JP6059794B1 - Joystick - Google Patents

Abstract

A joystick that is easy to assemble and has a smooth operation feeling is provided. Since the automatic return means 60 of the joystick 80 performs automatic return by the attractive force of the return magnet 62 and the positioning magnet 64, an extremely smooth operation feeling can be obtained. Further, since the maximum attractive force works when the operation stick 5 is in the upright state, it is possible to prevent the play of the operation stick 5 in the upright state. Further, the automatic return means 60 includes a return magnet 62 provided at the end of the operation stick 5 and a positioning magnet 64 fixed to the case portion 1 side. For this reason, since the number of parts is small and it is not necessary to install components in the narrow part, assembly can be performed easily. As a result, it is possible to shorten and simplify the assembling work and reduce costs. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a joystick used for operating a mechanical device or the like.

  A joystick is one of the composite variable resistors that are used for general operations of radio control, games, medical equipment, industrial robots, and other mechanical equipment. The inventor of the present application has made the invention described in [Patent Document 1] below regarding such a joystick. Here, the configuration of the conventional biaxial joystick 50 described in [Patent Document 1] will be briefly described.

  The conventional joystick 50 shown in FIG. 6 includes two rotary variable resistors V1 and V2 installed so that the rotation axes M1 and M2 are orthogonal to each other as the X axis and the Y axis, An operation stick 5 that can be tilted in any direction within a range of angles and a connecting means N that converts the tilt of the operation stick 5 into rotation in the X-axis and Y-axis directions are provided. Further, the connecting means N of the joystick 50 in FIG. 6 includes a connecting plate 11 having a slit and curved in an arc shape, and a bush 12 installed so as to be orthogonal to the connecting plate 11. One end of the operation stick 5 is slidably inserted at a point where the bush 12 and the bush 12 intersect three-dimensionally. Then, the rotating shafts of the connecting plate 11 and the bush 12 are connected to the rotating shafts M1 and M2 of the rotary variable resistors V1 and V2, respectively. Here, when the user tilts the operation stick 5, the tilt is converted into rotation of the connecting plate 11 and the bush 12 by the connecting means N. Then, the rotation of the connecting plate 11 and the bush 12 rotates the rotary shafts M1 and M2 of the rotary variable resistors V1 and V2, respectively, so that the resistance values of the rotary variable resistors V1 and V2 are reduced. It changes according to the inclination in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

  The joystick 50 includes automatic return means K1 and K2 that return the operation stick 5 to an upright state when the user is in a free state where no force is applied. The upright state in the present application means a state in which the operation stick 5 is perpendicular to the XY plane. The automatic return means K1 and K2 of the joystick 50 include movable plates 22 and 23 respectively connected to the rotating shafts of the coupling plate 11 and the bush 12, and a coil spring 21 that urges the movable plates 22 and 23 to close. ,have. The coil spring 21 holds the movable plates 22 and 23 in a closed state, thereby maintaining the operation stick 5 in an upright state. Here, when the user tilts the operation stick 5, one of the movable plates 22 and 23 rotates in the opening direction. When the user releases the operation stick 5, the coil spring 21 operates to close the movable plates 22 and 23, thereby returning the operation stick 5 to the upright state.

JP 2002-108473 A

  However, the automatic return means K1 and K2 described in [Patent Document 1] have a large number of parts, and the small joystick 50 has a problem that assembly is complicated. Further, since the coil spring 21 has an elastic force in an open state, the elastic force is weak when the movable plates 22 and 23 are closed, and there is a problem that play occurs when the operation stick 5 is upright. Furthermore, in the automatic return means K1 and K2 described in [Patent Document 1], the movable plates 22 and 23 that open are changed depending on the inclination direction of the operation stick 5. Then, when the movable plates 22 and 23 that open are moved to the other, a slight mechanical resistance may occur. This mechanical resistance is not preferable because it impairs the smooth operation feeling of the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a joystick that is easy to assemble and has a smooth operation feeling.

The present invention
(1) An operation stick 5 that can be tilted within a predetermined angle range from an upright state, a connection means 40 that converts the inclination of the operation stick 5 into rotation of a rotation shaft, and the connection means 40. In a joystick 80 having a rotary variable resistor whose resistance value is changed by the rotation of the rotary shaft, and automatic return means 60 for returning the operation stick 5 to an upright state,
The connecting means 40 includes a connecting plate 44a (44b) which is provided with a slit 46a (46b) and is curved in an arc shape, and supports one end of the connecting plate 44a (44b) and also supports the rotary variable resistor V1 (V2). A connecting plate rotating shaft 42a (42b) connected to the rotating shaft M1 (M2), and the operation stick 5 is slidably inserted into the slit 46a (46b) of the connecting plate 44a (44b). ,
The automatic return means 60 includes a return magnet 62 provided at one end of the operation stick 5 penetrating the connecting means 40, and a predetermined gap between the return magnet 62 and an axis when the operation stick 5 is in an upright state. By providing a joystick 80 that has a positioning magnet 64 that is fixedly held and returns the operation stick 5 to an upright state by an attractive force between the return magnet 62 and the positioning magnet 64. Solve the above problems.

  The automatic return means for a joystick according to the present invention returns and maintains the operation stick in an upright state by magnetic force. Thereby, the joystick according to the present invention can obtain an extremely smooth operation feeling. Further, since the maximum attractive force works in the upright state, play of the operation stick in the upright state can be prevented. Furthermore, since the number of parts is small and it is not necessary to install components in the narrow part, assembly can be easily performed. As a result, it is possible to shorten and simplify the assembling work and reduce costs. Further, in the configuration provided with the holding means, the operation stick can be positioned in a specific inclination angle or a specific direction instantly and accurately.

It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the joystick which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the inside of the joystick which concerns on this invention from the side surface direction and the bottom face direction. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a joystick provided with the holding means of the 1st form which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the joystick provided with the holding means of the 1st form which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a joystick provided with the holding means of the 2nd form which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the conventional 2-axis joystick.

  An embodiment of a joystick 80 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the joystick 80 according to the present invention. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view from the side surface direction of the joystick 80 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a view showing the inside of the joystick 80 from the bottom surface direction. Note that, here, a two-axis joystick will be described as an example, but the present invention may be applied to a one-axis joystick. In addition, members equivalent to those of the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The joystick 80 according to the present invention includes an operation stick 5 that can be tilted within a predetermined angle range from an upright state, a connection means 40 that converts the inclination of the operation stick 5 into rotation of a rotation shaft, and the connection Rotation type variable resistors V1 and V2 which are connected to the means 40 and change the resistance value by the rotation of the rotation shaft, and an automatic return means 60 for returning the operation stick 5 to an upright state.

  The operation stick 5 of the joystick 80 is for the user to operate the device by tilting it, and has a spherical ball portion 5a that functions as a fulcrum. The ball portion 5a is inserted into the ball receiver 4 fixed to the case portion 1 in a movable state, whereby the operation stick 5 is tilted with respect to the case portion 1 in an arbitrary direction within a predetermined angle range. Is possible. Further, a return magnet 62 of an automatic return means 60 described later is fixed to one end of the operation stick 5 on the case part 1 side (base side). The operation stick 5 is preferably made of a well-known non-magnetic material such as aluminum, copper, non-magnetic stainless steel, brass, or plastic so that the operation stick 5 does not have a strong magnetic force due to the magnetic force of the return magnet 62. It is preferable to use brass.

Next, the connecting means 40 will be described .

The connecting means 40 of the joystick 80 according to the present invention is connected to two connecting plates 44a and 44b having slits 46a and 46b and curved in an arc shape, and one end of the connecting plates 44a and 44b, and is pivotally supported by the case portion 1. Connection plate rotating shafts 42a and 42b, and dummy shafts 48a and 48b that are connected to the other ends of the connection plates 44a and 44b and are also pivotally supported by the case portion 1 are provided. The connecting plate rotating shafts 42a and 42b and the dummy shafts 48a and 48b are provided at positions facing each other along the X and Y axes, and the curved portions of the connecting plates 44a and 44b have different diameters. As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), 44a and 44b take twist positions orthogonal to each other in plan view. Then, the operation stick 5 is slidably inserted into the slits 46a and 46b at positions where the connecting plates 44a and 44b intersect three-dimensionally. Thereby, the operation stick 5 penetrates the connecting means 40 and protrudes from the connecting means 40. And the return magnet 62 of the automatic return means 60 mentioned above is installed in the edge part of the operation stick 5 which penetrated the connection means 40. FIG. One connecting plate rotating shaft 42a is connected to the rotating shaft M1 of the rotary variable resistor V1, and the other connecting plate rotating shaft 42b is connected to the rotating shaft M2 of the rotating variable resistor V2. Accordingly, when the user tilts the operation stick 5, the connection plate 44a is rotated by the inclination of the operation stick 5 in the X-axis direction, and the connection plate 44b is rotated by the inclination in the Y-axis direction. By rotating the connecting plates 44a and 44b, the connecting plate rotating shafts 42a and 42b and the rotating shafts M1 and M2 rotate, respectively, and the resistance values of the rotary variable resistors V1 and V2 are the X and Y axes of the operation stick 5, respectively. It changes according to the angle of inclination of the direction.

  Next, the automatic return means 60, which is a major feature of the present invention, will be described. The automatic return means 60 according to the present invention includes a return magnet 62 fixed to one end of the operation stick 5 and a positioning magnet 64 provided on an axis when the operation stick 5 is in an upright state. The positioning magnet 64 is fixed to the case portion 1 side with a predetermined gap so as not to contact the return magnet 62. The return magnet 62 and the positioning magnet 64 are well-known permanent magnets having a predetermined magnetic force, and are installed so that the opposing surfaces are different from each other. As a result, an attractive force is generated between the return magnet 62 and the positioning magnet 64, and when the operation stick 5 is free, the return magnet 62 and the positioning magnet 64 are attracted to each other, as shown in FIG. The magnets face each other. At this time, the operation stick 5 is in an upright state, and the automatic return means 60 maintains this upright state. The above is the operation of the automatic return means 60 according to the present invention.

  Further, the joystick 80 according to the present invention may include a holding means as described below in addition to the above configuration. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the joystick 80 provided with the holding means 70a of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the joystick 80 in the side surface direction. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of a joystick 80 provided with the holding means 70b of the second embodiment. Here, the specific inclination angle is an angle or position frequently used in the joystick 80, an angle or position designated for the device, and the like, for example, an intermediate angle between the upright state and the maximum inclination angle. It is done.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding means 70 a according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a second positioning magnet 74 on the axis when the operation stick 5 has a specific inclination angle. . The second positioning magnet 74 is also fixed with a predetermined gap so as not to contact the return magnet 62. In particular, in the holding means 70a of the first embodiment, the second positioning magnet 74 has a circular hole 72 having a predetermined radius on the inner side (inner peripheral surface). The outer surface of the return magnet 62 and the inner surface of the circular hole 72 are different magnetic poles. As a result, an attractive force is generated between the return magnet 62 and the circular hole 72, and when the operation stick 5 is tilted to some extent, the return magnet 62 and the circular hole 72 are attracted to each other, as shown in FIG. Is positioned at a specific angle, and this state is maintained. Thus, the user can instantly position the operation stick 5 at a specific inclination angle with high accuracy. In the holding means 70a of the first embodiment, the operation stick 5 can be set to a specific inclination angle in an arbitrary direction by using the inner surface of the circular hole 72 as a magnetic pole surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the inner surface of the circular hole 72 may be a slope that faces the outer surface of the return magnet 62 when tilted. Further, the second positioning magnet 74 having the circular hole 72 may be provided in a plurality of stages so that the operation stick 5 can be held stepwise at a plurality of inclination angles.

  Next, a second form of holding means 70b according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding means 70 b of the second form has a second positioning magnet 74 on the axis when the operation stick 5 is in a specific inclination direction. At this time, the second positioning magnet 74 is fixed with a predetermined gap so as not to come into contact with the return magnet 62, and the opposing surfaces of the return magnet 62 and the second positioning magnet 74 are different magnetic poles. As a result, when the operation stick 5 is tilted in a certain direction to some extent, the return magnet 62 and the second positioning magnet 74 are attracted to position the operation stick 5 in a certain tilt direction. This state is maintained. As a result, the user can instantly position the operation stick 5 in a specific direction with high accuracy. Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which four second positioning magnets 74 are provided in the cross direction, the number of the second positioning magnets 74 in the holding means 70b is not limited to this direction and number, and any Any number can be installed at the position.

  In the joystick 80 provided with the holding means 70a and 70b, the automatic return means 60 may be caused to function even at the above-mentioned specific angle so that it automatically returns to the upright state when it enters the free state. In this case, the user recognizes a specific angle by the holding means 70 a and 70 b based on the strength of the operation resistance of the operation stick 5. Further, by optimizing the magnetic force of the return magnet 62, the positioning magnet 64, and the second positioning magnet 74, the automatic return means 60 is made to function and be held in the upright state only when the operation stick 5 is brought into the upright state. Anyway. In this case, the operation stick 5 held at a specific angle by the holding means 70a and 70b does not return to the upright state even if it is in the free state, and the state at this specific angle is maintained.

  As described above, since the automatic return means 60 of the joystick 80 according to the present invention performs automatic return by the attractive force between the return magnet 62 and the positioning magnet 64, no mechanical resistance is generated during operation, and an extremely smooth operation feeling. Can be obtained. Further, since the maximum attractive force works when the operation stick 5 is in the upright state, it is possible to prevent the play of the operation stick 5 in the upright state. Further, the automatic return means 60 according to the present invention includes a return magnet 62 provided at the end of the operation stick 5 that penetrates the connecting means 40 and a positioning magnet 64 fixed to the case part 1 side. . For this reason, the number of parts is small as compared with the conventional automatic return means, and it is not necessary to install the components in the narrow part, so that the assembly can be easily performed. As a result, it is possible to shorten and simplify the assembling work and reduce costs.

  Further, in the configuration including the holding means 70a and 70b, an attractive force as a guide is generated when the operation stick 5 is brought close to a specific tilt angle and tilt position. Thus, the user can instantly position the operation stick 5 at a specific inclination angle with high accuracy.

  The joystick 80, the automatic return means 60, and the holding means 70a and 70b shown in this example are merely examples, and the shape, dimensions, operation mechanism, material, and the like of each component are changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be implemented.

5 Operation stick
40 connection means
60 Automatic return means
62 Return magnet
64 Positioning magnet
70a, 70b holding means
72 hole
74 Second positioning magnet
80 Joystick
V1, V2 rotary variable resistor

Claims (1)

An operation stick that can be tilted within a predetermined angle range from an upright state, a connection means that converts the inclination of the operation stick into rotation of a rotation shaft, and a connection means that connects to the connection means by rotation of the rotation shaft In a joystick having a rotary variable resistor whose resistance value changes, and automatic return means for returning the operation stick to an upright state,
The connecting means includes a connecting plate having a slit and curved in an arc shape, and a connecting plate rotating shaft that pivotally supports one end of the connecting plate and connects to the rotating shaft of the rotary variable resistor,
The operation stick is slidably inserted into the slit of the connecting plate,
The automatic return means includes a return magnet provided at one end of the operation stick penetrating the coupling means, and a positioning fixed with a predetermined gap on the axis when the operation stick is in an upright state. A joystick having a magnet and returning the operation stick to an upright state by an attractive force between the return magnet and the positioning magnet.

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