JPH0435954Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an X-Y direction input device, and relates to an X-Y direction input device suitable for, for example, a figure input device of a graphic display device.

[Conventional technology]

A graphic display device basically consists of a display screen, a display controller, a data channel, and various input devices. One of these input devices is that when the operator tilts a lever supported by a gimbal mechanism in a desired direction, the direction and angle of tilt are detected, and the voltage of each component in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction or digital There is a "joystick" (registered trademark) that generates a signal. However, with this input device, the rotation range of the lever is limited, and
There is a problem with the stability of the input signal.

In order to overcome this drawback, an input device called a "mouse" has been developed in recent years. This input device includes a rotated sphere (hereinafter abbreviated as sphere) made of a rotatably arranged steel ball, for example, and a first rotating member that is in contact with the sphere and rotates by the rotational force of the sphere. , a second rotating member that is in contact with the sphere and rotates by the rotational force of the sphere and whose axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating member; and a rotation angle of the first and second rotating members. first and second rotation angle detection means each individually detecting a variable resistor, an encoder, etc., and these spheres, first and second rotation members, first and second rotation angle detection means, etc. It basically consists of a casing for housing.

An opening is provided in the lower surface of the casing, and a part of the sphere protrudes downward through the opening, and by holding the casing and rolling the sphere in any direction on a predetermined base, the first and second spheres can be moved. The two rotating members each rotate in a predetermined direction. Then, the rotational direction and rotational angle of these rotating members are detected by the first and second rotational angle detection means, respectively.
The system extracts each component in the axial direction and the Y-axis direction as a voltage or digital signal, and inputs these signals to a display device.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

By the way, as mentioned above, in this type of input device, an opening is provided on the lower surface of the casing, a part of the sphere protrudes downward through the opening, and the sphere is rolled on the base by holding the casing. Since the system is set to detect the amount of rolling of the sphere and input the coordinates, if any dust remains on the base, it will enter the casing as the sphere rolls, and the amount of rotation inside the casing will be affected. There is a risk that it may adhere to the mechanisms and sensors that constitute the detection means. This adhesion may cause malfunction of the mechanism or malfunction of the sensor, making it impossible to perform accurate detection.

Among these, the decrease in accuracy often occurs particularly because the rotation of the sphere and the rotation of the first and second rotating members do not correspond one-to-one. For this reason, even if a cleaning member that contacts the spherical surface of a sphere is installed inside the casing, as disclosed in Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-20337 by the present applicant, depending on the formation and installation location of the cleaning member, Before removing the adhered dust, the adhering part may come into contact with the rotating member, causing a rotational error. In addition, dust may migrate from the sphere to the rotating member and accumulate there, causing malfunctions or malfunctions. Furthermore, even if the cleaning member is installed all around the inner circumference of the opening to prevent dust from entering the casing, the contact force is still high enough not to inhibit the free rolling of the sphere. Therefore, it was not possible to completely prevent intrusion into the casing.

This idea eliminates mechanism malfunctions and sensor malfunctions, and improves accuracy not only for X-Y direction input devices that do not have a cleaning member that contacts the sphere, but also for X-Y direction input devices that have a cleaning member. An object of the present invention is to provide an X-Y direction input device that can ensure good detection of.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, this invention includes: a rotatable sphere disposed rotatably; a first rotating member that contacts the rotated sphere and rotates by its rotational force; a second rotating member that is arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the rotating axis of the member and rotates by the rotational force of the rotated sphere;
a first rotation angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the first rotation member; a second rotation angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the second rotation member; rotating member and first and second
A casing for accommodating a rotation angle detection means, a part of the rotated sphere protrudes from an opening formed in the lower surface of the casing, and by rolling the rotated sphere on the base, the rotation angle detection means can be rotated. The X-Y direction input device for inputting data has a cleaning member protruding from the inner surface of the casing that contacts the surface of the rotating member.

[Effect]

According to the above means, since the cleaning member is brought into contact with each of the first and second rotating members rotated by the sphere, it is possible to reliably remove dust attached to the rotating members. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the presence of dust between the rotating member and the sphere, and
Since it is possible to prevent the transfer of dust to the detection means side,
Highly accurate detection is possible without malfunction.

〔Example〕

An example of implementing this invention will be described below based on the drawings.

The figures are all for explaining the embodiment of this invention, and Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the X-Y direction input device according to the embodiment, and Fig. 2 includes the X-Y direction input device. 3, 4 and 5 are respectively a plan view, a front view and a rear view of the X-Y input device, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the operating section of the input device. The plan view and FIG. 7 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the principle of the operating section.

In FIG. 2, on a table 1 are a display device 2 equipped with a screen, a controller, a data channel, etc., an input device 3 equipped with function keys, and an input device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It has been placed. The input device 4 is operated on a dedicated sheet 5 placed on the table 1, and by this operation, for example, a cursor 7 displayed on the screen 6 of the display device 2 can be moved to an arbitrary position. It's getting old.

The casing 8 is composed of a lower case 9 and an upper case 10 made of synthetic resin, which are joined at a plurality of locations with screws 11, etc., as shown in FIG. At a predetermined position of the upper case 10, a first
As shown in the drawings and FIG. 3, a fitting hole 14 into which the operating end 13 of the switch 12 is fitted is formed. In this embodiment, two fitting holes 14 are formed, but depending on the control system of the input device, the number of switches 12 may be increased and the number of fitting holes 14 may also be correspondingly increased.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pillars 15 are integrally erected inside the lower case 9, and a printed circuit board 16 having a predetermined conductive pattern (not shown) is fixed to the upper end of the pillars by screws or other appropriate means. It is attached by suitable means. A rubber bush 18 for leading out the signal line 17 is sandwiched between the lower case 9 and the upper case 10. In addition to the switch 12 and the signal line 17, the printed circuit board 16 includes:
Terminals of two variable resistors 29 and 31, which will be described later, are also connected.

A metal mounting plate 19 is attached to the inner surface of the lower case 9 with screws. By connecting the lower case 9 and the mounting plate 19, the mounting plate 19 also serves as a reinforcement for the lower case 9. As shown in FIG. 1, a circular through hole 20 is formed at a predetermined position on the mounting plate 19, and a circular opening with a diameter slightly smaller than the through hole 20 is formed at a position facing the through hole 20 in the lower case 9. 2
1 is formed.

A first annular bulge 22 is provided at the lower opening edge of the opening 21 in the lower case 9;
A second annular jetty 23 is concentrically arranged on the radially outer side of the second annular jetty 23.
are provided integrally protruding from the lower case 9, respectively.

A sphere 24 made of a steel ball is rotatably arranged above the through hole 20 and opening 21, and a part of it slightly protrudes from the first annular projection 22 through the through hole 20 and opening 21. As shown in FIG. 6, a first driven shaft 25 as a first rotating member and a second driven shaft 26 as a second rotating member are in contact with the spherical surface of the sphere 24.
Both shafts 25 and 26 are rotatably attached to the mounting plate 19 via bearings 27, respectively, and the shafts 25 and 26 are arranged so that their axial directions are perpendicular to each other. Both shafts 25 and 26 are rotated by the rotational force of the sphere 24, and the rotation direction and rotation angle of the first driven shaft 25 are the same as the rotation axis 2.
Detected by a first variable resistor 29 as a first rotation angle detection means connected via 8,
Similarly, the rotational direction and rotational angle of the second driven shaft 26 are detected by a second variable resistor 31 that is connected via the rotational shaft 30 and serves as a second rotational angle detection means. That is, as shown in Figure 7,
Changes in the rotational direction and rotational angle of the first driven shaft 25 appear as the sliding direction and amount of movement of the slider 32 in the first variable resistor 29, and similarly, changes in the rotational direction and rotational angle of the second driven shaft 26. Since the change appears in the sliding direction and the amount of movement of the slider 33 in the second variable resistor 31, the rotational state of the sphere 24 is divided into each component in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and the change occurs in the first variable resistor 31. It can be detected as the respective voltage values of the resistor 29 and the second variable resistor 31.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sphere 24 and the first driven shaft 25 and the sphere 24 and the second driven shaft 2
6, an elastic biasing roller 34 is disposed at a position facing them. This roller 34 freely rotates by the rotational force of the sphere 24 and elastically biases the sphere 24 toward the first driven shaft 25 and the second driven shaft 26 side.

As shown in FIG. 1, a mounting base 35 is provided on the inner surface of the upper case 10 at a position facing the sphere 24 and protrudes downward, and a cleaning member 36 made of felt for cleaning the sphere is attached to it by adhesive, etc. Attached by appropriate means. Note that this cleaning member 36 may be made of sponge or thick nonwoven fabric.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, spatula-shaped cleaning members 40a and 40b are attached to the first (second) driven shafts 25, 26 from the lower case 9 side and the upper case 10 side, respectively. Driven shaft 2
The shafts are erected on the 5 and 26 sides, and the tip portions are in contact with the first (second) driven shafts 25 and 26. Thereby, dust attached to the first (second) driven shafts 25, 26 can be removed.

At this time, the cleaning member 40a erected on the lower case 9 side may be erected on the lid 9a including the opening 21 of the sphere 24 of the lower case 9, and may be detached as needed. By making the lid 9a removable in this manner, it is possible to remove dust and dirt adhering to the cleaning members 40a and 40b by removing the lid 9a at will, thereby preventing deterioration in cleaning performance. In addition, in order to ensure cleaning performance, the spatula-shaped cleaning members 40a, 40b are
It is desirable that the portions that come into contact with the first and second driven shafts 25 and 26 have at least elasticity. Moreover, the cleaning member 40a,
Even if 40b is configured with a brush, similar effects can be obtained.

The operation of the input device 4 configured as described above will be described next.

When performing input in the X-Y direction, when holding the input device 4 in your hand on the seat 5 (see Figure 2) and moving it in any direction, the sphere 24 will cause friction with the seat 5 due to its own weight. It rolls on the sheet 5 due to the force. The rotation of the sphere 24 is transmitted to the first driven shaft 25 and the second driven shaft 26, respectively, and the rotation angles of the shafts 25 and 26 are detected as electrical signals by the attached variable resistors 29 and 31, respectively. The detection signal is input to the display controller via a signal line 17, and the cursor 7 on the screen 6 is moved in a desired direction by signal processing.

By the way, as mentioned above, when the input device 4 is moved on the dedicated sheet 5 or other surface, dust, oil, moisture, ink, drinking water, etc. may be deposited on the base (seat 5 or other surface). If dust is attached, it will directly attach to the sphere 24. Then, the attached dust is removed from the first and second
Even if the dust is transferred to the driven shafts 25, 26 when the sphere 24 rotates them, the cleaning members 40a, 40b remove the dust from the first and second driven shafts.
Dust does not accumulate or remain attached to the shaft part. Therefore, the possibility that dust will obstruct the transmission of rotational force between the sphere 24 and the shafts 25 and 26 is extremely reduced.

[Effect of idea]

As is clear from the above explanation, according to this invention, which includes a cleaning member inside the casing that contacts the rotating member to detect the amount of rotation of the rotating sphere, it is possible to peel off the dust attached to the rotating member. Therefore, the rotational force can be reliably and accurately transmitted from the rotated sphere to the rotating member, and the reliability of input data can be improved.

Further, since the transfer of dust from the rotating member to the rotation angle detection means is prevented, there is no risk of malfunction of the mechanism or malfunction of the rotation angle detection means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures are all for explaining the X-Y direction input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the input device, and FIG. 2 is a graphic display including the input device. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the input device, FIGS. 4 and 5 are front and rear views of the input device, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device.
The figure is an enlarged plan view of the operating section of the input device, and FIG. 7 is a principle diagram of the operating section. 4...Input device, 5...Seat, 8...Casing, 9...Lower case, 9a...Lid body, 21...
Opening, 24... Steel ball, 25... First driven shaft, 26... Second driven shaft, 29... First variable resistor, 31... Second variable resistor, 40a, 4
0b...Cleaning member.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A rotating sphere 24 arranged to be rotatable, a first rotating member 25 that contacts the rotating sphere 24 and rotates by its rotational force, and The rotation angle of the first rotating member 25 and the second rotating member 26 which is disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the rotating member 25 and rotates by the rotational force of the rotated sphere 24 a first rotation angle detection means 29 for detecting the rotation angle of the second rotation member 26; a second rotation angle detection means 31 for detecting the rotation angle of the second rotation member 26;
A casing 8 housing the rotated sphere 24, the first and second rotating members 25, 26, and the first and second rotation angle detection means 29, 31.
A part of the rotated sphere 24 protrudes from an opening 21 formed on the lower surface of the casing 8, and input in the X-Y direction is performed by rolling the rotated sphere 24 on the base 5. In the X-Y direction input device, on the inner surface of the casing 8,
An X-Y direction input device characterized in that cleaning members 40a and 40b are provided in a protruding manner to contact the surfaces of the rotating members 25 and 26. (2) The X-Y direction input device according to claim (1) of the utility model registration, characterized in that the cleaning members 40a and 40b are formed in a spatula shape. (3) In claim (2) of the utility model registration, the cleaning members 40a, 4 formed in a spatula shape
An X-Y direction input device characterized in that the tip of the 0b has at least elasticity. (4) The X-Y direction input device according to claim (1), wherein the cleaning members 40a and 40b are brushes. (5) In the utility model registration claim (1), the X-Y direction input is characterized in that the cleaning members 40a and 40b are provided upright on the lid 9a which is detachable from the casing 8 body. Device.