JPH07219707A - Coordinate information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the coordinate information input device of a mouse and the like which improves the operation feeling of a depression key switch, can prolong a life, can improve the operability of the whole device and can be proof against use for a long period. CONSTITUTION:A depression key 66 transmitting a coordinate information signal based on the rotational amount and the rotational direction of a ball, transmitting a signal showing the operation state of the depression key switch 60 and having a hollow part 66a opening downward in the depression key switch, a slider 67 which is inserted into the hollow part 66a and whose lower end is abutted on a crick spring 64 and an energizing spring 68 laid between the slider 67 and the depression key 66 so that the slider 67 is energized to a crick spring-side-are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate information input device called a mouse or the like, which is used for easily and sophisticated input / instruction operations in a computer system or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A keyboard is widely used as an input device in a computer system.
A coordinate information input device called a mouse may be used in order to simplify and enhance the input / instruction operation.

A mouse 1 as an example of such a coordinate information input device is usually a ball 2 for inputting coordinate information, as shown by the one-button type mouse in FIGS. 6 and 8.
A case 3 that accommodates the ball 2 with a part of the outer surface thereof exposed, a cover 4 that covers the case 3, and an inner cover portion 5 that is formed on one end side of the cover 4. The operation button 7 arranged to cover the upper surface and provided with the spring portion 6 on one end side, and the case 3 described above.
And a push button switch 10 attached to the wiring board 8 which is arranged inside and is operated by the operation button 7, and transmits a coordinate information signal based on the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball 2. A signal representing the operating state (ON / OFF) of the push button switch 10 is transmitted.

Looking around the push button switch 10 in more detail, as a first conventional example, the switch button 10 is pushed on the lower surface side of the operation button 7 substantially in the center when viewed in the left-right direction. The plunger portion 9 is provided so as to protrude downward, and the inner cover portion 5 is formed with a through hole 5a through which the plunger portion 9 is inserted.
The inner cover portion 5 is provided with a floating prevention hook 5b to be inserted into the plunger portion 9 so that the operation button 7 can be restrained when it is pulled upward.

Then, the push button switch 10 described above is used.
Has a configuration as shown in detail in FIG. That is, the push button switch 10 has the base 11
And a central contact 12 integrally formed by insert molding so as to be exposed on the upper surface at the central portion of the base 11.
Similarly, a peripheral contact 13 integrally provided by insert molding so as to be exposed on the upper surface in the peripheral portion of the base 11, and a contact on the peripheral contact 13 and on the base 11 so as to straddle the central contact. A click spring 14 having a convex shape (a dish shape) mounted upward and a boss portion 15a abutting on the central portion of the click spring 14 are provided, and the whole is supported by a cover 16 so as to be vertically movable. Push button 1
5 is provided.

With this structure, when the upper surface of the operation button 7 of the mouse 1 is pushed down by fingers or the like, the push button 1 of the push button switch 10 is pushed by the plunger portion 9.
5 is pushed down, and the lower end of the boss portion 15a extending below the push button 15 pushes the central portion of the click spring 14. As a result, the click spring 14
Has its central portion deformed downward, and the lower surface of the central portion of the click spring 14 comes into pressure contact with the central contact 12 exposed on the base 11. Therefore, the peripheral contact 13 exposed on the upper surface in the peripheral portion of the base 11 is electrically connected to the central contact 12 on the base 11 via the click spring 14.

At this time, since the click spring 14 is inverted due to the depression of the push button 15 due to its convex shape, a click feeling is obtained when the button is operated.

As a second conventional example shown in FIG. 9, a push button switch 20 is often used.
0 is a movable piece in which a first terminal 22, a second terminal 23, and a third terminal are arranged side by side on a lower case 21, and which is swung by a reversing spring 26 whose one end is locked to the first terminal 22. 25
Is provided with a push button 27 at one end thereof, and contacts 23a of the second terminal 23 and the third terminal 24 at the other end,
24a are arranged opposite to each other. Incidentally, 28 in the figure is an upper case.

With this structure, when the upper surface of the operation button 7 of the mouse 1 is pushed down by a finger or the like, the push button 27 is pushed down by the plunger portion 9 so as to resist the reversing spring 26 and center around this. In the drawing, the left end of the movable piece 25 is pushed down, and at the same time, the right end is rotated and brought into contact with the contact 24a of the third terminal 24,
Next, when the operation button 7 of the mouse 1 is released, the movable piece 25 is restored by the reversing spring 26 and the right end abuts the contact 23a of the second terminal 23, and the second terminal 23 and the first terminal 23 are contacted with each other like a seesaw. The three terminals 24 are electrically switched and operated.

[0010]

However, in the first conventional example of the conventional mouse 1 as described above, the pressing strokes of the operation button 7 and the push button 9 until the click spring 14 is reversed are relatively large. Since it is short, the button operation feeling, that is, the click feeling is not very good, and the pressing force of the operation button 7 is directly transmitted to the click spring 14 via the push button 9.
The click spring is easily fatigued, and the button operation life is relatively short (up to 20,000 cycles),
There is a problem that the life of the push button switch is exhausted earlier than other parts of the mouse, and as a result, the life of the mouse is shortened.

Further, in order to solve the drawbacks of the first conventional example, a second conventional example, a so-called micro switch shown in FIG. 9 is often used to improve the pressing feeling and mechanical life when the mouse button is operated. However, there is a problem that it is expensive in price.

Incidentally, such a problem may occur not only in the mouse as described above, but also in other coordinate information input devices such as a trackball provided with operation buttons.

In view of the above point, the present invention is provided with a push button switch which is pressed by an operation button, which improves the operation feeling of the push button switch and extends the life of the push button switch, thereby improving the overall operability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate information input device such as a mouse that can be designed and can be used for a long period of time.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a coordinate information input device according to the present invention basically comprises a ball for inputting coordinate information and a part of the outer surface of the ball. A case to be stored in an exposed state, a cover that covers the case, an operation button that is arranged to cover the upper surface at one end side of the cover, and an operation button that is arranged in the case. The switch is operated, and the coordinate information signal is transmitted based on the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball, and the signal indicating the operating state of the switch is transmitted.

The push button switch includes a base provided with a central contact and a peripheral contact, and an upwardly convex click spring which is arranged so as to contact the peripheral contact and straddle the central contact. A push button having a hollow portion opened downward, which is arranged so as to be able to approach and separate from the upper surface of the click spring, and a lower end of which is loosely inserted into the hollow portion to abut the click spring. And a biasing spring that is compressed between the slider and the push button so as to bias the slider toward the click spring. It is characterized by that.

[0016]

In the coordinate information input device according to the present invention configured as described above, when the upper surface of the operation button is pushed down with a finger or the like, the push button of the push button switch is pushed down, and the slider is urged accordingly. It is pushed downward via a spring, and the lower end of the slider pushes the click spring.

At this time, until the pressing force of the slider against the click spring reaches the reverse load of the click spring, the biasing spring is only compressed and the slider does not press down the click spring. Then, when the pressing force of the slider against the click spring exceeds the reversal load of the click spring due to the compression of the urging spring, the click spring is reversed and the central portion is exposed to the upper surface of the base. Touch the contacts.
As a result, the peripheral contact exposed on the upper surface at the peripheral portion of the base is connected to the central contact via the click spring and is in a switch-on state.

Thus, the pushing strokes of the operation button and the push button until the click spring is reversed include the stroke at the time of compression of the biasing spring, and are longer than those of the conventional case. For this reason, the operation feeling (click feeling) of the operation button is improved, and the pressing force of the operation button is transmitted to the click spring not directly but through the biasing spring, so that fatigue of the click spring is reduced, The durability is improved, and the life of the push button switch, and by extension, the life of the coordinate information input device provided with it, is extended.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 each show an embodiment in which the coordinate information input device according to the present invention is applied to a two-button mouse, and the mouse 30 in the illustrated example is basically a ball 32 for inputting coordinate information. A case 33 that accommodates the ball 32 with a part of the outer surface thereof exposed, a cover 34 that covers the case 33, and an inner cover portion formed on one end side of the cover 34. 35
On the wiring board 38, which is arranged so as to cover the upper surface of the operation button 37, 37 provided with the spring portion 36 on one end side, and which is arranged in the case 33 and operated by the operation buttons 37, 37. Equipped with push button switches 60, 60, and transmits a coordinate information signal based on the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball 32 and a signal indicating the operating state of the push button switches 60, 60. It is supposed to do.

In the figure, reference numerals 41 and 42 are detection portions composed of encoders 43 and 44 for detecting coordinate information of X-Y coordinates, 45 and 46 are rollers which come into contact with the ball 32 in directions perpendicular to each other, and 47 is a ball 32. A rotatably accommodating portion, 39 is a ball restraining portion provided on the cover 34 for restraining the ball 32 from moving upward, and 48 is a driven roller 50 which is pressed by the coil spring 49 and is always in contact with the ball 32. Guide rollers, 51 and 52 are photosensors, and 53 is a retainer.

Looking around the push button switches 60, 60 in more detail, the plunger portion 54 for pressing the push button switch 60 (the push button 66 of the push button switch 60) to the left and right on the lower surface side of the operation buttons 37, 37. , 5
4 is provided so as to project downward, while the inner cover portion 35 is formed with through holes 55, 55 through which the plunger portions 54, 54 are inserted.

The cover 34 is formed with an insertion opening 34a into which the spring portion 36 of the operation button 37 is inserted.
As shown in FIG. 2, the spring portion 36 is fixed to a fixed convex piece portion 34b provided on the lower surface of the cover 34, and the front side of the operation button 37 can be vertically swung. Further, a hook hook portion 56 and a hook gate portion 57 for assembling the cover 34 to the case 33 are provided at the front ends of the cover 34 and the case 33.

In the present embodiment, the push button switch 60 described above is constructed as shown in FIGS.

The push button switch 60 is provided with a base 61 made of a synthetic resin and having a rectangular box shape.
Small projections 61a, 6 for positioning and fixing mounting holes 65b, 65b of the housing 65 described later at the four corners of 1
1a is projected. In the recess 61b of the base 61,
The central contact 62 is also exposed so as to be exposed on the central upper surface,
The peripheral contacts 63, 63 are exposed so as to be exposed on the upper surfaces of the left and right ends.
Are integrally formed with the base 61 by insert molding. The central contact 62 and the peripheral contact 63 are provided with lead terminals 62a and 63a, respectively.

On the base 61, small holes 65b, 65b into which the small protrusions 61a, 61a are inserted are provided, and a housing 65 attached to the base 61,
The central contact 62 is in contact with the peripheral contacts 63, 63 and
A click spring 64 that is convex upward and is arranged so as to straddle the
A hollow portion 66 which is arranged so as to be spaced apart and which opens downward
A push button 66 having a, a slider 67 that is loosely inserted in the hollow portion 66a so that a hemispherical lower end 67a is brought into contact with the click spring 64, and the slider 6
7 to push the slider 67 toward the click spring 64 side.
Bottom surface of the recessed portion 67b provided in the
Urging spring 68 interposed between the hollow portion 66a and the top surface of the hollow portion 66a.
And are placed.

A guide hole 65a into which the push button 66 is loosely inserted is formed in the central portion of the housing 65, and a peripheral edge of the lower end of the push button 66 is engaged with the lower surface of the housing 65. A collar 66b is provided.

The push button switch 6 constructed as described above.
In the mouse 30 of this example having 0, the operation button 3
When the upper surface of 7, 37 is pushed down with a finger or the like, the push button 66 of the plunger 54, 54 push button switch 60 is pressed.
Is pushed down, and the slider 67 is accordingly biased by the biasing spring 68.
And the click spring 64 is pressed by the lower end of the slider 67.

At this time, until the pressing force of the slider 67 against the click spring 64 reaches the reverse load of the click spring 64, the biasing spring 68 is only compressed and the slider 67 presses the click spring 64. do not do. After that, the biasing spring 68
When the pressing force of the slider 67 against the click spring 64 exceeds the reversal load of the click spring 64 due to further compression, the click spring 64 is reversed and the central portion is exposed on the upper surface of the base 61. Contact the central contact 62. As a result, the peripheral contacts 63, 63 exposed on the upper surface at the peripheral portion of the base 61 are connected to the central contact 62 via the click spring 64, and are switched on (ON).
It becomes the state of.

Thus, the pushing strokes of the operation button 37 and the push button 66 until the click spring 64 is reversed include the stroke of the biasing spring 68 during compression, and thus are longer than those of the prior art. Therefore, the operation feeling (click feeling) of the operation button 37 is improved, and
Since the pressing force of the operation button 37 is transmitted to the click spring 64 not directly but through the biasing spring 68, fatigue of the click spring 64 is reduced, its durability is improved, and the life of the push button switch 60 is improved. As a result, the life of the mouse 30 provided with it is extended.

When the fingers or the like are released from the operation buttons 37, 37, the urging spring 68 returns to the state before the operation. As a result, the push button 66 and the operation button 37 are moved upward, and the state before the operation is restored. With this,
Due to the elasticity of the click spring 64, the central portion of the click spring 64 is inverted upward, separated from the central contact 62, and returned to the switch-off (OFF) state.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, in the coordinate information input device according to the present invention, the push button switch pressed by the operation button can have a good click feeling and can have a long life. Therefore, it has an excellent effect that the whole can be used for a long time and the operability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view mainly showing a main part of an embodiment of a mouse which is a coordinate information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view in the left-right direction showing around the switch of the mouse of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the push button switch shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining a conventional mouse.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a conventional mouse.

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second conventional example of the push button switch shown in FIG.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second conventional example of the push button switch shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 32 Ball 33 Case 34 Cover 38 Wiring Board 60 Push Button Switch 61 Base 62 Central Contact 63 Peripheral Contact 64 Click Spring 65 Housing 66 Push Button 66a Hollow Part 67 Slider 68 Energizing Spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A ball for inputting coordinate information, a case for accommodating the ball with a part of the outer surface thereof exposed, a cover put over the case, and a cover on one end side of the cover. An operation button arranged to cover the upper surface, and a push button switch arranged in the case and pressed by the operation button. A coordinate information signal based on the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the ball. And a coordinate information input device adapted to transmit a signal indicating the operating state of the push button switch, wherein the push button switch is a base provided with a central contact and a peripheral contact, and the peripheral contact. A click spring, which is in contact with and crosses the central contact point and which is convex upward, can be moved toward and away from the upper surface of the click spring. A push button having a hollow portion opened downwardly, a slider loosely inserted in the hollow portion so that its lower end is brought into contact with the click spring, and the slider. An urging spring interposed between the slider and the push button to urge the click spring side,
A coordinate information input device, comprising: