JPH04108241U - Trackball type control mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with modifications) [Purpose] To provide a trackball type control mechanism that can improve the ease of control work using a trackball. [Structure] A rotatable trackball is supported elastically, and by pushing the trackball against the elastic force, a switch arranged at the bottom of the trackball is pushed. By rotating the trackball, for example, a cursor is moved, and by further pushing the trackball, it is possible to confirm, for example, a menu.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention uses a trackball type control mechanism to press the trackball. A trackball type system configured so that it can also output signals by It concerns the control mechanism.

0002

[Conventional technology]

For example, a trackball type used for operating a personal computer. The control mechanism has a structure as shown in FIG. In other words, 1 is the track board. This case 1 is a rectangular case for a control mechanism. A ball 2 is held that is rotatably supported so as to protrude further, and A push switch 3 is incorporated in one corner of the rectangular case 1.

0003 In this way, the trackball type control mechanism is operated by rotating the ball 2. Accordingly, a perforated plate incorporated in the case 1 and located between the light emitter and the light receiver is It rotates and generates appropriate pulses to move the cursor on the computer screen to a desired menu, for example. the desired menu, and then the cursor is positioned over this desired menu. By pressing the push switch 3 at the moment when the menu selection signal is output. The menu is then finalized.

0004

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

In this way, with the conventional trackball type control mechanism, the cursor cannot be moved. There is a ball 2 for setting the menu, and a press switch for confirming the menu in a different position from the ball 2 position. switch 3, and the ball 2 position and push switch 3 position are separated. Because of this, it is difficult to press the push switch 3 quickly after operating the ball. Therefore, the workability was poor.

[0005] In addition, in the above structure, the ball 2 and the push switch 3 can be moved by hand while looking at the screen etc. When trying to operate the press switch, the position of the push switch is difficult to locate and the work efficiency is poor. There was a problem.

[0006]

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention was developed by paying attention to such problems in the conventional technology. Support the ball elastically and push this trackball against the elastic force. By tightening the button, the switch located at the bottom of the trackball will be pressed. For example, by rotating the trackball, you can move the cursor and For example, by pressing the trackball, you can confirm the menu. You can increase the ease of control work using the trackball by The object of the present invention is to provide a trackball type control mechanism.

[0007]

【Example】

The present invention will be explained in detail below based on the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0008] 11 is a box-shaped case with an opening 12 only on the top surface, and the inside of this case 11 is A ball 13, a portion of which protrudes outward from the opening 12, is housed inside. 1 Reference numeral 4 denotes a presser ring which is attached to the opening 12 and presses down the circumferential surface of the ball 13. be. 15 is a support board installed in the case 11, and this support board A push switch 16 is arranged in the center of the switch 15 . Also, this push switch 1 A plurality of springs 17 are arranged around 6, and the upper ends of these springs 17 is viewed from the plane that presses against the ball 13 due to the elastic action of the spring 17. The rotating shaft 18 in the Y-axis direction and the rotating shaft 19 in the X-axis direction are each mounted and held. has been done. That is, the ball 13 is pushed up by the spring 17 It is pushed up elastically by the axial rotation shaft 19 and the Y direction rotation shaft 18, The peripheral edge of the ball 13 is rotatably brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the presser ring 14, and The handle 13 is pushed up so as not to push the push switch 16. .

[0009] A sensor is installed at each end of the Y-axis rotating shaft 18 and the X-axis rotating shaft 19. A porous plate 21 located between the light emitter 20a and the light receiver 20b is fixed. . The structure of this sensor and perforated plate is a well-known structure, so detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. .

0010 The above is the configuration of this embodiment. Next, the operation will be described. The ball 13 is , are rotatably supported and are in contact with the respective rotating shafts 18 and 19. Therefore, by touching and rotating the protrusion of this ball 13, rotation in the X-axis direction can be achieved. The shaft and/or the Y-axis rotation shaft rotates, and as a result, the perforated plate 21 rotates. Then, a predetermined signal is output from the sensor to display a cursor on a microcontroller, for example. It can be moved to a desired position on the screen.

[0011] Next, the ball 13 is pressed from the direction A against the elastic force of the spring 17. As a result, the push switch 16 is operated, and as a result, the push switch 16 is operated. For example, the menu on the screen of a microcomputer can be selected.

0012 In this way, according to the trackball type control mechanism of this embodiment, one ball can be rotated. By doing so, you can move the cursor on the microcomputer, and the ball 13 You can select the menu by pressing the button. This trackball type control mechanism can be used, for example, in automobile computers. It is ideal for installing in the vehicle interior and operating it by hand while driving. It is easy to operate and, when used in automobiles, is useful for safe driving.

[0013]

[Effect of the idea]

As described above, the present invention is operated manually on a plurality of intersecting rotation axes 18 and 19. Rotation of the rotating shafts 18 and 19 on which the sphere 13 is placed and follows the rotational displacement of the sphere In a trackball type control mechanism that detects displacement and issues a signal, the rotating shaft 1 8 and 19 are pressably supported on the elastic member 17, and the spherical body 13 is Directly below, a switch 16 is provided which is pressed to emit a signal in accordance with the downward displacement of the sphere. Since it is a trackball type control mechanism, this allows the rotation and pushing of the ball. This track board is especially useful because each operation can be easily performed by moving the button. It is ideal for operating a roll-type control mechanism by hand and has excellent operability. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional trackball type control mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the trackball type control mechanism according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11...Case 12...Opening 13... Ball 14... Presser ring 15...Support board 16...Press switch 17...Spring 18...Y-axis rotation axis 19...X-axis rotation axis 20a...Light emitter 20b... Light receiver 21... Perforated plate

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A manually operated sphere (13) is placed on a plurality of intersecting rotating shafts (18, 19), and the rotational displacement of the rotating shafts (18, 19) follows the rotational displacement of the sphere. In the trackball type control mechanism that detects and issues a signal, the rotating shafts (18, 19) are supported on an elastic member (17) so as to be pressable, and the rotating shafts (18, 19) are supported directly below the spherical body (13). A trackball type control mechanism characterized by being provided with a switch (16) that emits a signal when pressed in accordance with displacement.