JP4615390B2 - pointing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pointing device used for a pointing operation in devices such as a computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a game machine, a measuring instrument, and a manufacturing apparatus.

For example, there are various types of pointing devices used for pointing operations (instruction operations) such as moving the cursor on the screen to a desired position, such as a mouse and a trackball. A joystick type that moves the cursor on the screen of a computer or the like according to the tilt and tilt direction of the operating rod is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-21332 A

By the way, the joystick type pointing device as described above requires a mechanism for supporting the operating rod so as to be tiltable and returning the operating rod to the initial position (origin position) by releasing the operating force. Difficult to make.
Further, even when a switch mechanism for performing a so-called click operation is provided in the pointing device as described above, it is difficult to reduce the size and the structure.
Furthermore, if the structure is operable in the rotational direction, it is more difficult to reduce the size and the structure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to operate in accordance with an operation direction and an operation force and return to an initial position (origin position) by releasing the operation force. An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing device that can increase the number of operating axes and that is reduced in size and simplified in structure.

The pointing device according to the present invention is configured to return the operating body to the initial position by releasing the operating force while allowing the operating body for the pointing operation and the movement of the operating body according to the operating direction and the operating force. with biasing, I have a, an elastic member which is a distortion detecting means and integrally forming a signal corresponding to an operation to electrically detect and the operating body distortion caused by operation on the operating body, the elastic The member is composed of a plurality of leaf springs or rod springs provided on the installation surface in the form of support beams at both ends, and at least a pair of the leaf springs or rod springs facing each other among the plurality of leaf springs or rod springs with respect to the installation surface. And the plurality of leaf springs or bar springs cooperate to hold the operating body and respond to tilting of the operating body and rotation of the operating body. It is characterized in that the distortion occurs elastically deformed Te.
According to this configuration, since the distortion generated in the elastic member that biases the operating body to return to the initial position is electrically detected and a signal corresponding to the operation on the operating body is formed, the initial position of the operating body is Since it is not necessary to measure displacement, inclination, etc. from the (origin position), the device can be reduced in size and simplified. According to this configuration, the plurality of leaf springs or rod-shaped springs function to return the operating body to the initial position and have the function of holding the operating body, so that the device can be reduced in size and simplified. According to this configuration, a signal corresponding to an operation can be formed by tilting and rotating the operating body, and the number of operation axes can be increased without changing the basic structure.

In the above configuration, the plurality of rod-shaped springs can employ a configuration in which the operating body is slidably held along the installation surface and is elastically deformable by engaging with the sliding operating body.
According to this configuration, a signal corresponding to an operation can be formed by tilting and sliding the operating body, and the number of operation axes can be increased without changing the basic structure.

The said structure WHEREIN: The structure which engages with the operation body which moves toward an installation surface, and elastically deforms simultaneously can be employ | adopted for an elastic member.
According to this configuration, a plurality of leaf springs or rod-like springs as elastic members can be elastically deformed at the same time, so that an on / off signal can be formed and a switch function can be easily realized.

The said structure WHEREIN: The structure which is arrange | positioned concentrically around the operating body can be employ | adopted for the leaf | plate spring or the rod-shaped spring.
According to this configuration, when the operating body is rotated, the contact area between the operating body and the leaf spring or the rod-like spring does not change, and distortion generated by the rotation of the operating body can be detected with high accuracy.

The said structure WHEREIN: The structure by which the inclination is formed by the overlap of the edge part of adjacent leaf springs or rod-shaped springs is employable.
According to this configuration, a member for inclining the leaf spring or the bar spring is not necessary, and the device can be further miniaturized by providing an overlap.

In the above configuration, the elastic member may employ a configuration in which an engaging portion that defines an initial position of the operating body is formed by engaging the operating body.
According to this configuration, when the operating body is engaged with the engaging portion, the operating body can be accurately positioned at the initial position, and the operator can easily recognize the initial position.

The said structure WHEREIN: The structure currently installed in the installation surface by the stopper member which presses the both ends toward an installation surface can be employ | adopted for a leaf | plate spring or a rod-shaped spring.
According to this structure, a leaf | plate spring or a rod-shaped spring can be installed with a simple structure.

In the above configuration, the strain detection means may be configured by a strain gauge.
According to this configuration, it is possible to electrically detect the strain of the elastic member while reducing the size of the device and simplifying the structure.

The said structure WHEREIN: The structure currently affixed on the surface of an elastic member is employable as a strain gauge.
According to this configuration, the strain gauge can be easily provided on the elastic member.

In the above configuration, a configuration in which the strain gauge is embedded in the elastic member can be adopted.
According to this configuration, the strain gauge can be protected by embedding it in an elastic member made of, for example, resin.

In the above configuration, it is possible to employ a configuration having a deformation regulating member for limiting the deformation amount of the elastic member, and preferably having a buffer function.
According to this structure, it can prevent that an elastic member deform | transforms excessively and is damaged, or the strain gauge provided in the elastic member is destroyed.

In the above configuration, a configuration in which the elastic member itself forms a strain gauge can be adopted.
According to this configuration, the device structure can be further simplified.

In the above configuration, the operation body may employ a configuration in which the engaging portion that engages with the elastic member is formed of a material that is more flexible than the elastic member.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the wear and the like due to the contact between the engaging portion of the operating body and the elastic member, thereby improving durability.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size and simplify the structure of a pointing device that includes an operating body that moves according to the operating direction and operating force and can return to the initial position by releasing the operating force.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 to 6 are views showing an embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of the pointing device and a relationship with a computer, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pointing device, 3 is a view showing a leaf spring having a strain gauge attached to the surface thereof, FIG. 4 is a view showing the leaf spring in which the strain gauge is embedded, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the leaf spring and the operating body, and FIG. These are the figures for demonstrating the effect | action of the operation body with respect to a leaf | plate spring.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pointing device 10 includes an operating body 20, a cover 60, a plurality of leaf springs 70 as elastic members, a strain gauge 90, a detection circuit 600, and the like.

  The operation body 20 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and protrudes from the center portion of the upper surface of the operation body 20 and is pointed by an operator or the like, and protrudes outward and is formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The four engaging portions 50 and the like are provided.

The plurality of leaf springs 70 are formed in a rectangular flat plate shape from a metal such as steel or a resin, and are disposed substantially in parallel and face each other and a pair of leaf springs 70, 70 perpendicular to the pair of leaf springs 70, 70. It consists of a pair of leaf springs 70, 70 arranged in various directions.
The leaf spring 70 is installed on an installation surface formed on a housing (not shown) of the computer 600 via a support member 80 shown in FIG. Accordingly, each leaf spring 70 is supported at both ends by the support member 80 and is fixed to the installation surface in the form of both-end support beams.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, each leaf spring 70 holds a corresponding engaging portion 50 of the operation body 20, whereby the plurality of leaf springs 70 cooperate to hold the operation body 20. The operating body 20 is movable on the leaf spring 70.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strain gauge 90 is affixed to the surface of each leaf spring 70, and the gauge lead 91 is electrically connected to the detection circuit 600. The generated distortion is changed to a change in electric resistance and output to the detection circuit 600. That is, the strain gauge 90 electrically detects the strain generated in each leaf spring 70. The structure of the strain gauge 90 and the principle of strain detection are well-known and will not be described in detail.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the strain gauge 90 can be integrally formed by injection molding using resin or the like and embedded in the leaf spring 70A.

  The cover 60 is formed of resin or the like, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 60 includes an opening 61 into which the operation portion 40 of the operation body 20 is inserted at the center portion. The detection circuit 600 and the like are housed inside, and the operation body 50 is fixed to the installation surface while pressing the operation body 20 so as to maintain the state held by the leaf spring 70.

  The detection circuit 600 detects an electrical signal corresponding to the strain of the leaf spring 70 detected by each strain gauge 90 and outputs this signal to the computer 700 in order to form a signal corresponding to the operation on the operating body 20. Based on the signal received from the detection circuit 600, the computer 700 forms, for example, a signal for determining the coordinate position of the cursor on the screen of the display device.

In the pointing device 10 described above, when the operating unit 40 is operated and tilted in any direction, the operating body 20 tilts and the leaf spring 70 is pressed by the engaging unit 50 according to the operating direction and operating force. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. The strain of the leaf spring 70 due to this elastic deformation is detected by the strain gauge 90. The amount of strain detected by the strain gauge 90 changes according to the tilt direction and tilt amount of the operating body 20. For this reason, it is possible to detect the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the operating body 20 by detecting the strain amount of each leaf spring 70.
When the operating force on the operating unit 40 is released, the operating body 20 returns to the initial position (origin position) by the restoring force of the leaf spring 70.

  In the pointing device 10 described above, when the operation unit 40 is pushed down toward an installation surface (not shown), the four leaf springs 70 are engaged with the engagement unit 50 of the operation body 20 and simultaneously elastically deformed. For example, when this state is turned on and the state where the operating body 20 returns to the initial position by releasing the force to push down the operation unit 40 is turned off, the computer 700 turns on / off based on the detection signal of the strain gauge 90. A signal can be formed, and the pointing device 10 can have a switch function.

7 to 9 are views showing another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention, in which FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a leaf spring and an operation body, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are operation bodies for the leaf spring. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of. 7 to 9, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment.
The two pairs of leaf springs 70B shown in FIG. 7 are supported at opposite ends by support members 80A and 80B having different heights, are inclined with respect to the installation surface, and are opposed to each other. They are arranged so that the inclination directions are opposite to each other.
By disposing a plurality of leaf springs 70B as shown in FIG. 7, the operating body 20 is rotated so that the engaging portion 50 moves in the direction DR1 that rises as shown in FIG. Since the four engaging portions 50 move simultaneously with respect to the corresponding leaf springs 70B, the four leaf springs 70B are similarly elastically deformed, and the same amount of distortion is generated, and the amount of rotation of the operating body 20 is also increased. Accordingly, the amount of distortion increases. On the other hand, when the operating body 20 is rotated so that the engaging portion 50 moves in the downward direction DR2 as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of distortion depends on the amount of rotation of the operating body 20. Decrease gradually.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of strain corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operating body 20 can be obtained simultaneously from the four leaf springs 70B. And the amount of rotation can be detected. In the present embodiment as well, the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the operating body 20 can be detected as in the above embodiment.

10 and 11 are views showing still another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view showing the structure of a leaf spring and an operating body, and FIG. 11 is a view of the plate shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the spring and the operation body from the upper part. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the above embodiment.
The four leaf springs 70 </ b> C shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are formed in an arc shape and are arranged concentrically around the operation body 20. In addition, the four leaf springs 70C are inclined with respect to the installation surface by being arranged so that ends of different leaf springs 70C adjacent to each other overlap each other.

  When the operating body 20 is rotated by arranging the plurality of leaf springs 70C as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the rotation direction and the amount of rotation are changed from the four leaf springs 70C as in the above embodiment. Therefore, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operating body 20 can be detected using this.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the contact area between the engaging portion 50 of the operating body 20 and the leaf spring 70C is constant regardless of the rotation of the operating body 20 by forming the leaf spring 70C in an arc shape. The accuracy of detecting the amount of strain generated in the leaf spring 70C can be increased, and the size can be reduced.
Note that the pointing device according to the present embodiment can detect the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the operating body 20, and can have a switch function by simultaneously elastically deforming the four leaf springs 70C.

FIG. 12 is a view showing still another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a structure of an operating body and a leaf spring. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment.
In FIG. 12, the four leaf springs 70 are inclined with respect to the installation surface by being arranged so that the ends of the different leaf springs 70 adjacent to each other overlap each other.
By arranging in this way, the overall dimensions can be reduced without changing the area of the leaf spring 70. In addition, since the end located on the lower side is pressed by the end located on the upper side at the end of the overlapping leaf springs 70, parts for fixing the leaf springs 70 to each other are not necessary, and the structure can be simplified. .

  Note that the pointing device according to the present embodiment can detect the tilt direction and tilt amount of the operating body 20, the pivot direction and the pivot amount, and at the same time has a switch function by elastically deforming the four leaf springs 70 simultaneously. You can have it.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are views showing still another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of an operating body and a rod-like spring, and FIG. 14 is a rod-like shape in which a strain gauge is embedded. FIG. 15 and FIG. 15 are views for explaining the action of the operating body shown in FIG. In FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment.
The difference between the pointing device according to the present embodiment and the pointing device according to the above-described embodiment is that a rod-shaped spring 170 is used instead of the leaf spring 70 in the present embodiment.
The rod-like spring 170 is made of, for example, resin or the like, and a strain gauge 90 is embedded as shown in FIG. This bar-shaped spring 170 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape and is flexible in an arbitrary direction. That is, the leaf spring 70 has flexibility only in the plate thickness, but the rod-like spring 170 has flexibility in an arbitrary direction and has a high degree of freedom of deformation.

  In this pointing device, the four bar-like springs 170 hold the operating body 20 slidably along the installation surface by holding the engaging portions 50 movably. When the operating body 20 is slid in either direction, the operating body 20 engages with any of the bar springs 170 as shown in FIG. 15, and the bar springs 170 are elastically deformed to cause distortion. The amount of distortion at this time changes according to the operating force for sliding the operating body 20.

Thus, in this embodiment, since the amount of distortion according to the slide direction (operation direction) of the operation body 20 and the operation force can be detected, the slide direction of the operation body 20, the movement amount in the slide direction, and the operation force in the slide direction. Can be detected.
Note that the pointing device according to the present embodiment can detect the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the operating body 20 and can have a switch function by simultaneously elastically deforming the four bar springs 170. Moreover, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operating body 20 can be detected by inclining the four bar-shaped springs 170 with respect to the installation surface in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another structural example of a leaf spring that can be applied to the pointing device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the action of the leaf spring.
The leaf spring 70D shown in FIG. 16 has an engagement recess 71 as an engagement portion for defining the initial position of the operating body 20 at the center in the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 17, the engaging recess 71 of the operating body 20 is engaged with the engaging recess 71 so that the operating body 20 is accurately positioned at the initial position. Further, when the operating body 20 is rotated, the operator can recognize the state in which the engaging portion 50 is engaged with the engaging recess 71 as a sense.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a structure of a leaf spring applicable to the pointing device according to the above embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a view for explaining the action of the leaf spring.
The leaf spring 70E shown in FIG. 18 is formed in a V shape so that a bent portion 72 as an engaging portion is formed at the center in the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 19, when the engaging portion 50 of the operating body 20 is engaged with the bent portion 72, the same operations and effects as those described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 are achieved.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an installation structure of a leaf spring.
In FIG. 20, stopper members 85 are provided at both ends of each leaf spring 70, and the stopper member 85 is fixed to an installation surface (not shown) and presses each leaf spring 70 toward the installation surface. .
As a result, the leaf springs 70 are not detached from the installation surface, and the leaf springs 70 can be installed on the installation surface with a minimum number of installation tools, so that the structure of the pointing device can be simplified.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the deformation regulating member for restricting the deformation amount of the plate spring and the plate spring 70.
The deformation restricting member 100 shown in FIG. 21 is installed between the leaf spring 70 and an installation surface (not shown), and prevents the leaf spring 70 from contacting the installation surface due to an excessive force acting on the leaf spring 70. . That is, the deformation regulating member 100 serves to limit the deformation amount of the leaf spring 70.
The deformation regulating member 100 is formed of a material having a buffer function such as rubber. Thereby, not only the deformation amount of the leaf spring 70 is restricted, but also the impact can be reduced.

22 and 23 are views showing still another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the structure of the operating body and the leaf spring. FIG. 23 is a leaf spring by sliding the operating body. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to.
In FIG. 23, four leaf springs 270 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape are installed in a direction perpendicular to an installation surface (not shown) so as to surround the operation body 140, and both end portions thereof are The installation surface is restrained by a restraining mechanism (not shown). The leaf spring 270 is provided with a strain gauge 90 (not shown).
The operation body 120 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and an operation portion 140 is formed so as to protrude from the center of the upper surface of the operation body 120. The engagement portions engage with the corresponding leaf springs 270 by the four corners of the operation body 120. 150 is configured.

When the operating body 120 is slid in any direction along the installation surface, the leaf spring 270 is pressed by the engaging portion 150 in accordance with the operating direction (sliding direction) and the operating force, as shown in FIG. It is elastically deformed. The strain of the leaf spring 270 due to this elastic deformation is detected by the strain gauge 90. The amount of strain detected by the strain gauge 90 varies depending on the sliding direction of the operating body 120 and the operating force applied. For this reason, the displacement of the operating body 20 in the sliding direction can be detected by detecting the amount of distortion of each leaf spring 270.
When the operating force on the operating body 140 is released, the operating body 120 returns to the initial position (origin position) by the restoring force of the leaf spring 270.

In the present embodiment, the case where the plate spring 270 is used as the elastic member has been described, but a bar-shaped spring may be used instead of the plate spring 270.
Further, in this embodiment, since the corner (engagement portion 150) of the operation body 120 is brought into contact with the leaf spring 270, stress is easily concentrated. It may be formed of a material more flexible than the leaf spring 270.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the operating body.
In FIG. 23, the engaging portion 150 formed by the corners of the rectangular parallelepiped operating body 140 is configured to engage with the leaf spring 270. However, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the distal end surface 150f of the engaging portion 150 extending in the direction can be engaged with the leaf spring 270.

FIGS. 25 to 28 are views showing still another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 25 is a view showing a leaf spring curved in an arc shape. FIG. 26 is a view showing the leaf spring and the operating body. FIGS. 27 and 28 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the leaf spring by the rotation of the operating body.
In FIG. 23, the case where the leaf spring 270 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape is described, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the four leaf springs 270A are provided for an operation body 120C described later. The engaging portion 150C (the tip thereof) is formed in an arc shape having substantially the same curvature as the circumference Cir drawn by rotation, and is installed in a direction perpendicular to the installation surface. In addition, as shown in FIG. 25, the four leaf springs 270A are arranged so as to be inclined in the same direction so as to intersect the circumference Cir. Note that both end portions of the four leaf springs 270A are constrained to the installation surface by a restraining mechanism (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 26, the operating body 120C includes engaging portions 150C formed in a tapered shape extending in the four directions toward the outside, and the tips of the engaging portions 150C are engaged with the corresponding leaf springs 270A. (Contact). Note that the position of the operating body 120C shown in FIG. 26 is the initial position. In this initial position, the tip of each engaging portion 150C presses the corresponding leaf spring 270A to elastically deform the leaf spring 270A to cause distortion.

When the operating body 120C is rotated in one direction DR1, as shown in FIG. 27, the amount of biting into the leaf spring 270A at the tip of each engaging portion 150C increases according to the amount of rotation, and each leaf spring 270A. The amount of distortion that occurs is increased.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 28, when the operating body 120C is rotated in the other direction DR2, the amount of biting into the leaf spring 270A at the tip of each engagement portion 150C decreases according to the amount of rotation, and each plate The amount of strain generated in the spring 270A is reduced.

Thus, in this embodiment, since the distortion according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operation body 120C can be detected from each leaf spring 270A, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operation body 120C are detected using this. can do.
In the present embodiment, the case where the leaf spring 270A is used as the elastic member has been described. However, it is also possible to use a bar-like spring that is curved in an arc instead of the leaf spring 270A.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing an installation structure example of the leaf spring 270.
As shown in FIG. 29, the leaf spring 270 is constrained to the installation surface by a stopper member 180 that is provided on an installation surface (not shown) and restricts movement along the installation surface with both ends of the leaf spring 270 sandwiched from both sides. Yes.
With such an installation structure, it is only necessary to insert the leaf spring 270 into the stopper member 180, so that the structure of the device can be simplified.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the deformation regulating member for restricting the deformation amount of the plate spring 270 and the plate spring.
As shown in FIG. 30, the deformation regulating member 190 is installed behind the leaf spring 270 (on the side opposite to the operation body 120C) with a predetermined gap between the leaf spring 270.
The deformation regulating member 190 is made of a material having a buffer function such as rubber. By providing the deformation restricting member 190, the deformation amount of the leaf spring 270 can be prevented from being excessive, and the impact can be reduced.

FIG. 31 is a view showing the structure of a pointing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 31, one end of a coil spring 370 as an elastic member is connected to four locations on the outer periphery of the operation body 120. The other end of the coil spring 370 is connected to a support member 500 fixed to an installation surface (not shown).
The plurality of coil springs 370 urges the operating body 120 to return to the initial position by releasing the operating force while allowing movement according to the operating direction and operating force with respect to the operating body 120.
The coil spring 370 itself constitutes a strain gauge, and each coil spring 370 is electrically connected to the detection circuit.

When the operating body 120 slides in one direction along the installation surface, one of the opposing coil springs 370 contracts and the other extends. As a result, since the amount of strain corresponding to the movement of the operating body 120 can be detected from each coil spring 370, the operating direction (sliding direction) and operating amount of the operating body 120 can be detected.
It should be noted that the strain gauge can also be constituted by the above-described leaf spring or bar spring itself.

32 and 33 are views showing still another embodiment of the pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 32 is a perspective view, and FIG. 33 is a plan view.
32 and 33, four rectangular flat plate springs 270B are arranged at equal intervals in four directions around the operation body 120E in a direction perpendicular to an installation surface (not shown). While being constrained by the surface, the other end is inserted into a slit-shaped guide portion 150s formed at the distal end portion of the engaging portion 150E of the operating body 120E.

When the operating body 120E is slid in the y direction along the installation surface, the two leaf springs 270B arranged along the x direction orthogonal to the y direction bend according to the amount of movement of the operating body 120E. The strain corresponding to this deflection is detected by strain gauges provided on the two leaf springs 270B arranged along the x direction. Thereby, the sliding direction and movement amount of the operating body 120E can be detected.
When the operating force to the operating body 120E is released from this state, the operating body 120E is guided along the x direction while being guided in the y direction by the two leaf springs 270B arranged along the y direction and the guide portion 150s. The two plate springs 270B arranged in the above manner accurately return to the initial position. That is, the initial position of the operating body 120E is defined by the leaf spring 250B and the guide portion 150s.
The operation when the operating body 120E is slid in the x direction along the installation surface is the same as described above.

  In the above embodiment, the pointing device using a leaf spring has been described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rod-like spring formed in an arc shape can also be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped spring 170 is substantially circular has been described. That's fine.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the engagement portion for defining the initial position is formed in the leaf spring has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a similar engagement portion can be formed in the rod-shaped spring. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the engaging portion 150 of the operation body 120 in FIG. 22 is formed of a flexible material has been described. However, the same configuration can be adopted in other operation bodies.

  In the above-described embodiment, a plate spring, a rod-like spring, and a coil spring have been described as examples of the elastic member. However, the elastic member is not limited thereto, and other elastic members can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where a resistance type strain gauge is used as the strain detecting means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of strain gauges can be used, and leaf springs can be used. It is also possible to detect a capacitance that changes due to deformation such as a strain detection means.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the pointing device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the relationship with a computer. It is a disassembled perspective view of a pointing device. It is a figure which shows the leaf | plate spring with which the strain gauge was stuck on the surface. It is a figure which shows the leaf | plate spring with which the strain gauge was embed | buried. It is a perspective view which shows a leaf | plate spring and an operation body. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the operation body with respect to a leaf | plate spring. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the leaf | plate spring and operating body of the pointing device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to the leaf | plate spring by rotation to one direction of an operation body. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to the leaf | plate spring by rotation to the other direction of an operation body. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the leaf | plate spring and operating body of the pointing device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the leaf | plate spring and operating body which were shown in FIG. 10 from upper direction. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the operating body and leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concern on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the operating body and rod-shaped spring of the pointing device which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rod-shaped spring with which the strain gauge was embed | buried. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to the leaf | plate spring by the slide of the operation body shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an effect | action of the leaf | plate spring of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an effect | action of the leaf | plate spring of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the installation structure of the leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the leaf | plate spring and deformation | transformation control member of the pointing device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the operating body and leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concern on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to the leaf | plate spring by the slide of the operation body of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the operating body and leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concern on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the leaf | plate spring formed curved in circular arc shape. It is a figure which shows the structure of the leaf | plate spring of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to the leaf | plate spring by rotation to the one direction of the operation body of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action with respect to the leaf | plate spring by rotation to the other direction of the operation body of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the installation structure of the leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between a leaf | plate spring and a deformation | transformation control member. It is a top view which shows the structure of the pointing device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the operating body and leaf | plate spring of the pointing device which concern on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the operation body and leaf | plate spring which are shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pointing device 20 ... Operation body 40 ... Operation part 50 ... Engagement part 60 ... Cover 70, 70A, 70B, 70C, 70D, 70E ... Leaf spring (elastic member)
71 ... engaging recess 72 ... engaging bent portion 80, 80A, 80B ... support member 85 ... stopper member 90 ... strain gauge (strain detecting means)
91 ... Gauge leads 100, 190 ... Deformation restricting members 120, 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D ... Operating body 140 ... Operating portion 150, 150A, 150B, 150C ... Engaging portion 170 ... Rod spring (elastic member)
270, 270A, 270B ... leaf spring 370 ... coil spring (elastic member)
600 ... detection circuit 700 ... computer

Claims (14)

An operating body for pointing operation;
The operating body is urged to return to the initial position by releasing the operating force while allowing the operating body to move according to the operating direction and operating force, and the distortion caused by the operation on the operating body is electrically An elastic member integrated with strain detecting means for detecting and forming a signal according to an operation on the operating body ;
Have a, the elastic member comprises a plurality of leaf springs or rod-shaped spring provided at both ends supporting beam shape to the installation surface, at least a pair of leaf springs or rod-shaped spring which faces the plurality of leaf springs or rod-shaped spring Is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the installation surface and the inclination direction is opposite, and the plurality of leaf springs or bar springs cooperate to hold the operating body, and the operating body can be tilted and operated. A pointing device, wherein the strain is generated by elastic deformation in accordance with the rotation of the body . The plurality of bar-shaped springs hold the operating body slidably along the installation surface and are elastically deformable by engaging with the sliding operating body. The pointing device according to 1 . The elastic member is a pointing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that simultaneously elastically deformed in engagement with said operating member to move toward the installation surface. The leaf spring or rod spring, a pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is arranged concentrically around the operating body with is formed in an arc shape. Pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 by overlapping the ends of the leaf spring or rod spring between different are adjacently, characterized in that the inclination is formed. The elastic member is a pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the engaging portion into which the operating body defining an initial position of the operating body by engaging is formed. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the leaf spring or the bar-shaped spring is installed on the installation surface by a stopper member that presses both end portions thereof toward the installation surface. It said distortion detecting means, a pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists of strain gauges. The pointing device according to claim 8 , wherein the strain gauge is attached to a surface of the elastic member. The pointing device according to claim 8 , wherein the strain gauge is embedded in the elastic member. Pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it has a deformation restricting member for restricting a deformation amount of the elastic member. The pointing device according to claim 11 , wherein the deformation regulating member has a buffer function. Pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the resilient member itself constitutes a strain gauge. The pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the operating body is formed of a material that is more flexible than the elastic member at an engaging portion that engages with the elastic member.

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