JP3993134B2 - Vibration generator and game controller using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a vibration generator and a game controller using the same, and more particularly to a vibration generator suitable for use in a game machine using a computer and a game controller using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game machines using a computer, when an operation target such as a game character on a display screen is operated using an operation key, an operation button, a joystick or the like of a game controller, a sense of reality is more overflowing. In order to enjoy the game, a vibration generator is provided inside the controller.
[0003]
As an example of such a vibration generator, a weight that performs eccentric rotation along with the rotation of the rotor is fixed to the tip of the rotor in the motor disposed inside the housing of the game controller. A configured vibration generator is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0004]
According to such a vibration generator, mechanical vibration can be generated by rotating the weight eccentrically by rotating the motor, and this vibration can be transmitted to the housing of the controller. .
[0005]
Thereby, the operator holding the controller can feel vibration through the tactile sensation, and can further enhance the realism of the game together with sound and video.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-741 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-343037 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the conventional vibration generator uses an expensive motor with a complicated configuration, it is difficult to further reduce the manufacturing cost and simplify the configuration.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vibration generator capable of appropriately generating vibration with a simple and inexpensive configuration, and a game controller using the vibration generator. Is.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the vibration generator according to the present invention is characterized by a magnetic vibrator that is movable in the direction of the magnetic force by applying a magnetic force, and connected to the magnetic vibrator , is fixed at one end in the longitudinal direction on the support surface, wherein the magnetic transducer to a long elastic member for swingably supported in a predetermined swinging direction on the support surface, the magnetic by their own elasticity An elastic member capable of applying a force in the swing direction to the vibrator and a position corresponding to an end of the swing direction of the magnetic vibrator in the swing direction in the magnetic vibrator. A coil disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the end portion in the moving direction, and is capable of generating a magnetic field in the swing direction of the magnetic vibrator when energized, and has a magnetism in the swing direction based on the magnetic field. Force the magnetic vibration A coil that is capable of swinging the magnetic vibrator in the swinging direction, and is capable of generating vibration by continuous swinging of the magnetic vibrator. is there.
[0010]
According to such a configuration, since the magnetic vibrator can be vibrated by the magnetic force acting on the magnetic vibrator, a desired vibration can be obtained without an expensive and complicated mechanism such as a motor. It becomes possible.
[0011]
The game controller according to the present invention is characterized in that it is used in a game machine using a computer, and is a game controller provided with a vibration generator capable of transmitting vibration to an operator during operation. The vibration generator includes a magnetic vibrator that is movable in the direction of the magnetic force by applying a magnetic force in the housing, and is connected to the magnetic vibrator and has one end in the longitudinal direction thereof. secured to said housing support surface, said magnetic transducer to a long elastic member rocking for movably supporting a predetermined rocking direction before Ki支 lifting surface, the magnetic by their own elasticity an elastic member which is possible to exert a force to the rocking direction with respect to the vibrator at a position corresponding to the end portion of the swinging direction of the magnetic transducer, the rocking in the magnetic vibrator A arranged coils so as to surround the outer periphery of the direction of the end portion, wherein with are the swing direction of the magnetic field of the magnetic transducer can be generated, the magnetic force of the swing direction based on the magnetic field by energizing by acting on the magnetic vibrator, and a coil for oscillating the magnetic transducer on the rocking direction, by continuous oscillation of the magnetic oscillator, and is capable of generating vibrations In the point.
[0012]
According to such a configuration, the magnetic vibrator can be vibrated by the magnetic force acting on the magnetic vibrator, and the vibration of the magnetic vibrator is appropriately transmitted to the housing via the elastic member. Therefore, the operator can be vibrated without an expensive and complicated configuration such as a motor.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of a vibration generator according to the present invention and a game controller using the vibration generator will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vibration generating device 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted inside a housing of a game controller 2 having operation devices such as operation buttons and operation keys (not shown). It is electrically controlled to generate vibration in accordance with the progress of the game.
[0015]
The vibration generator 1 has a substantially cylindrical magnetic vibrator on a support surface 4 inside the housing 3, and the magnetic vibrator 5 is made of a resin material such as plastic and a permanent magnet. It is formed by a plastic magnet containing powder. Therefore, like the permanent magnet, the magnetic vibrator 5 is a magnetic body already magnetized in a normal state, and can be moved in the direction of the magnetic force by applying a magnetic force from the outside. Yes.
[0016]
A long elastic member 6 made of a leaf spring or the like is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic vibrator 5 so as to be orthogonal to the magnetic vibrator 5 via one end side in the longitudinal direction. The other end side of the elastic member 6 extends to the near side in FIG.
[0017]
The other end side of the elastic member 6 is fixed to a columnar fixing portion 7 erected on the support surface 3.
[0018]
Thus, the magnetic vibrator 5 is held so as to be swingable in the swing direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
[0019]
The magnetic vibrator 5 may be integrated (see FIG. 4), and, as shown in FIG. 1, the left half 5a and the right half 5b are arranged at the center in the longitudinal direction. It may be divided into two parts and connected to both side surfaces of the elastic member 6.
[0020]
Further, a pair of coils 8 and 9 wound in a cylindrical shape are disposed in the vicinity of both ends in the swing direction of the magnetic vibrator 5 so as to surround the outer periphery of both ends in the swing direction. The pair of coils 8 and 9 are respectively held from below in FIG.
[0021]
An energization control unit 10 is connected to the pair of coils 8 and 9, and the energization control unit 10 alternately applies a field current to the pair of coils 8 and 9 according to a predetermined energization cycle. It is applied intermittently.
[0022]
The pair of coils 8 and 9 alternately generate magnetic fields that pass through the centers of the coils 8 and 9 and are parallel to the swinging direction of the magnetic vibrator 5 when the field current is applied. By this magnetic field, the magnetic force in the swinging direction against each other acts alternately and intermittently on the magnetic vibrator 5.
[0023]
As a result, the magnetic vibrator 5 continuously rocks in the rocking direction, and this continuous rocking becomes mechanical vibration of the magnetic vibrator 5.
[0024]
It should be noted that the magnetic force acting on the magnetic vibrator 5 by the pair of coils 8 and 9 is also an attractive force acting in the direction of attracting the magnetic vibrator 5 as long as the magnetic force is in a direction opposite to each other. Or, conversely, it may be a repulsive force acting in a direction to repel the magnetic vibrator 5.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
[0026]
In the first embodiment, when the game controller 2 is operated, the game controller 2 is caused to vibrate by appropriately driving the vibration generator 1 in accordance with the progress of the game.
[0027]
At this time, a field current is alternately and intermittently applied to the pair of coils 8 and 9 at predetermined intervals under the control of the energization control unit 10.
[0028]
Thereby, a magnetic field parallel to the swing direction of the magnetic vibrator 5 is alternately and intermittently generated in the pair of coils 8 and 9, and the magnetic vibrator 5 is counteracted by the magnetic fields by the magnetic fields. The magnetic force acts alternately and intermittently.
[0029]
As a result, the magnetic vibrator 5 continuously swings in the swing direction, and vibration is generated by the swing. The vibration is transmitted to the housing 3 via the elastic member 6.
[0030]
As a result, the vibration of the vibration generating device 1 is transmitted to the operator who operates the controller 2 while holding the casing 3, and the operator can enjoy a game full of realism through the vibration.
[0031]
As described above, in the first embodiment, since the magnetic vibrator 5 can be vibrated by the magnetic force acting on the magnetic vibrator 5, it is desirable without an expensive and complicated mechanism such as a motor. Vibration can be obtained.
[0032]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same or similar parts as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.
[0033]
The vibration generating device 15 according to the second embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a magnetic vibrator 16, a pair of coils 8, 9 and an elastic member 18 are provided inside the housing 3 of the game controller 14. Although the same, in the second embodiment, there is a slight difference in the configuration of the elastic member 18.
[0034]
In other words, in the second embodiment, the end of the elastic member 18 opposite to the end of the fixed portion 7 passes through the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic vibrator 16 and magnetic vibrator 16. Rather than the rear side in FIG.
[0035]
The end of the elastic member 18 on the back side is fixed on the support surface 4 by another fixing portion 17 having the same configuration as the fixing portion 7.
[0036]
Even when such a configuration is adopted, the magnetic vibrator 16 can be swung in the swinging direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 by performing energization control on the pair of coils 8 and 9. Vibration can be generated by continuous rocking in the moving direction.
[0037]
Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, a desired vibration can be obtained without providing an expensive and complicated mechanism such as a motor, and the presence of the game can be further enhanced.
[0038]
In the second embodiment, the magnetic vibrator 16 can be swingably supported on the support surface 4 via both end portions of the elastic member 18, so that the magnetic vibrator 16 is more stable. Can be vibrated.
[0039]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment, A various change is possible as needed.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the vibration generating device and the game controller using the same according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a vibration generating device and a game controller that have a simple configuration and are inexpensive.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vibration generator according to the present invention and a game controller using the vibration generator. FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of a vibration generator according to the present invention and a game controller using the vibration generator. FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a right side view of FIG. ]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,15 Vibration generator 2,14 Game controller 3 Case 5,16 Magnetic vibrator 6,18 Elastic member 8,9 Coil 10 Energization control part

Claims (2)

A magnetic vibrator capable of moving in the direction of the magnetic force by applying a magnetic force;
While being coupled to the magnetic transducer, is fixed at one end in the longitudinal direction on the support surface, the elongated elastic member supporting the magnetic transducer to be swingable in a predetermined swinging direction on the support surface An elastic member capable of applying a force in the swing direction to the magnetic vibrator by its own elasticity ;
A coil disposed at a position corresponding to the end portion of the magnetic vibrator in the swing direction so as to surround an outer periphery of the end portion of the magnetic vibrator in the swing direction. It is possible to generate a magnetic field in the swing direction of the vibrator and to swing the magnetic vibrator in the swing direction by applying a magnetic force in the swing direction based on the magnetic field to the magnetic vibrator. And a coil, and
A vibration generating apparatus characterized in that vibration can be generated by continuous rocking of the magnetic vibrator. A game controller including a vibration generator that is used in a game machine using a computer and is capable of transmitting vibration to an operator during operation,
The vibration generator is
In the housing,
A magnetic vibrator capable of moving in the direction of the magnetic force by applying a magnetic force;
While being coupled to the magnetic transducer, the said one end in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the housing of the support surface, the magnetic transducer pre Ki支 lifting surface on a predetermined swing direction swingably supported an elastic member comprising an elongated elastic member, which is possible to exert a force to the rocking direction with respect to the magnetic transducer by its own elasticity to be,
A coil disposed at a position corresponding to the end portion of the magnetic vibrator in the swing direction so as to surround an outer periphery of the end portion of the magnetic vibrator in the swing direction. together are capable of generating a magnetic field in the rocking direction of the vibrator, by the action of magnetic force of the swing direction based on the magnetic field to the magnetic transducer, oscillating the magnetic transducer on the rocking direction A coil and
A game controller characterized in that vibration can be generated by continuous rocking of the magnetic vibrator.

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