JPH0716229U - Coordinate information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] An object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate information input device which ensures stable detection accuracy and can be manufactured easily and at low cost. Constitution: The driver 15 and the encoder 16 are formed integrally with the rotary shaft for each of the axial displacement detectors 13 and 14, and both end faces of the rotary shaft 15 are provided with recesses 15a and 15b. And a horizontal first protrusion 17 fixedly arranged on the frame 11, and a second protrusion 18 facing the first protrusion and elastically supported so as to be movable back and forth. The coordinate information input device 10 is configured such that both ends of the rotation shaft are engaged with the protrusions so that the driver and the encoder are rotatably supported with respect to the frame.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a coordinate information input device such as a mouse or a trackball for inputting information about an XY coordinate position in a personal computer, a word processor or the like.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, such a coordinate information input device is configured as shown in FIG. 7, for example. That is, in FIG. 7, the coordinate information input device 1 divides a frame 2, a ball 3 rotatably supported in the frame 2, a rotation amount and a rotation direction of the ball 3 into X and Y directions, respectively. The X-axis displacement detection unit 4 and the Y-axis displacement detection unit 5 are used for detection.

The X-axis displacement detector 4 includes a cylindrical driver 7 rotatably supported around a rotation shaft 6 so as to abut the ball 3 in the direction of arrow A in the drawing, and the driver. 7 and a disk-shaped encoder 8 attached to one end of the rotary shaft 6 so as to rotate integrally.

The encoder 8 is provided with a large number of slits 8 a formed so as to extend radially, and a photo sensor (not shown) arranged so as to sandwich the slits is provided in the ball 3 of the ball 3. In response to the rotation of the encoder 8 based on the rotation amount in one direction, that is, the X direction, a pulse signal is transmitted according to the movement of the slit 8a.

The Y-axis displacement detecting section 5 is also configured in the same manner as the X-axis displacement detecting section 4, and its driver is in a direction perpendicular to the driver 7 of the X-axis displacement detecting section 4, that is, an arrow. It is arranged so as to come into contact with the ball 3 from the direction B. As a result, the Y-axis displacement detecting section 5 sends a pulse signal based on the amount of rotation of the ball 3 in the direction perpendicular to the X-axis displacement detecting section 4, that is, in the Y direction.

Thus, by appropriately processing the pulse signals from the X-axis displacement detection unit 4 and the Y-axis displacement detection unit 5, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the ball are detected and sent to a personal computer, a word processor or the like. By doing so, information about the coordinate position can be input.

[0007]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, according to the coordinate information input device configured as described above, the driver 7 and the encoder 8 in the X-axis displacement detection unit 4 and the Y-axis displacement detection unit 5 are positioned at predetermined positions with respect to the frame 2 by the jig. 7, the rotary shaft 6 is press-fitted as shown by an arrow C in FIG. Therefore, when the rotary shaft 6 is press-fitted continuously in the press-fitting process at the time of production, there is a problem that the press-fitting strength varies, and the rotation detection accuracy of the ball 3 deteriorates.

Further, since it is necessary to provide an insertion hole extending in the lateral direction in the frame 2 in order to insert the rotary shaft 6, the mold for molding the frame 2 has a slide structure. Therefore, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the cost becomes high.

In view of the above points, the present invention has an object to provide a coordinate information input device that ensures stable detection accuracy and can be manufactured easily and at low cost.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 According to the present invention, the above object is to provide a frame, a ball rotatably supported in the frame, an X-axis displacement detection unit and a Y-axis displacement detector provided in directions orthogonal to the ball. Each axial displacement detecting section includes a cylindrical driver that is brought into contact with a ball, and a large number of radial elements that are formed in a disk shape that is rotatably attached integrally with the driver. In the coordinate information input device, each axis displacement detecting unit is composed of an encoder having a slit and a photosensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit arranged so as to sandwich the slit region of the encoder. With regard to the above, the driver and the encoder are integrally molded with respect to the rotary shaft, and both end faces of the rotary shaft are provided with concave portions, and are fixed to the frame. And a second protrusion facing the first protrusion and elastically supported so as to be able to move forward and backward, and both ends of the rotary shaft are engaged with the protrusion. According to the coordinate information input device, the driver and the encoder are rotatably supported with respect to the frame.

In the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, preferably, slits are provided in a part of outer peripheral edges of both end surfaces of the rotary shaft.

[0012]

[Action]

 According to the above configuration, by inserting both ends of the rotation shaft between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the rotation shaft is fitted with the protrusions in the recessed portions provided at both ends thereof. As a result, since it is rotatably supported, there is no press-fitting step during assembly, so there is no variation due to the press-fitting strength, and therefore highly accurate and stable detection can be performed.

Further, since the rotation shaft is supported by the protrusions provided on the frame, it is not necessary to provide a lateral insertion hole in the frame, so that the mold for molding the frame has a simple structure. The cost can be reduced.

Since the rotating shaft also serves as a driver, it can be formed to be relatively thick, so that rigidity can be increased, drop strength can be improved, and detection accuracy can be improved.

When a slit is provided at a part of the outer peripheral edge of both end surfaces of the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is easily inserted between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. Therefore, the assembly can be easily performed.

[0016]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a coordinate information input device according to the present invention. A coordinate information input device 10 includes a frame 11 and a ball 12 rotatably supported in the frame 11. An X-axis displacement detection unit 13 and a Y-axis displacement detection unit 14 which detect the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball 12 separately in the X and Y directions, respectively.

The X-axis displacement detection unit 13 includes a cylindrical driver shaft 15 that abuts on the ball 12 from one direction, and a disc-shaped encoder 16 integrally formed at one end of the driver shaft 15. Contains. The encoder 16 is provided with a large number of radial slits 16a, and a photosensor 13a including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion is arranged so as to sandwich a region of the slits. The driver shaft 15 and the encoder 16 are integrally molded from a material such as POM which is excellent in creep resistance, abrasion resistance and abrasion resistance and is colored black.

As shown in FIG. 3, the driver shaft 15 has concave portions 15a 1 and 15b 2 formed on both end surfaces thereof. Further, the driver shaft 15 has chamfered outer peripheral edges on both end surfaces thereof, and has slits 15c and 15d in a part thereof.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the frame 11 has a pair of protrusions, that is, a pair of first protrusions, which are arranged so as to face each other on both sides of the region of the X-axis displacement detector 13. It has a protrusion 17 and a second protrusion 18. Here, the first projection 17 is fixedly arranged with respect to the frame 11, but the second projection 18 on the encoder 16 side projects outward in a U-shape with respect to the frame 11. It is supported via the web portion 19. Thereby, the second projection 18 is supported so as to be elastically movable in the axial direction connecting the first projection 17 and the second projection 18.

Here, the protrusions 17 and 18 are formed as shown in FIGS. That is, in the figure, the projections 17 and 18 are notched in the vertical direction on both sides with respect to the circular shape (see FIG. 6A), and the slits 15c and 15d on both end surfaces of the driver shaft 15 described above are used. It is formed slightly narrower. As a result, the driver shaft 15 can be easily inserted between the protrusions 17 and 18.

The web portion 19 is provided with a hook portion 19a (see FIG. 5) on the lower surface of the projection 18 near the tip thereof. For example, when the web portion 19 is mounted on a substrate or the like, the hook portion 19a is It can be fixedly held by engaging with an engaging hole provided in the substrate. Therefore, after mounting, the web portion 19 does not elastically deform and the driver shaft 15 does not fall off, and the backlash in the thrust direction can secure the designed value.

The Y-axis displacement detecting section 14 is also configured in the same manner as the X-axis displacement detecting section 13, and its driver is located in a direction perpendicular to the driver shaft 15 of the X-axis displacement detecting section It is arranged so as to abut the ball 12.

The coordinate information input device 10 according to the present invention is configured as described above, and when assembled, the slits 15c and 15d on both end surfaces of the driver shaft 15 are first located below. The driver shaft 15 is inserted between the protrusions 17 and 18. At this time, the driver shaft 15 can be smoothly inserted by the slits 15c and 15d passing through the cutout portions of the protrusions 17 and 18 and the outward deformation of the web portion 19. It will be.

As a result, the driver shaft 15 can be rotatably supported by fitting the protrusions 17 and 18 into the recessed portions 15a and 15b on both end surfaces thereof.

At this time, as described above, since the protrusions 17 and 18 are notched on both sides, the contact area between the protrusions 17 and 18 and the concave portions 15a and 15b of the driver shaft 15 is reduced. ing. Thus, the driver shaft 15 can be lightly rotated.

In the coordinate information input device 10 thus assembled, when the ball 12 is rotated, the X-axis displacement detection unit 13 and the Y-axis displacement detection unit 14 respectively detect the X-axis direction and the Y-axis. A pulse signal is sent based on the direction and amount of rotation of the ball 12 with respect to the direction.

Therefore, by appropriately processing the pulse signals from the X-axis displacement detection unit 13 and the Y-axis displacement detection unit 14, the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the ball are detected and sent to a personal computer, a word processor or the like. By doing so, information about the coordinate position can be input.

[0028]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent coordinate information input device that ensures stable detection accuracy and can be manufactured simply and at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a coordinate information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line ZZ of FIG.

3A and 3B show a driver shaft of the coordinate information input device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3A being a sectional view and FIG. 3B being a partial bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a frame of the coordinate information input device of FIG.

5 shows an X-axis displacement detector of the frame shown in FIG.
It is an expanded sectional view which follows the Z'-Z 'line of FIG.

6 is a magnified view of the projection of the X-axis displacement detection unit of FIG.
(A) is a front view and (B) is a side view.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of an example of a conventional coordinate information input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 coordinate information input device 11 frame 12 ball 13 X-axis displacement detection unit 14 Y-axis displacement detection unit 15 driver shaft (rotating shaft) 15a, 15b recessed portion 15c, 15d slit 16 encoder 16a slit 17, 18 protrusion 19 web portion

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A frame, a ball rotatably supported in the frame, and an X-axis displacement detector and a Y-axis displacement detector provided in directions perpendicular to the ball. And a shaft-shaped displacement detecting portion, a cylindrical driver that is brought into contact with a ball, and an encoder that is integrally rotatably attached to the driver and that is formed in a disk shape and that has a large number of radial slits. In the coordinate information input device, which comprises a photosensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed so as to sandwich the slit region of the encoder, in the coordinate information input device, for each axial displacement detection unit, the driver and the encoder are The first projection, which is formed integrally with the rotation shaft, has both end surfaces of the rotation shaft provided with concave portions, and is fixed to the frame and is horizontally oriented, and the first projection. A second protrusion that is opposed to the elastic member and that is elastically supported in a retractable manner is provided, and both ends of the rotating shaft are engaged with the protrusion, so that the driver and the encoder are attached to the frame. It is characterized in that it is rotatably supported,
Coordinate information input device. 2. A part of an outer peripheral edge of both end faces of the rotating shaft,
A slit is provided, The slit is provided.
The coordinate information input device described in.