 1 can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the operating device 1 described above. Here, the operation element 3 (3L, 3R) provided in the operation device 1 has a configuration including four detection bodies 32. On the other hand, the operator provided in the operating device according to the present embodiment has three detectors. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment and the operating device 1 are different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the operating element 4 provided in the operating device according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 13 and 14 are a longitudinal sectional view (cross sectional view in the XZ plane) and a lateral sectional view (cross sectional view in the XY plane) showing the operation element 4.
Although the detailed illustration is omitted, the operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 4 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the operation element 4 supports the operation body 41, the three detection bodies 32 (32 </ b> A to 32 </ b> C), and the detection bodies 32, and thus supports the operation body 41. And a body 43.

The operating body 41 has the same configuration as the operating body 31 except that the operating body 414 has an operating section 414 instead of the operating section 314.
Similar to the action portion 314, the action portion 414 is an annular body that is disposed at the approximate center in the axial direction of the operating body 41 so as to surround the shaft portion 311 and be sandwiched between the pair of elastic portions 313. Three holes 4141 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operating body 41 on the XY plane on the outer surface of the action portion 414, and protrusions 4142 are formed between the formation portions of the holes 4141. .

Among these, the insertion part 3211 of the detection body 32 arranged according to the formation position of the hole 4141 is inserted into each hole 4141.
The inner diameters of these hole portions 4141 are formed larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3211, similar to the above-described hole portion 3141, and there is a predetermined gap between the inner surface of the hole portion 4141 and the outer surface of the insertion portion 3211. The clearance C1 is formed. The hole portion 4141 is formed so as to penetrate the action portion 414, and the operating body 31 is displaced in the direction in which the hole portion 4141 is formed also between the protruding end surface of the insertion portion 3211 and the shaft portion 311. Even so, the clearance C <b> 2 is formed so that the insertion portion 3211 and the shaft portion 311 do not contact each other.

  Each protrusion 4142 has a substantially semicircular cross section in the XY plane. These protrusions 4142 are positioned in the recesses 431 formed in accordance with the protrusions 4142 inside the support body 43. These protrusions 4142 and recesses 431 suppress excessive displacement of the follower 321.

  The support body 43 has a regular triangular cylinder shape made of metal or the like, and is disposed so as to surround the operation body 41 (particularly the action portion 414). The detection bodies 32 are attached to the three planes of the support body 43 with screws 331 so that the follower 321 faces the operating body 41. Similarly to the support body 33, the dimension of the support body 43 in the Z direction is set to about 1/3 of the dimension of the operation body 41 in the same direction. , Exposed from the support 43. Caps 316 (see FIG. 1) are attached to both ends of the operating body 41.

Such an operation element 4 detects the displacement of the operation body 41 in the same manner as the operation element 3 described above.
That is, in the parallel movement of the operating body 41 in the XY plane, the detecting section 322 detects the displacement of each follower 321 on the XY plane, and the operating element 4 detects the displacement direction of the operating body 41. As in the case of the operator 3, when the displacement direction of the operating body 41 coincides with the protruding direction of the follower 321 and the formation direction of the hole 4141, the follower 321 is not displaced. Internal interference between the body 41 and the detection body 32 is prevented.
The parallel movement of the operating body 41 along the Z direction causes each follower 321 to be displaced along the Z direction. Therefore, when the detection unit 322 detects the displacement direction of each follower 321, A displacement along the Z direction of the body 41 is detected.

Further, the rotational displacement of the operating body 41 with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as the rotational axis is the displacement of one or two followers 321 in the direction opposite to the Z direction, and one or two When the detection unit 322 detects the displacement of the follower 321 in the Z direction, the operation element 4 detects the displacement direction of the operation body 41.
Furthermore, the rotation displacement (roll rotation) of the operation body 41 with the Z direction as the rotation axis is detected by the detection unit 322 by detecting the displacement of each follower 321 in the same direction. The displacement direction of the operating body 41 is detected.

  Note that the displacement of the operating body 41 detected by the operating element 4 is transmitted as a control signal from the operating element 4 to the control device of the operating apparatus, as in the case of the operating element 3. And the said control apparatus performs the above-mentioned various corrections, performs a dead zone process etc., and transmits the operation signal based on the said control signal to the above-mentioned information processing apparatus.

The operation device according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above.
That is, the operating element 4 can detect the displacement of the operating body 41 in the same direction as the displacement direction of the operating body 31 that can be detected by the four detecting bodies 32 in the operating element 3 by the three detecting bodies 32. However, the number of the detection bodies 32 is smaller than that of the operation element 3 having the four detection bodies 32. Therefore, the operation element 4 can be manufactured at a lower cost than the operation element 3, and the operation device can be manufactured at a lower cost.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the operating device 1 described above. However, in the operating device 1, the operating bodies 31 and 41 are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In such an operating device, the operating body is formed in a substantially spherical shape. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the operating device 1. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operating device 1A according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 15A and 15B are a front view and a side view showing the operating device 1A.
The operating device 1A according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and functions as those of the operating device 1 described above except that the housing 2A and the operating element 5 are provided instead of the housing 2 and the operating elements 3 and 4.
The housing 2A has an operation element arrangement part 25 (the left and right operation element arrangement parts in FIG. 15 are respectively referred to as 25L and 25R) instead of the operation element arrangement part 24 (24L and 24R). , Having the same shape and configuration as the housing 2.
These operation element arrangement | positioning parts 25 are comprised as the recessed part opened to the front 2F, the lower surface 2B (side surface opposite to the upper surface 2T), and the back surface 2R of the housing | casing 2A. The operation element 5 is arranged inside the operation element arrangement part 25.

The operation elements 5 (the left and right operation elements in FIG. 15 are 5L and 5R, respectively), and a plurality (for example, three) of the operation body 51 and the operation body 51 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the XY plane. ) Detection body 32 (not shown) and a support body (not shown) arranged so as to surround the operation body 51 and supporting each detection body 32.
Among these, the operation body 51 is formed in a spherical shape, and has a hole (not shown) into which the insertion portion 3211 of the detection body 32 is inserted at a position corresponding to each detection body 32.
Such an operating body 51 is supported by the support body that supports each detecting body 32 so that the operating bodies 31 and 41 can be displaced in the same direction as the displaceable direction. And the displacement of the said operation body 51 is detected by the detection body 32 (detection part 322) via the follow-up part 321 displaced according to the said displacement.
According to the operation device 1A according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the operating device 1 described above, but in the operating elements 3 and 4 of the operating device 1, each detection body 32 is a support 33 that surrounds the operating bodies 31 and 41. , 43 so as to face the operating bodies 31, 41. On the other hand, in the operating element of the operating device according to the present embodiment, each detecting body is arranged on a substrate through which the operating body is inserted, and the detecting body is configured by a link mechanism that engages with the operating body. Have In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the operating device 1. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the XZ plane) showing the operation element 6 included in the operating device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 6 is used instead of the operating devices 3 and 4.
The operation element 6 is disposed in the above-described operation element arrangement portions 24L and 24R. As shown in FIG. 16, the operation element 6 includes an operation body 31, a flat plate-like support body 64 having a hole 641 through which the operation body 31 is inserted, and a plurality of the operation elements 6 disposed on the support body 64. Detector 62.

In addition to the follower 321 and the detector 322 described above, each detector 62 connects the follower 321 and the operating body 31, and follows the displacement of the operating body 31 to be displaced. The other follower 63 that transmits this displacement to the follower 321 is provided.
The follower 63 includes an insert 631 inserted into the hole 3141 of the operating body 31, a link 632 to which the displacement of the insert 631 is transmitted, and a transmitter 633 that covers the follower 321 on the support 64. Have

Similar to the insertion portion 3211, the insertion portion 631 is inserted into the hole 3141 with the clearances C 1 and C 2 described above.
The link portion 632 has a plurality of shaft portions that can rotate relative to each other, and these shaft portions rotate relative to each other in accordance with the displacement of the insertion portion 631.
The transmission unit 633 is provided at the end of the link unit 632. The transmission portion 633 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a hole 6331 into which the following portion 321 is inserted with the clearances C1 and C2 described above. Then, the transmission unit 633 transmits the displacement of the operating body 31 transmitted through the insertion unit 631 and the link unit 632 to the follower unit 321.

  In such a follow-up part 63, the displacement of the insertion part 631 in the XZ plane or the YZ plane is converted by the link part 632 into a displacement in the XY plane of the follow-up part 321 and transmitted. Then, the detection unit 322 detects the displacement direction of the follower 321. Such a detection operation is performed by each detector 62, and the operation element 6 detects the displacement of the operation object 31 in the same direction as the displacement direction of the operation object 31 that can be detected by the operation element 3 described above.

The operation device according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above.
That is, each detection body 62 to which the displacement of the operating body 31 is transmitted by the follower 63 is disposed on the flat support 64. According to this, since the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the detection body 62 (detection part 322) can be improved, the assembly of the operation element 6 can be performed easily. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the operation element 6 can be improved.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of detectors 62 and followers 63 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one detector 62 and followers 63 may be provided. 641 (in other words, the operation body 31) is preferably arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole 641.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device 1, but the operating element 3 of the operating device 1 employs a detector 32 having a strain gauge. On the other hand, the detector of the operating device according to the present embodiment employs a detection body having a pressure sensitive sensor. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment and the operating device 1 are different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 7 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 7 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIG. 17, the operation element 7 includes an operation body 71, a detection device 72, and a support body (not shown), detects a displacement direction of the operation body 71, and a control signal corresponding to the displacement direction. Is output to a control device (not shown). Among these, a support body supports the operation body 71 so that displacement is possible.
The operation body 71 is a member that receives an input operation by a user. The operating body 71 includes a shaft portion 311 and a pair of fixing portions 312, and also includes a pair of elastic portions 713 and action portions 714 sandwiched between the fixing portions 312.

  The pair of elastic portions 713 are fixed to the fixing portion 312 positioned on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the Z direction by an adhesive, and are fixed to the action portion 714 by an adhesive or the like. These elastic parts 713 have a substantially cylindrical shape, and are elastically deformed and bent when the shaft part 311 and the fixed part 312 are displaced, and transmit pressure generated by these displacements to the action part 714.

  The action part 714 is an annular rigid body, and the action part 714 is formed with an opening 7141 through which the shaft part 311 is inserted along the Z direction. In addition, a space in which the detection device 72 is disposed is formed in the action portion 714, and the action portion 714 is slightly displaced according to the action direction of the transmitted pressure to constitute the detection device 72. The follower 723 is displaced.

The detection device 72 detects the displacement direction of the operating body 71 and is fixed separately from the action portion 714. The detection device 72 includes a substrate 721 serving as a base, a plurality of detection bodies 722 disposed on the front and back surfaces of the substrate 721 (the respective surfaces on the Z-direction proximal end side and the distal end side), and on the detection bodies 722. And a follower 723 provided in the
The substrate 721 has an annular shape in plan view, and a circular hole 7211 through which the shaft portion 311 is inserted is formed at the center of the substrate 721. The substrate 721 is connected to the controller of the operating device via a signal line (not shown), and outputs the displacement direction of the operating body 71 detected by each detector 722.

Of the detection body 722 and the follower 723, each follower 723 has an oval shape. Each follower 723 is connected to a surface of the acting part 714 facing the detection body 722 and is displaced according to the displacement of the action part 714 to come into contact with the detection body 722. The follower 723 may be connected to either the action part 714 or the detection body 722 as long as it can transmit the displacement direction of the action part 714 to the detection body 722. Also good. In addition, the shape of the follower 723 can be changed as appropriate, and may be a true sphere.
The detection bodies 722 are constituted by pressure-sensitive sheets, and a plurality of detection bodies 722 are arranged on the front and back surfaces of the substrate 721 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole portion 7211. These detection bodies 722 detect the displacement direction of the operating body 71 by detecting the displacement direction of the follower 723.

  In such an operator 7, the parallel movement of the operation body 71 in the XY plane is detected by the detection body 722 detecting the displacement direction of the follower 723 that is displaced along the movement direction of the operation body 71. . In addition, the parallel movement of the operating body 71 along the Z direction detects the pressure transmitted through the follower 723 by the detecting bodies 722 arranged on the surface of the substrate 721 facing the moving direction. Is detected.

Further, the rotational displacement of the operating body 71 with a virtual straight line on the XY plane as the rotational axis is caused by at least one of the detection bodies 722 arranged on one surface of the front and back surfaces of the substrate 721 and the other. At least one of the plurality of detection bodies 722 arranged on the surface (detection body 722 located on the opposite side of the hole 7211 from the detection body 722 that detects pressure on one surface) is a follower Detected by detecting the pressure transmitted through 723.
In addition, the rotational displacement of the operating body 71 with the Z direction as the rotational axis is detected by each detecting body 722 detecting the displacement of the follower 723 in the direction along the rotational direction of the operating body 71. The

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that four detection bodies 722 are provided on each surface of the substrate 721, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of the detection bodies 722 may be one, and in the case of two or more, the detection bodies 722 may be arranged around the hole 7211 (in other words, the shaft 311) at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole 7211. preferable.
In the present embodiment, the detection bodies 722 are provided on both surfaces of the substrate 721. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detection body 722 may be provided only on one surface (for example, the surface on the tip side in the Z direction). . In the case of such a configuration, for example, a biasing means such as a spring for biasing the action portion 714 is provided so that a predetermined pressure is always applied to the detection body 722, and the operation body 71 is opposite to the Z direction and the Z direction. When each detector 722 detects a pressure change when displaced in the direction, the parallel movement of the operating body 71 along the Z direction and a virtual straight line on the XY plane of the operating body 71 are used as the rotation axis. You may comprise so that rotation displacement may be detected.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the action part 714 was connected with each tracking part 723 on each detection body 722 arrange | positioned on both surfaces of the board | substrate 721, this invention is not limited to this. That is, the follower 723 on one surface of the substrate 721 and the follower 723 on the other surface may be connected to each other. In this case, it is not necessary to form a space in which the detection device 72 is arranged in the action unit 714.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device 1, but the operating element 3 of the operating device 1 employs a detector 32 having a strain gauge. On the other hand, the operating element of the operating device according to the present embodiment employs a detector having an angle sensor. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment and the operating device 1 are different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 8 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating device 1 except that the operating device 8 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIG. 18, the operation element 8 includes an operation body 81, a detection device 82, and a support body 83, detects the displacement direction of the operation body 81, and sends a control signal corresponding to the displacement direction to the control device. (Not shown).
Among these, the support body 83 supports the operation body 81 and the detection device 82 so as to be displaceable, and the support body 83 is formed with a circular hole 831 through which the operation body 81 is inserted. . A plurality of detection devices 82 are provided on the support 83 so as to surround the hole portion 831 and at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the hole portion 831.

  The operation body 81 is a member that receives an input operation by a user. The operating body 81 has the same configuration and function as the operating body 71 described above except that it has an operating portion 815 instead of the operating portion 714. Among these, the action part 814 is an annular body fixed to each elastic part 713 with an adhesive or the like, and a hole part 8141 through which the shaft part 311 is inserted is formed in the center. The acting portion 814 is displaced slightly according to the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 via the elastic portion 713.

The detection device 82 is provided so as to connect the action part 814 and the support 83 and detects the displacement direction of the action part 814. The detection device 82 is configured by a combination of a link and an angle sensor. That is, the detection device 82 includes three followers 821 to 823 and two detectors 824 and 825.
The followers 821 to 823 are each composed of a rod-like member and are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. Among these, one end of the follower 821 is connected to the action unit 814, and the other end is connected to the detection body 824. In addition, one end of the follower 822 is connected to the detection body 824, and the other end is connected to the detection body 825. Furthermore, one end of the follower 823 is connected to the detection body 825, and the other end is connected to the support body 83.
These detection bodies 824 and 825 have an angle sensor, and detect the angles of the connected followers 821 to 823. And the displacement direction of the operation body 81 is detected because the detection bodies 824 and 825 of each detection apparatus 82 detect the angle of the tracking parts 821-823 similarly.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device 1 described above can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the four detection devices 82 are provided on the support body 83. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the detection devices 82 may be one. It is preferable that the holes 831 (in other words, the operating body 81) are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the holes 831. In this embodiment, each detection device 82 has three followers 821 to 823 and two detectors 824 and 825. However, the number of followers and detectors is not limited to this. It can be changed.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described operating device. Here, the above-described operators 3 to 8 are configured to include a detector having a strain gauge, a pressure-sensitive sheet, and an angle sensor. On the other hand, the operating element of the operating device according to the present embodiment has a conductive elastic body, detects a change in voltage that is conducted according to the displacement of the operating body, and detects the displacement of the operating body. Prepare the body. In this respect, the operating device according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described operating device. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 9 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 19, illustration of a part of the configuration of the operation body 81 is omitted.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 9 is replaced with the operating device 9, and the operating device 9 is replaced with the detecting device 82. Other than the above, the configuration and functions are the same as those of the operation element 8.

  The detection device 92 detects the displacement direction of the operation body 81 by detecting the displacement direction of the operation section 814 constituting the operation body 81, and a plurality of detection devices 92 are arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the operation section 814. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 19, these detection devices 92 have a follower 921 whose one end is connected to the action part 814 and a detection body 922 connected to the other end of the follower 921. It has become.

  The follower 921 is configured by a wire or the like that transmits a pressure corresponding to the displacement of the action part 814 to the detection body 922 when the action part 814 is displaced. Since the follower 921 transmits the pressure to the detection body 922, a material having rigidity and conductivity is selected as the material of the follower 921.

The detection body 922 is fixed separately from the action part 814 and detects the displacement direction of the operation body 81. The detection body 922 connects the conductive elastic body 923 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “elastic body 923”) connected to the other end of the follower 921, the substrate 924, and the elastic body 923 and the substrate 924. Connecting portion 925 to be connected.
Among these, the connection part 925 is comprised with the wire etc. which were comprised with the material similar to the tracking part 921.

The elastic body 923 has a resistance value that changes with a change in pressure applied to the elastic body 923. Therefore, when the operating body 81 is displaced, the pressure applied to the elastic body 923 from the action portion 814 via the follow-up portion 921 changes, whereby the resistance value of the elastic body 923 changes.
The substrate 924 detects a change in the resistance value of the elastic body 923.
Then, each detecting device 92 similarly detects a change in the resistance value of the elastic body 923, whereby the displacement direction of the operating body 81 is detected as a whole, and the detection result is output to the control device.

According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device described above can be obtained.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that four detection devices 92 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action unit 814. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one detection device 92 may be provided. In the case of two or more, it is preferable that the action part 814 (in other words, the operation body 81) is arranged around the action part 814 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

[Eighth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described operating device. Is different. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the X1Z plane) schematically showing the operation element 10 provided in the operation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 20, illustration of a part of the configuration of the operation body 101 is omitted.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and function as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 10 is replaced with the operating device 10, and the operating device 10 is replaced with the operating body 81 and the detection device 82. Other than having the operation body 101 and the detection device 102, it has the same configuration and function as the operation element 8.

  The operation body 101 is a member that receives an input operation by a user. This operating body 101 has the same configuration and function as the above-described operating body 81 except that it has an operating portion 1014 instead of the operating portion 814. Among these, the action part 1014 is an annular body fixed to each elastic part 713 by an adhesive or the like, and a hole part 10141 through which the shaft part 311 is inserted is formed in the center. The acting portion 1014 is displaced slightly according to the displacement of the shaft portion 311 and the fixing portion 312 via the elastic portion 713. In addition, the action unit 1014 is provided with a magnetic field generation site such as a magnet.

The detection device 102 detects the displacement direction of the operation body 101 by detecting the displacement direction of the operation section 814 constituting the operation body 101, and a plurality of detection devices 102 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operation section 1014. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 20, these detection devices 102 include a follower 1021 whose one end is connected to the action unit 814, a substrate 1022 connected to the other end of the follower 1021, and a detection provided on the substrate 1022. A body 1023.
The follower 1021 includes a coil spring, and follows the displacement of the action part 1014. The follower 1021 is not limited to a coil spring, and may have a configuration having an elastic member such as a link or rubber.

The substrate 1022 supports the tracking unit 1021 and the detection body 1023 separately from the action unit 1014, and outputs the detection result of the detection body 1023 to the above-described control device.
The detection body 1023 is configured to include a Hall element that detects a magnetic field, and detects a change in the magnetic field caused by the displacement of the action unit 1014 having a magnetic field generation site.
Then, each detecting body 1023 detects a change in the magnetic field, whereby the displacement direction of the operating body 101 is detected as a whole.

  According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device described above can be obtained. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that four detection devices 102 are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the action unit 1014. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one detection device 102 may be provided. In the above case, it is preferable that the action part 1014 is arranged at equal intervals around the action part 1014 in the circumferential direction.

[Ninth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the operating device 1 described above, but differs from the operating device 1 in that the configuration of the operating device employed is different from the operating device 3. In the following description, parts that are the same as or substantially the same as those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the XZ plane) showing the operation element 11 included in the operation device according to the present embodiment.
The operating device according to the present embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the operating device 1 except that the operating device 11 is provided instead of the operating device 3.
As shown in FIG. 21, the operation element 11 includes an operation body 111 that receives an input operation by a user, a follower 112 that follows the displacement of the operation body 111, and a case 113 that covers the follower 112.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the operating body 111.
As shown in FIG. 22, the operation body 111 includes a ball joint. Specifically, the operating body 111 includes cylindrical portions 1111 and 1114 located on the base end side and the distal end side in the Z direction, shaft portions 1112 and 1115 extending in directions close to each other, and tip portions of the shaft portions 1112. A spherical first action portion 1113 provided and a second action portion 1116 provided at the tip of the shaft portion 1115 are provided. The cylindrical portion 1114, the shaft portion 1115, and the second action portion 1116 constitute a first operation portion 111A, and the cylinder portion 1111, the shaft portion 1112, and the first action portion 1113 constitute a second operation portion 111B.

  Among these, the second action unit 1116 includes a side wall PXY along the XY plane, a side wall PYZ along the YZ plane, and a side wall PXZ along the XZ plane. A notch 1117 corresponding to the spherical shape of the first action part 1113 is formed in the second action part 1116 on the origin side when these side walls PXY, PYZ, PXZ are replaced with the XYZ coordinate system. For this reason, the 2nd operation part 1116 is provided slidably along the surface of the 1st operation part 1113, and, thereby, the 1st operation part 111A and the 2nd operation part 111B can rotate mutually. In contact.

  The dimension in the Y direction of the side walls PXY, PYZ is larger than the dimension in the X direction of the side wall PXZ. In addition, a hole 1118 through which a bar-like pressing portion 1119 (see FIG. 21) for pressing a detection body S1XY, S2XY, S1YZ, S1YZ, which will be described later, is formed at a position away from the above-described origin on each side wall PXY, PYZ. Has been. Similarly, although the hole 1118 is formed in the side wall PXZ, the pressing part 1119 is not provided in the hole 1118. However, the pressing portion 1119 may be provided.

Returning to FIG. 21, the follower 112 follows the displacement of the operating body 111. The follower 112 has an overall quadrangular prism shape, and has a space S in which the first action part 1113 and the second action part 1116 are housed, and a hole part through which the shaft parts 1112 and 1115 are inserted (illustrated). (Not shown) are formed on the end faces on the base end side and the front end side in the Z direction.
In such a follow-up portion 112, a substantially L-shaped opening 1121 is formed through which the end portions of the side walls PXY and PYZ are exposed. At the edge of the opening 1121, detectors S1XY and S2XY configured with pressure-sensitive sheets are disposed so as to sandwich the pressing portion 1119 of the side wall PXY, and so as to sandwich the pressing portion 1119 of the side wall PYZ. Similar detectors S1YZ and S1YZ are arranged.

For this reason, when the first operation unit 111A rotates to one side with the X direction as the rotation axis, either the detection body S1XY or the detection body S2XY is pressed by the pressing unit 1119, thereby the first The displacement direction of the operation unit 111A is detected.
In addition, when the first operation unit 111A rotates to one side with the Y direction as a rotation axis, the pressing unit 1119 presses one of the detection bodies S1XY, S1YZ and the detection bodies S2XY, S2YZ, thereby The displacement direction of the first operation unit 111A is detected.
Further, when the first operation unit 111A rotates to one side with the Z direction as a rotation axis, either the detection body S1YZ or the detection body S2YZ is pressed, and thereby the displacement direction of the first operation unit 111A Is detected.
In addition, you may arrange | position the same detection body so that the press part 1119 of the side wall PXZ may be pinched | interposed.

  The case 113 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape that accommodates the follower 112 therein, and holes 1131 through which the shaft portions 1112 and 1115 are inserted are formed in the Z-direction proximal end side and the distal end side of the case 113. Yes. Therefore, a part of the cylindrical part 1114 and the shaft part 1115 in the first operation part 111A and a part of the cylindrical part 1111 and the shaft part 1112 in the second operation part 111B are exposed from the case 113. A predetermined clearance is formed between the inner surface of the hole portion 1131 and the outer surfaces of the shaft portions 1112 and 1115.

  Detectors S1Z and S2Z including pressure-sensitive sheets pressed by the outer surface of the follower 112 are disposed at positions on the front end side and the base end side in the Z direction on the inner surface of the case 113, and X on the inner surface is also provided. Similar detectors S1X and S2X are arranged at the positions on the distal and proximal sides in the direction. Further, although not shown in the drawing, similar detectors are also provided at positions on the front end side and the base end side in the Y direction on the inner surface.

For example, when the operating body 111 is displaced along the X direction, the follower 112 is also displaced in the same direction together with the operating body 111. For this reason, one of the detection bodies S1X and S2X on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the X direction is pressed by the follower 112. Thereby, the displacement direction of the operating body 111 is detected.
Similarly, when the operating body 111 is displaced along the Z direction, one of the detection bodies S1Z and S2Z on the distal end side and the proximal end side in the Z direction is pressed by the follower 112. The displacement direction is detected.
The same applies to the case where the operating body 111 is displaced along the Y direction.
Therefore, the operation element 11 can detect the displacement direction (displacement in the 6-axis direction) of the operation body 111.
According to the operation device according to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the operation device described above can be obtained.

[Modification of Embodiment]
The best configuration for implementing the present invention has been disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the description limited to the shape, material, etc. disclosed above is an example for easy understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The description by the name of the member which remove | excluded the limitation of one part or all of such is included in this invention.

  In the first embodiment, the operation element 3 includes four detection bodies 32 that detect the displacement of the operation body 31. In the second and third embodiments, the operation elements 4 to 6 include the operation body 31, Although the three detection bodies 32 for detecting the displacements 41 and 51 are provided, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of detection bodies provided in the operation element may be 1 or 2 or 5 or more. Of these, in the case where the operating element includes two detection bodies, the operation elements may be arranged at a position corresponding to one of the detection bodies 32X1 and 32X2 and the detection bodies 32Y1 and 32Y2. The same applies to other operators. Furthermore, you may comprise an operation element combining the above-mentioned detection body or detection apparatus.

In addition, the detection body is configured to include a strain gauge, a pressure sensitive sheet, an angle sensor, and a Hall element. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other mechanical sensors, displacement sensors, and optical sensors may be employed. Is possible. For example, instead of the detection body 32 having a strain gauge in the operation element 3, a detection body having a follow-up section similar to the detection body 32 and a detection section having a Hall element may be employed. In this case, it is good also as a structure which provides the follower part in which the insertion part was formed in the front end in the action part side, and forms the hole part in which the said insertion part is inserted in a detection part. Further, instead of the detection body 32, a detection body including a follower 723 connected to the action unit 314 and a detection unit having a pressure-sensitive sheet for detecting the displacement direction of the follower 723 may be employed. Is possible.
Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the sensor structure was not contained in operation element itself, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation element may include a multi-axis sensor such as a 2-axis sensor.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the insertion portion is inserted into the operation body to form the hole portion serving as a detection site in displacement detection by the detection body 32, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, an insertion part may be formed in the operating body, and a hole may be formed in the follow-up part that transmits the displacement of the operating body to the detection body. In this case, the position where the insertion portion is formed becomes the detection site. In addition, if the above-mentioned clearances C1 and C2 are formed between the hole and the insertion portion, it is possible to prevent internal interference between the operation body and the detection body.

  In the first, second, and fourth to eighth embodiments, the pair of elastic portions 313 are each formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the entire operating body may be formed of a rigid member such as a synthetic resin without providing the elastic portion. Even when the elastic portion is provided, the operational feeling of the operating body in the predetermined direction is changed by changing the shape, material, etc. so that resistance is generated in the displacement of the operating body in the predetermined direction. May be changed.

In each said embodiment, although both ends of the operation body were exposed to the front 2F side and back 2R side in the housing | casing 2 and 2A, this invention is not limited to this. That is, it is only necessary that a part of the operating body is exposed from the casing.
In each of the above embodiments, two operating elements are provided in the operating device, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of operators provided in the operating device can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the position of the operation element arrangement portion can be set as appropriate.

In each of the above embodiments, the operating body protrudes from the support and is further exposed from the housings 2 and 2A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation body may be formed in an annular shape and disposed in the support body, and the user may operate the operation body by inserting a finger into the opening of the operation body through the opening of the support body. . Further, the operation element may be arranged so that only one end of the operation body is exposed from the casing.
In the first, second, and fourth to eighth embodiments, the operating body is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the operating body may be formed in a prismatic shape.

  In each of the above embodiments, the operating element detects the displacement direction of the operating body, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a button that protrudes and sunk at the end of the operation body may be provided, and an operation element that also detects the input state of the button may be configured. In this case, the button may be provided at both ends of the operating body, or may be provided only at one end.

  In the first embodiment, the operation element 3 is arranged in the housing 2 so that the two detection bodies 32 are respectively positioned in the X1 direction and the Y1 direction inclined by 45 ° with respect to the X direction and the Y direction on the XY plane. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the arrangement of the operation elements can be set as appropriate in consideration of the detection sensitivity of the detection object, the usability of the user, and the like. The same applies to the controls shown in the other embodiments.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the operation device of the present invention is cited as the operation device connected to the information processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation device may be provided in a portable information terminal (portable terminal).

  The present invention can be applied to an operation device (controller) connected to an information processing device such as a PC or a game device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A ... Operation device, 2, 2A ... Housing | casing, 3-11 ... Operation element, 22 ... 1st arrangement | positioning part, 23 ... 2nd arrangement | positioning part, 24 (24L, 24R), 25 (25L, 25R) ... Operator arrangement section, 31, 41, 51, 71, 81, 101, 111 ... Operating body, 32 (32X1, 32X2, 32Y1, 32Y2, 32A, 32B, 32C), 62, 722, 824, 825, 922 , 1023 ... detector, 33,43,64,83 ... support, 313,713 ... elastic part, 321,63,112,723,821-823,921,1021 ... following part, 3141, 4141 ... hole ( (Detection part), 3211, 631 ... insertion part, C1, C2 ... clearance, K1 ... cross key (first button), K2 ... operation key (second button), S1X, S1Z, S1XY, S2XY, S1YZ, S1Y Z ... detection body.

Claims (9)

An operating element used in an operating device,
An operation body that accepts input operations;
A plurality of detection bodies for detecting the displacement direction of the operation body, with at least two points set at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the operation body as detection portions;
An operation element comprising: a support body that surrounds the operation body and supports the operation body in a displaceable manner. The operation element according to claim 1,
The detecting body surrounds the operating body according to the detection part, is arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the operating body, and engages with the operating body to follow the movement of the operating body. An operator characterized by having The operation element according to claim 2,
One of the follower and the operation body has a hole, and the other has an insertion part that is inserted into the hole and transmits the movement of the operation body to the follower. The operator to perform. The operation element according to claim 3,
A predetermined clearance is formed between the inner surface of the hole and the outer surface of the insertion portion. In the operation element according to claim 3 or 4,
Each of the detectors is attached to the support,
The operation body is supported by each detection body by inserting the insertion portion into the hole. In the operation element according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The operation body has an elastic part that elastically deforms according to the displacement of the operation body.   An operating device comprising the operation element according to claim 1. The operating device according to claim 7,
A housing provided with the operation element;
Both ends of the operating body are exposed from the casing, respectively. The operating device according to claim 8,
The housing is
A left side gripping part and a right side gripping part respectively gripped by the left hand and right hand of the user;
A first disposition portion provided according to the position of the thumb when the left grip portion is grasped by the left hand, and a first button disposed;
A second arrangement part provided according to the position of the thumb when the right side grip part is grasped by the right hand, and a second button arranged;
An operating device provided between the first arranging portion and the second arranging portion, and an operating element arranging portion on which the operating element is arranged.

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