JP4525502B2 - Trackball equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a trackball device mounted on an input operation section of various electronic devices and capable of various input operations by a predetermined operation on a ball.

  In recent years, many trackball devices used for various input operations have been installed in various electronic devices.

  Such a conventional trackball apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional trackball device, FIG. 10 is a perspective view before the mechanism component and the wiring board component are combined, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism component, and FIG. 12 is the trackball. FIG. 13 is a left side view of the trackball device.

  The mechanism component of the trackball apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a resin upper case formed in a substantially cross shape, and 2 denotes a resin mounting base formed in the same cross shape so as to be stacked below the upper case 1.

  Above the upper case 1, a flat plate portion of a cover 3 made of a metal plate and having a hole in the central portion is disposed. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. It has two legs 3C. A through hole 3B is provided at the tip of the first leg 3A. Further, the lower end of the second leg portion 3C is configured as a crimping claw portion 3D extending sideways.

  Then, the projection 2A protruding from the side surface of the mounting base 2 is fitted into the through hole 3B of the first leg 3A of the cover 3, and the caulking claw part 3D of the second leg 3C is attached to the mounting base 2. The upper case 1 and the mounting base 2 are in a coupled state by being caulked so as to be locked to the side step portion.

  Each of the laterally projecting portions of the upper case 1 having a substantially cross shape is provided with a pair of hook-shaped portions 1A formed in a hook shape of the lower opening. The lower opening portion of the bowl-shaped portion 1A becomes a roller holding portion 1B (see FIG. 11), and a substantially cylindrical roller 4 is rotatably accommodated and held in each roller holding portion 1B. The rollers 4 are arranged in a square shape in which two pairs of two rollers 4 facing each other in a top view are orthogonal to each other. The lower part of each roller 4 is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the mounting base 2. The central portion of each roller 4 is configured as a contact portion having irregularities.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a circular ring-shaped magnet 5 in which N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized at predetermined angular pitches rotates around one end of each roller 4. It is fixed coaxially. And each roller 4 is arrange | positioned so that the magnet 5 may be located in the hollow part in the cross of the upper case 1 and the mounting base 2. FIG. That is, each magnet 5 is arranged at a rectangular corner formed by each roller 4.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a ball disposed in an internal space formed by the upper case 1 and the mounting base 2.

  Here, the configuration of the internal space constituted by the upper case 1 and the mounting base 2 will be described. First, the circular hole 2B is provided in the cross-shaped center position of the mounting base 2 which comprises the bottom side in the said internal space. In the circular hole 2B, the other end side of the cantilevered leaf spring 6 having one end side embedded and fixed in the side wall portion of the circular hole 2B is disposed. The other end side of the leaf spring 6 is formed in a circular shape having a downward projecting portion 6A, and the ball 10 is pushed up from below by the other end side.

  On the other hand, the upper case 1 constituting the internal space has a cylindrical portion protruding upward, and the diameter of the upper hole portion 1 </ b> C formed in a circular shape at the upper end position of the cylindrical portion is the upper surface of the upper case 1. The diameter is set slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 10 at the center position. Then, the ball 10 urged upward by the leaf spring 6 is regulated in the upward position at the end of the upper hole 1C, and the upper portion protrudes outward from the upper hole 1C. In the arrangement state of the ball 10, a predetermined interval is set between the ball 10 and the contact portion of each roller 4.

  When a downward pressing force is applied to the ball 10, the ball spring 6 is pressed down at the lower end of the ball 10 to move up and down in the internal space formed by the upper case 1 and the mounting base 2. .

  The mechanism component in the trackball device is configured as described above, and the wiring board 15 is disposed below the mechanism component. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the upper surface of the wiring board 15 is arranged. A Hall IC 20 as a magnetic sensor and a self-returning push switch 25 with moderation are mounted. This component will be referred to as a wiring board component and will be described below.

  The Hall IC 20 of the above-mentioned wiring board constituting part is arranged at each of the vertically opposed positions corresponding to the arrangement positions of the respective magnets 5 and reacts to a magnetic flux change from each of the magnets 5 rotating together when the corresponding roller 4 rotates. On / off output.

  Further, the push switch 25 of the wiring board constituent part is disposed on the wiring board 15 corresponding to the lower position of the ball 10, that is, at a position corresponding to the center part surrounded by the Hall IC 20.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the push switch 25 has a central fixed contact 26A and an outer fixed contact 26B arranged in the switch case, and a lower surface of the central portion faces the central fixed contact 26A at a predetermined interval. The lower end of the outer periphery is provided with a switch contact portion including a movable contact 27 made of a thin metal plate configured in an upward convex dome shape placed on the outer fixed contact 26B. As the movable contact 27, a moderation feel can be obtained during the reversing operation of the central portion.

  The trackball device is configured as described above.

  Next, the operation of the trackball device will be described.

  First, from the normal state shown in FIG. 9 in which the trackball device is not operated, when the upper part of the ball 10 protruding above the upper hole 1C of the upper case 1 is touched with a finger or the like, the ball 10 is rotated to the left. 14, the ball 10 depresses the other end of the leaf spring 6 and moves to the left side while being slightly lowered to the lower position, so that the contact portion of the left roller 4 in FIG. And the left roller 4 is rotated. At this time, the other rollers 4 do not rotate, and the push switch 25 is not operated.

  As the left roller 4 rotates, the magnet 5 fixed to the left roller 4 also rotates together, and the N or S poles of the magnet 5 alternately approach the Hall IC 20 corresponding to the magnet 5. And a predetermined output is obtained from the Hall IC 20 accordingly.

  Similarly, when the ball 10 is rotated in the right direction or the front-rear direction, the same operation as described above is performed, and a predetermined output is obtained from the predetermined Hall IC 20.

  Further, when the ball 10 is rotated in an oblique direction, the ball 10 abuts on the two rollers 4 positioned in an orthogonal relationship to rotate both, and similarly, a predetermined output is obtained from the two Hall ICs 20.

  Next, when the upper part of the ball 10 is pushed down with a finger or the like from the normal state shown in FIG. 9, the ball 10 is lowered in the direction of the circular hole 2 </ b> B of the mounting base 2 while pushing down the other end side of the leaf spring 6. Accordingly, the central portion of the push switch 25 is pressed downward by the lower surface of the protruding portion 6A provided on the other end side of the leaf spring 6.

  When the depressing force exceeds a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 15, the movable contact 27 of the push switch 25 reverses with moderation, and the center fixed contact 26A and the outer fixed contact 26B move. The switch is electrically connected via the contact 27.

  Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the ball 10 is removed, the movable contact 27 of the push switch 25 is restored to its original upward convex dome shape by its own elastic restoring force, and the center fixed contact 26A of the push switch 25 is fixed to the outer side. The electrical contact with the contact 26B again returns to an electrically independent state, and the other end of the leaf spring 6 also returns to its original position. As the leaf spring 6 returns, the ball 10 is pushed back upward. The ball 10 stopped in contact with the end of the upper hole 1C of the upper case 1 and returned to the normal state shown in FIG.

For example, Patent Document 1 is known as prior art document information related to the invention of this application.
JP 2002-373055 A

  However, since the conventional trackball device has a configuration in which the rotation state of the magnet 5 is detected by the Hall IC 20 in a non-contact manner, a clear operation feeling cannot be obtained when the ball 10 is rotated. From the viewpoint of improvement, there has been an increasing demand from the equipment manufacturer to develop a click feeling when the ball 10 is rotated.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and detects a change in magnetic flux generated during a rotation operation on the ball in a non-contact manner to detect the rotation of the roller. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trackball apparatus that can obtain a click feeling.

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

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball, a roller with a magnet that rotates in contact with the ball at the time of rotating the ball, and roller rotation detection that detects a change in magnetic flux accompanying the rotation of the roller. An attraction force generated between the magnet and the attraction member when the ball is not operated, comprising a detection element and an attraction member including a magnetic material disposed close to the magnet of the roller at a predetermined interval. The magnet is attracted to maintain the stopped state of the roller.At the time of rotating the ball, the attractive force generated between the magnet and the attracting member affects the rotational state of the roller. This is a trackball device in which the influence is felt as a click feeling during the rotation operation via the ball, and the rotation of the roller is detected by detecting the magnetic flux change generated during the rotation operation to the ball in a non-contact manner. While knowledge is performed, an effect that it is possible to realize what the click feeling through the ball during rotation operation can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the suction member is composed of a plate-shaped portion made of a plate material, and the tip of the plate-shaped portion has an N pole and an S pole fixed to a roller. The ring-shaped magnets alternately magnetized at a predetermined angular pitch are arranged opposite to each other in the width direction, and since the suction member has a simple configuration, a good click feeling can be obtained during the rotation operation. It has the effect that things can be provided at low cost.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the end of the plate-like portion is bent into a U-shape when viewed from the side, and the tip of the U-shape is directed toward the rotation center axis of the magnet. The magnetic flux change accompanying the rotation of the magnet can be efficiently applied to the plate-like portion, and an excellent click feeling can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the change in magnetic flux when the roller with magnet rotates following the rotation of the ball is detected in a non-contact state, and the rotation of the roller is detected. Thus, an advantageous effect that a trackball device that can also provide a click feeling can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure substantially the same as the structure demonstrated in the term of the prior art, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment)
1 is an external perspective view of a trackball device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of the same, FIG. 3 is a left side view of the same, and FIG. 4 is a combination of the mechanism component and the wiring board component. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.

  As shown in the figure, in the trackball apparatus according to the present invention, the upper part of the ball 10 protruding upward from the upper case 1 is an operation part, and the mechanism constituting part includes the upper case 1, the mounting base 2, and the magnet 5. The roller 4, the leaf spring 6, and the ball 10, and the configuration and arrangement thereof are substantially the same as in the prior art, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the figure, the conventional metal cover is not used, and the locking projection 31 provided on the outer wall of the upper case 1 is snap-engaged into the window portion 32 formed on the side plate portion of the mounting base 2. And the thing of the structure which the upper case 1 and the mounting base 2 can couple | bond is illustrated as an example.

  The ball 10 is biased upward at the other end of the leaf spring 6 fixed to the mounting base 2 in the normal state which is a non-operating state, and the four rollers 4 arranged in a square shape are A predetermined interval is set, and when the ball 10 is pushed down against its upward biasing force, it can move up and down in the internal space formed by the upper case 1 and the mounting base 2. Is the same as before.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the wiring board configuration unit combined with the mechanism configuration unit includes a wiring board 40, four Hall ICs 20 arranged on the wiring board 40, and a push switch 25. The Hall IC 20 and the push switch 25 are the same as those in the prior art, and the arrangement positions thereof are the same as those in the prior art. When the outer shape is processed into a predetermined shape like the wiring board 40 shown in the figure, it may be configured to be electrically connected to an external circuit via a connector or the like. Further, the wiring board 40 may be configured by FPC, and in this case, it can be easily configured as having a tail portion and electrically connectable to an external circuit.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes an attracting member made of a plate material including a magnetic material such as SUS430 arranged so as to overlap from the lower surface of the wiring board 40, and the shape thereof is a position near the corner of the rectangular portion 51 formed in a substantially square shape. A plate-like portion 52 corresponding to each magnet 5 is bent upward with a predetermined width. Each of the plate-like parts 52 is inserted from below into a rectangular hole part 41 arranged on the wiring board 40 according to each. In this suction member 50, a caulking protrusion protruding from the bottom of the mounting base 2 is inserted into a hole provided coaxially with the wiring substrate 40 and the rectangular part 51, and the lower end of the caulking protrusion is formed into the rectangular part 51. It is connected by caulking and fixing to the lower surface side of the.

  And the plate-like part 52 is bent and formed in a letter-like shape when viewed from the side at the upper end intermediate position, and the tip of the letter-shaped part is opened with a slight gap on the outer circumferential surface of the corresponding magnet 5 in the width direction. It is arranged close to the outward position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the tip of the plate-like portion 52 is directed to the rotation center axis of the magnet 5, and the entire length in the width direction of the outer peripheral surface of the magnet 5 is substantially the same. If it is set as the structure which a front-end | tip opposes, the magnetic flux from the said magnet 5 will come to act on the front-end | tip of the plate-shaped part 52 efficiently.

  As described above, the trackball device of the present invention is configured, and is used by rotating the ball 10 by touching the upper part of the protruding ball 10 with a finger or the like, or by pushing the ball 10 down. In addition, since the operation | movement according to the pressing-down operation to the ball | bowl 10 is the same as the past, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the non-operation state, which is a normal state in which the trackball device is not operated, will be described.

  In this non-operating state, the ball 10 is pushed up at the other end of the leaf spring 6 and stopped by contacting the end of the upper hole IC of the upper case 1, and the contact portion between the ball 10 and each roller 4. And a predetermined interval is maintained between the ball 10 and the push switch 25.

  In this non-operating state, each magnet 5 provided on each roller 4 is placed between one N pole (or S pole) and the tip of the plate-like portion 52 as shown in FIG. It is in the suction state. That is, in this state, the N of the magnet 5 is placed through the tip surface of the plate-like portion 52 facing the central axis of rotation with a slight gap between the N pole (or S pole) of the magnet 5. Magnetic flux generated perpendicularly from the surface of the pole (or S pole) acts greatly on the tip of the plate-like portion 52, and the tip is magnetized to the S pole (or N pole) to form the N pole (or S pole) of the magnet 5. At the same time, according to the magnetization of the tip, the vicinity of the bent portion of the character is magnetized to the N pole (or S pole).

  The roller 4 is attracted to the outer plate-like portion 52 side by the attractive force generated according to the magnetization state of the plate-like portion 52. As a result, the roller 4 is in a state where it is in strong contact with the inner wall surface that is rotatably held, etc., and is stably maintained in a stopped state in which the rotation restricting force is applied, thereby preventing unnecessary rotation of each roller 4. Made.

  In addition, if it is the shape of the plate-shaped part 52 of the attraction | suction member 50, the edge part by the side of the front end of the plate-shaped part 52 will be easily magnetized so that the magnetic flux from the magnet 5 may pass easily, and other than the said part from the said magnet 5 For example, the base portion of the plate-like portion 52 and the rectangular portion 51 are not affected by the magnetic flux so much that the plate-like portions 52 are not affected by the magnetic flux. Almost no influence occurs. In addition, as for the plate-like part 52, the material thickness, the width dimension, etc. are appropriately set so that the arrangement state etc. does not change over the above-mentioned suction force, so that the fixed state of the plate-like part 52 is maintained. It is also important to keep it.

  Then, when the ball 10 is rotated, the mechanism component performs the same operation as the conventional one, and the roller 4 corresponding to the operation direction in contact with the ball 10 and the magnet 5 fixed thereto rotate. As a result, the N or S poles of the magnet 5 alternately approach the Hall IC 20 arranged facing the lower side, and a predetermined output is obtained from the Hall IC 20 due to the change in the magnetic flux. Ten rotation directions and rotation amounts can be detected in a non-contact state.

  Further, during the rotation operation, the N pole or S pole of the magnet 5 alternately approaches the tip of the plate-like portion 52 to generate a click feeling during the rotation operation.

  Details thereof will be described below.

  First, in the non-operation state, as described above, the magnet 5 is stably stopped in a suction state in which the central angle position of one magnetic pole faces the tip of the plate-like portion 52. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the plate-like portion 52 facing the north pole of the magnet 5 is magnetized to the south pole, and the roller is moved by the action of the attractive force with the north pole of the magnet 5 facing it. 4 is in a state in which the rotation regulating force is activated.

  When the roller 4, that is, the magnet 5 is rotated by performing a rotation operation from the above state, as shown in FIG. 7, the state where the tip of the plate-like portion 52 faces the boundary with the S pole adjacent to the N pole In this state, the direction of the magnetic flux near the tip of the plate-like portion 52 is a direction that penetrates the plate-like portion 52 in the vertical direction. In the magnetic flux direction, the tip of the plate-like portion 52 is in a state where the upper surface side is slightly magnetized to the S pole and the lower surface side is slightly magnetized, but in that magnetization state, a large attractive force with the magnet 5 does not work, The state in which the attracting state between the magnet 5 and the plate-like portion 52 is released, that is, the rotation regulating force acting on the roller 4 is small, and the roller 4 is lightly rotatable. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the magnetic flux density acting near the tip of the plate-like portion 52 and the rotation regulating force acting on the roller 4.

  When the magnet 5 further rotates, the center angle position of the S pole faces the tip of the plate-like portion 52. In this state, the magnetic flux again acts on the tip of the plate-like portion 52 again via the tip surface of the plate-like portion 52 facing the S pole of the magnet 5 with a slight gap, and the plate-like portion 52. The tip of the magnet is magnetized to the north pole and is brought into an attracted state with the south pole of the magnet 5, and the vicinity of the bent portion of the character is magnetized to the south pole in accordance with the magnetization of the tip. As a result, the roller 4 is brought into a state where it strongly abuts against the inner wall surface that is rotatably held again, that is, a state in which the rotation restricting force acts on the roller 4 again.

  When the magnet 5 further rotates, the tip of the plate-like portion 52 faces the position of the boundary between the S pole and the next N pole, and the rotation restricting force of the roller 4 decreases as the magnetic flux direction changes as described above. When the tip of the plate-like portion 52 faces the N pole, the rotation restricting force of the roller 4 increases.

  The difference in the rotation restricting force of the roller 4 generated during the repetition of the above operation is felt as a click feeling at the time of the rotation operation by a finger or the like operated via the ball 10 in contact with the roller 4. At this time, if the shape and arrangement state of the plate-like portion 52 are set, the magnetic flux change accompanying the rotation of the magnet 5 can be efficiently applied to the tip of the plate-like portion 52, and a good click feeling can be obtained. it can.

  As described above, the trackball device can be realized so that the rotation of the roller 4 can be detected in a non-contact manner, and the click feeling at the time of the rotation operation can be obtained by effectively using the magnetic flux change generated at the time of detecting the rotation. Can do. And as a component for obtaining the click feeling, the plate-like portion 52 of the suction member 50 that is simply configured is merely arranged close to the magnet 5, so that it can be configured at low cost. In the above description, the detection of the rotation of the roller 4 by the Hall IC 20 has been described. However, other detection elements may be used.

  And the attraction | suction member 50 may also be formed with what contains magnetic materials, such as iron and nickel other than SUS430. In some cases, they may be plated. Furthermore, you may be comprised with the magnet.

  And if it is the shape of the attraction | suction member 50 which has the rectangular part 51 which covers the lower surface of the said trackball apparatus over the substantially whole surface as mentioned above, it can make the thing also made the magnetic shielding downward, and is preferable. Further, when the plate-like portion 52 corresponding to each magnet 5 is provided integrally with the rectangular portion 51, the plate-like portion 52 can be easily configured with high accuracy, and the plate-like portion 52 is collectively for each magnet 5. Can be easily arranged with high accuracy, so that the assemblability and the like are good. Further, it is preferable to arrange each plate-like part 52 at the outer position of each magnet 5, although the projected area is slightly increased, but the magnetic shielding to the side is also made.

  In addition, the shape of the plate-like portion 52 is not limited to only the one formed by bending a letter in a side view.

  Moreover, although the suction member 50 provided with the plate-shaped part 52 was demonstrated to the above as an example, the shape of a suction member is not limited to it. For example, a member containing a magnetic material to be an attracting member is fixed to a constituent member of a mechanism constituent part by insert molding or the like and placed close to the magnet. What is necessary is just to arrange | position so that the magnitude | size of rotation control force may generate | occur | produce.

  The trackball device according to the present invention realizes a non-contact detection of a change in magnetic flux generated during a rotation operation on the ball, and detection of the rotation of the roller, while also providing a click feeling through the ball during the rotation operation. This is useful when configuring the input operation unit of various electronic devices.

1 is an external perspective view of a trackball device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Top view Same left side view Perspective view before combining the mechanism component and the wiring board component Exploded perspective view Partial enlarged side view showing a state in which the N pole of the magnet is close to the tip of the plate-like part which is the same part The partial expanded side view which shows the state which the boundary of the N pole and S pole which a magnet adjoins approached the front-end | tip of the plate-shaped part which is the principal part. The figure which shows the relationship between the magnetic flux density which acts on the front-end | tip of the plate-shaped part which is the principal part, and the rotation control force which acts on a roller. Sectional view of a conventional trackball device Perspective view before combining the mechanism component and the wiring board component Exploded perspective view of the mechanism component Top view of the trackball device Left side view of the trackball device Sectional view showing the same rotating operation state Sectional view showing the push-down operation state

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper case 1C Upper hole 2 Mounting base 4 Roller 5 Magnet 6 Leaf spring 10 Ball 20 Hall IC
25 Push switch 31 Locking protrusion 32 Window part 40 Wiring board 41 Rectangular hole part 50 Suction member 51 Rectangular part 52 Plate-like part

Claims (3)

A ball, a roller with a magnet that rotates in contact with the ball during rotation of the ball, a detection element for detecting rotation of the roller that detects a change in magnetic flux associated with the rotation of the roller, and a predetermined interval with respect to the magnet of the roller An attraction member including a magnetic material disposed in close proximity to each other, and when the ball is not operated, the magnet is attracted by an attraction force generated between the magnet and the attraction member, and the roller is stopped. When the rotation operation to the ball is performed, the attractive force generated between the magnet and the suction member affects the rotation state of the roller, and the influence is clicked through the ball during the rotation operation. A trackball device that feels like a touch. The attraction member is composed of a plate-shaped portion made of a plate material, and the tip of the plate-shaped portion has a width direction of a ring-shaped magnet in which N poles and S poles fixed to a roller are alternately magnetized at a predetermined angular pitch The trackball device according to claim 1, wherein the trackball device is arranged opposite to the trackball device. The trackball device according to claim 2, wherein the end of the plate-like portion is bent and formed in a U-shape when viewed from the side, and the tip of the U-shape is arranged in the direction of the rotation center axis of the magnet.

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