JPH04151716A - Track ball device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the construction of a bearing by providing a supporting device which supports a ball at least at three points, and a biasing device which elastically biases a rotary shaft connected with the ball supported by the supporting device. CONSTITUTION:This device is equipped with a supporting device 50 which supports a ball 20 at least at three points, and a biasing device 60 which elastically biases a rotary shaft 30 connected with the ball 20 supported by the supporting device 50. That is, the supporting device 50 which supports the ball 20 is provided separately from the rotary shaft 30, the rotary shaft 30 has an function which only detects the rotational amount and direction of the ball 20, and the ball 20 is not supported by the rotary shaft 30. Thus, the construction of the bearing is simplified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a trackball device for controlling the movement of a cursor on a video display, for example in a video game.

[Prior Art] A conventional device of this type will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18. In addition, among the figures, Fig. 15 is, for example, a Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1983
A plan view showing the housing of the conventional trackball device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 149538 with the cover removed, FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15, and FIG. Figure 15 XVII-XVII
Linear cross-sectional view, Figure 18 is XV III of Figure 15
It is a sectional view in the direction of line -XV III.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a conventional trackball device includes a ball (2) rotatably housed in a housing (10) consisting of a base (11) and a cover (12).
0), and rotating shafts (30), (30) that contact the ball (20) from two directions orthogonal to each other to detect the rotation of the ball (20). As shown in FIG. 17, the ball (20) partially protrudes from the opening (12A) of the cover (12). In addition to the rotating shafts (30), (30), the trackball device also includes the balls (20).
) is disposed, and the ball (20) is rotatably supported by these rotating shafts (30), (30) and the wheel (40). These three contact points are located so as to form an isosceles triangle.

As is clear from FIG. 1, the rotating shafts (30) have the same configuration. Therefore, one rotation axis (
30), the rotating shaft (30) is
a central shaft (31) and a shell (
32), and the shell (32) is equipped with the ball (20).
) is in contact with. Also, both ends of the above center @ (31) (
31A) and (31B) are bearings (33), respectively
(33) rotatably supports the rotating shaft (30). And each bearing (33), (33
) are elastically supported by coil springs (33^) and (33A) housed in respective recesses of holding protrusions (IIA) and (IIA) protruding from the bottom surface of the base (11), respectively.

In addition, the extension end (
31C) has a code wheel (34) fixed thereto. And, on the periphery of the coat wheel (34),
Rectangular slits (not shown) are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a transmission type optical coupler (35) is disposed on the side wall of the base (11), which sandwiches the periphery of the coat wheel (34) with a gap therebetween. The transmission type optical coupler (35) uses a light emitting element and a light receiving element (both not shown), which are arranged to face each other across the coat wheel (34), to intermittently transmit the light that passes through the slit. The number of rotations of the rotating shaft (30) is detected by detecting the rotation speed of the rotating shaft (30). The wheel (40) that supports the ball (20) includes a shaft (41) and a bearing (42), as shown in FIGS. 15, 17, and 18. Both ends (41A), (41B
) is rotatably supported by holding protrusions CIIB) and CIIB) protruding from the bottom surface of the base (11).

Next, the operation will be explained.

Since the conventional trackball device is configured as described above, the operator can watch the ball (
20) can be rotated by hand.

When the ball (20) rotates, the rotating shafts (30), (30) in contact with the ball (20) rotate by a force corresponding to the rotation and direction of the ball (20), and the respective code wheels rotate according to this rotation. (34), (34)
rotates. When the code wheels (34), (34) rotate, the transmission type optical couplers (35), (3
5) The light from each light emitting element passes through the code wheel (3
4), (34) is intermittently transmitted through the slit, this transmitted light is detected by a light receiving element, and is converted into a two-phase signal with a phase shift of 90 degrees in electrical angle to a transmission type optical coupler (35). ,
(35) respectively output the rotating shafts (30), (
30) Detect each rotation amount and rotation direction.

In addition, due to an error in the finished dimensions of the ball (20), the cover (
12), the ball (20) is pushed into the housing (10), and the rotation shaft (30), (30) is pressed against the coil spring (33A),
(33A) to push against the elasticity of the ball (20A).
) and the inner edge surface of the opening (12A), and the ball (20) rotates smoothly.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Since the conventional trackball device is configured as described above, the two rotating shafts (30), (30) that detect the rotation of the ball (20) are connected to the weight of the ball (20) and the hand or finger. In addition to supporting the load applied by the ball, it also needs to rotate smoothly as the ball rotates.
In addition, expensive bearing members such as roller bearings or pole bearings are required for the respective bearings (33) and (33) that support the rotating shafts (30) and (30), and furthermore, these bearings are required to be miniaturized. However, there are limits to how much it can be used, and it is difficult to miniaturize the entire device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small trackball device that can be mounted on a keyboard of a personal computer or the like without using an expensive bearing member.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The trackball device of the present invention includes a ball that is rotatably housed in the housing with a portion protruding from the opening of the housing, and two balls that are perpendicular to each other with respect to the ball. A trackball device comprising a rotation shaft that detects the rotation of the ball by coming into contact with it from a direction, and obtains a position control signal according to the amount and direction of rotation of the ball, wherein the support device supports the ball at at least three points. and a biasing device that elastically biases the rotating shaft that contacts the ball supported by the bearing device.

[Operation] According to the present invention, the bearing device receives the load on the ball, and the biasing device elastically biases the rotating shaft that rotates according to the rotation of the ball in accordance with the bias of the ball. Therefore, the amount and direction of rotation of the ball can be detected.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the trackball device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This will be explained based on FIG. 14. In each figure, FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the first embodiment of the track ball device of the present invention with the cover and balls removed, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing II of FIG. 1.
3(a) and 3(b) are cross-sectional views taken in the direction of the -II line, respectively, of the reflective optical coupler (
(a) is a diagram showing the mounting structure of the photoreflector.
) is a side view thereof, FIG. 4(b) is a front view seen from the rear, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the biasing device of the trackball device in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 5(a) and (b). are the fourth
6(a) is a plan view, FIG. 6(b) is a side view, and FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing the structure of the base of the biasing device shown in FIG.
, (b) are views showing the holding plate (27) of the trackball device shown in FIG. 1, and (a) is a plan view thereof,
7(b) is a side view thereof, FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are views showing the cover of the trackball device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7(a) is a plan view of the back side thereof, and FIG. (b) is a side view thereof, FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 4, which shows the biasing device in the third embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are respectively equivalent to FIG.
a), (b) Equivalent diagram, Fig. 12 (a), (b)
6(a) and 13(b) are corresponding views showing the holding plate in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13(a), respectively.
, (b) are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the horizontal and vertical deflections of the ball in the trackball device of the third embodiment and the amount of movement of the rotational axis '#J, respectively, and FIG.
) and (b) respectively show the relationship between the ball and the rotating shaft in the trackball device of the first embodiment.
a) and (b) are equivalent views.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trackball device of this embodiment is rotatably housed in the housing (10) with a portion protruding from the opening (12A) of the housing (10). The ball (20) is provided with a rotating shaft (30) that contacts the ball (20) from two directions perpendicular to each other to detect the rotation of the ball (20),
20) is configured to obtain a position control signal according to the rotation amount and rotation direction.

Further, the trackball device of this embodiment has the above-mentioned ball (
a ball (20) supported by the support device (50);
), and a biasing device (60) that resiliently biases the rotating shaft f30) and (30). That is, in the trackball device of this embodiment, the support device (50) that supports the ball (20) is connected to the rotation axis [
30), provided separately from (30), and the rotating shaft (30)
) and (30) have the function of simply detecting the amount and direction of rotation of the ball (20), and are configured not to support the ball (20).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support device (50) is formed as an annular projection projecting from the bottom surface of the base (11), and is inwardly formed at the upper end of the annular projection (50). An inclined tapered surface (50a) is formed. The support device (50) rotatably supports the ball (20) in line contact with the ball (20) through an annular tapered surface (50A).

Further, the rotating shaft (30) includes a central shaft (3 parts) and a shell (32) covering the central shaft (31), and the shell (32) is in contact with the ball (20). . Further, the rotating shaft (30) is connected to the shell (32) with a reflecting portion (34) that reflects light. The reflective part (3
4) is a band-shaped high reflectance part (34^) formed in the axial direction.
) and a band-shaped low reflectance part (34B) formed in the axial direction.
These reflectance parts (34A), (
34B) are alternately formed at equal pitches (d) in the circumferential direction.

Further, one of the reflecting parts (34) of the rotating shafts (30), (30) is provided with a pair of light emitting elements, a light receiving element, and two condensing lenses (35A) (see Fig. 3). Reflective optical couplers (35), (35) are arranged facing each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the reflective optical coupler (35) is fixed by fixing protrusions (IIC) formed on the bottom surface of the base (11) on the front and both sides,
A flexible board (35C) is connected by soldering to the leads (35B) provided on the rear surface. The flexible substrate (35C) is attached to the housing (1) along the bottom surface of the base (11) as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and (b).
0) is pulled out to the outside. Moreover, these pair of reflective optical couplers (35), (35) are shown in FIG. 3(b).
As shown in FIG. 3, each of them is disposed on the bottom surface formed with a step difference in pitch (d) as shown in the figure above, and has a step difference of 1Ad. In addition, (11D) is the above flexible board (35G
) to the outside, and (11E) is a hook for fixing the reflective optical coupler (35).

Further, the biasing device (6o) is disposed on the opposite side of the reflecting portions (34), (34) of the rotating shafts (30), (30), respectively. The biasing device (60) includes:
As shown in FIG. 4, it is disposed on a base portion (11F) raised from the bottom surface of the base (11). The base part (
On the upper surface of the rotating shaft (30), (30
) central axis (31) (31) extension end (31B),
(31B) bearing part (61).

(61) are formed, and the bearing portions (61), (61)
At the central axis (31), the extended end (3) of (31)
1B) and (31B) are formed to be movable in directions orthogonal to their respective axial directions. Furthermore, the above-mentioned extension ends (31B) of the bearing portions (61), (61)
) and (31B), spring grooves (52) and (62) are respectively formed in the protrusions raised on the sides, and coil springs (83) and (63) are fitted into these grooves (Figs. 4 and 5). (See Figures (a>, (b)).The coil springs (63), (83) are connected to the bearing part (61),
(61), the rotary shaft (30),
The extension ends (31C) (31C) of (30) are constantly biased toward the ball (20), respectively, and the rotating shaft (30),
The shells (32), (32) of (30) are brought into elastic contact with the ball (20). The extended ends (31(:), (3IC) of the energized rotating shafts (30), (30) are connected to the bearings (61),
(fil) so as not to deviate from the locking protrusion (64
) is locked. In addition, the rotating shaft (301
, (30) respective extension ends (31C), (31C
) and the above springs (63), (63) are both the sixth
They are held down by the holding plates (65) shown in Figures (a) and (b) and restrained by the bearing parts (61), (61) and the spring grooves (62), (62), respectively. The holding plate (65) has two fitting holes (65A).

(65A) is adapted to fit into two fitting protrusions (86) and (66) formed on the protrusion of the base (IIF), and the ball (20) has a notch. (65B) and when the ball (20) is removed,
The extension end (31C) of the rotating shaft (30) is connected to the locking protrusion (64).
). In FIGS. 4, 5(a) and 5(b), (13) is a screw through hole for connecting the cover (12) to the base (11).

the ball (20) housed in the base (11);
The rotating shaft (30) and the biasing device (60) are shown in FIG.
It is protected by the cover (12) shown in a) and (b).

The cover (12) has screw through holes (14) formed in opposite corners, screw through holes (13) of the base C11) in (14), and screws (13) that pass through the screw through holes (13) of the base C11).
(not shown) is adapted to be screwed together and connected to the base (11).

Further, the inner surface of the cover (12) is provided with a contact plane (12) that contacts each of the four reflective optical couplers (35).
B), a protruding plane (12C) that presses the pressing plate (65) of the biasing device (60), and the flexible substrate (
The protrusion (12) that fits into the groove (IID) through which the
D) are formed respectively. The abutting planes (12B), (12B) that abut on the adjacent reflective optical couplers (35), (35) form a step of %d.

Next, the assembly of the trackball device will be explained.

First, four reflective optical couplers (35) to which flexible substrates (34C) are connected are fixed to the bottom of the base (11), and one end of the flexible substrate (34C) is connected to the groove (110).
from the base (11). Next, coil springs (fi3) are inserted into the spring grooves (62), (62) of the biasing device (60).

(63) horizontally, and insert the holding plate (65) into the fitting holes (65A) and (65A) into the fitting protrusions (66).
, (66) are fitted and installed, and the biasing device (60)
Complete the assembly. Subsequently, the rotation axis (30)
, a coil spring (63) through a gap formed by connecting one end (31B) (31B) of (30) to a notch (85B) of a retaining plate (65) of a biasing device (60) as a locking protrusion (64);
(63) is attached to the bearing parts (61), (61) by inserting it without compressing it, and the other end (31A) (
31A) on the side wall of the base (11).
IIG), the rotating shaft (30) by fitting into (IIG).

Complete the installation of (30).

Furthermore, when the ball (20) is placed on the tapered surface (50A) of the annular projection of the support device (50), the ball (20) and the rotating shaft (30), the shell (32) of (3Q), (
32) or coil springs (63), (63) make elastic contact. After that, attach the cover (12) to the base (1
1) and use a screw (not shown) to insert the screw through hole (
13), screw hole (1'l) through (13),
(+4) to connect the cover (12) to the base (11) and complete the assembly of the trackball device.

At this time, the ball (20) is inserted into the opening (1) of the cover (12).
2A) is exposed to the outside of the cover (12), and has an appropriate gap from the inner edge surface of the opening (12A).
Further, the flexible substrate (35C) is fixedly held by the protrusion (12D) of the cover (12), and the four reflective optical couplers (35) are pressed by the contact planes (12B) of the cover (12). completely fixed. In addition, the holding plate (65) of the biasing device (60) and the bearing (
IIG) and (IIG) are the protruding plane (12C) of the cover (12) and the bearing is the holding projection (12E), respectively.
, (12E), and prevents the holding plate (65) and the other end of the rotating shaft (30), (30) (31B), (31B) from deviating from a predetermined position due to external force such as vibration.

In addition, the coil springs (63), (63) of the biasing device (60)
) as the compressive stress in the usage state of the ball (20)
A force equal to the weight of the object is selected. Also, the ball (20
) is made of metal or synthetic resin with good sliding properties such as polyacetal resin, and the base (11) and cover (
12) is also formed from a synthetic resin such as polyacetal resin, similar to the ball (20).

Next, the operation will be explained.

When the operator manually rotates the ball (20) exposed through the opening (12A) of the housing (10) consisting of the base (11) and the cover (12), the ball (20)
rotates freely on the support device (50). At this time, the coil springs (63), (63) of the biasing device (60) are pressed horizontally in the direction of the ball (20), and the rotating shaft (3)
0), (30) shell (32), (32)
is in contact with the ball (20), so the rotating shaft (30
) and (30) rotate according to the direction of rotation of the rotating ball (20), that is, rotate according to component forces in the X-axis and y-axis directions. The rotation axis (30) at this time,
(3Q) Each rotation is based on each rotation axis (3Q)
0), (30), two reflective optical couplers (35), (3
5), (35), and (35), the reflecting part (34
), (34) is detected as the number of changes in reflectance that repeatedly changes between the high reflectance portion (348) and the low reflectance portion (34B), and is output as an electrical signal. And two reflective optical couplers (35), (35)
, (35) and (35) are installed with a step difference corresponding to the repetition pitch d of the high reflectance part (34A) and the low reflectance part (34B), respectively, so that the output signal is are two-phase signals with a time difference corresponding to a step, that is, a deviation of 90 degrees in electrical angle, and from this, the amount and direction of rotation of the rotating shafts (30) and (3Q) can be determined.

Furthermore, even if the center of the ball (20) is displaced on the support device (50), the contact between the rotating shaft (30), (30) and the ball (20) is maintained by the biasing device (60). Also, even if the ball (20) is slightly deviated from the predetermined position due to assembly, the rotating shaft (
Since the contact between 30), (30) and the ball (20) is maintained, the rotating shafts (30), (30) can always rotate according to the amount and direction of rotation of the ball (20). can.

Further, in the trackball device of the present invention, as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support device (50) is provided separately and independently from the base (11). The structure may be such that the support device (50) can move freely in the horizontal direction within a sliding recess (11H) that is formed wider than the support device (50). In this case, in the first embodiment, it was necessary to adjust the position to the extent that the ball (20) and the inner edge surface of the opening (12A) did not come into strong contact when joining the base (11) and the cover (12). However, when the ball (20) strongly contacts the inner edge surface, the ball (20)
At the same time, the support device (50) moves horizontally and settles at a position with the least sliding resistance, so there is an advantage that no position adjustment is required when connecting the base (11) and cover (12). The rest of the structure is the same as that of the above embodiment.

Moreover, the trackball device of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
It may be configured as shown in FIG. That is, in the first embodiment, the biasing device (50) is configured to horizontally press the rotating shafts (30), (30) horizontally in the direction of the ball (20), but in the third embodiment, Now, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the pushing directions of the rotating shafts (301, (30) are tilted, and the rotating shafts (30),
(30) may be pressed. That is, the bearing portion (61) constituting the biasing device (60) in this embodiment,
(61) are inclined at the same angle as the depression angle when looking at the contact point of each rotating shaft (30) (30) from the center point of the ball (20), and the bearing portion (61),
(61) respectively connected to the spring grooves (62),
(fi2) also forms the same inclination angle. and,
The bearing part (61) is on the lower surface of the holding plate (65),
(61) and inclined protrusions (65C) and (55C) corresponding to the above-mentioned spring grooves (62) and (62) are formed,
The above-mentioned bearing parts (61), (61) and the above-mentioned coil spring (63) are connected by the inclined protrusions (65C) and (55C).
), (63) are ensured. The rest of the structure is the same as in each of the above embodiments.

When assembling the biasing device (60) in this embodiment, the coil springs (63), (63) (however, one coil spring (63) is not shown) are inserted into the spring groove (52).
, (52), the fitting hole (658) of the holding plate (65), the fitting protrusion (5B) in (65A),
It can be assembled by fitting ([iB). Also, a rotating shaft (30).

(30), the rotating shaft (30),
(30>) can be attached by inserting one end (318), (31B) through the notch (55B) of the holding plate (65).At this time, the ball (20)
If the center of the rotation axis (3
01, one end (31B) of (30), (31B),
Because it is pressed by the coil springs (63), (63), the bearing parts (61), (61) and the holding plate (65)
) in the gap formed between the inclined protrusions (65C) and (65C) in the direction toward the center of the ball (20) or in the direction away from the center of the ball (20). At this time, the coil springs (63), (63) are also connected to the spring grooves (62), (62) and the inclined protrusion (65C),
(65C) is expanded or compressed within the gap formed by.

Therefore, as mentioned above, the rotation axis (30), (30)
When the ball (20) is pushed toward the center of the ball (20),
The deflection of the rotating shafts (30) and (30) with respect to the horizontal deflection of the ball (20) and the vertical deflection of the ball (20) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 13(a) and (b).

FIG. 13(a) shows a state in which the ball (20) is deflected in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 13(b) shows a state in which the ball (20) is deflected in the vertical direction. center, ao is the center of the ball (20) after deflection, b is the rotation axis (
30), the center of (30), b'' is the rotation axis after deviation (
30), the center of (30), A is between ab and a' b
θ is the angle of depression that line segment ab makes with the horizontal line, δ is the angle that line segment a'b' makes with line segment ab, X is the distance between aa', and dx is the distance between bb'.

From FIG. 13(a), the following equation holds between X and dx.

fl ・5in(θ+δ) = (J2
+dx) ・sin θ...(1) fl -cos(θ+δ) + x = (j2
+ dx) ・cos θ...(2) Rearranging equations (1) and (2), we get 11 (sin θ・5in(θ+δ)+cos θ・co
s(θ+δ))+x−cosθ=(11+dx)(sin2θ+cos2θ)・
...(3) Further rearranging equation (3), 5, Q −cos δ+x' cosθ= x +dx
++ (4) Shifting the right-hand side, dx= 1. (cos δ-1)+x-cos θ
・(5) Here, if δ is sufficiently small, then dx4 x −cosθ −(
5) Therefore, the amount of deviation dx of the rotating shafts (30) and (30) with respect to the minute deviation X is given by equation (6).

Furthermore, in FIG. 13(b), vertical poles (2
The axis of rotation (2a) when a deviation Z of 0) is given, (2
Determine the deviation dz of b).

From FIG. 13(b), the following equation holds true between 2 and dz0.

11-5in(θ-δ) +z== (fl+dz)
・sin θ...(7) It-cos(θ+δ) = (fl+dz)
・cos θ...(8) Rearranging equations (7) and (8), 1, Q (sin θ・5in(θ-6)+cos θ・C0
3(θ−δ)) 10z sinθ = (42+ dz) (sin2θ+cos2θ)・
...(9) Further rearranging equation (9), fl ・cos δ+z−sinθ= u +dz
-(1(1) Moving the right-hand side, dz= 42 (coxδ-i) 1z-sinθ
−(11) Here, if δ is sufficiently small, dz4 z sinθ −(1
2) Therefore, equation (12) or the rotation axis (
30) is an equation that gives the deviation amount dz in (30).

Next, as in the first embodiment, the rotating shafts (30), (30
) moves horizontally, the amount of deviation of the rotating shaft (30), (30) with respect to the deviation of the ball (20) is shown in Figure 14 (
Calculate based on a) and (b).

When the ball (20) is deflected horizontally, Fig. 14 (a)
From, dx=x...
(13) holds true.

Figure 14 (b) when the ball (20) is deflected vertically.
Therefore, the following equation holds true.

fl ・sin θ−z=Jl−sin(θ−δ) −
(14) Il, −cosθ+dz= j2− cos
(θ−δ) −(15)(14), (15)
When rearranging each equation, z=Il(sinθ−5inθc
osδ+cosθsjnδ)...(16) dz=u (-cosO+cosθ ・COSδ 10Sln θ・sinδ)...(17) If δ is sufficiently smaller than equation (17), equation (18) is therefore a dz illusion. z tan θ...(20) Equation (20) is the rotation with respect to the slight deviation Z @(30).

This is an equation that gives the deviation amount dz in (30).

here, A rotation axis (30) toward the center of the ball (20).

Rotation axis (30) when (30) moves, (30)
Equations (a) and (12) giving the deviation of the axis of rotation (30
), (30) is the axis of rotation when (30) moves horizontally.
), (30) equation (13), (20
), it is clear that equations (8) and (12) yield smaller values.

Therefore, the axis of rotation (30) towards the center of the ball (20).

When (30) moves, the least rotating axis (30)
.

(30) will be given.

This means that if the movement range of the rotation axes (30) and (30) is the same, the rotation axis (
30), which means that the largest deviation of the ball (20) is allowed when (30) is moved.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the support device that supports the ball and the rotating shaft that detects the rotation of the ball are independently disposed, and one end of the rotating shaft is pushed in the direction of the ball. Since the biasing device is provided, no force other than the stress given by the biasing device is applied to the rotating shaft, so the bearing configuration can be simple, and in order to accurately establish the positional relationship between the bearing device and the opening, Since only the dimensions of the integrally formed support device need to be accurate, the device can be manufactured inexpensively and easily, and the device itself can be made into an iJz type. According to the invention, it is possible to manufacture a trackball device using a ball with a diameter of 10 mm and having a height of 13 mm or less and a length and a width of 27 mm or less.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

'tS1 is a plan view showing the first embodiment of the trackball device of the present invention with the cover and ball removed, FIG. (a) and (b) are views showing the mounting mechanism of the reflective optical coupler of the trackball device shown in Fig. 1, respectively;
) is a side view, FIG. 4(b) is a front view seen from the rear, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the biasing device of the trackball device shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. ) are diagrams showing the structure of the base of the biasing device in Figure 4, respectively, and (a
) is its plan view, FIG. 6(b) is its side view, and FIG.
) and (b) are views showing the holding plate of the trackball device shown in FIG. 1, respectively; FIG. 7(a) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 7(b) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 7(a), ( b) is a diagram showing the cover of the trackball device of FIG. 1, respectively;
Figure (a) is a plan view of the back side, Figure (b) is a side view, Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 showing the second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is the same as Figure 8. Cross-sectional view in the IX-IX line direction, No. 10
FIG. 4 shows a biasing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 (a) and (b) are the corresponding figures, respectively.
Figure 5(a) shows the structure of the base of the biasing device shown in Figure 0.
, (b) are equivalent views, and FIGS. 12(a) and (b) are respectively equivalent views of FIGS. 6(a) and (b), and FIG. ),
(b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the behavior of the ball and the rotating shaft in the trackball device of the third embodiment, and (a) is an explanatory diagram showing horizontal deviation, and (b) is Explanatory diagram showing vertical deviation, Fig. 14(a), (
b) is FIG. 13(a) illustrating the behavior of the ball and the rotating shaft in the trackball device of the first embodiment, respectively.
, (b) Corresponding view, FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the housing of a conventional trackball device with the cover removed, FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is XVII-XVI in Figure 15
A cross-sectional view in the I-line direction, FIG. 18 is XV III in FIG. 15.
It is a sectional view in the direction of line -XV III. In each figure, (10) is the housing, (12^) is the opening,
(20) is a ball, (30) is a rotating shaft, (50) is a support device, and (60) is a biasing device. In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A ball rotatably housed in the housing with a portion protruding from an opening of the housing, and a rotating shaft that contacts the ball from two directions orthogonal to each other to detect rotation of the ball. , a trackball device that obtains a position control signal according to the amount and direction of rotation of the ball, comprising: a support device that supports the ball at at least three points; and a rotation shaft that contacts the ball supported by the support device. A trackball device characterized by comprising a biasing device for elastically biasing the device.